ShipsAreTheBest

Transiting down the east side of Vancouver Island (the inside passage route) requires passing through Seymour Narrows - and has to be done at nearly slack water. It is a challenging route and requires timing (and pilots). Oh, and if you don’t make the Narrows at the right time, the arrival time at Victoria is endangered. Yes, cruise ships travel that route all the time, but if there were no pilots available, you weren’t going that way. Out into the Pacific and down the west side of the island it is…

First cruise was Rotterdam (V) to Nassau & Bermuda from NY as a 13 year old (1980). First one I paid for - RCCL Nordic Prince to Bermuda from NY 1990 (honeymoon).

I can confirm this. I’ve stayed in 3335 several times in the last three years. Also, all Cat C rooms on Deck 2 (Main Deck) have also been done. The rep was incorrect- they didn’t redo all the bathrooms. Although that would have made sense, they didn’t. One of the only maddening things about an otherwise beautiful ship.

They still sell it, but for a little more than 25 cents. But, for the same price as Budweiser or Bud Lite. Not even a second thought for my choice!

Thanks to Pete’s handy map (shown here), I can tell you Rotterdam docked where Zuiderdam is shown above in late June 2023.

Although Zaandam doesn’t have Azipods, she has bow and stern thrusters and Becker rudders. She and Volendam have a lot of power for their size and, as far as maneuverability goes, I know they are favorites of some HAL captains for that reason.

HVAC is not powered in individual rooms like on land. The thermostat controls a damper that allows cooler or warmer air into the room. The chiller (and the heat source) is a central system. I’m probably overly simplistic in my explanation, but trying to make the point that, as far as HVAC goes, the big electric consumers are not controlled locally by the passengers.

Chances are they were building a protective box over the artwork so that work activities (including moving things up and down stairs) won’t damage the artwork. Just a guess…

Yes there is access from above and the end of both corridors have doors that go out into this area. It’s kind of hidden and doesn’t get a lot of use because most people don’t think to go there so it stays quiet.

I think the Prinsendam referred to was the most recent one (former Seabourn Sun) sold off recently. Otherwise, agree with everything else in your very informative post!

I can see on Marine Traffic, she is currently moored at 30 (just as the port schedule said).

Agreed. They forget the -dam suffix was the catch. Not sure why they tried to get cute with Nieuw for the Statendam. Only place it should be used is Nieuw Amsterdam, named for the original Dutch colony that became New York City and in honor of the three predecessor ships of the same name.

My understanding is that these presentations are made in the home office and scripted, so that kind of puts the cruise director on the spot. If someone is offended by it, they are the face of it even if they didn’t prepare the content.

I think because the plastic “glassware” gets brought out to the pool areas often - and they don’t want broken glass there. Doesn’t explain the salad bowls and the real plates though, but for drinks it makes sense, even if not as nice.

Volendam had the tubs in all ocean view rooms converted to showers (I’m not talking about Vista or Neptune suites). Only exception I could find were two DA rooms way up forward on Verandah Deck (6). (The confusion is because, for whatever reason, Zaandam has had some rooms done, but not all. Maddening for those who it matters to when they are trying to book a room. Have to read the deck plan notes carefully).