Mtn2Sea

We visited Singapore in 2019 while aboard the Amsterdam.  We took an all day excursion, visiting many areas of the city including Chinatown where we had lunch.  In the afternoon, we stopped at the Marina Bay Sands Hotel and went to the observation deck where we could see all of the city, including the Flower Dome and Cloud Forest (our last stop for the day). 

I started the signup process this afternoon and was required to show my AARP card.  Very quickly I was told my first name did not match.  Holland America has always required me to use my first name.  However, I go by my middle name, which my AARP card shows.  To correct the “problem”, the website asked me to upload my card showing my first name.  No other options were given.  Of course, I don’t have such a card.  I finally found a link that would let me give an explanation if I was having trouble signing up.  I got an auto response that their reps respond in one to two days.  Fingers crossed.

DW and I were on the 2023 WC.  We can only compare it to the 2019 WC, which we thoroughly enjoyed.  We had originally booked the 2021 WC, which was delayed to 2022 and then delayed again to 2023.  We would have enjoyed the original itinerary that was planned for 2021 and probably wouldn’t have picked the itinerary that was set for 2023.  We still enjoyed the ports, but I doubt we’ll go back to Western Africa again.  
 

When we started the cruise, we were seriously considering booking the 2024 WC because the itinerary is what was planned for 2021; however, we finished the cruise without booking any future cruise.  Since returning home, we have booked two more cruises, but they are only 12 and 28 days.  We will not book a long cruise until we see positive feedback from cruisers who are not known as cheerleaders.  
 

As many reviewers have noted, the crew remains top notch.  I have absolutely no complaints regarding the crew on the 2023 WC and actually felt sorry for some of them because a few passengers took their frustrations out on them.  I would also like to point out that both Ian (cruise director) and Henk (hotel manager) were outstanding and did what they could to make the cruise special.

Near the end of the cruise, HAL’s president joined the cruise for a few days.  He held a Q&A in a packed theater that lasted two and a half hours.  Many, many complaints from seasoned cruisers and a few positive comments.  Complaints ranged from the food (quality, variety, etc.) to all the little niceties seen on Grand Voyages in the past (number/quality of pillow gifts, decorations in MDR on theme nights, etc.). I will say Gus Antorcha did a great job in facing such hostile questions and I left the meeting encouraged things would improve.  In one respect I felt sorry for HAL because approximately one third of the passengers were from the aborted 2020 WC and, with their future cruise credit and refund, they were almost sailing this cruise free.  I would think HAL lost money on this cruise.  DW and I, however, paid full fare expecting a “Grand Voyage “ similar to what we experienced in 2019.  We thoroughly enjoyed visiting new ports, but the shipboard experience was not “ Grand”, other than our interaction with crew members.  For example, for much of the cruise, the theater was dark one night of the week and was reserved a second night for a movie.  Most of the entertainers were good, but there were a couple misses.  The MDR menu was also limited in choices.  I don’t believe I’ve ever seen Jello as one of the dessert choices.  After a few weeks, they moved that option to the every night options, where it belonged.

In talking with other passengers, it seemed that those who had never been on a WC generally were positive in their feelings.  Those who had been on previous Grand Cruises not so much.  I did talk to both new and seasoned passengers who had decided to cancel their 2024 WC based on their experience with the 2023 WC.

For the OP, I would hold off canceling a 2025 reservation.  Hopefully, cruise lines will get past the worst of the impacts from the pandemic and get somewhat back to normal by 2025.  I would, however, diligently read the reviews from those on the 2024 WC.

I’ve thoroughly enjoyed your past reviews and will be looking forward to your next one!

We stopped in Halifax last August while aboard the Nieuw Statendam and took an excursion that took us to some rural areas away from the port.  Our first stop was at the picturesque village of Peggy’s Cove.  We then went to Lunenburg, where we had a great lobster roll.  Our last stop was at Mahone Bay, which has numerous shops and several pretty churches.

We had several hours of stormy weather with lots of thunder last night.  Today our internet has been spotty, but hopefully that’s settled down.  In the last few years, we’ve visited numerous waterfalls while on HAL cruises.

Vaipahi Gardens, Tahiti


Patagonia, Chile

Black River Gorges, Mauritius

The following video and photo show the Katoomba Waterfall in Australia.

Kuranda Range, Australia 

Gullfoss waterfall, Iceland


Steinsdal Waterfall, Norway

Victoria Falls

Just now, rafinmd said:

@Mtn2Sea was that wildlife park near Victoria Falls?

 

Roy

Yes, it was very close.  The park was the Mosi-oa-Tonya National Park.  Our excursion included some time one morning at the Falls - another memorable moment!

I haven’t been to today’s port of the day, but I would like to share a few wildlife photos in honor of National Nature Photography Day.  These were take in Zambia this past March when we took an overland excursion while on the Zuiderdam.

DW and I had the amazing opportunity to pet four lions, who were a little over a year old.

We stopped at the island of Raiatea this past January for an overnight visit while aboard the Zuiderdam.  On the first day we just walked around the town of Uturoa, visiting several shops and a grocery store where I purchased some Tim Tam cookies.  

On our second day, we boarded a small boat docked near the ship and travelled to the nearby island of Taha’a to visit a vanilla “plantation” to learn how vanilla is produced.  We then returned to the boat and travelled to a small nearby island for some beach/snorkeling time before lunch.  We had both grilled fish and chicken as well as several root vegetables.  Our sailout from Raiatea through the reefs was quite interesting.  We also sailed right by Bora Bora, which originally was supposed to be a stop for us.
 

We stopped at Corner Brook while on the Nieuw Statendam last August.  Our excursion was a highlights tour of the area, which included a drive through downtown before we went to an overlook area that included a small display showcasing James Cook before he became a captain.  Our next stop was to look at the rock face of a mountain to see “the man in the mountain.”  
 

Our tour guide said his mother was in her eighties before she saw the man.  I guess I’ll have to come back when I’m older.

We docked in Dover while on the Zuiderdam this past April.  We chose to take a ship’s excursion to Canterbury, where we initially walked around the oldest part of the city before touring its famous Cathedral. 
 

Looks like a great itinerary.  Have a great time!!

We were in Agadir this past April while aboard the Zuiderdam.  We took an excursion that took us to a visitor center in the nearby city of Inezgane where we were welcomed with mint tea and cookies.  We watched several horsemen in traditional costumes race around some.  When they reached the end of a run, they fired their very loud guns in the air.  We also watched some dancers, gymnasts and a snake handler.  When we returned to Agadir, we had some time in the marketplace.

We were in Tangier in April while aboard the Zuiderdam.  We chose a half day tour that gave us the highlights of the area.  We first drove through some nice areas of the city on our way to an overlook area on the coast where the Atlantic Ocean was to our left and the Mediterranean Sea was to our right.  We then returned to the city for a walking tour.

Bon Voyage!  Looking forward to reading all about your cruise.

26 minutes ago, OlsSalt said:

 

Anyone know if the crew like these longer cruises on the smaller ships better? I would assume they would, but have heard the crews like the newer ships - the shorter cruise over and over cruises.

 

Wonder also since there are more chances to get to know each other on the longer cruises, if the additional personal tipping is more dedicated and generous as well.

We just finished this year’s 128 day world cruise.  A very good dining steward in the MDR volunteered that he prefers the longer cruises because he finds the work easier.  He gets to know people’s desires and then doesn’t have to learn new people’s desires until the next cruise - makes his life as a server a little simpler.

We were in Falmouth in January while aboard the Zuiderdam.  We chose an excursion that took us on a rafting trip on the Martha Brae river.  We got on a bamboo river raft built for two and then glided slowly down the river, which meanders gently through whispering groves of bamboo and ferns.  After our three mile rafting journey that lasted 75 minutes, we went to Montego Bay for a “shopping opportunity” before returning to the ship.

Shopping opportunities at the port area.

We were in Port Arthur, Tasmania, this past February while aboard the Zuiderdam.  We took an afternoon tour that showed the coastline and various rock formations created through the ocean’s wave actions.  One of the more historic sites was the Tessellated Pavement.  Mudstone, limestone, salt, and waves came together to create a rock platform that looks similar to pavers.  We also saw the Tasman Arch and the Devil’s Kitchen as well as an area with a blowhole. 
 

One of the prison building we saw on our walk from the tender dock to the bus.

Tessellated Pavement

Tasman Arch

Devil’s Kitchen

Blowhole area, but not enough wave action on the day we visited.

Coastline

Cape Raoul Tasman Peninsula

Just got off the Zuiderdam on Friday.  We were told Starlink should be operational on the ship within the next three weeks.  Hope that’s right!

We were last in Málaga a little over a month ago while on the Zuiderdam.  Instead of staying in the beautiful city of Málaga, we took the ship’s excursion to Cordoba, a city that was originally established by the Romans.  The highlight of the tour was the mosque that was the largest mosque in the world a thousand years ago.  When the Muslims were overthrown, the Catholic Church, instead of destroying the mosque as originally proposed, built a cathedral within the mosque.  As a result, the building reflects both religions.

We stopped in Portland last month while aboard the Zuiderdam.  We took a ship’s excursion to Stonehenge and the city of Salisbury.  The bus ride of approximately 90 minutes to Stonehenge was well worth it.  The Cathedral in Salisbury was wonderful.  We were also able to see one of the last four original copies of the Magna Carta (20 were originally made in 1215) at the Cathedral.

2 minutes ago, 57redbird said:

I so want to do this cruise!   What is the name of it, please & how long?

We stopped in Eidfjord as part of this year’s world cruise.

We were in Eidfjord five days ago while on the Zuiderdam.  We took the waterfalls and waffle excursion offered by HAL.  The Vøringsfossen Waterfalls were beautiful, but everyone had to be careful walking to the viewpoints because of the snow and ice.

As a Floridian, I was glad someone else was driving!

When the Zuiderdam stopped at Penneshaw a month ago, we took an excursion that covered many of the natural highlights of Kangaroo Island.  We went to both the Seal Bay Conservation Park and Finders Chase National Park.  There’s not much to see in Penneshaw itself.
 

The following photos are from Finders Chase National Park.  The first photos are from the Remarkable Rocks area and around the Admiral’s Arch area.

Admiral’s Arch area.

On the way back to Penneshaw, we stopped to look at a beach that’s popular for surfers.
 

Today’s sunset as the Zuiderdam leaves the dock in Wallis Bay, Namibia.