Mtn2Sea

Thanks for taking the time to report on your trip.  Hope your cruise is amazing!

I don’t know about the wine package question since I always purchase a package once I’m onboard, but my experience with shore excursions is, if a tour is cancelled after your cruise has begun, the refund will show up on your onboard account.  If you still have money available on your account when the cruise ends, a refund will appear on your credit card.  If the tour cancellation occurs prior to the cruise, the money goes back to the gift card.

A little over a month ago, we had our second visit to Auckland while on the Zuiderdam.  After our first visit in 2019, I always regretted not doing the jump off the Sky Tower, so this time a jump was on my agenda.  I told several people I was thinking of doing the jump if I didn’t chicken out.  When I signed up for the jump and while getting ready for it, I kept thinking “Am I really doing this?”  I didn’t get nervous until I was on the platform and the attendant was starting his countdown.  I wasn’t sure I could get my hands off the bars, but I did.  Almost immediately after I began the descent, a feeling of calm came over me.  I thoughtfully enjoyed it!  By the way, if you are 75 or older, the jump is free.

Although it looks like the attendant is having to push me, I jumped voluntarily.

I’m currently on the Zuiderdam and just took a photo of a bread plate, which is Royal Delft (they come in various patterns).  All other dishes used in the MDR are white.

We were in Hobart about ten days ago while on the Zuiderdam.  Our excursion involved taking a ride through the countryside to the Bonorong Wildlife Park.  We then had a short visit in the small town of Richmond.  At the park we saw numerous animals, including lots of kangaroos and a Tasmanian Devil.

At Richmond, we were told this is the oldest stone bridge in Australia that is still in use,

We were also told this is the oldest Catholic Church building in Australia.

Hobart was having a wooden boat festival the weekend we were there.

We recently cruise through New Zealand and Australia as part of this year’s world cruise.  We never had to show anyone our approval on the app.  I had printed out the emails showing our ETA’s had been approved.  You really just need the numbers that are shown in the email when you complete some paperwork for HAL.

Tonight’s sunset from our starboard veranda on the Zuiderdam while docked in Adelaide, South Australia.

Tonight’s sunset from the Zuiderdam off the coast of Australia.

Also told no $30 benefit because I had received the discount by pre purchasing.  IMO, Hal has taken away a benefit without giving us proper notice.  Fortunately, not a big item, but again, this is another example of making us feel like they are intent on making a thousand cuts.  For some, a small cut can lead customers to other cruise lines because that last small cut can also be considered the last straw.   I’m also currently on the Zuiderdam.

Hope you have a safe and uneventful flight to FLL!  So sorry to hear about Bob.  He was a great contributor to CC.

Kathi, so sorry you’re unable to make the world cruise.  I was looking forward to meeting you.  Hope your health issues are resolved successfully and quickly.

Rich, looking forward to reading your impressions of your first world cruise.  We will be joining the Zuiderdam on January 3 and it looks like we’re in the same cabin category as you.  I was wondering what your impressions of the cabin are, particularly the amount of storage that is available.

We stopped at Puerto Madryn, while aboard the Zaandam in 2018.  We took an excursion through the Patagonia flatlands to Punta Tomba Nature Reserve, where we saw a thousand or so Magellanic penguins.  The weather was surprisingly warm. 
 

I’ve never gotten a tender ticket when on a HAL excursion.

In August, we stopped in Djupivogur while aboard the N. Statendam.  We took an excursion to “The Valley of the Waterfalls.” Shortly after leaving the port, we got off the main road onto a one lane dirt/gravel/rocky road. A total of seven vehicles participated in this caravan over a pretty barren landscape. The ride was a bit rough, but we were able to see numerous beautiful waterfalls during our four hour tour. Prior to returning to the port, we stopped in an open vista and had coffee/hot chocolate and either “matrimonial” cake (an Icelandic specialty) or a rolled up pancake.

Bon Voyage!!

We visited Seydisfjordur this past August while aboard the N. Statendam.  Prior to the cruise, we had booked an excursion that took us out of town, but a few days prior to our arrival, we received a letter from the excursions office that the excursion had been oversold and, since we had purchased the excursion later in the process, we were canceled.  After spending some time in the terminal building using their WiFi, we enjoyed walking around town.

Looking forward to reading all about your upcoming adventure, including your pre cruise touring.  Fingers crossed your flight goes smoothly.

@summer slope This summer DW and I  (77 & 71) went to a travel medical clinic to get the YF vaccination.  We had to provide a list of all prescriptions for them to review.  Because of one particular prescription that DW takes, the nurse contacted a supervisor to discuss the appropriateness of the shot.  After further discussion and a review of the letter from our primary care physician that DW was in good health, the vaccination was given.  We both had some soreness at the injection site and DW felt a little blah the next day, but otherwise no real problem getting the shot.  Based on all the info regarding the YF vaccination for seniors, it’s a tough decision on which way to go.  Good luck in sorting all this out.

So, so sorry you had a positive test!  We avoided CoVid until we took a cruise in August.  At least we made all our ports before DW started feeling something was off.  I tested positive a couple of days after DW’s positive test.  Even though she had stronger symptoms, DW eventually tested negative quicker than I did and I had very mild symptoms.  Hope you continue with no symptoms and test negative soon so you can enjoy the rest of your cruise.

Bon Voyage!!  Hope you have a great trip.

5 hours ago, southernshug said:

So you can use just the regular free test, that doesn't have any proctoring attached to it? I know thats a stupid question but all of this is just so darn confusing anymore, that i want to make sure im doing this correctly! lol

On Point monitors/proctors your testing via Zoom.  They watch you do the test and keep track of the time.  You hold up the test stick so they can see if there is one line or two.  They don’t restrict you to one particular brand for the test kit.  I simply chose to use the free government test kit rather than going to a drug store and purchasing one of the available home tests.

Prior to boarding the N. Statendam last month, we used On Point Testing.  We did our test in our Boston hotel and it was very easy.  Having rarely used Zoom, the only problem I had was the proctor did not see me after we connected.  Fortunately, I saw the icon that activated my computer’s camera.  Everything went quickly and I got the test results in my email right after we finished.  One thing I like about this company is they allow an appointment to include more than one person.  We used the free government test kits.

Just back from a 24 day cruise on the N. Statendam and the turnaround time was a bit longer, but never more than 48 hours.

29 minutes ago, oakridger said:

Thanks again and I'm very happy to hear that debarkation day breakfast room service was offered!  I had heard other reports in the last few months that it wasn't being offered any more.

 

Have a pleasant trip home,

~Nancy

I think it depends on the ship.  We got off the N. Statendam one week ago and a day or two before the cruise ended we got a letter explaining room service would not be available on disembarkation day.  I don’t know if it mattered, but we were in a veranda.