VMax1700

We recently disembarked in Copenhagen (Oceankaj) and as we had an evening flight (7.10pm) we used the Red Hop on Hop off bus which served the terminal that morning to tour Copenhagen. We had previously arranged with Copenhagen Luggage Service https://www.copenhagenluggageservice.com/ to collect our bags at the pier and take them to the airport. This worked perfectly and would recommend this to anyone who has a late flight. They also take bags from airport to cruise terminal or airport.

Why is it a possibility? Surely that is the main focus of a Partial transit

Wednesday 23rd August, Disembarkation, Copenhagen. I think I have already mentioned about my plan for the disembarkation day, but I will repeat it here. We had a late flight from CPH (7.10pm) so I reckoned we would do the HoHo bus, explore a few stops and then head to the airport, but what to do with the luggage, as we certainly did not want to be dragging them around for the day. I found a company called Copenhagen Luggage Service https://www.copenhagenluggageservice.com/ and arranged with them to collect our bags from the pier and take them to the airport while we boarded the Red HoHo bus right outside the cruise terminal and did our touring. Only difficulty was that they requested we print off coloured luggage tags, so they could easily identify our bags in the terminal. (They do recommend that you do the booking and printing before leaving home, but hey, I like a challenge.) Shout out to Benroy and Yetri in Guest Services who assisted me to get the tags printed in colour. They also ask that you upload images of your bags to aid identification. This is optional, but was easy to do with basic internet connection. As instructed, we put our bags outside of the stateroom for the normal procedures and just after 7 am I received a message to say that our bags had been picked up. So we went of to explore Copenhagen on our pre booked Red bus tickets. After a lunchtime snack we got by HoHo to Central Station and purchased ticket to go to the airport by train - 60DKK for the two of us - about $9. As we reached the airport we received another message to return the message to collect our bags, and we headed to their store to collect them. There was another couple there too, who were dropping baggage and mountain bikes to them to store while they visited Copenhagen. Security at CPH was slow and DW found it very intrusive, as security insisted on a full "hands on" search as the scanner had shown her silicone prosthesis. The image on the scanner was in full view of those in the line and the search was done in front of the line. She was quite upset by the whole event. We do understant the security reasons, but it did seem somewhat excessive. We shared probably the worst, but most expensive ever, airport pizza here and two bottles (500ml) of water ($6 each). Our flight had a delayed departure. It was a full flight and they needed to offload some carryon bags, but the paperwork took much longer than anticipated so we lost our slot. When we arrived in Amsterdam, it was a quick walk to our next flight to Cork. We had passport inspections on the way. The buses were just loading at the departure gate (KLM Cityhopper with Embraer 175) so it was straight on to the bus and on to our flight. I was not surprised that our bags did not make the transfer, but a bit disappointed that it took 2 days for 1 of the bags to be delivered. I will post a post cruise summary tomorrow.

Only the two pieces of curved Melba toast! Previously, I have asked and been given various bits and pieces that do not replace Saltines, so I bring my own equivalent.

I had noticed a few people in black cook/chef uniforms around the ship for the last week and just after Canaletto I encountered two of them in the elevator. They were Fleet Chefs. One asked how I had enjoyed my dinner and I must confess to voicing a disapproval of the new Canaletto menu mentioning the Crab Risotto in particular. He said to ask onboard and they would be able to prepare it for me on request. I just may try that!

For the last night we went to Canaletto and I was delighted to have the Crab Risotto again. NSD is still serving the old menu. The staff had been tasting the new menu during the past couple of days but said it would be end of September before it replaced the current menu. and an Italian cheese plate (byo crackers)

The last bread pudding...😭

Lido Options (Vegan/GF)

Day 14 Menus Lido Lunch MDR Dinner Lido Baltic Dinner

Day 14 Sea Day Daily Program

Lerwick is a lovely spot. It was our second attempt to get to visit and our first success! Tendering was quick as the weather was perfect and the sea was calm. Here are a few pics of Lerwick

Day 13 Lerwick Menus Lido Lunch Lido Dinner MDR Dinner Gold Gala m13-day13-_lido_lunch_north_europe_2023.pdf m13-day13-_lido_dinner_north_europe_voyage.pdf m13-day13_-_mdr_gala_gold .pdf

Day 13 Lerwick Daily Program

Luggage has all been delivered, laptop is plugged in and recharging and laundry is being processed! I will resume from where I left off ..........

Claire was CD on this cruise, with Amanda as Entertainment Director (really good, but her contract ended on 23rd August). Jose is still hosting trivia and dancing and having a good time 😉 If only I could use OBC to purchase some of his energy!

In Ireland there is a necessity for Private Health Insurance as the Public system is seriously over strectch and no matter how much money is thrown at it, fails to achieve even modest levels of care. Therefore to achieve some semblance of care it is necessary to have insurance which will pay for private hospital, care, specialists etc.

The EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) is issued by the HSE (Health Service Executive) in Ireland. You should usually be residing in Ireland and already have an Irish PPSN (Personal Public Service Number). A PPSN is issued at birth or you must apply when residing/intending to reside in Ireland. The PPSN is the equivalent of your Social Security Number. Details here: https://www2.hse.ie/services/schemes-allowances/ehic/apply/

The EU does not issue passports. They are issued by the individual member country. Which passport do you have? Even with my Irish passport I still need to apply for a Health Card to show my details to obtain health cover in other EU countries. If I don't have that card then I can expect to pay. I may not be asked to pay, but I would expect to be asked for payment or insurance.

Just one quick comment....... We are well used to CD or Hotel Manager etc to be at bottom of gangway to wish departing guests a safe journey home and thank you. When we exited the ship on Wednesday it was Capt Eric at the bottom of the gangway - Nice gesture!

Again apologies fo rnot posting for the last few days. We arrived home late last night (Wednesday). One of our suitcases arrived this evening (Thursday) and the other one is now scheduled to be delivered to us by 11am tomorrow (Friday). This was caused by a delayed departure from Copenhagen on Wednesday evening which lead to a short connection time in AMS. Although my laptop was in my backpack, the mains power adapter is in the second suitcase so I have very little power remaining. I will finish the report over the weekend.

Here is a copy of the current MDR Lunch menu being served on Nieuw Statendam. As the file name suggests, it has not changed much over the past years! mdr_lunch_menu_winter_2022_print_en_-_v2.2_-_no_specials.pdf

The number that I use is +44 23 8065 5000 (UK 03..numbers do not work over here) so if you dial 023 8065 5000 option 1, then option 5 and you will get HAL

Our flight home tomorrow is a late evening flight departing Copenhagen at 7.10 pm so rather than drag our suitcases around all day I have signed up with Copenhagen Luggage Service, who, for €39 will collect 3 suitcases at the terminal, up to 20kg each, and transport them to the airport for us. I had intended to sign up for this before we left home but forgot. It was no problem to sign up using the ship's internet, however they require colour coded tags (similar to the ship's disembark tags) so that they can identify the bags in the terminal. The ship has a printer available to cruisers but it is Black and white, so I had to get the Front Desk to print them out on their colour printer. They also suggest that I send photos of the suitcases to aid identification.

I know I have fallen a bit behind in posting the Daily Program and Menus, so sorry for that! Today is repacking day AKA "why did I bring this? day" or "Did we really purchase all this stuff? day" so I will update the info as soon as I have a few minutes. In the meantime, if anyone sailing soon has any particular question, then ask away......