Darjeeling

6 hours ago, thecatservant said:

Yay — we’re boarding tomorrow!!! We’re here in Venice, spent the day toodling around on the water busses which is interesting in its own self. But now trying to figure out the best way to get to the passenger terminal. Is the people mover the best option? Do they have everything well marked once you get there?

 

We arrived in Venice yesterday for our third visit. Coming by train from Padua eight years ago, we used the People Mover. If I recall correctly, you need to drag any luggage a bit of a distance once you get off the PM. Everything is clearly marked. I vote for a taxi this time!😂

8 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

I thought of my Cruise Critic friends when I saw this sign in Piran........

 

I saw a tile sign with that saying in Bruges, Belgium a few years ago! ❤️

Can anyone who flew into Venice Airport please suggest an airport meeting place for two couples who (hopefully) will arrive within 30 minutes of each other via different airlines (Delta from JFK and Air France from Amsterdam)? The last time my husband and I visited Venice (2013) we came by train from Padua. Thanks!

6 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

Having difficulties again.  I do blame it partly on the ship’s internet and partly on CC, making me log in over and over.

 

I had a bit of a wander this morning and took a few pictures around the ship, mainly of the changes since we were last on board.  I tried to post them but all failed, will try again now.

 

The Lincoln Centre used to be the Explorers Lounge.  It is very popular, packed when there is a concert.  We have stayed away from crowds, so have not attended.  There are occasionally “chin maskers” and we are not taking any chances…

 

 

 

 

 

Thank you for all the wonderful pictures, Ann!! I think your log in issues are from CC as I’m having the same problem near Indianapolis! 

13 hours ago, kazu said:

 

I believe some of the waiters call them sticky buns. Hard to be sure from the photo but they have always had yummy  pecans in them.  

They are worth dumping the diet for 😉 

 

I didn’t mean to mislead if pecan pastries is the right request to make

LOL! Where my hubby grew up, “sticky buns” are cinnamon buns with or without pecans!🤣

7 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

Haha!  I had a hard time swallowing that dash of sofa.  I don’t know if it was me or autocorrect….  I had a fight over the yuzu cheesecake, too.

 

still trying to add the photos..

 

yay, it worked this time, I had to sign in again, so maybe it’s CC and not the internet. 192.89 kB · 0 downloads

 

our “dam” cocktail without the dash of sofa!  Why is it underlining now?  The cocktail was garnished with a slice of orange zest and a mint leaf.  Everything seems to be garnished with mint or pea tendrils…

 

 

sorry it’s so dark, the shrimp and lobster potstickers 

 

 

Our treat from Pika  - shrimp tempura roll and yellowtail and salmon sashimi

 

 

the lobster sauce was spicy.

 

 

the cheesecake was delicious - a creamy lemon mixture inside a white chocolate pipe, with the crumbs around it.

 

Thank you for all your comments and pictures! I think CC was having issues. I could not post, comment or react to anything during the weekend! Could you please include some pics of various areas (Lido, MDR, etc.) aboard ship so we can get an idea of what it’s like now?
 

I need to get serious about packing!!😘

45 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

today's food porn is HAL Bread Pudding mmmmmmmmmm

Now I really can’t wait to board msEurodam!🤣 @vanisland

9 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

Well, that was rather strange, somehow my post was rearranged.  Don’t know if it was the internet, or CC.  I’ll try for some pictures from my iPad.

 

 

waterspout 

 

 

There is a little jog in our route, just about where the “spur”;is on the boot of Italy.  That must be where we had the helicopter evacuation.  We seemed to turn around completely, because we are on the port side, but our balcony was looking at the land.  
 

 

Your picture of the waterspout is amazing! Please keep sharing your pictures with us!

2 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

After the show in the Mainstage comes the best part, just sitting on the verandah watching the sea and the clouds.

 

There is a new toy at the front office - a facial recognition temperature taker.  It says Hi, Penelope, your temperature is 36.8 - NORMAL!

 

 

I’m so very happy to see you have beautiful weather today! 😍

1 hour ago, Vict0riann said:

 

We had a beautiful flight over from Victoria an unusual route.  I took a few pictures.  We caught a golf cart when we got out of domestic, and it was a long ride to I think, the furthest international gate.  On the way we switched from our cloth masks to N95.  Pat tried to get business class seats, but decided we will stick with premium economy.

Lovely picture, @Vict0riann! I hope my sister and brother-in-law have such a beautiful day when they fly to Vancouver, etc. next week!

2 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

Best wishes for an uneventful flight, Colin and Ellen!  We are on our way soon, too. But a lot longer flight -10 hours from Vancouver to Frankfurt and then another hour or so to Venice.   We should get in around 2 tomorrow.

 

We will stop on the way to Victoria airport for COVID tests, which we hope to fail....

Safe travels, Ann! Can’t wait to hear more about your trip and meet you aboard soon!

14 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

Thanks for all the good wishes - we're going to need them! 

 

There was a flurry of emails this morning from Lufthansa, two each, one about our transit through Frankfurt and the documentation needed, and another about our arrival in Italy, and what is needed for that.  Hopefully, we have everything in order and Pat will be able to send it beforehand.  However, we have appointments for tests Monday morning, before we fly, so that will have to be last minute.   I think the countries are relying on the airlines to do the vetting, someone posted on a roll call that Italian immigration just looked at their passports and didn't require anything else.  

 

Our plan is to get our tests (at 11), wait for the results, drive out to the airport and park in the long-term lot.    That way, when we get back, we'll be able to drive home on our own and self-isolate for ten days or so and then get tested, just to be sure we are not bringing anything home with us!  Our flight to Vancouver is at 2:30, so we hope everything fits in!  Then we have  about an hour and a half in Vancouver airport, but there is a long walk from domestic to international.    Not my favourite airport....

Wow!! Best wishes for smooth connections and safe travels! Hope to see you aboard when we join the ship in Marghera on October 18!

We have cruised with both Celebrity and Holland America. HAL is a much quieter experience including fewer announcements. The theatre entertainment on Celebrity is of a higher caliber but we especially enjoy HAL’s Lincoln Center Stage (classical music) and the musical soloists in the evening. Lectures on Holland America are hit or miss. Meals in the main dining room are of a higher quality on Celebrity. Holland America offers a nice afternoon tea.

1 hour ago, Omilona said:

Hi All,

It's been 30 years since we cruised. We are booked on the 24 day  June 1, 2022 sailing on the Westerdam. For the purposes of planning excursions, what is the all on board time requirement before departing port? For example we are in Kotor from 7 am - 2 pm.Do we have time to have lunch on shore or do I have to  be back on board 2 hours in advance?

Thanks,

Stephanie

KroozNut is correct. I would remind you to also be sure to factor in the time it takes to return to the ship. For example, when we were in Kotor on the Celebrity Silhouette, our ship was as close to the Old Town as was possible. You may want to find out where the Westerdam will dock and see if you need to add travel time back to your ship. (BTW, we prefer to cruise with Holland America and Disney now).😊

8 hours ago, sailingdutchy said:

Naha , Japan is located on the island of Okinawa and is the largest city and capital city of that Japanese Prefecture .

Okinawa  was part of the Ryukyu Kingdom from 1429 and officially annexed by the Empire of Japan in 1879 .

 

Naha suffered extensive damage during the battle of Okinawa during WWII  and the entire city centre had to be rebuild . Civil administration was returned to Japan in 1972 but a large portion of the US forces  ( 26.000 ) are assigned to this prefecture.

On Okinawa the Ryukyuan people make up the majority of the population and the traditional culture and language are still alive and well.

 

We were in Naha on the Volendam and due to a storm they switched the date and we were very lucky that we arrived there on Nov 3rd , 2017 . Lucky because when the four of us walked to the monorail station to go to the Shurijo Castle we found out that a once a year special cultural event was to take place , the “ King of Ryukyu " was visiting the Shuri castle and going to pray at the different temples an amazing festival that only takes place once every year .

 

 

 

 

What incredible pictures, Tony! Thank you for sharing them! I have former ESL students who returned to Japan when their husbands were transferred back to their homeland. I’d love to visit someday!

34 minutes ago, 13momo said:

My DH and I are contemplating a 14-day NZ cruise.  We have never been on a cruise ship before, and he is concerned he will not like it.  He feels that there will be people and lineups everywhere you go, and there will be no quiet spaces; he doesn't want to feel 'trapped'. (I used to feel the same way, but have come around lol). I'm curious as to whether other people feel, or have felt, this way when cruising. 

BTW - we do have an Alaska cruise booked for next year, but i would like to book NZ while the V & V promo is available.

Thank you.

My husband and I have never felt “trapped” on a HAL cruise and have been able to find quiet spaces on each ship. Our favorite ships are those with libraries and promenade decks where you can walk outside or simply relax in a chair. I would suggest at least having a stateroom with a view as there are many beautiful views in New Zealand. Our 2018 NZ cruise lasted 18 days as we embarked in Sydney, Australia and debarked in Auckland, NZ. The cruise also spent three days in Tasmania. We’ve loved every cruise we’ve taken and this one was one of our favorites! Enjoy!!

Thanks for sharing! I’m looking forward to the SS Rotterdam’s inaugural voyage!

6 hours ago, kazu said:

 

That sounds like a lovey way to celebrate your 50th anniversary 🙂 

 

Happy to add it for you and hoping you enjoy the inaugural cruise on the newest ship 🙂 

Thanks again!! Forgot to mention that the Premiere Voyage on August 1 is our 1st Inaugural Cruise. So excited and blessed!!

Thank you for doing this!

We are on the MS Rotterdam VII’s Premiere Voyage, August 1, 2021 B2B with European Splendor, August 8, 2021 B2B with Viking Sagas, August 22, 2021 for a total of 28 days on the Rotterdam and celebrating our 50th Anniversary.

Darjeeling

Always the eternal optimist, DH and I have booked Rotterdam VII’s Premiere Voyage, European Splendor and Viking Sagas, August 1-29, 2021!

39 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Captain Marek Ryszard Zoll, the only Polish captain with HAL and promoted in 2019, is one of the former Veendam two captains (the other is Captain Steve MacBeath.) With Maasdam, Veendam, Rotterdam and Amsterdam all leaving simultaneously, there are currently eight captains looking for a ship with only Rotterdam VII joining next year. It this is handled purely by seniority, it will have a trickle down effect and some recently promoted captains, like Capt. Zoll, might have to take a temporary step back to staff captain. Time will tell 

Thank you! My hubby and I met him on the Veendam and would like to know what happens to him.  We knew he is Polish. It’s my heritage, too!😊

34 minutes ago, cat shepard said:

Welcome to the club, Donna!

Thank you!❤️😊

Hi Richwmn,

I just started following The Daily—very interesting! My husband and I are on the Rotterdam VII Premiere Voyage, etc., etc. I was wondering if you know what may happen to the cruise staff of the HAL ships that were sold recently. I’m especially interested to know where the former Veendam captain (I think his name is Marek) ends up!?!

Donna (Darjeeling)

Hubby and I stayed at The Grace Hotel for five nights pre-cruise and loved it! The central location was great as we could walk to shopping areas, restaurants, the Rocks, Circular Quay, aquarium, etc. We also used the Hop On-Hop Off bus to visit Bondi Beach and see other areas of the city. One day we took an excursion to the Blue Mountains which also included lunch, visit to see koalas, kangaroos, etc. and a ferry ride back to the city. Since our HAL cruise ship sailed from White Bay, we simply took a taxi from the hotel. The only negative was that breakfast (not included in our booking) was rather expensive. However, we did splurge two mornings because of the wonderful buffet.

Explorations Café Coffees and Teas

HOT

Espresso

Single - $1.20; Double - $1.70

Americano

12 oz - $1.60; 16 oz - $2.10

Caffe Latte

12 oz - $2.10; 16 oz - $2.60

Cappuccino

12 oz - $2.10; 16 oz - $2.60

Caffe Mocha

12 oz - $2.35; 16 oz - $2.85

Caramello Latte

12 oz - $2.55; 16 oz - $3.05

Hot Chocolate

12 oz - $2.10; 16 oz - $2.60

Tazo Chai Tea Latte

12 oz - $1.85; 16 oz - $2.00

Tazo Premium Hot Teas

12 oz - $1.60 (no 16 oz listed)

Daily Special

12 oz - $3.95; 16 oz $4.45

Extra Shot of Espresso - $0.45

Natural Flavor Syrups - $0.50

COLD

Iced Americano

12 oz - $1.60; 16 oz - $2.10

Iced Caffe Latte

12 oz - $2.10; 16 oz - $2.60

Iced Caffe Mocha

12 oz - $2.35; 16 oz - $2.85

Classic Latte Creamice

12 oz - $2.55; 16 oz - $3.05

Cioccolato Creamice

12 oz - $2.55; 16 oz - $3.05

Caramello Creamice

12 oz - $2.55; 16 oz - $3.05

Tazo Iced Chai Latte

12 oz - $1.85; 16 oz - $2.00

Daily Special

12 oz - $3.95; 16 0z - $4.45

Specialty Waters and Sodas -- $2.75

 

A 15% service charge will be automatically applied to your bar and beverage purchases

Thank you for posting this coffee/tea list!

Darjeeling (Donna)