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Veendam South America/Antarctica 12/20/10

Liv4cruzin

By Liv4cruzin,
in Holland America Line

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SilvertoGold

SilvertoGold

Posted
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Merry Christmas back atcha.

 

Captain Rik Krombeen

Hotel Mgr. David Wood

C.D. Patti Honacki

 

Thanks, Becky, for the who's who.

I really am enjoying your blog and the posts here on C-C. It is all fantastic reporting!!

Can't wait until you hit the Antarctic. We were there 2 years ago on the Amsterdam, a truly wonderful cruise, with the added benefit of having Christmas Day in Hope Bay with the penguins. Best Christmas ever, although a very hectic day.

Many thanks again for taking the time to post!

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Liv4cruzin

Liv4cruzin

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Well, the Capt. had us at Brujo (I finally got it spelled correctly) bright & early. It was a dreary, sprinkly morning. After an hour, he decided that we had enough time to 'squeeze' in a visit to Amalia Glacier after all. It's just "the next fjord over".

 

I was more impressed with it because you could clearly see a very long ice flow coming down from the mountains. I personally saw no wildlife, other than a few birds. The sun peeked out for a while as we were leaving Amalia. But it was dreary looking pretty much the rest of the day (until the sunset about 10:15).

 

Santa dropped in about 9:30 this morning; & HA did a fantastic job with the whole Christmas morning activities. Last night's crew Christmas show was outstanding.

 

Had a wonderful dinner in Canaletto tonight with Lee Ann, Bill & Lou. It's now after 1 am; & I have to be up at 6 for a date with the penguins. Just put the last 2 days on the blog. Now, let's see how fast I can upload a few of today's photos.

 

Brujo Glacier

Small expedition ship off Brujo Glacier

Amalia Glacier

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NewCruiserCaryNC

NewCruiserCaryNC

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It's great to read the postings. My wife and daughters are on that cruise, and I hear from them only briefly daily due to the high cost of the Internet connection. They are having a great time so far and are looking forward to Antarctica. Please mention to DrTee that when I went to her blog, I appeared to get infected by a virus. It was a fast moving and very pervasive virus, and I've now shut down that computer and I'm working on another one. I don't know there was something on one of the side ads, or perhaps on Cruise Critic itself. There is another Cruise Critic post about other people getting infected with the same virus.

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RuthC

RuthC

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Becky

Thanks for the photo of the hand washing/sanitizer machines on your blog.

Are these only in the Lido and the regular Purell dispensers elsewhere?

When I was on the Veendam (October '10), I only saw the hand washing machine in the Lido. The Purell dispensers were everywhere else, and there was also one of those in the Lido.

 

The hand washing machines are kind of fun, but it was a nuisance taking my watch off first, finding a place to put it, then remembering to put it back on.

The public restroom is about 5 steps away. It should be so easy to go in there, wash your hands, then open the door with a tissue and proceed to get your meal.

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SilvertoGold

SilvertoGold

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When I was on the Veendam (October '10), I only saw the hand washing machine in the Lido. The Purell dispensers were everywhere else, and there was also one of those in the Lido.

 

The hand washing machines are kind of fun, but it was a nuisance taking my watch off first, finding a place to put it, then remembering to put it back on.

 

The public restroom is about 5 steps away. It should be so easy to go in there, wash your hands, then open the door with a tissue and proceed to get your meal.

 

RuthC

Thanks for your feedback. Exactly what I was wondering, talking off the watch! What a hassle, even if for a good cause. I don`t wear rings on a cruise, but would you not take those off, too?

Is this new hand washing machine replacing the 2 day Code Orange?

 

 

And so, RuthC, did Santa bring some chocolate, or not???

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RuthC

RuthC

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RuthC

Thanks for your feedback. Exactly what I was wondering, talking off the watch! What a hassle, even if for a good cause. I don`t wear rings on a cruise, but would you not take those off, too?

I don't take my rings off when I wash my hands, but I don't wear my rings during the day while on a cruise, either.

Is this new hand washing machine replacing the 2 day Code Orange?

It would be used instead of/in addition to the Purell machine. I can't see it replacing Code Orange, as there's no guarantee that it was used.

 

And so, RuthC, did Santa bring some chocolate, or not???

I ate well. Let's leave it at that. :D

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Krazy Kruizers

Krazy Kruizers

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Have been reading this threa -- thus I am sorry to interrup -- on the Nieuw Amsterdam -- there were towel dispensers with paper disposal in it by the every restroom door -- so you could wash your hands -- then as you went to leave the restroom -- take a towel -- open the door and dispose of your towel as you leave. I really liked that.

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SwissMyst

SwissMyst

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Ken & Shirley Are there bedbugs on the the Veendam or were they just kidding? Also what about the AC? We will be on the 28 day cruise up the Amazon.

Happy New Year

Ontario Cruiser

 

Here is the bedbug story from their blog: Although I didn’t mention it back then, they encountered what appeared to be bed bugs in their cabin upon embarkation. She found them when she lifted up the pillows. Housekeeping tried to tell them that it was dirt that sometimes falls from the A/C vents; but Shirley asked how could it fall “under” the pillows. There was no empty cabin to move them to; no extra mattresses to swap out. They’ve been trying to resolve this issue with Guest Relations for 3 days. So far, they’ve been offered a bottle of wine & a box of chocolates (which they declined). But they’re trying to keep their sense of humor about all this.

 

Be sure to go back to the post where they post their blog link - they have absolutely stunning photos from this trip - unbelievable capture of that glacial turquoise blue and some really great menu item photos. Great job with this blog and thanks for the on the spot report -the good, the not so good but laced with a lot of humor and appreciation for the beauty of it all too.

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bellebaby

bellebaby

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Here is the bedbug story from their blog: Although I didn’t mention it back then, they encountered what appeared to be bed bugs in their cabin upon embarkation. She found them when she lifted up the pillows. Housekeeping tried to tell them that it was dirt that sometimes falls from the A/C vents; but Shirley asked how could it fall “under” the pillows. There was no empty cabin to move them to; no extra mattresses to swap out. They’ve been trying to resolve this issue with Guest Relations for 3 days. So far, they’ve been offered a bottle of wine & a box of chocolates (which they declined). But they’re trying to keep their sense of humor about all this.

 

Be sure to go back to the post where they post their blog link - they have absolutely stunning photos from this trip - unbelievable capture of that glacial turquoise blue and some really great menu item photos. Great job with this blog and thanks for the on the spot report -the good, the not so good but laced with a lot of humor and appreciation for the beauty of it all too.

 

I have been following the blog and enjoying the beautiful photos. I just missed the comment about the bedbugs.... Don't know if I'd sleep very well if HAL couldn't even change-out the mattress...

 

B

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DrTee

DrTee

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I have a cold, but I don't see how you could get a virus from TravelPod--it's a Trip Advisor site, so reputable.

 

I'm having a/c problems. I will NOT sail on Veendam (and possibly HAL) until I get consistent confirmation on this site that they have rectified the problems. I have actually slept on my balcony (in a chaise) a few nights. Not what I booked the balcony for.

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Liv4cruzin

Liv4cruzin

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It was a long 24 hrs, w/o internet service. So, I'm trying to get as much "business" done as I can in case we have outages over the next 5 days at sea in Antarctica. Let me clarify something, Swissmyst quoted from my blog (Liv4cruzin) about the 'alleged' bedbugs. Housekeeping never did confirm to Ken & Shirley what the bug was. But I did get this info first hand from them; & they showed me pictures that they took of the evidence., I've not heard of another instance; so it must have been isolated.

 

I was able to update the blog last night before we lost the signal; & have also updated again this afternoon. Had the most fantastic visit with the penguins at Magdalena Reserve yesterday. From what others have told me, I had much closer encounters with the penguins than those who did the Otoway Sound excursion. Today, I took the Beagle Channel catamaran wildlife excursion. We saw lots of imperial cormorants & some HUMONGOUS sea lions. It was quite cold low 40's & winds have gusted up to 45 mph. Our next 5 days will be at sea; rounding Cape Horn & heading down to Antarctica.

 

I finally saw the doctor this afternoon about my continuing affliction, It's a sinus infection. I have drugs now; hopefully this will put an end to it.

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Rivergirl77

Rivergirl77

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Look forward to your posts each day Becky. I hope you are feeling better now you know what is ailing you.

 

It's heartening to hear you might be able to get the internet in the cabin with door open. I'm B190, what do you think my chances are.

 

Thanks

Robyn

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jpver

jpver

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I will check in and out over the holidays to see how your trip goes.

 

We were on the "hurricane cruise" that was late getting into port for you!! :)

 

My husband and I loved the 24 hour storm but many others spent that 24 hours in their rooms. We did get to the Falkland Islands but had to miss Puerto Montt.

 

The Captain kept us informed about every hour or so as to the conditions we were in. I think at one point we had only gone 15 miles in 5 hours. He reported a 3 degree list that felt like much more when the ship was on the crest of a wave. Highest wave was 98 feet and wind speeds up to 115 mph. The captain said the weather projection info he received was about 1/2 of what we actually got. He said we basically went thru a hurricane!

 

The dining room was closed that night and they brought sandwiches to the rooms. The next morning at the lido the "casino staff", in their uniforms, were serving a very limited breakfast.

 

After the holidays we will post a review and some of the pictures we took of damage around the ship.

 

If you get a chance, go out on the navigation deck (7th deck, I think) and check out the damage to the teak floor from slamming into the waves!

 

We were VERY impressed with the captain and the crew!!!!

 

Was there also. Impressive such storm!!!!

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