And now: Live from the Zuiderdam!

[DavidNDC]

Hello fellow CC'ers!

 

Just a quick note from the May 14 Zuiderdam! We are on day two of our cruise. This message will be brief, although several of us to plan on doing reviews later.

 

So far everything is going very well. (Well, except for the money I lost in the casino! :) )

 

Today we were at Half Moon Cay and man you would not believe how the weather gods smiled on us. We had perfect weather most of the day then when it was about time to come back to the ship, it really clouded up on us. Then, when the ship set sail, the captain made an announcement -- I couldn't hear all of it -- but he basically said there was a cool front, they had picked up some thunderstorms on the radar, we were altering our route to St. Thomas a bit and this happens all the time.

 

We then sailed into what looked like ominous clouds. But we only got a little bit of rain and the seas seem calm. Maybe they will get rough tonight -- I don't know.

 

The food and service on this ship are to die for. (Although hopefully we won't.)

 

This is my first HAL cruise and my sixth overall. I have been on NCL, Celebrity and RCCL.

 

The ship itself is less impressive than all of the other cruises I have been on. However, both the food and the quality of the service are absolutely more impressive than all of the other cruises I have been on. I mean, in terms of service, there is no comparison whatsoever. None. Whatsoever. In terms of food, well, it's marginally better than all the others. The buffet in the Lido is what elevates this cruise over the others I have taken, in my opinion. They have daily pasta specials that are to die for -- ooops, I said that again! Yesterday after I got on board I had pasta with duck and pesto and a cream sauce. This was buffet food???? Wow. Wow, wow, wow.

 

I gotta run now and get dressed for dinner and this Internet is expensive....more later in the week! And a big warm hello (and a smooch!) to all you May 21 cruisers! We're leaving the ship in good shape, except for the accident with the Princess Caribbean yesterday. And that really was no big deal! After all, it's not like anyone got hurt or anyone's drinks were spilled!

[VaCruzers]

David - So nice to hear from you! Please make note of any secrets regarding the ship which need to be shared with those of us boarding next Saturday. It's my first time on the Zuiderdam and with HAL as well! Thanks for checking in.

 

And now, for the really important question, how is the drink of the day?

 

Signed,

 

An Anxious 5/21 Roll Call Member

[stormyc]

So glad you're having a great time!

 

Congratulations on your good luck with the weather at Half Moon Cay.

 

Keep having fun, and we look forward to hearing more later!!

 

Thank you so much for posting,

[drdaddy]

Thanks for the info. We really appreciate it and that you take the time to post from onboard.

 

What accident with the Caribbean Princess? Sounds like it was OK, though. I am sure all we want is for you to make sure you save every daily planner and try to record the menus for lunch and dinner. I heard they have changed some. And then when you return home, you can relive the great time you had by posting all that stuff we all crave to see.

 

Smooth sailing!

[spcl4cs_gal]

Glad you're having a good cruise. Would you happen to know if Shy back in the Lido/Vista Diningroom yet? I heard that he would be returning sometime this month from his vacation. :)

[rocks]

Hi!

THANKS for taking the time to post! Glad you are enjoying your cruise so far. Don't give up on the casino yet...it is always better to hit at the end of a cruise; that way you won't give it all back.

~A..I just got off the Maasdam & my WONDERFUL waiter was named Shy. Do you think there are 2 Shys? Also, when you get back on the Zuiderdam, if you run into Angelo, will you check to see if he & his girlfriend Trixie will still be there till 12/3?

rocks

[spcl4cs_gal]

Could there be two Shys?? Maybe if you described the Shy on the Maasdam that might solve the problem. And if I see Angelo I would be more than happy to ask him if he will be there in December for you. :)

[cheshire999]

Hello David!!!! Waving frantically!! Sorry about that Princess thing, I thought I only paid them enough to scare you back early. I hope you're having the greatest time!!! Keep up the good posts.

[csg99]

Hi David!!!!

Glad things are going well!! I told you not to ask to steer the boat!!!!:D I'm so glad you love the service on HAL--they are all we've ever sailed but we've been told by seasoned travelers that we would have trouble going with another line after sailing with them--the stateroom size, service and food are fantastic! I don't think you'll have time to read those books you brought, but you know Susan would still love for you to leave them for her;) I did read on HAL's website that they expect cabin 6066 on the Zuiderdam to be out of service for a few weeks--something about repairs, new carpet, furniture, and fumigation.....:rolleyes:

Have a great time! I hope you guys get to dock at the main dock in St. Thomas--we always get stuck in the old submarine dock and have to cab into town :(

Have fun!

Connie

[Tarkus]

k, dave, be sure you wave to the pusser's webcam tomorrow so i can see you! ;)

 

seriously, since you guys are on the same itinerary as mine (two weeks from now) it's difficult to not have my mind bounce to you guys several times a day. at least starting to get stuff i'll be bringing amassed in one place - and being sure fine clothing fits as i hope it will - starts to whet my cruising appetite!

[seabunkie]

David - Thanks for taking the time to update us on your cruise. Everything sounds wonderful, just like I'm looking forward to! But I'm one of the 5/21 voyagers, so please save something for us when we board on Saturday!

 

Looking forward to reading more of your funny posts!

 

Terry

[Tak8]

You mentioned altering your route to St. Thomas a bit. Aren't you going to Tortola first (on Tuesday), then St. Thomas (Wednesday)? Glad to hear you had great weather at HMC.

[djludwig@prodigy.net]

Just off the Zui 4/23. St. Thomas IS on Tuesday and Tortola IS on Wednesday. That's unless there has been a change in the last 30 days.

[Tarkus]

You mentioned altering your route to St. Thomas a bit. Aren't you going to Tortola first (on Tuesday), then St. Thomas (Wednesday)? Glad to hear you had great weather at HMC.

that's actually a VERY good question - since i've prebooked diving with a local operator in st. thomas for june 1, if hal decides to do their port flip-flop thing yet again i'm not going to be a very happy camper.

 

but i'm hoping since tortola & st. thomas are just a stone's throw from each other they may have just made a generalized announcement about heading towards that area using st. thomas as a reference. *crosses fingers*

[doone]

Thanks for taking the time to post. We had a wonderful time on the Zuiderdam when we sailed her, glad your experience is the same.

[Tak8]

Tarkus: I'm in the same boat. I booked an excursion in Tortola. The catamaran folks were nice enough to switch us to Tuesday after HAL switch days. I'm hoping they aren't switching back again. That's why I'm hoping to hear from cruisers on this cruise.

[julieawill]

This link to the cruise ships scheduled in to St. Thomas may be of interest, http://www.*****/general_usvi/getting_here/cruise-2005/STT-May-2005.php . It doesn't mention any HAL ships the week of May 21...

[Tarkus]

thanks, julie. we're on the 28-may sailing... but, looking at the ships scheduled for 31-may it would appear that (at least at the moment) tortola will be on tuesday and st. thomas on wednesday.

[Scrumpy]

David - Lovely to hear from you! Sounds like you are having a great time. You really shouldn't drink and drive, though - let that little Princess incident be a lesson to you! ;) (Is the sobriety test the same at sea as it is on land)?

 

Hope you guys aren't tearing it up too badly; I am hoping to be slapping palms as you disembark - oh, in about 55 hours or so. (ok, I'll still be asleep when you disembark, but I will smack the air as I board).

 

Looking forward to hearing more from you and hope you continue to have an awesome cruise!

Hugs & kisses (those are from the dog; DH wouldn't approve),

Scrumpy

 

... And a big warm hello (and a smooch!) to all you May 21 cruisers! We're leaving the ship in good shape, except for the accident with the Princess Caribbean yesterday. And that really was no big deal! After all, it's not like anyone got hurt or anyone's drinks were spilled!

[Ziggy7]

David, Thanks for checking in with us! Glad you had a wonderful day in HMC !!!! Hope the weather holds for the rest of your trip :)

What accident with the Caribbean Princess???? I hope you didnt hurt the ship I'm boarding this Saturday! I will be waving goodbye to you as you disembark! Enjoy your cruise!

[Scrumpy]

about 55 hours or so...

 

All right; I jumped the gun. It will be more like 111-ish hours from now, give or take. (Can't believe it was too late to edit; how embarassing!):o

 

Time for bed. Obviously.:rolleyes:

[stormyc]

...Hope you guys aren't tearing it up too badly; I am hoping to be slapping palms as you disembark ...

 

Scrumpy,

 

In case I don't get a chance to shout at you later in the week, have a wonderful cruise and Happy Birthday!!!!! :)

 

What a way to celebrate!

 

Best Wishes,

[rtluvr]

oops, called hal and they confirmed june 11 cruise is tortola tues and st. thomas wed....hope it is so as i have a sail planned privately.... kelmac you see this?

[rtluvr]

oops, called hal and they confirmed june 11 cruise is tortola tues and st. thomas wed....hope it is so as i have a sail planned privately.... kelmac you see this?

[Scrumpy]

Thanks Stormy!!! I'm celebrating already :D (well, apart from cleaning, laundry, and packing - I am celebrating; dancing inside). Except for the fact that I'll probably be off the ship when it happens, I look forward to chatting with ya and letting you know how the trip went! Have a good one!

 

Scrumpy,

 

 

In case I don't get a chance to shout at you later in the week, have a wonderful cruise and Happy Birthday!!!!! :)

 

What a way to celebrate!

 

Best Wishes,