Aug 31 Zuiderdam - Alaska

[startwin]

Uh oh, the honeymoon may be over...... non-flushing toilet - in a NEPTUNE suite:eek: Plumber has fixed it, he thinks, we'll see how long it lasts. Otherwise, all is supremely good - this gal who usually rides in the cheap seats could get used to this:D:D I am, however, developing an Aussie accent - 90% of the pax are from down-under.

[Copper10-8]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=navy]Have a great time on ZUDM[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[erewhon]

[quote name='startwin']Uh oh, the honeymoon may be over...... non-flushing toilet - in a NEPTUNE suite:eek: Plumber has fixed it, he thinks, we'll see how long it lasts. Otherwise, all is supremely good - this gal who usually rides in the cheap seats could get used to this:D:D I am, however, developing an Aussie accent - 90% of the pax are from down-under.[/quote]

Oh no, am sorry to read of the toilet problem. Hope the plumber did a good repair, and you have no further problems.

[sapper1]

[quote name='startwin']Uh oh, the honeymoon may be over...... non-flushing toilet - in a NEPTUNE suite:eek: Plumber has fixed it, he thinks, we'll see how long it lasts. Otherwise, all is supremely good - this gal who usually rides in the cheap seats could get used to this:D:D I am, however, developing an Aussie accent - 90% of the pax are from down-under.[/QUOTE]

You jinxed yourself when you reported that everything was flushing smoothly. I remember thinking to myself--"now she's gone and done it". :eek:
Moral---- never tempt the marine toilet Gods. :D

[Irish Eyes Are Sailing]

Wow, I missed this thread....have a wonderful cruise, Startwin!:)

[cruz chic]

Here's hoping the rest of the cruise will be flush problem free.

[startwin]

Just a quick catch-up from Ketchikan, where it's raining and cool. Having been here many times I am quite happy to just sit inside the dry market and use the free internet.

Some more thoughts on my first Neptune experience... loving the Lounge, but cannot understand why some people feel the need to fall out of bed and head to the Neptune Lounge in their robe, hair all over the place and sleep still in their eyes. Not very pleasant to look at. Oh well. Have also seen quite a few people at the Lido buffet wearing the robe.

Talking of the Lido buffet - I avoid it like the plague. Why do people completely lose their manners as soon as they step inside? They seem to be frantic to grab every bit of food in the place:( Another wonderful thing about having access to the Neptune Lounge - being able to avoid the Lido,

2nd formal night last night - this time I think 99% adhered to the dress code.

That's it for now, off to do my last minute shopping. Oh, and this ship docks further out from town so have a fair walk or wait for a shuttle bus.

Almost forgot - the toilet is working fine:D

[Mumsysailor]

Thanks for posting, Annette. I don't understand the robe thing at all - IMO it's tasteless and tacky. Make the most of your last few days in the Neptune suite.

Mumsy.

[AlohaPride]

[quote name='startwin']Just a quick catch-up from Ketchikan, where it's raining and cool. Having been here many times I am quite happy to just sit inside the dry market and use the free internet.

Some more thoughts on my first Neptune experience... loving the Lounge, but cannot understand why some people feel the need to fall out of bed and head to the Neptune Lounge in their robe, hair all over the place and sleep still in their eyes. Not very pleasant to look at. Oh well. Have also seen quite a few people at the Lido buffet wearing the robe.

Talking of the Lido buffet - I avoid it like the plague. Why do people completely lose their manners as soon as they step inside? They seem to be frantic to grab every bit of food in the place:( Another wonderful thing about having access to the Neptune Lounge - being able to avoid the Lido,

2nd formal night last night - this time I think 99% adhered to the dress code.

That's it for now, off to do my last minute shopping. Oh, and this ship docks further out from town so have a fair walk or wait for a shuttle bus.

Almost forgot - the toilet is working fine:D[/QUOTE]

Glad to hear you're having a good time! Is the shuttle bus free from the pier?

[cruz chic]

[quote name='startwin']Just a quick catch-up from Ketchikan, where it's raining and cool. Having been here many times I am quite happy to just sit inside the dry market and use the free internet.

Some more thoughts on my first Neptune experience... loving the Lounge, but cannot understand why some people feel the need to fall out of bed and head to the Neptune Lounge in their robe, hair all over the place and sleep still in their eyes. Not very pleasant to look at. Oh well. Have also seen quite a few people at the Lido buffet wearing the robe.

Talking of the Lido buffet - I avoid it like the plague. Why do people completely lose their manners as soon as they step inside? They seem to be frantic to grab every bit of food in the place:( Another wonderful thing about having access to the Neptune Lounge - being able to avoid the Lido,

2nd formal night last night - this time I think 99% adhered to the dress code.

That's it for now, off to do my last minute shopping. Oh, and this ship docks further out from town so have a fair walk or wait for a shuttle bus.

Almost forgot - the toilet is working fine:D[/QUOTE]

I saw the robe thing in the Neptune too. What are turn off. You are missing a nice thread about wearing robes to the pool. Anyone that thinks its not ok is petty. Now you're caught up;):D. Thx for checking in.

[startwin]

Sunbathing on the balcony on our way back from Alaska - life is good:)

Note to anon-smokers - we've had absolutely no issues with smoke on the balcony. Very few seem to be smokers on this cruise, just one bad day walking through the casino.

Do you think it's a bit pointed when your room steward leaves two envelopes under their business card on the dresser?? Oh well, they deserve tips anyway, they have been great.

Used the free laundry service - it was picked up at 8 pm, and back in the room the following morning at 11. Loving this Neptune stuff:D

All week that song "How you gonna keep 'em down on the farm now that they've seen Paree" has been running through my head. It fits. Sigh.....

[sapper1]

[quote name='startwin']Just a quick catch-up from Ketchikan, where it's raining and cool. Having been here many times I am quite happy to just sit inside the dry market and use the free internet.

Some more thoughts on my first Neptune experience... loving the Lounge, but cannot understand why some people feel the need to fall out of bed and head to the Neptune Lounge in their robe, hair all over the place and sleep still in their eyes. Not very pleasant to look at. Oh well. Have also seen quite a few people at the Lido buffet wearing the robe.

Talking of the Lido buffet - I avoid it like the plague. Why do people completely lose their manners as soon as they step inside? They seem to be frantic to grab every bit of food in the place:( Another wonderful thing about having access to the Neptune Lounge - being able to avoid the Lido,

2nd formal night last night - this time I think 99% adhered to the dress code.

That's it for now, off to do my last minute shopping. Oh, and this ship docks further out from town so have a fair walk or wait for a shuttle bus.

Almost forgot - the toilet is working fine:D[/QUOTE]

Good grief woman---- there you go again waving that red flag in front of the toilet Gods. There's still another flush or two before you're home free. :D

[Mumsysailor]

Ooo ... It is a bit naughty for your stewards to put out the envelopes. I'm glad they've been good to you and you think they deserve something extra. What would you have done if their service wasn't so good?

Mind you don't get sun burned on that huge balcony. ;)

Mumsy.

[canadianbear]

It's wonderful to hear how you are loving the Neptune life! I will have to keep your tip in mind about the Pinnacle being booked but the concierge got you in when we go. Strange too that when you did go not many people there at all. Did you try the Canaletto at all? Wondering how that is.

I find it tacky about the room stewards leaving the envelopes since there are already envelopes in the suite-are they getting desperate?

Happy sunbathing-get it all done before you return because our weather here has changed but hoping for sun when you arrive back home just to greet you.

Forget about reality for another night and enjoy!:)

[RJ2002]

[quote name='startwin']Forgot to mention in my last report - we spent an hour in the Ocean Bar after dinner. Met some lovely people, and were pleasantly surprised to have several come up and introduce themselves. I later checked the events programme and discovered we had been at the LGBT gathering![/QUOTE]

Just started reading your thread today, and had to comment on this post! Yes, this can be a friendly group - everyone is welcome! :D

Very much enjoying your report. We will be on the Zuiderdam next April for a Panama Canal cruise. I think you may be on it too!

Thanks for sharing your experiences.

[cruz chic]

[quote name='startwin']Sunbathing on the balcony on our way back from Alaska - life is good:)

Note to anon-smokers - we've had absolutely no issues with smoke on the balcony. Very few seem to be smokers on this cruise, just one bad day walking through the casino.

Do you think it's a bit pointed when your room steward leaves two envelopes under their business card on the dresser?? Oh well, they deserve tips anyway, they have been great.

Used the free laundry service - it was picked up at 8 pm, and back in the room the following morning at 11. Loving this Neptune stuff:D

All week that song "How you gonna keep 'em down on the farm now that they've seen Paree" has been running through my head. It fits. Sigh.....[/quote]
I remember when all I ever wanted was a balcony. I'm with you on the suites although its more because I love the Pinnacle for breakfast. Nice to hear the weather is good. Strange about your stewards but at least they were decent. Enjoy the last bit of your cruise. Thx for checking in.

[canadianbear]

[SIZE=3]Uggg...I was sitting here at home and started hearing some yelling-yup....sounds of Annette saying to the crew "please don't make me leave this suite".......:D

Welcome back to our gloomy weather in Vancouver!! I know you will have some wonderful stories to tell us about the suite life.[/SIZE]

[startwin]

I'm home and unpacked, and chilling out. Some final thoughts....

Our on-board account was the least we have ever spent. This was mainly due to the fact that we were determined not to buy much booze or make purchases in the shops onboard, or any indulgences, and we did inform HAL and the Neptune concierge why... being so annoyed with the incoming wine policy and the diabolical way it was handled when rolled out. Yes some will say it's a petty reaction, but what the heck, sometimes you just have to do whatever you feel is right. And the message might just get through.

The hard sell on drinks was really off-putting. The wine steward was much in evidence but seldom needed. Every night he cruised the tables but didn't sell much wine. Then he cruised again with the shots glasses. Not much success there either. There really didn't seem to be too many drinkers onboard at all! In the theatre and lounges the hard sell continued. Way more than I recall before.

No more Dessert Extravaganza. Not a bad thing, way too much waste.

No more disembarkation talk. The downside of that is that we didn't get to see the crew all gathered together, and no "Love in any Language".

Surveys are all now electronic, so we don't have to waste time filling in a form on the last day, and we didn't get any pleadings for a "9".

There was some napkin-waving happening after dinner in the MDR on the last night, but we had already left and just saw this through the window. The last night is International dinner.

There was a question about shuttles to town: in Juneau, there was a bus that cost $3 return, and ran every 10 minutes or so. In Skagway we were docked very close to town so just a short walk. In Ketchikan there was a free shuttle bus provided by the town, which ran every 30 minutes, and the lady driver was very entertaining and informative.

We saw lots of whale activity, and yesterday there was a huge pod of over 100 dolphins following in our wake, for several hours. Absolutely thrilling to see.

We have done this Alaska cruise 5 times now, and I don't think I would book the Zuiderdam again, only because because there are advantages in booking the smaller ships on this route, that leave on Wednesday or Friday. Preferably the Volendam on Weds, by far the better option - less people in the ports. 4 large cruise ships in every port at the same time is overwhelming and the stores and streets are jam-packed.

I found the Zuiderdam to be in much better shape than my last cruise on her, but still some public bathrooms out of order for much of the week. The air conditioning is still spotty, one half of the Lido is very warm, the other half is chilly. We had one minor plumbing problem that was quickly fixed.

The Neptune suite life is very sweet:) This is truly how the other half lives, and while all passengers are treated well (for the most part), being "Neptune" means a completely different attitude from all levels of staff and crew. The biggest advantage is the Neptune Lounge, which means you can pretty much avoid having to use the Lido Buffet. That place is my idea of hell during peak periods - I'd rather starve!

Cocktails with the Captain and officers.... another rather nice benefit, (and more free drinks on HAL!). However, the captain and officers disappeared so quickly we almost missed them. On the other hand, I was surprised that so many people - other "Neptunes" - turned up dressed in shorts and t-shirts for such an event. Rather disrespectful, I thought - and you all know I am far from being a clothes snob.

That's all I can think of. Not much of a "Live from...." report, but more my reflections on "being Neptune":D which I may never get to be again.

[Copper10-8]

[quote name='startwin']..................We saw lots of whale activity, and yesterday there was a huge pod of over 100 dolphins following in our wake, for several hours. Absolutely thrilling to see.

............................[/quote]

[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=navy]Someone else saw them also;)[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=#000080][/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]
[IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1277078_10200567529260402_1689654315_o.jpg[/IMG]

[madera1]

Glad to hear you made it home safely. Did you ever use the binoculars supplied by HAL? Did you use the coffee machine in the Neptune Lounge? Do you have any other advice to someone who will be in a Neptune Suite for the first time?

[startwin]

[quote name='madera1']Glad to hear you made it home safely. Did you ever use the binoculars supplied by HAL? Did you use the coffee machine in the Neptune Lounge? Do you have any other advice to someone who will be in a Neptune Suite for the first time?[/quote]


Yes, we used the binoculars.
The coffee machine in the Neptune Lounge is the best thing on the ship:D
No other advise other than - enjoy it to the max!

[startwin]

[quote name='Copper10-8'][FONT=Comic Sans MS][SIZE=3][COLOR=navy]Someone else saw them also;)[/COLOR][/SIZE][/FONT]

[IMG]https://fbcdn-sphotos-e-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-ash3/1277078_10200567529260402_1689654315_o.jpg[/IMG][/quote]


It was utterly amazing, just a whirling wave of activity following us for miles, and this photo reflects the numbers still with us 4 hours later:)

[CowPrincess]

[quote name='madera1'] >SNIP<
Do you have any other advice to someone who will be in a Neptune Suite for the first time?[/quote]

Here's advice from someone who has only experienced the Neptune Suites a couple of times. The [B][I]INSTANT[/I][/B] you get on board, start plotting how you will get the concierge home with you. Maybe you'll have more success than we did :eek: :D

There is nothing quite as lovely as the smiling concierge, first thing in the morning saying "Good morning, Mrs....." OMG did I miss that when we got off the ship! (and the coffee.....)

[CowPrincess]

Welcome back to the real world, startwin. It truly sucks having to get accustomed to not being "special" once back on land! :D No one at the grocery store, the dry cleaners, the gas station or the library thinks you warrant special treatment -- it is a HUGE adjustment ;)

[Watson's aunt]

hi

Glad your home and had a great trip. I be on the Zudidam on Nov 8, I'd love to get a Neptune on one of my next two cruises. what a wonderful picture

Mary