Almost Live: Maasdam - Seattle to Sydney 2019

[Bellair]

Maasdam docked in Takamatsu now. No, I didn’t use my drone to get this pic!!

Edited August 2, 2019 by Bellair
Added

[erewhon]

Thank you for the updates and the photos.

[erewhon]

Does Maasdam still have self service laundrettes?

[Btimmer]

1 hour ago, erewhon said:

Does Maasdam still have self service laundrettes?

Yes.

[Btimmer]

We're out touring.  It's blazing hot. Currently we're at the Ritsurin Garden.  We visited the Takamatsu Castle earlier.

[SetAnOpenCourse]

25 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

Yes.

Are the machines free?

[Btimmer]

No, they take quarters and there is a quarter machine at the front desk.

[Bellair]

Another angle of the Maasdam in Tak.

[Btimmer]

Here's a few more pictures from Takamatsu and the Maasdam.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Enjoying your reports.

 

Great pictures.

[cat shepard]

Wonderful pictures everyone! Thank you!

[Btimmer]

We passed under the Akashi Kaikyō bridge at 9:15pm local time. It's got a very long center span.

[kira5]

It looks like Maasdam will be repeating ports on the August 14 to 28 cruise.

[Btimmer]

2 hours ago, kira5 said:

It looks like Maasdam will be repeating ports on the August 14 to 28 cruise.

Yes, and it's why a number of us are on this cruise.

[Btimmer]

Welcome to Kochi!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Great picture.

[erewhon]

22 hours ago, Btimmer said:

Yes.

 

Thank you for your reply, and for sharing your photos.

[fatbob66]

Thanks for sharing your photos and info!

[kira5]

HAL could do a better job of providing information and guidance about port stops  is the conclusion I have reluctantly come to.   Perhaps it is best to just look at the cruise as pleasant transportation, bed and board provided, to various ports.    The website provides next to no information about how to travel independently at each location, whether shuttle buses will be provided, how far out of town the ship docks, etc.   There doesn't appear to be any HAL excursions listed as I had noticed previously;  perhaps they are sold out.     They might consider providing a link to Whats in Port if they don't want to provide information themselves.

 

Once I decided it was all up to me and not to expect much from HAL in the way of guidance and information I could proceed from that.    If it is their intention to surprise me and provide a wealth of assistance by way of presentations once on board, it would be helpful it that was written with the cruise description.   I don't know, however,  if I could feel secure that the information would not be about their own excursions or recommended shopping stops.   

 

 

[Btimmer]

Wait until you read the Kochi blog from today.

 

Fortunately for the Japanese ports there is a lot of good online information and we have the ship's internet plus internet if our own when in port.  Each of the ports have had excellent maps and helpful TI people.

I am skilled at planning excursions so it's not too much of a problem for me.

Sochi castle

 

Tomorrow Lance is giving two talks tomorrow on our next port of Kanazawa.

[bcummin]

Tim, your day in Kochi brought back good memories.  Thanks.

Sorry to hear that you have lost a good friend.  Life is indeed fragile.

It is surprising that this EXC In-Depth cruise has stopped providing port talks.

Are any old familiar names from January and February still aboard??

Barbara

[Btimmer]

Jill & Joe, Larry, and several others joining in a few weeks.

 

There will be major port talk  tomorrow.

[bcummin]

Thanks, Tim.  I was also wondering about staff.  You had mentioned that only one EXC person was remaining after Yokohama.  Glad that a port talk is on the horizon.

Barbara

Edited August 4, 2019 by bcummin

[Btimmer]

Lance is the CD & Travel Director.  We have 4 EXC presenters now on board none of whom were on our FLL Cruise .  The Captain and HD are the same as the FLL Cruise.  Our wine steward, Marlon is on board as well.

[Btimmer]

We sailed the Kanmon Strait this morning. Brilliant, closeup scenery.