Any intellectual offerins on the Zaandam during the winter Panama cruises?

[Lakesregion]

Just wonder in the Zaadam will offer any enrichment lectures, port lectures etc during the Panama Cruises this coming winter.

Also, which lounge offers after dinner dancing?

[Navybikermom]

I did that cruise in January and there were some port discussions in the main showroom the day before, along with a nearly constant narration by the cruise director as we navigated the canal. The cruise director also had morning coffee chats in the showroom where he brought out various staff members and had them talk about what they do. Questions were allowed from the audience, so it was rather interesting. 
 

Dancing was in the Ocean Bar in the evenings. The band at that time was fantastic - a bit jazzy. 

[oakridger]

@Navybikermom doesn't the Zaandam have the Rolling Stone Lounge also?  There would be dancing after dinner in there!

 

~Nancy

[Navybikermom]

1 minute ago, oakridger said:

@Navybikermom doesn't the Zaandam have the Rolling Stone Lounge also?  There would be dancing after dinner in there!

 

~Nancy

No Rolling Stone Lounge on Zaandam. There was the Mix bar, where they had a piano, and the Explorer’s Lounge, where they had a classical duo. The Orange Party was in the Crow’s Nest, where there was dancing, but that was only one night. 

[TiogaCruiser]

We were on for Panama Canal in April, and there were 2 well-presented talks on the canal. No other “intellectual offerings” by the ship, but I did bring along “A Path Between the Seas”. Not much stimulating on Tv either.  
 

[oakridger]

 

2 minutes ago, Navybikermom said:

No Rolling Stone Lounge on Zaandam. 

 

Bummer!  I didn't realize that!  The Vistas and Signature Class have it though.  I guess that's what I am thinking.  I'll be on Zuiderdam next so have that in my brain!

 

~Nancy

[Navybikermom]

23 minutes ago, oakridger said:

 

 

Bummer!  I didn't realize that!  The Vistas and Signature Class have it though.  I guess that's what I am thinking.  I'll be on Zuiderdam next so have that in my brain!

 

~Nancy

We had 8 sea days and I was definitely not bored, although what keeps me entertained may not interest you. I played lots of bingo (Wajang theater is an icebox, bring a sweater), there are plenty of quiet places to read a book, there are nice deck chairs on the outside deck that anyone can use, the library is much nicer than the bigger ships, many of the evening shows in the main showroom were quite good, the casino seemed busy but they do allow smoking. My favorite place to have a cocktail and enjoy music was the Ocean Bar. There was also trivia, which was quite popular. 

[3rdGenCunarder]

I was on Eurodam this past winter for a partial canal cruise. They showed some documentaries about the construction of the canal in the main showroom, usually afternoon on a sea day.

 

The CD read a narration for much of the time on the way into Lake Gatun, but it was quiet on the way out. I am suspicious of the quality of the script, since she mentioned that we might see alligators in the canal. There are no alligators in the canal. Crocodiles, yes, but unlikely to wander into the locks. Once I hear an error, I begin to doubt everything.

[AryMay]

On 7/23/2023 at 9:26 AM, 3rdGenCunarder said:

The CD read a narration for much of the time on the way into Lake Gatun, but it was quiet on the way out. I am suspicious of the quality of the script, since she mentioned that we might see alligators in the canal. There are no alligators in the canal. Crocodiles, yes, but unlikely to wander into the locks. Once I hear an error, I begin to doubt everything.

 

Photos taken from the Zaandam this past February on our Panama Canal cruise. I have no idea if this is a crocodile or an alligator, but the CD pointed it out! (The critter was NOT in one of the locks however.)

 

 

[3rdGenCunarder]

@AryMay, that's definitely a croc. Look at that smile!