Bit of a blog - HAL Oosterdam - South America & Antarctica - Dec/Jan 2023/24

[NorbertsNiece]

Food pics

We ate again in Pinnacle Grill. So good! It's Orange night so we obliged. They have orange items for sale in the shop. We came equipped 

 

Lido Bouillabaisse 

 

Bierfest

 

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Edited December 30, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Before dinner last night we were afforded time with Cynthia, the Guest Services Manager.

 

There are 1675 passengers on board from 44 nationalities. 45 are children aged 0-17, high for the time of year.

 

The Daily is also printed in Dutch, German and Spanish

 

There are 2 Doctors and 4 nurses on board 

 

37 nationalities of crew on board predominantly from Indonesia and the Philippines. Contracts are typically 6 months and many have been with HAL for many contracts. Shore days are enabled on a rota basis

 

Cabin bedding is changed every 3 days. Towels on request 

 

All recycling is sold on and the income added to the crew fund. Which ports this occurs at depends on local laws.

 

Kettles not allowed in cabins for safety reasons. When I queried that suites etc have Nespresso machines I was advised that cost is a factor in not distributing them widely.

 

There are 2 computers and a printer for guests to use in the reception area  

 

I raised the point of out of date signage; rooms no longer exist, or names have been changed. This isn't expected to be rectified until the next dry dock in 2025

 

I've been asked about whether all cabins have tubs like ours. The answer is no; check the key on the deck plan.

 

Talks are not streamed into cabins due to copyright law in Seattle.

 

2 galleys. Many staff eat in the Lido grill. We've seen officers in the Pinnacle Grill and Canaletto as well 

 

Tours of the Bridge, galleys, engine room areas are not being offered. Covid cited.

 

Have suggested that a meeting is held for guests with dietary requirements early in the cruise to inform them of what is available, where and how it can be obtained.

 

There's no record of the works of art around the ship. Some is quite spectacular!

 

I have more questions. Cynthia is getting back to me over something quite mundane. Hopefully I can ask her them then

[OlsSalt]

Sorry to learn they are no longer offering recorded "art tours" of their often very interesting onboard installations. That used to be a feature in the past.

 

See the promotion below for ....."iPad self-guided tours of the Oosterdam collection all around the ship"

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

Heading to Cape Horn

 

 

 

[bcummin]

"There's no record of the works of art around the ship. Some is quite spectacular!"

This also surprises me.  Last year on ms Zaandam I asked at the Front Desk, and they eventually provided me with several detailed pages documenting the artwork onboard.  You should ask again.

Barbara 

[TravelBluebird]

Enjoying every minute of your blog! Thank you again.

 

How many days did you need “summer” clothing when you started the trip?  

 

I’m packing right now and not sure about how much lightweight clothing to bring vs. Fall//Winter clothing. I know that its summer in Santiago and Buenos Aires, but not sure how quickly the weather changes as you sail south.  Also, is it Caribbean summer hot OR is it Boston summer hot? 

 

Thanks—this is one of the most difficult cruises I’ve packed for, even with anticipating doing laundry on board!

[OlsSalt]

The very cold Humboldt Current from Antarctica runs up along side Chile up to Santiago (ha ha, no wonder it has that name?) and it was surprisingly colder along this area than what we had expected. Even a bit of snowfall in Puerto Mott once. 

 

Everyone was buying extra sweaters in port or in the ship shops on a previous run down this coast from Santiago.

 

Getting things during the cruise is always an option, so if you don't make the perfect packing choices up front you can supplement things later and even get a good cruise souvenir in the process.  The ship stores seem to know what people need on various itineraries. And will have many "pool side" sales too.  Plus many little shops set up dockside can also offer back up options. 

[NorbertsNiece]

 Currently blowing like crazy out. Outside decks closed on approach

 

 

 

[NorbertsNiece]

 

[0106]

Thank you @inside cabin for the art tours! https://www.theinsidecabin.com/holland-america-audio-art-tours/
 

and @POA1

 

[Mary229]

3 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

There's no record of the works of art around the ship. Some is quite spectacular!

You can find the audio tours for the art on the Oosterdam here

 

https://www.theinsidecabin.com/holland-america-audio-art-tours/

 

oops , I see someone else already posted.  Twice won't hurt.

Edited December 30, 2023 by Mary229

[NorbertsNiece]

Many many pics. Sadly interrupted by reflection deck 10 windows 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited December 30, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[tjcox9]

Since you had less than desirable weather today, I thought I'd share a photo or two taken from the Zaandam on December 29, 2015. We were fortunate to get good views of the Albatross Monument. I've been enjoying your trip along with you. 

 

 

 

Edited December 30, 2023 by tjcox9
Date correction

[NorbertsNiece]

Wow @tjcox9 that's amazing. Thank you so much. When  I can access my cloud I've pics there from 2017.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Around about here I got fed up of poor images and went down to deck 9, into the gym and subsequently outside!! 😳 💨💨💨

 

 

 

 

 

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Edited December 30, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

From the balcony link here

The cape lies within Chilean territorial waters, and the Chilean Navy maintains a station on Horn Island, consisting of a residence, utility building, chapel, and lighthouse.

 

 

 

Edited December 30, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

Tomorrow we are in Ushuaia which is the capital and port of Tierra del Fuego provincia, Argentina, on the Beagle Channel. It lies on the main island of the Tierra del Fuego archipelago at the southern tip of South America.

 

The site was first settled by Wasti H. Stirling, an English missionary, in 1870. In 1884 an Argentine naval base was established, and in 1893, after the archipelago was partitioned between Argentina and Chile, Ushuaia was declared a city. Lumbering, sheep raising, fishing, trapping, and tourism are the city’s principal economic activities. Ushuaia has the distinction of being the southernmost city in the world

 

We are taking a small group independent excursion organised by a Cruise Critic roll call member pre cruise with : Calaio Viajes y Turismo

 

5 hours : Skip the hurried tours with drive-by photo opportunities, and experience the best of Ushuaia and Tierra del Fuego National Park on a group shore excursion. Convenient transportation takes you from the port to downtown Ushuaia, stopping at scenic locations for pictures. The tour continues to Tierra del Fuego National Park, where you will be surrounded by lagoons and rivers. Stop for a snack, then relax on the return journey to the port. We also get to visit the southernmost land based post office in the world!

Edited December 30, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[NorbertsNiece]

We had to travel north to pick up the pilots before heading to Cape Horn

 

 

[Mary229]

@NorbertsNiece  have the pools and hot tubs been open?  We are packing now for the cruise next Sunday    

[NorbertsNiece]

28 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

@NorbertsNiece  have the pools and hot tubs been open?  We are packing now for the cruise next Sunday    

Yes! They're open 😃 🏊‍♀️🏊‍♂️👙🩱

[Islander58]

On 12/15/2023 at 1:07 PM, NorbertsNiece said:

For your future reference the dinner/tango show was booked through Viator as an  'early show. Signature Tours was the vendor.

This excursion looks great! What time did they pick you up at the hotel? We are cruising March! Thanks for your info! Mary Lynne, Vancouver Island 

[NorbertsNiece]

7 hours ago, Islander58 said:

This excursion looks great! What time did they pick you up at the hotel? We are cruising March! Thanks for your info! Mary Lynne, Vancouver Island 

630pm. Was wonderful!

[NorbertsNiece]

Day 16 Ushuaia 

New year's eve

 

Good  morning and thanks for following.

 

Fab view from the balcony this morning. One of the points the Captain raised in his Q&A (which I WILL get around to) is that HE decides whether to dock port or starboard, dependent on the current conditions.

 

As we're here early my tour group is meeting early. Gotta run 🏃‍♂️

 

 

 

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Edited December 31, 2023 by NorbertsNiece

[scubacruiserx2]

A couple more shots of the Albatross Memorial

 

 

 

 

 

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/cape-horn-monument

[Islander58]

5 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

630pm. Was wonderful!

Thanks! We arrive the day before and have a free day before boarding and unsure how jet lagged we l will be. The time works for us!

[Ellencruise]

6 hours ago, NorbertsNiece said:

Day 16 Ushuaia 

New year's eve

 

Good  morning and thanks for following.

 

Fab view from the balcony this morning. One of the points the Captain raised in his Q&A (which I WILL get around to) is that HE decides whether to dock port or starboard, dependent on the current conditions.

 

As we're here early my tour group is meeting early. Gotta run 🏃‍♂️

 

 

 

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Wow what a beautiful day