Rare WCB Posted December 31, 2023 #1 Share Posted December 31, 2023 This post was recognized by LauraS! "And another from WCB! Thank you for generously sharing your time at sea with everyone at Cruise Critic!" WCB was awarded the badge '"Live from...."' and 5 points. Report # 1 Saturday December 30, 2023 Getting Ready To Embark On Another World Cruise Rain Showers With Some Sun In Our Part Of The World 48-65 Degrees....... Part 1 Of 1..........0 Pictures Well, the time of year has come when we are ready to embark on another long adventure around the world on HAL’s Zuiderdam. The original plan for this cruise was a trek up the Amazon River, back through the Caribbean, then transiting the Panama Canal. But wait, we learned that the water level in both the Amazon and the Panama Canal were at record lows. A few other cruise ships cancelled their transits to both areas. In hindsight, perhaps we would not have found us between a rock and a hard spot trying to get Brazilian visas, which were sprung upon us USA, Canadian, and Australian citizens at the last minute. Good grief…..it has turned out to be a most stressful time for all waiting to see a final approval check waiting for us on the computer every morning . As for us? We are still waiting. The way we read HAL’s communication, if we do not get approved before we get there, we will have to stay onboard the ship. There still is a possibility that Brazil could be taken off of the itinerary. Oh boy, are we off to a good start or what? With one stop in Costa Rica and one in Mexico, we will head towards Hawaii with three ports there. Then it is off to Guam, Saipan, and several visits to Japan cities. We are looking forward to this part of the cruise, since it has been many years since we have been in this area. Then we get to China. Or do we get to China? Political and health situations there have made these stops in China iffy at best. Then there was a question about visas and whether the ten year ones we have were going to be valid. Even though HAL did some tricky moves there to make it possible for the folks to get off of the ship on their shore excursions. So we are unsure if we will really go there. Hey, our buddies Greg and Heo said this is going to be a “mystery” cruise. They are so right. There doesn’t seem to be any problems with Hong Kong, Vietnam or Singapore as far as we know. Ever since we skipped Singapore in 2020, we have been hoping to go back as it is one of our favorite cities. Colombo, Sri Lanka is a one day stop, so getting transit visas there was so easy. And they were free on top of it. After putting in our applications yesterday, we had confirmation within minutes. Now they know how to welcome the tourists, unlike Brazil, who has royally screwed up in our humble opinion. Mumbai, India is an over-nighter and those without proper visas can stay onboard the ship. We do have a ten year visa that is still good, so no problem there. Then it is off to the United Arab Emirates, a wonderful and exotic place to visit, but also in a delicate area…the Persian Gulf. Close to Iran, it could be another hot spot. Traveling to Oman should be OK, but Jordan had some changes made a few months ago. But wait…..there’s more. Also a few months ago, the ports in Israel were cancelled due to the ongoing troubles there. Then more conflict has brought unrest to the Red Sea and the Suez Canal. Will we be able to transit the canal to Europe? We are keeping our fingers crossed that we will keep this itinerary or it will be a long ride around the Cape of Africa to get back to the USA. If that is the case, we could miss stops in Turkey, Greece, Italy, Spain, and the Azores. Hopefully…..not. Yep, this is going to be a “Journey Like No Other”. Our luggage was shipped to a warehouse in Pompano Beach, Florida on December 14, and arrived a few days later. With one duffel and hand carrys, we fly out early tomorrow from SFO with a straight through flight to Ft. Lauderdale. Then we have a three night stay at the Marina Renaissance Hotel, with a dinner compliments of our travel agency, and transfers to the ship on January 3rd. Let the fun and games begin……….. stay tuned. Bill & Mary Ann 29 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ger_77 Posted December 31, 2023 #2 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Woo hoo! Another GWV and no packing luggage! Thanks for taking us with you. Happy New Year and smooth sailing! 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dchip Posted December 31, 2023 #3 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Travel safely!! Happy to be virtually traveling along with you both. We will be waiting to have lunch when you come home. 🥰 Enjoy, Denise and Howie, too, 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leerathje Posted December 31, 2023 #4 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Looking forward to your blog as well! L. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iflyrc5 Posted December 31, 2023 #5 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Safe travels - will follow your adventure from the Rotterdam in the Caribbean 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare TiogaCruiser Posted December 31, 2023 #6 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Thank you for taking us along- again. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
julia Posted December 31, 2023 #7 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Holy ship... that's a lot of "ifs!" 😲 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakridger Posted December 31, 2023 #8 Share Posted December 31, 2023 And another Bon Voyage to you both! I'll be boarding Zuiderdam in Ft. Lauderdale on May 11th when you return......but let's not think about that yet! You are just getting started! ~Nancy 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystalspin Posted December 31, 2023 #9 Share Posted December 31, 2023 (edited) @WCB Can I ask your cabin number (or class/deck)? We'll be on the Zuidy for the 35-day Voyage of the Vikings, and without Vista Suites, I chose a Verandah on the Observation Deck. Edited December 31, 2023 by crystalspin 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oakridger Posted December 31, 2023 #10 Share Posted December 31, 2023 @crystalspin Are you asking Mary Ann? ~Nancy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crystalspin Posted December 31, 2023 #11 Share Posted December 31, 2023 3 minutes ago, oakridger said: @crystalspin Are you asking Mary Ann? Yes. I was able to edit and tag her. Thanks! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare ski ww Posted December 31, 2023 #12 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Sounds like a very interesting itinerary, lots of if's. But over all it should be an adventure. I'll follow along to see how it turns out. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LouChamp Posted December 31, 2023 #13 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Aloha. Have a wonderful New Year and blessings for a safe and enjoyable voyage. We have been blessed to visit Brazil several times and of course most of the places you are and love the Zuiderdam as well. It seems the Visa situation and political situations around the world are becoming more complicated and for us personally not worth the trouble as we divide our time now between NY and Honolulu. Also we reserved a few Grand World Voyages because I do not want to be away from the kids for over 4 months. How do you handle that? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Other Tom Posted December 31, 2023 #14 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Looking forward to following your journey. thanks for doing the blog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare mawvkysc Posted December 31, 2023 #15 Share Posted December 31, 2023 (edited) What an amazing journey it will be! We will boarding Zuidy for the TA right after you disembark. Can’t wait to hear all about her. Edited December 31, 2023 by mawvkysc 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cunnorl Posted December 31, 2023 #16 Share Posted December 31, 2023 It will be an interesting journey! I wish you safe and healthy travels. Thanks for taking us along. I always enjoy your posts. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fred321 Posted December 31, 2023 #17 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Have a great trip guys. We'll miss seeing you although after reading your first report we're glad that we skipped this one and are doing the Australia, New Zealand one instead. At least the last time I looked no one shooting at each other in that neck of the woods. You never know though. Say hi to Presti, Twinkle, Edward and the gang for us. Stay well and hope to see you again soon. Rich and Peg. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
travelnap Posted December 31, 2023 #18 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Look forward to following along with your voyage again this year. Thanks for taking us all along with you. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Huskerchick Posted December 31, 2023 #19 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Yay I've been watching for your post. Hope you are posting to your Blog as well as I love seeing your photos. Lots of "ifs" with this voyage but fingers crossed all works out. Have a safe journey. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Gail & Marty sailing away Posted December 31, 2023 #20 Share Posted December 31, 2023 See you on the ship. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare WriterOnDeck Posted December 31, 2023 #21 Share Posted December 31, 2023 The ship is looking great and lots of familiar crew and officers are aboard -- it will be a great cruise! 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
albi Posted December 31, 2023 #22 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Excited to see the world once again through your eyes! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Tigerlily75 Posted December 31, 2023 #23 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Following along! Have a wonderful trip. I'll be on Westerdam in February which arrives in Shanghai for an overnight stop on February 6, I can come back and let you know how it went if you like. Not many ships have been yet since the re-opening of China, so it's very hard to find current reports! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
NextOne Posted December 31, 2023 #24 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Bon Voyage for your "mystery trip"! As always, thanks for taking us along! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ottawa traveller Posted December 31, 2023 #25 Share Posted December 31, 2023 Looking forward to following you once again. As for Hong Kong, you don't need anything. HAL can get the visas on arrival for Vietnam with the fee chargeable to your account. As for Singapore, they have an online arrival document that you have to complete within 3 days of arrival. However, HAL gives you a 3 page instruction sheet which includes everything you need to know to complete it and if you don't have a smart phone, they will help you use their computers and print out the document for you to take with you. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now