Live from the Volendam - please join the Merry Widows on their cruise 😊

[kazu]

We are in Newport today .  Colts dreary and damp day.  Pictures were pretty useless as you can see here.  
 

 

 

 

All the tenders are back and we will be leaving soon and look at what just came out.

 

 

 

 

 

Our time was shortened here due to the need to travel slowly to Boston.  10 knots due to marine traffic -whales 

 

 

[kazu]

Yeaterday I treated Deb to one of the best bargains on board ~ PG lunch.pinnacle on this ship is first rare so far.

 

we both had the prawn bruschetta and shared the beef

 

 

 

in the interest of scientific research I had the lobster roll @ $8 surcharge and Deb had the cioppino

 

 

 

 

 

 

very good.  So good we have another reservation for our last sea day,

 

 

 

 

[canadianbear]

Shhh…don’t say the lunch at Pinnacle is the best bargain or HAL will raise the price again!

 

Totally agree though-we hadn’t had lunch there in a very long time but treated our friends in November when we were on the Eurodam.  The food & service were top notch.  We also had lunch when on the Koningsdam in the Pinnacle on our South Pacific cruise in February and prefer lunch to the supper.  
 

 

[Haljo1935]

I agree - PG lunch is the best bargain, but we shouldn't talk about it. If they would add candied bacon to the menu, there would be no need to go there for dinner.

The flowers are beautiful  - hope Debbie is enjoying her birthday cruise; she's in great company!!

[grannyshell]

1 hour ago, kazu said:

We are in Newport today .  Colts dreary and damp day.  Pictures were pretty useless as you can see here.  
 

 

 

 

All the tenders are back and we will be leaving soon and look at what just came out.

 

 

 

 

 

Our time was shortened here due to the need to travel slowly to Boston.  10 knots due to marine traffic -whales 

 

 

We took a drive down to Newport to see the ship. What a sight to see the Volendam sitting pretty in the harbor. I agree, weather was miserable...windy and spitting rain but just as we were leaving the sun came out. Newport is such a beautiful place when the weather cooperates.

[canadianbear]

I think my husband & I are two of the few that do not like the candied bacon.  We ordered it on our November cruise for the first time.  The waiter brought 2 orders (we only ordered 1) and our friends loved it but we didn’t.

[DeeniEncinitas]

2 hours ago, kazu said:

Ok, let’s try again.  Did 5 posts, pics wouldn’t upload and none 

of the posts took unbeknownst to me. 
 

so this is a test with the little arrangement in th Neptune suite

 

🌺Aloha Jacqui!

Beautiful photos of flowers and the food porn too! Just happy both you and Debbie are having a great time!

🌺Mahlo,

Denise🙂
PS!! OMGOSH ON PG LUNCH FOOD PORN! AMAZING

Edited April 24 by DeeniEncinitas
Had to add food porn!

[kazu]

1 hour ago, canadianbear said:

Shhh…don’t say the lunch at Pinnacle is the best bargain or HAL will raise the price again!c

 

LOL.  Might not be the best kept secret but fortunately people on board don’t plan ahead. I figured I was too late for another booking for lunch and it was wide open.   👍 

 

 

18 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

I think my husband & I are two of the few that do not like the candied bacon.  We ordered it on our November cruise for the first time.  The waiter brought 2 orders (we only ordered 1) and our friends loved it but we didn’t.

 

You are not alone.  It was a one and done for me too.  too many other wonderful things to see.  Unless Debbie orders it you will not see candied bacon in my pics.

[kazu]

Ok still in catch up mode from what didn’t go this morning.

 

So, last night I went down to the MDR once the dinner rush was over and there was Aris at the podium.  (Some of you might remember him as manager of Club Orange on the Pinnacle Class ships).  He is in charge of our section of the dining room.

 

I asked if he had a minute to chat and nicely told him our waiter was abysmal.  Doesn’t refill water glasses, wine, (doesn’t even have the opened wine out ready), no comments when food is undated, doesn’t ask about how the meal was nor have any knowledge of the Club Orange specials, etc.  I told him I thought he needed more training but I was not prepared to sit there and asked if her could help.

We are now at a table for 6 (which is what I had originally requested) although it appears we might be the only ones there.  that’s fine.

 

Our waiters are superb.  Just how it should be.  The wine was boyfriend fast and will be ther the next time ready.  Club Orange menu provided.  Both are congenial and wonderful.  Dinner last night was night and day compared to dinner the prior 2.  So glad I spoke up (as if you could keep me quiet 😉)

 

Dinner was delish - good service really helps 😉 

 

I had the seafood devilled eggs

 

 

Debbie the Tabbouleh 

 

 

the club Orange short ribs - delish.  So tender you only needed a fork.  No knife required.

 

 

Boston Cream pie for Deb

 

 

and Strawberry crisp for me.  when a crisp is on the menu you have to take advantage 😉 

 

 

All in all very good and we left two very happy campers - or is that Merry Widows 😉 

 

Doing a birthday dinner in the PG tonight for Deb and of course, we let our new waiters know.

 

 

[canadianbear]

@kazu

I am glad you could get reservations again.  I was actually concerned on our 35 day cruise thinking we wouldn’t be able to get several specialty reservations because of people with HIA.  We were pleasantly surprised we could get lots if we wanted. 
 

Guess we are in the minority with you & the bacon.  One and done too. 
 

So happy to hear you have a new table & servers who are great-exactly how they should be.  

Edited April 24 by canadianbear

[kazu]

OMG on the entertainment on board.

 

On the Volendam we have the Mix as opposed to the Music Walk.  it is fabulous.  Our piano man (a REAL piano man) is wonderful - great sense of humour - a lot o variety and fun.

 

We have a lovely pianist playing at different times and a wonderful singer with an absolutely beautiful voice performing.  I’ll take this talent over Music Walk any day.  (I know that’s very subjective) but they are good and believe me, it’s packed.  

 

Our piano man -

 

 

 

[Dismomx5]

I must have missed the plane, becauseI joined your cruise notes as you hit Newport. I'm glad that you got the dinner situation sorted out. 🙂 We enjoyed the Mix on the Volendam last year as well. Have a great time, you Merry Widows!

[3rdGenCunarder]

7 hours ago, kazu said:

 

Thanks.  I’m going to break down and get something in the gift shop.  Was hoping to see a Lido sale today but so far,no word.

 

Now that you mention it, I don't recall any Lido sales on Zaandam this winter. 

[Cruising-along]

Jacqui, I'm so glad things have worked out in the MDR for you!  

 

Also that you're enjoying the PG 🙂  You have a different PG Manager than we had -- the last one left when we did, on the 6th.  It was the only problem we ever had in 94 days on the Volendam -- previously booked reservations for January 24 were canceled (my birthday dinner) for a group onboard.  To say I was disappointed and mad is putting it mildly.  (and yes, I did put in a formal complaint and got a good response).  They admitted it was "human error"....

 

Also it's great that you have a new Piano Man -- the last one was terrible!  

 

[57redbird]

32 minutes ago, kazu said:

Ok still in catch up mode from what didn’t go this morning.

 

So, last night I went down to the MDR once the dinner rush was over and there was Aris at the podium.  (Some of you might remember him as manager of Club Orange on the Pinnacle Class ships).  He is in charge of our section of the dining room.

 

I asked if he had a minute to chat and nicely told him our waiter was abysmal.  Doesn’t refill water glasses, wine, (doesn’t even have the opened wine out ready), no comments when food is undated, doesn’t ask about how the meal was nor have any knowledge of the Club Orange specials, etc.  I told him I thought he needed more training but I was not prepared to sit there and asked if her could help.

We are now at a table for 6 (which is what I had originally requested) although it appears we might be the only ones there.  that’s fine.

 

Our waiters are superb.  Just how it should be.  The wine was boyfriend fast and will be ther the next time ready.  Club Orange menu provided.  Both are congenial and wonderful.  Dinner last night was night and day compared to dinner the prior 2.  So glad I spoke up (as if you could keep me quiet 😉)

 

Dinner was delish - good service really helps 😉 

 

I had the seafood devilled eggs

 

 

Debbie the Tabbouleh 

 

 

the club Orange short ribs - delish.  So tender you only needed a fork.  No knife required.

 

 

Boston Cream pie for Deb

 

 

and Strawberry crisp for me.  when a crisp is on the menu you have to take advantage 😉 

 

 

All in all very good and we left two very happy campers - or is that Merry Widows 😉 

 

Doing a birthday dinner in the PG tonight for Deb and of course, we let our new waiters know.

 

 

Is this the Aris that pulls a laminated card with his name on it out of his jacket?  We had him on the K for the 35-day in 2023 in CO.

[kazu]

13 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

Now that you mention it, I don't recall any Lido sales on Zaandam this winter. 

 

There wasn’t one today.  I bit the bullet and got a sweatshirt.  

They had a beautiful jacket on sale but unfortunately I don’t fit into an XXXL. 😂 

 

The sweatshirt should be quite warm - it seems well made and since it has HAL’s name on it, at least I got the Mariner discount.  

There would have been a lot more choice if I got a lot bigger and a smidge more if I was a bit smaller.  LOL.

[kazu]

3 minutes ago, 57redbird said:

Is this the Aris that pulls a laminated card with his name on it out of his jacket?  We had him on the K for the 35-day in 2023 in CO.

 

I don’t recall seeing him pull a laminated card out of his pocket but he was on the Koningsdam in 2023 for sure.   I had him in mid December 2022 - January 2023.  

[kazu]

10 minutes ago, Cruising-along said:

Jacqui, I'm so glad things have worked out in the MDR for you!  

 

Also that you're enjoying the PG 🙂  You have a different PG Manager than we had -- the last one left when we did, on the 6th.  It was the only problem we ever had in 94 days on the Volendam -- previously booked reservations for January 24 were canceled (my birthday dinner) for a group onboard.  To say I was disappointed and mad is putting it mildly.  (and yes, I did put in a formal complaint and got a good response).  They admitted it was "human error"....

 

Also it's great that you have a new Piano Man -- the last one was terrible!  

 

 

 

Such a disappointment to lose your birthday dinner.  They are expecting us tonight - said so at breakfast 😊 

[3rdGenCunarder]

22 minutes ago, kazu said:

There would have been a lot more choice if I got a lot bigger and a smidge more if I was a bit smaller.  LOL.

 

Isn't that always the way it is????? 🙄

[BetsyS.]

Thanks for your reports, great pictures and for not sugarcoating  anything.

Glad you spoke up about the service the other night - Bravo! I hope HAL gave 

Deb a nice birthday cake. I love it when waiters sing Happy Birthday! 😊🥂🎂

[Nickelpenny]

5 hours ago, canadianbear said:

I think my husband & I are two of the few that do not like the candied bacon.  We ordered it on our November cruise for the first time.  The waiter brought 2 orders (we only ordered 1) and our friends loved it but we didn’t.

+1  I don't get the hype.  

[Iamthesea]

Is Pinnacle Grill open for lunch on embarkation days or only sea days?

[0106]

The Pinnacle is only open for lunch on sea days.

[Rubyfisch]

It looks like you all are currently docking in Boston:

 

[roupa]

Welcome to a beautiful day in our beautiful city of Boston!   Just watched you arrive as we did our walk at Castle Island… that fort you should have seen on your port side.

Enjoy the day!