Out To Sea

Well here we are in the middle of the Atlantic.  Today is Thursday the 13th of October. So far sailing has been smooth.  The weather for several days was very hot and humid.  The first day or two our AC was on the lowest setting.  Our room was HOT!!  We plugged in our travel fan to get some air circulating.  The Zaandam is an older ship. We have no USB connections, only one plug in and very small old TV’s.  We are a little disappointed.  The first day at sea huge crowds of people were at the Guest Services.   We stood in line for over an hour.  We pre paid for two internet devices but nothing worked.  It’s really a much better deal pre paying then waiting until you get onboard.  Anyway, we talked to many folks with both android and Apple devices.  We were able to help a few but it’s really important that you download the Navigator and have an account before you board. Also using the Verfly app is important.  During embarkation we flew through the lines because we had all the important information in this app.  And another important note is to have copies in paper of everything: passport, deviation letters,  vaccination cards, yellow fever cards or waivers.   We had digital copies but not lots of paper copies.  The night before at our hotel we found a free wireless printer and made copies.  Also no one ever looked at our embarkation times!!  They just took both couples at 11:00.  Our friends time was 2:00 but they whizzed through with us. No photographs were taken when we boarded!!  We haven’t even seen a photographer set up anywhere but that’s ok with us.  Last night was the captains welcome and first gala night (black and white) but we skipped it.  There might have been a photographer taking photos for that but we didn’t see them. 

Back to the guest services; the staff was awesome, calm and patient.  The navigator was down so they gave everyone who prepaid or had free minutes a day of free services at high speed.  The internet really isn’t too bad for being in the middle of the ocean.  We both have the high speed option.  I think it’s worth it.  

Our room has been great. We are on deck one 1873. We have a window and tub. It has been very quiet and comfortable.  The only downside or maybe upside is we have 7 floors of steps to go up to the Lido or 8 floors to go to the Crows Nest.  Food has been very good.  Service also has been impeccable.  We eat our meals in the Lido so I can’t comment on the dining room.  We eat a lot of salads and vegetables.  Dan loves the desserts and a little ice cream.  We try to split but you know it’s tough!  Ha ha

Another interesting thing that has never happened to us  before took place on the sail away.  We were in the Crows Nest watching the launch. After about 20 minutes ( we were late leaving due to loading food and luggage so it was dark and about 6:30) the captain came on and said we had a medical emergency and we were going back to port!!! Many folks were already in bed and never heard the announcement. So back we headed which took at least 30 minutes.  The captain slowly pulled in perpendicular to the dock which we have never seen.  It took an hour for ambulance and fire department to arrive and for the crew to get the gang plank down and stabilized.  We could see it was an older man they transported and along side him were all his suitcases.  How sad for this single traveler.  Some folks have had this booked for three years!!!  The captain did tell us this cruise is the longest one they have sailed since COVID!  Anyway finally we set out again and by this time it was 10 pm.  

We thought we had been on this ship before but we kept realizing we had never seen the art and they there is a pipe organ in the atrium !   On Tuesday they had a demonstration of the organ.  I thought someone would be playing it but it was pre recorded.   The pipes were adorned with different statues playing different instruments and many were animated.  It was awesome.  Looking back at my list of cruises (49!) we found it was the Zuiderdam not Zaandam.  

That night we watched the movie Giants of Africa in the small movie theater.  It was a documentary on basket ball camps they put on for young men across Africa that can attend.  Most were from very poor regions.  But they were giants in height.  It was a wonderful story. 

Wednesday Betsy and I attended one of the craft presentations.  There were so many people fighting for places to sit that it almost ensued a mass outcry!  I was there 45 minutes early and saved Betsy a seat.  She had attended a Creative Writing class which also was packed.  She is loving it.  Anyway our instructor is top notch and extremely organized.   We made beaded earrings and a necklace.  The beads have been hand made from a paper powdered and then painted.  It took an hour and then she hosted another class. 

After dinner we had a funny Irish comedian.  He will be with us a few more nights.  We have five more sea days until we teach our first port of Funchal.  We have been turning our clocks ahead for two nights and one more night tonight.  

So today we have pretty good internet.  We are 2037 more miles to go and we have gone about 1300.  As I write we have rolling seas.  This morning  we listened to two excellent Shore talks about the first few ports we will stop at. We have kept busy with fun craft classes, playing cards, visiting, walking steps, attending music venues and happy hours around the ship and totally relaxing. 

Leaving the hotel for the ship. 

Betsy, Chuck and Dan waiting for the shuttle.  

Boarding!

Our ship through the walkway. 

Our friends almost there!

We are ready!

Our room…

Window room and our first gift a ceramic blue Holland  gift box. 

Yes we have a tub!

Onboard outside Lido by pool. 

Crows Nest

The pipe organ. Look for the miniature statues. 

Our comedian who was very funny!

Our jewelry making craft time. 

Here’s what we all made. 

We have t made it too far after three days!

Hard to see but this was the sail away when we had to turn back for the medical emergency.  The ambulance is lower left. 

Folks have put really cute decorations on their doors.  I guess it is now allowed.  They used to prohibit this. 

Betsy, Chuck and Dan with Halloween masks and outfits!!!!  Watch out :).