Boarding the Holland America Zuiderdam

When we wake we need to make sure the ship will actually be able to tender.  Winds are higher this morning and ships at anchor and will tender guests into Dún Laoghaire, a seaside town about a 20 min drive from Dublin.  

It was very close to the whole Dubliln stop being cancelled but tenders are running, albeit slowly. 

Ben is going to drive us as he is going to head to the pier and meet with his tour guides and Shorex ashore to meet and see how things are going.

We arrive along with our bags and of course many guests are saying, oh you missed your flights, just boarding now?  No, guest entertainer joining now.  

At first I was concerned about joining part way into the cruise but it was super easy.  We got on board went to guest services and they took care of everything.  In fact I was so impressed that they had everything I needed and didn't even know I needed.  They asked about disembarkation flights in Boston so I could get transfers which they arrange; however we are disembarking in Halifax and don't require transfers.

They helped me set up with the crew internet, which we are entitled to as a guest entertainer.  A bit pricey than Princess' crew net but still reasonable.  But much much easier to sign up for and buy.  

I get my keycard punched so I can use a lanyard with it.  Argh still using keycard.  I do miss the medallion.  

When we get to our cabin which is 4083 an oceanview cabin with a full length window that has an obstructed view (Life boat in the way, but we can still see over it) is quite nice.  But obviously has not been cleaned since the previous guest entertainer.  The room was serviced that morning but the guest had obviously sat on the bed and there was dirty glasses on desk and dirty towel.  We just left our bags in the room and had housekeeping, which is actually two people, Daniel and his assistant Santos redo the room for us while we went off and had a coffee and some lunch.

First thoughts:

• Ship is small, considering we usually sail ships twice her size and passengers.
• She is well laid out and all the things we need seem to be here.
• The staff are excellent, and super friendly and don't seem crazy busy like we have seen on other lines.  Yes they are busy but the staffing levels seem right.
• Drink prices seem more reasonable and even cheaper than what we see in restaurants and bars in most major cities.
• Tons of elevators and we rarely have to wait for one.  There are 16 elevators on this ship!  Which is less than most Princess ships.
• Ship décor seems dated and could use a full update.
• Passengers are much older.  Mind you this is a 35 day itinerary and even on other lines it would be an older crowd too.

We loved the buffet.  Most items require crew to serve you, which is good.  But there are a lot of self serve areas too which defeats the purspose of having the crew serve us.  

Oh and they have nice hand washing stations upon entry.    However, I rarely witnessed anyone wash their hands or use the sanitizer and no crew to direct them to do it either.

Cold and flu season is here and seems like there is  lot of coughing and runny noises around.  Not just on ship's but on the plane ride here we heard it too.  So happy to be served and to wash my hand.

I got an Asian salad and a bowl of corn chowder with a piece of focaccia.   I really enjoyed the salad, the chowder was so so, felt like I was eating creamed corn.  Too dense, too sweet and not enough flavour.  The buffet has lovely tables and seats and feels very elevated in decor.  Oh ... nice beverage stations as well as attentive crew who took care of us.  Mind you it is very quiet as most guests are off ship on tours.

We did a full walk around the ship to get our bearings.  I really like the ship.  I did notice that to get to many public areas you have to walk along passenger cabins.  This is in numerous areas, like deck one to get to the ship lounge you have to walk past cabins.  On deck 10 to go forward to the crows nest from midship you have to walk past a corridor of cabins.  We try to be quiet so as not to disturb.

The library is lovely!  So many books and multiple copies of books too.  I grab two to read while on board.

In the afternoon we head up to the Crows Nest lounge and read while enjoying the views.  There are lots of games, puzzles, bar with coffees and alcohol and great staff.  There is also info here about our navigation as well.