More Zaandam

Photos from a friend
A friend, Jill, sent these photos of the Zaandam. She is presently on the Amsterdam on the Grand Asia Voyage.

A photo of the ship:

Bill Clinton’s sax:

Guitars from Queen, Eric Clapton, and Rolling Stones:

The Zaandam

The Zaandam
Never having been on the Zaandam, I have had to rely on HAL’s website for information. Music is the theme of the ship. From the 3 story atrium housing the Baroque-style Dutch pipe organ to the displays of musical instruments, music is everywhere. Among the instruments found on the ship are signed guitars from Queen and Rolling Stones and a saxophone which belonged to Bill Clinton.

I plan to take the self-guided art tour as I have on every ship, a delightful way to spend a sea day. You can download the tour from the HAL website or borrow an iPod from the librarian in the Explorations Cafe.

The ship was dedicated in May, 2000. Its ship registry is The Netherlands. The passenger capacity is 1432 and crew of 615.

I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list. — Susan Sontag
Adding the Zaandam to my list of dam ships: Amsterdam, Prinsendam, Westerdam, Eurodam, Rotterdam, Veendam, Volendam.

Inca Discovery – Holland America Line

Details
This 17 day voyage is basically a repeat of the ports of the 2012 Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage which was so delightful. A friend and former cabin mate Joe booked this trip and asked if I would like to join him. Wanting to try out my 5 Star status, I agreed.

The ship is the Zaandam, on which I have not cruised previously. I embark in Fort Lauderdale and disembark in Valparaiso, Chile. The voyage continues to Buenos Aries and most of the passengers are booked for the entire trip. We have confirmed early dining with a requested table size of 6. There are 3 formal and 14 smart casual nights.

Departing from my normal “every port has a booked excursion” … I have booked none. I’ve visited all ports except Arica, Chile, and several ports multiple times. Another departure from normal, I do not recognize any fellow passengers named on the Cruise Critic list. Always assuming I will walk on a ship and be greeted by friends, this should be a new experience…

Air Flights
In an effort to save on airline costs, I opted to take one of Holland America’s specials. The times are not great, but my daughter actually figured that I will be paying myself $80 per hour to sit in airport lounges!

My flight to Ft. Lauderdale begins on Delta Airlines in Jacksonville at 8:50 a.m. Continues to Atlanta, arriving at 10:04 a.m. and continuing to Ft. Lauderdale at 12:25 p.m. where it arrives at 2:14. I have the HAL transfer service to the ship which leaves at 4 p.m.

My return flight is on American Airlines. I have the HAL transfer service from Valparaiso to Santiago. My flight leaves there at 9:35 p.m. and arrives in Miami at 4:25 a.m. the next day. I leave Miami at 7:55 a.m. and reach Jacksonville at 9:15 a.m.