In order to enhance the Hawaiian experience for our guests, Hotel Director Cees Tesselaar chose and purchased material in Hawaii and the tailors on board the Zaandam made shirts for all the various departments. This pictures shows each department with their “own style” shirt.

Departments from left: Lido cook, front office, stateroom attendant, officer/petty officer, entertainment, corporate partner, supervisor, beverage, housekeeping attendant, Lido steward and assistant dining room steward.

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Topics: Hawaii, ms Zaandam, Staff & Crew | | 3 Comments

Below are some pictures of the front office team proudly displaying the Hawaiian spirit during a recent Hawaiian cruise.

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Topics: Hawaii, ms Zaandam, Staff & Crew | | 1 Comment

Guest Sharon Johnson and her husband cruised again with HAL, this time on Zaandam’s 21-Day Collectors’ Voyage to Mexico and Hawaii. Sharon chronicled their cruising experience for us on the blog.

Unfortunately, I couldn’t find photos I had taken of the fabulous Front Desk staff especially of Grachel Singh who was extremely helpful and always had a fabulous smile for everyone. That young lady is an asset to HAL. And I have to mention the laundry staff who did such a fabulous job with our laundry in such a timely manner.

We look forward to sailing with this wonderful crew again.

Pinnacle Maitre ‘d Jorn was always gracious and smiling when we checked in at the Pinnacle Grill Desk. He treated us like special guests. Jorn also is an excellent photographer as he took some fabulous photos of us. Jorn also was helpful with wheelchair patrons. It was his task to make sure that those who needed assistance in getting off the ship had the help that they needed. We were pleased with how he greeted and helped our friends. He treated them just like he did his Pinnacle Grill customers — like special guests.

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Guest Sharon Johnson and her husband cruised again with HAL, this time on Zaandam’s 21-Day Collectors’ Voyage to Mexico and Hawaii. Sharon chronicled their cruising experience for us on the blog.

Since we have cruised and visited Mexico and Hawaii several times, we didn’t expect that we would have such a memorable cruise. We both feel that the fabulous crew of the Zaandam is the reason we have enjoyed every minute of our time aboard. We hated to leave and not because we would have to cook our own meals and make our own beds. We hated to leave because we would miss the smiles and the greetings from all the wonderful crew aboard.

So a huge thanks to the Zaandam Crew for making our cruise so special!!! — Sharon and Al Johnson

Kainoa, the “On Location/ Travel” Guide on the Zaandam is definitely the best Travel Guide we have had during our 421 days of cruising on HAL ships. We have had great travel guides, but Kainoa is definitely in a league by himself. He is Hawaiian and has a passion for Hawaii that definitely shines in all his talks about the islands. Mondriaan Lounge was always packed when Kainoa gave a talk. He didn’t need a script or a laptop like so many of the presenters do. Kainoa is definitely a HAL Gem!!!

If I gained any weight on this cruise, it is because of the wonderful food coming out of the Zaandam Galley. And Marco Nunez is the 2nd Executive Chef in charge.

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Topics: Cruise Diary, Food & Beverage, Hawaii, Mexico, ms Zaandam, Staff & Crew | | 3 Comments

Guest Sharon Johnson and her husband cruised again with HAL, this time on Zaandam’s 21-Day Collectors’ Voyage to Mexico and Hawaii. Sharon chronicled their cruising experience for us on the blog. What’s your favorite HAL dining experience?

Al and I had an awesome meal in the Pinnacle Grill last. The Le Cirque meal was the best meal that we have had on any Dam Ship. And it was extra special since the Pinnacle Grill Staff aboard the Zaandam are fabulous.

Our appetizer, Le Trio: Caviar, Smoked Salmon and pâté de foie gras.

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Topics: Cruise Diary, Food & Beverage, Hawaii, Mariner Voices, ms Zaandam | | 3 Comments

Guest Sharon Johnson and her husband cruised again with HAL, this time on Zaandam’s 21-Day Collectors’ Voyage to Mexico and Hawaii. Sharon chronicled their cruising experience for us on the blog. Enjoy!

February 24, 2013:

Today the Zaandam arrived early to Aloha Tower Cruise Terminal in Honolulu, Oahu. The ship was even cleared before 8 a.m. Al and I hadn’t planned a shore excursion here as we have been to Honolulu and Waikiki many times. We decided to take the “The Bus” to Kapi’olani Park in Waikiki to go to the Aquarium which opened at 10 a.m.

Zaandam docked in Honolulu at the Aloha Tower.

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Guest Sharon Johnson and her husband are cruising again with HAL, this time on Zaandam’s 21-Day Collectors’ Voyage to Mexico and Hawaii. Sharon will chronicle their cruising experience for us on the blog. Enjoy!

February 23, 2013:

Today we docked at the old sugar cane shipping port in Nawiliwli. We took a tour in Kauai as there is really nothing of interest to see in the port area. There are shuttles, but they just take you to small shopping centers. Lihu’e is the commercial zone with lots of state & county offices, shops, fast food restaurants, Wal-Mart, Costco, Starbucks and lots of traffic. So, to see part of this beautiful island of Kauai, we decided to take the “Garden Waterfalls: McBryde & Allerton” Tour which took us to the southern coast of Kauai.

The Allerton & McBryde Gardens were created on land once owned by Hawaii’s Queen Emma. She had a cottage on a cliff overlooking the beautiful Lawa’i Kai Valley which was her favorite view.

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Topics: Cruise Diary, Hawaii, Mariner Voices, ms Zaandam, Shore Excursions | | 1 Comment

Guest Sharon Johnson and her husband are cruising again with HAL, this time on Zaandam’s 21-Day Collectors’ Voyage to Mexico and Hawaii. Sharon will chronicle their cruising experience for us on the blog. Enjoy!

Feb. 22, 2013:
The Zaandam arrived early at Lahaina, Maui. Al and I signed up for the 9-hour “Adventures to Hana” tour. The first time that we were in the islands, in 1969, Al drove our rental car to Hana. That was in the days before they straightened the road and took out some of the curves. It took us so long to get to Hana that we had to turn right around and drive back to Lahaina before dark. So this time we decided to leave the driving to the experts. Our tour met in the Ocean Bar and as soon as our group was ready and the tender was available, we headed to the tender platform for our short ride to Lahaina. – Sharon and Al Johnson

Zaandam as seen from tender in Lahaina, Maui.

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Topics: Art, Activities & Entertainment, Cruise Diary, Hawaii, Mariner Voices, ms Zaandam, Shore Excursions | | No Comments