Special thanks to Zuiderdam’s Techspert Krista who posted this on HAL’s Digital Workshop blog.

It’s Krista, techspert onboard the Zuiderdam where we’re sailing through the Caribbean and visiting the Panama Canal. As we sail, we’re learning all about Windows 8!

I use Windows 8 on a laptop that I upgraded from Windows 7, and guess what? It does not have a touchscreen. A lot of people think that you need a touchscreen with Windows 8, but actually it works great with mouse and keyboard as well! For those of you in a similar situation as me, I thought I’d post today on some little tips and tricks I’ve discovered in Windows 8 that you might find useful.

Switching from one open app to another
Most of us do more than one thing on the computer at a time, and you might wonder how to jump from one open app to another. With a touchscreen you just swipe from the left edge of the screen but, how do you do that with a mouse?

Just point your mouse to the upper left corner of the screen and click. Every time you click you’ll swap to the next open app.

But what if you have several apps open and you want to jump to a specific app, not the one you used most recently? Do you really have to click several times to get to your desired app?

Nope!

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Topics: Art, Activities & Entertainment, ms Zuiderdam | | 3 Comments

We invited our Facebook fans to share with us their “favorite HAL Ship of 2012.” Here are some of the stunning entries. Thanks to all for sharing!

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Topics: Caribbean, Half Moon Cay, ms Eurodam, ms Nieuw Amsterdam, ms Oosterdam, ms Westerdam, ms Zuiderdam, South America | | 1 Comment

We invited our Facebook fans to share with us their “favorite HAL Ship of 2012.” Here are some of the stunning entries. Thanks to all for sharing!

These pictures are from our 2011 cruise on the Eurodam. This year it was the Statendam through the Panama Canal. Early in 2014 it is Hawaii; already booked. – Bob Deffenbaugh

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Topics: Alaska, Caribbean, Half Moon Cay, ms Eurodam, ms Westerdam, ms Zuiderdam, Panama Canal | | No Comments

I sailed aboard ms Zuiderdam in November 2012, from Fort Lauderdale to the Bahamas, Aruba, Curacao, Costa Rica and Panama. I had such a wonderful experience and the crew was fantastic, especially the pool attendants. These guys really know how to treat people with such great hospitality. Special recognition to Nestor Duran Jr., Sarkadi, Irman Nadhiantari, Dennis Magpoc, Pete Gatpandan and Girley Mendoza. Keep up the great work! – Alexander J. Uribe

Topics: Caribbean, ms Zuiderdam, Panama Canal, Staff & Crew | | 1 Comment

Thanks to HAL guest Regina for sending in this beautiful photo that was taken on board Zuiderdam.

Here is a shot from Zuiderdam as we were departing Vancouver, northbound to Alaska.
The Alaskan weather was “variable”, to say the least! — Regina

Topics: Alaska, ms Zuiderdam | | No Comments

Here is a montage of five Panama Canal Sunfarer Voyage shore excursions. The footage was recorded in 2012 on Zuiderdam on the shore excursions offered at the ports Half Moon Cay, Aruba, Bonaire, Curaçao, and Panama. — Bryan Ringos

Half Moon Cay: Stingray Adventure
Bonaire: Two-Site Snorkeling
Gatun Lake Panama: Monkey Watch
Aruba: Sailing & Snorkeling Cruise
Curaçao: Beach Express

Topics: Half Moon Cay, ms Zuiderdam, Panama Canal, Shore Excursions, Videos | | No Comments

Thanks to HAL Mariner Karsten for sending in these photos of his last HAL cruise. We look forward to having you on board again in January!

Some photos from our recent trip this January with Zuiderdam. We are close to embarking Rotterdam on a 37-day Asia cruise. We found out that a 10-day cruise is much too short. — Karsten

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Topics: Mariner Voices, ms Zuiderdam, Postcards from... | | No Comments

Dec. 14, 2002: HAL’s first Vista-class ship Zuiderdam, departs from Fort Lauderdale on its maiden voyage. The 1,848-guest, 81,769-ton ship is the first of five Vista-class vessels. At the heart of Zuiderdam, suspended in a three-story atrium, is a Waterford Crystal Seahorse which sets the mood for exquisite pieces of art to be seen throughout the elegant ship. New features aboard Zuiderdam include a disco, casual “round-the-clock” cafe, Internet cafe, Internet/e-mail data ports in all staterooms, a cabaret-style show lounge, an alternative restaurant featuring fine Pacific Northwest specialties and wines, a casual Lido buffet and the largest spa facilities in the fleet. Joan Lunden, long-time co-host of ABC’s “Good Morning America,” was named godmother of the ship.

From left: Kirk Lanterman, former Holland America Line president and CEO; Joan Lunden, Captain Jack van Coevorden and Carnival Corporation & plc Chairman and CEO Micky Arison.

Topics: HAL History, ms Zuiderdam | | No Comments