VOV: Pre-Cruise Thoughts

So excited for our upcoming cruise! It is another bucket-list trip that has been postponed since 2020. We were fortunate earlier this year to take another one of our postponed cruises – Hawaii & South Pacific Islands and had a wonderful time. If this one is even half as good as that one was, it will be a great cruise.

We are heading north this time on the Holland America (HAL) Zaandam. Holland America calls this itinerary the Voyage of the Vikings (VOV) cruise, and I have wanted to take this cruise ever since I stumbled across the itinerary many years ago. What makes it so special to me? I don’t really know.

I am not a Viking historian or fanatic, nor have I ever seen any of the popular Vikings TV series. But I do like the Viking character on the TV show “Ghosts” so there’s that. I am also not a huge fan of cold weather but some of my favorite places that we have visited (Alaska; Scotland-Ireland) have been very chilly. So, once again, I am packing the rain gear, layering up, and slipping feet warmers into my tennis shoes – ready to travel.

Maybe it’s the chance to see Puffins again. I love those funny-looking birds. I tried to get a photo of them in both Alaska and in Scotland. They would be floating so perfectly on the water and as soon as I got ready to snap – splash – they dove into the water. I never got a photo of them – just photos of blurry black blobs. On this trip, there are a number of excursions that include bird watching and have specifically mentioned Puffins. I have a good feeling about my chances for success this time.

But, whatever the reason, I am really looking forward to visiting Maine, the east coast of Canada, Greenland, Iceland, and Norway for the first time. I think the scenery will be amazing. I’m also excited to be able to re-visit Boston, the Netherlands, Dublin, Ireland and Scrabster, Scotland. I do hope we have more dry days than rainy days but according to the long-range forecast I may be out of luck.

We have cruised on the Zaandam twice before – both times to Alaska. Holland America designates it as an R-class ship, and it can hold approximately 1400 guests. The R-class ships are now the smallest in HAL’s fleet. The cruise line sold all of its S-class ships which held 1200 guests and the Prinsendam which held 900.

I like the small size of the ship as it is very easy to go from one spot on the ship to another. I wonder what types of music venues it will have. I only remember the Ocean Bar band. I don’t know if in the last two years they were able to add the BB King Lounge or not. I hope so. What is kind of disappointing is that I know they won’t have the Rolling Stone Rock & Roll Room that the Rotterdam IV has. It is definitely my favorite music venue on the HAL ships.

We still have COVID protocols that will have to be followed. I have the Verifly app and the ArrivCanada app loaded on my phone so I can enter the required information when it’s time to do so. I will pack masks and hand sanitizers. And, worst-case scenario, I will also bring entertainment items just in case one or both of us gets quarantined. I had the same items with us in Hawaii and thankfully never needed them.

Packing is my Waterloo. I guess I will do what I did the last time. Pack everything I want to take and then weigh my suitcase. I will then start culling items until my suitcase is under 50 pounds.

A change this trip is that there will be no snorkeling excursions, so I don’t have to dedicate my carry-on to snorkel equipment. I can use it for packing clothes and shoes, if needed. (Who am I kidding, of course they will be needed). Add the backpack for electronics and other essentials and this pack mule is ready to travel.

Boston – ready or not, here we come!