At 07.00 this morning the Zuiderdam sailed into the port of Barcelona over a flat calm sea towards the berth at the Barcelona Cruise Terminal. Not a bad way to start the day. Today there were three ships in, the Marina (Oceana Cruises), the Costa Fascinosa (Costa Cruises) and us. The Marina had a full change over today, the Costa was expecting about 50 new guests and we had heavy loading. Very heavy loading; as apart from all the stores and supplies coming on, recyclables going off, we also had fuel bunkering and we were getting all new chairs and foot rests for the balconies.
Starting to unload 2 x 40 ft. containers. This was shortly before the Cabin steward brigade came out to cart it all away.
Changing furniture is always a major upheaval for a cruise ship as we cannot store all those boxes on board and then leisurely unpack them and bring them to the balconies. And then keep the old furniture somewhere until it can be landed. No it has to be done in one day. So the Cabin Stewards were put on alert and first all the old furniture came out, went ashore, and then the new furniture came the other way. Unpacked and then the empty carton boxes went straight to the recycling. Balcony furniture is replaced on a regular basis as the elements play havoc with the rattan. It would not make any difference if we had other material as the combination of salt, sun, rain and cleaning will eventually conquer the sturdiest materials. So by tomorrow all the guests will have nice new chairs and food rests on their balconies again.
Cabin Stewards waiting for new furniture on the Navigation deck.
While we are on the topic of furniture and decoration, the Zuiderdam has a sort of Italian theme throughout its public rooms and staircases. As is known Holland America has a tradition of putting antiques & art on their ships for the guests to enjoy while cruising. Something which really started on a grand scale with the Nieuw Amsterdam of 1983. This ship had as a theme our previous Colonies in the West, New York included. The Noordam of 1984 had the former Colonies in the East and with the S and the R class this continued although not so strictly focused. But Dutch heritage, craftsmanship and artistry continued to be put on display on a grand scale.
The large wall painting opposite the Explorers Lounge. Showing the Grand Canal of Venice.
With the Zuiderdam, the first Vista class, this changed a little bit. The Netherlands did not have sufficient colonies to stretch the theme forever. (Just think what we could have done, if the Dutch had had an empire similar to the British………) Thus the theme of the Zuiderdam went Italian with a few deviations to ensure that the guests were still reminded that they are on a Dutch ship. The easiest this can be seen is in the Explorer lounge. All the ships that went before had a Dutch nautical scene of some sort on the large wall painting; the Zuiderdam has a city view, still from the water, but of Venice.
The Carnival display opposite the Art Gallery. due to the glass, the photo is less than perfect, but I am also a less than perfect photographer.
Then there are more touches which reminds of Venice. That Venice was taken as the Italian theme made sense as the ship was built there; just to the south of the city in the town of Marghera. Apart from furniture in the staircases and statues in the hall ways, there is the big Venetian Carnival Costume Display just opposite the Art gallery. As we all know Venice has the most elaborate Carnival of all, with costumes that are both chique, stylish and elaborate. Rio de Janeiro might be the most exotic and have the least clothing on show, but the costumes of the Venice Carnival ensure that you cannot even see who the other person is who you just have been dancing with.
We are staying late here, only sailing at 22.30 this evening as, it is just a short hop to Mallorca. Holland America has a policy to stay, if possible, during each cruise one evening late in one of the ports of call and for this cruise that is Barcelona. You could not ask for a better port. I do not know if many guests are going ashore tonight, they might all be tired from all the sightseeing, but the crew is certainly going. At least those who can. There was a long row of people outside the crew office this morning, all wanting to cash money, to support the local economy tonight. Plus Europe goes back one hour tonight to get on winter time and that means that if some of the crew come back a little bit too happy tonight, they will have an extra hour to get over it again.
So tomorrow we will be in Mallorca and the weather is holding although with a bit more clouds than today. Temperatures around 67oF / 19oC. and very little wind. That is a lot better than being in Puerto Vallarta where Hurricane Patricia is creating havoc at the moment.
October 25, 2015 at 1:05 am
food rests – you should spelled as foot rests
October 25, 2015 at 1:45 am
re: “Changing furniture is always a major upheaval for a cruise ship as we cannot store all those boxes on board and then leisurely unpack them and bring them to the balconies. And then keep the old furniture somewhere until it can be landed. No it has to be done in one day.”
The Westin hotels I worked we replaced furniture the same way in one day.
Hotels are not known for a lot of non income producing space. Like you guys the new furniture was unpacked outside with the packaging never entering the property. While the old furniture was put on trucks from the company, often a business specializing in used hospitality furniture, which won the bid.