October 5, 2024 Vancouver embarkation
It’s Saturday morning, no rain and 10°C at 8 a.m. We walked a couple of short blocks to Yolks for breakfast, which specializes in egg breakfasts. After breakfast we reorganized our suitcases back at Cat’s place and visited a little longer. We walked along Howe Street right down to Canada Place by the waterfront, less than two kilometres. There were at least 300 people already in line when we arrived just after 11 a.m. With our Holland America loyalty status, one of the perks is boarding any time after 11 a.m.
The boarding of Holland America’s Koningsdam, for passengers with less than 4 Star Mariner loyalty status, was to begin about noon. Passengers were expected to embark at least 90 minutes before the scheduled departure from Vancouver, which was 4 p.m. For our deck, we were assigned 2 p.m. to board the ship.
After the security line, it was on to the Checkin where we were diverted to the Priority line, for passengers with Mariner 4 or 5 star loyalty status or in the suites, which was much shorter. At Checkin our boarding pass and passport were checked and our photo was taken. The photo will appear on the screen after our keycard has been swiped as we leave or come back to the ship passing through the ship’s security. Then everyone passed through U.S. Customs, so there will be no need for it when we arrive in Honolulu in six days. We avoided the ship’s photo booth where the ship’s photographers were taking boarding day pictures. Then it was down a long hallway to the boarding ramp and we entered the ship on deck 3 around 11:45 a.m. We stopped at the Dutch Café, which seats about 60 people at nicely spaced tables, for coffee and a cookie rather than going to Deck 9 where the 800 seat Lido cafeteria in located, which would be quite crowded.
The walk along Howe Street was 1,448 steps, but the walking through the terminal for security, checkin, Customs, and boarding the ship was 2,139 steps.
Canada Place, on Vancouver Harbour, is where the cruise terminal is located. When the ship leaves the port she travels into Burrard Inlet through the First Narrows passing under the Lions Gate Bridge, passing by the cargo ships anchored in English Bay moving into the Strait of Georgia and the Strait of Juan de Fuga before entering the Pacific Ocean for the five and a half day voyage to Honolulu.
Before our coffees were finished, shortly after noon, it was announced that the staterooms were ready. Most of the guests at the Dutch Café departed. We have an ocean view stateroom on Deck 1 approximately in the centre of the ship. Laid out on our desk was the Entertainment Guide for the voyage, the Daily brochure of events, a $5US Casino Match Play coupon each (compliments of our travel agent), a complimentary cocktail coupon each and a note of how to access the shore excursions on the app.
We needed to view a Safety video on the TV which was about emergency procedures and evacuating the ship, but unlike post pandemic cruises in 2022, 2023 and in the spring, there also was an in person muster at our assigned muster station scheduled for 2:45 p.m. It was scheduled to take 30 minutes but only took 20 minutes. This is a mandatory in person muster that has to be done every 180 days for every ship. After the ship’s horn very loud blasts of seven short and one long blast, everyone gathers at their muster station to be checked in. There were ten muster areas scattered on decks 2 and 3. Once all the people have arrived, the captain announces the safety procedures that were covered by the 15 minute video on the television. For the past two years, we have just had to watch the safety video on the TV and then just check in at our assigned muster station, not stick around with 2600 other passengers as the procedures were presented in person.
We walked around the ship viewing the artwork in the staircases and elevator lobbies. We liked the Rotterdam’s collection better on this spring’s cruise to Europe.
We watched the ship’s departure from Canada Place outside on Deck 11. There were many seaplanes landing and taking off as well as ferries to and from North Vancouver. There were some clouds, a small breeze and temperature was around 18°C.
Our dinner time for set seating was 5 p.m. We have a table for eight people and, shortly after we arrived, we were shown to a table by the windows. Betty and Grace, friends from Coquitlam, B.C. arrived, followed by Pam and Dennis also from Coquitlam then, Susan and Graham from Sudbury, Ontario. Betty and Grace were travelling with two other friends who could not get assigned seating and will probably change to Open Seating with their friends.
After dinner, for Mariner 3, 4 and 5 star loyalty guests, there was a reception by the Deck 9 inside pool for half an hour. Servers circulated with trays of wine, beer, soft drinks and set cocktails. There were around 400 people. The retractable pool roof was closed.
At the World Stage theatre a video presentation of Holland America’s origin 150 years ago played. We have seen it on other cruises. There were bands playing in the B.B. King’s Clues Club and the Rolling Stone Lounge, both of which had dance floors and Billboard Onboard, which has a smaller dance floor. We needed earplugs in order to enjoy the music.
Steps 10,594
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