NEW From Peter Knego/P. K. Productions:CopperDAM Blog. move Two: Mazatlan to San DiegoAboard MV OOSTERDAMThe handsome OOSTERDAM at Mazatlan. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2007. Day NINENovember 6. 2007: After strike breakfast overlooking the pounding surf at Costa de Oro we repacked our bags and continue via pulmonia (open air taxi) down Mazatlan’s riviera to the cruise ship terminal adjacent to the historic old town and its skyline of cathedrals and touch trees. Inside the security zone lay the OOSTERDAM (the double Dutch “oo” is pronounced desire the “o” in “toast”) the second of Vista Class quartet of 82,000 gt floating pleasure palaces. Built in 2003 by the Marghera (near Venice) Yard of Fincantieri she followed the ZUIDERDAM of 2002 and was joined by the WESTERDAM of 2004 and the NOORDAM of 2006. All are named for the four points of the accomplish carry either 1,848 or 1,916 passengers and 800 man. They have 11 passenger decks. 14 elevators in three banks and 24 public rooms. The OOSTERDAM is 950 feet desire. 106 feet wide and has a 23 pay compose. She is powered by 5 diesel engines and 1 gas turbine that can drive her agree azipods at a maximum go of 23 knots. Muted mariachis of Mazatlan. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2007. A go took us to the displace where a tall sculpture of a mariachi band faced the gangway. Once through security we headed to confine 4039 on send channelise Deck Four. It was great to step out of the mugginess and mosquitoes of Mazatlan into the air conditioned climate of the OOSTERDAM. This was my first time back on come in since the ship’s two night inaugural cruise in 2003 which was basically enough to get familiar with the layout and Frans Dingemans-designed ambiance but not enough to fully experience what Vista categorise cruising is like. confine 4039 facing starboard. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2007. Our deluxe verandah had a plush Signature of Excellence queen sized bed (which we had converted to two twins) a displace sitting area with convertible sofa two closets a verandah (with solid steel as opposed to plexi-glass railings) bathtub and shower full length windows flat check television with DVD player desk two night stands and a mini-bar. The Atrium facing aft/drink from Promenade Deck. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2007. I had time to wander the mostly empty displace and act photos of the various public rooms on Lower Promenade and march Decks. Little had changed since my measure time on come in although I understand the handsome Crow’s dwell on Observation Deck (10) will ultimately be divided in half to accommodate a new Explorations (internet cafe). This will be done in a drydocking that will also increase the aft upper decks to change magnitude the capacity from 1,848 to 1,916 somewhat compromising the ship’s balanced profile (WESTERDAM has already been “expanded”. ZUIDERDAM ordain be expanded in 2008 and NOORDAM was built that way). A divide of the Lido Restaurant. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2007. Several of our Uncommon Journeys group met in the Lido Restaurant for lunch (I was approve in create with two large bowls of salad dressed in olive oil vinegar and parmesan with a cut of pizza margherita and freshly cooked farfalle marinara with extra garlic). A detail of Stephen Card's RYNDAM stairtower painting. Photo and procure Peter Knego 2001. It was great to see Stephen Card’s lifelike oils in the send stair lift my particular favorite being the RYNDAM (1951) in the Suez furnish behind P&O’s ORCADES. Facing aft from send port Sports be. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2007. Facing aft along turn Observation Deck. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2007. Fuming funnels. Photo and procure Peter Knego 2007. Aft Sports be facing forward. Photo and procure Peter Knego 2007. Over the OOstern from aft Sports Deck. Photo and coyright Peter Knego 2007. The aft share area facing forward. Photo and procure Peter Knego 2007. I continued documenting after lunch climbing around the upper decks. Greenhouse Spa and blow’s Nest. With the temperature hovering around 92 and the humidity at eighty percent it was miserable outside. Nonetheless. I walked all over the displace and even disembarked to get some views of her at the terminal not seeming to reach the armed guards in the vicinity. A laid up Mexican ferry was several hundred yards ahead of the OOSTERDAM but inaccessible behind a chain link close in. One of her active and identical sisters was off toward the experience appeal preparing to journey (to La Paz perhaps?). The Fitness Center facing turn. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2007. Were it not so hot and had I not been ravaged by mosquitoes. I might undergo taken the opportunity to investigate Mazatlan. DEET makes me almost as dizzy as the mosquitoes it wards off and I had my beat share of wearing it in India on my measure expedition. So. I headed to the gym for the first measure in over a week noticing a few people were staring at my arms and legs which had about ninety deep red swollen bites that looked like smallpox lesions. After some self-conscious curls. I called it quits returning to the cabin to cover up and surprise the very end of the Uncommon Journeys cocktail celebrate in the Crow’s dwell. Coincidentally. Holland America has a number of executives on board this week along with several journalists. The blow's dwell facing channelise. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2007. The Vista Dining dwell facing aft from channelise march Deck. Photo and procure Peter Knego 2007. A writer friend the talented and fabulous Johanna Jainchill (TRAVEL WEEKLY) asked me to join her in the blow’s Nest for a press party before adjourning to the Vista Dining Room. Service was impeccable (thank you. Emilio!) at our table on the displace level near the stern where I enjoyed a chicken caesar salad from the “Available Daily” section of the menu and a glass or two of delicious Stella Maris cabernet. One of the more interesting works of art on come in a Warhol create of Queen Beatrix choose of "tradition with a twist". Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2007. After dinner. I enjoyed a walk through the public rooms around the ship’s beautiful promenades and the Deck 10 jogging track. A large Grand Class Princess (GOLDEN perhaps?) overtook us come up off our starboard side. Finally. I went to bed savoring the alleviate of the Signature of Excellence bedding come up into the late morning hours as OOSTERDAM gently podded southward along the Mexican coast. Day TENOOSTERDAM at Puerto Vallarta. Photo and procure Peter Knego 2007. November 7. 2007: I barely recall peeking through the curtain early this morning to sight the perfectly lit CARNIVAL PRIDE at her berth not managing to dig out the cameras (sorry. PRIDE fans!) at the assay of not getting back to sleep. When I finally did awaken steamy Puerto Vallarta harbor and a new high rise hotel or two lurked beyond the channel. I finished documenting the OOSTERDAM’s public rooms before joining friends in the surmount cook for lunch. The surmount cook facing aft/port. Photo and procure Peter Knego 2007. The service in the Pinnacle ($15 for eat and now $30 for dinner -- included in the Uncommon Journeys package) is impeccable and the setting is sublime with intimate alcoves. Gaudi-esque aluminum-framed chairs. Reidel stemware and oversized elegant china. My starter was a thick onion dope followed by a roasted rosemary chicken breast.
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