Precious Memories: Sail-away from Singapore

cont. Harbour Front Cruise Terminal -- February 16, 2016 (II)

2016 HAL Volendam Asian Adventure Day 1 - Singapore

Weather: Gentle breeze, clear sky, 30C/86F

The 2-hour Mariners Embarkation Lunch lasted a little longer than we expected with long wait between courses. It was time for us to take our own little tour around the ship to familiarize ourselves as this will be our home for the next 14 days.

The Volendam is definitely showing her age on first impression. This was built in 1999 but had been updated recently. On this cruise there were 1,356 passengers and 623 crew members, just a little less than its full capacity of 1,432 passengers. The theme for Volendam is "Garden" or "Flowers" with floral fabrics and tapestries as well as floral arrangements all around the ship. This is one of the smallest ships we have sailed on with 777.6 feet in length and 111 feet wide so it was quite easy to navigate. The one deck that is impossible to walk through from one end to the other is deck 4, with the galley blocking the restaurant and the public area. Deck 5 (Upper Promenade) was our main passageway, where most of the public lounges located.

Huge painting around the corner of Rotterdam Dining Room and outside King's Room, Deck 5.

Explorer's Lounge. They have redone this place recently, put in carpeting and replaced the dreadful red chairs. Looking much better than the pictures I saw on other sites. The piano and violin duo Adagio usually perform wonderful classical music here in the evenings.

Part of the Exploration Cafe area that included the library, computer center, and cafe.

Library

Lots of wide open space and comfortable chairs in this library.

An unusual piece of art along the corridor between the library and Hudson Room.

casino

Mix--solo guitarist Larry and Barry from Boston performed here.

Ship info on the big screen near Ocean Bar.

Ocean Bar

Ballroom music provided by Neptunes here at Ocean Bar with many people dancing the nights away.

Frans Hals Lounge--the main theater.

from the balcony on deck 5

It's a small theater comparing to other cruise ships.

Atrium-front office on deck 4. Atrium on deck 3 is a huge, quiet area, usually with not much going on, a good gathering place for group tours. In the middle of the Atriuam, is the 3-story sculpture by Luciano Vistosi which represents the moods and colors of a kaleidoscope.

Art gallery on deck 4

Wine Tasting Bar and Gourmet Shops

right across the Wajang Theater/Culinary Arts Center

Inside Wajang Theater

Another shot of the Wine Tasting Bar and Art Gallery.

Pinnacle Grill

Looking inside Pinnacle Grill, the specialty restaurant with additional charge.

End of the public area before the galley on deck 4.

Wrap-around promenade on deck 3, a good place for daily walks.

After walking around the ship, we went back to the cabin and unpacked before the muster drill at 3:15. We were told to wait inside our cabin until further announcements of instructions. Then we proceeded to our station on deck 3 for the roll-call without having to bring our life jackets. I was surprised to find out that they were still calling out cabin numbers while other cruise lines are scanning sea passes to make sure everyone was present for the drill. After the roll call and everyone accounted for, we were dismissed. Other than standing there for the completion of the roll call, it was not a difficult one.

Thinking that sail-away would be at 4:00PM as indicated, we went up to the Lido deck for the photo opportunities.

Lido Pool on deck 8

Ping Pong tables

Getting some shots on deck 9 before sailing away.

It was fun watching the gondola lifts that run between Harbour Front Station and Santosa moving slowly across above us.

Harbour Front Terminal and Vivo City.

Santosa on the other side of the bay. I believe that's Hard Rock Hotel.

Kind of quiet for a sail-away, right?!

For some reasons the sail-away was delayed. It was nice to have found some shade as we waited. With the breeze and being under the shade, I actually took a little nap on this lounge chair.

It turned out that most people were waiting at the Seaview Pool area in the aft.

Harbour Front Cruise Terminal

deck 9 starboard side

One of the Santosa Express trams between Vivo City and Santosa.

Ready to leave, at 5:19PM by now.

Looked like the pilot boat was pushing us to make that 360 turn.

Volendam making the 360 turn in the harbor before sailing out.

Almost done.

Sailing away!

Someone's fancy yacht.

One more shot of these interesting looking buildings.

After the sail-away, we went back to our cabin and rested. The hot weather can be very draining. Our dinner time is 8PM at the Rotterdam. Usually we like to eat early but since we wanted traditional dining with fixed time and table, this was the only spot available. It turned out this late dining was to our advantage because we did not have to rush back to get ready for dinner at several ports. I just wish that HAL have better hours at their buffet though. On other cruises, if we did not enjoy our meal in the main dining room or if we wanted other things we could go to the buffet and helped ourselves with fruits, etc. But on HAL, their buffet only opens between 5 and 8.

Daily program for day 1.

We were lead to our table (#29) on this first dinner at the Rotterdam. It was a table that could sit six so it was quite spacious and comfortable for the three of us. Our servers were Didik and Tata, both from Indonesia. Two fine gentlemen who looked after all our needs at meal time on this trip.

Between the three of us, we had these for dinner that evening.

Coconut-crusted scallops--very good!

lobster bisque

Thai-style grilled chicken

Swai Tempura

Tri-tip with roasted shallot vinegrette.

Food was good, but I found that most food was a little too salty for my taste. It could just be a personal thing as I am trying to avoid salt for my blood pressure problem.