PIRAEUS PORT

19 April 2025

There are several different terminals at the Piraeus Port. There wasn’t any easy way to find out which terminal the Zuiderdam would be using. However on the day of your departure, the taxi driver will be able to follow the signs to your ship. Also, your boarding pass will give you directions to the terminal and then you can figure out which terminal corresponds to the directions.

The taxi driver may be looking for the cruise line name in addition to the name of the ship. Tell your driver, Terminal C, Holland America, Zuiderdam.

Here is the email address for the Port of Piraeus. I emailed them about 6 weeks ago, and they answered quickly with the terminal the Zuiderdam would be using.

P.P.A. S.A. / Cruise and Ferry Terminal Department <passengers@olp.gr>

TRANSFER TO THE PORT FROM THE HOTEL

Once again, we used Athens Transfer Service to get us from the Hotel to the Ship. Here is how I find my transfer companies.

Arriving at Terminal C

Check TripAdvisor for transfer companies and taxis

Search “Private Transfers” for the name of your city. You will be swamped with agencies that service many cities – disregard all those that service multiple cities.

Wade thru your search results until you find a company that only serves your desired city. Make sure they have a local address and phone number.

Send them an email asking for a quote. The first test is how fast they respond and how informative their response. If you don’t get an answer within 24 working hours – move on.

The price for our transfer for four people with 8 checked bags and 4 carry on bags was 70 euros.

Piraeus Port – Terminal C from the ship

CHECKING IN TO THE ZUIDERDAM

We learned later that about 200 people would be checking in today. Consequently, there wasn’t much of a delay getting on the ship.

Checking in – short line

Unlike joining the World Cruise in Fort Lauderdale, there wasn’t any welcome party when we arrived onboard, which was fine and not expected.

Our room is 7068, Neptune Suite, which is very nice, as always.

Neptune Suite 7068

BLOCK PARTY

One feature of Grand Voyages is the Block Party. When they first started them on the 2023 Grand Voyage, people stayed close to their cabins and met the people in adjacent cabins. This limited the amount of people you might meet. Room stewards would serve wine and snacks.

Over time, guests were encouraged to assemble in a nearby elevator lobby where beverages and snacks were available.

This year, they established a large buffet table with more elaborate snacks in the forward and aft elevator lobby of each floor. No longer do people mill around their doors, but everyone assembles in a lobby. The Hotel GM Henk and Cruise and Travel Director Kimberly make a speed run to try and visit each floor.

Only Grand Voyages have block parties – they are not held on Legendary Voyages.

Snack table setup in the elevator lobby

Judy and Twinkle

Kimberly and Pete

Pete, Judy, Henk and Christel

OLD FRIENDS

As we wandered around the ship, we enjoyed catching up with friends and acquaintances from previous HAL cruises.

CAPTAINS WELCOME

On previous world cruises, there weren’t enough people joining most segments to warrant a full World Stage Welcome by the Captain. With over 200 guests in attendance today, Captain Frank and Kimberly hosted a welcome ceremony on the World Stage, introducing the senior officers.

Captain Frank and his senior officers

THE WORLD STAGE

Miss Laureen Day was the featured entertainer this evening.

Miss Laureen Day

20 April – Easter Sunday

About 200 guests enjoyed the non-denominational Easter sunrise service. Seas were smooth with clear skies, but it was a little chilly.

Sunrise Service

PINNACLE EASTER BRUNCH

We enjoyed a special Easter Brunch in the Pinnacle for $25. The food was great as always. They also had a special brunch in the Main Dining Room – you can find the menu here.

Chef Maria

STRAIT OF MESSINA

Around 7pm, a local pilot came on board to sail us through the Strait of Messina

Strait of Messina