Navybikermom

I’ve gotten them at different times - sometimes the evening before the last day, or sometimes at the Mariner luncheon.

Thank you for such a detailed report. The photos are making me antsy. I will be on the Rotterdam in May and just can’t WAIT! 😜

I tried to get a single cabin on the Rotterdam but it was cheaper to get a regular inside and pay double the fare. That’s the one beef I have with cruise lines - their solo price “penalty”.

The Yum Yum man also used to walk up and down the passageways ringing chimes letting people know that it was dinner time. The outfit reminded me of the ones that the monkeys wore with the music grinder man.

I also have cruised Holland America during spring break - never again! Lots of little kiddies running amok and a plenty of the parents drinking and smoking near the Sea View pool - with children present. It was an unpleasant experience.

I really enjoyed the Ocean Bar. Good music most nights. Not sure if Emerson is still there, but he was a great bartender.

I agree that the steaks in the Pinnacle have gone downhill on some ships. For my last two times eating there, I had the lamb and the tomato & eggplant tarte tatin. Both were quite good. I can get a good steak in my home town, so I’m not going to bother with the Pinnacle’s steaks.

Just one of me. I’ll just take my spoils and move to a quiet spot elsewhere 😁.

I have heard good and bad things about how long the lines can be at the Dutch Cafe. I will be on the Rotterdam in May for my first pinnacle experience and would like to know how it goes for you. When’s the best (quickest) time to get a morning coffee, is there a big wait for lunch food, etc… Many thanks!

We had to move recently due to dogs barking all night and no local ordinances to address the situation. If I had to listen to that on a ship, I would be extremely upset and ask to be moved (or have the inconsiderate boobs moved).

The staff usually circulate around and take orders, but sometimes if they are really busy or understaffed it’s quicker to go to the bar yourself.

Zaandam has the taco bar, which I made use of quite a bit since it was much less crowded than the Lido.

I agree! If they’re going to waste all that paper for receipts (imagine 2000 of those things per day!), then bring back those delicious little boxes of cereal and get rid of those dispensers of boring flavors 😡. I tip those who go above and beyond. There’s already 18% being added onto my drinks, for goodness sake. Tipping is starting to get out of hand in this world.

That might be what my sister-in-law does. Dots of plastic material are hot-glued onto a pattern. She made me a beautiful piece of art with it for my “wine corner”. Kind of like Dippin Dots, but smaller and you can’t eat them. 😁

I’ve done this one twice - August and September. I preferred the September one since there were fewer children onboard. If I had the choice between June or October, I guess I would pick October. It would most likely cost more, due to the fall colors being a more popular time of year to be in that part of North America, but that might not be a big factor for everyone. That is my favorite itinerary so far, especially on the Zaandam!

That big chocolate croissant reminds me of the cornettos I got in Naples, Italy. Big, sugary-glazed, and stuffed with Nutella! One would add 5lbs to each hip, but dang they are good. 😋

Can they make malts? I dearly love malts, but a regular shake will do in a pinch ☺️.

I can’t recall ever seeing such a suit on a HAL ship. I have worn a thong suit in my younger years but would not now, even though I weigh the same! I also now would not prefer to see that much of a woman’s backside. The guys would probably love it, but would get plenty of stink-eye looks from their wives.

I thought there were three but I looked in my wine rack and only see the two. I might be thinking of the coasters with drink recipes on them… 🤔

All my HAL cruises before Covid had the cordial of the day, but I’ve not seen them since. I think I have three sets of those shot glasses ☺️.

I would have the salad, lamb, and blueberry cheesecake! None of the drinks listed appeal to me so I’d probably have a glass of rosé.

I would have mimosas, goat cheese/berries, and eggs Benedict! I dearly love biscuits and gravy, but the ones I’ve had at their brunch are just not right… 😣

I thought I had it before and liked it. It’s not like their menu has changed much in the past few years… I will try it again in May and see what I think. Usually I eat the meat option, but this sounded good.

Croquettes, curried vegetable cutlet, and ice cream du jour ☺️

The HAL airport transfer I had from there was a taxi. There was a lady there with a clipboard and a sign for Holland America and my name, and she hailed a cab and handed the driver an envelope (probably containing a check).