shipshapegirl

I got off Ms Volendam a week ago on a 13 day cruise and String Trio performed in the Explorer's Lounge twice daily.  They haven't completely gotten rid of the classical musical.  I am not a classical musical fan, however, they sounded beautiful.

3 hours ago, redleader74 said:

We are first time cruisers and will be departing on 7/21 from Seattle on the Westderdam for an Alaska cruise.   We are flying into Seattle from Oakland, CA, the day before departure and I’m trying to figure out logistics.  Mainly, which hotel is best for the night before, in terms of proximity to cruise port, cruise port transportation, etc.   In particular, we have a 5-year old that requires a car seat so transport like shuttle buses/coaches, would be preferred over private passenger vehicle/van since the later requires car seats.   Thanks in advance for any suggestions/tips.  

 

We have stayed in Seattle several times.  We like to stay at the Coast Gateway Hotel.  It is very close to the airport and has a free airport shuttle.  The cruise port is not close to the airport in Seattle, so we usually book the Holland America transfer to the cruise port.  On the morning of the cruise, we go back to the airport and meet Holland America.  We have taken our 4 year old grandson before and had no problem with him riding on the transfer or the hotel shuttle.

4 hours ago, Fouremco said:

@shipshapegirl's post #6 includes three different phone numbers. You might want to try calling each of them to get a better sense of timing and the overall process. Good luck!

I have taken this transfer lots of times.  I usually take the hotel shuttle back to the airport around 8:30 in the morning.  We are usually some of the first people to arrive at the cruise port.

1 minute ago, *Miss G* said:

 

Yeah, only by $4.00, though.  I just hate having to assert myself with the driver and sit awkwardly alone with them.  Uber/Lyft are out due to past experience so I was hoping the HAL shuttle would be a good option.

We also like being able to give them our luggage and not having to worry about it anymore until we see it in our stateroom.  We have taken this transfer a lot.  If you get there early, you will get out on one of the first transfers which is early but they do not tell you an exact time.

Just now, *Miss G* said:

 

Thank you, @shipshapegirl!  Do they send additional information post-purchase with timeframes and last bus?  It’s super-hard to plan without any details.  

We actually have a cruise coming up in a couple of weeks leaving out of Ft. Lauderdale.  This is the information that is included on your boarding pass.  If you have prebooked your transfer, they will be looking for you when you get to the airport.  I have attached what is on my boarding pass so you will have an idea of what to expect.

Ft. Lauderdale Airport to Ship Transfer: After completing your landing formalities and claiming your luggage, a representative from Intercruises Shoreside and Port Services will meet you after you exit the Customs/baggage claim area for your transfer to the ship. Our representatives can be recognized by their Holland America Line sign they will be holding. If you cannot locate a representative upon arrival, please call them locally at 954-591-5871. PLEASE NOTE: If you have purchased air on your own, Holland America Line must be advised of your air schedule at least 14 days prior to arrival. Please complete Online Check-In at our website (www.hollandamerica.com) with your flight information or have your travel professional contact Holland America Line at 1-877-724-5425 or 1-206-286-3900. If Holland America Line does not receive the flight information, you will not receive the transfer and will be ineligible

31 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

Has anyone taken the HAL transfer from FLL to PEV?  I’ve attached the screenshot of the only information they give you.  I’ll be dropping some of my party off at PEV then returning the rental to the airport and was thinking this might be a good option to avoid the lines at the entry kiosks..  Except there are no details to base my decision on!  Hoping someone on the board has done it and can give a brief rundown; most notably, departure time and place.  Thank you!

 

 

If you book a Holland America transfer, you meet them in baggage claim.  There will be people with Holland America vests on and a clip board.  You just give them your name, they check you off and put you on the next bus to the cruise port.  We have left the airport early, around 9:30 to the cruise port but we have also left around 10:30 - 11:00, when we have gotten there later.  

We are flying into Amsterdam in October for the transatlantic cruise, which is sailing out of Rotterdam. We have been to Amsterdam for two other cruises so we thought we would go straight to Rotterdam Central from the airport by train.  This will be our first time taking the train but everyone makes it sound simple so we are going to give it a try.  We would like to stay close to the cruise port but my concern is when we get to Rotterdam Central are taxis available or will I need to call one when I get there?

We were on Nieuw Statendam in February 2024.  I sat with the parents of one of the dancers with Step One.  She said they are going to be staying together but will move from ship to ship.  They will not stay on one ship like they were doing.  The mother also said they were bringing back the singing and dancing.  I liked Step One but we cruise 3-4 times a year with Holland America and we have seen every show they have had since 2019.  We are glad they are bringing on something different.  

Hello Kazu, our next sailing is:

Volendam  April 21 - May 04, 2024  13 Day The Atlantic Coast 

Look forward to seeing you on board.

Thank you!

We just got off of Nieuw Statendam last week.  We still enjoy dressy nights but I have to say very few people dressed any different than any other night for the Dining Room.  Blue jeans, no collared shirts and anything else they wanted to wear was fine.  I seen no one turned away.

4 minutes ago, Navybikermom said:

Do they label the cakes so you don’t have to guess what’s under that lovely frosting? I would hate to have to ask what each one is, slowing down the process 🤨.

Yes, they do label the cakes.  We just got off Nieuw Statendam last week and as everyone has said, the cakes were very good.  

We have used the coupons for diet cokes.  We have never had a problem using them for something other than alcohol, however, I have not tried them on milkshakes.

On 9/2/2023 at 8:44 PM, DaveOKC said:

A couple of months ago I was sent an offer to purchase the HIA package for our upcoming Oct. cruise for a price of $50 per night per person.  Since then I have not seen anything on it.  

Has anyone seen this offer lately or have they actually been able to do it recently?

 

 

We are cruising in November 2023.  When I go to my booking and select Package & Gifts, we are offered the Have It All for $50 per person.

We just got off our cruise in May.  I prebooked our excursions ahead of time and charged to my credit card.  Once on the ship, shore excursions told me that they or Guest Services could help me with the reimbursement to my credit card.  Just make sure after you purchase your excursions that you print your receipt that they email you and take it with you on your cruise.  We had no problem getting this done.  Have a great cruise!

We have done transatlantics the last two years from Fort Lauderdale to Amsterdam.  The water was very smooth during both trips.  This year the water looked glassy, it was so smooth.

19 hours ago, SDARCH said:

Awesome.  We are boarding on the 12th.

We will also be joining you.  

We will be on Zuiderdam, May 12-28, 2023 16 Night Atlantic Sunsets and Exotic Isles.  Thank you!

Unlimited!  They do a great job and most of the time if it goes out in the morning, you will have it back that night.

We have booked the Holland America transfer several times in Fort Lauderdale.  After the flight,  you go to baggage claim to get your luggage, there will be someone there from Holland America waiting on you.  As RuthC said, they will have a clipboard with your name on it.  They will instruct you to get your luggage and show you where to wait.  When the bus arrives, they will come get your group and lead you out.

We took the bus transfer in September from Seattle to Vancouver.  We met Holland America at the airport.  The shuttle left around 8:30-9:00.  When you get your boarding pass, you will be told what time to be there and where to meet them at in the airport.

Have a great trip!

4 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

This is the current Royal Goedewagen tegel /tile for the Pinnacle class - This latest series came out in 2021/2022 and depict sea monsters below the ship class. The corner ornamentations refer to the crown of the Statue of Liberty in New York. The crown consists of seven points symbolizing the seven continents and oceans. I haven't seen them being handed out yet however

 

 

 

The remaining two "R"-class ships

 

 

The Vista class

 

 

The Signature class

We actually received this tile on the Rotterdam transatlantic in April.

We cruised in September and stayed at the Coast Gateway Hotel.  It was very nice with a continental breakfast and they have a restaurant on the property.  

When we stay in Seattle, we usually take the hotel shuttle back to the airport and take Holland America's transportation to the cruise port.  The reason is once we give them our luggage to put on the bus, we do not see it again until it is in our stateroom.  It is very convenient.

We are on the Noordam now. Had to complete ArriveCAN today for Prince Rupert's visit on September 30th.  Guest services is not sure about Vancouver on October 2nd. They first said we didn't need it for Prince Rupert, however that changed and we received our forms for ArriveCAN yesterday.

Yes, we have received stateroom upgrades and other times a beverage card.  However, this was all before Covid.   If the price dropped on the cruise I am leaving for on Saturday, I would call and ask.  It never hurts to ask.