nimiq

Hello Ruch,

Will be on the same cruise and can’t wait and did the home test yesterday before our flight to FLL and will be able to use those results for tomorrows ship boarding. Today was a little relax and shopping day here and we’ve got the 1:00PM checkin time.

Thanks
Sea Ya

Eric 

See you in 2 days 🙂

Hello all,

is anyone on this chat board on Rotterdam now it’s seems the CDC is reporting this ship

in a yellow colour. Do we know why ? Any announcement on cases onboard ?
 

Thanks

Sea Ya

Eric  

We are set to leave on a cruise December 22nd with Holland America and our flight to Fort lauderdale is December 20th. Today I called HAL to check what policy they had in place with the new ruling and advisory from our Canadian Government and they said we could not get a future cruise credit. The agent said to call back tommorrw and check as this was pretty new to all of them and maybe it would be changed.

The only time they would reimbursed or give you FCC is if you test positive before departure.

We just don't know what to do as my biggest fear right now is not Covid but more that the Government might have us quarantine for 14 days upon return and this is lots of money when you suppose to work.

Everything is so confusing and to be honest cruise lines should just give FCC and make it clear and keep the ones that wanted to cruise.

Thanks all will keep you updated.

Sea ya

Eric L

5 hours ago, Crew News said:

Facial scanners today (no passports) at Pier 26 Fort Lauderdale and no stop for Immigration.  I had completed my online Global Entry questionnaire on my phone and nobody wanted to see it.

Is muster done in the cabin watching on TV or on phone ?

Thanks

Sea Ya

Eric 

 Morning,

Many thanks for doing those daily’s. 
Can’t wait to be back on a cruise this month Rotterdam here we come. 
 

In the meantime here a pic I took from our place in Puerto Vallarta. 
 

Have a nice weekend.

Sea ya 

Eric 

On 11/27/2021 at 7:20 AM, Woofbite said:

Just returned from the Rotterdam and discovered Rudi's is no longer eligible for a discount for 3 star or above members.

What other negative changes have they made while I was asleep?

 

It is really sad how HAL seems to be downgrading everything about their cruises from entertainment to food quality to

staffing and now their already meager award program.

 

(Has Mariner 4 status always required 200 days?  I seem to remember in ancient times it was less.  For a single, that translates

to about a $100,000 spent and they can't even discount their seafood restaurant 50%?)

 

 

 

Hello,

I think your the first person that I here from that complained about the Rotterdam. 
 

Not sure what you mean with downgrade entertainment ? Is having BB King,Lincoln Stage,Rock room,Billboard onboard plus the new interesting Half moon bar a downgrade to you ? 
 

Downgrade in food also needs to be explained ? 
 

Downgrade of staffing what do you mean by that ? 
 

It looks like you are very angry about not having the discount and took it to an other level by being negative of all the rest that was offered to you. 
 

Don’t forget you are a privileged person being able to travel these days as still lots Of people can’t. 
 

#behappy

4 hours ago, jeh10641 said:

Hi, All,

My wife and I have been on a Keto friendly eating plan for more than two years. When we have sandwiches eating out, we get them without bread. We have each lost a lot of weight and have kept it off. We do not ourselves any type of food as long as we can "have it our way". Papa Murphy, a take and bake pizza chain, offers crustless pizzas. Just the toppings and they are terrific.  At NY Pizza, we will probably scrape the toppings of and just eat them (if it cannot be served crustless).

 

To all, a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving on Thursday.

 

Jim

Hey my partner and I have been on Keto now for close to 4 years and find it very easy to eat Keto on cruise ships. When we first started we were Keto strict but with time our body adapted and have become Keto Liberal. We might cheat on vacation like once have a slice of pizza but that morning we will have fasted 16 hours prior. 
for us dessert is not a must and never had that sugar craving so lucky for us. 

FYI they don’t do crustless pizza but like you said just eat the top or go for meats and cold cuts in the lido. You can always order your burger at Dive-In without the bun and they do them in lettuce wraps very delicious. We always add a slice of bacon or sausage on the side 🙂

In the main dinning room we always have meat or fish with veggies and tell the staff no potatoes. Holland does an excellent cauliflower gratin which we have almost ever night 😂. Sometimes the waiters when they start knowing us brings a middle plate of that dish every night after. 

My partner did Keto to keep his weight off and for myself had very painful back problems and was taking meds everyday until I did keto and now no more pills.
 

Have fun enjoy the cruise 🚢 and if you do cheat one meal just remember to not do it again the next day 😂.  
 

Sea ya 

Eric 

Took a pic of your ship at Puerto Vallarta port before your departure.

Sea Ya 

Eric

Following 

13 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

The first paragraph is not correct.  It’s a maximum of 2 days before.  I assume that is what you meant.

Correct sorry 

For all Canadians if you are going to travel to a ship that departs from the US you will need PCR or Antigen test minimum  2 days prior to boarding a ship. Usually Antigen test are faster and cheaper. 
To come back into Canada you must have a PCR test done before boarding your flight back. Check with your cruise line as some will do them a few days prior to ship arrival. That is the case for Holland America for now.

Sea Ya

Eric 

1 hour ago, Laminator said:

I can speak for HAL in general and the Rotterdam specifically. On this cruise there are 2 groups of casino players. One of 150 from Club 21 and one of 125 from a land based casino. 1 out of every 7 pax is casino related. On the Dec 1st cruise there will be 600 invited Club 21 players. One out of every 3 pax will be casino related. HAL is making a major marketing push toward their Club 21 players. They also have other events on the 2 new ships. Their goal is to have the machines from the Ocean Bar removed by mid December. They are once again offering free play based on the points you earn on the slot machines. There are alot of new features including tournament entries that you play on the various enabled machines.

What is Club 21 ? Do you have to register before a cruise to become a member and earn points ? 
 

Thanks

Sea Ya

Eric 

3 hours ago, sansterre said:

and the coffee mugs which give a discount on your coffee purchased on the cruise.  I'm not much of a coffee drinker but I heard many preferred the coffee in the Dutch Cafe to Exploration's Central.

Do you remember the cost of those mugs ?

Thanks 

Sea ya 

Eric 

13 minutes ago, jabcruiser said:

Water is free onboard.  Just bring a bottle, or purchase one in gift shop onboard, and fill it up in Lido. Very easy.  I will have no problem doing this and have no intention of "purchasing" water on board. Never have, Never will. 

Jane

The problem with this now is that I think in the Lido you can’t self serve yourself any drink as before like water, juices, tea and coffee.

Not sure you can actually give your bottle to a crew member to refill.

Thanks

Eric 

On 10/18/2021 at 5:54 PM, basketballdad said:

Forget my earlier post.  Google is your friend.  You can get to Maho Beach for $2.50 each way per person AND get some local flavor.  This article has the info and map to get to the local taxi buses.  https://www.outofyourcomfortzone.net/the-cheapest-way-to-get-from-the-cruise-terminal-to-maho-beach-st-maarten-st-martin/

Thanks 

On 10/29/2021 at 2:46 PM, wack001 said:

I have booked the Rockland Estate fun; zipline etc, looking for reasonable transport to Rockland estate, anyone did this excursion

Wow ! Just went to see the website that is something unique and different to do beside a beach day. 
 

When are you going ? 
 

FYI I have emailed the company to see how to get there as no one has answered you yet. 
 

If I get the info will post back.

Sea ya

Eric 
 

8 hours ago, kazu said:

There is a very long thread on this -  regular water (in a glass) and coffee (not specialty) don’t count but your carton/metal container of water and the specialty coffees do.

 

If you drink that much water and coffee then why not buy a beverage card and use it to purchase a few of the waters or specialty coffees.

 

Alternatively you can pre-order some water so you have it in your cabin if you drink a lot of water.  there is a limit as to how much water and soda you can bring on board now and plastic containers are NOT permitted.

 

Here is the link to the thread I referenced:

 

Sorry for my ignorance but what’s the advantage  of buying a beverage card instead of just paying as you go ? 

Hello all,

Once again thank you for this live on the Rotterdam as it makes it very interesting for us that will be cruising here soon or in the near future. 
 

For us  it will be soon we will be on her for Xmas and New Years 🙂

 have a small question I’ve been following the MDR menu in the Navigator App that is reflecting your cruise but can’t seem to find the cheese plate anymore.  Is that the case no more cheese plate ? 
 

thanks 

Sea Ya 

Eric 

2 hours ago, sansterre said:

Something new to us......two of these were in our room when we arrived last week - a free drink.  Nearly everyone on the ship has sailed Holland America previously so it may have gone to most everyone, not just five star passengers.

It seems that most have the drink package on this cruise;  we do not.  So we look forward to a nice Rum Punch when we hit warmer waters.  

(Sorry the photo is sideways.)

 

Speaking of drink package have you seen if they offer a rebate if you don’t have one prior to cruising ? 
 

thanks 

sea ya 

Eric

14 hours ago, luvn2cruzzz said:

Attended a talk with Seth and Cruise and travel director Rebecca this afternoon. They shared their stories about their lives in the midst of COVID  which were very heartfelt and real. Seth spoke of his time on Zaandam grand South America when the pandemic hit and instead of a 14 day cruise it turned into 37 as they were turned away from port after port. We are sailing at 47% so no lines and no rush for seats anywhere. Seth is feeling the ships will not be sailing full for a very long time if forever. Last night was a reception for 4* and 5* mariners in the world stage. Plenty of room. The new library is located where the Microsoft classes were  held and it is lovely. Live music in the Ocean Bar has returned and the singer and five piece band are excellent. I think what I am most struck with is that everyone says hello and is truly happy to see us and we as passengers who jumped through way too many hoops to get here, are grateful that we persevered. So very sorry to have missed Bruges but for those of us who arrived and went directly to the ship,  it was a great morning to rest and catch up on sleep. Beautiful new ship! 

Wow more music on this ship. That’s lots of venues to choose from with different genre of music.  
Question 1 :Can you actually confirm all venues (Bar) are open as I’ve heard they had trouble finding bands ?

Question 2 : How Is the mask policy being respected ? What are the real rules on this ship with those mask ? 
 

Thanks again 

Sea Ya 

Eric

Bon Voyage and bring her home so we can’t start sailing her. DECEMBER for us. 
 

will be following.

Thanks for sharing 

Sea Ya 

Eric 

Question 1  : Would you sail her again once those free dinning options become for charge ? 
 

Question 2:  How was the food in the MDR ? 
 

Question 3 : What did you think about the main production shows ? 
 

last Question 4 : Is there a dance club on this ship ? Seems like no one has mentioned it.

Thanks in advance 

Sea Ya 

Eric 

On 10/17/2021 at 12:45 PM, atexsix said:

This is what we're struggling with.  Do we book a Neptune on HAL?  Or sail at a lower category on an all inclusive line?  We're even considering a suite on Celebrity which seems to offer way more than HAL.  We've sailed Neptunes in the past, but they seem to be lacking now to justify the price when compared to similar lines.  Wasn't it the King's Room on the smaller ships we were able to dine in?  And what the heck happened to the fruit bowls?  It wasn't until we got home that it dawned on me. 

 

NCL's haven class has been highly recommended, but we're not sure their ships are for us.  The double deck wrap around lounge holds the largest appeal, but we're critical of the amusement park aspect to them, we're not there to be amused, we're there to relax. 

 

 

Yikes by reading a few of your comments and quotes  I certainly do not suggest you venture on any NCL ship unless you stay up in the HAVEN and never come out as those ship are really not for you. As for Celebrity it might work but they have also changed lots and have attracted a much younger and louder class of passengers with all the activities going. Personally I still think HAL offers the best relaxation cruise and they have still have kept a bit of the old style cursing.  
 

Thanks 

Sea ya 

Eric 

I was wondering the same question for our cruise in December as right now is asking me for the 11 day Elite package $648,34 and for the 11 day signature $583,44. So now will this be cheaper onboard or can it be purchased later on into the cruise ?

Will need feedback form current HAL cruisers to see what’s been happening onboard versus doing it before.

Thanks all

Sea ya

Eric