blizzardboy

But I have often seen small print on sales that state "on new bookings only"

 

Any idea when summer 2019 will be on sale?

Explore 4 is due in a couple weeks. Book your cruise if you want a specific cabin or suite, knowing you can switch deals if it's to your advantage.

This is my first post in years as we just recently booked our second cruise. We are doing a 7-day Mexico cruise from San Diego on the Eurodam, which is the same itinerary we did almost 4 years ago on the Westerdam.

 

I have a few questions which I am sure have already been answered but I'm a little overwhelmed and my searches are not finding what I need.

 

One night of the cruise is my birthday, any suggestions for which Specialty Restaurant we might want to try to reserve?

 

In regards to "Formal" or "Gala" nights, how many will there typically be? Also, I'd like to wear my tux, will I be overdressed?

 

When it comes to dining in general, our booking confirmation shows "open seating", is there a way to change this? I'd really prefer to have a table for two reserved for every night if we could.

 

I'm sure I'll have more questions, but I'll be trying to find the answers by searching, at least for now.

 

Just as it was 4 years ago, this forum is so helpful and I appreciate the knowledge you are all sharing already.

 

Thanks!

We have Global Entry and priority disembarkation so we wouldn't think twice about catching a flight after 11:30, as long as it's FLL and not MIA.

I have the opportunity to get the American Express Platinum card for free each year and I was wondering which benefits those here on the board who have it use and find the most beneficial? While it is "free", I do have to do some banking with them, so I wonder if it is worth the effort.

 

Thanks - DaveOKC

We just stayed for two glorious weeks at the St. Kitts Marriott Resort. I talked with a multitude of "day-passers" and all were enjoying their day. The employees are very friendly and helpful.

The beach is huge with cabanas included on first-come basis. Large pool deck as well with swim-up bar and great lunches at pool/beach-side. I'd call the hotel direct at 1 869-466-1200 to get any questions answered and to get a price comparison to your cruise line's. Cabs are safe and reasonable.

Seems we get a Mariner Specials flyer each spring and fall with discounted fares, but without a lot of perks. They've never been very aggressive on pricing, at least for the trips we were considering.

If you enter your Mariner number on HAL's site, any eligible discounts should be applied, i.e., casino discount , etc.

I haven't seen a UV sterilizer on a cruise ship, since with chlorination and a measurable reserve chlorine level, there is no need for UV. Ships that don't chlorinate, like cargo ships, will use UV sterilizers instead.

A question: we're looking forward to four stops in the Western Caribbean in early March. Costa Maya, Mahogany Bay Roatan, Santo Tomas de Castilla Guatemala, and Cozumel. Hoping to do some snorkeling at one or more stops. Any advice as to the better stops to consider? I believe from the ship's excursions they all offer trips. I have in the past booked private but i'm not adverse to booking with the ship. from experience, does anyone have advice on choices?

 

Thanks,

Bruce

Sounds "Grand", but do check your state's requirements for homeschooling. Your don't want to get arrested upon return for abetting truancy. If you look at the deck plan of the Amsterdam, Club HAL is shown on the Sports Deck (9), but whether it's staffed on a World Voyage would be a question I'd pose to Ship's Services 1‐800‐541‐1576.

From what I understand, in addition to chlorination, the ships also pass their water through a UV microbe-killing unit. Every night I fill my 24 oz insulated Tervis Tumbler with tap water and ice from the steward-filled bucket. With their snap-on lid and special straw, you can knock them off the nightstand and not spill a drop.

I guess we found the one that thinks if your luggage is late you should be denied what you paid for, am I reading this accurately?

For sure it started as an exception to the rule, but has become more of a 'defacto' trend (please no freaking out here) . Hence the discussion as to its general appropriateness on day 1 MDR.

 

You're right on about the sagging, that seems likes a gang-banger type of fashion thing that is comical to me, but it pretty common both in inner city, suburban and even rural America. I'd guess most people wouldn't want to see sagging long short pants with exposed Calvin Kleins in the first night MDR.

You can wear a tutu with swim fins in the Lido. Whether you can't or won't abide by the MDR dress code, dumbed down as it has become, go to the Lido and enjoy your meal.

I was just looking at my reservation for June 2018 to see if specialty dining was available for booking. I did find Canaletto and Tamarind but not Pinnacle --- any reason?????????????? Last year I was able to book the Pinnacle in October for our July cruise --- seems odd that I can't pre-book like I did last cruise.

We cruised from Singapore to Hong Kong on the Volendam on a similar cruise in 2013. Unfortunately our experience this time was most definitely not up the HAL standards we have been used to.

Firstly we boarded the ship just after it had dry docked for further refurbishment. Had we known that the refurb work was to continue DURING the cruise we would not have taken it. There were paint smells in our cabin and drilling on one sea day nearby to our cabin. Fortunately we were not as badly off as some others. Some went without water, or hot water for three days. Some were inconvenienced by leaks (wet carpets) while others also had no air-con for a few days. Passengers we spoke with in Hong Kong after disembarking were glad to get off. Overall we felt that we were “test passengers” during the cruise to identify refurb faults, prior to the Christmas cruise.

Other issues we were disappointed with were the absence of “sail-away” celebrations and poolside food celebrations. Food though (in the MDR) was still very good.

Cannot recommend this ship again, as we have before to our fellow travellers.

 

 

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I am cruising out of Fort Lauderdale and wondered if anyone has every stayed 30 minutes or a little longer North of the city to save money on a hotel. I would appreciate any suggestions.

Safe travels,

bb

Alright just off b2b on the Eurodam,Shorts are ok on 1st night.There were many.Especially on the 2nd week.After 1st night we did see some people make it in with shorts.But if person seating them saw it they asked them to change.The dressing on Holland is no were near as formal as it use to be,but that seems to be true on all the cruise lines.We had a great time any questions feel free to ask.

 

Tom

I'm one of those who feel that as long as there is a very casual alternative, i.e., the Lido, the MDR dress code should be strictly enforced every night. I've wondered if the same people who seem to want to push the dress-code envelope are the same folks who complain that the MDR isn't fine dining anymore?

I'm still a HAL newbie dummy, but where/when will the HSC be applied? just booked a last minute and can't find that anywhere. I am used to pre-paying tips on NCL and always choose to go ahead and do it, will they offer this when we board? I did notice some $660 pre-authorization, which I assumed was for charging stuff to our cabin.

Welcome aboard!

bb

Book an EXC excursion by your date at a discount. https://www.hollandamerica.com/pageByName/Resp.action?requestPage=exc_tours&showHeader=true&showFooter=true&ICID=F_Shorex_US&legacy=true

I wonder if it depends on the room category? Perhaps just the suites? In any case, the extra plastic card probably won't put your luggage over limit.

I believe it's only the NA and koningsdam that require you have a card in the slot to keep the power on.

I have cruised with Holland America several times before, but have always eaten in the MDR. For my next cruise, I decided to try the specialty restaurants and booked a night each at Pinnacle, Canaletto and Tamarind. I was browsing the menus and while I can select the appetizers and mains fairly easily, all the desserts look yummy!! I wanted to hear from the experts and see if there is something I simply must try for my first experience. Thanks!!

The pre-sailing package price is $5/day less than buying onboard. I can't speak from experience on whether deals are to be had via an onboard promo.

DH and I are on a 22 night Buenos Aries to Santiago cruise in January. Formal night is easy for me to pack for but not for DH. It seems like there are three options:

 

1. Take no dress clothes and rent a tuxedo for formal nights. Go to the MDR in a shirt with a collar but no jacket the other nights.

 

2. Schlep his suit and shoes for formal night but still just wear a shirt for non formal nights.

 

3. Forget the tux and the suit and just wear a shirt (okay, he should wear pants too) on formal nights.

 

He wants to avoid the hassle of taking a suit or even a jacket with him but I also feel strongly that I don't want to contribute to the further decline of formality. A tux is super-easy to rent (plus he looks cool in it) but I know he wouldn't want to be one of only 3 or 4 guys.

Any chance SA/Antarctica is more formal than other routes? How do you guys solve this?

You'll see all manner of dress on Gala nights, but the only opinion that matters is yours.

We enjoyed the Sel de Mer pop-up onboard the NA week before last. We both thought it was an improvement over Le Cirque, but it's not necessarily an easy comparison. We also enjoyed the PG in its traditional format as well as my solo breakfast each day while my bride enjoyed her sleep. Alfredo is the best, with Michael, Renzo and the rest of the great staff all top-notch. Ericka in the Tamarind was also great twice.