AKJonesy

Do you have a cruise ship in mind or considering all in HAL?

Don't worry. There are also cabs lined up.

Our last b2b was on two HAL ships at Ft. Lauderdale vs staying on one. We were given instructions at least a day if not 2 in advance. I know we took our luggage with us and I don't think there was a transfer option, but I could be wrong about that. We disembarked as late as allowed, then was told how to walk over to the other berth which was a short walk through a parking garage. We probably waited outside the terminal for an hour when they let us in the terminal and then we waited another hour inside on the chairs. There was nowhere outside of the terminals to go; nothing to buy, etc. Then, those who were in the terminal first were allowed on the ship first. Typical embarkation day with everyone out and about doing their musters, checking out the dining room, the layout of the ship. We went immediately to our new stateroom and unpacked, got the muster out of the way then took a quick look around the ship. We checked out the main dining menu for dinner so we ended up having a light lunch. The ship was very busy as usual on the first day. It was pretty simple self transfer from one ship to another.

I totally agree. Unlike, let's say Aruba or other places where you have to haul your stuff, HAL takes you over on on a ferry which takes minutes, drops you off, grab a chair or buy one with the big umbrella and relax, swim, drink, have lunch, read a book, etc. I'm not a beach person, but I did enjoy just walking on the beach there and it was more relaxing than the busy pool areas on the Lido deck. For those who are from beach areas, they may/may not enjoy this as much as someone from the far winter north like me. Half Moon Cay!

You can Uber over or HAL had a transfer from the airport when I went in the spring. Very easy and close from FLL.

I like to go and see what they are having in the Lido, and if it doesn't appeal then I grab a salad then look forward to dinner. It usually takes me a few days to make it to the Dive In. I don't go to MDR much but will join my husband at least on the first day and for gala. He goes to MDR every night with exception when we go to specialty dining.

OP noted it is only their 2nd cruise ever so they probably don't know all of the ins and outs yet. If they end up with a bad stateroom then it's a lesson learned; like most of us had to learn when we were new to cruising.

As OP said, they can't change and probably can't upgrade. Just enjoy the cruise and know that even though there will be some noise, it doesn't last all night.

You did not mention the ship, but in general: Cons: If seas are rough, there will be a lot more movement up there than the lower decks and toward the middle of the ship. Pros: Close to the gym, Crow's Nest, Lido Pool, and Lido Market

Happy hour, if I recall correctly starts on day 2 and it's buy one get 1/2 off second. Puzzles are available on NA, and I could be mixing up my ships but they are out in the library or Crow's Nest. The last time I was on NA, they did have cooking demos. There are plenty of places to go and read during the day. I suggest Crow's Nest or one of the bars that are closed. They have very comfortable seating. Also, if the weather is cooperative, she should sit on the Promenade deck to read and observe and perhaps meet other people. I can't remember if they have hydropool on NA. She should go to the Captain's talk on the Main Stage. I go to all of the Main Stage shows except the one's for selling port excursions. She should walk the entire ship and look at all of the art that is onboard. I'm not talking about the pitch to sell art. Trivia contest everyday in the Crow's Nest can be fun just to go up, grab a seat and listen. It's another great way to just start chatting with people.

I've seen a few people also state that fully vaccinated in 4 shots. Where is that written? I believe I read that fully vaccinated was the initial shots.

There are tubs on Zaandam depending on your stateroom. I had hip replacement surgery and was still in recovery when I traveled on HAL and my stateroom had a tub (on a different HAL ship). It was pretty easy for me to get in and out. They have the safety handrails on the tubs.

No to F OV guarantee. First of all the FB will be so close to the Main Stage so you will be hearing all of the noise from that. The F Category in the back of the ship will have carts rolling back and forth over your head. I would get a different stateroom if I were you.

Not really depending on airport. I've stood in line in MSP 30 min recently. SEA and SLC was also busy. You still have to put all your stuff on the conveyor belt and wait in line. I agree that the airport and plane is the likely place to pick it up. It's been easier to keep distance from people on the ships than the airports and planes IMHO.

Sorry to hear it.

Almost everything on Main Deck will be noisy. I guess floor 6 will be your only option. This happened to me on my last Rotterdam cruise. I was on 4 and the room I was in was for covid quarantine. They tried putting me under BB Kings. I went to Customer Service and got a room on RD down the hall. I only heard the boom boom boom a little, but that's not the same layout at ED. I don't like to be in the front of the ship like that, but you will be between two stateroom floors which should be quiet.

I just went out and look on the site I use for booking and it said I needed to select a different sailing date because the Aug 28 was sold out.

The Coast Guard has suspended the search. A statement from Holland America Line Tuesday said the man was a crew member on the Koningsdam, and reported missing shortly after the ship had left Juneau. The Coast Guard received assistance from the Eurodam cruise ship and began a search of the area. The Koningsdam was just leaving downtown Juneau, and the Eurodam was anchored close by. The Eurodam said they heard shouting coming from the water, according to the Coast Guard. The Koningsdam crew confirmed a crew member was missing. https://www.alaskasnewssource.com/2022/08/09/us-coast-guard-searching-missing-man-near-juneau/

The bottom line is at the end of the day, the cruiselines are in a real pickle. You've got half the passengers demanding/requiring/desiring masks, vaccinations and testing. You've got half the passengers that want the exact opposite. How do you set policy when you are bleeding money knowing either way, and under the current way the cruiselines are operating, that you can have a policy that is going to please all of these people? On top of that, you add the fact that the CDC has not been the most accurate with their messaging and it creates a real mess. I live in a tourism state that has been decimated by covid. Businesses have failed and many are still struggling to make their way back. MOre may fail. You all have seen this with cruiselines canceling many cruises and here it is because there are not enough workers to fill positions. That is another whole big can of worms. People have to make choices for themselves. I think much of the argument among cruisers comes down to the protocols and which side of the fence that people are on. People don't want to stay home and want to resume cruising, but want the protocols. Others want to resume cruising but without protocols. Unless there is a change in the way that the cruiselines operate, IMHO this is not going to be resolved and for a period of time, there is going to be disagreement among passengers as to how the cruiselines should operate. the

HAL transfer is the easiest and if you are already booked you will find that information on HAL under Already Booked then you can navigate to HAL transfers.

Know when the hurricane and typhoon seasons are and avoid those. There are two big currents off the California coast; one from the north and one from the south which can make for more rough water. That is why I will not do a circle Hawaii cruise from California. It is the wind that makes the waves and out there in the Pacific there is nothing to stop the waves IF it's windy. Cruises to Alaska are better from Vancouver than from Seattle generally because the cruise ships get behind the islands vs those that go out along the Pacific. Book rooms lower and toward the middle of the ship where there is less movement. I would not use any medication because it made me feel worse and doped up. River cruises.

I'm not making assumptions about his age, his immune system or if the vaccines work or don't work for him. I'm not making any assumptions at all and am not making light of it.

POTUS got it and apparantly he had 2 shots 2 boosters. Plus, you KNOW that everyone around him is tested. Goes to show. I'm not making assessments on his condition, but just pointing out the facts.

We can't get enough help up here. It does not surprise me the tour canceled. This year I would not have booked any cruise + tour package in Alaska. Who knows what will happen next year. Maybe the same.

First of all, I hope you both are feeling better and are out of quarantine. Second: you mentioned you did not change cabins. Are/were you in a balcony cabin?