Nang

We used the train to get from Amsterdam to Rotterdam and return back to Schiphol in September. Used cabs from the train station in Rotterdam to the cruise terminal and vice versa. Just went to the cab rank at either end. Was easy peasy. Cab fare was 25euro to and 20euro back (there was quite a queue of cabs trying to get into the cruise terminal to drop off passengers but exiting was much quicker).

The Koningsdam Signature/Neptune/Pinnacle suites are all listed as having King beds on the HAL website - not sure why you would be told you have Queen - https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/cruise-ships/ms-koningsdam/2.html Open dining definitely does not close off at 8:00pm - its always been 9:00pm since 2013 and was that in September (on the Rotterdam). I expect you could change to late dining once you are on board if you want the same table/servers each night and to avoid any waiting in line.

In July/August they were the aft rooms rear of the the lifts, ie above the dining room.

On the Rotterdam in July/August they were above the dining room - i.e. aft of the lifts.

We were on the Rotterdam in 4062 a bit forward of the BB Kings but in July/August the bass was very penetrating - up the 2 floors and into our cabin. Nothing from the Rock Room. Didn't worry us as we are late to bed but if you are sensitive to noise go further forward. We have booked 4041 on the NS for Sept/Oct next year to get further forward but as I said above we likely won't be bothered if the noise travels that far.

What makes it a fun night? Other than finger food and table cloths OP nights were the same as any other night on our cruise on the Rotterdam - at least in the Rock Room and Bill Board On Board. Fun nights of course, but no different to any other.

This is very sound advice. We had 2 OPs on our Rotterdam cruise in August and they both consisted of orange table cloths on the tables in a couple of music areas and staff walking around with trays of finger food after about 9:00pm that hardly anybody seemed to want. Some passengers went to the trouble of wearing some orange but they were in the minority. There was nothing else - no announcements/address from the Captain or Cruise Director.

oops, double posted some how.

You go to the Lido in your PJs????? Do you also go to breakfast in the restaurant/communal breakfast area at a hotel? I hope you don't wear the same type of PJs that I do.

Are you sure that you need to be tested? There is no mention of cruise length in the current testing guidelines and there are no cruises departing on 10 December listed in the enhanced protocols.

I am sure you could do this but you would need to pay for the 14 day cruise.

Last month when we had the UK Edinburgh immigration process on the Rotterdam it seemed to work very well with just 2BF officers. The officers were located in the level 3 MDR. Luckily we were called early and got through in 5 minutes and by then the line up was huge but it was moving quickly. The tendering was the bottle neck for us, not immigration.

No test according to my understanding. Your cruise is not listed as one requiring enhanced protocols.

I realise its been quite a few weeks since you asked your question but I did not see a response ..... HAL would be a great fit based on your stated preferences. There is some nickel and diming but it is pretty limited (extra charges in specialty steak restaurant, pinnacle grill, for some items and any extra entrees attract a $15 fee, both occupants in a cabin must purchase drinks package even if just one wants it, current practise is to charge full drink price if an ordered drink exceeds the limit on max drink price). HAL attracts an elderly demographic - no rock climbing, dodgem cars or waterslides. Avoid spring break, school holidays and very short itineraries in the Caribbean and there will be few children or over the top party types. HAL is not known for its stage shows but it has great music options (classical, blues and 1960's+ rock). Princess and HAL are often rated on these boards as being very similar.

We were on 24 July - 14 August (Rotterdam) and got 2 tiles and neither me nor The Boss noticed any HAL bags.

I have to agree with VMax. We got off the Rotterdam 10 days ago. The pianists are good entertainers but do not expect good quality singing. I am not surprised to hear there are repeats in the LSC performances. It was the same with the Rolling Stones Rock band and the pianists. However, given they do 3 performances of 45 minutes, 6 days a week it is no surprise to me. The Rock band did introduce a few new songs in their sets over the 3 weeks we were onboard however after a week I noticed the repetition but it did not bother me. On other ships we frequented the BB Kings and also noticed the repetition.

Currently on the Rotterdam. First dressy night any jeans or t-shirt allowed. They turned people away on the second with t-shirts. Based on the hand gesturing it was about needing a collar.

Thanks for the helpful, empathetic response, much appreciated. Please be reassured, we are coping.

Thank you for the information about transport options and reasons for the change. I had determined how to get to Rotterdam from the helpful information officer at Amsterdam Centraal. I expect we will take a taxi from Rotterdam Centraal to the cruise terminal. I also had assumed our mid cruise stop at Amsterdam would switch to Rotterdam. It will be good to see a new city. I have just discovered a link in the dreaded email that took me to a detailed explanation of the reason for the change and that we are receiving $50 on board credit per person compensation. It was suggested train was the best way to get to Rotterdam with links to timetables. Further changes, if any, are to be publicised as soon as they are confirmed. All very annoying and I hope not too many passengers miss the email and discover the news on Sunday at the Amsterdam Passenger Terminal. Hopefully HAL will have a bus or two for those who miss the change.

We arrived in Amsterdam this morning to find an email from HAL telling us our cruise on the Rotterdam embarkation port has moved to Rotterdam from Amsterdam. Its Friday morning and cruise starts Sunday morning. No offer of assistance unless you have a transfer booked. NOT HAPPY!!! I guess we will be having a train ride first thing Sunday.

Use a credit or travel debit card, much simpler.

Thanks for the quick response. We have a carry on and large checked case each. Dragging them a half-3/4 a mile doesn't phase me one bit but The Boss often does not share my assessment of what is easily doable. Its good to know we have a taxi option if she decrees it necessary.

We have an upcoming stay in London following a cruise. Am planning to take the Elizabeth line from Heathrow to Paddington on a Sunday and then the reverse the following Saturday, both around 5:00pm to6:00pm. It is a bit less than a mile to our hotel (Lancaster Gate) from the station but due to our luggage will need to get a cab. Are we likely to find a cab at the railway station? If not can we expect to flag one down as we won't be able to call for one. Do cabs take such short fares? (they would be very reluctant to in our home town) TIA

I use chrome. Its actually a multi step process. I right click in what your wrote and a pop up appears with a quite a few options to choose. Click on translate and another pop up appears in which you can choose which language you want by clicking on the dots and them selecting the preferred language. English is the default for me. Then click on the translate box.

Catch bus 43 https://www.lothianbuses.com/timetables/cruiselink-x99/ Return trip 10GBP. Takes 45 minutes as it is a regular bus route with lots of stops. Bus stop is opposite police station about 1.3km stroll from Hawes pier. There is a closer stop about 1km but harder to describe where to catch unless you can use Google maps - just select the bus symbol instead of car. Get off at the St Andrews House stop -very central. This should give you 5 hours in Edinburgh. Also I have been advised there are usually buses right at the dock specifically for cruise passengers. Ask for advice from the people in a purple vest/jacket who are there to assist.