PROCRUISE

Got one on the Statendam in December.

Loved the LCS on the Statendam this past December and will again on the Rotterdam in February. Guess I would have to concur with previous observations that these extremely talented musicians don't produce any "drinks sold profit" for HAL. A sad loss.

The food (Orange Club dining) was excellent of the Statendam the first part of December 2022. The added item to our menu wasn't anything special but, the big advantage was the meals were served HOT and it was a quiet atmosphere. Most enjoyable experience with good food and service.

NS, this just past December, all food servers in Lido wore masks, most waiters in Club Orange dining area wore masks. Most of the rest of the staff and officers, did not.

My favorite place to eat and always the same: Potstickers or ribs. Wasabi beef tenderloin with crab rice and the delightful house made sorbets. Already looking forward to them again in February aboard the Rotterdam!

Biofouling is taken very seriously in NewZealand/Australia and surely all the cruise lines that cruise there must surely know this by now.

And Viking just had the same problem - turned away in Australia due to hull biofoul. Divers sent down to clean the hull which certainly should have been checked before the cruise due to strict rules in Australia/New Zealand.

The Orange Party of NS (12/10 - 12/17/22) was at the BB King Stage Area. So packed there was barely room to move, no place to sit and dance floor area was shoulder to shoulder. We left but, to each his own.

Absolutely agree. We tried Orange Club, for the first time, on the Statendam 12/10 - 17. The primary advantage, for us, was the separate dining area. It was marvelous in terms of really attentive staff, food was served HOT and the quietness compared to the MDR made the additional cost worth it, every night! The separate dining area was so much appreciated, that we've added Orange Club to our February cruise on the Rotterdam and also got a nice cabin upgrade.

Just got off the Statendam on 12/17. This is approximately what I saw of "dressy night" for men. 1% in tux, 10-20% in shirt and tie only, 20-35% in sports coat/suit. A large number, it seemed, in just slacks and long sleeved and collared shirt. For my 40th cruise in February, I know I'll be fine in dress slacks, collared shirt and really nice coordinated tie, and in the specialty restaurants too.

I'd be at Guest Services and refuse to move until Nicole presents herself front and center with an explanation and solution. We found Guest Services on the NS, this month, to be less than helpful.

We were on the NS this month. Yes the BB King music was earth shatteringly loud! However, we solved the problem. We took our hearing aids completely out and then the music, which was good, was only slightly painful. Of course when the same area was used for Lincoln Center, the volume was perfect but of course, totally different instruments. Actually, we did the same for the BBC presentations and two production numbers in the theatre. Never have been able to figure out why the volume is SO loud in the theaters on ALL cruise ships.

Have to agree having also just come off the Statendam on Saturday. Wonderful ship, crew and very good food. However, during sea days, what did HAL offer us? Lots of trivia and a few other games, how to flatten my belly, how to stop the skin aging process, diamond and gemstone enrichment seminars, fragrance sales, acupuncture benefits and handbag and sunglasses sale. No afternoon movies or the lectures on multiple topics that used to be offered. Naturally, using the pools was pretty much out of the question unless one "claims" a chair very early in the morning even though HAL says this isn't allowed. The only day it was safe to take my 90yr old friend to enjoy the pool was the stop at Half Moon Cay as we stayed on the ship. We'll be on the Rotterdam in February and expect the same but have canceled our HAL cruise in December 2023 and switched to another cruise line that does offer some sea day activities suited for us and not simply a sales promotion.

Was on this cruise 12/10 - 17/22 and bought Orange Club. The priority boarding was not handled well and the special event Orange Night at BB King Area was a joke. However, the cost was TOTALLY worth it due to the Orange Club Dining Room. So wonderful quiet compared to the MDR, outstanding and very personable waiters who were not rushed and food that was always served HOT. Will definitely add it again, tomorrow, to our February cruise on the Rotterdam.

Was on the same cruise. Had to get to the Dutch Cafe early also if you wanted the fabulous apple pie!

1. Singapore 2. Every meal is my favorite considering my cooking at home. 2. Still wear shirt and tie but my tux is packed away, probably forever.

Interesting in that when I took round trip cruise out of Singapore, I never gave a thought to the two Rx's that I took. They where in my carry on, in the containers from the pharmacy. Was never asked by anyone in Singapore about them. On the other hand, I was well aware and we were remaindered on the plane as we landed, that chewing gum in public or littering of any kind can/will land you in jail! Thief or illecit drugs can result in severe punishments unlike the slap on the wrist that might happen in the U.S.. Singapore is phenomenal and the locals like we tourist but, you better be on your best behavior, which you should be no matter where you visit.

You actually will get a HAL representative in Seattle when calling at 8AM EST. I've done it a number of times, with only a 5 minute wait!

I'd be calling HAL, exactly at 8AM EST tomorrow, for an explaination and move to a window cabin hopefully.

What is perhaps the most interesting is the different answers one gets even from VeriFly. As noted on my previous post, I contacted VeriFly and was told on 9/10/22 that for our 12/10/22 cruise that I couldn't enter the needed info until about two weeks out from the cruise. Just last week, it allowed me to enter everything up to and including uploading my vaccination card. Guess you just need to keep trying - isn't technology grand!!

Previously applied and was notified that the OBC would be applied to my December 2022 and February 2023 cruises.

Thanks for your very objective review. Also, in my opinion, if you do a land/sea trip to Alaska, The Holland America McKinley Explorer Train is vastly superior to others!

Same experience with our December cruise until yesterday. Then it let me put in info, add picture, unload vaccination card. Not much else to do now until several days before cruise.

What do you perceive the extra value to be on pinnacle vessels?

Clear the entire ship by around 9:30AM. Room service not available on final morning before leaving the ship. Available during the cruise.