avocat

Took the red eye from Los Angeles to FLL. No sleep for 30+hours and hung out at FLL till boarded. Take a taxi for the 2 mile $15 ride to the terminal. Hint, have your photo ID handy at the terminal gate even if you are in a cab!

the line up is at 10:15 bit they didn’t let us in to check in till 11:00. Was on the boat at noon. 

This ship hip has the best cruise ship bathroom ever!  The solid glass door is so much cleaner and better than a vinyl curtain. It’s the worlds best shower because no matter how long you run the hot shower with the door closes the mirror does not fog up!!!

the ship is a beauty and I live the music theme which includes names of decks,!music venues and artwork.  The artwork and feel is fun and more like the Celebrity Reflection or a very toned down Carnival. 

The internet works and price $139 unlimited is fair. You can also use the same account in multiple devices just not at the same time. 

The menu looks improved over what I had on a Holland cruise two years ago.

The grand cafe is a waste and is all pay extra. The pizza was amazing. The flourless chocolate cake flawless. The free  ice cream  in the Lido buffet is not made in board. Only the extra pay gelato is  made here. The free waffle cone was delicious. 

The only complaint I have is the service in the main dining room tonight was very slow. I went 5:15 not busy when arrived but all courses were very slow. If that happens again I’ll need to say something. 

The new spa has a deal if $199 for one or $200 for two persons and up to 25 passes are sold for their spa sauna facilities. I was tempted bit passes. Maybe next time. 

Hopefully the poor MDR service was a one time event. But I really like this ship so far. 

Hi!  I'm taking the red eye to Ft. Lauderdale for the Nieuw Statendam, any suggestions what do do till 11:00 when we can board?  Thanks.

I see Chase Sapphire Preferred which I have and also used for this trip, does not have pre-existing medical coverage.

Chase Travel Coverage  I do not see this card providing medical aid or evacuation coverage.  Maybe one day I'll upgrade to the Reserve but even that does not give medical payment coverage.

I used to get the Costco recommenced Travel Guard,  https://www.travelguard.com/costcotravel/ but now Holland America's Trip Cancellation Insurance is the way to go.

After calling Travel Guard to add trip insurance to my booked Holland America cruise on Nieuw Statendam Travel Guard said no pre-existing medical condition coverage because it has been more than 21 days after I initially "booked" the cruise.  They defined booking the cruise as when I placed my deposit.  I was two days past when I placed my deposit!.  .

I booked the cruise on Costco December 26, 2018.  Great deal,  $2,500 per balcony cabin (Veranda Spa Stateroom) plus $340 per cabin shipboard credit.

I told Travel guard .in the past I booked cruises many months before the final payment date and was told so long as I got the insurance within so many days of the final payment date I was fine.  Travel Guard is cheap,   $181 but without pre-existing medical coverage what is the point?  

Costco suggested try the Holland America insurance.  Holland's plan is much better.  https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/pre-post-travel-cruise/cancellation-protection-plan.html 

I paid for their Platinum plan $129 per person and that gives me 90% of whatever I pay, including airfare, paid to me in cash if I cancel for an;y reason up till boarding time!

Travel Guards cancel anytime is double the price of the normal insurance.  Also, the Holland rep gave me a cheaper rate than on their website!

So I'm happy.  Holland is a good solid cruise line. 

I used to get the Costco recommenced Travel Guard,  https://www.travelguard.com/costcotravel/ but now Holland America's Trip Cancellation Insurance is the way to go.

After calling Travel Guard to add trip insurance to my booked Holland America cruise on Nieuw Statendam Travel Guard said no pre-existing medical condition coverage because it has been more than 21 days after I initially "booked" the cruise.  They defined booking the cruise as when I placed my deposit.  I was two days past when I placed my deposit!.  .

I booked the cruise on Costco December 26, 2018.  Great deal,  $2,500 per balcony cabin (Veranda Spa Stateroom) plus $340 per cabin shipboard credit.

I told Travel guard .in the past I booked cruises many months before the final payment date and was told so long as I got the insurance within so many days of the final payment date I was fine.  Travel Guard is cheap,   $181 but without pre-existing medical coverage what is the point?  

Costco suggested try the Holland America insurance.  Holland's plan much better.  https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/pre-post-travel-cruise/cancellation-protection-plan.html 

I paid for their Platinum plan $129 per person and that gives me 90% of whatever I pay, including airfare, paid to me in cash if I cancel for an;y reason up till boarding time!

Travel Guards cancel anytime is double the price of the normal insurance.  Also, the Holland rep gave me a cheaper rate than on their website!

So I'm happy.  Holland is a good solid cruise line. 

You need to search for MedallionNet which is the $9.99 per day internet and it is NOT on the Ruby Princess because I just called Princess.  The MedallionNet is currently only on two ships.  But Holland has a good reasonably priced internet plan. 

Thank you for the explanation.  I'm not a huge drinker but like to explore the "fancy" mixed drinks as described on menus.

This past August I was on Celebrity Infinity to Alaska.  The classic drink package was very disappointing  as was the limited choice of the entire cocktail menu on the ship.  They limit the drinks you can get to $9.  The problem is none of the drinks that sound unique are at that price point.  More importantly, every bar except the martini bar has the same very limited menu.  The martini bar starts at maybe $12 or $15.  Also, the only bartenders they have that have a clue how to make a cocktail are the ones at the martini bar.  The only good thing is they have very few bartenders and wait staff so they never bother to ask if you want a drink.  I believe they intentionally do not want to sell (give) you a free drink so they don't push it.  

Also Celebrity does NOT include milk shakes, smoothies or special drinks like that on the drink plan while other companies include those drinks.5 years ago on the Reflection it was different.  A larger drink menu with decent creative choices of drinks within the package

service.

Princess on the other had has a very large cocktail selection of interesting drinks on their drink packages.

Personally, while the classic drink package sounds good, it is not.  You are better off getting another perk or just paying for the drinks.

Note below the descriptions of the drinks do NOT even tell you what is in them!  Very confusing and boring.

and much better

I am thinking of the 15 day Hawaii cruise for my family with two 12th graders for next year.  Does anyone know if it is for sure the Ocean Medallion $10/day internet will be working next year?  It seems January  is the upgrade.  And we've done several 7 day and 1 10 day Alaska cruise, I just don't want to get too bored.  Has anyone done the Hawaii cruise before?  Thanks.

Yes it's  $68.99/day for the Princess Premier Beverage Package but works out well for me.  I agree with others that not thinking about the bill, going with the flow, pretending it's its "free"! has a lot of appeal.  I use my on board credit for the drink package It works for me  because I drink 3 small bottles of water, 2 cappuccinos, 1 fancy coffee drink , 2 - 3 fancy cocktails I would never normally drink but for being on a cruise and I'm happy even if I don't make it to a $68.99 break even!

I am a little concerned that Princess does not offer a pro-rated package, e.g. buying it a few days after the cruise starts.  I have a 15 day cruise planned and logically $1,000 for drinks is excessive, but it is a once in a year/lifetime experience!  Cheers!

Nice review. I was on the Alaska Inside Passage cruise that ended Sept. 2. I wish I knew before the cruise it continued down to Los Angeles/San Diego as I would have stayed on board. I also enjoyed the Q'Sine, but once is enough for that show. The Main Dining Room waitstaff I had were always fine and I at there all but one night. However, I thought the food in the main dining room was lackluster and the alcohol mixed drink choices boring, and frustrating as I only had the classic beverage package. The food/drinks were not nearly as good as a prior Celebrity cruise five years ago. It's been just less than a month now and the cruise seems so long ago. Also anything that irritated me on the cruise is now long forgotten and I wouldn't mind booking another t rip. But on a newer ship, maybe another cruise line too.