CNSJ

A wonderful selection. The cardiologists of the world will thank you! 😀

The big dish of scrambled eggs is more likely to be Frozen Liquid Whole eggs. They come in cartons or large boil in bags. You can ask them to scramble up fresh eggs, the same ones they use for fried eggs. Even on our 36 day transpacific in OCT-NOV 2022 they had fresh eggs the whole trip.

CruiserBruce---On my last few cruises if you have the have it all package, the three letters are HIA. It may say SBP when you just buy the drink package alone.

We were on the Westerdam along with seniorjim, as he stated, ship was great. Service was also great. Our only compliant was that there was a bit too much Chicken being served, which we assumed was a supply chain issue. Beef plentiful in the Pinnacle..... I feel the Vista ships are the best for passenger to public space ratio. Of course the transpacific sailing was only about 75% full.

Crossed the Pacific on Westerdam in Oct-Nov of 2022. Captain indicated during a Captain's Call Talk in MainStage that during the long COVID pause that the ship's hull became very fouled and that speed was greatly reduced. He said before starting Alaskan service that the ship was dry-docked and hull blasted and cleaned. Speed was back up so she could meet speed requirements. I don't know what else was done, but I thought the ship was in great shape.

Here is a link: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/deals/community-appreciation-cruise-offers.html

Can confirm from my Rotterdam trip in December 2022 that the juices at Gelato are included in HIA. They have great Fresh Squeezed OJ.

Thank you Lissie- Yup, end of civilization. I'm ok with a collared shirt and dress pants (yes socks) - on most dinners and a standard suit on dressier nights. Do I need the tux, or just a dark suit and tie (yes socks) ?

This could be a game changer for me. So.....If I read the Cunard forum will I read about the dress code being changed and how horrible it is?

Am looking at Cunard. Just hate the idea of having to put on a Jacket and tie for dinner (less formal nights). I am on vacation.....

Had service twice a day on last three cruises in 2022, but we put our service please sign when we needed it (after swimming mid day showers etc.). Cabin was spotless.

Agree that HAL can do more. I am willing to pay 10-20% more for experts and a cultural immersion. Not sure who else may be. My original point on clean, safe, and service is that other lines don't have same level of service... and that as Netherlands registered ships, they are safe. Having spent a few decades in the Nav, I believe that Hal's maintenance is better than I have seen on other lines.

Mary- Your point on focusing on Travelers seems to be spot on. We travel to see places, eat foods, and meet people. Learn about other cultures. I think that diverse itineraries are the key. That can help HAL differentiate themselves from other cruise lines. Perhaps it means a smaller HAL. We shall see. I think the market is big enough for 10-11 ships. The "exotic/unique" itineraries like Voyage of the Vikings tend to sell out quickly......

I (we) just reached 4 star Mariner on last cruise, so to many of you I am still a HAL newbie, but I thought I might comment on the non-stop bashing of Holland America. Yes, things change over time. Even in the short ten years we have been regular cruisers, I have seen change. Some good, some not so good. My DW and I just retired and are around 60. While little things like chocolates every night, slippers (most of us don't wear), and a well dressed man ringing dinner chimes may be important to many, I try to focus on the things that are most important (at least to me). In these areas I think HAL has done very well, and continues to do well. I try to keep in mind that the cruise industry just went through the once in a hundred years' shock with COVID. I am confident that HAL does surveys and just just cut things willy nilly. For those that complain about a charge for a second entree in the Pinnacle, I ask....What would your favorite restaurant at home do if you asked for two steaks? Don't charge me more for my cruise because you want two appetizers and two nice steaks at dinner. To me, clean, safe ships with great service are the reasons I have sailed with HAL on 10 of my last 13 cruises. I have sailed on R-class, Vista Class, Signature, Pinnacle Class. Each has benefits over the others depending on what you are looking for. I think Signature is the best overall due to the Promenade being more walkable. Otherwise Pinnacle class wins hands down. I'll focus on what's gotten better in the past ten years for a minute (at least in my opinion): Much better Stateroom TV with on demand movies, interactive info, menus, and access to your account. Pinnacle class ships with many more dining options and better venues for music events. Room service still included for breakfast and most times (and you can order off MDR menu) - Celebrity and others charge for Room Service now all day. The Navigator app - Love it or hate it... its better than not having an App A slightly younger passenger demographic is a good thing. Great ship's officers that still interact with passengers. Hal is more eco-friendly (less plastic and paper) Great itineraries continue (and 2024 looks great in this area) Onboard credit for shareholders and military/first responders Cruises are still a great value. I was in South Florida recently and looked at my restaurant receipts for lousy meals, including the "mandatory 20% gratuities added to all checks...." I was shocked to see what I was paying before and after cruise. I want to focus again on CLEAN, SAFE ships and GREAT SERVICE. We did two Royal Caribbean Cruises mixed in our first five HAL cruises - all on similar sized ships (Jewel of the Seas) to HALs ships. Cruise prices for a Balcony Cabin are similar in most cases based on my review. My DW would rather not cruise than go on Royal Caribbean again. The passenger to public space areas on HAL always feels better. Just my two cents..... I am very Happy with HAL. Nothing is perfect, but CLEAN, SAFE SHIPS with GREAT SERVICE is what matters to us. Keep Cruising. See you out there in 2023!

I have exclusively booked Open Seating with HAL on ten cruises over the past eight years. I book a table each night in advance (before sailing) when possible for around 5:30-6:00 PM. While I could book the early fixed dining (we book cruises well in advance) - Using Open Seating allows me to adjust the reservation based on port departure times. I'll book a later table when we are in port until early evening or later. I have never had to wait for a table as a result. We don't always get the same table, but when I get a waiter I particularly enjoy, I ask to be seated at same table for the next night. I always be sure to cancel my reservation at least an hour before if for some reason we will dine in Lido or in the room.

You can also combine several FCDs to vastly reduce any deposit required. Its always good to have a few FCDs in your back pocket. Better to book onboard of course!

Yes....We do pay for it, its not complimentary! Will be 4 star after this trip. No more HIA. Discounts on fancy coffee (for DW) specialty dining, and wine packages make it totally not worth it.....

On Rotterdam today , with HIA Package. Using part of the Shorex Credit for an upcoming stop in Amber Cove to snorkel. That excursion was just cancelled due to forecast weather tomorrow. Options were to book another excursion or simply loose the credit as its non-refundable. So..... I asked, what it this had been the last port and there were no other opportunities. The answer was the credit is non-refundable, not even against your onboard expenses. Even if port visit is cancelled, no compensation. I am sure it's in the fine print.... just passing this on to fellow cruisers. Second time on new Rotterdam. Nice ship.

Best coffee on the ship in my opinion is served in the Pinnacle Grill after dinner.

Thanks Gail & Marty. See you in Eastern Med in October.

I recently completed a long cruise on the Westerdam and had some post cruise travel that led to me taking too long to submit my post cruise feedback using the provided survey tool. I did not want to rush it, and then the survey said it was expired. I tried survey help but no response. What is the best way to recognize "by name" back to Holland America Corporate that particular crew members did a great job? I was able to thank them onboard with extra gratuity before the cruise ended, but I understand that by name mentions help them out. Looking for best method that will count! Thanks in Advance!