CNSJ

It's the one Cruise Port you can drive to.

HAL - If you are monitoring this forum, please stop this practice of raising a price to then give a "free upgrade." Savvy CC followers know better, but it's really deceptive IMHO.

HAL's site still shows the itinerary with Panama Canal, sometimes it takes a few days after a change to update. The 21 and 35 day offerings from Boston seem to be with HAL trend toward longer trips and from more ports. That said, removing the best part of these voyages is sad to see. I am not sure if HAL is starting to make moves to eliminate these "partial transits" early on. Cutting PC trips for cruise ships may be needed to allow for more commercial traffic to use canal. Be glad HAL did this 10 months out....you have time to cancel or rebook something. They have been cancelling PC partials with little notice. Hope OP finds a good replacement or just enjoys the trip.

Which means milkshakes are still included!

Using the apparent HAL Approach, they could offer free upgrade from INTERIOR to NEPTUNE Suite, just price the interior the same as the regular Neptune! Isn't that like having a sale price that is never the actual price and illegal in the US?

Issue with adding HIA after is that it won't turn my Obstructed Oceanview into a Verandah......

Yes, Prices held.

Yes, Prices held.

Looking to book the 22 day South America/Antarctica voyage (late Jan 2025 on Oosterdam) HAL is advertising a free upgrade from Obstructed Oceanview to Verandah, then you choose Have it All.....a great deal right? When I just try to book the Verandah (not selecting the lower cabin class first) - I am prompted with the following options and prices: But when I select the Ocean view and use the "Free Upgrade" I get the following: Am I missing something here??? It seems the "upgrade" is just an orange border.....

Simply amazing pictures!

Wow! A great trip indeed. I wonder how this 134 day trip compares cost wise to the World Cruise?

It's really not "GLUTEN FREE BREAD" it is a totally different "thing." It's a bunch of stuff thrown together at an attempt to look like bread with a similar taste/texture. My heart goes out to those who cannot tolerate gluten. I don't know how I could make it through the day without bread. I hope you find solace in Alcohol, which depending on variety is not gluten free, but just Rum or Vodka etc. I think the olive in the glass is safe too.

Are they the same size bottles?

Thanks for a most detailed photo set and blog. I am looking a this trip for Jan 2025.

All good signs in my opinion. Now if they would just remove those silly monitors in the front of the crow's nest and put a few more lounge chairs with ottoman's there!

The return of a library (First Rotterdam, now NS) may be evidence that HAL is listening to passengers, and no doubt monitors this forum. I would have preferred a more traditional wood bookshelves library, but fire codes and the more modern look were understandable drivers. Better seating and lighting helps make a library. The massive puzzle tables on the R class made the Explorations Lounge/Library so appealing.

Assuming they both were not married at the time.....

I am sure that CCL as owner of HAL, has a plan of sorts that respects age of the ships, required maintenance and associated costs that has to be overlayed on passenger desire and demand forecast. They do so watching the overall CCL fleet and their competition. They just aren't sharing it with the public - as it's a business secret. Also keep in mind they often order a hull under one brand and switch it just before build. I think HAL sees a winner in the Pinnacle class ships as they have great reviews for the most part (less the Promenade deck [So many new ships have zero promenade]) if you discount the folks that feel Volendam is too big. Most of those customers left for Oceania or others. Next build will likely not be a "new design" or smaller. Expect more Pinnacle class or a slightly larger ship modeled on the CUNARD Queen Anne design (which is a stretch Pinnacle) Having similar ships makes it easier for ship's officers, engineers, and crew. Economies of scale. Time will tell.....

Regret to OP all the doom and gloom involving tendering and immigration. In some cases/situations such as this, I have found the HAL tour gives peace of mind getting off and back to the ship. Best to you!

On Neptune Suiters who have Club Orange by default. And of course Pinnacle Suiters...

From our experience in Europe, Pacific, and North America....there is no "typical time" as there are many variables. If you are clearing customs (first UK port or after a stop on the continent or Ireland) you may have delays. Yes, HAL excursions have priority in just about all ports. No real way around that. Tender size (ship or port based) makes a difference, and then there is weather.... If you are 4 star or above and or Club Orange that helps get you to the front of the line, but you still need clearance and may go after the HAL tours go. Give yourself plenty of time for DIY. DW and DD rescheduled a Bar Harbor DIY tour just days before after finding out about the tender process in Bar Harbor....if they had not , they would have missed tour, even though it was two hours after "arrival time." Good luck.

That’s a great deal of difference! add 50 a day for HIA and HAL still half cost. Plus those itineraries have around 7 port days, so you may eat meals off ship.

Unless you don't want to have funds tied up, I suggest you book what you want well in advance. Itinerary drives a great deal, for example sea days tend to fill up quickly in Speciality Restaraunts. This way you can experience the restaurants you want and not have to dine at 8 PM. No offense to those who prefer to dine at 8. You can always cancel prepaid bookings, and you then have refundable credit. If you are 4 or 5 Star you will get the discount applied (where applicable) and a credit issued. Again these are refundable credits.

Totally agree. Rode NS in the fall in Eastern Med, and had a few nice discussions with him. Worked his way up from the bottom.

Sailed on Westerdam transpacific in 2022. If booking a verandah on Vista class (like Westerdam is), suggest avoiding Deck 5 (although the true amidship cabins are only on Deck 5) as these have balconies with about 18 inches of less depth - hard to stretch legs out IMO. Balconies forward and aft of teh "lifeboat cut out" don't have these issues....The "V" Cabins near amidship elevators on Deck 6 have privacy issues due to glass sided elevators adjacent. Suggest you consider 6047-to 6053 (all Deck 6). 6053 is a great V cabin! We try to avoid Deck 8 at all costs....noisy above. Good luck. One good thing about Westerdam is that ship has a large number of Signature Suites. Opportunities for upsells are better than most ships. We snagged a Signature Suite (from Verandah) on Deck 6 for only $599 a person on a 36 day cruise. Amazing deal.