FlaMariner

Hakone may be just what we need to add to our 5 days.....thanks

Thanks @BruceMuzz I'll start researching...... Yea, the Narita Airport express will be our last use of the JR pass!

We've got 5 days in Japan after arriving on the Westerdam and we are basing ourselves in Yokohama. We will have a Japan Rail Pass that we want to wear out. So far, I'm thinking these day trips: Yokohama Tokyo Kyoto Kanazawa I need one more or do I need two days in Tokyo? I'm thinking that passing Mt Fuji on the bullet train to Kyoto might suffice for Mt Fuji. Suggestions/recommendations greatly appreciated.........

Foggy memory but didn't 9/11/01 end the passengers touring the bridge? Go enjoy the "city on the sea" presentation if it shows up in the daily program.

Bikes seem to be an environmental hazard in the Netherlands also..........perhaps walking is best?

Here's info on what they've raised to help the good people of Ukraine..... https://www.cruisehive.com/after-efforts-by-passengers-holland-america-makes-huge-donation/93421

we have yet to sail on the Volendam but..... .....we head to breakfast around 7:30am to 8am and never a wait or long line.....Our favorite place to sit is along the lido pool area window tables port side.....Only a few folks around, quiet and there is a coffee/OJ/water refill station close by with a friendly crew member who is usually up to a good chat in the morning before the crowd arrives. (By the time we are done, we usually view the first of the chair hogs in their natural habitat....they arrive to dump their book, suntan lotion and towel bag on their "saved seat" and then leave for the day...LOL...we always laugh about that) Enjoy the Volendam........

on our recent Oosterdam cruise in March 2023, no behind the scene tour but their was a really good presentation in the Main Stage called something like "City on the Sea" and it went thru all the back office areas and what's needed/required to run a "city on the sea".....I believe the cruise director (whatever she/he is called now) was the narrator but the captain and others played a part. Very informative.....

LOL. Hope they can walk home instead of using carbon spewing transport. "judge not yet you be judged"

on our March 2023 Oosterdam cruise..... I do not recall the movie theatre (but was not looking for it either) We did enjoy a movie in our cabin one evening......the bed was very comfortable! Also, I do believe they showed a movie or two in the world stage....seems like it was an afternoon matinee.

Anything that further separates Princess from Holland America Line is a bonus, IMO. Perhaps this helps keep the Princess Medallion out of our 'dam ships. LOL.

The upgrade offer came from HAL to the TA and the TA forwarded the email to us.

Our March 2023 experience......Oosterdam. around 3 weeks before departure got upgrade offer #1. (declined, too high, balcony to SS) 6 or 7 days before departure got upgrade offer #2. (accepted, same offer, lower price, moved to SS) 4 days before departure got upgrade offer #3. (SS to Neptune, sold out before we called to accept) We use a big internet TA.

Never been to Japan......but heading there in October. After arriving by ship at Yokohama, we are planning to stay 5 nights at the Yokohama Sheraton next to the train station (burning up Marriott points). Basing in Yokohama, we plan to wear out our Japan Rail pass w/day trips.....We will be experts at navigating the Yokohama train station once we are done.

Awesome. Enjoy the cruise and Kushiro and I look forward to the post-port report of Kushiro. Holland America Line has similar tours.....so looking for something else.

With Brightline expanding to Orlando, we are going to eliminate our trip down the day before and instead take the train the morning of embarkation. https://www.gobrightline.com

Ditto! Same cruise as Taters....similiar itinerary as what the OP booked....Awesome cruise.....Ship was perfect. Great captain. Fantastic crew. Delicious food. Full of activities (King Neptune, comedians, canal guide, astronomer on board for star gazing at night, Billboard Onboard) and the ports were so interesting and so much fun. We enjoyed so much we booked the Oosterdam for a TA and Mediterranean in April. Agree also with Taters....we did not want to dis-embark!

So far, I'm getting no intel on Kushiro..... Anyone familiar with an independent tour or has anyone gone "on their own/DIY in Kushiro, Japan? We will be there in October.

First Cruise Ship: Carnival Mardi Gras (the original Fun Ship) 1989 First Holland America Ship: Zaandam 2003 (and she is still sailing!)

I've priced both (TA & PCC) over the years and the big internet TA ALWAYS has the lower price. Many times the fare is the same but the OBC is more w/the TA. As far as getting upsells, that was a struggle with the TA prior to the recent unpleasantness/Covid, we now get them quickly via email. The price difference is usually not that much but with us, every travel $$$ counts. Also, I do prefer to use an "agent" for such an expensive purchase/contract.

Embarked 3/2023 and no Verifly needed. Why would you need it? Verifly is used to verify Covid stuff. Since Covid stuff is not required, there is no purpose for Verifly. Delete it and enjoy the journey.

We've cruised 4 times since the unpleasantness and we've departed from Amsterdam, Fort Lauderdale (2x) and Santiago/San Antonio. We never pay attention to our check in times and we've always been welcomed to check in. We seem to arrive around 10:30am or so. 2pm for Santiago. None of those times corresponded to our check in times. Our experience is that Holland America Line is happy to see you and is ready to welcome you onboard.

I've found them on the web (TouringMalta) and they have some great tours. We are a group of 8. Anyone used them before? https://www.touringmalta.com/index.htm Thanks!

We were on the Oosterdam in March/April 2023 (South America 19 days) and loved the ship. Awesome service, great food, friendly staff, lots of activities.....had no real issues other than the disappointment of having to dis-embark. Oh, they did have a horseradish shortage on prime rib night...LOL. Whatever. We enjoyed the "elegant old lady" as the Captain referred to her so much that we booked her for the Mediterranean and a TA next year. Many times when I am on cruise critic I think I cruise in an alternate universe...which may be true......We continue to enjoy HAL (got our 4 stars) and think cruising is better now than ever. Enjoy the journey.......and the Oosterdam....or whatever 'dam ship.

I found the fine print......found this link for the Sommelier Wine Package Brochure and it states that the wine is for restaurants and in your stateroom......This seems to be a new thing...and perhaps not being enforced.....yet. http://www.slaintewines.com/images/programs/Holland-Americas-Sommelier-Suite-Wine-Packages.png It does not change the way we drink/enjoy the wine onboard......