FlaMariner

17 hours ago, jlawrence01 said:

I would rather hear about Central America from a retired US State Department diplomat over a canned Powerpoint presentation read by the cruise director. 

Our HAL cruises have had both guest lecturers (college professor types) as well as great EXC presentations (given by the cruise director).......It has not been one or the other but has been both types of presentations on the same cruise.  And we enjoyed both types and glad we had them and could choose.  

We even had a college professor who was an astronomer on our 2023 South America HAL cruise who gave lectures during the day and then at night she would narrate star gazing on the back deck with the ship lights turned off....that was in addition to a professor giving talks on the South America and the EXC talks.....

8 hours ago, crystalspin said:

You can get 20 different dishes at the HAL buffet (Lido Market) -- you just don't get to touch the spoon yourself -- after dozens of your comrades do.

+1 Holland America Line....this was very true and we noticed this also when on the Sky vs Rotterdam (all post Covid).

We were on the Oosterdam in April......

For the Livorno port stop, we toured Cinque Terre.  Our friends toured Florence/Pisa.  No way to do both in one day.

We all used www.italytours.eu for the tours in Livorno and other Italian ports also. 

Small group.  Great guides.  Fantastic price.

Enjoy Italy....

1 hour ago, Petronillus said:

Will the system automatically know that we are eligible for free laundry?

Yes,

We are 4 Stars and have used this fantastic benefit on 4 cruises since entering this special world.....Just check "unlimited" and send it in.  No need to mark it 4 star or do anything on the form (we've never been charged since acquiring this most special benefit). 

Enjoy the free laundry......and welcome to the 4 Star Club!

On 7/20/2024 at 12:57 PM, Ileneilene123 said:

At times, the language barrier with the crew was also an issue on board, especially with the waiters and servers in the MDR.

When I have this issue, I remind myself that the issue is my lack of knowing the Indonesian language and I realize their English is better than my Indonesian.

Great review.  Thanks for passing along the experience......

On 7/19/2024 at 7:01 PM, larry_s_taco said:

Has anyone been on her lately? If so, how did you find the condition of the ship?

We were on the Oosterdam this past April (2024, 22 days TA & Mediterranean) and the previous March (2023, 17 days, Santiago to FLL).

We found her in great shape both times.  Do not recall anything "out of order" or worn out.  We love the size of the ship.....And she was in great shape.

Both times we had quite the interactive and visible captains......And the staff was top notch. We'd sail her on again and again. 

Also, no issues with Park West being in the way. 

Enjoy the Oosterdam........

We try very hard to follow the "at least a day before embarkation arrival" rule if flying.  Flying is not reliable. 

The crowd strike issue this weeks is a real live example.....It's not just weather that gums up the works. 

41 minutes ago, DaisyRose said:

and any idea of the cost? 

I don't know the cost but from our experience, anytime we compared a HAL hotel rate to booking ourselves, the HAL rate was always higher...and most of the time way higher....

But when leaving for a cruise from Rotterdam.....if you want to go "all in" with HAL, check out these two hotels in Rotterdam:

The former HQ building for HAL now a hotel:

https://hotelnewyork.com

Or the older Rotterdam ship now a hotel:

https://ssrotterdam.com

Nothing like going to ROTTERDAM to board the ROTTERDAM and staying at the ROTTERDAM pre-cruise.  

Enjoy Rotterdam or any 'dam ship...

We have cruised on the Rotterdam and the Sky Princess.

Without knowing/considering the itinerary and price, we would choose Rotterdam.

Why?

• Fixed Dining.  We like same time, same waiter, same table.  On Sky, we had to beg every evening for a table for two with the waiter team we enjoyed.  Horrible lines, asking permission every night, avoiding the tables for two that are in a line and not private. We love the fixed dining experience on Rotterdam. And the food...more on that later.
• Cabins.  We were in balcony cabins for both.  Sky has an open closet (like motel 6), no chair, less storage and we think the balcony was smaller (could be based on the cabin)
• Ambience.  Sky was like being at the shopping mall.  Especially the atrium which was like the food court.  Loud lido with some sort of bingo gambling going on.  Spa/hydro suite on Sky was not as good and was hidden in the dark center of the ship...We enjoyed the Rotterdam hydro suite....Rotterdam is more our traditional, calm selves. 
• Retractable ceiling.  The Sky lido pool area does not have a retractable wall meaning the area is useless during inclement weather.  Makes ship very crowded elsewhere when the weather is bad and all the lido pool folks have to seek shelter.  Rotterdam (and all HAL ships) have the retractable wall.
• Food.  For us (I realize different folks have different opinions on food) HAL food is excellent.  Dutch Cafe, NY Pizza, Dive in, MDR, Lido all beat what we experienced on Sky.  Lido on Sky was , for us, very frustrating...salad bar was a cluster to maneuver and it was hidden, juice cups were shot glass size, more like a cafeteria than HAL's lido market.   Breakfast in MDR for Sky was a very small menu w/only one "special of the day"...HAL's was extensive every day. 
• Entertainment.  Not into production shows and that seemed to be big on Sky.  Nothing similar to the EXC talks (informative educational talks) that HAL has and we enjoy.  The jazz club had what we call "brunch jazz" which is not our thing.  Sky had nothing like the Music Walk experience on Rotterdam (Billboard, classical, rock, blues, etc.)
• Technology.  We liked the navigator app on Rotterdam to order burgers, etc. to pick up later....Sky relied on this quarter size "medallion" (lost on day 2) that they promised would make cruising so much easier but it rarely worked or had nothing of value for us.  They seemed to obsess over it but it did nothing for us. 
• Size matters.  Rotterdam 2668 vs Sky 3660 passengers.  Sky often felt crowded....We never experienced lines or crowding on Rotterdam 
• Staff.  Both were great....But the Rotterdam staff (especially cabin stewards and waiters) do a great job of quietly getting things done and getting to know your likes/dislikes.  Hard to quantify that one but the staff on HAL seems to be a notch above. 

There is probably more but I'm tired of typing.  Realize we are HAL loyalists (based on the experience and value we get) but we were open to trying other cruise lines but this Sky Princess experience on Princess helped us realize we were "one and done" with them for now.....

I wish you a great journey on whatever you choose.....And we choose the Rotterdam any day over the Sky Princess.   

We are in/out in 1.5 hours without pushing it......we enjoy an efficient MDR and I'll pass along a few suggestions:

• Utilize fixed dining....so the waiter knows what you want/don't want and is ready
• to help out on day 1 (which is always chaotic), find your table in the afternoon and then just go to it when the MDR opens....no need to wait in the long line to be taken to your table
• also, day 1 afternoon, if buying sommelier wine package, get the list from the beverage table (set up usually at lido) and figure out what you want....sometimes, they will know if some are available/not available......but wait and buy from waiter as he gets credit 
• Check out the MDR menu on your TV while getting dressed for dinner.....so you will know what you want or at least have a general idea
• Order everything at once.....some folks hold off on ordering dessert or after dinner coffee....but telling the waiter what you want up front saves steps

Dinner in the MDR is a highlight for us......we love it....and enjoy the banter with the waiter, trying different foods than we would risk ordering at home....and the pace is really up to us.....

Enjoy the Main Dining Room......whether 30 minutes or 2.5 hours!

1 minute ago, staceyglow said:

Interesting, because that does not line up with my experience after 25+ Carnival cruises. You said you "were told" that - who told you?

Called Carnival today....that was from the Carnival employee who answered the 800# this morning....

2 minutes ago, simplelife said:

As soon as you get your S &  S card, it will have your dining room and table information. Go and check out your table, IF you want a change, go to the Maitre 'd right away. We have always been able to get a change when we have wanted one, in one case not until the second night. 

That is exactly what we will do!

thanks for the info.

21 hours ago, Taters said:

You might want to call Carnival to request a table for 2. 

I called Carnival.

Very helpful.

I could visit with the dining room staff prior to dinner and ask for a table for two.....I could also provide a note on my cruise booking to request a table for two (but not confirmed).  

I've reached out to the TA to add the "table for two" request....

Also, I was told that having "fixed dining" is better for obtaining a table for two rather than having open seating.  

Thanks to all for the helpful intel......We look forward to our cruise and our table for two. 

18 hours ago, Taters said:

A big difference I've learned is that shorts are acceptable in the MDR at dinner except for the occasional dressy night.  I kind of like this for the simplicity of packing for a very hot climate.

Wow, that is big....And we are traveling in a warm climate.....I'm not sure Her Majesty will allow this but glad to know it is an option.

17 hours ago, TomCruise48 said:

The Panorama is the last Carnival new build to have self-service launderettes where you can use your ship pass to operate the washers and dryers

We will be doing that....haven't done that since college.  

Thanks for the laundry intel. 

22 hours ago, Wennfred said:

Yes it’s possible to get the same table with the same waiters each night, I get that done even when they assign me “any time dining”. The two options are to get a medical note from your doctor stating your food sensitivities and food allergies, this also work for diabetics and for this reason you need to keep the same waiters to ensure they know you dietary restrictions. Option 2 is to draft up the memo yourself and hand it over to the Mater’d on day one.

I'd rather not lie.......but thanks for the tip.

We are assigned early sitting....and nothing noting a request or confirmation for "table for two" seems to be available on our reservation.  

What's going to happen to us when we approach the MDR podium on day 1 and say "We would like a table for two, please"?

Is it expected that we will be assigned a table with other folks for the entire 25 night cruise?  I might prefer to walk the plank than endure that. Kill me now.  LOL. 

17 hours ago, Taters said:

Weren't you were my neighbor on Oosterdam last year in South America?😀

Hey @Taters, yes, we were with y'all on that great South American Oosterdam cruise!  

Thanks for the intel....as you certainly know where we are coming from....

On 7/3/2024 at 8:10 AM, five. said:

Here is a YouTube video on the thermal suite. It's not really a hot tub, not as good as HAL.

Thanks for sharing the video & intel.......The pool seemed small?  We may have to wait until we board to see for ourselves....And see what the price will be.  The price is nowhere that I can discover when I log in. 

On 7/3/2024 at 5:07 AM, Honolulu Blue said:

First of all, I need to ask your VIFP status with Carnival. 

It looks like we are turning "gold" during this cruise and I've read that Carnival lets you use your new level if it happens on the cruise....Don't think that is going to help out with laundry.

Thanks for the details....Looks like we may be doing this dorm style with visits to the washateria. Will need to pack detergent pods. 

Thanks

On 7/2/2024 at 11:30 PM, TomCruise48 said:

You can pre-purchase 5 bottles of wine through the Cruise the Vineyard Wine Package for about $30/bottle + 18% gratuity. 

Perfect!  That will work well for us.

Thanks,

On 7/3/2024 at 2:55 AM, Haljo1935 said:

Safe travels  - enjoy your cruise!!

Just awesome help @Haljo1935

...and I know you would know from where I am coming from!

Thank you.

15 hours ago, Ray4Fun said:

Has anyone been a part of Dutch Day ? 

Yes, our April Oosterdam cruise had the Dutch themed dinner in the MDR. 

I recall a great menu....pea soup is delicious....and also had an Indonesian entree...which, I learned, is very Dutch.

It's good to see the "Dutch dinner" back...

It's been awhile since we boarded a Carnival ship.....We have booked passage on the Panorama reposition cruise from Singapore this fall......Can folks help us out on how these situations roll on Carnival?  Holland America Line is our reference point. 

• We prefer fixed dining (same time, same table for two, same waiters).  We have early dining but no reference to a table for two.  Will I be able to get a table for two, same time, same waiters for the cruise?  We'd like to not stand in line each evening and simply head to our table.
• We enjoy wine at dinner.  Are there reasonably priced wine bottle packages?  Or how best economically to enjoy wine at dinner?
• We like the thermal suite.  I do not see that it is available to purchase online in the spa listings.  Any intel on the price and the experience?
• We enjoy the unlimited laundry service and we send out dirty clothes daily.  Is that available on Carnival and how much?

We'd appreciate any and all advice to help make this a great Carnival cruise! 

I'd be all over that offer........congrats.

On 6/21/2024 at 11:53 AM, CruiserBruce said:

Second, try your cruise line air department. One way international fares are what they usually do best.

^^^This....

We just bought one way tickets thru the cruise line (Flight Ease on Holland America Line) for our TA in April for $485 each (AMS to ATL).  I'll be watching the fares because (based on previous experience) the price may drop a time or two and the fare is such that you can cancel/rebook w/no issues prior to cruise final payment.