FlaMariner

I have not read in the HAL info that shorts are forbidden in the evening around the ship (they are not permitted in the MDR in the evening but that is not your question). Some do change back into casual attire after dinner.....Me included sometimes. Enjoy the cruise!

From the HAL website....and I wear my kaki long pants and a long sleeve dress shirt to dinner in the MDR and I'm good to go. No coat or tie required. Q: Are a jacket and tie required for men? A: Jacket and tie is the preferred attire in all fine dining restaurants on Dressy Nights, though it is not required. Guests without a jacket and tie were allowed in the fine dining restaurants before the new wording so this is not a policy change.

If I were running Viking, I'd promote bringing onboard your own wine.......LOL...saves $$$. I see Viking as a much different business model than HAL (And our pay grade allow us to sail HAL but not Viking).

they charge $500 a day per person.....much different business case than Holland America Line.

Been on both...... If all things are the same, we'd choose Nieuw Statendam....Some reasons that come to mind: we can afford a balcony (they are plentiful and thus affordable on NS vs Zaandam) bigger ships thus more stuff (music walk, Dutch Cafe, Tamarind, nicer greenhouse spa, etc....) The Pinnacle Class ships are our first choice....but any 'dam ship is awesome.

Yes and just go ahead and board.......

Great question....her royal highness and I were just calculating that we are on track to make 4 "free laundry" stars next year. Here is our history in climbing the Mariner ladder......which we consider one of life's greatest achievements!!!!! LOL. 2003 ONE Star age 39/37 2012 TWO Star age 48/46 2018 THREE Star age 54/52 2023 FOUR Star age 59/57 (based on booked future cruises) 20?? FIVE Star (hopefully we make it or we will die trying!) Good luck to all as you increase your stars and enjoy those 'dam ships.........

Yep, no more couples pass...It's pay per person.....$149 for 7 days (worth every cent) We will be onboard as well...... (I'm also hearing that the thermal price is the same onboard as well as pre-board......if anyone has seen a lower price that $149 for 7 nights once onboard, please enlighten us!)

We are on a September 2022 trans Pacific cruise (HAL). I'm hearing rumors on our roll call that if Japan is not open then alternative ports would be considered. Any guesses as to where the cruise could possibly go and end up if Japan does not want us?

Disembarking the Westerdam in September and our plan is to spend 5 nights in Japan before flying home. First time in Asia. We are thinking of basing ourselves in Yokohama.....Why? convenient w/luggage when dis-embarking major train station/transport to get around (day trips to Tokyo, head to Fuji, airport, etc) good price on hotel near Yokohama train station For those that have gone before me, what are your thought regarding basing in Yokohama and tell me some day trips I should take in addition to Tokyo?

Advice from those who have gone before me....... Arriving at Southampton on Princess Sky (weekday). International flight from Heathrow at 2:30pm. Overhead bag w/wheels. We enjoy walking. Option #1. Take the $59 Princess shuttle. Why? Easy. OR Option #2. Take the 10:30am bus from Southampton Coach Station. Arrive at Heathrow at 12:05pm. Why? Enjoy a tad bit of England. Disembark ship, walk/taxi to coach station, grab some tea and grocery shop, then board bus. $22 bus. Option #1 gets me to the airport with no worries and lots of time....possibly too much time. Option #2 if on time, I'll have a little over 2 hours prior to our flight....get an hour or so in Southampton. What have you done? And what would you choose?