mahi mahi

We did a 14 day Norway cruise in July 2023 on Holland America. Loved being on the balcony, scenery is just stunning! Be advised that at that time of year you will not notice sunsets much being quite far north. Weather can be changeable so best to pack a raincoat and layers. We spent a lot of time on our balcony and did not find it that chilly.

You would think walking to another bank of elevators would work but not this time! Ditto for trying to go down rather than up! They were packed solid….some people were absolutely irate especially those who humped their bags down a deck thinking that would work. it was a crowded ship, the most crowded I have seen on a HAL cruise. We were never able to make a reservation for the MDR, ever. First time for us! That was the only real disappointment we had in an otherwise great cruise.

On our Rotterdam cruise over Easter everyone had a noon boarding time. Priority boarding included Neptunes, 4 & 5 star mariners and club orange (I believe they were last on that list but not 100% sure). It seemed disabled passengers were also allowed to board anytime and there were quite a few. We arrived just after 10:30 and were assigned group 12 in regular passenger group (it was a full ship, 2700 passengers) but boarding was well organized I thought. Once onboard we hit a wall with the elevators and there were some frayed tempers from people forced to wait as long as 20 minutes! We really noticed how the absence of those 4 glass elevators added to crowding on a full ship.

We use a small battery operated candle, enough light to see the “commode” in the middle of the night but not enough for an assault on the retinas.

Pillows on HAL are a pet peeve of mine! They seem to be in need of replacing on every ship we’ve been on in the last couple years - either lumpy or overstuffed to the point of being hard as bricks. I have asked our stewards for replacements and had them looking at me like I was from another planet. Any replacements offered were not an improvement. I have considered bringing one with me but we are flying. We always go in a day early so I may just buy one before I board and leave it there this time!

We had 8033 on NS last year, 14 day to Norway. No noise issues whatsoever (and we are light sleepers). Loved the location, always took the stairs up to Lido. No motion issues either.

Does anyone know if the rule about passports being valid for six months following disembarkation from your cruise uses calendar months or 184 days to determine validity? our cruise ends April 7 and my passport expires October 15.

We did the 14 day Norway on NS last month, North Cape from Copenhagen. We had a fantastic time, loved every minute of it! Ate in the MDR every night except one dinner in Tamarind (also great) and there is really no need to go to specialty restaurants as the food was outstanding. Loved that they brought fresh fish on in ports. Cruise and travel director Clare Adams was really good as was Amanda the entertainment director. Don't miss the fun in Ocean Bar during the daily happy hour! We were told by Clare that HAL is bringing back some classical music starting this month and I believe it has already started on this ship, something we used to look forward to on previous cruises.

We did inside passage in June last year and I can tell you there is a LOT of daylight this time of year! I clearly remember getting up around 3 am with the sun coming up and standing on the balcony in awe. There is nothing like sailing very slowly almost silently along, so close to spectacular scenery. Breathtaking. Contrast that experience with Princess in September on what was supposed to be inside passage - it was not. Turns out the ship was too large.

We did Alaska last year twice, Zuiderdam in June and Majestic Princess in September, both out of Vancouver. We had such a wonderful time on Zuiderdam we couldn't wait to go back and had to use up a credit on Princess. We much prefer HAL for their smaller ships and despite Princess billing Majestic as 'inside passage' it did not cruise the east side of Vancouver island therefore not nearly as scenic. We had last cruised Alaska in 2008 and at that time we booked an obstructed ocean view cabin, figuring we would not be using a balcony because hey, it's September in Alaska! A couple of weeks before sailing we were offered a balcony for $99 each and thought why not. I so remember sitting on the loveseat in our cabin and seeing a whale spout not far from the ship and my husband and I practically tackling each other to get out the door for a better view! Food on HAL was hands down much better than Princess (we have been disappointed in the food on every Princess cruise but hey, food is subjective and Princess cheerleaders will disagree I'm sure!). We love that HAL opens the bow for viewing in Glacier Bay and Hubbard, just bundle up - it's worth it. They also serve pea soup out there to warm you up. As another poster pointed out, room service is always available and you can order room service even at dinner. We did a fantastic ship excursion with HAL in Skagway that included wonderful hike in the rainforest that was spectacular as well as the train ride. We actually had to tender with Princess in Skagway. You will love Alaska, however you get there. There is something very humbling about it, that there are still places on the planet that are still unspoiled. Days are long in June. There is nothing like being out on the balcony as the sun rises and watching pristine scenery drift by as the ship moves almost silently along (thank goodness for drapes that block those 3 am sunrises if you're not an early morning person!) It's all about the scenery - as they say "that's why you're here". Enjoy!

Strongly suggest you go to the podium outside either MDR or Pinnacle once you board and make reservations if you know you prefer to eat at a certain time. We prefer to eat early (I realize this isn't for everyone) and have the same table and waitstaff. Our table for 2 was near the main entrance and we witnessed long lines at times and several upset people who weren't able to get tables when they wanted to dine. And yes, you can switch once on board from fixed to any time and vice versa but no guarantees. We also saw people in the anytime dining room being escorted upstairs to the fixed dining room - they must have had space there to accommodate the overflow.

I second that....have done it both ways. First time took the train on our own, 2nd time booked a tour with Rome in Limo which was excellent. We were 4 couples in a roomy van that whisked us into the centre of Rome (first stop was washroom right by Pantheon). Guide booked a private guide for the Vatican that allowed us to skip the line. We were able to hit all the highlights in one day and never felt rushed. Can't say the same for our first time doing it on our own with the stress of worrying about train schedules (and strikes!) not to mention finding our way around all those confusing streets!

We sailed Zuiderdam in 2006 and again in 2022. Crew is fantastic. Yes, decor in MDR is a little dark but we honestly prefer that style to the newer, open design of the newer ships. Much more intimate and way less noisy atmosphere. Our cruise to Alaska on her this past summer was one of the best we have ever done - food and service were outstanding! Totally agree with the comment re signature suites. There are a lot of them and they are very roomy with great balconies and really not much more money than a regular balcony.

Your pics bring back fond memories....we were on the same sailing! We thought the food in MDR and Tamarind was outstanding - we ordered many of the same things you did! Service everywhere was excellent and the ship was spotless! We had a signature suite and spent many a blissful hour on our balcony reading and watching for flying fish, it was so quiet!

The policy regarding bringing wine on board changed some time ago. You are allowed a "reasonable quantity" to carry on with you at embarkation but no one really knows what reasonable means. For a 7 day we brought 3 bottles onboard for each of our last 2 cruises, we find that sufficient for our needs, i.e. 1/2 bottle a night for 6 nights. They have a table set up after you go through security to register the wine and you will see a $20 charge per bottle on your stateroom account. Doesn't matter where you consume it.

Just got off the Nieuw Amsterdam on Sunday and I would definitely not switch just to experience the GDC. We had a wonderful cruise - service was wonderful and food in the MDR was outstanding. The ship was full with a lot of families with children but it was a very civilized group. I much prefer the MDR on this class of ship, you can actually carry on a conversation whereas the newer ships have that vast open space that becomes very noisy. We generally sail in balcony cabins but last summer on the Zuiderdam to Alaska we opted for a signature suite which was well worth it for the additional space. Same this past trip. We spent many a blissful hour on our balcony reading and watching for flying fish and it was so quiet! You go to Alaska to experience the wonder of the scenery and wildlife, not for the GDC! I should add that they also serve the famous pea soup on deck while the ship is sailing in Glacier Bay.

A few years back we were on a Holland America ship out of Ft. Lauderdale, leaving Sunday for 7 days. The penthouse below us was empty. On Thursday at dinner in the main dining room a couple were ushered to a table by the window and from the conversations they had with dining room staff we learned they were the missing penthouse occupants. They had flown to FLL on departure date but due to thunderstorms were diverted to Miami where they sat on the tarmac long enough that they missed the ship and were only able to catch up on Thursday. This was late November. Our first 3 cruises we flew in same day with no problems and thought nothing of it being newbies. The 4th cruise we planned to arrive a day ahead, booked hotel through cruiseline and it was a total disaster! Booked air from Toronto through the cruiseline (back then you could not choose your flight, you took whatever they assigned) and it was a total disaster! We had the first flight out but there was a mechanical problem. Also a blizzard however other flights were leaving. The mechanical problem continued ALL DAY and into the evening, kept being delayed. Meanwhile we tried standby and that didn't work either. I think we went through US customs in Toronto 4 times (you again???). Eventually took off just before midnight and landed in La Guardia by which time the crew was timed out so we were stuck for the night. They had promised us hotel rooms for the night but that was a lie. So there we stayed, freezing our buns off by the front doors of the terminal. We made it out the next morning finally and by the time we actually boarded we had been up 42 hours. Our luggage had gone to Miami and didn't catch up with us until day 4. This was American Airlines - we have avoided them since! One of our bags didn't make the return flight either. Bottom line - we ALWAYS fly in the day before (if leaving out of Europe allow 2 or 3 days) and ALWAYS take direct flights. You can never count on weather. So far we have never missed a cruise, touch wood!

Agree with many of the comments already made. We have now done 3 cruises with Princess and I think we are now done. Went to Alaska in June last year on the Zuiderdam and it was honestly one of the best cruises we have ever done. We had a credit with Princess from 2020 to use up and applied it to a 10 day Alaska on Majestic 3 months later - that experience made us decide we will in future avoid the line. Food is a big deal for us and it was very disappointing compared to HAL. We have always gone with early dining but prefer not to eat at 5 pm or whatever time they say fixed early is. When we board we go directly to the dining room and request a table for 2, not in a traffic area. Once we find a table and servers we really like we have always been able to get that table after promising to turn up at the same time every night (before 6). On Princess it was a battle every single night. We never had a bad meal on HAL but on Princess there were numerous times we were hard pressed to find something on the menu to like and often times did not finish (we are not picky eaters either). Don't get me started on the medallion! It was difficult before the cruise, trying to do everything on the app and we never used it to order anything on board. Was never able to get the "green lane", trying up to leaving for the airport! Much prefer smaller ships and don't need to be entertained every minute. We saw most of the shows on Majestic and were not wowed, with the exception of the naturalist on board who was wonderful. Love the music walk on HAL, hated MUTS. Our cabin, a deluxe balcony was fine, Princess is known for their tiny balconies on the newer ships. One thing we did NOT appreciate was the automatic night lights in the cabin - had to get our steward to block the one outside the bathroom otherwise you feel like a deer in the headlights! Had to place sofa cushions in front of the one by the desk. Staff on both lines are fantastic, no complaints there. Self serve laundry on Princess is a really nice feature, especially on longer itineraries - wish HAL had them.

We are definitely a jinx! I tell people "do not travel with us - it will not go well"

I am getting a little worried for our March 19 cruise given the issue with the azipod. This is deja vue for us....same thing happened in February 2020 and NA had to cancel our cruise and head to the repair shop to fix an azipod. They emailed us that we had been rebooked on a different ship with a different itinerary for the same week. We ended up on the NS a week later. Thankfully we had booked our air through HAL and they covered the change for us. What are the chances????

Thanks everyone! I figured they might allow one bottle of wine each but the canned water is a revelation 🙂 Thanks for the heads up! Doubt the Safeway store near our hotel stocks canned water....don't believe I have ever seen it in a supermarket!!!

It's been a few years since we cruised with Princess and those were in Europe. I have searched the website but can't find the answer. Does Princess allow passengers to bring a couple bottles of wine onboard along with some bottled water at the embarkation port?

We were on the Zuiderdam June 15-22, inside passage. This was one of the best cruises we have ever done and we thought the food was exceptionally good in the main dining room. I had the salmon 4 times, different preparation every time and excellent. Had tenderloin once, very good. Halibut twice, once in Pinnacle (okay) and the last night in the MDR for the culinary council dinner and it was wonderful, far better than the Pinnacle. Hubby had salmon a couple times, tenderloin once and prime rib twice - great. We were not impressed with Pinnacle this time, strip loin not tender and sides to share - barely enough for one person. For the price it was not worth it. We did the Lido for lunch and some breakfasts and it was pretty good, lots of variety. Service on board was fantastic - crew are happy to be back and it shows. It's an older ship without all the bells and whistles of the new ones but we enjoyed every minute and would go back in a heartbeat!

I forgot to add that motion on this itinerary was pretty nonexistent. Unless you are very sensitive it's unlikely you will need any meds. Also, entertainment is pretty focused on nature - we enjoyed the EXC talks and the BBC Earth show. There was no BB King on board this trip, not sure why. Other than the Step One shows on the main stage and the nature talks etc. we did not do Billboard Onboard or the Rolling Stone Lounge but did listen to the Lincoln Centre group although the venue isn't the best compared to newer ships. We tend to be up at the crack of dawn (on this trip the sun comes up around 3:30 am) and sets VERY late (one of our hike guides showed us a picture she took kayaking at 1:30 am!). In August this will change of course. One of my best memories is that first early morning cruising along almost silently with the sun rising and mist floating by little islands, with mountains in the distance. Our biggest takeaway from this cruise is that there are still places on the planet that are incredibly beautiful but so untouched by humans....so far. Pretty humbling.

Just came off the Zuiderdam last week - we thought it was one of the best cruises we have ever done, if not at the very top. We have done a lot of cruises, Europe, British Isles, Caribbean, transatlantic and one prior Alaska over several lines (Carnival and Norwegian once each and no more). We prefer HAL and Celebrity with the edge to HAL. We chose this one after cancelling a Med cruise on Osterdam a few days before final payment as we were just not comfortable with the covid situation. Embarking in Vancouver and flying in from our local airport was much less stressful and we felt very safe overall. We flew in the day before. HAL wanted us to download Verifly but due to comments on these boards we did not and it turns out that was no problem. We arrived at the port an hour before our boarding time and went straight to the ship. We also had a signature suite, on deck 6 and absolutely loved it, very roomy with a great balcony. We tend to spend time in our room anyway and with the covid situation this was a great decision. There were only 1200 passengers on our cruise and there was no fighting for elevators - we used the glass ones almost exclusively and were the only passengers the majority of the time. We ate in the dining room 6 out of 7 nights, reserving the same 2 top as soon as we boarded. Food and service were fantastic! We ate in Pinnacle Grill once and honestly would not waste my money again, although it has been really good in the past. Hubby's strip loin was 'chewy' and my halibut was just okay. Sides to 'share' were a joke, barely enough for one person (think 1/3 cup of mushrooms!). Even with our Mariner 25% discount I wouldn't do it again given the main dining food was so good. I love fish and had the salmon 4 of 6 nights, different prep each time and halibut once which was way better than the Pinnacle version. We had room service breakfast twice which was wonderful (a little too chilly to enjoy on the balcony) and it was also great, hot items hot and cold items cold. Other breakfasts were in lido as well as lunches on board but we would often grab a sandwich, pizza or salad and enjoy in our room. We had lunch at the Fish House in Ketchikan which was fantastic, highly recommend! Don't be put off if there is a line at the door, it moves pretty quickly. You order at the counter and they give you a numbered sign. You choose a spot to sit, usually at long tables with others and they bring your food to you. We both had halibut and it was to die for. We are envious you get to do Tracy Arm - we watched people boarding the boat from our balcony then heading into a fiord to get up close to the glaciers. Definitely on our bucket list for next time. The only port we did an excursion in was Skagway as it was a new port for us. We did the Denver Valley hike and White Pass rail, which was an all day thing. The hike through the rain forest was really special, pretty strenuous but so worth it. The guides were great, recognizing that some of us old folks would prefer a slightly slower pace in order to take in the surroundings rather than bounding along like we were out to win Amazing Race! Five of us opted to slow down about half way and we were able to stop along the way to take photos and ask questions. The train ride was very scenic and we found out a lot about the gold rush. The day at Glacier Bay was spectacular. The weather unfortunately was cloudy with some drizzle here and there but we were able to see I think 5 glaciers in total. Definitely head to the bow for the best view and have some pea soup. I have to say our previous cruise out of Seattle did not provide the best scenic cruising as this inside passage one but our day at the Hubbard Glacier on that cruise was wonderful - we were very close to the glacier (huge) and the weather was sunny while we were there and there was a LOT of calving going on. This time not so much however there was lots of wildlife that made up for it, I swear there were sea lions on every piece of ice as well as sea otters swimming near the ship. Wildlife viewing on this trip was truly wonderful - that's really a highlight of any trip to Alaska. We saw pods of whales near the ship several times, sea otters, brown bears on the beaches and once there was a piece of something floating by (part of a dead animal maybe???) with what looked like several small penguins standing on it! Not penguins of course....looked it up, maybe auks? HAL has always excelled in the service department and their reputation is definitely intact on that score. Our cabin attendants were stellar (Ono and Ida) as were our dining room waiters (Iwan and Ambrullah). Really everyone we encountered, from the shy little pizza guy in lido and the lovely girl giving me my muesli at breakfast to the maintenance people I would see on my sprints around the outside deck 3 - EVERYONE went out of their way to be friendly. The Zuiderdam may be an old lady but she is beautifully maintained and squeaky clean. We have talked about doing this same cruise every year but I suspect it may be even sooner. Our previous cruise to Alaska was the end of September and the weather then was pretty nice so not out of the question. Maybe it was because it's been 2 1/2 years since we had cruised that we had such a fabulous time but whatever, can't wait to do it again! Inside passage out of Vancouver is the way to go for sure. Sorry this post is so lengthy....can you tell I am still excited about it and excited for you to be doing it soon???