Highway27

That was the price we were quoted last week on Rotterdam. Given the new policy on many ships (not sure if in Konigsdam yet, but is on Rotterdam and others) that you only pay the difference for drinks outside of the limit on the HIA / SBP packages, you might consider just sticking with the Signature and paying the difference. Like everything, there's an opportunity cost there, but if the question is merely access, that is now possible with the HIA /SBP packages.

When we asked about the Freestyle machine upon boarding, we were initially told the 8 dollars pp/pd, but when we then clarified that we had the HIA Signature package, were told that it would have to be the 10 pp/pd upgrade. And since the only thing we would have used it for was Caffeine free Diet Coke, we decided not to. Now, that has led to us bothering every bartender to get caffeine free coke zero, but they have managed to get it all through the ship now.

As a bit of a counterpoint, we are on day 6 of 11 on Rotterdam, and I have been keeping an ear out for people coughing in gathered spaces, and there really hasn't been much if any. We see some people masking, some crew masking, but in general there doesn't appear to be much concern for respiratory viruses. This cruise may be cursed in OTHER ways, but not with COVID.

The price currently on Rotterdam for 10 nights (according to my statement) from Ft Lauderdale to Ft. Lauderdale is 70, so still the 7 dollars per night .

I just saw a sign on Rotterdam that said this exact policy, expressing it as a change in policy. You now only pay the overage on drinks costing above your drink package limit. I am guessing that those drinks will still count towards your daily limit, tho this was not stated on the sign.

Our communication for Rotterdam has been for 3 PM, port schedule shows 4 PM for both Rotterdam and Eurodam. Don't know how the weather I mentioned upthread will change either.

What I was just looking at says that it'll likely be much worse on Tuesday evening - Wednesday. Tropical storm moving towards Florida peninsula, right now expected to go a bit north of Port Everglades, but with a lot of rain and wind all the way south through Miami. We're on the Rotterdam on Wednesday, and also hope it won't be too bad. Only our second cruise, never really been near a tropical storm.

Rain moving in for sailaway?

I'll definitely try to post an update after I find out. Thanks for the info.

I did notice on the HAL website yesterday that they have changed the Coke package to be, basically, just the Freestyle machine on the Pinnacle class ships "starting at $8 per day". So on our sailing next week, I'm going to at least ask if I could just buy that in addition to the HIA Signature, rather than having to pay $12 a day to upgrade to Elite. Answer is probably no, but going to at least try.

Thanks very much!

Had a couple questions for anyone who's been on the Rotterdam (or even NS or Konigsdam): How many Coke freestyle machines do they have (guessing 1?) and where are they located (in the Lido Buffet?) and do they close at any point during the day or night, or are they always available? Thanks for any info!

Rotterdam on the move. Nice of them to pan the camera to see Terminal 26.

Ready for some sailing. 🙂

Thanks for the reminders in this thread. I checked the app again and it was actually working, so I got screenshots for our cruise next week.

Our Nov 9 sailing on Rotterdam also departs at 3 PM. I think I like the earlier sailing time.

Following along because my parents are on the Zuiderdam with you. Thanks for the updates!

Thanks for the information here about upgrading. We are sailing on the Rotterdam next month and are interested in the Freestyle fountain machine, but currently have the HIA Signature package, which doesn't include Freestyle. It seems like the only path to getting the Freestyle is upgrading to Elite, although it would be great if we could just buy one Coca-Cola package (since we'd also have Signature on both guests). Has anyone tried doing that?

Everything I have seen is that it is *only* for the Coca-Cola package, which is causing me a bit of consternation since I don't really want to buy that in addition to having the Signature package.

Thanks very much for the information!

We're booked for the HAL Southern Caribbean Wayfarer itinerary in early November, and I am trying to find out (without definitive success) if there are still any restrictions on leaving the ship for sightseeing / touring anywhere in the Caribbean(i.e. must be on a cruise line excursion or third-party excursion with only fellow cruisers). I know that it has been location specific, but even the information I was able to find from different countries was old and likely out of date. Does anyone have any suggestions on where to look to find updates of those policies? Or are there any policies besides "do whatever you want"? Thanks for any help.