BetsyS.

Quote is from Benjamin Franklin.

An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.

I agree with you. I was on the Niew Statendam in August and my room steward delivered my medallion - no reception and no Mariners luncheon. I was on the Veendam in 2014, 2015 and 2016. We had the Yum Yum Man, a big library with a librarian, and the terrific crew show.

Tim - My stepfather and I met you and your wife on 8/3 when we had to wait an hour before entering the Boston terminal. We were in front of you in the line. You made the wait better - we enjoyed talking to you both. I'm sorry we didn't see you for the rest of the trip, but we hope to see you on another HAL cruise in the future. We still did not get our guest surveys. I emailed Guest Relations and gave our cabin numbers and dates of cruise. Since we had adjoining rooms, we should have received 2 surveys. Have a great cruise! I'm glad you will see your friends in Australia. Bon Voyage! Betsy

I'm sorry you and your husband have covid. I hope you will both feel better soon. That is great that you were treated so well!😊

I agree with you. There is no need to overpack since HAL has such an excellent laundry service with a good turnaround time. In past years, I packed too much and never wore some clothes. I wear my favorite things. This year on the NS I did not bring clothes that I knew I would never wear. However, I brought 3 pairs of shoes (one for "dressy nights") and I only wore one pair. Good luck with your packing and have a great cruise!

I'm glad you're feeling better now. I think it's wonderful that the Queen got to see how many people turned out for her Jubilee celebration. It's great that she went on the balcony on the last day to see all the crowds. I'm very impressed that the Queen joined the military and was a car mechanic! Back in the 70s and 80s I took British Airwsys tours to London. I took a day trip to Shakespeare's birthplace. I had dinner at the Dirty Duck (Black Swan) and I enjoyed it very much. I hope it's still there.

I hope you will feel better soon. I was sorry to hear about Queen Elizabeth's passing. She was a role model for many people. I think that the funeral and other ceremonies were well organized. RIP

I agree with everything you said. In 1975 I took a 7 day cruise from NY to Bermuda. Back then, HAL advertised a "no tipping" policy. Passengers still left cash tips at end of cruise. I don't think I got credit for those 7 sea days because it was so long ago.

On the Niew Statendam in August some people did not show up for Immigration in the am. Their names were called on the loudspeaker. Years ago on the Veendam, I remember that some people did not show up for the all aboard. Their names were called on the loudspeaker. Sometimes depature from a port was delayed by 20 minutes.

My stepfather and I were on the Niew Statendam in August 2022. Our room steward brought the tiles to our rooms.

Thank you.

My stepfather and I were on the Niew Statendam from 8/3 - 8/27. We had adjoining rooms. Neither one of us got a post-cruise survey via email. I asked our travel agent if HAL sent surveys to her and she said no. The "suits" should make sure that every passenger gets a post cruise survey.

In 2014 I was on the Veendam for Voyage of the Vikings. Turnaround day was in Amsterdam. One of our room stewards was leaving the ship in Amsterdam to go on vacation. He was flying to Indonesia. I gave him a cash tip before we got to Amsterdam. I saw him the following year on Voyage of the Vikings when he was our room steward again. 😊 Sometimes room stewards can go to a different deck on next segment of b2b and waiters might be assigned to a different table, so it's helpful to ask them about this before turnaround day.

I think that the "suits" in Seattle HQ should be required to take at least one cruise on a HAL ship. They are out of touch with reality.

I also miss the daily printed mini-newspapers. I wish HAL would bring them back. I enjoyed Anne of Green Gables excursion and Quebec City when I was on the (old) Rotterdam 4 years ago. Quebec City reminded me of Paris. Thanks for the great reports.

Thank you for your very thorough reports! You're right - "living at home is going to take some getting used to."

I was on the Niew Statendam in August. I had breakfast and lunch in the Lido. Every day there were people who cut to the front of the line. The crew knew who had been waiting their turn and helped them.

I am so glad that your wife tested negative and that you are home now. Your information has helped other people. Thank you for the updates.

Have the "suits" in Seattle HQ ever been on a cruise ship?

It wasn't in my spam folder, but I will ask my travel agent to check her spam folder. Thanks for the suggestion.

Thanks to all who answered. My stepfather and I never got our surveys. Maybe it's because I gave a lot of feedback on Let Us Know on Navigator app. I'm glad I got to mention all the crew who were very helpful.

I am sorry that HAL said they will not have your wife tested until Friday. I hope Holland Family services will change this so that your wife can be tested every day until she's negative. I hope your wife will feel better soon. Your reporting on this will help other people know what to expect. Thank you for the updates. Good luck.

I am so glad that you got the name and card of the person in guest services. HAL needs to hear your entire experience and what she said to you. She needs to be fired immediately.

The HAL person who told you to leave your wife ALONE in Italy should be fired!!!!!