DSLibrarian

First - we had a very enjoyable cruise. Ship was in good shape and crew was great. We would not hesitate to sail her again.

These are not complaints - just sharing a few things of note:

We had an SB Neptune suite. There was no bottle of sparkling wine in the cabin as we have always had before. Instead, there were gifts of two (very nice) Holland America cookbooks and a bottle of San Pellegrino sparking water. (Also no welcoming glass of champagne in the Neptune lounge - just thought that was odd.)

I had pre-purchased a Thermal Suite pass through ship services for the week for $250/couple. It was listed as a spa gift for $250 on a printout of our preliminary statement. (I checked it, as usual, about midway through the cruise.) I was feeling very fortunate since the "sale price" for the Thermal Suite on embarkation day was $299. However, the charge on the billing statement was also $299!! Luckily, I had taken a copy of the email ship services sent to me and showed it to the concierge. I'm happy to report that the spa charge of $299 was reversed then, and the correct charge of $250 was entered. (ALWAYS remember to bring along copies of receipts for pre-purchased items!!) And it might always not be in your best interest to wait until embarkation day to purchase a spa pass.

We love Luggage Direct and used it again this time ($19.99pp) In the past we've felt we had to eat breakfast in the Lido or have room service deliver due to the 7:30 - 7:45 disembarkation required. We were happy to learn that the Pinnacle Grill was open at 6:30 that morning so we were able to have a quiet, relaxing breakfast there and wait until our color & number were called. Then we just had to walk around the corner and step off the ship.

We just got off the Westerdam on Saturday. I was surprised that they were even going into dry dock, since the ship looked very well maintained. We were told that there would be new carpeting; but the old carpeting looked great. They were installing cabling all week for better internet capabilities in the cabins.

We are just off the Westerdam, too (Hi Mike!) We thought she was in fine shape, too.. although the floor tile in our bathroom really needs new grout.. lots of little pieces of it were loose and would stick to and jab bare feet when you got out of the tub or shower. I hope they fix that.

I, too, was surprised to see the sideboard in the NL was nicely arranged with goodies on embarkation day but only had cereal boxes & bowls the other days. A day or 2 later the toaster was there but you had to ask for toast or bagels if you wanted anything to toast!! Since there was no bottle of sparkling wine in the cabin (just 2 cookbooks and a bottle of water) I was surprised there wasn't even a glass of champagne offered in the NL either.

In the past we've always received the bottle of sparkling wine in our Deluxe (now Neptune) suites. Now, on HAL's site, under Neptune suites it says:

"Complimentary sparkling wine served in the Neptune Lounge upon embarkation"

Is this the new normal? If so, I guess we no longer need to worry about trading it in for something better...

I called Ship Services a couple of weeks ago and purchased the thermal suite package for our week (Mar 1 -8) on the Westerdam. Cost was $250 for us.

Does anyone know how they will handle "double booking"? We booked 2 nights in the Pinnacle Grill online, and 1 night for Le Cirque and 1 night (sea day) in Canaletto. We also have the Explore 4 promotion so there is one additional night in the Pinnacle they will assign. Is it possible they could assign us the free night in the Pinnacle on a night we already have reservations?

DSLibrarian - Noordam - 30-Mar-15 - 11 Day South Caribbean Wayfarer (DH birthday)

We prefer the GalleryOne DoubleTree Suites. Lovely suites w/balconies. It's a little farther away from the port - next to the Galleria Mall and at a water taxi stop. Use the Corp code 0560041604 when booking for some savings. If you have at least Hilton Honors Gold status you'll get free breakfast, free wifi and a good chance for an upgrade. It is also across the street from a Publix where you can pick up some wine.

I'm just wondering why some are able to get it with no upcharge and others not? I was in the boat that there was an upcharge as Lisa described earlier. It wasn't worth it for us to take it (cost more than it was worth).

 

It seems strange that some are getting it with no up charge. perhaps they are fixing the pricing slowly?? One can only hope

We got it without an increase but I wonder if that's because we booked a year and a half out and there has been no change in fare at all (and, believe me, I've been watching for one!!) I expect, if there is a decrease worth it to us and we are able to get it, we will lose this.

Just returned from our Hawaii/Tahiti 30 day R/T from San Diego. The price was $ 800 per couple or $ 40 pp per day --- way too expensive for warm water, IMO. HAL should rethink their pricing especially on the longer cruises --- weekly pkgs. would be much more attractive and easier to sell. --- By the way --- only saw 1 or 2 using it at any given time --- usually empty --- what a waste, IMO.

Wouldn't that be only about $13 pp/day.. Am I wrong? $800 for 2 for 30 days? Seems worth it to me.

Can you tell me the price for the 11 night pass?

It was $250 for 2 for 11 days - which I feel is a fair price. If it is discounted on the ship, I (supposedly) can be credited the difference..

I can book any of the treatments at the spa ahead of time, but while the brochure tells me to buy this package (which is exactly what I want) there appears to be no way to actually do so.

 

I would appreciate any information about the things available with this daily pass, as well as the cost. I will be on a 10 night Zuiderdam trip and in a suite if this is something the concierge arranges ahead of time, or once onboard.

Call Ship Services. I recently bought the thermal suite pass for our 11 day Zuiderdam cruise next month.

Veendam Sept 22-29, 2012 Monumental Equipping Cruise

see: http://www.monumentaltour.com/cruise.html

Thanks - Good to know. Guess we'll have to remember to bring a sack to carry things back with us. :)

When do HAL folks pick the sodas they would like for the cabana

Absolutely! You paid for it!:D

Thank you. - In that case, I think I'll cancel the soda package we bought for the ship. Those 8 cans will be enough for the 2 of us.