SeaMatesNYC

The gym also has a cold water fountain dispenser like you find in airports/health clubs where you place a personal water bottle under the nozzle and the sensor causes water supply and you don’t have any issue with your bottle mouth “touching” the supply nozzle. You can add ice as described above, from multiple sources including asking at a bar.

We just did the same (our deposits were refundable). Our final payment is only three weeks away. But we had to cancel and rebook. Fortunately our TA is savvy and knew to make a new booking first, then cancel, then grab the released cabin we had chosen 9 months ago. We too saved about $1,000 on Antarctica December 2024 and got Crew Appreciation added. We lost the Welcome Back OBC, but we had just completed another cruise so got that easily added back. Have to refile StockPerks, but that’s no big deal. All in all, a good outcome. And reminder to us to Pay Attention, especially as final payment draws near.

Can’t say, but current “free inside” non-casino offers DO reflect online.

The same has happened to me. I saw the opening post and went into my July 2025 booking for Nieuw Statendam and booked our HIA redemptions on August 9, 2024. Now no dining is available for the cruise, but my reservations remain in my Itinerary. As you wrote, they have backed out the inventory for booking.

Same experience. I have had rejection for out of date stock proof and cruise too far out. Just thought I’d mention that. I expect they will sort it for you when you call, or we will all learn about some new “policy.”

And your stock verification documentation is not more than three months old?

As @Mary229 mentioned, she received permission. Perhaps she can tell you who and how she approached that?

You don’t.

Oh, I am with you. Keep us informed and I’ll do the same. One thing they ought to do is put the product on a menu! That way more people will know it exists! Then the demand should follow. Just as the market for NA products overall continues to grow. It is baffling that they hide the selection.

We were on the very first ferry of the season back on last week of May, so it was not overly full. But in full swing season it might be. Check a cruise calendar to see what other ships may be there at the same time. As they say, “There is no bad weather, just bad clothes.” We had enough time at the turnaround stop to have a short picnic. It was enough as the place was small! Picnic tables there right by the water.

As previously reported by @ghstudio, Ship Services has answered my inquiry and confirms that Fré is sold only by the bottle. I have put before them the dates and bars onboard Nieuw Statendam (May/June 24) and Noordam (July 24) where I “purchased” glasses multiple times a day and they were credited to my SBP. I’ll let you know if they have any explanation. Bartenders and beverage servers did not push back ever, other than some being unfamiliar at first. They easily found the Fré wines by the glass in the MDR tablet and it was consistently delivered by the beverage runners. Very odd situation, but then again quintessential Holland America Lines.

Thanks for the heads up! Just booked mine for July 2025 on Nieuw Statendam.

Fjord Cruise Hjørundfjord Board right next to cruise ship pier. https://www.cruise-service.no/en Climb to the viewpoint after. Great day.

Likewise, I received the following response from Ship Services today: “The Elite Beverage Package does still include unlimited non-alcoholic beverages and 15 alcoholic beverages.” This seems to clearly answer the question. I also took the opportunity to see if I could get them to clarify the availability of the Fré alcohol-free wine by the glass and inclusion/exclusion from beverage packages. I’ll report back if/when I get a response.

Wow. I totally believe you. And you are absolutely correct that it does it appear in any menu. But it does exist in the point of purchase terminals and has been rung up for me on a package many times (if memory serves I believe a glass is $9, which means it would be in the “alcohol” packages, and frankly could be included in the 15 drink exemption in Elite for non-alcoholic drinks! LOL!). I’ve not had to request any exception in the past, but I will keep that in mind should it come up.

Yes, the bars’ menus often only have selected, higher-priced, specialty cocktails. Almost every regular pour cocktail you can name will be on the $11 list.

I am not sure why you are being told this, but on the past two cruises I was on (Nieuw Statendam May 2024 and Noordam July 2024), I ordered the Fré alcohol free wines extensively and had them included in the Signature Beverage package every time. Not sure what’s going on on your voyage but that seems a radical change. I’d complain in writing to Seattle and demand a refund on your package if you don’t drink alcohol.

It is the only excursion. It does sell out. How far in advance? Can’t really predict. But if you want it, don’t wait. It was fantastic when we did it first week of this month. Noordam was stopped 6 miles from the face. We got to 1/2 mile. Amazing beauty!

There are Shorex from Livorno that give you a taste of a few of the villages. You can also combine with drive by tours of the Pisa monuments (tower, cathedral). Personally, from Livorno I would choose a tour of one or more hill towns like Volterra and San Gemignano and get some Tuscan countryside.

You can also use the Order Now function in Navigator and request a laundry pickup anytime thru the day and I have found it to be picked up within the hour. If you want regular next day service, get it out by 9:00am. I generally put in the e-request and leave the bag dangling from the door if the Stewards are on break. And asking for extra bag and order sheet is certainly a good idea. You should get one back with each clean laundry return, if supply holds out and your steward is on the ball.

Was this a standalone purchase of the package or received as a HIA+ amenity? Have never seen such a card. I wonder if they are reading our thread and this is how they choose to clarify.

That’s great. You have given us some very convincing data that is very much appreciated. As to the use of Guest Relations, they have historically been successful in handling just about any matter related to policy and issues I’ve had and while I appreciate your take on what they are for, I’ll stick with them for now, and see what they come up with re: my case. If things are more reservation related and I have issues I use “world cruise” email. Honestly, I believe they all funnel to the same place. Bottom line: @POA1 and friend have conducted semi-rigorous testing onboard the Nieuw Amsterdam and reveal results seeming to suggest pretty conclusively that the programmed policy remains the same in that Elite package does NOT count zero proof beverages. As the OP, I am now satisfied we can put this thread on ice! I’ll have mine with canned water, please!

I suppose this varies from ship to ship, even desalinated batch to batch (is that where they get it? or is it from shore? shows what I know), as well as on one's individual sensitivity to chemicals and chlorination, but I find the tap water to be not palatable, putting it politely. I'll drink it in Lido if I don't want the eternal wait for a bottled or canned water and have forgotten to pick one up on the way in, but it does not please me. This, I suppose, is a matter for one's own tastes and desires. I'm not saying it is not drinkable, just not for me if I can help it...

Many people may not know that your bartenders and beverage servers, I’m reliably informed, make the vast bulk of their compensation as commission from the drink service charge on every beverage you buy, whether on package or not. Good sales tactic - use it or lose it!

This thread below, post #16 by @Cruising Is Bliss: