Dutchman48

Agree. Have also stayed there. You will enjoy the and the area around it.

No. We typically booked through flight ease and arrive two days early and booked our transfer with HAL. All we ever do is when we arrive look for a HAL rep and ask what time we should check in for the transfer on cruise day. On the few occasions we did not see a rep when we have arrived early, we just show up at the airport between 8 and 9.

Yes, That is what my wife and I are doing. Yes, there are cheaper ways, but I find it less stressful to let Holland take care of me. We stay at the Airport as we find it is easy to get around the city from there during our pre cruise days. Just prebook the transfer so they have you on the list at the airport.

Agree. There are no ports available on the ships TV to connect to. Also, to the best of my knowledge the turn off the blue tooth and Wi-Fi connections.

No. The only thing that effects points are: 1 Days Cruising (1 point per day) 2.On Board Spending ( 1 point per day for each $300 spent on board) 3. Bonus (1 point per day if you are in a suite) HAL's web site has a good explanation on it web site. Below is a PDF of what you get for each star. Mariner Society Amenities.pdf

They announced a possible hit of 10 million due to the Bridge collapse in Baltimore. They will be home porting out of Norfolk till further notice.

Was told on last cruise that menus seen on cruise pre cruise are the generic fleet menu. The actual daily menus on the ship can vary slightly depending on where they are sailing and what is available at the time of sailing. I will say I find the sample menus a good representation of what you will see on the cruise. There are usually a few local specialties added to their standard fare.

Wife and I did the 39-day version last year and loved it. Based on that experience we booked the 30-day Japan collector voyage across the Pacific this year. Others have answered your question pretty good. The longest stretch 6-days at sea was after leaving Hawaii. We found there was plenty to do but was glad when we hit Vancouver.

On similar cruise. Received the same email for our cruise (30- Day Japan and Pacific Crossing) and assume it has something to with Japan or our stop in S. Korea as we have never been asked to two have two copies of passport. As for the rest of the email they have always recommended you make a copy of your passport as a backup if you loose it.

Had Military credit on both cruise last year. Did have to go through Sheer ID last year, like others I had submitted my military info a long time ago, just needed to comply with new system. All I do is tell my TA to have the credit applied at time of booking. Have three cruises pending and credit is visible on each. Only complaint I have is HAL does not show a breakdown off credits just a total for each person. Not hard to figure out as wife's shows what come with booking and mine has the add extras (military & shareholders).

Like others have said we have not seen behind the scenes advertised on any of our cruises since the pandemic. We did get to take a tour on a recent cruise but that was set up as part of a tour package for a large group booked by travel agency.

Have not fished in Norway but have fished in other places. As I like to Fly Fish, I found contacting a guide service in the region I am going for help makes life easier. Also, after bringing all my gear to Australia and Germany I found it was easier to get a guide that would provide the right equipment for the fish we were going after. Not sure what type of fishing you do but link below explains about permits. Fly fishing in Norway | Where and how to fly fish (visitnorway.com)

Have found it by the ice-cream station at lunch time on almost every cruise I have taken with HAL. To me it is the best desert on the ship as I will have it most days(even go up to lido for it if we have lunch in the MDR)

Have stayed in multiple Neptune suites on both Vista and Panicle class ships and enjoyed the immensely. That being said on the Zaandam and Voleendam we opt for the vista suite as the cost differential between the two is more than I am willing to pay. Would consider an upgrade offer but not at the price we see at time of booking.

I totally agree. There is a significant up charge to pick a specific room. If they change my room to any other room without my consent, I expect the upcharge refunded. I understand utilizing their cabins as efficiently as they can and have no problem with not showing certain available when they open up bookings. However, once they open up rooms to everyone any reason for a room change should be explained to the customer and agreed to.