millennial

Sea trials?

I am going to Alaska in May. If I don't see whales from my balcony I will also be letting HAL know in my survey.

You spent $45k on slots?

Does HAL have club orange on Vista class ships? And what about boarding the tender onshore to go back to the ship? Is there a priority line onshore?

I'm going to keep smoking where it's allowed and there's nothing you can do about it😆

Agreed. Its interesting too because it doesn't look like Aruba is significantly closer than Bonaire.

Please be advised that Nieuw Amsterdam is experiencing a technical issue with the Azipod propulsion system. While this in no way affects the safety of our guests or team members, it does restrict our ability to operate at full speed. As a result, we will no longer call to Kralendijk, Bonaire on Wednesday, February 15, 2023. Instead, we will now call to Oranjestad, Aruba from 5:00 PM to 11:00 PM on the same date. Holland America Line shore excursions for Bonaire will be refunded to your shipboard account. Updated shore excursion information will be available on board. Due to this change, each guest will receive $50 USD as a non-refundable onboard credit applied to your shipboard account.

Its a budget cruise line now. You get what you pay for. Considering the price point, its not bad.

Budget option - Buy some salmon and take a walk in the woods.

That would be nice if they brought that back. I remember in 2006 in the crows nest on the Zuiderdam my brother-in-law got up with the band and sang Sweet Caroline, it was a good time. Much to the dismay of the other people there I'm sure but it was nearly empty.

I'm 34 and have been on 5 HAL cruises and 1 RCL cruise, most of them with my parents in the early 2000s. I have seen HAL evolve from really boring to having somewhat of a nightlife. I've only been on the Maasdam and 3 vista class ships so I haven't experienced the rock band but I've seen videos and it seems like a great alternative to BB kings. I proposed to my wife on the Oosterdam in 2018 and the biggest issue I had was after I proposed at 10PM we were ready to party but the ship's venues were starting to wind down. We found ourselves gravitating to BB Kings on most nights. I love the concept of the dueling pianos and was looking forward to that but really didn't enjoy the song choices. I also just didn't like the environment of the billboard area, being next to the main walkway and across from the casino there was no ambiance or club feel like you get at BBkings. Went to a couple world stage shows but it just feels like a waste of time. Since everything closes around 11 or 12 I'd rather spend my time on the music walk before it closes. We cruise with Holland because we want to avoid the rowdy crowds and like the classic cruise experience. I just wish there was a place night owls could go. Also the music should be LOUD! 😄