Haljo1935

I can't speak specifically to the Noordam, but HAL does allow you to order room service from the MDR menu. I believe you need to do it in about the first hour dinner is being served. Welcome to HAL - enjoy your cruise!

I think the current process, though perhaps outdated and "klunky," results in lower prices in a shorter time frame. Passengers don't have to accept the first offer they receive and can negotiate during the live conversation. I've come away from some of those conversations with much better deals than the original offer was for (and completed during 1 call rather than in back & forth multiple calls) and have even been told something else became available during the call that I was able to consider. I think I might not have been able to do that using a bidding process.

Yes, daily, but lately it does seem to vary by ship. Big thread recently on that very topic - you may want to review it.. Typically it's 50% off; I don't have the exact times for each bar, but I'm sure someone here will provide those details.

Is it likely there were 600 No Shows/Cancellations? GS may have given bookings and didn't account for them?

I don't remember anything specific, so it must have been uneventful, which in this case is good. 🤗We did use Princess shuttle w/the expectation that in an unfamiliar port potentially prone to traffic and other delays, we would have the least disruptions/best experience. We are planning on using Carnival transfer this time for the same reason. We did not do any excursion or stay over - we went directly from ship to airport, which we're doing this time, as well. My travel companion is not what I would consider "seasoned" but has cruised a bit. She is a Nervous Nellie (feel ok to say since it's my sister, lol) about making flights and navigating in places she doesn't know well, so she's more comfortable retaining as much control as possible, which she feels like she gets w/cruise line transfer vs ride share, taxi or public transportation.

We aren't booking excursions just yet, think we need to research weather a little more, but there are some great options. We have left out of NYC one time - Princess, last cruise prior to Covid shutdown, Oct what 2019? It was Canada New England. Then last Oct 2022 we did HAL out of Boston Canada New England. So this will be our 3rd Canada New England and 2nd NYC. The NYC sail away was stunning w/Lady Liberty in the background. Last year we were exactly a week behind hurricane Fiona. The weather was great both times - chilly mornings and evenings, but we were a full month later.

"...keep the rug rats off" oh yay - found a way to keep the misbehaving little ones off the ship! Oh wait, we're talking about dogs, lol!! 🤭🤔🙄 Totally agree I would like to save kennel fees by bringing my dogs - I'd use that $$ for excursions!! 🐕

Good point @Torquer we may have been blessed with a steward who chose to gift us the sodas and water. We always signed the log for whatever we took from the lounge. Our experience was we did not pay for non-alcoholic drinks during our Neptune Suite cruise on the Eurodam. YMMV - I would say be prepared to pay and appreciative if you don't.

Indeed very lucky. So lucky, I suggest you buy lottery tickets...🙃🤭

Yep, well said.

@valandemmy what dates is your cruise? We are B2B Sept 16 - 29.

Hey @TravelBluebird first - absolutely still loving the commentary and pictures! Excitement growing for our Sept cruise (B2B Canada). Next - will you be posting pictures of the cabin crawl? Lastly - what does laundry service cost (read no self service laundry) and is it offered per bag and by the week? Keep it all coming - we're having a blast!!

What does laundry cost? Can you get it by the bag or by the week?

Doesn't matter for the purpose of this thread as OP has made her decision, but curious as to why she would be "confined to the room (or wherever else) with a stranger" - it's a huge ship with lots of places to go. So unless they're quarantined, there's no reason to be "confined" anywhere for any length of time. For a moment, I thought she was being sentenced...

The only one I remember is HAL Nieuw Statendam - it's Oprah Winfrey. Saw her picture everyday when pushing the mid-ship elevator button... So this will be the 2nd I remember. Not that it in any way impacts my enjoyment of the cruise. Maybe that's just me.

Looks tight for 2 ECV. Welcone to cruising and to Carnival - Wishing you the best cruise!

So exciting - welcome to Carnival!!

@BlerkOne being a maiden voyage, overall what's your impression of the service being provided - is the crew average, on par w/other ships, BOB (best of the best)...? Where would you say you're seeing the best service and is there anywhere you'd recommend avoiding, if possible?

@MeganGC1983Your beautiful pictures are really getting me psyched about European cruise - come on October!! That watermelon lucks yummy!

As @crystalspin mentioned, you can get a great selection of snacks (and really light meals) at Grand Dutch Cafe; I LOVE that place! And as others have mentioned, room service 24/7 has cheese and crackers, it comes with fruit (grapes, I think). Yes you can take snacks oboard - we take trail mix & protein bars for shore hikes. You can also take fruit from Lido to your cabin as well as order thru room service.

@NorbertsNiece Welcome to HAL! Never done a NY cruise on HAL, but Christmas was lovely on the Koningsdam last year. The ship was decorated, started right after Thanksgiving with more added as the days progressed. Some cabins "wore" holiday decor. None was over the top, but definitely gave the ship a Christmas feel. We even saw cabin stewards decorate their carts and a couple had decorated their towel animals. 🎅🤶🧑‍🎄 We did not cruise with children, so I can't speak for what extras may or may not have been offered for "non-adults." This may seem crazy, but I can't even remember if holiday music was played. Hmmm... I enjoyed seeing the ports decorated as well.

4156 and 4135 are not mirror twins as far as balconies - have different balcony sizes and shapes. So the comments on Halfacts about 4156 balcony size don't apply to 4135. The pictures of the cabin are great and do show the bed arrangement really well. As @crystalspin noted, it may be mirrored.

@Hlitner with the sale of Azamara, I believe they are also privately held with deep pockets.

Uh, no👎 but congrats!!

@Jenhilmc and if you looked at the very bottom of the statement, you would see a "non-refundable" line in front of any $$ amount where the OBC is "use it or lose it." If that line is not there, none if your OBC is restricted