ptsaint

11 hours ago, RuthC said:

The cabins on the Zaandam are the same size as the comparable cabins on the Amsterdam and Rotterdam; the Volendam can be included in that, too. 
The outside cabins on Lower Promenade are smaller than the other outside cabins on other decks. 

In general, all cabin categories on the two remaining R-class ships are larger than the same cabin category on the larger ships. 

thanks Ruth!

19 minutes ago, IPB4IGO said:

You can review the deck plans here

 

Hope that helps.

thanks so much

I have a question about cabin sizes on the Zaandam (dolphin/main) on Rotterdam/Amsterdam the ocean view cabins were larger on those two decks, do not know about the Zaandam - any help?

1 minute ago, RuthC said:

I realize that. However, if this thread were to be moved to the Roll Call forum there is nothing to stop someone from posting a new general discussion thread here, and seeing that thread being taken over by inappropriate posts.

Posters should just be aware of which forum they are in, and post accordingly. Planning for the cruise belongs in the Roll Call thread(s). But a general discussion is also in order, especially since it is a brand new itinerary, and not much is known about the cruise yet.

Cruise is out, itinerary is out and deposits are in - sorry am still confused

1 minute ago, RuthC said:

The two roll call threads do belong in the Roll Call forum, and (probably) should be merged with each other (I haven't read them, so can't be positive.
However, the thread on this forum should remain separate as it is a discussion of a general topic.

Ruth,
people are talking about tours here as well - its very confusing to be honest 
we shall see what CC does
Patrice

I have sent a request via email to have all three of these threads merged
 

2 minutes ago, woodinville cruisers said:

Yes that is per couple.

Brent came in and we made our decision.  We will spend 4 nights at Notten's Bush Lodge.

That will get us to the ship on it's first day at Cape Town at about 3 pm. ( This is judging from the time that our friends Peter and Harry arrived on a similar flight in 2018.)  We'll have that afternoon and the next day in Cape Town. (The ship leaves at 11 pm on Nov. 25).

We'd love to have other people join us.

Mary

 

sounds great but for us its all a little too fast 🙂 would like to see what the companies I touched base with suggest and the pricing

3 minutes ago, woodinville cruisers said:

I got a detailed quote from Liselle Raath at Sun Safari for the 3 nights at Notten's Bush Camp, 1 night at Cape Codogan hotel in Cape Town, road transfer Maputo harbor to Notten's, road transfer Notten's to Skukuza Airport, flight from Skukuza airport to Cape Town with South African Airways, road transfer Cape Town Airport to Cape Codogan, road transfer Cape Codogan hotel to Cape Town harbor. 

Notten's Bush Camp is all inclusive and includes the lodging, 2 game drives a day, meals, drinks etc.

The cost for this for two people is R85,400 total.

The cost for staying 4 nights at the bush lodge and not staying at a hotel in Cape Town is R92,200.

We have to make up our minds as to how many days we will spend at the Safari Lodge.

I'm hoping that the cost could come down slightly if other people join us since the vehicle could be shared for the road transfers.

We'll be booking by the end of this week.  There is a 30 % deposit.  I'll take out insurance when I pay that since it looks to be non refundable.

Mary

 

Mary that is per couple 85,400 = 5,737 USD 92,200 = 6,195 USD correct?

1 minute ago, vinonme2 said:

From all the posts, it's hard to tell - are you and Ann working together regarding a safari tour or are you both planning to offer separate tours?  

I'm traveling solo and very interested.

 

Gloria

I think Ann is working on her own? I believe she plans to start in Maputo. I have contacted a few companies about tours directly starting in Richards Bay. Will be great to see you again Gloria!!
P

56 minutes ago, Tampa Girl said:

 

So what segment have you decided on?

no segments are available at the moment only 79 or 74 days

34 minutes ago, vinonme2 said:

Received my official booking and pricing today for my lanai cabin. I am traveling solo and looking forward to visiting Africa.

 

 Ann, I am very interested in the safari private tour you are checking out. 

 

Patrice, were you on the Koningsdam Fall of 2017 and part of a private cooking class in Civitavecchia?

 

Gloria

 

Yes we were Gloria - 🙂

6 minutes ago, woodinville cruisers said:

I googled and Richards Bay is 372 miles to Notten's camp (just for an example) so you'd probably have to fly but you wouldn't have to cross the border.

Maputo to Notten's is 170 miles so still quite a drive and involves a border crossing.

Mary

I would leave that up the guide - looking for a three night adventure, missing sea days is not a big deal have done it more than once. we shall see what they come back with have three top notch companies chatting with me and no pricing as yet

I am working on the premise of disembarking Richards Bay 11/21 and re embarking Cape Town 11/24 but who knows what will happen🙂 One company I just spoke with on the phone talked about a great tour in Cape Town as well - we shall see!

P

3 hours ago, S&B said:

I have answered my own questions and I know what we are doing after spending another hour.  As I understand it we can pick any category and receive that guarantee or above.  I actually learn more from my internet big box TA than I do from the HAL website.  Thanks.

If I can help let me know we have oodles of days on Holland and I am also an agent - so can clarify things for you if needed

Patrice

59 minutes ago, woodinville cruisers said:

I've also been looking into a safari and have finally settled on a safari lodge with the tour company (Sun Safari) and will probably get a quote later today.  It is for Notten's Bush Camp in Sabi Sands, a private area next to Kruger National Park.  The prices there are fairly reasonable, there are usually only  6 - 7 people in the vehicles for game drives and they recently added a/c to the units.  They get excellent reviews on trip advisor.  It's not super luxurious but very nice and much more reasonable (by about half) the cost at Lion Sands Narina Lodge.  There are only 8 or 9 separate units there.  Sun Safari was recommended to me by Gail ("We're sailing away").  They used them in 2018 on the WC and are using them again for 2020 WC.  We will leave from Maputo and return to Cape Town.  That gives us a total of either 3 days safari and 1 day Cape Town or 4 days safari before meting the ship on November 24.  That still leaves one very long day (November 25 till 11 pm.) in Cape Town.  I'll post with the two options when I get the information.  Notten's is very popular and from reading trip advisor usually is sold out early.

Mary

HI Mary - please keep me posted 
with the first company I contacted they suggested we leave from Richards Bay - someone needs to request that all these threads get merged together as there are three of them
I sent a request to Walt (he is an admin here) to do just that

P

13 minutes ago, AndreaB said:

I might be very interested. Thank for for looking into safaris and let me know what you find out ptsaint.  How fun, planning for a new adventure. 

 

Thank you,

 

Andrea

got it thanks Andrea 

Hi - we are booked I could not find this thread yesterday and started a second one - will ask admin to merge them or just provide a link to this one

I have already connected with a couple of tour companies re seeing the big 5 - missing a couple of sea days - let me know if your interested in this type of adventure it will be limited to 8 or 10 people total

excited to do this cruise!

We were a small group of 10 and toured with Xuan for two days (Oct 14 & 15, 2018) - outstanding I would highly recommend him. His knowledge of the culture, history and itineraries were excellent.  You will truly enjoy your time with him & in Vietnam. Pricing is very reasonable and communication is immediate.

Can you advise if the bullet train is close or easily reached from the cruise port? on Celebrity Millennium in Sept

Cruise port is listed as Tokyo (Yokohama), Japan

thanks in advance

Patrice

I have sent out request prior to final payment without any issues

Greetings from Sunny Ecuador

When someone asks me why we cruise I say to them - how hard is it to have someone cook, make your bed, do your laundry for you?

We have traveled (blessed I think) on many cruises seeing amazing places. My husband says it is like a broad brush to see what a place is like then if you love it make plans to go back and stay on the ground.

Once you cruise you will be hooked!

enjoy, safe travels

Patrice

Fabulous thanks so much Patrice

well we are getting off the ship in Bali for a stay at a friends resort then flying to Perth to rejoin the ship (the ship is there overnight) flight will arrive around 4pm so looking for the easiest way to get to the ship and back on board :)

and thanks again!

Patrice

G'day,

can you share a website???

I have found this website - but it shows bus only

http://www.transperth.wa.gov.a

Maybe it was because I was asking for specific stop? think the train is on the same website - DOH!

and when checking rome2rio.com (great site by the way) shows a train but no website?

so I have solved my own problem LOL thanks for your help

:)

Patrice

Hi

Greetings from Sunny Ecuador & Happy Moms Day!

Question - best way for us to get from the airport to the cruise terminal? we are disembarking in Bali for a 5 night stay and will rejoin the ship (its in Perth overnight)

other than the bus - any other suggestions?

thanks in advance for your help/assistance

Patrice