happytotravel

Hello Haljo 1935,

I am hungry now!   My cruise begins on June 01 so I'll be enjoying all these wonderful goodies very soon.  Thank you for sharing those photos.

happytotravel

Looking forward to all those Dutch goodies.  My husband was Dutch and we visited Holland several times together.  This will be as close to Holland as I will get again.  Can't wait!!!

happytotravel

HI,

I would pack what I enjoy wearing.  Sometimes the only time we get to "dress up" is on a cruise.

Have fun!

happytotravel

On 4/14/2024 at 8:33 AM, mskitty1 said:

A few years ago myH DH & I took a very similiar cruise called “The American Adventure”round trip

from Ft Lauderdale to the Med.  We loved it!!! We took it twice-once on the Veendam and the other time on the Maasdam.  A lot of relaxing days sailing over then busy days with many ports and relaxing days back.  Of course, since we live in Florida-NO FLIGHTS!

 

I am considering booking it in 2025.  My DH passed away in January, 2024, so just not sure….

Hi,

My husband pass away 10 years ago and I continue to cruise as a solo and love it.  Don't give up on cruising.  I think it's the nicest and safest way to travel as a woman solo traveler. If you have a friend or two to travel with that is great but if not go anyway!

All but one of my cruises have been with NCL. This year I am jumping ship onto HAL and looking forward to it.  For one thing I don't have to fly this time as the cruise port is close.

I hope I've been able to give you some encouragement.

happytotravel

Hi All,

I would be interested in the book.  I love cruise line history especially the early years.

Has anyone read "The Only Way to Cross" by John Maxtone-Graham?  Really interesting.

Have a great day, happytotravel

Hi RuthC,

Thank you for you suggestion on using shoe clips.  I've been able to find a great selection on a website and will purchase a few before my cruise.

Enjoy the day, happytotravel

Thank you In-Side-Cabin,

Those cakes looked wonderful and delectable!!!!  Bless those pastry chefs.

happytotravel

Hello Miss G and Others,

NCL also never let on that the MDR was open on embarkation day.  Probably other cruise lines do the same.

Have a great day!   happytotravel   

Thank you all,

Those photos are great. I will be very happy with that style tea.

happytotravel 

Hi,

Is "High Tea" still done during a cruise or any other type of "tea"?  I will be on the Volendam in June.

Thanks, happytotravel

Hi All,

I did get a reply back today from Customer Service which I've pasted below from the email I sent them the other day.

We will just have to wait and see what happens.  If enough folks contact them maybe they will reverse their decision.

happytotravel

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Holland America Ship Services
Good Day,

Thank you very much for submitting your comments regarding the embarkation lunch on board our ships.  We truly value all feedback from our guests, as it helps us to maintain and continually improve the onboard experience.

Because we take your input very seriously, we have made all appropriate senior management aware for their information and benefit.

With Warm Regards,

Ship Services

450 Third Avenue West, Seattle, WA 98119

Hello All,

I just sent the following email to HAL stating my concern over their closing the MDR for lunch on embarkation day.  I have always enjoyed being able to go there and having a relaxing lunch on my cruises with NCL  I was hoping to experience the same on HAL.  Perhaps if others do the same they "might" reverse their decision.

happytotravel

==========================================================

HAL_Ship_Services@hollandamerica.com

Good Morning,

3 hours ago, Nickelpenny said:

I agree though I personally love the tiles. I think if they gave us coupons to go pick them up at a designated place and designated times it might save the stewards some work.
 

For me,if people I meet on a cruise don’t want theirs many times they have given them to me. I have a total of 6  from this cruise (1 of mine and 5 from others). Makes me a happy camper. 

Yes, I agree.  If there is anyone who doesn't want their tiles on my Volendam June 01 or June 08 cruises let me know and I will be able more than happy to take them.

Thanks, happytotravel

Thank you all,

I will try and head toward the MDR where I'm sure will be quieter.  It is the same on NCL. The crew will only mention the buffet area in order to keep the numbers down in the MDR.

Have a wonderful day planning your next cruise, happytotravel

Thank you Racephoto,

That photo looks very, very tasty.   I haven't sailed on any of the Carnival lines in the past.  I've done the majority on NCL with one Viking river cruise so I'll get my Mariner star on the 2nd cruise.  I think it's always fun to be able to get a little extra if possible.  I've enjoyed those extras on NCL for years.

On embarkation day of my first cruise is the Lido the only place for eating or is the MDR also open?

Again, thanks for your response, happytotrave.

1 hour ago, racephoto said:

If you have cruised on Princess, Carnival, Cunard, Seabourn, and a few others under the Carnival umbrella, contact the Mariner Society.They will give you one star status on HAL and you will get the gift and lunch and so on on the first leg of your B2B as well as the second. I did it before my first cruise on HAL and I got all the one star Mariner benefits when I boarded. Lots of people pooh-pooh it as not being worth anything, but I enjoyed the embarkation lunch and not having to fight crowds up on the Lido on embarkation day, and the Mariner event during the cruise and I like the tiles. I mean, it's free and easy to do, so why not. Also, when I did my B2B on HAL in 2019, I got a nice plate of chocolates  in my cabin recognizing the fact that I was doing a B2B even though it was separate bookings 

Thank you RuthC,

At the moment, I've booked all the excursions that interested me.  I guess I'll just have to give that $ amount up.

happytotravel

Hi Ruth,

I have $10.10 leftover from my shore excursion $ amount from HIA.  Can I sign it over to the crew fund?  If so, do I go to Guest Services to do that?

Thank you, happytotravel

16 minutes ago, QuattroRomeo said:

Yes and yes!

By that I mean you will get a paper daily program in your cabin the night before. They will also be available for the taking at the Guest Services counter.

Merci, Merci, Merci!  happytotravel

Thank you Crew News,

Your sample daily schedule gives me a good idea of what to expect.

I know the dailies will be on the app but are there also hard copies delivered to the cabin or can they  be gotten from Guest Services?

Thanks again, happytotravel

Hello Again,

I've contacted my PCC and she changed my dining option to open seating.  It was quick and easy.

Have a good night. happytotravel

Afternoon Everyone

Is the Exploration Cafe on the Volendam similar to the Grand Dutch Cafe?

Thank you, happytotravel

2 hours ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

Remember, if there is something you really want from the MDR, you can order room service from the MDR menu if it's within the first hour or so.

HAL certainly aims to please.  Thank you, happytotravel

Thank you all,

I think I'll email my PCC to get it changed.  You are correct in saying that someone else will be able to book into fixed seating as soon as possible.

If for any reason I can not get seated within a reasonable time when I go for dinner I can go to the Lido and enjoy my meal there.

Again, thank you,

happytotravel

Hi Everyone,

I have early fixed seating on my b2b cruises in June.  The more I think about it, I believe, I would prefer open seating as I have been used to NCL's free style dining.

My question is:  should I wait til I get onboard to change this or contact my PCC and tell her or can I do it online?

Thanks, happytotravel