ellbelle

@kazu I made note of Riverside Hotel you happened to mention in a thread a while ago and after reading reviews we ditched our pay with points hotel and rebooked Riverside for 2 nights before our cruise last year. We were extremely happy with the location and nearby restaurants, easy Uber to Publix for last minute supplies, we plan to stay again next year. Thank you!

P.S. Hope your foot is on the mend!

@WCB Looking forward to your mystery trip, are you having issues with your blog site? Nothing has posted there and I do enjoy looking at your photos. Thanks and have a wonderful time!

44 minutes ago, 0106 said:

Here is a recipe for a delicious ranch oyster cracker snack ( it contains dill).

This recipe is also good using Premium Minis! I make them every year for my neighbor who takes them to her winter home. They’re a big hit there and she rations them to something like 3 crackers per person during their Happy Hour so they last all winter. 🤣

Currently on Zuiderdam and the new menu is now showing on the Navigator app. We ate there twice (old menu) on the first segment, I’m guessing this was “unveiled” May 28, 2023 when the new segment began although it’s still the old price. Hopefully, the menu will show (previously posted anyway).

canaletto_menu_winter_2023_en_rtdm_trial_v15_-_beef.pdf

Thanks @REOVA for mentioning the cans are pop top lids, I never thought of that.  @mcrcruiserWe were thinking of bringing refillable bottles but miss the old days of the larger water bottles that we would  use to fill our smaller ones. Eventually, we started using the tap water (very good) but easier to fill with the larger bottled water.

1 minute ago, mcrcruiser said:

Yes it does includes  bottled waters

Thank you @mcrcruiser 

I read the boards often but typically wouldn’t click on any HIA threads although I did go back 10 pages to see if this had been addressed. We are thinking of adding this promo onto two upcoming cruises, is bottled/canned water currently part of the HIA package? 
 

Thanks In Advance

2 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Here is the itinerary 

 

 

This is what we want to do next!

On 1/21/2023 at 7:12 AM, Under_Bored Duo said:

My husband and I are on the 21 day Spitsbergen and Icelandic Fjords Explorer voyage departing Rotterdam on June 11, 2023 on the Zuiderdam. We always book our shore excursions through HAL because we will not be “dock runners” and miss the ship due to an unforeseen circumstance. However, since we are in Reykjavik, Iceland for 2 days, we are leaning towards a non-cruise line tour operator on day 1. With that said, which tour would you recommend and why? We are active and would prefer small group! Thanks! 

We are on the same sailing and we’re thinking of using Artic Shorex for day 1 doing the Golden Circle Tour, I did check out  yourdaytours.is but their pickup time at the port is the same as the ship arrival time. 

I second Steve from Trip Insurance Store, he can walk you through all scenarios and put a plan together based on your needs. For longer trips like yours he’d rather talk to you than use the cost estimator.  He also recently did a Q&A session here on Cruise Critic. 

@GKTV32162 Thank you so much for wonderful blog which I looked forward to reading every morning while drinking my coffee and enjoying the quiet house. I'm not sure what my new routine will now be! I've been unable to post comments directly on your blog (after posting one or two) but I think it may be a setting thing for me recognizing that I have a blogspot account (nothing is on it). I look forward to your upcoming cruise blog and if you decide on another WC I will certainly be there for the "ride".

Thanks Again!!!!

9 hours ago, scubacruiserx2 said:

We were not prepared for the persistence and aggression of some of the street vendors . This video may help to become aware .

 

 

 

Persistent they are! We were on a Segway tour in the walled city  and had stopped by a pretty square where I had eyed something at a table and this man selling it wouldn’t leave me alone after telling him “no” many times. We all got on our Segways and tootled away and this guy literally ran behind us holding the item all the way to the next stop where our guide finally told him to go away. 

13 hours ago, Crew News said:

There is a USB-A port on each side of the bed.  If you need AC power make sure the cord does not look like a multi-adapter type.  The chip can also provide an extension cord if you request it.  You can make th request by completing the medical form or just ask your Room Steward when you board.

Thank you!

12 hours ago, liketraveling said:

You can request an Extention cord from the assesibility dept.  i have stayed from an inside to a signature Suite and the only cabin so far that had a bedside outlet was a signature Suite.  I am sure Neptune’s have many more.

 

With all that said I don’t know what they upgraded on the ship during the shutdown.

 

I am booked on the Zuiderdam in Nov and requested the Extention cord.

 

 

Thank you!

8 hours ago, zgscl said:

Fill out the SRI form and they should have one for you. You can also request from guest services. I said I was bringing a CPAP and had one waiting in my room even though I didn’t request it. I had an outlet on both sides of the bed on Zuiderdam but this was a Neptune Suite so the layout could be different in other categories. 

 

I also bring our EU adapters which have two USB ports and a US outlet on most cruises. I can usually gain a plug and a USB outlet somewhere in the cabin with this. 
 

https://book.hollandamerica.com/specialServices/login.action

Thank you! 

I wondering if you could post about the bedside electrical outlet situation and assume they would be the same in inside, ocean view and balcony cabins (we are in a balcony)? We’ve never been concerned in the past and cannot remember from sister ships, but now that my husband is using a c-pap I’m hoping we don’t have to have a long extension cord to the desk. 
 

Thank you in advance!

We sailed Koningsdam mid December booking a VH balcony guarantee and we were assigned a midship VA. We wouldn’t normally book a guarantee but given the low passenger counts we took our chances but mentally prepared for a peek-a-boo view balcony. 

3 hours ago, PACD_JG said:

 

Central Valley?  Go Dogs.  (born in Lemoore NAS and went to elementary school in Hanford).

We’re up in Modesto. The valley has changed so much! 😢Bay Area house prices forcing them out here driving our housing sky high. Highway 99 traffic is unbelievably bumper to bumper now,  BUT I would still never move from here. To be close to the beach or mountains is a plus and the great weather we have can’t be beat. 

44 minutes ago, PACD_JG said:

Well, money talks.

 

I gave up the 2nd room and saved $2500.  To try to maximize my sanity, I was able to book cabin 4154, the one with the giant balcony.

I would have done the same thing. You’ll be fine, you know your girls and what ground rules need to be in place in order for all of you to live in such a small space.

We've sailed four times in quads (once on Volendam in an ocean view) and we did fine once everything was in its place. 

Have a great cruise. 

11 hours ago, SJSULIBRARIAN said:

Enjoy it while you can.

Absolutely! Just off Koningsdam and it was so nice to never wait long for the elevator or have it full when it arrived. Lido seating was always available as well as table seating in the Lido pool area (not much to begin with anyway). We felt safe onboard and even with the masking it was worth it to have a cruising experience after so long and the lack of passengers was the bonus.

8 hours ago, oakridger said:

@REM2  On the HAL website under the "Know Before you Go" FAQ section:

 

"Revised Policy effective June 1st, 2021

Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages on board for consumption or any other use except as follows:

 

Guests may bring Wine and Champagne onboard, however a corkage fee of USD $20.00 (which is subject to change without notice) will be applied to each bottle (max 750 ml in volume or less). Limitations apply. Wine brought in quantities deemed to be excessive by the vessel or security will be refused.

 

Wine purchased during company-sponsored shore excursions that visit local wineries are exempt from the on-board corkage fee (offer limited to one bottle of wine per person).

 

Items such as sodas, energy drinks or other non-alcoholic items are not allowed on board in any form. Plastic water bottles are not allowed. However, an allowance of six liters, twelve (12) cans or cartons (500 ml in volume or less) or six (6) cans or cartons (1 liter in volume or less) of water are allowed per stateroom.  Any amount in excess of this allowance will be not be allowed onboard. Water in plastic bottles will not be allowed onboard in any quantity, including in ports of call. Guests will be asked to discard open beverages in plastic containers prior to boarding. 

 

All checked and carry-on luggage will be scanned and any prohibited items, including alcoholic/nonalcoholic beverages will be removed, confiscated, and discarded.  If Your luggage is locked, the lock may be removed by security or, alternatively, the luggage will be held by security until you can be present for an inspection and any items in question further identified and/or surrendered."

 

Have a wonderful cruise!

 

~Nancy

I wonder if something like this would be okay to bring aboard, we like to have a sealed bottle bedside at night. We would have them in our luggage without liquid and take them home with us.

Just the opposite for us on Koningsdam departing December 5, our original boarding group was A at 1:00 and we just got an email today saying we are now group B at 1:20. A HAL/port agent who posts here says some passengers are being rude by pushing the boarding times in San Diego, so I think we’ll just be the rule followers.  Fortunately, hanging out in the hotel won’t be a problem especially since I read that benches have been removed from the port area. But it’ll be hard seeing the ship and waiting, waiting, waiting.

1 hour ago, zgscl said:

Good news this is correct for the crab risotto with the service charge and mariner discount applied. Bad news the mariner discount on prepaid specialty dining has not appeared. I’ll chat with the concierge at some point and see what they say. 
 

I would hate to have to wait until 

onboard to book specialty dining as it gets so full with HIA I would rather have the options I want and then fight for the discount later. I suppose I can always write to Mariner society after the cruise if they can’t figure it out onboard. We w

We booked on the “Have Nothing” promotion, lol, but knew with the HIA  I’d better book and prepay our dining. “Hoping” I don’t have to micromanage getting the discount (for five dinners) but glad to know I can go to the Mariner Society later. Like many others Canaletto is my favorite alternate dining and Pinnacle Grill lunch my second favorite. Enjoy your cruise!

@Cruise SuzyPerfect, thank you! 

@Cajuntraveler Thank you!

@MAVIP I definitely will and also babysit my onboard statement especially after reading some other billing issues with recent live from reports.

I just made and paid full price for five specialty dining reservations for our upcoming cruise on Koningsdam. We are 4* Mariners and in past experience we will be credited our 50% discount once onboard (although I think I read Rudi’s is now 25%?) but trying to figure what we should be credited is making me crazy. According to the cruise website I use (not big box but the one that starts with “V”) they list the per person charges as follows;

Rudi’s Sel de Mer $49

Canaletto $15

Pinnacle Grill $39

Tamarind $25

I read here that a service charge of 18% is now being added and assume we would pay that on the non discounted amount but every which way I’ve tried I can’t seem to get to the price listed on our cruise personalizer. Here is a screen shot showing the pricing. 
 

Hopefully someone can help me 🙃 Thank You!

UPDATE: All the tiles have been given away! Thanks for all the emails, glad they are going to good use!

1 hour ago, aliaschief said:

I have volunteered at a lucrative Christian Bargain Box (think Goodwill) store for over 18 years. Thrift store of the year in our area several times. Hal tiles are frequent donations and they sell quite well. So if no success here you may give that a try and donate to a local charity that will enhance your local community.

 

Not sure CC allows this even though your not selling for profit?

 

 

Thanks for the suggestion, I will definitely donate them! We have some good thrift stores here and good to know they would sell. Thanks again!