mwj

For any that did not get the survey, here are the five itineraries surveyed ... A)

Unfortunately for us, we have tried Firefox, Chrome, Safari, and Edge without success. Incognito mode did not make a difference.

We have an upcoming cruise in April. I am able to login to the website and view my bookings. When I attempt to 'Manage my cruise' for the April booking, I receive an error 500. The problem only exists with the April booking. I have tried multiple browsers. I have cleared browsing history, cookies, and cache to no avail. I have called customer service to no avail. I was last able to access the booking a week ago, when I prepaid the gratuities. ... ???

We had a similar experience in the Pinnacle Grill on the Zuiderdam over Christmas. We would prefer to have a dedicated waiter for breakfast. Our impression (we didn't ask) was that they rotated the waiter locations daily. Please say hi to Dhana (host) and Yunia (waiter) from Peggy. Tina always corrected any problems we encountered.

We have no problem with an increase in the crew appreciation. However, it will entail a cutback in the additional cash we give to crew. We have generally given an additional eleven dollars a day (~$150 for a 14 day cruise) cash to crew at the end of the voyage. The amount per crew member varying base upon level of service. We will likely now only give cash to crew members for outstanding service.

The website says one day, and when you receive the confirmation email it will say five days.

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/news/2023/november/news-1122023-holland-america-line-to-open-new-restaurant-morimoto-by-sea Holland America Line is gearing up to open Morimoto By Sea, a new, exclusive dining experience aboard Nieuw Amsterdam opening on the ship’s Dec. 16, 2023, voyage, and the first stand-alone restaurant at sea for Chef Masaharu Morimoto. The restaurant will offer delicious, Asian-inspired dishes and beverages from Chef Morimoto, the cruise line’s “Fresh Fish Ambassador.” The menu will emphasize fresh fish dishes to reflect Holland America Line’s new Global Fresh Fish Program. Morimoto By Sea underscores Holland America Line’s commitment to providing guests with unforgettable gastronomic experiences on every cruise. Morimoto By Sea will be located adjacent to the Tamarind restaurant on the Observation Deck. Guests dining at Morimoto By Sea can enjoy a multi-course meal that celebrates the cruise line’s fresh fish program and highlights the cuisine of Chef Morimoto. The menu also will include a selection of beef, chicken, vegetarian and vegan options. Guests who want to enjoy Morimoto By Sea can make reservations on Holland America Line’s Navigator App or on board. The restaurant carries a cover charge of $55 per person, plus an additional 18% gratuity ...

In my opinion, the new standby program will lead to fewer last minute sales. If HAL has a 'reserve' of people willing to pay the standby rate, then there will be less need to offer late deals to the general public to fill the ship. The effect will be to increase revenue per sailing, which is the goal of the standby program.

For whatever reason, HAL only repairs retreat cabanas during drydock. We have encountered this issue on both the Nieuw Amsterdam and Koningsdam.

This must have changed in the past six months as we purchased about $1800 OBC using gift cards in January.

We hope enjoyed Eastport! The eastern most city in the US. (Lubec is the eastern most town, and West Quoddy Head Lighthouse is the eastern most point.) Did you stock up on Raye’s? https://rayesmustard.com/ Did you see the exhibit about Roosevelt’s Passamaquoddy Tidal Power Project?

They also call the ‘florist department’ to make certain your selection is available.

We have seen 7 and 9, or 7:30 and 9:30 this year. We much prefer 7:30 and 9:30. A 7pm show invites both 5pm and 8pm diners, and was always packed.

FYI, the sailings mentioned were not casino offers, as they do not gamble..

A friend who cruises infrequently sees the following cruises currently available for $100 per person for an inside room. I do NOT see the same when I log in. Your experience may and will likely vary. Sep 3 - 7-Day Glacier Discovery Northbound Ship Noordam Sep 6 - 11-Day Iberian Adventure Ship Nieuw Statendam Sep 10 - 7-Day Glacier Discovery Northbound Ship Nieuw Amsterdam Sep 24 - 13-Day The Atlantic Coast Ship Zaandam Sep 26 - 12-Day Greece & Adriatic Antiquities Ship Oosterdam Sep 30 - 10-Day The Atlantic Coast Ship Zuiderdam Oct 1 - 7-Day Wine Country & Pacific Northwest Ship Noordam Oct 1 - 13-Day North Pacific Crossing Ship Westerdam Oct 15 - 14-Day Turkey & Greek Isles Ship Nieuw Statendam Oct 15 - 13-Day Japan Discovery Ship Westerdam Oct 20 - 12-Day Ancient Empires Ship Oosterdam Oct 29 - 11-Day Adriatic Dream Ship Nieuw Statendam Nov 11 - 14-Day The Philippines, Malaysia & Thailand Ship Westerdam Nov 12 - 14-Day Australia & New Zealand Ship Noordam Nov 15 - 17-Day Panama Canal & Inca Discovery Ship Oosterdam Nov 25 - 14-Day Indonesia Discovery Ship Westerdam Nov 26 - 14-Day Passage To America Ship Nieuw Statendam Nov 26 - 14-Day Australia & New Zealand Ship Noordam Dec 9 - 14-Day Indonesia, Malaysia & Thailand Ship Westerdam Dec 16 - 22-Day South America & Antarctica Holiday Ship Oosterdam Dec 17 - 10-Day Southern Caribbean Seafarer Holiday Ship Nieuw Statendam Dec 20 - 13-Day New Zealand Holiday Ship Noordam Dec 21 - 16-Day Circle Hawaii Holiday Ship Koningsdam Dec 23 - 14-Day Far East Discovery Holiday Ship Westerdam Jan 6 - 14-Day The Philippines, Malaysia & Thailand Ship Westerdam Jan 7 - 22-Day South America & Antarctica Ship Oosterdam Jan 13 - 14-Day Australia & New Zealand Ship Noordam Jan 27 - 14-Day Australia & New Zealand Ship Noordam Feb 10 - 12-Day Australia & New Zealand Ship Noordam Feb 22 - 16-Day Australia & New Zealand Ship Noordam Mar 9 - 14-Day Australia & New Zealand Ship Noordam Mar 19 - 17-Day Inca & Panama Canal Discovery Ship Oosterdam Apr 6 - 22-Day Panama Canal Ship Nieuw Amsterdam Apr 13 - 21-Day Panama Canal Ship Eurodam

NA had a short drydock in Feb 2020 to repair an azipod. This probably accounts for why it has been six years since the last full drydock.

Notice the 'limited time fare' on the cruise only. This happens frequently on cruises where bookings are slow. It is intentional by HAL and often results in significant savings. The lowest rate will likely only be for a guarantee and has a non-refundable deposit.

We booked an SC Guarantee on the NA last year. Our only concern was being upgraded to an SQ (ugh!). In the end, we were upgraded to an SA (ty!).

You found an isolated instance were the differential is small. My point is the differential is increasing. In your case a few months ago there would have been no differential.

really ???

The differential has increased substantially in the last few months. This is a 'hidden' way for HAL to raise their prices, as they can still advertise the base rate unchanged.

I wrote to the office of the president this winter. Here is a part of the response I received three days later. "In addition, and in regard to changes, Holland America, like all other businesses, must keep up with the times and make changes to meet our business needs. We realize that not all of our Mariners are pleased with some of the changes such as the elimination of the rooms that are specifically for the Lincoln Center Stage. While the musicians will be rotating on our various ships, they will now be performing on the World Stage, which accommodates more guests, and they will remain high caliber talent from Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts. Please know our company continues to monitor our guests’ complaints, as well as their positive comments, to review all aspects of our sailings to determine whether changes should be made." Unfortunately, all the responses from emails to the office of the president have been generic without regard to the specifics of my email.

Our TA has also confirmed that there is NO cruise only option as it currently exists. They are actively in discussions with Oceania to not eliminate the current cruise only option. IMO, they will add a cruise only option, at a higher price than current. This will make the 'Simply More' option 'appear' attractive.

thank goodness for cruise only fares ...

After reading the various thoughts posed here, I will offer my own as to how 'Simply More' will take shape. Alcohol is a significant revenue stream, as the price/cost ratio is high. Oceania loses significant revenue when guests bring their own alcohol onboard. Excursions are also a significant revenue stream for the same reason. 'Simply More' will entail a reduction in the number of included excursions. 'Simply More' will include a glass of wine or beer during lunch and dinner. 'Simply More' will include a token amount of OBC.