fusion927

Say it ain't so 😒since we get on the ship Sunday.

If it's there, it's located on the port side between the Lido buffet and the midship pool, across from the bar and self-serve beer taps.

That's my understanding too (and what happened to us).  Apparently there is an exception if you are on a segment of a world cruise (or so I've heard!).

They could be referring to the plastic bags of treats that are an additional cost.  Of course, it could be a mistake (alternative vs. extra charge, for example).  

1 hour ago, Fouremco said:

Are the machines included under the Elite BP, or only with the Coca-Cola package?

Best I can say is 'maybe'.  The one time we hade the elite BP (or either alcohol BP), was on the Rotterdam's inaugural TA.  On that cruise, the FreeStyle machine was not available (what I heard was they needed to get to the US to get supplies).

The machines (they are on all Pinnacle class ships) are only available if you have purchased the Coca-Cola package.  With that package you get a cup (somewhat nice tumbler with lid) that has an RFID chip embedded in it.  The RFID chip has an expiration date, so the machine reads the chip and then knows if it is a valid cup.

There are time limits so you can't use it twice within 15-20 minutes (I don't remember the exact times), but other than that it is available 24x7 (when it's working).  When it ran out of Diet Coke, I told one of the bartenders and within an hour or two it had been restocked.

P.S. I've pointed out that the package still says it's limited to the Koningsdam several times, but the text hasn't been updated in something like 5-6 years!

With anytime dining, once on board you can reserve a dining time for the next few days, except there are times (maybe 5:30-6:30) where they severely restrict reservations since that's 'prime time' for dining.

Mark

Just now, TinaLee said:

If we have the regular drinks package does that include the Freestyle machine? 

I'll let someone more knowledgeable answer that with more confidence that I can! 

We had the drinks package just once, and as I recall we upgraded to the signature drinks package to get the Coke package (i.e. Freestyle machine), but that was 3 years ago and I believe that was the same cruise where the machine was not working so I never got the cup.

Back to the soda question, on the Pinnacle ships (like the Rotterdam), you can get a Coke package that includes use of a Freestyle soda machine.  That will have all sorts of zero sugar (aka Diet) sodas.  Not something I usually select, but I'm pretty sure it will have a sugar free ginger ale...

One caveat... Check the machine is working before purchasing the package.  I've been on two cruises where it wasn't the whole cruise so you were sorta limited to what comes out of the soda gun.

Mark

In our experience, most of the BoB singers are good, a few aren't.  I can only remember one cruise where we choose not to attend the BoB shows because of the singing quality.  But I don't ever remember a cruise where they didn't take requests (and a few even performed songs they had written themselves).  You really get to learn the performers individual musically tastes by the songs they choose, and by the comments about them.  

My biggest complaint is that is not a 'Dueling' piano show.  I call it a 'Duetting' piano show!

I remember a couple of cruises with Stryker, but it was so popular we couldn't get in (if we did, we were in the back where everyone was talking 😡  Maybe in the BoB venue, this problem would be reduced.

We've been trying for one since we booked the cruise (4 weeks on Nieuw Statendam in April) 18 months in advance, with only partial success.

It was single cruise made up to two cruises.  Eventually, we changed to a back-to-back and was able to get an HC cabin for the first 2 weeks, but not for the 2nd half.  We check the website daily, and ask our TA to contact HAL weekly.  

To the best of our knowledge, there is no waiting list, but only first come, first serve.

On 1/14/2024 at 9:22 AM, POA1 said:

Same thing here. I did not want that to happen though. And boy, is ever a pain to get to the settings to turn it off.

 

I prefer all the fiddly bits. I'm in the minority, though.

Fiddly bits are fun (software developer here!), but don't come between my headphones and my music when boarding a plane.  One way to keep my sanity among all the turmoil and confusion (especially on Southwest).

Plus, if Bluetooth gets turned off, my Glucose sensor app starts beeping real loud!

15 hours ago, POA1 said:

Yes.

 

Airplane mode ON turns OFF both radios.

 

Then, turn Wi-Fi ON. This turns only the Wi-Fi radio on. (Your airplane mode indicator will likely go off. The Wi-Fi indicator will go on, but you won't see the cellular signal strength indicator though.)

 

You'll have to connect to your Wi-Fi plan on the ship now.

 

As long as you have Wi-Fi calling turned on and your carrier and phone support it, you should now be able to call & text.

 

I just did this, as did my wife, on the Nieuw Statendam in December. We've both got Pixels running the latest stock Android.

 

BTW - You can try this out on your home internet if you want to get comfortable with the process.

On Android 14 (at least on my S22Ultra), it now tells you that if you turn on and leave on Wi-Fi (and Bluetooth) in airplane mode, it will leave them on each time you go into airplane mode!  Love it, since my BT headphones no longer disconnect when switching to airplane mode!

On my last cruise, I was surprised when I started receiving texts in airplane mode.  A little concerning since I don't get the internet package and was afraid I left something enabled (with the big bill to prove it!).  But, it was all good.  I didn't try calling or sending texts (I'll try that on our next cruise).

Mark

14 hours ago, KAKcruiser said:

Isn't it annoying to have to walk around with a special cup all the time?  

Yep... And have come so close to leaving it behind in different places. But it's the only way to get my Vanilla Diet Coke!  As a compromise, I don't usually carry it around after dressing for dinner!

19 hours ago, crystalspin said:

Huh! The page I found (for the Coke Unlimited) said only the Koningsdam had Freestyle -- it must have been even older, when K'dam was the only Pinnacle?

 

But that is a topper for misinformation -- direct contradiction in the same paragraph!

 

I guess the answer for the OP, @shipmeoff!, is wait and see and ASK -- if you are on the K'dam, Nieuw Statendam, or Rotterdam.

Yes, all three Pinnacle class ships have the machine (I've personally used it all of them!).  And yes, they've never updated the information (I even pointed it out the the Cruise Director on the Nieuw Statendam!)

I've only received a cup when I've purchased (onboard) the Coca-Cola package.  The one time I had the Elite beverage package, the machine was our of order the entire trip so they wouldn't give me the cup.

And if the machine is working or not, with the Coca-Cola package (or any beverage package), you can get soda at any bar.  And they will refill the special cup (and even rinse it out for you if you ask).  It got to the point where the Dutch Cafe people didn't even have to ask since I was there so often!

I think we are at 5 cruises on the Pinnacle class ships, and twice they were out of order (once was on Rotterdam's original TA from Europe at the tail end of Covid, They might not have been able to stock it until Florida, or it might have been a Covid thing,

Unfortunately, the only cruise where we had the Elite beverage package was one of those cruises were it was down the whole trip so I never was able to get a cup.

The last cruise the machine ran out of Diet Coke (my main drink).  I mentioned it to one of the bartenders, and it was refilled within a couple of hours.

11 minutes ago, SFO Peter said:

Self bored hold on Koningsdam Jan 2022.   Did not keep one for Koningsdam Jan 2023 which I also bored.

 

 

It is strongly suggested by many security experts to never write your room number on a card.  You lose it, someone finds it and has access to your room until you discover it's missing and get a new one made!

As an alternative, if you carry a phone, take a picture of your room number when you first board. That separates the key from the location where the key can be used.

If you don't carry a phone, write it on a card and stick it in your wallet/purse.

Just a suggestion since we can't be to safe in today's world!

Mark

P.S. It might be that you wrote the room number after the cruise to remember where you were (I'm really bad at that!).  In this case, take this as a public service announcement for others.

P.P.S: The card came pre-punched on our last few cruises on the Nieuw Statendam.

Numbers and Dollar signs on restaurant menus 😞

On 9/23/2023 at 6:29 PM, ShipWalker said:

When I am on a ship I like to explore looking for out of the way things. “Secret” things and places if you must.

 

 

 

I thought I would share a few. Maybe you have some secrets to share, too.

 

 

 

On the Noordam and Eurodam (and maybe on others) there is what I call the acoustic chamber. There are two of these nearby to each other on of the two ships.

 

 

Stand in the center of it under the middle light and talk.  You will notice an “odd” occurrence. It is like talking in a sealed chamber. Nobody else nearby you will notice it but yourself.

 

The Pinnacle ships have the same thing at the lower entrances to the main stage.

Something to consider:  I don't know which ship you are on, but the Pinnacle ships (Kongingsdam, Nieuw Statendam, and Rotterdam) all have the Coke Freestyle machines.  They are usually working, and usually have several options for you like Sprite Zero, CF Diet Coke, Barq's Diet Root beer (which I believe is Caffeine Free, and some flavored waters that are usually sugar free.

You would need to get the Coke package (not the quench package), but it could be an option for you!

14 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

so what version of Android is acceptable to Navigator?

Android 10 and up...This was released in September, 2019

It is an Android choice/issue.  When developers release a new application or even an update to an existing application, Android has version requirements the application must meet to be in the app store.

Often it's due to security issues that get identified and fixed in newer versions that can't be fixed in older versions (the old cost vs. benefit equations), though sometimes it's changes that the old hardware can't support. 

And yes, as a developer, this whole subject can be very frustrating to us too!  After all, we also need to upgrade hardware.  BTW, Apple is the same too!

Had this happen before, but was getting the price online for a non-refundable fare vs. the TA with the normal (non-HIA) price.

On 7/22/2023 at 12:48 PM, C 2 C said:

I hate to say it but the role seems to be behind the scenes.  I found them practically invisible on N Statendam and Zaandam.  We are more accustomed to the Cruise Directors on Celebrity where they seem to be more visible.. (in our experience)

Could you be thinking of the Entertainment Director?  This is the person managing all of the entertainment and information presentations (including those of the Cruise & Travel Director).  This role is mostly admin & managerial, but some will interact more with the passengers.

On our Nieuw Statendam cruise that just ended, Clare was unbelievable as the Cruise & Travel Director, and Amanda (who explained how this all works at one of Clare's Coffee Chats) was out and about almost every evening.

Similar thing happened this weekend.  Used the Navigator App instead of the website and it said it was incomplete.

There was a field that is either only in the app or was just added.  I believe it was your emergency contact's country (but I could easily be wrong).

Edit: Either two of us have really bad memories, or it is the Emergency Contact's country😉

3 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

@fusion927, I asked the crew at sailaway whether someone in a wheelchair or scooter could gain access to the bow.  They said — and I quote — “If they can walk, then yes.”   😳   I kid you not.

Sounds like a non-answer to me 😵‍💫 But actually works for us (she can walk short distances and it's a light scooter I can carry over any threshold.

Thanks again...