NCTribeFan

That makes me very sad. I toured with Levi three different times in Dominica. He's a great guy and provided great tours.

I should also point out that it was quite cold on many of the days of my recent Rotterdam sailing, so that, naturally, forced more people to the indoor areas. Some hardy souls (I'm guessing those from Northern European/Scandinavian countries) were sitting out at the Sea View pool, but that's always an issue when the weather doesn't cooperate. I've been on a few Caribbean sailings when there was a lot of rain, and the ship (any ship) feels so much more crowded when folks can't sit by the open-air pools or up on the sun decks. So, the itinerary makes a difference.

Maybe. Our TA that left April 3rd was the 150th Anniversary sailing, so it was fairly full but didn't feel all that crowded. Not nearly as much as the following two 5-night sailings. @LAFFNVEGAS - I had Club Orange so never more than 1 person in line at the service desk, which was nice. I'm not a coffee drinker, so that wasn't an issue for me at GDC or Explorations. I did stop there for a sandwich and beer a couple of times and ended up sharing one of the large tables (I was solo). Too often, tables were full of people who weren't eating/drinking. And a hint to those getting beverages in the buffet - if you don't stop at the first station (that's between the port & starboard sides) near the midship elevators/stairs, and instead walk aft to one of the stations on either side, it's much less crowded. On those 10 days after the TA, the buffet stayed fairly full on the starboard side in the middle of the afternoon when only that side was open. It was easy enough to grab something and carry it over to the "closed" port side. Much less crowded and quieter.

The buffet felt much more crowded on the 2 5-night sailings after the recent TA. Maybe because there were a lot more younger couples with children than I've typically seen on HAL. I did have breakfast in the Club Orange dining room a few times just to avoid the crowds. Yes, the buffet was crowded at lunch but that's been the case on every ship I've ever sailed on every cruise line. I avoid the elevators. The stairs were nice and empty (most of the time). After we were sailing from Europe, there were a lot more people taking the stairs. IDK, maybe because it was a younger demographic with many more Europeans and fewer of my fellow Americans (who don't seem to think that stairs are ever an option). 😄 I loved the ship enough that I booked the westbound TA for October 2024. But then, I've enjoyed all the other HAL ships I've sailed, too (Zaandam, Zuiderdam, Eurodam, N. Amsterdam, Koningsdam).

I've added HIA to casino fares (not just "casino discount" but "free" cabins). BUT, I could not add it to the 2 5-night sailings I tacked on to the end of the Rotterdam TA I just did because those 2 segments were 5 nights each.

I booked the Rotterdam TA for October 2024 yesterday just to be sure I locked in the HAI Early Booking bonus. I just got back last Tuesday and didn't really want to put out a $600 deposit (plus Club Orange) but I was afraid to wait.

Got home last Tuesday after 26 nights on the ship, one night in Amsterdam, and two nights in Paris. I still haven't recovered! Absolutely loved the ship, so much so that yesterday I booked the westbound TA for October 2024. Loved having the Library. Just about the only place on the ship that didn't have the bad pop music blaring at all hours. I complained multiple times about that (as I do for every cruise I've ever taken). Great food, great service. Loved having the CO dining room. I miss Reggie. Also miss Jayson and Justin at the Ocean Bar. OK, I miss all of it. But I was ready to get home to some solitude. Those last 10 days were a bit too crowded with too many kids. I'm not used to that on HAL sailings, but I avoid the main pool area at most times. Too bad it was too cold most days to hang out at the aft pool. Confess that I was surprised at the level of rudeness by many of the people on those 2 short sailings. I doubt that I'll be booking any short segments in the future. But, overall, it was wonderful.

Just as I don't concur with the "once you sail in a 'whatever-category' cabin, you'll never go back," I also don't concur with that same thought regarding class of ship. But that's me. I've sailed in balcony cabins and, honestly, as a solo who needs to keep an eye on the budget, I just don't get that much value for the additional money. I don't live out on the balcony. They always seem to be either too cold or too hot. And as I noted, those large interior cabins on Vista and Signature ships are fabulous, especially if you do NOT get a connecting cabin. The orientation of the bed is different when there's a connecting door. Just be sure to book starboard so you aren't under the lounge with either BB Kings or the Rock band. Each class of ship has it's own personality. Really, every ship does, even within the same class. I don't mind the decor on Zuidy at all. As I said, I really, really liked Eurodam. I sailed Nieuw Amsterdam 3 weeks after Eurodam and didn't like it nearly as much. I also am not a fan of Grand Turk. Have been many times. One of the few ports where I sometimes just stay on the ship. I even get off in Nassau every time, but not Grand Turk. Detest the Margaritaville area (mostly because I detest Jimmy Buffet's music, which you cannot escape). I have very much enjoyed the Horseback Ride & Swim which I did on 4 consecutive stops there. Has been at least a decade, but it was great fun.

I board Rotterdam (Pinnacle class) tomorrow for 26 nights. I have sailed her sister ship, Koningsdam, and liked her very much. Much more modern decor than HAL's other ships. Have sailed Zuiderdam twice, most recently for 2 weeks to Alaska last June. I really like the layout of the Vista class. Eurodam (Signature class) is almost identical but has the wonderful Tamarind restaurant as well. I sailed Eurodam in November 2021, my first post-Covid sailing, and there were only 500 pax on board. That was fabulous. So far, she's my favorite. But the fact that there were so few pax on board and I was so delighted to be cruising again may have something to do with my perception of that cruise. I typically sail solo and book interior cabins, and the Vista and Signature classes both have these wonderful large interior cabins that are so roomy. Unfortunately, the Pinnacle class does not have this category cabin. I did have a verandah cabin on K'dam and it seemed slightly smaller than some balcony cabins I've had on other lines. Yes, the bigger and newer the ship, the more bells and whistles. While having more options is nice, I wouldn't hesitate to book either Zuiderdam or Eurodam again. Actually, I'm booked for 18 nights to Hawaii on Volendam, the smallest, oldest ship in the fleet. Having sailed her sister Zaandam to Hawaii on my first HAL cruise, I'm really looking forward to the ship. Such a nice, personalized feeling when sailing the smaller ships.

All the food looks so good!

I'll be disappointed if there's no LCS on the TA. I really enjoy them. Although I won't be at the M&G, I know what you look like, Ann, so I'll be on the lookout to say Hello!

I might have to have a lobster roll! Mostly packed. No idea if I can actually close the suitcase and, if I can, will it be over the weight limit. I have lots of warm clothing since I expect it to be chilly on the crossing and then on to Scandinavia and Scotland. Got my nails done, Flight isn't until 5 tomorrow afternoon, so plenty of time to repack if needed. Have to be sure I can get my toiletries and makeup in there. Those are more important than having another long-sleeve top or two. I am definitely not a fan of piano bars. I hope the BB Kings and Rolling Stones bands are as good as I hope they are. We didn't sign up for the M&G for the TA. Not sure why.

Oh, I see a library chair with my name on it. Well, not literally! But I can put a blanket in the seat, throw a book on it, and come back 3 hours later to sit and read. Again. I'm kidding! So looking forward to breakfast in the CO dining room. I like HAL's breakfast buffet, but that looks like such a nice space and great way to start the day. I'll start packing tomorrow afternoon, finish Saturday morning, hopefully. Get my nails done Sat afternoon. Do the last-minute stuff Sunday morning, then head to the airport around 2:30. Getting really excited for this! Just a little concerned about being able to pack enough "cool weather" clothes as well as dinner outfits. I imagine I'll be wearing the same outfits to dinner for several of those 26 nights. Going to have to forego bringing a different long dress for each Gala night. Oh well. No one will care except me!

Not booked for Tamarind until 4/14. I'm thinking I can't wait that long! I don't really drink a lot of mixed drinks. I'm mostly a beer & wine gal, but I think I need to make better use of HIA and try an Aperol spritz.

I've stayed at the HIE. Very convenient to shopping. There's a Priority lounge? If I have Club Orange can I hang out there? Of course, I hope to arrive relatively early and be able to just board. My friends are in one of the V verandah cabins with the big, angled balcony. I'm in an interior. Hope they won't mind if I live on their balcony. 😁 Can't believe I've never made it to Key West. I've had it on various itineraries and it was always cancelled (either the port stop or the entire sailing). I'll get there one day, I hope.

It's going to be epic! Plus those two days in Paris after the sailing and also going to be wonderful.

Hope you have a safe and uneventful flight. My DD has been in Ottawa since Friday and is flying home from Toronto later today. At least, the plan is to pick her up when she arrives at Raleigh-Durham some time around 8 pm. We *should* have nice weather here next Sunday, but when flying out later in the day, and not knowing where that equipment is flying earlier in the day, you just never know! Edit: and I just discovered that President Biden is flying in to Durham today. That should make things interesting at the airport. At least, he should be done and gone by the time her flight arrives.

Long travel day, for sure!

Really looking forward to having Club Orange and the private dining area. And hope the music (I don't include the piano bar (ugh) in that category) is as good as it usually is. Between BB Kings and the RS Rock band, I should get plenty of opportunities to dance the night away. And, of course, LCS just for relaxing and listening. But really looking forward to having a real library on a ship again. With all the sea days, and expecting it will be too cool to spend my time sitting outside and reading, I hope to spend a lot of time in the library. And that might help keep me out of the casino! That may be the first thing I do when I board next Monday - go to the library and "save" a seat by a window in the sun on the morning of 4/3). You know, just toss a beach towel (or blanket, as I expect we'll have for the crossing) and some assorted items (socks?) on a chair. Should've had a laminated "reserved" sign made up to bring. 😁 Just kidding, folks. Please don't attack me. But if it's anything like deck chairs, you know there will be people who get there at 5 am and put stuff on chairs and then don't actually show up until 11.

I've added it to casino bookings. Unfortunately, it isn't available for the 2 5-night sailings I added to the end of the 4/3 Rotterdam TA. The 2 5-nights were also sold as 1 10-night sailing, but because I booked the two separately (via the casino offers), I couldn't add HIA.

Flying to FLL a week from tomorrow, joining you on the 3rd. We'll be on for 26 nights, since we added the 2 5-night sailings after the TA, then 1 night in Amsterdam, train to Paris, and 2 nights there. Flying home on 5/2. It's going to be wonderful! Look forward to reading your impressions on this first leg.

I bring my own shampoo, conditioner & face wash. But I love the other Elemis products.

I have no need for twice-a-day service (I'm solo). Don't need towel animals. Don't need chocolates. Don't need an ice bucket. When cruising, I tend to shower in the evening then get ready for dinner, so having the cabin serviced while I'm out and about in the evening is perfect. Having the bed made and getting fresh towels is plenty for me. Sailing in 13 days! 😁

I uninstalled earlier today and reinstalled. Same error. Just tried again and got in. Now to see if the activities (sailing 4/3) have updated and show what (may) actually be schedule to happen on board! Nope. No daily activities at all now. Does show dining and excursions. Interestingly, it now shows my entire 26 nights under My Itinerary although this is booked as 3 separate bookings. Don't think I've had that on prior B2Bs (but I could be wrong; if it was longer than 2 hours ago, I've probably just forgotten!).

Hope Rotterdam has the same menu in a couple of weeks. I really want that Saturday night shrimp! But if it doesn't, I'll find something else yummy.