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I have had mini bar charges added when we did not touch the mini bar. On our last cruise, we had the mini bar inspector look while we were there and sign that it was complete. I've been on over 100 cruises and HAL is the only one who charged me incorrectly.

Holland America has a hugh markup on wine. Their $11.50 per glass ( plus gratuity) Ruffino Pinot Grigio sells for $6.99 a BOTTLE at Total Wine.

Buy a bottle or 2 on land and pay the $18 corkage. You will have wider choices and will pay less.

I agree BYOB and pay the corkage. You will be dollars ahead.

For a few dollars HAL has caused a lot of ill will. This is a social media site and people will see this and remember it.

 

HAL obviously is more concerned about the almighty dollar than keeping their loyal customers.

 

Hal demonstrates this in many ways. The bottom line seems to be their main concern.

Lots of children. There were a few who were running around playing tag but most were well behaved.

They are promoting it as a sports bar. Lots of tv's with sporting events.

One thing that I noticed on the Koningsdam was that a glass of Ruffino pinot grigio was $11.50 + 15% gratuity. I asked to see the bottle. Sure enough it was Lumina, the same thing that I buy for $6.99 per bottle. So, I could buy 2 bottles at home for the price of one glass on HAL.

Do you have to pay the charge at the pier or does it go on your onboard account?

You can leave your luggage at the airport ( Bags to go) $7 per bag, I think and take public bus 1 to Las Olas. It's about a 20 min ride and costs $2 ( exact bills) . There are lots of restaurants there and a water taxi stop. Just be sure to get back to the airport before the luggage storage facility closes. It's at 5:30 as I recall.

I'm not sure that Holland Amerca will let you board without a passport. Check with them and find a place to get one expedited if necessary.

They seem to be sending many of them and most are not good deals.

Great advice. Thank you for sharing. Also points out how valuable a travel agent can be.

The first night when some have not received luggage, t-shirts will be seen and no one will comment-.However, after that, proper dress (no t-shirts) is requested in the main dining room. There are buffets for all meals if on doesn't want to dress for the dining room.

I left my luggage while doing an overnight to Orvieto. I worked well but the wait to check luggage was very long 30-45 min. The security is good. It was quite quick to pick it up, less than 5 min.

My first cruise was in the early 80's on the Amerikanis. A few years ago, I sailed on the Constellation. The Constellation's captain's first ship was the Amerikanis. He had the metal sculptures from the Amerikanis brought onto the Constellation. They were ( and maybe still are) on display on the wall in the pool area.

When he heard , through friends of ours, that our first cruise was on the Amerikanis, we received an invitation to the officer's table . We were treated like royalty. He had other obligations so I never met him, but I was so pleased that we had a bond in our lmemories of the Amerikanis.