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Since you hadn't posted a photo of the "Mast Coin" I was curious if you found it while wandering outside on the upper decks?  It's one of those hidden jewels that can be found on every 'dam ship.  If you didn't, it's just another reason to book another HAL cruise.

So long as you order the day before, you can generally have most anything prepared for you, Indian or not.  This is the manner that HAL uses for those with special restrictions and diets, whether for medical, religious or just preferential reasons; my SIL has made extensive use of this feature on her HAL cruises.

Thanks again for your great photos and thoughts; your report has been thorough and easy to read. 🥂

I noticed yesterday (12 March) on the Navigator App that the events for embarkation day on 17 March for Rotterdam says: "12:00 AM DR Lunch CLOSED Dining Room, 2" and previously it said "12:00 PM Embarkation Lunch Dining Room, 2".  I wondered what was going on.

I agree with everyone who wonders how HAL could wonder why so few attended knowing that they never mention it in their boarding process and, as mentioned, everyone is directed to the Lido Deck who asks about lunch.  Sounds like an excuse that doesn't hold water to me.  🤥

Chalk another nice experience gone to the cost cutting floor...... 🤨

Have very much enjoyed your trip report.  We will be back on Rotterdam in a little over a week for 12 days.  We were last on her in December 2023 and she is our favorite 'dam ship.

It seems many of us 'dutchy' males are over 6 feet (I'm 6'4" and shrinking now, I think gravity is drawing it all towards my middle) and are white haired and white bearded wizards.  My father's mother emigrated from the Netherlands to the US in 1906 on SS Noordam, my father's father in 1894 on SS Amsterdam, both through Ellis Island also.  Both were very young and I never had the opportunity to ask of their memories of their passage sadly.  My mother's family similarly emigrated from the Netherlands in the middle 1800's before HAL was around.

Thank you for the great photos and comments on your experience.  Yes, we all have different experiences on the same cruise, as much due to our expectations as to their methods and means of fulfillment.

Still waiting on 12/15 - 12/22 Rotterdam cruise Mariner points to post to all 4 individual accounts.  Ordinarily, 7 - 10 days is pretty accurate. 

We used a free inside offer for an Alaska cruise just this past July.  While you do have to pay taxes and port fees, and (should pay) gratuities, what you get for free is the cruise fare.  We were able to purchase HIA and CO even though the offer said they would not be available.  We did not upgrade so can't address that other than to say what others have already said.  Everything else is the same as usual.  I would call the number as you have to use the fare code indicated and they do limit the number of rooms available, which will be probably in the least desirable areas.  All that said, we had a great time.  Everything about our cruise was identical to what we would expect if we'd paid the full fare.  I would do it again were I to get another such offer.  How to do that is anyone's guess.

Sad news to read of... condolences to those he loved and loved him.

11 minutes ago, POA1 said:

We do not overpack. This is mostly laboratory equipment.

@POA1... holy smokes!  Now I understand the UberXL.  Of course, I expect my MIL alone will be bringing this same amount of luggage for our 7 day Rotterdam cruise on the 15th...  I have to cram us, them and all the luggage into a Honda CR-V.  But I have learned how to avoid 4 hours of non-stop chatter from her by placing my suitcase in a plastic bag (think garbage bag) and bungie cording it to the roof of the Honda.... much less grating on the nerves...😏

Both of you: have a great cruise!  We were last on NS back in 2017 but she was a beautiful ship then and I expect is still.  Thanks for all your research and measurements!

No issues here with Chrome browser on W11Pro.  Took a bit of time, likely to access and download cached files and media, the first time, but is quick now.  On login, all my booked cruises show up, I'm who I expect to be and my history is complete.  All the pages work in "Manage My Cruise" for each cruise, all the booking numbers are correct.  Just did my final payment for a March cruise and received the emailed notification before I logged out of the website.  I'm seeing great improvement so far....

17 hours ago, Ilovesailaway said:

By the same logic shouldn't share holders only get OBC if they are approved for it before they book?

Never mistake HAL with logic...... 🤔

2 hours ago, kirkc said:

The only downside so far on the Rotterdam has been the smell of cigarette smoke in Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Rock Room. There is a staircase between the two that leads up to the casino. The smoke from the casino flows down and makes the  two venues very unpleasant and frankly, stinky. They need to stop allowing smoking in the casino. IMO. We won’t/can’t attend the venues. 

1 hour ago, pedirn said:

We have not noticed any smell of cigarettes in either Billboard or Rock and Roll room but maybe we aren’t as sensitive to it.     Had dinner in Pinnacle and it surpassed the dinner we had there in March.   Since tip is included/added we never feel the need to add extra. But our server Yuli went above board and definitely earned the extra tip we left.   She is definitely an asset to HA.   Tonight is Tamarind and we are hoping for an excellent experience there.   Tomorrow is Canaleto.    

We've had occasions where the smoke has been an issue when we have been in Billboard Onboard/RSRR and other times not so.  It's been rather inconsistent for us.  When it has been an issue, we leave.  Not sure what the difference is between noticing and not noticing though but I suppose it would have something to do with the air flow, number of smokers and their location in the casino and where we are sitting down below.  My preference would be that HAL eliminate all inside smoking at least and we do mention it on the survey when it has been an issue.

We have found that service and the food in Pinnacle Grill has generally been on the downhill slide since the return to cruising after COVID.  My thoughts here are a combination of new servers/chefs and an increase in volume with all of the HIA promotions has contributed to this venue becoming more like "Outback" than less special than it used to be. 

It's a shame that the talk on the Canal didn't include how the new locks (Agua Clara Locks) work.  My guess is, as you pointed out, the presentation is scripted and designed to encourage excursion purchases, one of which likely takes you to the view point over the locks, where you do learn how they work.  It is an intricate system of reservoirs next to the locks themselves and is all gravity driven like the original locks.  Tugs are used instead of the "mules" to move and hold vessels in place and rolling locks instead of the hinged lock system are used.  Pretty neat to watch the operation of them.

Continue enjoying your cruise Roy and thanks for the effort here!

Adding my best wishes for a great adventure and thanks for the ride along, Roy.  Glad you are cruising again.  We will be on board Rotterdam in December and are also interested in knowing if there has been any announcements about LCS and their "rotating" schedule.

On 11/6/2023 at 1:53 PM, ROUS said:

Same here. Last month, it went as smooth as silk. There just must have been something there that triggered theiŕ server's defenses this time.

It took a little longer than it has for the last few cruises we've taken but I got confirmation last night that my SHB will be applied to my March 2024 cruise.  Hope you've also had a positive outcome!

26 minutes ago, ROUS said:

Actually, I think it was my attached pdf.  I attached my brokerage statement as a pdf and, for some reason, their email server didn't like it.  I read the "undeliverable" code that I'd gotten back from them and found statements about suspected spam.

 

So, I tried it again today and this time I embedded screen shots of those statement pages into the email instead of attaching that pdf.  It went through just fine and I got the confirmation email.  Beats me.

That is rather odd.  I extract the page that lists my CCL holding from the entire PDF document and then redact all the unrelated material on the page and send only this 1 page to them.  I've never had a problem doing this.  I hope yours goes smoothly this time. 🙂

12 hours ago, ROUS said:

Hmmm.  I just requested my shareholder credit and the email is bouncing back as undeliverable.  Either they've changed the email address or they're having an email server problem.  I'll try it again tomorrow.

I just sent mine in about 10 minutes ago for a March 2024 cruise.  I have received the auto-response just now and expect the confirmation in minutes to a day or so.

Perhaps the issue is that the incoming mailbox was full so was bouncing as they don't process these over the weekend.  I'd try again soon!

Good luck!

Thanks for all your efforts Jacqui.  I will say that our last few experiences in the PG have been lackluster, with indifferent service and fast food steakhouse quality food.  We will not go back there, period.  It's disappointing but I blame the HIA promotion for it mostly and the post COVID "we'd rather not work" attitude for the rest of it.  We'll be using Tamarind from now on and just hope the malaise doesn't travel there too.

Again, thanks for your efforts!

7 minutes ago, Hobie said:

What is the correct email address to request HAL shareholder obc?

I thought I had read that the e-mail address had changed but I cannot find that information.

Thank you.

CCLshareholderHAL@hollandamerica.com

1 hour ago, 1ANGELCAT said:

My goal is to get as many sea days as Joska has. Somehow, I don’t think it will happen 🚢😀

And Joska's replacement is already racking up the sea days!! 🤣🦮 We met them on last year's 150th TA (no replacement 🦮 then), Joska was the hit of the Crow's Nest as she visited with everyone until needed.

On 10/15/2023 at 10:21 AM, 0106 said:

This morning Dr Hardy the guest lecturer spoke on the marine life in Atlantic.  Much better than his first lecture.

 

Happy to be watching the Ravens by the Seaview pool!

Glad that your lecturer warmed up and delivered a better session!

I'm thinking you are at the Lido pool here.... and not far from the Lido Bar! 😂

1 hour ago, MikeD4134 said:

 

On my 13+ cruises the credit has always been on my statement on day 1, as soon as I embark.

Ditto for me.  However, you should be able to see the result of the credit when you sign into your HAL account (desktop version, not app) and go to "My Bookings" and click on "Manage Payments", you should be able to see on board credits there.  Not broken out by type necessarily but if you've been tracking your OBC, you should see the increase.  That is, of course, when the 🤬 HAL desktop website is working!

My daughter did the arts classes on Eurodam during July in Alaska... she loved the tutor, who seemed quite gifted in both art and teaching.  His classes in painting, calligraphy and origami were packed each time and he added classes due to this.  The classes were free except for the paint on canvas class, which was indeed $25 for the canvas, which just fit into a checked suitcase bag.

14 hours ago, kazu said:

 

It’s easy to find, Gail.  Best chocolate IMO and if you shop there, she has a nice thermal bag she sold for a nominal price to protect the chocolate.  Hope she still does 🤞 

 

I will try to remember to post a pic tomorrow for you during my 7 hour (ugh) layover in Toronto.

We didn't know what real chocolate was until we had real Belgian chocolate on the shuttle ride from Zeebrugge to Bruges during a port call in 2011.... best ever!  You really can't go wrong there for chocolate. 🫠

I've always wanted to do this trip and your report only makes me sure I want to go... thanks for all the work John, very nice report!

Have a terrific time in Amsterdam and on board Rotterdam Jacqui!  She is our favorite ship these days and we'll be sailing her in December and March; she'll take good care of you.  Best wishes!

This topic has me reminiscing over my many photos from my many visits to the D-Day beaches in Normandy. 

One of the most memorable and touching spots we visited, 1 week prior to the 70th anniversary, was the church in the commune of Angoville-au-Plain, where it is said a miracle occurred during 3 days of intense fighting between members of the US 2d Battalion, 501st PIR, 101st Airborne and elements of the German 6th Parachute Regiment, 2d Parachute Division.  The commune changed hands between the Americans and Germans several times in these 3 days; there were many wounded GIs, Germans and French civilians being cared for by 2 US medics in the church of the commune.  While battles raged around the church, the church itself became a haven for wounded from all sides, who only had to lay their weapons down before entering; all were treated equally by the 2 medics.  Whenever the Germans occupied the commune, realizing that the medics were caring for friend and foe alike, they left the church and all in it alone.  There is the story of a German mortar round that fell on the church, through the roof and onto the stone floor among the wounded, shattering the stone but not exploding; the roof and floor have never been repaired.  "Sacred blood" stains from the wounded are preserved on the pews and floor and were still visible in 2013.  Unknown to the 2 medics and the combatants, the church was built during the 11th century in honor of Saints Cosmas and Damian, twins who are patron saints of physicians and surgeons.

These are the kinds of places and memories that are found throughout this region.  Seeing for ourselves the places where our fathers and grandfathers, uncles, cousins, brothers and friends made sacrifices unimaginable to many of us helps in understanding those who are doing the same thing today for us.  I'll be back to this region again and hope to visit and re-visit others where Freedom has been won and defended so I can say "Thank you".