Crew News

Since the restart of cruising, I have noticed that there is now an Embarkation Day Specialty Restaurant booking podium near the Hydrotherapy Pool entrance that might save some waiting in the long lines across from the Pinnacle Grill.

Actually, two free dinners. You are correct. Your Specialty restaurant credit will be one of the first entries on your onboard account. To be safe, do not make your reservations until onboard.

My entire itinerary was reversed last year in the Caribbean and all HAL shore excursions were automatically updated. Those with private excursions were really upset.

There is a discount for the Premium internet package if purchased before boarding, It is my experience that the price of internet has no discounts if purchased onboard. Of course the price drops during the cruise as you purchase fewer days of service.

This link should help you: Alaska Free Wifi

Here are the drinks included on the various beverage packages: Beverage Package Drinks

Still waiting for my promised tiles for Nieuw Statendam last November. Remind the Front Desk and you will get your copper medallion. The only issue will be either from the Captain or your Room Steward.

The schedule before Embarkation Day is an outline of regularly scheduled events that have been reported to Seattle HQ. The ship prints its own schedule (When & Where) that is more complete with a copy available on Embarkation Day. and then each evening for the next day. I would not count on the Navigator app until you board the ship and all of your information is transferred to the ship computers. This can take several hours to upload your reservations and excursions.

Any aft-facing stateroom is great for photographing what is happening on both sides of the ship without leaving your balcony. Since you are just a short elevator ride from the Room Service kitchen, you will have hot eggs for breakfast. There is no wind while the ship is moving so you can spend a lot of time on your balcony without your food blowing away. Enjoy!!

HAL has three Gala Night menus that are standard across the fleet and tend to continue for several years. The first and second Gala Nights use the silver and gold menus, respectively. There may be supply issues that cause an item or two to be changed. Silver Menu Gold Menu

Every restaurant on my last four cruises since November has handed me a paper menu. Bars also have paper menus at hand if needed.

Regular-size bottles of mouthwash have never been taken from me. The seals are never broken just in case until after I am aboard.

It was allowed for me in April out of San Diego and two cruises out of Fort Lauderdale last winter.

It is my experience that the HAL bartenders can make almost any drink if they have the mixer/ingredients. Just ask. There is usually an exotic drink of the day on every cruise that may not be on the regular menu. Here is a link to all of the HAL beverage menus: HAL Beverage Menus

For a bit more than the airfare from San Diego to Vancouver, a 5-day verandah stateroom on the Volendam will be a period of relaxation before the busy 14-Day Alaska cruise.

My experience is the first two weeks of May have historically less rain than other months, lower fares for both planes and cruises, still snow on the peaks, lots of new creatures seeing life, many baby humpbacks leaping out of the water, and fewer kids onboard with schools still in session.

Four excursions with them. Comfortable and lots of viewing/photo opportunities with little competition for space.

On the Nieuw Statendam:

If you like a lot of ice, your Room Steward will be happy fill your collapsible cooler if you bring one.

Enjoy a full day in Victoria by adding a Volendam Pacific Coastal cruise from San Diego that will place you in Vancouver the day before the May 7th 14-day Alaska cruise.

I am booked on the May 7, 2023 14-Day cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam. The last time I was on a similar itinerary was aboard the Zandaam and included stops in Homer and Whittier. The photo opportunities for these 14-Day cruises are excellent and the May weather usually the best of the season.

The true value of Club Orange is for the upgrade to the best stateroom in the category.that will save much more than the cost of Club Orange.

My very experienced luggage includes blue Delsey clamshell spinners, EagleCreek garment folder for hangup clothes, foldable blue travel duffel, a blue two-wheel TravelPro carry-on roller bag, and various camera bags. My previous TravelPro carry-on lasted 16 years before an irreplaceable wheel broke while disembarking the Zuiderdam in April. Spinners are great until you encounter carpeted hotels and cruise ships during self disembarking.

Cruising Alaska in October is not wise. It is one of the most rainy months, many of the shops and excursions are not available, typhoon season, and the temps are quite cold. I would recommend a Pacific Coastal cruise from Vancouver to San Diego (5 days) on one of the HAL ships leaving Alaska and heading to Fort Lauderdale via the Panama Canal. The weather along the California coast will be much better/warmer and you can get an idea of life aboard a HAL ship.

Hats and noise makers for all MDR guests. If history repeats from 2021, you will have free lobster in the MDR. 2021 MDR New Years Eve Menu 2021 NYE PG Menu