shrimpboat123

You are better off waiting to purchase your internet package when you get on board. If you have any HAL OBC (non-refundable), the internet purchase will help reduce that OBC and hence ensuring you don't leave any on the table and lose it at the end of the cruise.

1 hour ago, Dietemann said:

Schiff is correct, means Ship. Schimpf is scolding, we don't do that with someone who gives us such wonderful reports about cruising.

Jacqui and I are neighbours and I couldn't resist the opportunity to make a joke since that is my last name. I constantly remind people what my name means as I shake my finger at them. 😁

37 minutes ago, kazu said:

The Mein Schimpf can be seen here.  It’s followed us to 3 ports.  Thankfully we will be rid of it the next day 😉 

I didn't know I had a ship named after me! 😊

There are self serve laundry facilities at the hotel locations. You'll need lots of quarters for the machines. I believe soap was provided. 

16 hours ago, shrimpboat123 said:

 

I was really hoping the O was going to dock right beside us since she was following us in.

 

Be sure to watch the Panama Canal web cam tomorrow and see if both ships transit one after the other. We're doing a half transit on Zuiderdam and the O is doing a full transit.

Well the Oosterdam didn't follow behind us for the transit into Gatun Lake. I did however just look out and see her passing by. Here is a picture of her heading to the west coast.

2 hours ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

That is really cool!!

 

Great pictures -- thank you for sharing them.

I was really hoping the O was going to dock right beside us since she was following us in.

Be sure to watch the Panama Canal web cam tomorrow and see if both ships transit one after the other. We're doing a half transit on Zuiderdam and the O is doing a full transit.

9 hours ago, kazu said:

Back on board the lovely Prinsendam as we sail out of Cartagena.

 

Here is today’s When and Where:

 

 

 

We didn't see you in Cartagena today. Oh right you're in Spain and we're in Columbia. My mistake! 😁

Some pictures of Zuiderdam and Oosterdam in Cartagena, Columbia today.

1 hour ago, kdakda said:

We did a 10 day partial Canal in January and had a wonderful time.   Hadn't sailed Holland America in years and thought the crew were phenomenal!    Our balcony had a bit of rust, but otherwise didn't see anything of concern.   

Did the cabins have the new interactive TV system installed? Can you view an array of movies, check your account from the TV and see the dining room daily menus etc? 

Boarding in a week.

For over two weeks now, I have been unable to access Specialty Dining for my booked cruise on the Zuiderdam next month. After logging in and accessing my booking, I get this message back after I click on "Dining" -  "We're sorry, it looks like we're having trouble getting the information we need to display the page. Please try again or come back later."

1 hour ago, TAD2005 said:

Just like any online purchase with HAL, the money comes out of your pocket.   If you wait to buy it onboard, you can use your HAL or TA provided cabin credits.   Unlike shore excursions, there is no chance they will run out of internet packages and wait list you.   If you do have OBC, then wait until you get onboard.   Who cares if you have internet booked before you board the ship ?  Signing up takes 2 minutes on your device.   HAL would love it if people used their own cash to buy the internet packages, instead of the free HAL provided OBC.

I totally agree. What better way to use up that non-refundable OBC. Plus there is no real benefit to purchasing the Premium Plan.

I just looked at my 11 day Zuiderdam cruise and it offers the Premium Plan for $151.99. Seems to be a few $ cheaper than the price that is offered on board. At least if you go by the price table in this thread ($189.99 for 11 days):

Looks like HAL is pushing the Premium Plan at a slight discount if purchased ahead of time. Not sure it's worth the few $ you might save, especially if you only really need the Surf Plan and you want to use your OBC.

Nothing is ever straight forward these days. 

1 hour ago, aussielozzie18 said:

Just a heads up, if you haven't seen it already, I am currently doing a review of my recent cruise on the Noordam this month - in the Australian & New Zealand cruisers forum. 

 

Lots of photos.

 

Sorry don't know how to do a link.

Here's the link to your review:  

3 hours ago, POA1 said:

 

Maybe we should try to get a set. We can give them as welcome gifts to CC members coming to picturesque Fort Lauderdale. 

I remembered the topic came up back a couple of years ago regarding the new shot glasses and the different logos on them. Here is the link to the discussion in case anyone would like to refresh their memory.

And thanks for the honourable mention a few posts back in Gand Turk. I remember that day well.

There is no Wi-Fi, but one time I did notice a Cell Tower and I did receive a signal on my iPhone. IIRC the provider was Bahamian Tel.

The deck plans for both the Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam indicate a shower only in the Vista suites.

We had 7193 on the K and only had a shower.

They're pretty much all the same. Small size differences depending on the location. As you said, it's all about the location.

Fingers crossed.

Wow, that was too easy!

i know that this question may have been asked before, but here it goes anyway. Do you get priority boarding when you are in a signature suite? Thanks for taking the time to reply....

Priority Boarding applies to 4 & 5 Star Mariners as well as Neptune and Pinnacle Suites (star status doesn't matter for these two suites). Sorry to burst your bubble :D.

They are 1 litre bottles. Be sure to ask for "delivery at sea" to avoid paying state tax. It will most likely be in your room when you arrive.

Does anyone have pics of the verandahs for the aft rooms on the Koningsdam? Can't find the info anywhere. Thanks.

We stayed in an aft Vista Suite (7193) back in Dec 2016. Balcony is 9ft 9in x 8ft 2in. Pictures can be seen at

http://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/7193-koningsdam/

Question about purchasing a wine package...

 

I will be purchasing a wine package for my Father and I on our upcoming cruise. If we drink all of it by, say, mid-way through the cruise, can we purchase an additional package? Or can we only purchase in the first days on the ship.

 

Thanks!

 

Deb

You can purchase a wine package at any time during your cruise. You can get different packages with different quantities of bottles.

So today I get an email from HAL wishing me a happy birthday. In the email there are a number of links to explore various itineraries for different regions. When I clicked on them, each one takes me into the old HAL website.

Looks like the left hand doesn't know what the right hand is doing!!! :)

We have some Good News and we have some Bad News!

I went into the new site tonight and was able to login and see my Cruise History. All the History was there and the summary of my Mariner Status..... "Total Cruise Days Credits", "Cruise Days", and "Bonus Cruise Days" were all correct.

The actual Cruise History was all there and correct. The math they are using to present the numbers for each cruise is flawed. Under the column "Credits earned" which is further summarized as "Cruise Day", "On Board Spending" and "Suite Bonus" they are using incorrect numbers for "Cruise Day".

Hope they figure it out. One step forward and two steps back. :D

Steamworks is a short walk down W Cordova St. Very good food. About a 10 minute walk towards Gastown.