eculmone

12 hours ago, Crew News said:

 

I agree but you will be guaranteed a lounger with a Retreat cabana. Passengers have yet to realize that all of the cabanas/loungers overlooking the indoor pool are open to all and only a few steps from the NY Pizza & Deli.

 

I will be taking Retreat photos later this week.

Are you suggesting they are 'open to all' meaning you do not need to rent a cabana to sit in those loungers?

13 hours ago, Happily@Sea said:

 

That single piece of paper that you get - with the officers' pictures on one side - has the week's [whole cruise if longer] main entertainment and other special events listed. - also has the Gala nights indicated - on the other side. At least we were still getting that sheet earlier this year. It's on heavier paper - not the usual handouts.

 

Lovely tidbits to read while lounging on deck  😍 I'm too excited. Clothing packed, wait. Forgot my nightlight... lol ok heading off to the dollar store (where nothing is a dollar anymore) 🤨😎

4 hours ago, rboysinmt said:

It's all a matter of opinion, and choices.  My husband likes the coffee, he puts cream in it.  I think it's horrible, they make it overly strong, it's good with a little Bailey's though.  If you're a coffee snob, you can go to the coffee cafe' which isn't bad.  If you K-cup, be sure to hide it because it's unauthorized. (could start a fire, like an iron, etc) 

 

Well, I don't think I'm a coffee snob 😂 BUT I do enjoy an exceptional cup of coffee and an espresso and latte too... so it looks like I AM A COFFEE SNOB 😳😂 Its the little things that make me happy and an excellent cup of coffee is one of the little things 💝 See you all soon xo

2 minutes ago, jonyboy said:

It's not so much as good vs bad seating, but what you prefer.  I like a table at a window so there is a nice view during dinner

Thanks - another crazy question, we requested late seating and said table of 8 even though we are a party of 4 - we were hoping to mingle with other guests. Will we be seated with others? Or should I amend our table request to just 4 instead of 8? Not really sure what I'm doing... 😜

Also someone stated Coffee was 'horrible'. Tell me this isn't so? I do need a good cup of java to kick start my day 😳

On 11/22/2019 at 5:31 PM, KroozNut said:

 

We prefer to take the guesswork out of this process. Prior to our sailing we review the MDR diagrams (available online) for the particular ship we're sailing, then select a few (3-5) specific tables that we'd be happy with.

 

Next we contact the ship's coordinator for our ship at HAL's ship services via email and provide the table numbers we selected requesting to be assigned to one of those tables. The ship's coordinator will communicate your preferences to the ship's dining room staff, and confirm your assigned table back to you via email.

 

This method has worked every time for us, and we have always been assigned to one of the tables requested.

 

As an example, we already have our table assignment for our next cruise in March 2020. 🙂  

I'm curious as to why people want/need to know their seat assignments? I've never been on Holland and now I'm worried I will have horrible seating if I don't pick something? Is there a suggestion or preferred seating? Thanks 

14 minutes ago, Crew News said:

 

There used to ba a large free tour on Embarkation Day but there is now just an orientation in the show room.  I do my own private tour for roll call members at 2:00 PM on every Embarkation Day so that they will not have to carry ship deck plans with them the first few days.

What a lovely, wonderful and kind thing to do. Wish we were on your cruise. Happy Holidays 'Crew News' aka Santa? 😊

Good to know thank you

On 12/12/2019 at 9:46 AM, Crew News said:

 

Thanks for following.  As posted earlier, boarding should be starting at 11:30 AM.  Please join my 2:00 PM ship tour on Embarkation Day as posted on your roll call.

We are boarding on Dec. 22nd,  1) is there a fee to go on a ship tour? And 2) how do I sign up? Sorry new here havent cruised in a few years and first time with HAL 😄 

oops newbie here... forgot lol 

On 11/19/2019 at 11:12 AM, kazu said:

 

We’ve always had the menus delivered for the evening meal in the MDR - they are left that morning after the room has been attended to by the stewards.

 

This may be changing with the Navigator app, but it was still the case on our last two cruises and the Navigator was working and in play at the time.

I'm having trouble logging into Navigator app 😕 Could it be I have to wait until my trip? We board in 6 days 😊

On 7/12/2018 at 9:08 PM, Judie said:

Our doctor who has been on over 60cruises says the average weight gain is this: for a 10 day cruise, you’ll gain 5 pounds, but you’ll lose half of that within a couple days at home. So that leaves 2.5 pounds that you’ll need to lose after your cruise.

 

For a 7 day cruise, you’ll gain 3.5pounds, but you’ll lose 1.75pounds quickly. That leaves 1.75 pounds you’ll need to lose.

 

I agree that taking the stairs and walking as much as possible is key!

 

It takes 3,200 calories to gain or lose a pound.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

😂 knife/fork - check; napkin - check 🍴

27 minutes ago, ger_77 said:

Welcome to Holland America Line!  Yes, you will have to wait a number of cruises until you achieve more stars to qualify for the discounts on wine packages.  We hope you enjoy your time aboard the Dam ships.

 

Smooth Sailing!  🙂🙂🙂

OR I could follow behind a 5* and say 'I'm with them' 😂

14 hours ago, kazu said:

 

You can decide to pay corkage ($18 USD) and then you can enjoy the bottle in any public area on the ship - not just your room 😉 

There are some decent selections in the Sommelier packages and the price improves if you are at least 3 or 4* Mariner for the discounts 😉 

I was given a Mariner number but this is my first Holland cruise so I guess I wouldn't qualify? Will probably be stuck swabbing the decks? lol 

Um HOLY COW I just looked at the wines offered for sale... apparently savings up to 25% if you order ahead. The Barringers I drink here is $17 bottle but $75 on the Ship. OUCH. Sorry, that's so surprising as well. We are Canadian so US funds are an additional %35 more to convert to us funds... Hmmmm deciding possibly no alcohol 😞 Waaaaaa OR each of us carry on a bottle in our carry ons? so 4 bottles reasonable (but I have to drink in my room?) plus 2 crazy $$$ expensive on the ship. 

Thank you Crew News for all your posts. I'm new to Holland. Not a pop drinker or a big alcohol consumer. I like a glass of wine with dinner and I'll probably enjoy a 'drink of the day special' if they have? I heard they offer a happy hour? Any idea of the best bang for my buck? I'm thinking possibly a bottle at dinner which would be one glass for each of us in our party? (4) 🙂 

Looking for ideas at each port. Best/worst experiences at one or/both? Shopping unfortunately will be out or limited as it's Christmas and Boxing day concurrently at each port 😞 So what beaches or experiences would you recommend? We will be in Aruba in February for another vacation staying on/at Eagle Beach area... but I've heard of Flamingo Beach? We are two young at heart seniors with two young adults. Hoping for the best of both worlds - All ideas welcome 🙂 

SO $960 PLUS IN BEVERAGES Ahhhhh that's a lot of beverages Who would ever think this is a good deal? Plus 15% extra gratuity Not gonna happen for us :cool:

The current pre purchase price of the ultimate drink package is $54/pp in the stateroom per DAY! :eek:

Two adults at $54 pp x2 x 7 days = $756 plus I would also have to purchase my daughters non alcoholic beverage package at $30 plus x 7 day cruise $210 HOLY GUACAMOLE :eek:

Thank you sooooooo much gonna check this out now. So excited :D

Thank you for all the info. I was looking at online bottles to purchase on the ship and they are $30 vs a $15 corkage fee it might just better to purchase a bottle at dinner and then don't they transfer the rest if not finished to the next night? They did that for us on Disney - The unfinished bottle just arrived at our table each night :D

I'm also looking for an idea on pricing for purchasing booze at the bars? i.e. martini's, drink specials - scotch for my husband or specialty coffee's??? Does anyone know where I can find a price list so I have an idea on how to budget? The drink package is way to $$$ as I don't drink alcohol or pop and my daughter and I would have to purchase as well if my husband wants it, so it's better to just order a daily specialty drink for me once a day and DH's per drink. Any info is greatly appreciated :)

Anyone know what the rules are for bringing alcohol onboard?

Another thing that bothers me is when people put their room service trays in the hall. The halls are narrow and the trays could be a safety hazard as people could trip on them. Also it is just plain unsightly to look at left over food on the floor.

Ya but does that mean you have to smell the left over food in your room all night??:(