*Miss G*

I would keep my fingers crossed for the planets to align and have a backup plan in hand. My first plan would be to catch a flight to Nassau or Eleuthra and get a ferry or private transfer to Half Moon Cay. We know the staff live off the island somewhere! You could maybe catch a ride in with them. Now that would be an adventure. lol

My second plan would be to fly to Aruba. Speak with HAL to confirm and keep their number handy as blizzardboy suggests. In December we had a number of people board at one of our ports a few days later due to weather delays.

Safe travels!

People are creatures of habit. Once everyone familiarizes themselves with the ship a pattern will start to emerge. Makes it pretty easy to find people after that. Have a great time!

The daily menu was always correct on the Navigator app. They do not post them for the week.

But doesn't the late night buffet start at 10pm?

Finally caught up on your thread following my trip, Roy. Looking forward to the ship change!

I have an 11:40 flight (booked thru HAL) after my cruise ending Dec 2 in Ft Lauderdale. Need suggestions / reassurances on the speediest way to get off the ship and to the airport to make my flight (international). Thanks.

This is important if you are disembarking from a TA (since there are a lot of non-US passport holders on those ships): Canadian passport holders are always allowed to use the US passport holder line. Barring that, a NEXUS pass allows you to use the Global Entry line.

IMO you did not miss anything, as your Post "shared this information with all members". Perhaps the complaining Poster just doesn't understand links and their use. In any event, thank you kindly for sharing the HAL "Romantic Occasions" link!!!

Smooth sailing :ship: :ship: :ship:

Ahh. Now I understand. Thank you. And you are welcome. :)

How are the Nieuw Amsterdam beds?????? I have always asked for a topper because the beds were rock hard.

I found them quite comfortable in December. :)

Thank you so much!!

You are very welcome. :)

Not criticizing, but it would be helpful if you shared this information with all members.

I don't understand. There's a link to the information. What am I missing?

Ringrazio Miss G per la sollecita risposta; valuterò ora cosa fare

Il piacere è tutto mio. Fai buon viaggio!

Grazie per le risposte circa la temperatura. Avrei un'altra domanda per avere informazioni sul ROV (rinnovo della promessa della matrimonio) dove dovrei guardare?

We purchased this as a surprise gift for my parents' 50th. It was very nice.

https://stage.hollandamerica.com/assets/news/PR_Weddings.pdf

I should add that your room stewards will always drop by to introduce themselves the first day. This is a good time to ask them any questions. They are always very helpful.

I will be travelling on a 10 night cruise out of Rome in April on the Koningsdam. I have a few questions, hoping you all can help.

 

I will be bringing my baby who will be 9 months at the time of the cruise:

 

A) If i bring baby water can I have them deliver it to the room or do I have to carry it?

 

B) Can I take for example cheeeios from breakfast to be able to use later in the day for my baby or would room service be able to bring this? YES

 

C) I am travelling from Canada and need to bring a car seat and stroller. I will not require the car seat while on the ship, is there a place we can have it stored outside of our room? YES. Just ask the steward. Or you may be able to fit it under the bed, depending upon how much luggage you have.

D) We are booked in an obstructed verandah room. Has anyone stayed in this room? I am concerned that a lay pen plus luggage ect won't fit in the room. I do know that there is family rooms however I get bad motion sickness so a balcony is a must. Luggage goes under the bed. It will be a tight squeeze for the playpen but it will fit.

 

E) I am booked in a connecting room and I will not know the other passengers in the next room. How noisy is it? My baby is actually a really good baby and rarely cries but I want to make sure I don't interupt their sleep. If you have a guarantee you may get upgraded so don't worry about this yet. If you have selected a specific cabin it will be likely that they will hear the cries next door. It may help to put a towel down. Ask the steward for their suggestions.

 

F) what is the average age and language of people on the cruise? Ages vary. They tend to be older on a TA. Tends towards middle aged +. There will be many languages out of Rome. Lots of English speaking passengers though.

 

G) can a baby go to all restaurants and shows? I do have help coming with me but we will likely all want to go somewhere together. I have seen them but very rarely.

 

 

H) formal night, how formal is it? I do not want to bring a ball gown. I do dresss up but my dresses are more business like than ball gown...will this be ok? are no sleeves ok on dresses? YES

I) tender with a baby. Will they allow this?

 

J) exclusions with baby - I saw on HAL website that some exclusions will allow a baby free of charge. When you go to book however, there is no options for babies, only children. How do I go about making sure a baby can come and also what the cost will be?

 

K) wifi - if I buy an unlimited package how does one log in? We will be travelling with my mother in law and so if it is able to be shared I am hoping we can split the cost.

 

Sorry for all the questions, but as a former Travel agent, I like to have all my ducks in a row!

 

Thank you in advance.

I responded where I could. I am unsure of the rest of the answers so will leave those for others. Enjoy your cruise!

Buongiorno,

gradirei conoscere quale temperatura interna troverò sulla Zaandam della HAL che partirà da Buenos Aires il 1 ° dicembre e arriverà a San Antonio il 15 dicembre

Grazie a chi risponderà

The temperature on all the ships seems to be pretty consistent. Not too hot and not too cold. I carry a light sweater and don't always need it. Enjoy your trip!

So, it seems they do have toppers on the Koningsdam. However our TA conveyed that HAL said same as other posters mentioned "mattress are comfortable - no need for for toppers".

I didn't take apart the bed and inspect it but it felt more like an extra duvet underneath; not egg crate foam.

On one Prinsendam cruise we cruised all the way up the river and docked in downtown Bordeaux....and that would be among our favorites.

Interesting. I am currently looking at this very ship and port. I like its unique itinerary. Thanks for mentioning it.

I got off the Koningsdam a week ago and found the bed rock hard. The steward put on a topper and it was still rock hard so I requested another. That brought it to the tolerable level, but it was definitely not to the comfortable level. I should add that I have not had to request a topper on any other ship I've been on.

Scotch AND wine?!! Oh man. I knew there was something I was doing wrong! :loudcry:

I love seeing the visuals of where everyone is going, so thanks for doing this Kazu! I also love your commentary. :)

Have a great time everyone! It looks like you're going to some fascinating places.

Oh, and I was especially interested in your train travel reviews as it is a dream of mine to do a cross-Canada trip by train. So thanks for that and the pics as well!

Thank you so much for your detailed response Roy! You have given me much to think about and I found it very interesting. When I saw the early costs for my flight to Rome I decided to look at other options. I tried very hard to cruise/fly to my destination from any number of North American and European ports. I couldn't find anything that worked so I thought "Well, I will purchase a round trip ticket and get a return TA instead!" I must have gone through hundreds of options trying to make something work but, alas, it was not meant to be. In retrospect it was serendipitous, so I am happy it all worked out the way it did. Anyway, that's a long way of explaining why I was curious how your trip came about. :) Thanks again!

Miss G, I'll have to get back to you but most of it was just dumb luck.

This made me LOL. Take your time Roy! I am enjoying your posts. :)

Thanks for posting your observations ArtsyCraftsy! I was underwhelmed at the NL, as well, so it's a bit of "comfort" knowing that I am not alone. I am sorry for your treatment by the FCC. Absolutely unacceptable. It sounds like some customer service training would be in order for her and the lounge attendants. I'm sure your next experience will be much more positive!

Thanks everyone! Seeing this thread has made me super excited for my trip! You can't even imagine the number of challenges we've faced to get to this point, but it looks like it's really going to happen!

I am on the first part of my journey and have left my gala dresses behind. :loudcry: So far I am not having any luck finding replacements. I shall have no choice but to join the unwashed masses and show up in MDR-wear. ;p

Thank you so much for your well wishes! :)

MissG, I'll TRY (no guarantees to get back to you on your question before you leave.

No worries Roy! It will be something to look forward to when I get back. :) Enjoy your travels!