*Miss G*

I went to @Nickelpenny profile and clicked on her badge. Hers was for a Holiday Sharing… which I guess explains the use of the gingerbread man. Mine are for live reviews, although not all of my lives were included so it’s anyone’s guess why only certain ones are chosen. If you go to this thread it will explain the different badges: FAQ: Badges

Without knowing what ship you’ll be on, I don’t know how helpful this will be, but… Last year we arrived in Newcastle by train. Our shuttle was directly across the street from the train station, so right in the city centre. You may want to ask on your cruise line’s board to get a definitive answer, though.

Absolutely I can do that! And thank you. You too! 🙂

I didn’t take it! I’m gambling on a better deal knowing that if it doesn’t come through I am good with what I have. (Except I don’t know what I have because I have a guarantee. I may be wrong! 😂)

Preferred location for the Family Cabana, for me, is port side. Preferred location for the 2-person cabana is port side ocean view as opposed to aft view. Port side: because it’s furthest from the entrance to The Retreat, so there is less traffic. Ocean view: because I prefer to look at the sea as opposed to the Lido Pool and jogging track.

I received a paid upgrade offer 7 weeks from sailing! That is the longest stretch I’ve received to date. Normally they come about 1-2 weeks prior.

I went ahead and chose the Rotterdam because it’s my next ship. I haven’t sailed on it, yet, but I’m an optimist. 🙃

And it also fits my night light! My experience is the same as Ruth. My husband uses it for his electric toothbrush and waterpik with no problem.

We were in a mini-suite on a Princess cruise and there was no pen or paper in the room. I went down to Guest Services and they gave me what I required. (Didn’t even occur to me to ask our wonderful room steward.) I spend a lot of time in hotels (currently in one now) and there has always been a pen and paper provided. Also, thanks to @nooligans for the Social Bar menu. All I have to say is … wow. (Actually, I had more to say but changed my mind.)

Here is a pic of the outlets by the desk. There is also a USB port over the nightstands on each side of the bed.

Would you be sailing on the same ship or ship class? They are very different. Have you checked HAL Facts to compare rooms? Scroll down on this page for a comparison chart: Holland America Suites & Staterooms

Yes, I completely agree. I know exactly what you mean. 😂 (I grew up in Oakville.)

Seat Guru has been abandoned and left to die. These are the new go-to’s: Seat Maps: Porter E195 Aero LOPA : Porter E195

We’ve just booked a last minute sailing disembarking at Rotterdam so am now beginning the research process. (Which is why I have resurrected this thread.) My kids have booked the HAL transfer to AMS for that same 12:15pm flight on AC. What option did you choose, @Barwick Cruiser? The rest of us will be making our way to the train station to pick up the P&O shuttle to catch an overnight ferry to the UK. @puppycanducruise, did you notice if there was a taxi stand at the terminal with cars waiting? Also interested in any insights you have for the area around the train station. The coach doesn’t leave until 5:00pm so we’ll have a bit of time in the area. Was thinking maybe a HOHO but it’s King’s Day and… you know. Thank you!

I wouldn’t call it “rights” so much as “consideration”. Just as one has consideration for small children who aren’t situationally aware; one would/should expect the same consideration for the elderly. As an in-betweener who has finished raising children, I now find I am using those same skills when travelling with my elderly parents. It’s just common decency.

Yes. Passengers are required to check in no less than 90 minutes prior to sailing. Passenger manifest goes out no later than 60 minutes prior to sailing.

My last few sailings on Holland America there was a section in the Lido Market reserved for staff. It had a sign saying “Crew Area Only”. I like that they are doing that, now, instead of them having to spend their little time off searching for seating.

Wow, a Windstar journey! That is so awesome! I really appreciate you sharing your journey with us. Ever since I watched them silently gliding into port in Montenegro I’ve been fascinated with them. Can’t wait to read along!

😂 I hear ya! Clarity only comes through osmosis because their online and in-store info is dismal and confusing. What I was referring to, however, was to have them show you which settings to turn on and off on your phone but it sounds like you’ve got it covered now. I find the day pass is plenty for me. I rarely get the ship’s internet package so mainly use the pass to check on things and upload my trip reports from the iPad through the phone’s hotspot connection. I think I used it twice during a month in Europe last year because one day pass covers two days if you time it right.

I dropped AT&T in 2010 and piggy-backed onto my husband’s Verizon North America plan. They were great when we lived in Florida but couldn’t get their act together when we moved to DC. I was waiting for everyone to test-drive T-Mobile as I believe they were relatively new on the scene, at that time, and I wasn’t sure how much coverage they could procure from the major players. It sounds like they’re worth looking into now, so thanks for that information @Hlitner👍

It is important to note that only calls and texts made to/from the US will be free. Calls to any other country will be charged per your international long distance plan. If you don’t have a LD plan, you will be charged pay-per-minute rates. Examples/Scenarios: - A WiFi call to a US number is free. - A WiFi call to your hotel in Rome will not be free; it will incur long distance rates (generally $3/minute) unless you have a LD plan. - Your hotel in Rome calls YOU, the call is free because they are calling a US number. I may as well go on to say that the day pass, whilst on shore, covers a 24 hour period. So, for example, you enable it at 3:00pm on a Saturday in Barcelona. When you re-board the ship you turn off cellular (enable airplane mode) and reconnect to your ship’s WiFi. The next day (Sunday), when you arrive at your next port, you turn cellular back on (disable airplane mode) and continue to use the same session as yesterday, because it will expire at 3:00pm (24 hours later), even though you’re in another port or country and it’s the next day. Turn OFF Cellular Data Roaming until you are ready to use the day pass. Apps use data in the background and may unintentionally trigger use of the pass. The pass will draw from your wireless plan. Drop into your local AT&T store and have them go through it with you if you are feeling unsure. I think I just fried my brain. 🍳. Hope this makes sense. I feel I am forgetting something. Have a wonderful trip!

Welcome to Cruise Critic and Holland America! @VMax1700 might be a good person to address this, if he can, as I see you are in euros.

Yes, this.^^ There was a humidifier on the HVAC on one of my former homes (for the winter months). I currently have a smart home with humidity sensors (one for upstairs; one for main level) and the device lets you know to add humidity (when the heating is on) for eco+ savings. I run portable humidifiers, both upstairs and main level, during the winter months. When the AC is on they are no longer required so they are put away for the season.

Just thought I would follow up on this. I just did an online courtesy hold because it is after hours and I wanted to lock in the price. My PCC’s voicemail said to do the courtesy hold so he could address it when he comes in tomorrow… so I did. Anyway, the question as to whether it would automatically be applied going forward has been answered:

Reading over the above two statements, I think I would like to add clarification: —> When making the initial booking through your TA or PCC, let them know you would like Club Orange when they ask about the stateroom category. That will trigger the lower price and they will then let you pick from the higher available cabins within that category. —> If you are adding Club Orange after you have already booked, call the number in @Crew News post, above.