OhioLair

Hello Hello, the HUZ and I will be aboard with some other gay and gay friendly friends for this historic crossing.  And hoping to meet you as well!  See you aboard!

this is from March 13, 2020.  Cruise to lockdown LOL

3 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

I believe that you are confusing Nieuw Amsterdam with Nieuw Statendam.  The Nieuw Statendam has the lengthways obstructed cabins 4043/4044/4045/4046

Here is a link to 4045 and 4046 

https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/4045-koningsdam/

https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/4046-koningsdam/

Thanks Vmax!  I did not know about the HALfacts.com

Hey Brentt (or cruisers) trying to get a peak at Cabin 4045 or 4046 layouts.  Can you see if you can get a photo for me?  In the planning stages for the next month or so and wanna know what I am getting in to if I request the cabin (its an obstructed balcony cabin that is turned sideways, not the typical long narrow cabin)

Thanks

15 hours ago, Vict0riann said:

How very sad!  I imagined too, that many people will now have missed their flights and will need to stay on board overnight.  So every cloud, etc., - at least the ship is not now filling up with new passengers.

No "New Passengers" for at least the next 30 Days Ann. . . . . all cruises cancelled.  

16 hours ago, AncientWanderer said:

Another crazy story in this crazy time, but I suppose it is important to determine cause of death during a pandemic and officials are just doing their job.

 

(Manohman do I ever feel blessed to be able to hole up in a nice house, in a quiet neighborhood, and stay away from TP bandits, etc., etc.)

Sadly Broward County wasn't "Just doing their job", the case had already been signed off on by the CDC (Center for Disease Control, the BIG Boys and Girls in charge) all Broward County was doing was wasting a test and trying to look important.  IF it had been COVID19, the damage would have been done by the remaining 1800 passengers who had already disembarked.  

2 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

Death of natural causes onboard is sadly not an uncommon occurrence on HAL and other cruise lines. The remains would have been placed in the ship's temperature-controlled morgue on B-Deck aft. The HAL port agent and, subsequently through him/her, the federal (CBP) and Broward County authorities would have been made aware of this event at least 24 hrs prior to Nieuw S arriving back at FLL. Why disembarkation was granted only to put a stop to it to test the remains for COVID-19 after half the pax were already off the ship and on their way home/to the airports is a mystery. Things just seem to go from bad to worse

Over reaction by the Broward County officials.  A clear case of the county inciting fear and panic although the case and ship had been cleared by the CDC.

Just left the Nieuw Statendam this morning and all seemed fine.  We were held up only briefly departing upon the discovery of the death.  Let me just say, it is NOT COVID19 related.  If it was, the person would have been showing symptoms all week and HAL would have been on top of it.  Like HIMSELF said, deaths are frequent occurrences onboard ship, and c'mon, its HAL.  The demographic is aimed at older folks (like me).   It is bound to happen.  Add in the stress of returning to the "real" world and all the craziness people are spouting is enough to put anyone off and kill a horse!

as Ine reported, "The U.S. Coast Guard, in conjunction with the U.S. CDC, had already cleared the ship for disembarkation after reviewing the medical specifics of this case."    The county officials are just over reacting.  The CDC cleared the case and the ship!

The ship and staff were AMAZING, and the cleanliness of the ship was beyond reproach.  The amount of sanitation and disinfecting they did during that week far surpassed anything I had ever seen previously on HAL.  The Captain, his officers and staff were on top of keeping us informed and we had a wonderful week onbaord the newest ship of the fleet.  We never felt threatened by the virus or our surroundings (actually the opposite, we wanted to stay on board because it felt so safe LOL)

We look forward to sailing on her again once this crisis is over.

Our hearts go out to the family of the deceased.

On 8/5/2019 at 9:17 PM, Eric79DAM said:

My partner and I will also be on this voyage, see you aboard !!!

Hey Eric, did you join the 34 day roll call and will you be at the Meet and Greet?

Lair

so, if you drink gin, and are going for 34 days, is the Gin and Tonic package (plus adding some tonic from on shore) a better deal than the mini bar?  We are 3⭐s, so get a 25% disc for this trip.  hmm, have to calculate. . . . . .🧮

Cool Eric! 

I think most people assume that because you are "dressed up" you have to be stuffy, they ssociate it with how THEY think they should act, therefore they don't like to get "duded up" and act all stiff when they do.  I get it, you are "uncomfortable" with clothing you are not used to.  When in all actuality, they are just cloths.  You wear a dress, pant suit, jacket every day, just not the formal "look".  Men, a nice jacket and even (GASP) a tie isn't going to make the evening any less entertaining or enjoyable.  And hey, the ladies (and a few men too) like the look of a loosened neck tie or undone bowtie later in the evening over a martini or in the casino.  Ladies, as I stated in another post, Katherine Hepburn, Roz Russell, Dame Judi Dench, Jackie Kennedy (even that Kardashian woman) and a lot of the grand ladies of notability all wore/wear splendid pant suits to "formal" events.  It is possible to dress up, be comfortable and not be stuffy or restrictive.  And all the BS about not wanting to bring another bag or my favorite "I am not trying to impress anybody" is just that, BS.  Like I said before, don't dress up or put the effort out, it's ok!  But also realize it says more about you than you think.  🤣

And with that, I am done with this thread. . . time to go put my dinner jacket on and head out.  Have a great cruise, and I hope to see you aboard a HAL ship soon.  First drink is on me!  I'll be the one in the dinner jacket at the martini bar. . . . . . 😎

On 5/16/2019 at 7:51 AM, Judyrem said:

I went to Catholic school in the  50s and until the late 60s wearing jumpers and skirts for 12 years!   Until this day I can't stand to wear skirts and dresses.  Nice crops, pants, lovely tops work for me and I don't care anymore!

TO each his/her own.

LOL,  Katherine Hepburn RARELY wore skirts or dresses, yet was able to dress to the nines. . . . 

On 5/15/2019 at 6:54 PM, NSWP said:

Got off Noordam in Honolulu on 6 May.  I can tell you now, men were wearing shorts in the MDR and on Gala night, jeans and T shirts galore.  The odd tuxedo.   The dress was very laid back.

Sadly, that does not make it right. . . . . .

Isn't it wonderful that it is all these differences that make the world go 'round.  Personally, just because I can go with the minimum doesn't mean I should, or do.

Happy Sailing

18 hours ago, slidergirl said:

I like a man in a well-fitting kilt!  If that is what you want to wear on the Gala nights and you won't mind being in the minority, go for it!    I'm 65 and have always been a rebel.  Fought my school's "dress and skirt only" rules for girls in the 70s.  I always found a way to do something out of the standard with my work clothes.  I'm just not a conformist, I guess.  As long as there is leeway in dress suggestion, not just a "thou must weareth a tux or gown only on dress up night", I'm OK.  Just don't try to box me in 😉

 

🤣  LOL. . . . . .Have you stumbled in your non conformity?  Apparently it is being non-conformist when you dress to the nines. . . . . . so, unless you dress up you are conforming to what everyone else is doing. . . . . .

HooRAYYYYYY for the NON CONFORMIST!    

ROTFLOL.   😉

17 hours ago, ScottieM said:

It's enjoyable watching the heads explode as people navigate through the minefield of what is appropriate attire.

I've read these threads before, although this is my first post to CC, so bear with me.

 

My wife and I will be sailing with HAL out of Venice on May 27th. (our 3rd cruise - rookies it seems).

 

I will, on the 2 "formal nights" be attired in my kilt and jacket, I as do for any formal occasion.  On alternative evenings, I will be in either a suit or a sports jacket and dress pants (maybe dropping the tie on a whim) 🙂

 

On our first cruise in the Baltic in 2002, the most memorable part of the gala evening, was a long conversation I had with a bunch of Spanish teens (not formally dressed) about what one would wear under a kilt.  On that evening the dress was about 60/40, as one would expect almost 20 years ago, for men in formal-wear vs suits.  On our second cruise to Hawaii, there sprouted a third version of attire; there were likely 20-25% with no jacket, about 40-50% in jackets and pants and about 25-30% in formal-wear (incl. dark suit w/ tie).  I fully expect that there will be a continuing number of people who will lighten there suitcase and forgo the ever-increasing baggage fees ($100/bag on our upcoming trip if we choose), and not bring so much "stuff" on vacation.

 

All that to say, I have no objection to others wearing whatever they want, within the guidelines ( i.e no beachwear etc.).  We've seen what lots of people wear to other formal occasions (weddings, funerals, etc.) and generally speaking, we're on a trend to more casual attire everywhere - just an observation.

 

I'm 55 and the have always erred on the side of being overdressed, whether in the office or on vacation.  When we're in the Caribbean, I wear dress pants and a collared shirt every night, although the majority don't...and I could care less...to each his (or her) own - as long as I can enjoy the evening with my wife, meet some people, and dance a bit.

 

Lastly, I will miss it if they go with a completely casual approach to attire, although its very likely, I would still "dress for dinner".

20 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

 

 

So we have two different versions (from HAL) of what Gala night is supposed to be. What HAL says people "usually" wear is wishful thinking. "Usually" implies that most people are in cocktail or formal wear. And the silly line "dress to impress" can be taken to mean cocktail or formal wear--if that's what you want it to mean. I think all of this verbiage is an attempt to mollify people who want a true formal night. But then you get on board and this expectation doesn't come true.

 

Real formal nights where everyone follows the dress code are part of what makes Cunard special. I love formal nights on Cunard. But I don't expect that on HAL. HAL can say "usually...suit or tuxedo..." and "dress to impress," but the reality is that there is little that is formal or "gala" about HAL's gala nights. 

 

As slidergirl pointed out, all HAL is asking for is collared shirt and slacks for men. I don't think that evokes any grand tradition of cruising, and it doesn't impress me. If that's the sartorial bar HAL wants to set, that's fine with me. Their ship, their rules. Maybe HAL should just give up the pretense of gala night and go smart casual every night. 

 

I too appreciate Cunard's standards, and it is quite special, even spectacular.  And true, HAL has lowered it standards about GALA nights.  They were more . . . . "special" when we first started cruising (and were not called GALA nights).   So 3rd gen, why the double standard?  Cunard vs HAL dress code?  Is it because Cunard has fewer ships and is not trying to appeal to a mass market where pandering to the lowest common denominator to  fills cabins?  

HAL "suggests attire for most evenings is resort casual; slacks and collared shirts for men, and casual dresses, slacks and informal evening-wear for women. On gala nights women usually wear a suit, cocktail dress or gown and men wear a jacket and tie, dark suit, or tuxedo."   

Ok, HAL wants you to have a good time and relaxed the dress code years ago in order to remain competitive in the market.  Time are changing and passengers expectations are changing, thus we now have "GALA" nights aboard the DAM ships.  I have been wearing jackets and ties for 35+ years, so for me it is not a big deal.  It may be a big deal for you, so go for the more casual alternative.  However, GALA nights as stated above (and copied from the HAL site) suggests a minimum of Jacket and tie on those evenings.  But I liked iancal's response, just don't go to the MDR those nights if you cannot or do not wish to meet the MINIMUM guidelines, there are lots of other venues for dinner.  Besides people, they are JUST cloths.  If you are dressed casually, I will certainly laugh with you and enjoy the evening just as much as if you were decked out to the nines.   Just don't feel threatened by those who chose to honor the tradition.  It is a PERSONAL preference, and you may not have the background to have attended events where dressing formally is expected, are uncomfortable with it or as iancal said, are just over it.  Hooray!  RELAX! Go have a good cruise!  Have fun, dress up or not.  It is really a moot point.  

On 5/2/2019 at 8:31 AM, terrydtx said:

We land at Vancouver Airport at 11:30 am on a Sunday to cruise on HAL  with HAL transfers.  I know we have to go through customs when we land but how long does it usually take to get from the airport to the ship with HAL transfers? Is there a food court at the port to catch a quick lunch before we board?  We will be very hungry with the 2 hour time difference from our home. and we have our 10 year old grandson with us. Final question is there any place at the port to buy a couple of bottles of wine to take onboard with us? Thanks for any help, this is our first time to depart from Vancouver.

Hey TerrydTx, Canada Customs allows up to two 750ML bottles of wine to enter into Canada with you.  If you have a favorite bottle or two, pack them in your CHECKED luggage before departing home (it is permitted by the airline) and save yourself the hassles of looking for wine there (altho there are some great BC wines).  Just be sure to wrap the bottles in a plastic bag each before padding them in your bag.  Happy Sailing! 🍷🍷 

Just saw you're sailing on the Noordam, she is a FINE ship, my favorite of HALs ships!  Enjoy!

6 minutes ago, terrydtx said:

I agree with you, but there are way too many in this forum who want to go back to the old days of cruising and will,  no matter what, consider just meeting the minimum dress code as a act of being lazy or a slob.

SO well put Texas, so well said!  I won't speak for the majority, but I agree!

11 hours ago, slidergirl said:

No you were fine.  It's the "make the effort", either gala or jeans & sneakers that rubbed me the wrong way.  Chinos and a golf shirt is fine with me on any man in the MDR any night of the week. 😉

True, a majority of people don't have a reason to ever get "dressed up".  They don't have the opportunity or desire to attend events where a dinner jacket or tux (for men) is appropriate.  It does, however, take effort to put on formal clothing, time and space in the bag, and the desire to do that, so not "making the effort" is a valid phrase to use for those that choose more casual attire.  As I said earlier People, it doesn't really matter.  Dress as you deem is appropriate for yourself.  It is YOUR holiday after all.

Happy Sailing!

20 hours ago, Fouremco said:

Similarly, don't deride those who meet but don't exceed HAL's dress code. They too are dressing appropriately.

touche!  This forum seems to be a hot bed of emotion LOL. . . . People, it really doesn't matter. Dress up, dress down, dress ot the nines, come looking like a slob. . . . . As long as you meet the "minimum guidelines" you're ok.  If it doesn't matter to you, well, nothing I can say (or anyone could say) would change that and you'd probably show up more casually dressed just to prove the point.  LOL.  Happy sailing!  

I am going out on a limb here.  Dressing "properly" IS important, it is an extension of being polite.  It tells others that you respect them AND yourself.  So many people, especially Americans, think they can just show up dressed however they want.  Call it what you want (lazy comes to mind), but my mama told me two things about this topic, when in Rome, do as the Romans, and it is rude to do otherwise.  Personally, you want to show up in jeans and tennis shoes to a "formal or dressy casual" event, go ahead.  I won't be the one who is embarrassed or feel out of place.  But don't deride those who took the effort, (and yes, even the extra piece of luggage sometimes) in order to dress appropriately.  I can attest, however, that one can travel for weeks on end with nothing more than a 22inch roll-aboard bag and tote, and STILL dress appropriately.  

On 4/17/2019 at 8:47 AM, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

If you have fixed/main dining, that is your slot in the MDR and you can't go to "anytime" in the MDR. You would have to go to the Lido or have room service if it's a last-minute decision. If you know in advance that you're going to want to eat at a different time, you could make a reservation in a specialty restaurant at the time you need. 

 

 

true, if you don't make your dining time (or relatively close, like with in 15 mins) no MDR that night.  Have a quiet "evening in" with room service and a movie, or try the Tamarind, it is AMAZING, and I have never had a problem getting into Canaletto last minute! HAL is accommodating (they are NOT going to let you go hungry LOL) , so go, enjoy and figure out the details as you go along.  

14 hours ago, Hawaiidan said:

 

HAL  must love you....... In my experience, no HAL agent ashore or at sea has been  even close to giving me the perks and the price that I can get ashore with my travel agent.....  I have even asked for the perks  my Travel Agent gives  and the HAL agents always say..."if you want those, you have to get them from your agent... we  wont and cant".

Those drinks..... may be very very expensive in the long run....

90% of the time we book onboard, and make sure the listing consultant KNOWS OUR TRAVEL AGENT INFO so they get credit, and when we get home (or by email before) I contact Anton (our TAgent) and he arranges the rest.  It also makes sure that he gets the credit for it.  We learned that the hard way when we booked a big trip once and didn't do the follow up and our agent didn't receive credit (an industry quirk he has told me) .  And a lot of those perks you are getting from your agent COST the agency and/or your agent, they are not freebies handed out by the cruiseline. . . . . it also depends on the cruise you are booking.  We tend to book longer voyages that sometimes sell out, so the price rises rapidly making the shipboard price a steal.  It's all relative. . . . . .