VermeulT

12 hours ago, LindaJ+ said:

Is there an Orange Party?  Are we supposed to pack something orange?  Hubby has a golf shirt in every color of the rainbow but I have nothing.

On the 4/3 Rotterdam cruise (per the Cruise Director) the 2nd Orange Party was held on the Rotterdam.  This confused me because it's been talked about on CC forever.

It was on the last sea day night (Friday), which was also gala night (now that I think about it - that was odd).

It was held in the BB King Lounge. The regular band played regular music.  Many passengers had some sort of orange on.  The waiters had bright orange wigs.  For the first 30 min or so they came around with trays of various treats - small cream puffs (bossche bol), almond cookies, oliebollen, Dutch cheese, and one more that might have been boeter koek (butter cake).

That pretty much was the extent.  It's a nice idea and we had fun. But for an Orange party, was a little letdown.

1 hour ago, Jersey42 said:

Do you have an annual comprehensive travel policy that you are happy with?  Which one?  If not, can you tell me about any policies that you think are worth looking at?

I do not.  A TA friend of mine mentioned it after I almost missed my 4/3 Rotterdam cruise due to flight issues.

Depending on the frequency of your travels - perhaps look into annual coverage instead of per trip.

8 minutes ago, poinsettiaplate said:

For those of you who have been on the new Rotterdam, I have some questions:

1)Was there information available only on the app that was not available in another format for those who choose not to use their electronic devices to provide their own customer service?  Just off the Silhouette where one had no idea what shore excursions were available unless one used the app.

2)Are there desktop computers available for passenger use?  Free with free wifi or for a fee?

3)Is there a clothesline in the shower?

4)Does one need a magnetized card for the safe, as well as the lights?

5)Is there a light on the balcony for night-time reading?

6)Are fixed time diners and at will diners in separate areas of the main dining room, so the same set of waiters are not having to serve both?

7)Was a schedule provided at the beginning of the cruise that indicates the gala nights and has the updated port schedule?

8)Was a daily event schedule and additional info provided in a daily newsletter delivered the night before?

9)Did you find that you had more tender ports, due to the size of the ship?

10)Do I need to bring my ear plugs for the musical performances in the various venues?

11)Were printed copies of newspapers provided?

 

Thanks for any answers.

1. not really.  Shore excursions etc are available on HALs website starting several months before departure.  Onboard you can go to the shore excursion desk.  Menu's are avail on the app anytime or in the venue. The daily schedule is on the app for the entire week or you'll get a sheet the night prior on your bed.  You don't NEED the app but info is more accessible through it.

2. I believe so but am not 100%.  Internet outside of a handful of sites will require a fee.

3. yes

4. your room key needs to be inserted to a slot by the door for the lights to work. Safe works with a combo that you set.

5. yes

6. yes

7. you can inquire/ confirm with guest services on any itinerary changes.

8. yes

9. just HMC for us, which is a tender port for all.

10. that's a personal preference.  If you want to enjoy the music, there are places to sit that are less loud than others.

11. no.

last week on the Rotterdam there were 2 x KN95 masks for each passenger in the stateroom and if you wanted/needed more - the disposable blue ones were available at the front desk.

Masks are only REQUIRED for getting on and off the boat in any port, including HMC.  They are RECOMMENDED when inside at all other times, especially in more crowded areas (in theory - world stage, shows, etc).  I'd say maybe 15-20% wore masks indoors.

59 minutes ago, jeh10641 said:

I bought 4 tee shirts at $15 per for the Rotterdam inaugural season. I really liked them

 

I probably would have bought one of each design at that price!

On the last day it was 630a-830a.

Breakfast was usually about 30 min from welcome to walk out.

@bobpell  I agree on your assessment.

The pool looked gross.  Who wants to jump into green water??

I was surprised that masks were still recommended, based on other cruise lines giving them up completely and that we were all supposed to be vaxed.  As Capt Timmers said "it's time we all start to learn with it (Covid threat)".

I was overall disappointed with the HAL merchandise.  I did like that there was Inaugural Season items, but that was it.  Very little generic HAL, very little at all, all things considered.  And the "sale" was 2/$40 on the T-Shirts.

Entertainment - Interesting that the comedians were in the BB King lounge and not the main stage.  The history of rum and cooking demo in the main stage were weak.  Having to take a pix of the screen behind the demo to get the recipe - no class. Provide paper copies or give us a chance to download it (or put it on the app).  I did love the Orange Party.

I had a really good time last week also.  Putting together my thoughts for a review ....

Just got off the Rotterdam.  No Mariner lunch but we found tiles in our bedroom one night mid-week.  I did happen to pass the BB King Lounge where they had the medallion presentation and noting passengers that had 2000 even 3000 sea days.  Wow.

Is it cheaper yet safe to park offsite? Any recommendations?

I think this is great.

Check HAL facts dot com.

I just looked through my photos from Jan 2019 and can't believe I didn't take one.

It's very tight to get past the bed to go out on the balcony.

10 hours ago, steve4031 said:

This is my first suite experience, and from what I understand the individuals working with us will be providing extra services and effort.  How do you veterans handle this? 

Suite guests pay more than non-suite guests so those extras are covered. 

Like others have said - you can choose to tip extra - that's your choice.

2 hours ago, ski ww said:

Just watched a show on Discovery or the History channel called Mighty Ships & it was about the Nieuw Statendam's cruise in the Caribbean. 

OOOH I'll have to look for that one.  The last I saw (for HAL) was the Koningsdam in season 3 traveling through Norway.

BTW - the series is MIGHTY CRUISE SHIPS and it's on Smithsonian Channel in the US.  (Not to be confused with Mighty Ships on Discovery which mostly looks at freighters)

The ship's services rep I spoke to last week said 75% give or take. (she was speaking in general and not about any specific itinerary or ship).

15 hours ago, PROCRUISE said:

Just came off the Eurodam last Sunday (3/20) after 11 night cruise.

Luckily, the staff on HAL has always served the guests in the Lido and it works very nicely. Each table has silverware in napkin roll at each table with glasses for whatever you might want the staff to bring to you: ice tea, water, lemonade, orange juice, cranberry juice. If you have the beverage package they will also bring you a Coke, without the beverage package they will still bring it to you and charge it to your running account. You can, if you wish get your own basic juices now from the dispensing machines.

Note that the fruit juices are available only at breakfast, from what I remember.

I also wonder how far out your flight is.  If you're more than 90 days out (ie before final payment) then I could see that being restricted until the ticket is paid for.

this makes me beyond excited.  I'm dying for a broodje kroket!

40 minutes ago, jhsocal said:

Suspect that if testing requirement is discontinued   and confidence about covid  increases , demand will increase significantly  and so will prices. 

and hopefully the stock price too.

Any insight as to this beach for snorkeling would be appreciated.

How expensive would an uber or taxi be?

Thank you.

On 3/19/2022 at 4:19 PM, CruiserBruce said:

I specifically asked about milkshakes on our recent cruise. Milkshakes are NOT covered by any drink plan.

Do you remember how much they were?

On 3/19/2022 at 10:30 AM, DaveOKC said:

I personally think that the side elevators have less traffic than the center ones, so I pick one (normally the side I am going when I exit).  

On 3/19/2022 at 2:47 PM, Taters said:

One of the reasons I almost always choose to use the side elevator is because I love the view. 😊

Ditto and Ditto

11 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

This has caused me a boatload of anxiety.

Pun intended.  😄

3 hours ago, Mary229 said:

...

2. don't have a connection of less than 60 minutes, you may get there but will your luggage?

 

That reminds me of a tale when I sailed Princess in 2001 when a passenger's luggage didn't make it onboard.  The cruise line gave him credit in the shops to buy a change of clothes or two to hold him over until the bag could catch up to us. 
When hubby and I travel - we each put half our clothes in each suitcase so that if one doesn't make it, we have something.

There are two Sheratons in Fort Lauderdale.

Four Points by Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport/Cruise Port is the one people are referring to.

There is also Four Points by Sheraton Fort Lauderdale Airport - Dania Beach.  This one is a wee bit closer to the airport and a wee bit cheaper.  There is lots of food options here but no CVS or the like.