REOVA

12 minutes ago, Balboa1978 said:

We are on the 35 day trip to Hawaii and French Polynesia. We missed all of Hawaii. I was in isolation for 5 days, now my wife is on day 7. Even though she’s had no temperature or symptoms for 3 days she still tests positive so they won’t release her from our cell.

We arrive in French Polynesia in a few days with multiple ports of call. Does anyone know the entry requirements for French Polynesia as it relates to prior positive tests?

You are "lucky". I never tested positive but DW was, so both were quarantined for 6 days (this was last summer so things have changed). The port will determine a date from when positive test was first obtained. It will be different in various Countries but I would supposed Fr Polynesian islands would be more restrictive (protected) due to isolation and limited health services for residents. Which islands are you visiting, that may help determine by past cruisers. 

2 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I’ve had the opposite.  I was on the koningsdam in November 2021.  The guy that did the mimosas in club orange was so sweet.  Used to tease me for not drinking mimosas in the morning but having cocktails at night.  Fast forward to March 2022.  I went up to check my cabana the first day and there he was.  He came running up to me and hugged me saying how happy he was to see me before I could say a word.  The hostess in club orange remembered me as well, even the time I was on the ship.  They see tons of people so it was impressive.  

But Club Orange is exactly why it works. Limited percentage of passengers allows greater "1 on 1" time. You will get some time with MDR and Lido crew as well but they have much more passengers to handle and unfortunately the crew/passenger ratio is not the same as on smaller ships (or smaller venues like paying for Club Orange). 

HAL has a history of long voyages and "ocean liners". It's will greatly depend on CCL's  future with its brand but they should build smaller ships and incorporate new features (like Dutch Cafe, Alternative restaurants, etc) but return to the prominade decks with loungers. They already have Pinnacle Class ships for shorter itineraries in various regions but need to return to more Grand Voyages (or 20+ days not just B2B) with quality entertainment. They can easily beat competition with a price point lower than luxury (seaborn) and better define itself from Princess and Carnival. With ports limiting ship sizes, this will be a niche HAL can succeed in. 

Like matching wine palates, I find our tastes similar to yours on World Cruises: low pre conceived expectations and enjoy the cruise as there will be differences. While others have complained about the food this year, it's good to get your perspective on such a subjective topic. I also enjoy seeing HAL being "creative" in a very tough return to World Cruising environment. Henk's feedback is always great and we are happy Christel was able to make it on board. Having a Neptune suite sure helps when everyone is 4 or 5 star.

It depends on itinerary (port) as well as Captain (and Corp). We were told 5 days retested and if other cabin mate test positive, then another 5 days. If not positive we were free to roam the ship. But then also were prohibited from getting off in port (after testing negative) because the Country required 10 days. 

54 minutes ago, OlsSalt said:

 

Everyone responds to different things. Every time I see a  "dated"  HAL  ship, I thank management for keeping our cruising prices lower, and not spending our money chasing the latest,  superficial decor trends. I for one had no problem with the "dated pink tile" bathrooms on these ships. 

 

I have loved all my "dates" on the older HA ships - they provide me with nice cabins, good food, comfortable ship layouts, excellent port access, plenty of open views and the feeling of being at sea while sleeping well at night before we adventure to someplace new.

 

Yes, I am a cheap date.  

And an opportunity to actually meet more people and more important, have time to meet the crew and create lasting relationships with some. It's amazing how they remember passengers (what you ate or drank) years later on other ships. We've yet to see this on Pinnacle ships as crew are rushing around trying to service more passengers. 

40 minutes ago, OlsSalt said:

 

We visited Pitcairn on the first Maasdam InDepth cruise a few years, except we could not land (social restrictions about past islander criminal activity) but we got close enough to see the port docking area and town buildings,  some young waving people from the hills, and did slowly circle the entire island.  

 

You can see the original rudder from the Bounty in the Suva Museum in Fiji and the home of the author of Mutiny on the Bounty (part of his trilogy) outside of Papeete, Tahiti. 

Yes same with the last World (2020) on Amsterdam.no passengers allowed except CAPT Jonathan, Henk, Eddie (Env Officer) and a few others where taken over to the island and returned to ship in exchange for cases of Budwiser. 😉

1 hour ago, iceman93 said:

A "world cruise" that doesn't visit any ports in North America or Asia?

I'm ok with skipping NA since it's easier for us to get to these ports on other cruises (or fly/driving). 

World Cruises change each year (ideally) and we like the ones that go to SE Asia and Africa (or follow Equator for ease of packing 😉). Since HAL 2020 did this first part (plus floating around Antarctica), we will wait for a different route. 

And looks like Fred Olsen has removed the casino, made Explorer's Lounge a tea area and put in some bright, colorful carpeting in the lounges and the old Pinnacle Griil, now called "Colours and Tastes". Not sure we can handle that for 100+ days. 🤣

28 minutes ago, OlsSalt said:

 

I believe the "verandahs" are obstructed view verandahs, of various degrees, but are the same cabin layout as what they now call Vista Suites -which are the more standard full view verandahs. But well below the Neptune suites in size and amenities.

 

An old timer trick on this class ship was to get an ocean view cabin towards the very aft because the open aft decks on these two lower decks had loungers and operated "almost" as your own verandah cabin, but a few steps away. 

Yes good trick, especially deck 7 which has direct stair access to Seaview pool. Wasn't aware deck 1 and 2 had loungers though. Deck 3 has people walking around your window but many like the quick access to loungers. 

The veranda cabins "suites" have full view on Veranda deck 6 as do Vista on deck 7. Similar size but bed may be closer to bathroom on former. We don't consider them as suites such as Neptune but HAL likes to call them suites. 

We actually got bored on Rotterdam. Loved Dutch Cafe and yes it has more bars and bands (which repeat songs), but we like exploring various ports and meeting people (and finding quiet spaces)  which is harder on larger ships. Suggest having your TA work on upgrade to at least veranda on Zaandam. Sitting on balcony for sunrise or sunsets is calming. 

4 minutes ago, Sir PMP said:

Interesting, I will look for the itinerary.

Would be curious to experience how it's different under Fred Olsen 

https://cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/2023/03/fred-olsen-announces-106-night-world-cruise/

We were on in July/August and felt vibration different days in MDR. 

As stated storm's and seas can pop up anywhere and it will depend on what time of year and weather condition/fronts. Some passengers commented on "rough" seas going up Canadian coast but we didn't notice much having been through Tasman Sea and Bass Strait down under. Just a slight rocking to sleep. 

You should be fine but may have some foggy days. 

3 hours ago, lcand1923 said:

Rich,  As you meet your fellow passengers, have you gotten a feel for how many have taken a lot of World/Grand Cruises?  Are many of the guests “first timers”?  Have you met anyone who has only taken short cruises prior to this one?  If so, did they have any problems adjusting to a lot of Sea Days?

There are about 30% of the passengers that do this every year (winter home) and probably 70% or more that have done at least one GWC prior. It's a "family" reunion to many (and there usually is a banner strung on deck that says "Welcome Home" while in port). First timers can feel the comraderie of "groups" formed over the years but (except for a few passengers) they are all inclusive and welcoming. We only cruised 10-14 days (and 1 28 day) before booking our first GWC and didn't want to leave the ship after 4 months. It's a unique experience that will spoil you due to the special activities and entertainment planned for these. (But we wait for the itinerary that meets our bucket list). 

They need to check you in so they know the table is occupied. (Otherwise they may seat another party 😉). But since you have fixed seating you may let the wait staff or Matre D' know you are at/going to the table so they can notate the system. It frees up crew to seat others by not having to escort you if you don't want to be. 

4 minutes ago, lissie said:

Do you need a wifi connection on board to use the app? I wasn't planning on buying ship's wifi as we can use local connections on 21 of the 25 days of our port-heavy itinerary.  

No, the app is "Intranet" through HAL so you don't need to buy wifi and works on the ship (airplane mode/wifi connected to HAL) but you wont have contact with Internet/emails/websites outside of HAL network.

It is best to have each passenger to have their own login as you can chat with each other while onboard and in different parts of the ship. You can also log in under different accounts so if you are logged in under 1 passenger, just log out and log back under your account. No need to delete app (for OP). DW and I do separate excursions so need separate accounts and we do a screenshot of the excursion tickets and just pull up the photo when in port so don't need to be connected to ticket. (We also had a tour guide want to scan our card instead of ticket so it depends on guide). 

Depends on what we likes to do. If he likes arcade gaming, virtual reality, etc you may want to look into buying a package as the extra costs for these may add up. Suggest having a TA assist you as well and get OBC. 

Tip: before putting in bag, lay each item on the bed and snap one photo so you know what's in the bag. We have had items "misplaced" and HAL asks to describe it we know what it is.  Over the decades they've only lost 1 item but found others a day later "somewhere". We usually send at least a bag every day (sometimes 2 bags) even on embarkment day. Definitely saves on luggage, especially on longer itineraries. 

2 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

  But My other issue was that there is no seating on the exterior promenade deck.  Nothing.  That's one of my favorite places to hang out on HAL ships.  I tend to like to spend my sea days out there reading, relaxing, and looking at the ses.

Be aware that HAL did away with these are the Pinnacle Class ships. 

We've only done Carnival if we had to  (family celebration, charity prize, specific port) and cringe every time booking. But we know what we are getting into, what to avoid and still can enjoy the journey. We have a cruise terminal 2 blocks from our door but Carnival is currently the only line with a ship home port there. (Others stop for a day but we are prevented due to PVSA from boarding or disembarking). We are 5 Star with HAL and would prefer over Carnival but think you can enjoy any cruise if itinerary and date are important (and an experience with your mother). 

20 hours ago, AncientWanderer said:

I want to add one thing that comes to mind...and might illustrate the difference between a Hal cruise and a Carnival cruise.  I ordered a Manhattan cocktail in the special steakhouse and literally nobody in there knew what it was.  The waitress had feverish discussion with the bartenders and it was like chickens with heads cut off.  I finally ordered something else.  DH and I cracked up, but some might get cranky about that.  (I think they get a lot more calls for tropical drinks.)

You're lucky they didn't try to make one. Probably won't have tasted like clams. 🙄

In theory you get better seating (like by a window) but you can sit anywhere. There is no designated "section". Also you don't have CO and are sitting with members that don't order the 1 extra entree, they don't have a problem with you ordering it as long as the number of entrees match the number of CO passengers at the table. This may change depending on server but we've never had a problem. 

We always bring 1 plastic water bottle (each), drink it before flight security, keep the empty bottle and refill it while onboard ship to take on excursions and refill back on ship. When time comes to recycle the bottle, we do that in port and buy another bottle. Refilling can be done as stated above (Lido, sink, or canned water -included in SBP) and the bottle fits in the fridge. 

HAL does not want cases of plastic water bottles to deal with recycling/trash but we've never had a problem with bringing 1 that we could afford to lose if we leave it on excursion accidentally. 

I would suggest NS in April for you. You may like the larger ship, more music venue and definitely the Dutch Cafe. But book the lowest cabin in your category and pay for Club Orange upgrade to select a "better" cabin in that category. 

With this caveat: HAL has had a 40% decrease in their contract entertainers not coming back and many of their crew are new. Hopefully in a year+ they will have things ironed out. But the Pinnacle Class ships (which I personally don't prefer but may be better experience for you) seem to be too big for the ratio of crew they use so having Club Orange helps to have some more attentive dining and customer service (although we shouldn't have to pay extra for that). 

8 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

I’m sorry but there is no way you can compare the current Pinnacle Class cabins to the Prinsendam.  the cabins are all cookie cutter - not different like on that ship and the Neptune Suites  have no comparison to the P’dam.  JMO.  they couldn’t incorporate P’dam into the konignsdam - walk in closets?  In lower cabins?  That’s a joke on the Pinnacle Class.  They are smaller overall than on the Elegant Explorer.

Yes the K'Dam has the dual access bathrooms like the Prinsendam did, which were great if you have guests or 3 travelers. That is what I was referencing.

And yes the room layout is not like Prinsendam (with the curtain) and we don't know lnow why they have the TV on the wall directly behind the sofa. 

Would be curious on the condition of the ships.

https://cruiseradio.net/former-holland-america-ships-to-operate-as-floating-residences/