REOVA

Just curious, with anytime dining, do you need reservations for any specific reason (private table or just for 2)? We usually just show up and are seated quickly, depending on number in party.

Did you notice passengers in the elevator looking into your balcony? Some folks may mind that, others don't care but it's something to consider.

No matter what time you check in, nobody boards until the ship is ready which is dependent on clearing and turn around of prior cruise. With priority you will be placed in the priority waiting area (if they have one) and probably board by 12:00. This is all based on the port having staff and caring whether you have priority boarding. Some priority folks have been snubbed by SD port staff. Did you already contact HAL for wheelchair assistance?

Billboard is transitioning to solo pianist and only Rock Room (no BB King) except on Pinnacle ships. Depending on itinerary length you will probably get a dance routine, comedian/magician, or singer on Main Stage and maybe a movie or HAL documentary. Entertainment at night is not HALs strength and other than conversations with newly met passengers, after 10:30, there is limited "entertainment". I also suggest Eurodam over Westerdam.

Yes on all ships, except Koningsdam's (Pinnacle Class) is narrower and no lounge chairs like on older ships. Also should visit library after boarding and pick up a few books.

Same. I would get notifications hours after an event was over with my Android.

Wow 1 day cruise. I doubt you will get any feel of the cruise or any restaurant in 1 day. Cruising is about experiencing and we've had days that were good in some restaurants and not so good on other days. Would hate for you to try a restaurant on its off day and then forever think it was bad. But you won't know unless you try and experience it. We used to like Pinnacle and hated Canaletto, then loved Tamarind, Canaletto and not Pinnacle. Last year we weren't impressed with any of them on Eurodam. Did our tastes change? No. But we just ate during a "rough" time for HALs service and kitchen. If this is the first night of a longer cruise, it may be hectic for HAL.

As Hank said word of mouth is great. I found a few good agents by referral. I've used big box and automobile agencies (which booked the wrong cruise for us- one a year later). I find that ones that specializes in what you want (cruising), has traveled onboard and keeps up with education and tricks and trades of the cruise lines are the best, as opposed to "catch all" travel agents. I contacted my agent who was on a cruise at the time, and was helped by others in the office. So the office environment and how they run it is important as well as we hear people say "my agent is out" and they can't get responses. You may have to search and call different companies (like interviewing staff) and see. Also ask for quotes from a few different agents and see how they respond and interact.

Yes you probably need to call. I used to book with Big box but stopped after having to call their agency's manager to get a response. Then had to call multiple times to get an agent who knew what I needed and how to get it done. Now I use a large cruise agency that does everything (after I research, because that's what I do 😉) and not only get a better discount on price plus OBC (much better than big box), but someone to talk with that knows cruising if I need something. But the savings we'll offset the refer a friend bonus. Also they can price more items than HAL website shows.

I thought it depended on what food you purchased. Some were additional cost as was some of the beverages unless you had HIA or beverage package.

Yes I realized after posting that I was responding to OPs NS cruise instead of Zaandam but couldn't delete it. That's totally different....Never mind.

You should be able to log into Big Box TA website and see what is offered and book it.

Except on the "state of the art" World Stage that may be dark or show a movie one (or more) of those nights. HAL got rid of production department in 2019 and went with third party agencies and brand named license contracts. You may see a dance group (Step One), or a singing group, which on a long itinerary or B2B may repeat shows. There's a history/documentary of HALs 150 years or virtual ship tour, a BBC documentary, maybe a magician or comedian. Fortunately since you haven't sailed HAL in the past 3 years you may not have seen them before. Their music walk consists of 3 bar/lounge areas close together so the sound competes if they are on at the same time (for BB King and Rock Room but pianist will alternate time with Rock Room). The artists can be excellent to chalkboard scratchy quality and may repeat songs each night so you have the option to watch the BBC movie on off nights. HAL entertainment took a reverse direction from its prior years and still below Celebrity or others if you are looking for production stage shows like it used to have. But the ship is nice and Dutch Cafe is a nice addition on the Pinnacle ships. You should be able to find something or enjoy new acquaintances.

I haven't run into losing priority boarding (as a 5*) to CO. Everyone (4*/5*/CO) are still grouped together, once we get through security (which is different at different ports and no longer has priority security lines). Once in the waiting area, everyone of us lines up when the ship opens for boarding so being 6* doesn't change the current boarding issue, as the same 5* that may have been grouped before may just be a different name in same group. I believe that was the comment from passengers (no priority) to Gus during the Q&A to which he responded (too many in top tier). The port terminals will only be able to service so many "priority" lines unless costs increase. So I doubt anyone at HAL wants to increase costs so we can board 30 minutes faster than others. The algorithm HAL uses for loyalty is harder than figuring out credit scoring.

Yeah that's just wrong. HAL would never think to do that. 😄 (But CCL would 😉).

Not sure I follow. If they make a 6 star (750 points) that gets 2 more dinners in alternative dining (or even adds Rudi dinner) or additional benefits above 5* (more spa benefits?) or even true priority boarding, how does that downgrade what 5 star already has. They would need to find benefits between the new level and Presidential (which after 1400 actual DAYs still need invitation, I'll never see one). We definitely don't want to reduce 5 star benefits by adding another level. But after getting to 500 points there is a long spread to reach Presidential with no added benefits during those 900 days. But HAL really doesn't have incentive to change, even if there are "too many at the top", as they save (or profit more) from not having to provide these to newer HAL cruisers. But when 70+% of the cruises on some itineraries are 4 and 5 stars, it's hard to show appreciation and that's where dilution shows. Currently we value benefits of 4 star more than 5 (just our opinion) but mostly because our longer itineraries make higher level diluted with so many in the same boat (intended).

Yes no biggie on 5 star but curious minds want to know what will happen to us based on Gus's comment about having "too many at the top tier" when asked about "watered down benefits". Maybe his response was more about priority boarding and not overall benefits, but HAL will need to look into another tier, better benefits or something. And then CCL will need to align across all brands (which is more unlikely).

CO is in effect a way for HAL to charge anyone that wants "priority" or "better" service for a fee. 4 and 5 star Mariners have priority boarding (where ports follow it) and since CO started, they fall in with that group. There is a special line for CO for the guest services desk and excursion desk so they don't wait in the, sometimes, long lines that other passengers do. In the main dining room (non Pinnacle ships) there is a separate (faster) line for CO and priority locations for the dining room as well as 1 "special" entree selection that CO can order, although you can sit with non CO passengers, they just wont get the menu with the extra entree. On the 3 Pinnacle ships there is a separate small dining room for CO for breakfast and dinner which is quieter and more focused on service (theoretically) but same food as MDR. If you are in Neptune Suite, HAL feels you are paying enough to have these privileges so they are included. CO also have the option to book the cheapest cabin in a category (like V*) and pick a better cabin in that V* category. (I.e. you can't book a Vista and get a Signature Suite as they are different categories). If you sail in a Neptune Suite there is no reason to purchase CO. But depending on what other category cabin you want, you may be better off booking the lower price cabin and upgrading with CO for a better cabin. Keep in mind, better cabin is in the eye of HAL not necessarily what you may want. And on Pinnacle ships, having breakfast and dinner in the CO restaurant is preferred than in MDR for some (us) except you don't get to sit with or meet new people there as easily as you can in MDR, if that is a concern. So the short answer is its an add on pass.

Except other than Neptune and Pinnacle Suites, there is no "suite" experience and benefits (lounge, boarding, CO, laundry, etc) included in Vista or Signature "suites". You do get double mariner points. As stated, HAL'S "suite" experience is far below others. You get a small "lounge" area with some food and dedicated pair of guest services concierge to handle things, but it's biggest comparison over other lines are the suites are bigger in general. They may be smaller size on aft but larger balcony and may have small balcony on other deck areas besides "suite" level so if upgrading, watch that. (Location, location, location). We find MSC has the best value for suite experience and amenities but the cabins (and storage) are smaller than HAL and the ships are much bigger (which provide more entertainment options but also more crowded). We did a Carribean cruise in MSC Yacht Club which was a great experience (MIami port was eh) unless you have to venture to other areas of the ship, where we prefer HAL'S smaller ships, nicer crew (overall) and better food (generally). HAL doesn't have the suite restaurant, pool, lounge size with entertainment and food variety as the "ship within a ship" concept. While it's Neptune value is no longer "suited" for us, we are just as well happy in a Signature, Vista, Veranda (non suite amenities) if sailing with HAL on unique itineraries other than Caribbean.

There is currently a thread in this forum of someone on Celebrity that just got off Eurodam (and will be boarding another HAL ship) providing comparisons.

No reservations allowed but Host/Hostess can suggest a time. Seems a few people like to line up at the door before they are open. We've never had to wait but every cruise is different.

Yes there were about a dozen heirs when Ernest and Julio passed. I was quoting their '80s tagline in the commercials (with their music) as I haven't had it since then.

"Today's Gallo...All the best a wine can be"

Since the Apex can hold 1000 more passengers than Eurodam, I would think MDR noise and table space would be more similar to Pinnacle class ships, which we find noisy and crowded. Thanks for your comparison. It confirms other posts about decline on Celebrity (which is a topic of many lines) and where HAL is lacking (entertainment). It's very hard to compare 1 cruise against the other (even on same ship and different dates) as there are so many factors that can occur and subjective opinions from people (even doing the same cruise) but you were able to capture overall vibe of the comparison within the same time frame.