REOVA

The non alcohol wines still have some alcohol unless they can capture all of the alcohol molecules in reverse osmosis process. They have the yeast and more sugar and most will have carbonation although I saw an oaked Cab "non alcohol" which would be interesting to taste and see in glass. And you are correct, they probably don't think demand is there but I know many who don't drink and don't like bubbles so maybe they should test (like having tasting to bring to passenger's attention). It would be an additional profit center for HAL for those that don't drink alcohol.

Whether you bring 1 bottle or 12, you pay $20 per bottle. I used to bring a case on longer cruises since I have so much wine in storage (per DW) but decided to just experience what they have on ship instead.

See if your TA can help. If they know you are booking they might expedite the FCC. See my older post below: For those waiting on FCC, my DW and I were quarantined in July (she positive, me negative 3 times during 6 day quarantine). My brother and his DW also were on same ship, she tested positive, he negative and also both quarantined for 6 days. They booked a future cruise onboard and when they got home, called their TA who got the FCC into their mariner account and applied to the booking. We all got letters for FCC and dates, etc etc. My wife and I heard crickets until we got onboard in October and I stood at Guest Services to get someone on phone and miraculously FCC appeared in my Mariner account. Once you are off a ship, it's impossible to get HAL'S attention. It appears that having someone (TA, onboard staff, etc) in your corner is required. I was told to email HAL to follow up on another issue we were not credited for. Since we've been off the ship,, HAL has been silent for that. If you have a TA or currently on a ship, might be worth following up and pressing. The good thing is because our FCC came late, we have a longer time before they expire so we can wait for things to hopefully get better organized. 🤞

It's a minor thing but a personal preference. HALs older ships had a streamline portside and starboard. The Signature Class ships began widening at the bow and stern so midship cabins inset. The Pinnacle Class ships added a "bulge" in the middle so they have 2 lines of insets on each side of ship. These are all VA verandas on deck 8 so if looking bow or stern, you see V cabins at the corners of the "bulge". Look at the difference of VE cabins that are more forward/aft and are not inset so you can see down the side (be cautious that different categories within Veranda have different size balconies - maybe 1 foot diff if that matters - and either solid or glass railings). Like I said its not a big deal. You still get a view of the water and partial angles right and left. Most people look straight out anyway. I don't think VA balconies on Deck 8 are deep since on our last cruise we could look up from deck 7 and people were looking down over into our balcony (we had deeper balcony in Neptune). Also on your cruise you would be under Lido pool and and Lido market which is noisy at night and morning as chairs and tables are dragged around. So if you could choose a different VA on, say deck 6 or 7 it may be better but my guess is they have cabins open on 8 they want to fill. Attached are deck plans to compare when booking. hal-deck-plans-020522.pdf

It can be, especially disembarkment day but don't let that discourage you. No. Your key card will be gold so that is your tender ticket when you show it getting off. There is a specific line/entry for Neptune and Club Orange members (to right of hostess) so less waiting. Seats are reserved usually by the windows in the MDR. Never did High Tea in suite (or on ship) as we usually would sit in lounge and meet new people (when not active on ship or on balcony). There is high tea and snacks there but I've heard mixed reviews on high tea in general.

The app won't have "dressy" nights listed until you board. But you can expect at least 1 sea day to be dressy (HAL won't give up photo opportunities 😉). Possibly 2 dressy nights but on short cruise maybe not.

Day one go to Lounge and meet your 2 concierge members. They will work effortlessly to make your cruise wonderful, booking excursions, dinners, ordering any special items to room (need a power strip, ask for one). If you do need to go to excursion desk or guest services, there is a separate Club Orange line you can use. The lounge has beverages (teas, soda, juice, alcohol) breakfast, lunch and snack items (mostly fruit, finger foods, etc to tyed you over until meal time). Enjoy snacks and drinks with other passengers or keep to yourselves in your cabin, no problem. As a Neptune guest you get priority boarding, tender, breakfast in PInnacle grill, priority seating/dining, Espresso machine in cabin, bose blue tooth speaker in room (if you have music downloaded on phone, etc. extra Orange Club menu item in MDR, disembarkment is anytime within early and late times. You will be spoiled...but if you need something just ask concierge. Enjoy.

Did 10+1 days in Carribean this month. Never had a problem but I have a relatively new (S10 - 2+ years so maybe not in phone years) and didn't have a problem doing video calls. DW has an ancient IPhone 6s and had problems. We use T Mob service (which is spotty at home) for what it's worth. I think specific problems occur with older phones and larger number of passengers using bandwidth so I imagine if I tried using it during lunch or other prime times, it may have been different. Of you're not looking for gaming speeds or VPN, you should be fine.

The other question would be where the Neptune suite is located. It's nicer on 7 deck with the lounge but you may be on a different deck if that matters to you.

Need more info: Are you 4 star yet? If not free laundry in Neptune. What is the blank space next to 4168? The balcony is great size but is there noise factor? The signature suite is almost similar size as Neptune but you won't have the Neptune Lounge and Concierge which is nice (used to be better lounge food pre covid). If you haven't booked a Neptune suite, why not try it. We used to travel Neptune but found we didn't need the space and SS is just as well (without the lounge 🙁). I would say try Neptune if you don't think you will ever get a chance although be careful you'll get spoiled.

If you mean a cabin on deck 3 aft (lower Prominade) you will be under MDR (deck 4 Prominade) which may or may not be noisy as crew sets up tables (at least its carpeted). I would be concerned about ship vibration at the stern. We had breakfast a few times in MDR and 2 times (at 2 different tables which mirrored each other across room) our water glasses vibrated the whole time. We didn't notice any other tables doing it so it may be exact spots over engines or something. I know people that sailed on sister ships and like the ability to walk out of deck 3 door to lower prominade walking deck. If you are asking about stern around deck 3/lower Prominade here is a photo overlooking the ship wake.

Yes. DW ordered soup, an appetizer and side (no entree) and was ok. Not sure how many apps you can order in place of entree but seems like they'd give more than 2....but then maybe not.

Zaandam is the second oldest left of HAL ships and doesn't have Music Walk. But as noted above the ocean bar has a dance floor (band) as does Crows Nest (DJ). The other music options (non dancing) is piano bar and Explorer's Lounge/Lincoln Stage. We were on for 35+ days this year (and sister ship for 100+ days prior). Attached is a breakdown of amenities for each ship from HAL website. hal-ships-at-a-glance-05-23-22_221130_133512.pdf

You may find HAL behind in technology and wifi. They changed service a few years back but isn't up to level as others. (But technology changes faster than we can keep up.) But even so it will depend on location as well as number of passengers on ship. Obviously Trans Ocean will have drop spots.And we've had problems off west coast of S.A. and Africa. And if many passengers are trying to access at same time, you'll have problems but overall not a problem. You may need to find a seat need a router/extender if balcony is not in good location. But we've made video calls from our cabin with again, some areas dropping connection, but on overall cruise you should ok (except Antarctica).

I print out each deck and above/below. If you are talking with HAL (they usually want an answer quick) you can ask what cabins are available and check your deck plan. Another option is go into website (without logging in) and do a dummy booking with the cabin category and deck and location you want. It will show what's left but it may not be accurate as cabins may get booked or open up while others upgrade so speaking to HAL / TA is best.

We look forward to seeing your next review and how you compare the Rotterdam.

The Pinnacle ships do offer more music and dining venues, even a movie or game on big screen by the pool. Trivia was 3 times on sea days (music trivia at night). My DW and I love music, (we don't dance or drink much) and enjoyed the different venues. But the quality of the musicians can vary and as others have found, HAL gives them a list of songs so they may repeat each night (at least on our 10 day they did). So unless you want to sit and drink or don't mind hearing repeat songs, you will have time to enjoy other parts of the ship. We sailed multiple times this year and have seen the shows in the theater (which repeat on each cruise - Step One, Cantare, BBC) so if you haven't seen them yet, it's worth it. The CD did good presentations for the 10 day (however I believe presentations are same on other ships). On longer voyages they had local talks/presentations on World Stage. Both comedians on World Stage and BB King lounge were good. Those that like the smaller, quieter ships seem not to like the Pinnacle ships and vice-versa. We try to cruise to explore longer destinations and usually getting back to the ship to relax is what we want. But for a short experience on a Pinnacle class, it's worth a try since you already have free laundry. 😉

You'll enjoy it. And try not to compare to Celebrity and complain. 🤣 if you like the smaller ships (we do) and being able to just relax and meet new friends, it's a great ship and itinerary.

The larger ships will be the bread and butter with short cruises. Not sure what their plan is for long voyages. Unless they acquire smaller ships (like they did Prinsendam) but I don't see small ships being built for HAL. Hopefully they learned from Maasdam.

Wow. More passengers and less supplies? That will be interesting during supply chain shortages. Even on Amsterdam they had to scramble in some ports to find supplies. And if they start using inferior TP again, they won't hear the end of it. 🤣

For those waiting on FCC, my DW and I were quarantined in July (she positive, me negative 3 times during 6 day quarantine). My brother and his DW also were on same ship, she tested positive, he negative and also both quarantined for 6 days. They booked a future cruise onboard and when they got home, called their TA who got the FCC applied to the booking. We all got letters for FCC and dates, etc etc. My wife and I heard crickets until we got onboard in October and I stood at Guest Services to get someone on phone and miraculously FCC appeared in my Mariner account. Once you are off a ship, it's impossible to get HAL'S attention. It appears that having someone (TA, onboard staff, etc) in your corner is required. I was told to email HAL to follow up on another issue we were not credited for. Since we've been off the ship,, HAL has been silent for that. If you have a TA or currently on a ship, might be worth following up and pressing. The good thing is because our FCC came late, we have a longer time before they expire so we can wait for things to hopefully get better organized. 🤞

I believe the last ship to covert to new TV system was Zaandam this summer. The TVs are now on the wall so I don't think any access to port connections either. But the on demand movies have a decent selection since the TV selection is limited.

Because they flagged you 🤣 It appears to be automated and random. We are 5* and were in Neptune Suite last month and initially got D boarding and then it changed to A a few days before sailing. Go figure. 🤷‍♂️

The Amsterdam had many issues with leaks in cabins and plumbing was taped and buckets out on decks but it served many a GWCs. When we sailed on Zaandam in July, I was amazed how it looked (repaired) compared to sister Amsterdam so hopefully Zuiderdam will be repaired well. But as you say, with larger number of passengers onboard, complaints will be plenty. We will sit out next year to see how she does.

Last month for me...The health assessment on the website before printing boarding passes was more than 1 question. It was similar questions to the old health assessment pre Covid. If you answer yes, they will probably require test at Port, just my guess, depending on itinerary. The health questionnaire at the port upon embarkment (on the check in tablet) was 1 question.