REOVA

I suggest booking a Neptune suite on Koningsdam that has a separate water closet off the hall as well as 2nd door to bathroom by the bed. There is a sleeper sofa and not sure if you need the bed separated. I have heard Rotterdam and NS don't have these cabins but HAL still shows the Floorplan for those ships. There is a 6 day cruise rt from San Diego in March that does the CA coast. You can find longer cruises to Mexico in Nov, Dec and Jan on KDam as well. You will be spoiled.

Depending on demand for quad rooms, they may need your room and change it before boarding if someone else needs it.

NA and Eurodam are a nice sweet spot for HAL with maybe a few minor tweaks in programming. We loved the last Prinsendam which was small (under 900 passengers and <450 crew) and have cruised over 100 day voyages on Amsterdam (Rotterdam class - Zaandam and Volendam sisters) so smaller has been nice experience. But the Signature ships added things and kept things to make a good mix. IMHO

He can build his own pizza or get Reuben /pastrami (without cheese) at NY Deli. They also have Vegan and Gluten free options everywhere. Make reservation at Tamarind (before you get on board if you want a particular time before it sells out). Dutch Cafe is always a hit for lunch.

Every generation gets offended by the next generation of music. 😉🤣 Definitely hard to pick a selection that will please everyone (except me) but if you give a band a limited list, THEY will definitely choose which songs they like (can) playing better, which cuts the list even further. (As from the band's words). And while we are talking music, when eating in Alt Dining venues, we would expect to hear nice, music that fits the decor and ambiance of the restaurant. The music in Tamarind, Pinnacle, CO, etc don't fit the venues and even the crew get tired of the loop each night. I'd be curious if HAL asks the crew for opinions/ suggestions.

On Pinnacle Class ships its difficult to just walk on prominade with blind turns and narrow walkways so I wouldn't suggest it, even if allowed. On the older ships with lounge chairs and wider deck, it would be easier but I think (maybe for liability) they still don't allow running.

Yes. Herein lies one problem. The bands can only play a certain list of songs. This month on Rotterdam the Rolling Stone band musicians were excellent. They stated they have a list of 50- 100 songs to play. With 3 - 45 min sets each night, they played the same songs each night which got tiring after 4th night. We didn't sit for piano players in Billboard but passengers told us not only did they play same songs, but they spoke the same script in between. Just some minor changes to the program can make a better experience. I don't think most of us want major changes or return "back to the way it was", but a few tweaks here and there will help.

I agree. Our main attachment the past decade (speaking for my DW) is free laundry and a couple of dinners at alt dining. 🤣 Besides a few test cruises on other lines, we still look at the HAL itineraries for our traveling the World (But competition appears to be growing). While we understand there are challenges and changes, we definitely have to look at what other lines offer, if they can do whatever we want better, and the economics of choice. Seeing familiar faces is nice (crew and passengers) but won't outweigh overall quality decline on any cruiseline if it comes to that.

Hopefully Gus' words are forthcoming but we have yet to see (from prior management) how that translates toward the future. Yes HAL should do well with its staple itineraries in Caribbean, Med, Alaska, Canada and that helps. We haven't tried many other lines in the past decade (even though CCL is 1 block from our door) since we also try to do the longer itineraries. Viking has raised interest as friends jumped over and loved them. But again there are trade offs and always a broad range of pro/cons from cruisers with them or other lines.

HAL currently has ships to appeal to various cruisers and ages. The profit and strategy has been to newer, efficient ships that offer more potential profit than the older ships (music, dining, drinks) and do short trips (under 14 days) and passenger turn around catches more people's crusing schedule. (Exception being B2B cruisers). The number of 4* and 5* mariners is probably reaching records (just a guess) so the chances of mariners jumping ship at this point is lessened. Depending on who is now making decisons at Corp, they can build a following of new mariners (or those that enjoy the Pinnacle ships) and let the older ships cater to those that like those ships (myself included) and do the longer itineraries and smaller ports, until those ships are done (sold/scrapped) and those Mariners are no longer sailing. My hope is that they don't just give up on us, since we've already reached a point of no return (or force us to switch cruise lines) and ignore what we all loved about crusing with HAL (unique itineraries and more intimate sailing with crew and new friends). It appears the newer ships will not be the "ocean liners" we loved (i.e. wide prominade decks) and unless you sail a Grand Voyage or Transocean cruise, the other options will be B2B which will have repeat shows every 7-10 days. (The VOV 2022 felt more like 2 - 17 days cruises onboard instead of a "grander" Voyage with repeat on onboard activities. (I know it was sold as 2 as well and not technically a GV). Hopefully they will listen to passengers who liked some of the old onboard options (stage band, stage singers and dancers, cookout at Lido pool, etc) but liability, health codes, declining profits due to whatever, has CCL having to slowing build back up a HAL brand that is trying to find its way to keep costs down and revenue up. It will be an interesting 5+ years to see what the future (and changes) brings but we will still be cruising.

Was on the first part of your cruise. In a Neptune suite and we could hear people in cabin next to us and it wasn't an adjoining cabin. I think the walls are not insulated/sound proofed well when they slide these together. (Not even sure that can be done fully). And of course the neighbors above and next door both liked to go in and out of the balconies multiple times with the door slamming. We always heard the crew and doors in the hall. It's was also one of the most creaking cabins we've ever had. Fortunately we got used to it after a few days and did enjoy each adventure (Nicole, Cuban refugees, extra sea day, etc).

The sign at the port taxi stop states what the taxi fare is and supposedly they can't charge for certain things (luggage?). I think minimum stated was $13 with cost being a base approximately $2.50 and $2.50 per fraction of a mile. For "no toll " route it's about 5 miles so you get the minimum. My cabbie just said minimum was $16 when we stopped but I was going to give $20 anyway so it wasn't an issue.

Attend BB King band at least once. Get there 1/2 hour early (at least) and wear mask. Probably be crowded.

I was always using able to use tongs to get cookies, sandwiches, meats, fruit, etc pre pandemic. The main entree section was served by crew but the Lido sections by the cookies/deserts and far end sandwiches, chips, fruit, bread were self serve. Even back then people picked off food and put back partially eaten plates. Unless Nvirus or flu outbreak happened and HAL pulled in the reins.

Thanks Ruth. I am aware of HAL history (and the last Prinsendam was our favorite even though it wasn't a HAL ship). As I mentioned, I use the "terminology" as short hand to differentiate when I post. Same with RDam and KDam. I have never had anyone get confused on what I type (unless of course I screw up a typo 🤪).

Unless the Port or airport closes due to a Hurricane(are we done yet), getting a taxi (lined up right outside the terminal) and to the airport (<4 miles) is quick and easy.

Yes DW used to work for a grocery store and would find all kinds of partially eaten food stuck in shelves. "They" are not just on ships.

NA is a good ship that still gives you the feel of sailing on an ocean liner with a nice prominade deck to walk or sit and read (or visit with new friends), has some more dining and music venues than the "older" ships but doesn't give your the max dining, music and large hoopla of the newer Pinnacle class ships. If your interest is sailing, relaxing and meeting new friends and crew, it's a good ship. Everyone's review is going to be different as many have sailed HAL for decades and want the old back, many like the new, many can make the best of anything and many can't appreciate anything. But sail with no expectations and you'll be pleasantly surprised.

Sounds like a Carnival "fun" ship.

Sounds like we are back to pre pandemic cruising. ☹️ some people have learned lessons, others will be doomed to repeat. Just hope the rest of us are not doomed.

When do you board? I believe the final boarding pass with bar code is closer to embarkation. The boarding pass earlier may not have the bar code and also may have a temporary boarding time that could change before the final is ready to print.

Correction. I meant something between S (Signature) and P (Pinnacle) class ships. My terminology (using initials) which most people understand what I was saying. (Even if my R was supposed to be a P). But thank you 😉

We also prefer the other ships over the R class. (And the world stage oversight was a big thing). But R class will do what they were meant to do (more people onboard having a bar to drink at, more dining options to choose from and more music choices, although crammed in 1 area) and definitely brings a different crowd for shorter cruising itinerary than HAL is known for. Hopefully the next class ships will figure a happy median between S and R class.

I dont see the Promo you reference. When did you book this cruise? We booked a HIA a week before the new Black Friday promo which does not include Crew Appreciation but gives alot of OBC. I specifically asked about it and was told not all HIA promos are alike. I found out on precious booking when I found a cheaper price for a same cabin and a HIA package that did away with one of the usual HIA features (wifi) but was enough savings that I didn't worry about paying for wifi separately. Now it appears my current itinerary is advertised as including Crew Appreciation so I will let you know what they say about adding it.

From what I've seen from posts in the roll calls is they usually can be filled by others if done sooner than later but it depends on the tour guide and deposit/payment requirements. I usually try to organize excursions that can take a range of people for a set price that way you can juggle the numbers up or down without affecting price. We've also done excursions where each person was responsible for their own deposit, which doesn't affect the group as much. I have seen tours that the total price is based on fixed number of people so if one backs out, the individual costs increase (disclosed beforehand to group). I've also lost deposits from cruise being cancelled so not all tours are able to accomodate change. During these dynamic times we have to allow for various situations.