REOVA

Is the Captain marrying them? 

Was on Rotterdam this month and Crosswords and Soduko both were available. Either in the library or up in EXC lounge /crows nest (I forget as I was hoping for the daily trivia which they no longer do).  I suggest waiting and getting a tour of spa before buying on day 1. When we last bought spa package (many years ago) we found we never used it on short itineraries. Maybe a day pass (free for 5* mariners). Also some people have mentioned suanas/steam rooms not working on some ships so know before you pay. 

Do you have a Print Documents button? If you've completed all documents and credit card online, boarding pass should be ready to print. It may give a temporary boarding time and  change when getting closer to boarding. 

I think the last Happy Hour I saw on ship this month was BOGO but 2nd was only half price not free. We had SBP and used it for both alcohol and non alcohol (too many milkshakes 😮) so didn't pay attention. 

You can find someone onboard current ship (from CC roll call) and have them ask someone (like matre d') about next cruise count. They usually have an estimate. 

30 minutes ago, azdrydock said:

Do excursions booked on board cost the same as online bookings?

Not always. When I have OBC to use, I book excursions with credit card at least before the 3 days from embarkation so I can get them before they sell out. Then once onboard I go to EXC desk and have them credit my card account and deduct from OBC. But you need to make sure which tours are full so EXC doesn't lose them when they cancel/rebook (they shouldn't but never know). Also check what you paid preboard and current price onboard price. Some do increase onboard so if you have other tours that haven't had a price increase (or are not full yet), you can rebook those first. I did have to pay a higher price once but it was only $10-20 total. 

2 hours ago, RClark6369@aol.com said:

Thanks for replying everyone !   So my choices are cabin 4148 or 6143 on Rotterdam.    I like being close to the water line, being close to an elevator (just for convenience to the cabin), being close to bars, and having a larger veranda.  Opinions of my choices ???

 Also, has anyone with a larger veranda ever requested a chaise lounger for their cabin ? and was that request fulfilled ?  

 

Thanks again everyone !!

 

Of the 2 I would choose 4148 with the caveat that you have traffic off the elevator coming by your door, you may not have a view of the water looking down towards the bow (tenders) and you may hear dining/kitchen noise depending on what deck 3 is doing below. I am not fond of the angled balcony cabins like 6143 as it's not as private and you would not be able to see towards the bow as the partition to the cabin next to you is blocking view left. Also looking towards stern you don't see down the ship since it's inset and you look down the cabins toward V6169. Not sure if these matter but just my thoughts. 

18 minutes ago, Cruiseincan said:

Was curious how many people can be accommodated at a specialty restaurant. Mother is turning 75 and was hoping to have dinner for about 14 folks at pinnacle. Do they accommodate that many people or break groups up? The most I can see to book online was just 6... Thanks... 

You will need to call HAL dining way before boarding as dining fills up fast (even pre boarding). It may depend on the ship but some of the older ships do have a back room to use and the new ships have back row a tables they may be able to move tables together. You will probably need an early or late time there. 

5 minutes ago, Lazy_Triathlete said:

A vacation to me is spending the evening with my wife, who I don’t get to see as often as I would like since we are both pilots and are rarely home together.  
 

 

I applaud you to be able to find (take) that time as I know how precious time can be with active work schedules. For DW and I we are now retired and spend most of our time together at home. We will either vacation or travel. The former is when we like to relax and mainly stay together and the later is where we like to experience places, people and excursions (which we mostly do separate since I am more adventurous outdoors and she likes the tourist or walking tours). I can appreciate both styles as we have met numerous people around the world that we still keep in touch with as well as learned different perspectives from these people, as well as from each other. Each of our adventures work differently. 

"I could never use my phone at Sea, maybe because I have a Samsung and Navigator app is designed for iPhone?"

I have a Samsung and no problem using Navigator app on phone. Obviously you wouldn't want to call at sea from cell phone unless using internet calling or a video calling app through wifi (when wifi works) but, my guess,  it probably wasn't due to Samsung. Glad you had a good cruise and thanks for reviewing. 

If you decide Veranda vs Vista (because of layout of bed) avoid VF (tenders) and I don't like VA and V due to inset of the cabins so you don't get a full view down the ship from the balcony. Just my opinion. 

My concern for deck 4 would be noise from either World Stage/Casino (Forward) or engine/mechanical/Dining in (Aft). The lower decks in aft get more noise and vibration. I didn't see what cabin on Navigation (V?) but noise from above can be an issue. We did Neptune suites on Kdam and Rdam and the Beethoven suites above had full view down on our balcony for little privacy. But on Beethoven deck I believe passengers would have to look over deck 10 to see down on balcony. 

When you get onboard, go to shoreexc desk and have them rebook it with your credit. Also if you booked any other excursions via credit card precruise, have them rebook those to use OBC and it will credit back to your account. 

4 hours ago, Farmerswife4 said:

Thanks everyone!  Our room number is 1097. I really appreciate all of your comments. I will ask to switch if we find it close to staff area or Bb Kings. We are dairy farmers and looking forward to a relaxing holiday!!!

The other issue would be what's below. You may need to check where you are proximity to engine, mechanical and crew quarters as there may be noise or vibration below.

some reviews.....

    cabin 1083 - "constant hum"
    cabin 1092 - "noisy activity never totally stopped"
    cabin 1097 - "a bit noisy"

Here is and old cabin review for 1097 on NA "We were awakened around 7AM each morning with grinding and knocking sounds below our cabin.".  

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. 

15 minutes ago, LMaxwell said:

Working my way up to that type of travel. It does seem to be their stronger suit.  I don't need a mega ship, but Nieuw Amsterdam is about the smallest/least amount of amenities I like. I don't think I'd like anything much smaller; but maybe. 

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. 

3 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

It's to bad Seattle is so rigid on this.  I guess it has to be free of anything that might offend.  I can see how this can become tiresome.

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. 

1 hour ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

 Hal has a certain playlist approved by Seattle.  They don’t play what they feel like.

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. 

15 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

Cruising seems to be an emotional attachment for some. 

 

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. 

5 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I often try to book on other lines, ones recommended here and ones once sailed and enjoyed but they simply do not have the variety and the depth.  Once I cross into the luxury category such as Seabourn I start considering other modes of transportation and a different style of travel.  

 

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).