REOVA

May want to ask HAL whats includes. Also need more info. What ship? Make sure you know the cabin number also. One of the nice things about Neptune is the concierge lounge located on 7th deck for most ships but not all Neptune cabins are on the same deck nor in quiet areas (near busy area). Usually the fare cost difference is about double and the upgrade offer may be just 50% more so if you can do it for under 50% cost, might be worth a try. We found we didn't need the room for the extra cost and we already get priority benefits and laundry for 5* Mariner level so not always worth it for us. But we did just sail in a Neptune again (had FCC to use) on a Pinnacle ship and used Orange Club restaurant most nights over the larger/noiser MDR.

They are less strict than TSA. https://www.porteverglades.net/cruise/security/

We were in GT this week on Rotterdam. They've had to shuffle schedules a few weeks ago due to hurricane damage but we had no problems, other than brief rain from outer bands of TS Nicole.

Rotterdam has docked and waiting for inspection and setup to clear for disembarkation About an hour late so expect boarding to be after 3 pm. Crew is doing a rush job to turn over ship.

Great review and good points. We are 5* and have been on many HAL ships (fav was Prinsendam) and have done Grand World Cruises, on which HAL supposedly goes all out on. But on 2020 GWC is when we noticed changes (aside from how it ended) for the worse since we could compare apples to apples. (HAL didn't have music at the pool anytime during the past 5 years of the Grand Voyages which has been a complaint of many.) Even before the shutdown, HAL had planned to change the entertainment by changing agency, getting rid of the World Stage house band and singers and doing Cantare and Step One Dance instead. I agree the production for these have been cheapened. But also if you've seen the shows on one ship, they are the same on another ship next cruise so we have to skip them. And if your cruise is longer than 7 days, there's a good chance it will repeat on that cruise. We did VoV in July on Zaandam and it was treated as 2 - 17 cruises with repeats of entertainment, although they did have an Ocean bar band. Some nights, as stated, members of the band or piano bar played with dancers but it wasn't "entertaining cruise experience" but itinerary focused, which we knew. As we know Carnival has been "consolidating" brand operations for years to be more efficient (while losing the details that made HAL what it was). They have no reason to cater to 5 Star when they can be more profitable with larger ships, shorter cruises and new passengers. They are advertising "longer voyages" more which sell out due to us ole time mariners, but haven't kept the "experience" of old. We cruise for itinerary first and then relaxing on the water. While we enjoyed the music venues on Pinnacle ships, we like the old maritime feel of the smaller ships, not being on a floating hotel. HAL crew have said (although many are new) they enjoy the smaller ships to get to know the passengers and vice-versa. They look and feel rushed and stressed on the larger ships. We don't eat in MDR on the big ships due to size and noise level. Club Orange is worth it if you are not Neptune suite on Pinnacle ships (not needed so much on older ships) where you can enjoy a personal, quiet and speedy (if needed) meal. Pinnacle Grill now up charges if you want more than 1 appetiser. I got 4 thin (4") stalks of asparagus for a side and the bacon appetizer only hung halfway down. We are going back to Eurodam after 10 years for more comparison but not expecting much other than smooth sailing, walking and relaxing on the promenade deck, bringing our own books to read, and hoping ro see familiar crew.

Correct. The Port has to be inspected before anyone can dock. Our current disembarkment times are between 10:45 and noon but that is subject to change since the Captain has not received confirmation yet from Port on times (as of noon Wednesday). But if our last passenger is off at noon, that gives the crew only 2 hours to turn over so the 2pm embarkment is just an estimate at this point. I'd suggest getting to Port later than sooner as with disembarkment and traffic and chaos, it should be easier after most are boarded and things calm down.

Rotterdam was supposed to be in Grand Turk 11/1 and to DR 11/7 but just switched port dates last week. I assumed it was to give Grand Turk more time to clean up after damage by Hurricane Fiona. Have not heard about NS changes.

And I'm sure Godmother Oprah was surprised NS didn't have a library for her book club. I also heard they were losing more books but also hiring cut to staff the libraries on the other ships. Can't wait to board Rotterdam this month and see the library...even if you can no longer sit on Prominade and read.

Check with your stock broker if you own mutual funds in your name with CCL shares. HAL told us that will count if you can show detail of at least 100 shares. Then you don't have to worry about buying more and insolvency.

Koningsdam has the commode and a sink in a separate private WC from the full bathroom so its still 1 bathroom but with 3 sinks and allows dual access from hall or bathroom which is nice for guests or family in the room. Similar to the old Prinsendam Neptune suites. For some reason they did not build the NS and Rotterdam with the same design Neptune Suites.

they ran out of empty cabins so we quarantined for 6 days together even though I was negative the whole trip. The only issue in a port was Ireland did not allow those that were positive 10 days prior to port from disembarking but the ship was able to dock and others were able to get off.

Contact HAL ahead of time for wheel chair to see if they can provide . They book up early.

Probably no better group to have on hand if medical needs assistance. 😉 There are much larger groups (TA's) that have private events and meetings and you would never know if you were not part of the group. Its still the same number of cabins/passengers. If it was on a Pinnacle Class ship, I'd be more concerned as the larger dining room seems to be more challenging for the crew (and noisier). You could find out your first night at dinner how it goes and change to anytime dining if they are also late diners and you see a problem.

We had same problem with prime rib and horseradish sauce, eh mayonnaise. I asked 4 different servers for horseradish sauce and got 4 ramekins of mayo. I asked for straight horseradish and they told me it was bought premixed. Supervisor came over with another ramekin and tasted it with tears in his eyes. Said they probably added wasabi. 😅 Agree with you on the Pavlova - almost raw inside. Over the years I've tried to ignore the "old" days and find appreciation of the good things about being on a ship (familiar crew, ole friends, etc). The scales definitely are tipping towards the best thing at least still being able to get on a ship. Will take years to tip the other way. The Halifax HOHO was actually a better tour than any of HALs. Driver stopped at locations to let us off to wander and take photos for a few minutes and gave a great commentary. He was a history teacher so that helped. Just don't get off permanently if you want to get back on another bus, they over sell them and pass you by. It rained while we were there but hope you had an enjoyable day.

You really have to look at what each offers. The benefit of booking on board is usually lower deposit and possibly cabin selection (but not always) on popular itineraries. I found the OBC was minimal (Like $100 for short cruise) and depends on length of cruise. HIA promos seem to change with specific promotions (some with wifi, some with crew appreciation, etc) so you have to watch which is better for you. I don't know that you will necessary get early booking on some cruising booked online.

I wasn't aware that the app worked before you got onboard. Have you tried on the website? But yes even onboard I had the wrong dinner times come up and the correct times not showing on the app.

Supposedly the new TVs were loaded in Boston. Are they installing them while you are there so you have on demand system or do you still only have the 4 channels to choose from? Enjoy the trip.

AH the COVID ship (Reading "Cabin Fever" right now. A interesting perspective from our experience on a different ship at the beginning of the pandemic, even with their creative liberties included). We had over 200 cases a few weeks aqo on the VoV so mask up. It will hide your grouchy snarl as well when they ask you to sanitize 🤣 Probably more cases were onboard but many people rather spread the "love" than get tested and quarantine for 6 days. (We elected the later). Glenn Michael used to be the HAL piano payer and has moved up over the many years. He did treat everyone to a sing along one night when the piano player was out. Fernanda was our Music Trivia host and it was funny to hear her pronounce the songs and artists from the 60's and 70's, as if they were from a fairy tale (long ago and far far away). We only had to show our card at deck 3 and watch safety video on TV, are they back to full muster? Speaking of TVs, supposedly the new TVs were on the dock waiting for installation (Supply chain delay) so you may get a choice of more than 4 channels now. Enjoy and safe travels.

If you have specific excursion allowance then you have to select to use that before you go to payment page. If its not specific for excursion ($200 per person) and its just onboard credit you can't book it prior to boarding (not being onboard). Once onboard you have 2 accounts, onboard credits which must be used by end of cruise or you lose it, and your credit card which you get any unused balance back. I booked everything prior to boarding on my credit card so it won't be sold out and then was able to go onboard and check which tours were not waitlisted or close to full (sitting with the excursion desk) and they could cancel the prepaid booking and rebook it from the onboard account. (You also need to look at what you paid and current onboard prices as they may have increased). The cancelled booking went back to credit card account (which I got back end of cruise) and I was able to use all of my onboard credits.

If you go to your booking and find an excursion, it should give you an option to use your HIA credit. If you have some left over it will show the balance of credit remaining.

Sadly for the Casino workers, the tables (Blackjack, Poker, Roulette, Craps) where empty most of the VoV cruise. Black Jack did have some players at night but they couldn't get enough signed up for tournaments. I remember years ago a dealer telling me he couldn't wait for his next contract on Carnival because HAL doesn't have the players. I think it depends on the itinerary and specific passengers on that cruise. I've seen standing room only crowds and also ghost town.

Great location and plenty to eat/see within walking distance. Sounds like you are off to a great start.

Just off the VoV a few weeks ago so its really a T/A both ways. Masks were not required initially but many people still wore them (Crew required) and then COVID cases with about 200 out of 1100 passengers so masks were required most of the trip until cases went down about a week at the end (many people don't get tested, just like to cough, for fear of quarantine, We ended up in quarantine for 6 days. The decision to mask supposedly is Captain and Medical but Captain said it was CCL Corp directive in this case. We were about 80% capacity so they ran out of quarantine rooms and people quarantined in their cabins, but VoV is a popular cruise. Ship had many crew down with COVID as well and were moving crew around to cover open positions (and training).

We had a 10:55 flight a few weeks ago and went with the HAL airport shuttle. It was about $35/pp but was very smooth and got to Airport 2 hours early with 4 bags to check plus carry on. No hassle or worry about timing or construction in the tunnel on weekends.

Was just on VoV for 35 days and cost pre board was quoted at $319.99 for premium wifi and went up to $399.99 onboard.