REOVA

On Half Moon Cay, the clamshells are probably already booked but if you can, book 1 (comes with 2 chairs) and offers great shade as it's hot and sunny there. Get off early and walk past about 2 lifeguard stands and pick one near the lunch spot. Then you can head to lunch a few minutes before it opens (about 11 am) and grab lunch, find a table and eat before the crowds come and be back on the beach to do more walking. There will probably be 2 ships there so gets crowded. Also take pool towels with you (not the HAL beach towels) as someone stole my HAL towel while we ate lunch and they charge you for those. 

Usually you can watch the NFL games in cabin either channel 110 or 200, I forget the exact numbers and which one (the 2 special events channels). May depend on if ship has rights to broadcast from the specific network game is on. 

When DW tested positive in July and I negative, we both had to quarantine. Wonder why they changed policy. Their reasoning, understandably, was anyone close contact and in the room could be contagious even if testing negative. We both received FCC for daily cost while in quarantine. We wear masks onboard but believe it could have been on an excursion where we ate and drank where we may have picked up virus. I'm not sure requiring tests does anything since they won't retest if positive (but tested me 3 out of 5 days because I was negative) and so many cruisers reporting false positives, cancelled cruises and each ship in medical have variety of procedures/crew on how they test. 

On Zaandam in July we got 4 cans of water no problem. On Rotterdam last week we could only get 1 can of water. HUH? I think it depends on the crew but I am sure you can contact a supervisor if there is a problem. 

I believe the shared intention is each person orders an entre and its brought out on "serving" plates instead of to an individual. We did that in July but we did individual ordering last week. Word of caution, Pinnacle Grill just started imposing a surcharge on extra appetizers (Rotterdam) unless one of your appetizers is in place of entre. Hopefully the other dining venues don't follow protocol. 

You should be fine. We were told just to have recovery letter and test. However depending on days after first positive test, there may be a port that won't allow you off and you will be flagged in the system. I.E. even though DW had quarantined and negative test after 6 days, Ireland required waiting 10 days from initial positive and she had to stay on board in port. 

They probably will show a game on the pool screen. The on-demand channels have a channel on which you can watch games in cabin. Either one of the two special event channels (100? or 200). The on-demand sports channel usually has soccer or cricket games and the bar usually has soccer but not sure they couldn't change it if everyone agrees. We were disappointed they didn't broadcast the World Series but I'm sure TV rights were not given. 

PVSA won't allow you to board if both ports are in US but if the ship sails to a foreign port not under PVSA you should be able to join ship. 

On 10/31/2022 at 5:07 PM, SumoCitrus said:

Sailing with my parents in December and they are understandably concerned about covid (ages 70 and 78). Both of them are vaxxed and boosted which gives them comfort. I had covid over the summer and it was mild which has been the report of most people who get it lately. I think it might just be unavoidable on ships, meaning there will always be a few cases. My parents tried to get a prescription for Paxlovid (just in case) but received resistance from their doctors who didn't want to preemptively prescribe it in that way.

 

We've discussed it and the current strategy is: bring a mask and wear it if it feels necessary; take the stairs/avoid elevators; wash hands often. Probably good advice from now on.

Yes good advice to wear mask and wash hands/sanitize regularly. Its amazing how many people are not even washing hands (even after using restroom) and then touching counters and  food items. But its not just on ships, its in life in general. The number of people in World Stage coughing with no regards for others (not covering mouths) is unfortunately high. Not just relating to COVID but respect for others on any level. And as stated, many people will not get tested for fear of having to quarantine. (Yes some are non symptomatic but others are not). Just off Rotterdam and midway it was announced that if you feel sick, go to medical (hint hint). Then more crew began masking. But infection cases were either not announced or said to be low. Fortunately we did not catch anything (we think) as we were not as lucky on Zaandam in July when cases went up over 200, requiring masking mid way.  In my experience with folks taking Paxlovid is that it calms the symptoms but extends the time people feel sick. (I'm not a doctor nor not a large sampling study but just expressing real life observation of people I know). 

31 minutes ago, JoieNsk said:

We are lucky to be in a Pinnacle Suite on Oosterdam for a South America cruise, as we got big future cruise credit due to cancellations, and we applied it to this cruise, so the room is not terribly expensive as it usually is. Plus it is a 14 days long cruise with a lot of on board time, and I am positive this would be our only unique trip like this - kind of a lifetime thing. So I splurged.

 

Long story short, we are getting close to the date - in March of 2023.

 

I found a bit controversial info on what do we get with the room. There is a big fridge in the room, and I read somewhere that it comes with a lot of bottles in it, but they are not included (like with Celebrity for example). But there is pretty hefty mini-bar type price tag on them. Can somebody who had this room confirm or not confirm this info?

 

If all those bottles are not included - I assume we can ask to remove them, right? I ordered beer and some wine, so we can drink it in the room - I would like to use the fridge for the drinks we already paid for.

 

Also can somebody tell me - if we can get tea kettle, so I can make my own tea? Life is not fun for me without tea.

 

And if somebody has some tips, we might not know - I would appreciate all the input. I've only been on HAL once, and for my husband this would be the first time.

 

Thank you in advance! These boards are priceless source of info!

 

 

Have not sailed in Pinnacle but you can always ask cabin steward to remove items from fridge that you won't want (if fee based) we always do.  As for tea kettle, not sure they would have these. They do have coffee/pod machines but I find the taste of coffee in my tea ruins it. I would get hot water from Neptune lounge (or have them deliver each morning) and steep your tea. 

If you've seen the shows on other HAL cruises, they will be the same (Step One, Cantare, BBC) which is sad that they switched agencies and got rid of the house band, singers and dancers. We liked Music walk, the Rock Band was great but played the same songs every night (they have a 50-100 song list with 3 sets most nights), BB King band was great but the piano players in Billboard were poor (and also repeated songs AND script). Its like they think new passengers come each night. 😉 Depending on the musicians you may get good or bad players on music walk. They did have a comedian on World Stage and also in BB King lounge one night (although he was on same time as rock band down the hall and hard to hear). They do offer trivia 3 times a day, pictionary, guess games, etc with extertai ment staff along with Mah jong, bridge, etc and there are plenty of games up in EXC lounge/crows nest and you can pay to do paint class. We find the first sea days harder due to anticipation and working up to itinerary so maybe bring some books or reading material.  Coming back may be less anxious after tours of the islands.  

I dont think we need to worry about bonuses based on what they have received during the past years in stocks, salary and bonuses. The Benchmarks for bonuses are usually not high or outrageous but based on realistic goals under current conditions. If those are met, bonuses are paid. I don't think they are expecting profit or unobtainable production during these restricted times. I'd be more curious to know what percentage of HAL passengers are the same that sailed 5 years ago as opposed to those that are new in the past 2 years. The benchmark might be gaining new passengers, short sailing increase on Pinnacle ships in core itineraries (Alaska, Caribbean, etc) until the other markets open up. 

2 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

 

 

If my cruise does not require vaccine proof or Covid test results (yahoo!) and I complete the "health questionnaire" online....

 

.......what would be the purpose of Verifly and what would they be checking in a "verify" line?

 

It seems to depend on the port. In Port Everglades they have a desk you go to and they check if vaccinated (even if not required they track who is and isn't on the cruise last week), then they send you through security to xray bags, then you go to either 4*,5*,Club Orange line or regular line and they scan passport, take photo and check 1 question health questionnaire on a tablet. Then you wait to board and have your boarding pass scanned (bar code needed on pass) and go up the gangway to the ship. Keycards are left in an envelope at the cabin door. We did Verify, had printed copies of vaccines and boarding passes as well as copied on cell phone just in case to cover what they may ask for. 

10 hours ago, Andi Land said:

Just boarded in San Diego on the 5th and they did NOT have a separate line for VeriFLY.

Last week there wasn't a separate line but you checked in at a desk before going to security scan. I was able to bypass the desk and go straight to security, which may have just been a blip but it worked having Verifly. Who knows what they require as it's not consistent anymore. 

39 minutes ago, WannaSea said:

10 days for $600, seems like a bargain to my untrained eye.

Yes that will be a nice cruise. Eurodam is our favorite now...a little larger than Zaandam but not as big as Pinnacle class and still feels like a ship. 

HAL doesn't require it but does ask if you've been vaccinated. I had everything loaded in Verifly last week and showed my approval in Verifly and was waived on so didn't need to show copies of vaccines. 

19 minutes ago, oakridger said:

And now Rotterdam is stopping in Grand Turk at 2am tomorrow morning for a medical emergency and so we’ll stay there until 2pm tomorrow. Good thing we’re all very flexible on board the Rotterdam these days!   ~Nancy 

Oh my. Glad we were able to get off yesterday. So are you missing another port or just delay time on the next port? 

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. 

Just now, HappyInVan said:

I don't see the point of speculating about when the facilities re-open. We have to wait until the storm's landfall (Thursday 1am) and the extend of damage?

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. 

9 hours ago, albingirl said:

It's a shame that the NS has zero books onboard to borrow.  Oh, I forgot.  The HAL bosses were afraid passengers were stealing the books and bringing them home.  You know, petty theft.

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.