REOVA

5 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

That is not the layout you will find on the Pinnacle Class - check out this video

Many more videos - google "your ship" neptune suite

 

Also check out - for pictures or many suites - https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/7084-nieuw-statendam/

 

Yeah all I have found so far are the standard layout in the videos. Not sure why HAL advertises the 3rd sink layout. Thanks Pete.

Pete, Great photos as usual. We just did VoV so good to relive some of those ports (85' here and no fog, back to summer). Our FC Consultant recommended Neptune suite on NS for 3 adults based on the website advertised layout which shows a separate WC/sink (similar to Prinsendam suites) but I didn't think HAL's Pinnacle ships have this layout. Is there someone in the Neptune Concierge Lounge that you can confirm they have this layout in Neptune Suites?

42 minutes ago, threebluestars said:

My mom has celiac and has to eat gluten free - do you think they'd be able to accommodate that for things like afternoon tea in the room or snacks in the Neptune Lounge?

You should make that request now on the website so they will be ready and remind the concierge when onboard .

Depending on where you are cruising, it may not be worth it due to lack of service at sea. You might be cheaper to use your cell phone data at port for any higher speed needed. The length of cruise also determines upgrade cost. I would call HAL to find out the cost (if you are longer than 3 days from departing). I know our last HIA did not include wifi and the price booking pre board to after onboard increased so it was cheaper booking 3 days before embarking. 

1 minute ago, bozemanman said:

how many drinks can be ordered at one time?...for instance canned water

We both would get 4 cans of water (all I could carry lol at a time) but I am not sure if they limit each time, just per day. I would order a double of any alcohol (wine) each time. 

3 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

A job well done by all involved!

Cheers to the Cap't and crew.... Just returned from the VoV where we had 2 helicopter medevac'uees on our cruise. They have performed well, thanks and prayers to those involved. Glad you are enjoying Zaandam and congrats on another year together. 

Pre cruise, I did mostly private tours. Post COVID, we booked all excursions online prior to boarding just in case Ports didn't allow getting off unless excursion booked. (not likely now with cases down). So we knew we had a tour once we got on the ship that wasn't sold out. Once on the ship we noticed the prices they were charging on some tours increased so we got the lower price booking prior. There really are 2 accounts in your statement 1 - onboard credits 2 - credit card.   If you do not use your onboard credits, you lose them. Pre-booked tours are not deducted from onboard credit so once on board, we checked with excursion desk to see which tours had no price increases and were not waitlisted. We cancelled those tours (credited back to credit card) and rebooked them (deducted from onboard credit) since we had to use our onboard credit. We also had cancelled (pre booked) tours on board due to quarantine that went back to credit card. 

We used our SBP on last cruise this month and it included 15 per day of any drink under $11 which includes, hot chocolate (were were in Arctic), coffee, cans of water, soda, milk shakes (at the pool bar), and alcohol. Not sure if its the same on all ships but this worked for us even though DW is not much of an alcohol drinker. 

Was also on VoV just got off last week. When in that area of the world, reception is poor so bringing your own is advised. The hotel manager said the ship is wired for the new system but due to "supply chain" issues new TV/components won't be in until September.  I know people have downloaded/streamed shows to their devices and watched during the cruise and our TV did have a USB port visible on the side but not sure if its usable as we did not try it. 

9 hours ago, travelers07 said:

Wow- had not heard about that latest rule about people who had been quarantined not being allowed to go ashore for 11 days.

 

We are at anchor this morning off Dun Loaghaire. Cloudy and mid 60’s but the seas are pretty calm. Looks like a fairly long tender ride. The Captain said he could anchor closer in but he is not allowed. Also have heard that the reason we cannot dock at the previous port in Dublin is that the new owner is allowing more commercial ships so no cruise ships. It used to be so easy to get the ship’s bus to Merrion Square Park and walk everywhere you wanted to go. Things change- sometimes not for the better.

 

Sea day tomorrow and then Scrabster, Scotland on Saturday. Really needing to check what day it is after being on the ship so long! Joke is we all need the rugs in the elevator now with the day on them!

 

We are docking in Scrabster and then there is a cruise bus available to the town nearby- Thurso. There are a few tours but the Royals are in town so no castle tours. Darn. 

The Rule was only from Dun Laoghaire authorities requiring 11 days from when first tested positive. Tender was easy and not too long today. Walked around Dun Laoghaire before Taste of Dublin afternoon tour which was excellent. The Royals are at Castle Mey which is cancelled but Dunrobin castle tour was still available when Castle of Mey cancelled. Much further. 

Captain says more people coming out of Q than going in. However 70 new passengers boarded in Rotterdam and we just received this letter the day before Ireland. So even those that are out of quarantine may not go ashore in this port. 

3 hours ago, WFBgal said:

I’d like to know how the positive passenger got the 200 cases number. That info isn’t being broadcast from Captain’s updates. Yesterday 20 came out of quarantine & 15 went into quarantine. Slight improvement….step in right direction.

I personally counted red dots a few days ago (except for the few cabins originally restricted and closed off) and there are about 60 cabins in quarantine, including mine now. I am negative but wife positive so both need to stay in until she is negative so might be 1 per cabin infected. I doubt that 200 people are infected unless possibly counting crew or those already negative and released. Not everyone is wearing masks ("I forgot it in my room") nor washing hands even though the Purell machines now have staff reminding passengers. Not all passengers are calling if symptomatic as they dont want to get tested, even those who are hacking on tour busses or in World Stage.  Unfortunately the crew cannot force people to follow the rules which is probably why those of us who wear mask and wash hands consistently are not allowed out of cabin if mate is positive. They are doing  what they can but short staffed means many are working long hours and trying to get things under control. Today (Sunday) Captain said we are still moving in right direction but would not give numbers in and out. 

Some notes on board...

Internet for premium is $319.99 before cruise and $399.99 on board.  Spotty when at sea but nice when no one is on it. 

Weather has been spectacular for the first few ports...fog, clouds, sun...perfect for beautiful scenery. Don't need down coats. (My DW who thinks below 80' is cold was sweating).  Lots of layers, thermal base but Outer layer should be wind and water PROOF. It's windy so umbrella won't do you good in Iceland per the locals. Gloves, scarf, hat just in case. 

Geology is amazing and scenery beautiful so far...

Bar Harbor - kayaking was cancelled due to lack of interest (should have known) so did a bike excursion in Acadia National Forest (old carriage trails). 

Red Bay, Canada - early sun allowed us to take the boat (only 1 boat taking 5 passengers at a time) to Saddle Island. Nice walking trail around part of island. Wind and rain came and they stopped taking passengers to island and focused in getting everyone off and back to mainland. Had the World famous fish and chips at the local restaurant. 

Qaqortoq, Greenland- there is a road to right of port that ends and can hike up to mountain top. (Both road and hike are steep) I did a morning hike to top and then had tour of town with tastng of local food and beer. Afterwards walked about 2 miles around Lake (its a 3-4 hour walk complete but my phone died and ship departs in an hour so headed back).

Prins Christian Sund - early morning fog broke to party cloudy skies. For those that have been, it's a mixture of Alaska and Antarctica, with twisted geology added for good measure. 

Reykjavik - being a few miles from City Center, the town provides free shuttle to a gift shop/ticket office about 1/2 mile away so you can buy transport tickets to City $20 round trip or you can get taxi there (or taxi at Port if one shows up). Did the Snorkle excursion in the fissure between the European and NA plates in 34' water. Wonderfully organized and "refreshing". Did a small hike to ridge afterwards. 

Djúpivogur - Did the 4x4 Canyons and Waterfall excursion. The 4x4 were monster raised Mercedes vans crossing wonderland of southern Iceland. 

Hopefully pictures will follow. 

This is the current FAQ in their website. Not liking the "at (their) discretion" part...

Guests who have recovered from COVID-19 within three months of their embarkation, do not need to get a viral test before embarkation if they are at least 10 days past their COVID-19 infection, have no symptoms and produce documentation of recovery from COVID-19 infection. 

Documentation of Recovery consists of the following: 

• Paper or electronic copies of the positive viral test result from a certified laboratory (dated no more than 90 days ago), or 
• A valid digital COVID-19 certificate (DCC) or a document issued by an official health or government authority showing confirmed previous infection. 

Guests who present these documents will need to go through a secondary screening at the terminal and boarding will be approved at the medical staff’s discretion. If guests are not able to obtain documentation of recovery that fulfills the above requirements, they will need to take the required COVID-19 viral test and show a negative result. 

12 hours ago, ATC said:

There are no dvds on board. 

So you can't check out movies anymore? Sounds like they trashed the DVDs thinking new on demand coming and then cut back costs hit the upgrade plans. 

On 5/30/2022 at 10:15 PM, Copper10-8 said:

We just had Ian as CD on Zuiderdam in April and he is scheduled to work HAL's first Grand World Voyage in three years

What happened to Hamish?

10 hours ago, luvtravel said:

We have to cancel our upcoming Alaska cruise that leaves end of this month.  We did purchase HAL's premium cancel for no reason insurance.   We purchased our cruise & flights thru a big box provider that provides cancellation on line but we have questions and cannot get through to them.  No option to even be on hold for hours or a callback.   The website just gives 2 choices - future credit or cancel with penalties.  Very frustrating.   With the state of virus containment - a cruise credit for 1 yr probably won't cut it.   

try email to cruise dot questions at (big box travel) dot com to see if they will help. 

15 hours ago, Euby said:

What does "DCA" mean?

Dollar Cost Averaging. When purchasing at different times (high or low prices) to keep your average cost per share at a mean level.

21 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

I would agree that best to not use box TA.

 

I like to have control over reservation and enjoy the research for a trip as I am detailed person.

I get that others are not but perhaps some should try so as to be able to at least talk directly with cruise line.

and I know some agents are really good if lucky to get one

I do my own research and control for everything, which is why I use the big box. I have not found the amount of savings and bonuses received from any other TA beat them (even HAL direct) and I don't want to pay a TA for what I do. (Had a nightmare years ago with a National TA after I researched cabin and cruise who only had to book it for me....and booked the wrong year 😞 ). I check rates myself and have them call HAL to get lower rate if drops. (Since HAL doesn't call passengers for drops or like recently when final payment dates were extended). They are basically a call center so if you need more than that from a big box then it won't work for you but they have sat on phone for a long time trying to get HAL at times for my benefit. Also if you are looking for a cabin upgrade (which I don't), big box won't work (unless you contact them often) as HAL will go to its PCC or regular TAs to notify customers. I've had no problems talking directly to HAL (pre COVID) unless its for making payment or changes which have to go through whoever you book with.

On 4/1/2022 at 11:11 AM, Linguist208 said:

"Big Box TA"? Do they have a physical location? If so, go there.

Exactly what I did after a week of "we cant take your call, call back" and email ("customercare") bounce back because mailbox is full. Spoke with membership manager at store who looked up the regional manager of the travel agency in her computer that they partner with and gave my number for someone to call me. Within a few hours received a call from a not so happy agent asking how he could help me. He also said with COVID everyone is short staffed and the call center cue limits the number of calls that can be put on hold. I told him the email box is full and he didn't know that email but said he would report that and gave me another email to use (I have not tested yet) as he provided what I needed on the call. I do my own research and then book with them due to the larger "credits" and member benefits and having poor service from other TAs. Even the cruise line PCCs are having issues during this time. 

1 hour ago, PSR said:

 

Good idea, but most CFAR insurance I am aware of has to be purchased within 10-14 days of original booking, and that was 6/10/21 for this cruise...

Not sure that's correct. For pre-existing conditions it may be true but you should be able to buy CFAR later. Send an email to Steve (you can find his Q&A and contact at the top of the main CC Board). I am waiting until final payment date to buy CFAR for just the cash portion which is a few hundred instead of thousands in premium. Hope that helps. 

I just asked this question to Steve, the insurance guy. My case may be different as I received 1/2 cash refund and 1/2  FCC on a cruise stopped midway. His response was since I received cash for the cancelled part of the cruise, the FCC was a bonus and not insurable so only cash cost of future cruise is insured. I assume you received FCC for a cruise that didn't begin, instead of a refund so maybe your FCC would be insurable (but if you had paid insurance premium on the cancelled cruise, you should be to apply prior premium to future cruise. (?))

anyone try Viking?

I like the smaller, old HAL ocean liner feel and full promenade deck not the new larger ships. Would miss the HAL crew (always see a familiar face) on board and 5 star mariner perks but the changes over the years just don't have the same feel with HAL.

Been on most of the HAL ships (5 star Mariner). Don't care about casinos, amusements rides, or loud party games. Prefer the smaller ships (ode to the Prinsendam) where you feel like a cruiser and not so much modern hotel. Most of those are sold off for the more efficient, more updated and more profitable larger ships. (Sailed CCL, NCL, Princess as well - not going back). We enjoy the slower pace. I would choose NA over the newer as I like the Promenade deck and meeting people sitting on the lounge chairs. Been on K'dam (Pinnacle Class) and didn't appeal to us due to tight Promenade deck, although more band venues but too close together (cross sound), no library and pre COVID on a full ship the crew had a hard time handling the crowd in the loud dining room. NA will have more issues due to age of the ship (leaks, repairs, limited venues). But we have not sailed since the defunct World Cruise ending 2 years ago (this month) so don't know what is happening on either currently. Tender ports may be different on each depending on number of passengers so check times at those ports. We be on Zaandam in Summer and will be trying Rotterdam in Fall. I don't think you will be disappointed on either just know from responses the differences. Maybe sail NA before they sell it and then compare on one of the newer ships. Oh the places you'll go. 

5 hours ago, crystalspin said:

But the points you accrue on any one cruise, do not move you up to next Star level, until the next cruise.

Unless you are on a Grand Cruise. You will bump up during cruise when you meet next level.