REOVA

Search 2026 in Holland America

2 hours ago, Wehwalt said:

I would suspect that HAL's hope is, with only one Grand Voyage running, and with a smaller ship, to sell out the GWV without the need to sell segments, and they will not sell segments until, and unless, it is clear that it will not happen. Among other reasons, if you are not selling segments, you do not need to worry about what happens to people who are segmenting if you make a major change to the itinerary like going around Africa instead of through Suez, something important this year, and also next. It sounded to me in his talk like one of Gus's priorities for 2025 if that itinerary must be changed, was getting the Zuiderdam to Barcelona for the rendezvous with the Volendam, and not getting the ship to Piraeus to accommodate the final segment. They would undoubtedly consider it nice not to have to worry about segments.

 HAL used to only do 1 GWV and did it on smaller ships and did segments then as well. I'm sure they feel that two pulls passengers away but there's always a market for segments and its more profitable for HAL. 

1 hour ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Arrival Tokyo.   Mt Fuji at 6:30 am local.   Covered with snow.    Climbing season for hikers  is from July to Sept 

 

Nice. Clear skies too. 

1 hour ago, MicCanberra said:

Yet, it has been met on Hal, just not consistently in the anytime dining.

You won't find HAL in "consistently". Just an L, so 2/3's of the time you won't know what to expect. 🤣. This is across the board when dealing with Customer Service, emails, Mariner amenities, supply,  etc. I get different answers to the same questions. 

Unfortunately it's been this way for 3 years now but appears they are trying to get better. We just need to help them along (and they appreciate that). Some have posted that they let the servers know ahead that they want to be somewhere by xx:xx and the crew oblige. Not saying we should have to do that, but we are all on the same ship for a while so we have to communicate and make the best of our time. They will remember you. 

We still keep in touch will many crew that no longer sail. Many of the crew now are new and sharpening their skills (especially when faced with inevitable slip ups). Crew is one of the reasons we sail HAL (and of course itinerary which you said) and it does crimp a smooth cruise when problems arise, but doesn't sway us to leave. We sail other lines that may have better food and service (and entertainment) but not better crew, small ships and itineraries of HAL unless we want to spend much more. 

7 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Yes, definitely true. But sometimes one is only interested in a certain part of the itinerary... so it is cheaper than buying the whole package all in, though not necessarily cheaper per diem.

Yes it's cheaper to by 47 day segment than 128 day whole. 🤔

2 minutes ago, OlsSalt said:

I personally would never choose open dining. It can't help but be chaotic in this setting. 

It may also depend on time of dinner for open seating. We try to eat (if in MDR) before or after the rush of fixed times or "anytime" bottleneck and usually try to get the same section if available. We no longer do fixed as we are not reliable MDR eaters and don't want to leave open seats at a table causing others eating alone if we decide we are not up to or can't make dinner on time. But both can have issues if the kitchen is trying to handle a rush. The key is to nicely respond to someone or Navigator so they can review and try better. Usually doesn't happen every night, especially if they flag you 😉.

1 minute ago, teeeej said:

is it any cheaper to buy them as segments?

Segments are priced more than the whole, especially if you count the incentives of booking the complete cruise. Plus having to fly mid cruise internally. 

17 minutes ago, akeka said:

Didn't the Maasdam have Zodiacs?

Yes but not on Amsterdam and due to restrictions in Antarctica, they didn't have them on the GWC. Maasdam used them for its EXC itineraries. 

12 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Official 2026 World Cruise press release 

 

HERE

We thought yours was. 😉😁

I've look at the cabins people get with free offers and they are not what we want. Many times HAL knows which cabins they need to fill and having someone onboard to spend money in other venues is better than empty cabin. And if picky people like me book, HAL knows they will upgrade and spend money so that cabin is again available. Some people don't care what cabin they get and these people pay less than we do also. The markup on onboard non cabin purchases helps HALs kitty and the Casino "department" also helps subsidize.  My guess is if they didn't fill these cabins, the rest of us would be paying more for our cabins and other things.  Marketing works for everyone. 

Vista Suites are usually just slightly larger than verandas on most ships, just different configuration. Until you get to Neptune Suites (or Signature Suites on ships) there isn't much difference. The Aft cabins are usually smaller but larger balcony. 

It will be hit in miss on all ships and especially if turnover in a port. Many cruisers report good service there are days when things are amiss. Best to note it in Navigator and speak with staff supervisor/matre d'. They will make it priority next night. There are many new crew in dining and kitchen. Training is an issue according to Management. I've read reports that MDR was chaotic, late ordering, miscooked food, etc. But usually the good will overshadow the bad. It also depends when you eat as busier times are more prone to slip ups. (And on Pinnacle ships it can get crazy so we try not to eat in MDR). Our last Eurodam the MDR was slow and food okay when we ate but Pinnacle and Tamarind were both a miss with delay service, overcooked or missed food, etc. But I'm sure others had good meals. You hit a wrong moment, but yes post shutdown things are different and hopefully working towards better with feedback provided to HAL. 

Good suggestion to wait to see what is on the list. I used to bring my own because of the marke up, which is typical of any retail (even at the $20 corkage it was cheaper and better than what they had..."snob" 🤣). But I have found some decent wines in #1 (at different times) that were as good as #3. I've also got multiple bottles of  the same wine before. There are some wines my palate doesnt like (cab sav). Price doesn't equate to better wine so experimenting with different wines in #1 is what I do now. 

1 hour ago, L454S said:

 

Have not tried yet. Wife's phone now has the "better" pkg. My laptop is hooked up to the included crap, and yes Mary229 is right. What comes with your "HIA" is VERY limiting.

 

In trying to make this post, the page loaded incorrectly twice before being useable.

 

I wonder if you can try to make wife's phone a Hotspot and connect your laptop if you will see a difference. (While she is not using it 😉). 

1 hour ago, CNSJ said:

Is this the first World Cruise with Antarctica?

No. Fortunately 2020 went there. One of the reasons Captain Jonathan stayed until 2020 as they enticed him with possible Zodiacs. (Which HAL didn't have and its ships are not Polar class so they cannot do excursions closer to the Continent). 2026 is similar to the planned 2020 up until after the Maldives. (Of course it ended short after Cairns and sailing around to Freemantle to fly home). 

5 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

There is paperwork to be done...did you complete it?

If it's the same TA that booked the current cruise they will automatically transfer to them if you ask when booking. I used a different TA for the new cruise and didn't notice HAL put the old TA in. Then I had to use the form to change where all had to sign. 

5 hours ago, cruzingnut said:

 

 

Is this fair the "big shindig" that happens on the WC?   I'm still bummed over the fact that 2020 was going to be on top of the "surfboard" hotel in Singapore.  I would hope there would me more to it than this.... 

 

Linda R.

Yes missed the Singapore event in 2020. And missed Bishop Tutu (on board) in 2018 as we were on Safari during So. AF port. I thought 2019 was at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam but Pete can check. 

13 hours ago, Crew News said:

 FWIW close your eyes when riding in the taxis in both cities if you are easily panicked. 

💯 %  😁

Others may know better but I believe the aft balconies are less private (if that matters) from cabins above (and pool). We always choose cabin on lounge level if doing Neptune. 

You should be able to find a good meal. HAL wants to please so if you order something you don't like, you can order something different. You may have hit or miss service depending on what time you dine. But again, communicate any problems and the next night they will focus on doing better. (You will be flagged in their system...kidding...kinda 😉)

2 hours ago, Crew News said:

There are aft outside decks spanning the width of Decks 6 and 7. Access is via stairs or through the doors at the aft end of the applicable hallways.  There are also deck chairs, blankets, and a large heating vent to keep you warm.  As a hobby photographer, I spent a lot of time on those Zaandam and Volendam aft decks.

You also can go down the aft stairs from the aft pool to reach 7 and 6 deck aft. 

Most likely the bow deck will be open for viewing but deck 3 is covered and you can walk all around and view (except the bow section is enclosed for crew area). Also above the Lido pool (Deck 9) you can get a view on each side. 

As mentioned the HAL ships do have multiple copies but probably not enough depending on number of participants. Usually on the first day passengers are checking out copies so you won't know how many are available at any point. You may want to suggest in roll call that anyone interested in book club bring their digital book reader app to download books. Also many public libraries have ebooks that you can download (if you have library membership). Obviously wifi would be needed but it may reduce the number of books needed from the ship library. 

It's one of the reasons we don't do fixed dining anymore. We used to do fixed at table of 4 to 6 but found that we missed dinner a few times but  leaving the other passengers to empty seats was also a concern. Now we do "anytime" and no concern for notifying crew or table mates. Plus meet more people each night we dine in MDR. You may be able to mention it in the Navigator app if you can't get to the matre d". But if it's too late in the meal (and you have a shared table), they won't seat anyone else mid meal. If it's table for 2 or less, they won't be concerned. 

48 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

So agree with you.  I normally exchanged ours for a decent bottle of wine.

 

 

Yes. We just tell the concierge we only drink red wine (which is true  - 😉 snob)  and to reuse the sparkling for someone that would like it. No problem switching to something to level 1 in the package.