skrufy

The repo cruise to Southampton sounds interesting. Can someone provide a date

Thanks for your quick response. First Holland America cruise and there’s a lot of differences from Carnival. Like to know a little so we are not asking where’s this and where’s that all day long.

Sorry I messed up the title. I asking where open seating diners enter the dining room?

As You Wish Dining, Nieuw Statendam

Going on our first HAL ship, the Nieuw Statendam in January. Glad to hear so many of you love the ship.

The review was too long, should have just gotten to the point “ OK”.

You should have no problem. You also do not have to hustle off the ship. Depending on traffic it will take about 45 minutes to get to MIA. I would skip Tri-Rail. Too much hauling luggage around. Use Uber.

Sailing Holland America from FLL with a stop in PR. If the cruise line isn’t a factor you might find HAl has cruises from PR. Worth a look.

Stayed there many yaears ago. Wonderful hotel. The view is nice to wake up to. The only draw back to the view is you have to look across Dodge Island. Also stayed at the YVE, nice but is an old building with a small elevator. Bayside Marketplace is a short walk. The Marriott Biscayne Bay has an unobstructed view of the port.

Take a look at your luggage tags. It should show your new level. Only exception is if you have a guaranteed cabin not assigned yet

Brightline or Tri-Rail, Brightline is a bit quicker and a little more expensive. Both have stops about 15 minutes or so depending on traffic from the POM.

1&2 Have never done or used either. I would not wear crocs on the rope course. 3. Tickets will be left in your cabin with instructions 4. Always be in airplane mode while on board. If you purchased 3 individual wi/fi packages, each will log on with the S&S card number. If you purchased one package everyone can sign on, one at a time using the purchasers S&S card 5. Add it on to your cruise boarding info or at check in at the cruise terminal 6. Yes, you have to add funds to their S&S card. Suggestion, only give them a daily amount on their cards. Kids blow right through S&S card funds, mostly playing video games. 7. Yes . One of the first things to do. Don’t know. Have never seen the topic anywhere.

Are you required to watch the video?

Great stuff guys, thanks to all who have answered.

I feel like I’m planning for our first cruise which we took 20 years ago. So many questions keep popping up in my mind. My question is two fold. Part one, where do you get your cabin key card? And part two, what time are the cabins ready? We are platinum on Carnival and everything is so easy, from dropping luggage off in the cabin before they are ready and at the same time get your sail and sign card from the mail box to taking care of the muster drill right away.

One thing we never have done since the new Carnival muster requirements have been put in place is watch the video. Only have gone to the muster station for the 5 minute briefing to get it done with.

As I begin to get a good feel about our first HAL cruise new questions arise. We are familiar with Carnival muster drill, can anyone please explain how Holland Americas muster drill works.

Thanks everyone for your quick responses.

A little help needed from all you experienced HAL cruisers. We are taking our first HAL cruise this January. We have only cruised Carnival and very familiar with selecting a check in time, My question is, does Holland America assign a check in time with the boarding documents?

The library or the piano bar. Try to make a reservation to use the room or you might be asked to leave for another’s group reservation.

Let me clarify. We are platinum and have dropped our luggage off early in the cabin many times. You are correct. The cabins are not ready for everyone until 1:30 but you are able to go to your cabin, open the hall doors, go in and drop you luggage off and then leave.

FYI, Reading your review and it appears you did not take full advantage of FTTF. You could have arrived earlier than 12:30. FTTF allows you to check in as early or as late as you want to. You could also have dropped your carry on baggage off in your cabins as soon as you boarded.

At the Hilton Marina just down the street from you is the water taxi stop. Before or after dinner you could take a nice easy trip on the river. Maybe make a stop on Las Olas Blvd for some shopping. Lots of restaurants along the Blvd We will also be in the area in January next year.

You cannot save your OBC for the end of the cruise unless you do not spend money on board the ship. The OBC comes off your S&S card first.