skrufy

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

30 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

When you get your room key card (in the mail slot outside your stateroom when you board) it will be printed on the keycard, but typically Deck 2 entrance and you may be seated on deck 2 or 3.

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.

4 minutes ago, skrufy said:

As You Wish Dining, Nieuw Statendam

4 minutes ago, skrufy said:

As You Wish Dining, Nieuw Statendam

4 minutes ago, skrufy said:

As You Wish Dining, Nieuw Statendam

2 minutes ago, RuthC said:

What about it? Are you asking a question about fixed dining? Open seating? The Lido? Any of the specialty restaurants? All are part of 'As You Wish'. 
You need to be more specific what sort of info you are looking for. 

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. 

2 hours ago, mook1525 said:

Hello fellow Carnival cruisers!!

 

I will be onboard Carnival Magic in 4 weeks and soooooo excited.

 

I did watch lots of youtube video and found many answers to my questions but need some more help from recent Magic cruisers!!

 

any info would be appreciated.

 

1. Do they allow crocs on Ropes course? Or Do I have to wear sneakers?

 

2. I never used sports court on any ship but my kids are now grown and want to play some sports there.  How do they operate/manage sports court? Is there open gym/play time and you just show up? Any restrictions? 
 

3. For first time ever I purchased Carnival shore excursion- I always wander on my own lol - what is the process for ship sponsored excursion? Do we receive any wristbands? Where and what time do we meet? It’s Resort World Bimini beach pass.

 

4. I purchased Premium Wifi package for 3 people. How do we connect to premium wifi onboard? Will I receive 3 different wifi passwords? Do I need to switch to airplane mode?

 

5. How and where do I add my credit card for onboard spending?

 

6. Can my minor kids use their room key card to purchase drink/mocktail/coffee/candy without any restrictions?

 

7. Do I need to register my kids at Ocean camp and Circle C on day 1? any meet and greet time for 14 year olds?

 

Thank you so much in advance!!!
 

 

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.

On 7/16/2023 at 2:08 PM, kazu said:

 

Your key card will be in an envelope in your cabin’s mail box.

 

 

 

Cabins are usually ready around 11:30 AM.  There are some exceptions if deep cleaning, etc is required but even then it’s usually by noon or 12:30 pm.

 

 

 

It’s pretty much the same on HAL.  Very easy to do.  Drop off your carry on, watch your tv for the lifeboat info and go to get your key card scanned for muster and you’re done 🙂 

Are you required to watch the video?

15 hours ago, sdmike said:

 

 

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.

34 minutes ago, Banditswife said:

To the original poster: we are frequent Carnival cruisers, & muster drills are similar to Hal's.  

We go to our assigned muster station where the crew member will scan our card (proof that we attended) & then give a brief demo of putting on the life jacket- 5 minutes.  Then go back to our cabin & watch the safety talk on our TV in our cabin.  Easy peasy.

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. 

40 minutes ago, ExpatBride said:

 

Yes. I'm sailing in 12 days and my check-in time appeared only boarding pass yesterday – 13 days out.

40 minutes ago, ExpatBride said:

 

Yes. I'm sailing in 12 days and my check-in time appeared only boarding pass yesterday – 13 days out.

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.

1 minute ago, TaraLynne said:

Hmm. I knew about the arrival time thing, we just didn't care to get up and drive in any earlier (ha). But they checked our cards (which had the FTTF sticker on them) when we walked onto the cruise ship and told us our rooms wouldn't be ready until 1:30...which is why we lugged our bags up to lunch. I wonder if it had something to do with the ship being later into port than most because of its propulsion issues (we didn't have to be out of our rooms until 9 AM on debarkation day)

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.