recruiter 28

On 4/24/2024 at 3:42 PM, Vineyard View said:

We are looking at sailing the Oosterdam for the first time. In looking up cabin sizes the balcony cabins have a wide range in size. How does one go about finding the larger?  216 sq ft would feel pretty tight, but the larger end of the range is attractive?  In trying to find this information, I came across two options that caught my attention. Cabin 7149 aft….and 4166 with the extended balcony. We tend to use our balcony quite a bit, so both have their distinct advantages. Does anyone have experience and thoughts on these locations as well as interior space?

We also looked a Signature suite 6115. Not sure if these are worth the extra cost?  
thank you in advance

We will be in 4164 on the Oosterdam TA in October and are definitely looking forward to that extended balcony.   Our PCC told us that 4164 and 4166 are very popular and usually among the first to be booked.  

On a recent Rotterdam TA there was a group of mojong players who "reserved " 3 Crows Nest tables every morning but didn't begin play until after lunch.  After a day or two, people began to move their briefcases and sit at the tables.  The players found their tables open after 1pm.  It all worked out...maybe they got the message.  One thing we like about HAL is the abundance of places to sit by a window on many of the decks...and play a game or just be.  There are available tables for everyone.  Being considerate of others is the key.

We purchased Detour insurance for our Caribbean cruise on Holland. We did visit the medical center and Detour paid our claim in full.  The amount was $200 which was not a large claim, but we felt it was major to us.  We definitely recommend Detour Insurance.  They responded to our phone inquiries and were very professional.  You can submit all your paperwork on line or through the mail.  Our claim was settled within one month.

Travel insurance through Detour Travel Insurance

We submitted a claim the end of January which was approved yesterday.  This company is underwritten by Nationwide.  They have been very easy to work with and timely...no long waits on the phone either. I highly recommend them for medical insurance for a cruise.

We have a medical claim pending with Detour Travel Insurance

  We are hoping they will pay for a visit to the medical center totalling $199.  

If you want the sun on your veranda you will want to be on the starboard side sailing to Europe.  When sailing back to the States we choose the port side for sun exposure. 

We booked a VH obstructed and were offered a balcony upgrade at $199 pp.  We agreed and were offered a V cabin on deck 5 Rotterdam  but moved to a VA cabin on deck 6 (which was directly above the original V cabin on deck 5).  Strange that deck 5 was a higher category in the very same location???  Be aware that upgrading also increased the cost of the original price of our platinum protection plan.    But we felt it worth the $$ to be in a better cabin.

4 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

The midship balconies may be not as deep.  Where is your cabin?

5146

1 hour ago, KAKcruiser said:

It might depend on where your cabin is located.  I believe decks 7 and 8 are regular size balconies.  I'm not sure about decks 5 & 6.

We are on deck 5

Is the veranda on the V class cabin smaller than the other class verandas?  We have heard this might be true and we were just upgraded on the Rotterdam to a V class veranda. For sure it will be better than our obstructed veranda. Thanks for your insight.

Be sure to do the math.  When we looked at our current reservation we found the cost of changing to a new reservation would be higher than the actual amount of adding on the gratuities to our original reservation. We can pay our gratuities on reservation #1 for less than making a new reservation. In other words it might not be a "deal."

Has anyone stayed at a Ft Lauderdale hotel the night before leaving on a cruise with the hotel providing parking while you cruised?

34 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Hopefully it stays that way 🤞 

Getting closer...OHare United Club...we want to be just like Jacqui 😉

3 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

 

I found out, Betsy - it’s only for the dining room - to keep the clutter out of the way.  

 

Good news as I can get mine and get the invite envelopes back in - it did take a bit of manoeuvring 😂 

Jacqui is Wonder Woman!

So excited...this time next week we will be sailing!  See you soon, Jacqui.  Safe travels!

Today we got an offer of 100 OBC if we make our final payment 2 months before it's due.  Not interested ...doesn't seem like an incentive?  Why are they doing this?

Hotel Estherea for a treat for yourself.

According to our PCC they asked as a group to clarify the new bookings only wording.  They must have been swamped with unhappy clients.  Not sure this promotion was ready to be rolled out as it was originally presented.  The poor wording caused discontent among HAL loyalty clients....

We know it's odfly shaped and has two windows. It is a DA class...for a Panama Canal cruise.  Good choice?

Just signed up for this 14 day cruise.  The HAL $ sale clinched our commitment.   Anyone else joining us on this passage?

On 4/26/2010 at 10:32 AM, caliboy said:

My wife and I booked 6102 on Volendam for Alaska May 25. It will be her first cruise without a balcony - having been to Alaska on Zaandam I thought this would be a good location with easy access to the outdoor areas forward. We'll see about it and report back.

Can you tell me how it was in cabin 6102?  We are condidering it for a Panama Canal Cruise. Thank you

1 hour ago, SLC1954 said:

If you can book 6100, there is much more room than 6102. I have stayed in both cabins.  I do love them both. The area at the front on deck 6 is always open.

This is the view out of 6100

That's amazing but already booked by another...6102 is the alternative.

2 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Not that any of us can know what people will do, but is there a concern that crowds would gather on 6 forward to the point that the views from 6100 and 6102 would be obstructed while going through the locks?

We are thinking the front view will be good when coming into ports also.  We will definitely leave our cabin when going through the canal...just have to walk out the door to the deck on 6.  

29 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

@recruiter 28 Haven't been on it yet, but have looked at 6100 and 6102 several times; please let us know your thoughts if you do book.

I spent 5+ hours on the bow going through Panama Canal and while it was a long time, I thoroughly enjoyed it (diff ship).

Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

hal-za-deck-plan-050822_230418_000855.pdf 886.61 kB · 0 downloads

It is very tempting and good price...must decide by next week.  The verandas are out of reach!

1 hour ago, Loreto said:

Yes, it was a popular viewing spot as the Zaandam went through the locks in the Panama Canal in my Feb/March BtoB cruise.  I stood at the rail for almost 2 hours.  Get there early for a spot!

How was the Zaandam?  We have sailed the Oosterdam, Rotterdam, Westerdam and NS.  The size of the Zaandam is appealing.  What was your impression?