saturn93

Put in Nieuw Statendam since it is the next cruise, but any of the Pinnacle Class. Once you get onto a Pinnacle ship, you don't want to go back down.

On a normal day, I would do about 6-7 drinks. More like a combination of alcoholic, occasional soda by the pool, and get usually get a bottle or two of water before going back to the room for the night. There is no way I can get to 15 drinks a day, especially that I am not much of a drinker at home, so it is a bit of a stretch for me on the cruises.

Almost all the cruises I have been on had a priest on board. Most will try for the 30-45 minute range for Sunday. It also depends on how full it is. The last night I was on, the room was so full that part of the communion line had to be in the hallway. Only once, it lasted an hour, but the priest added the songs, like what you see on land. Wasn't too good for those with fixed MDR/speciality restaurant reservations. If a priest is unavailable, they will still have a service, but led by the congregation. It happened on one cruise where the priest got sick. It's just the early parts, but no communion.

I have to wait a year for my next cruise on the NS. I guess I am going to probably skip dinner that night for this. Those cakes look so tempting. Probably will get a couple of slices to take back to the room.

The Wall Street Pizza has prosciutto, arugula, olive oil, white sauce, gorgonzola, and mozzarella. Had that several times, very good, as for all of them.

Got my 4* pin on the day before the end on the Rotterdam Transatlantic Cruise last month. I can't wait until, not only for the free laundry, but to have my own invite to the complementary wine tasting. I was always the add-on to my parents' invite before.

I really liked the Lido Chocolate and Dessert Buffet around the pool area.

For the 15 drinks per day, I don't know for sure. What I do is put it on my Notes app on my phone. Keep the ship warm, I am heading that way to get on in Amsterdam.

Just added for me... Nieuw Statendam - November 30, 2024 to December 14, 2024 - Caribbean Collector - Fall - 14 days (first cruise as 4 Star Mariner)

All of them, but the one to choose was Ireland/Scotland/N. Ireland/Norway in August 2014 on the old Rotterdam. Only cruise overseas for me, until this October.

I was just on a B2B in Fort Lauderdale on the Nieuw Statendam. While everyone else is exiting the ship, we were sent to the World Stage until everyone is off. Then we go down to the terminal to go through customs, and then wait a few minutes until the ship is ready for re-entry. Once ready, everyone can go back on board.

I was on the same cruise for the two weeks, and like you, never again on a holiday. They really messed it up with the kids stay free deal they had. Way too many kids. You could barely move in the pool without running into a kid, or infact, everywhere. Also, barely any parents, too...especially by the end when you don't know who is with who with the friendships going on. Too much running around the pool area, both the 9th and 10th floors. I was sitting in the Pizza and Deli area, and all I could hear for 10 minutes is "Marco Polo". I had the look of "I want to get out of here." My parents called the desk telling them they need to watch the kids, especially during the movie outside. By the final day, they had someone there keeping watch. It felt like the crew was overwhelmed with the kid amount. Thankfully, the next cruise is a Transatlantic one in October, so it will be much quieter.

Please re-add me to the Transatlantic cruise from 10/7 to 10/22 on the Rotterdam. Everything is a go, especially that I am leaving Nieuw Statendam tomorrow morning.

I am going on the Nieuw Statendam in a couple of weeks. In Navigator, the Grand Dutch Cafe is under Coffee & Treats (where the Exploration Cafe and Gelato is located). I have tried some in the Koningsdam last year and the food was great. Hopefully this helps you.

I tried whatever I can on the last couple of cruises. Here are a few favorites (not in order)... 1) Shiso Sour in Tamarind 2) Grasshopper 3) Pusser's Painkiller 4) Chocolate Martini Others I have tried... Miami Beach Spritz Trader Vic's Mai Tai Emperor's Nectar Cucumber Mojito Far East Legacy Wasabi Cocktail Miami Vice Whiskey Smash Bahama Mama BBC Hot Toddy Delta Blues at BB King's Boogie Bay Breeze at BB King's Harvey Wallbanger Other

Nice! I know there are a few crew members that we met a couple of weeks ago that are very happy with this.

First Cruise with HAL - 1 Star - 34 years old - October 2009 - 15 day Hawaii - Zaandam 2 Star - Hit 30 days at 36 years old - October/November 2011 - 15 day (originally 14 day) Hawaii - Oosterdam Officially Started 2 Star - 37 years old - November/December 2012 - 14 day Caribbean - Westerdam 3 Star - 39 years old - August 2014 - 14 day Europe (Ireland/Scotland/Northern Ireland/Norway) - Rotterdam Got Bronze Medallion for 100 days - 43 years old - July/August 2018 - 7 day Canada/New England (back half of BTB) - Veendam 4 Star - Likely to hit 200 days on a TBA cruise late 2023 - 48 years old, hopefully to be officially 4 Star by a 2024 cruise 5 Star - Likely never, as parents are nearing their mid 70's, and will likely curb/end cruising by then. They are already 4 Star. I had two cruises set up in 2020, so if Covid did not happen, I would have been a 4 Star Mariner already.

As far as I know: Round trip from Seattle or Vancouver - only recommended. Seattle to Vancouver and vice versa one way - mandated.

Take me off the 10/7/23 Transatlantic Rotterdam cruise for several reasons...money, uncertainty of the location, etc. Will replace with the Caribbean, date and ship TBD.

Now, I just have to get through this Alaska trip from Vancouver next month, then I will be just fine for the Caribbean trip in March 2023. One less step and one less item to bring (Covid test).

I was on Koningsdam last month, and they still had the late night buffet.

Koningsdam for the 18 day Hawaii cruise a couple of weeks ago was between 55-60% capacity.