jayisgerman

Thank you all. That is very helpful. Seems like it is the same boarding time we have had on all our past cruises. I just was not sure of it, because of the late evening departure. It will work out perfect then. We can check in and drop our luggage - go to the Mariners lunch (if they have it) - and then walk about town for a bit. Yeah... I am so excited. Thank you all again. :)

(Now back to my anatomy homework! :eek:)

Thanks for the practical information, Stephen. jayisgerman, that would raise a red flag with me as well. I know when I donated to the fund for Typhoon Haiyan, I got a nice letter, and I always do when I donate to the Crystal Fund.

 

Roy

Hmm. That would send red flags up and ring alarm bells for me. I cannot believe a handsome contribution like that went unacknowledged.

Thank you, Rafin and Lizzie. Yes, I was not sure really how to react to it, because I thought it might be poor etiquette to ask about it after the fact. Anyway, I gave with an open heart and I can only hope it all did find its intended recipients and made a small difference. :) Perhaps next time we will just go directly to the Purser instead?

Good Afternoon All,

I did a search to this several times, but could not locate any threads with the answer. Sorry if this is a duplication. :o

Our itinerary shows the Zaandam departing at 8:00 PM on May 24th from Seward. It shows her arriving at 6:00 AM that morning.

What time will we be allowed to check in/board? I realize things can always change, but I am looking for the best rough estimate.

Thank you all.

Congratulations and have a lovely voyage. We loved our Neptune suite on the last 2 cruises. Enjoy!

When we were on the Westerdam early December 2013, it was just shortly after some of the massive weather systems had caused such great destruction.

We always give extra cash to all our stewards, waiters, etc. - but in addition to that we really wanted to help the crew in general and not knowing any better solution, we decided to give to the crew fund.

I must say, our concierges in the NL were confused and unsure about it. One said such a thing does not exist, the other said he thought it still did. In the end I put several hundred dollars in an envelope addressed to the head purser; it also included a note stating the money was for the crew welfare fund. I gave it to the concierge for delivery. This was on day 2 of the cruise, but I never heard another word . :confused:

I assume it found its way to the right place and person, and people were just too busy to acknowledge, but it made me a little unsure about how well that process is known and works.

Nice to see you back on the boards.

 

Love the Zaandam, congratulations on booking your cruise.

Thank you so much, Melodie. This pesky "having to work for a living" is really interfering with my personal schedule! :p Have a great weekend. J

Sounds wonderful!!

 

Alaska?

Thank you, KK. Yes, the plan is for the 7 day from Anchorage to Vancouver. Thus far I have only booked an ocean view, but the deal was too good to pass up and I figured I would get it going. :)

First and foremost... Happy New Year to all CC members and especially the HAL forum folks! :D

Well, working full time at day - going to school at night - completing a living room DIY remodel - and taking on shifts at the nursing home .... who knew that this would severely limit my time on CC? :rolleyes:

I just wanted to pop in; apologize for my absence, and say that I am hoping to make occassional appearances again. I have decided we are due for a little break and I just booked us on the Zaandam for end of May. It will be right after Spring semester finals... so for all I know I might be sleeping the whole 7 days, but what the heck - I'm going on a cruise!!!!! Yeah! :)

Have a great day, blessed, prosperous and healthy 2015, too!

Go Germany!!! :D

Finally!!!!! Someone who sees it correctly!!!!! :p

Go Klose, Müller, Özil, Podolski.........Love you all! Go Germany!

I don't want to ask for something, sit down and wait for it.

I can go to Pinnacle for that.

I like the way 14 of HAL's 15 ships do it in Neptune Lounge. I go in, select what I want, take it to my cabin and enjoy.

 

I don't want to sit and eat in Neptune and I certainly don't want to wait while someone diddles around getting it.

 

We enjoyed Neptune Lounge on Noordam, Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Maasdam, Ryndam, Veendam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Eurodam, Rotterdam, Amsterdam and, indeed, our last cruise on Westerdam.

 

Seems to me HAL is trying to test the waters to see how many complaints they get by changing the system. As to the 'tacky' toaster, I like it a lot. It is out for an hour or so in the morning for people to toast a bagel. I'm not sure what is tacky about that. Is the coffee machine tacky? Some mornings I enjoy that hot, freshly toasted bagel with a bit of smoked salmon and I sit on the verandah and it's deliciously relaxing.

 

Hi Sail - it made me smile to read your comment, because I was thinking of our December cruise on the Westerdam. Nothing at all on the sideboard, but in the mornings..... the toaster was there....all lonely, sitting by itself on that empty sideboard. I thought it was so funny, because unless you knew that you should ask for bread, etc. - how would you know why that toaster was sitting there?:confused:

Overall, I am sad that they still have not fixed this simple issue. As I mentioned in previous posts - sure there are people to help and serve, but it does feel awkward (to me anyway) to have to ask someone to fetch cookies or spoon some strawberries on my plate. :(

My family has booked and paid for a long planned vacation on the Eurodam's "Baltic Adventure" sailing. The journey visits many fantastic ports in the Baltic. We were enthralled with the opportunity to spend two entire days in St Petersburg. After what has transpired in Crimea and the Ukraine with the leadership of Russia our feelings have changed.

I have gone from being enthralled to disgust. The lack of concern for the sovereignty and laws of this civilized world by the Russian Federation are deplorable. I feel that setting foot in St Petersburg is analogous to taking a cruise to Germany in 1939 when they took over Czechoslavakia on the pretense of protecting German speaking citizens in 1939.

The US State Department had issued a travel watch for US citizens going to the Russian Federation. It is my strong feeling that HAL should cancel the stops in SPB to ensure the protection of the passengers, crew, etc. and to substitute other ports to places that do support the legal rights of others.

I recognize that these are my feelings and I can cancel the cruise or stay on the ship in SPB. I was impressed with the action of NCL when passengers with Israeli passports were denied the rights to leave the ship. NCL did what was right by eliminating Tunis as a port for all future cruises.

I will watch and see what transpires with US sanctions, visa bans, and actions by companies like HAL.

As much as I respect your right to an opinion on Russia, Ukraine, or any other country on this planet - I personally think politics should be left out of this forum!

Have a good day and enjoyable journeys.

I'm interested.

 

How does one qualify for breakfast at a specialty restaurant and obtain free laundry on HAL?

 

Mike:)

If you book a full suite (now called Neptune Suites) or the Penthouse on HAL - you get:

- Access to the Neptune Lounge (private concierge, food buffet, specialty coffee maker, etc.)

- breakfast served in the Pinnacle steakhouse

- free laundry and dry cleaning unlimited

- priority boarding/tender

- free sparkling wine bottle in room on 1st day and 1 free water

- free corsages for 1st formal night

- priority dining reservations if needed

I think I am forgetting stuff, but those are the big hitters. We really love the Neptune Lounge for little nibbles. :o

We have had a family suite twice. The only issue is balcony use. It is fully exposed forward and the wind makes it unusable most of the time when the ship is underway. Other then that it was excellent, we had 5 people, 2 adults and 3 teens. It will hold 8 but that would be a little too much I think.

Thank you, Colo Cruiser. Did you get to enjoy all the suite perks with this category? For instance the breakfast in the special restaurant, priority boarding, etc.?

pics

https://sites.google.com/site/princesscruisesfaq/ships/unique-cabins/uniquesapdia

Thank you, Runnerrodb83. This is a good link and I have it bookmarked. I appreciate the help.

When we have been in Suites on HAL, they have a "Neptune Lounge" for suite passengers. You can get different foods all day and has a special coffee machine, too. There are private concierges, who will handle everything - no need to go to the front desk.

Does Princess offer something like this, too?

Thank you.

Good Morning All,

The search function is not working, so I am asking for assistance, please.

Does anybody have experience with "Family Suites" on any Princess ship? Possibly any pictures? How was it?

Any crumbs and nuggets of insight information are greatly appreciated. We have only been on HAL and NCL, so I am a Princess Newbie. :D

Thank you all for the feedback and direction.

I am trying to find out if there are any cabins on Carnival that would have 2 separate bedrooms? Or perhaps at least a division like a french screen or something? Hope this makes sense. I realize there are sleeper sofas, but they are right next to the bed. Looking for something a bit more distinctly separate.

Thank you.

We left the Westerdam on December 7th with a flight from FLL at 11:03 AM. We were at the gate waiting for our plane a bit before 9:00 AM. We carried our own luggage off and it was no problem. Wishing you luck!

While I don't know if it's ever been proven, or if it's just suspected or an "urban legend", but it's thought that indeed HAL, and maybe other or all cruise lines, maintain some kind of problem cruiser list to the extreme that it includes people who have been banned from cruising a line again. I actually thought of that when I first read your initial post but didn't think to bring it up. That would be sad and would add even more insult to injury.

Remember Seinfeld when Elaine's medical chart gets marked "difficult patient"? This is the nightmare that I am envisioning from poor OP's description. What a mess and I feel truly sorry that this occured. :( I hope future sailings will be more carefree. And I also hope Mr. X is getting what's coming.... :eek:

We kept putting ours into the ice bucket (not the drinking ice - the keeping the bottle cool ice :D) . The flowers were beautiful all 7 days.

Would this rotisserie be also on the ship "Miracle"?

Thank you.

Right, we are a first time cruising couple and have been reading about the possible repercussions regarding mozzie bites. In the UK we never get bitten by mozzies so we need info if at all possible.

We're having a week in Barbados then a week cruising the Southern Carribean, we are taking Jungle formula with I think 50% deet, in Barbados wearing this fluid are we likely to get bitten through the day as well as the evening/ night?

Do mozzies bite more at night rather than day?

Can we get bitten at sea? Day or night?

We Brits are so lucky to have ****e weather!:)

Any replies will be appreciated.;)

Wow, I never knew that Uk did not have them. In Germany they are quite intense, especially in the Summer. :eek:

Back home, I use a brand called "Autan" which works well as a repellant. I think it might be available in the UK, too. Here in the US, I purchase a brand called "Off".

A nice option is the pre-moistened towelettes. You just wipe them on and toss. No spray to leak into your luggage, etc. :D

Enjoy your travels.

Thanks for taking the time to post your review. Too bad about the misses on this sailing and encountering rude passengers. I am also looking at the Noordam for next January when our 19 year old daughter in on her college break!

 

I'm wondering about the self debarkation, if you or anyone else has insight...If the ship docks at 7AM what time can you physically walk off the ship with your luggage and how long does it take to get through customs and get in line for a taxi (if taxi's are lined up)? And how long does it take to get to the FL airport? We've never done self debarkation and did not pay attention to anyone getting off the ship early on our last cruise.

 

Thanks in Advance!

We did self-debarkation on December 7th from the Westerdam in Fort Lauderdale. We were #3 in line (started to line up around 6:35 AM). There was a bit of a delay in getting ship cleared or the gangway situated (depended on whom you asked). The debarkation was handled by ground personnel and the line up of folks quickly became a mess and in the end it did not matter what your position in line was - they just let anybody hustle for the door.

Anyway, we were off the ship by about 7:20 AM or so and went through what supposedly passes for "immigration". Ha! :D Quick glance at the passport and that was it. Did not even scan them (perhaps because the have the manifest?).

We went straight to a cab and were at FLL airport within a few minutes. We sat at our gate by 8:00 AM or so and were bored and waiting for our 11:00 AM flight. It all worked out well and we would do self-service debarkation again anytime. Safe Travels!

We were on HMC in early December and we enjoyed the lunch. I had a cheeseburger, which was actually quite good and a bit of chicken. Some coleslaw, too. DH had fish and something else I do not recall. We took a couple sodas with us from our cabana, but you can also either purchase them there or drink provided beverages that are gratis. I thought it was well done for being an island lunch set up. Lines moved pretty fast, but once we sat down the crowds got very large and it may have taken longer to get food. We enjoyed it - hope you do, too.

I am always surprised at how concerned some people are about what food is available, when is it available, and in what quantities in the Neptune Lounge. It seems to be such an issue.

 

Is there not enough food elsewhere on the ship?

Well, while we certainly were not starving, I do think it is a difference that should not exist and to receive inadequate offerings, compared to other ships' NL - is not right.

We paid a good amount to enjoy all the perks of the NL, which should include a fully stocked sideboard, not just the dome. While we did also eat in the Lido, Pinnacle and MDR - IMHO - that's not the point.

We tried once to ask for cookies and it became a big production, because the concierge has to go to the back closet/store room. Get the platter of coookies. Then they remove the plastic wrap. Then they realized they needed tongues - so back they went. I loved our concierges and this made me feel so awkward, because I felt like I was a hassle. Certainly not their fault, but I never asked for anything else again (cheese, strawberries, cookies, cake, etc.....) :(

So - to sum it up for me - yes, of course there is plenty of food. But if you went to Target and paid for a pair of pants and at home found out they only had 1 pantleg and the other were missing, you would be upset. Then you would call and they would tell you "why worry, don't you have other pants in the house? It's not like you'll freeze, there are plenty of other clothing options... :eek:

That's just my 2 cents...