RuthC

Is there room in the shower to store it overnight? Could the one who doesn't use it keep it in the aisle on that side during the night, then move it out of the way as needed? You might also be able to make arrangements for the non-disabled person to have the Front Desk keep it overnight. Just bring the disabled person to the cabin for the night, bring it to the Front Office, then pick it up in the morning when the disabled person is ready to leave. Inconvenient, perhaps, but it would leave room inside the cabin. Remember, though, even when the disabled person goes to the cabin during the day, the wheelchair cannot be left in the passageway.

I sailed on Royal Viking once, and didn't fully appreciate how truly elegant that line was at the time. It was my first cruise to Alaska, over 14 days. Simply wonderful time. I am curious, which incarnation of the Sun/Prinsendam did you prefer? And why? Or were they too much like comparing apples and oranges to be able to make a fair evaluation?

I understand precisely where you are coming from. I had barely decided that from that point forward I was going to concentrate on making Prinsendam by ship of choice, and would sail her every opportunity. I would choose that ship over any other, regardless of itinerary. The ship would be more the destination than the itinerary (although her itineraries were fantastic. And then HAL announced her sale. So much for that idea. 😞

The outside cabins on Lower Promenade are smaller than the outsides on the other two decks. If I were to book and outside on Lower Promenade, I would choose one between the forward and mid-ship elevators/staircases, and on starboard side. The outside cabins on that deck are actually smaller than the insides on the same deck. Lower down the outsides are 10 sq. ft. larger. Between the two elevators mentioned you are under a quiet area; heading aft until the aft elevators you are under the galley, and there can be noise at night. One time friends were in that area, port side, when we hit extremely rough seas during the night. They listened to dishes for the Pinnacle Grill as they crashed and smashed. I was fine over on starboard (and slightly forward of them). The outsides on Main Deck are between two passenger cabin decks. However, they are also under the promenade, so there is always the danger of hearing a 'herd of elephants' overhead as people don't know enough not to jog above a cabin area.

It's still the middle of the night there, considering the time difference. Give him a chance to sleep, wake up, and get some coffee.

Not a lot newer, as both ships are among the older ones in the HAL fleet. But you are right that the Zuiderdam will have different entertainment options. Personally, I would choose the Zaandam. The outside cabins are larger than on the Vista ship. The ship is smaller, making it easier to get around, and meaning fewer passengers. You will run into the same people over again. Either ship will offer a good cruise.

Based on my most recent cruise, not very. There were people who didn't even bother to change out of their daywear. However, there were plenty of people who did look nice, dressed up, and a few in formal wear. If you want to dress up, with the female in fine jewelry, remember: your nice clothes like to go out and play, too.

The 'indoor' pool is under a sliding roof that is open in good weather. There are plenty of seats there that will be in the sun, allowing that as the sun moves, the particular seats will change. On the Pinnacle Class ships, there is another level above the 'indoor' pool with plenty of seating in the sun.

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The problem isn't only room to store the scooter in the cabin, there's also a problem with getting it through the door, and past whatever comes next before you get into the larger part of the cabin. Many cabins have the door (which the scooter barely fits through), then comes the outside wall of the bathroom on one side, and a wall of closets on the other. It is much too narrow to maneuver a scooter through, let alone drive one. Then, there would be the problem of turning it around. There are a few cabins on some ships that will accept a scooter, however; I have been using one for years. The two R-class ships, and the Vista and Signature class ships all have some cabins that will take a scooter; all the ones I know and have used are insides. If your friend is looking at any of these, I will be happy to direct you to possible cabins. Obviously, an accessible cabin will accept a scooter, but those do sell out quickly, and since you didn't mention it, I didn't go into it. I assume an accessible cabin has already been ruled out, for whatever reason. He could also have his TA check into the possibility of having his scooter taken and stored, then returned when he needed it. In the past I have heard of that being done, but don't know if HAL does that now. Good luck.

Oh, I know I wrote it in. It was specific as to what I wanted, so free-form was the only way to say what I wanted. There is always room to write something in. Sometimes you just have to work at finding it.

Bring 'em home and mail them to me, eh? 😉

The area is, but it's for Lido dining. It only becomes Canaletto as a separate restaurant with its own menu in the evening.

It must vary from ship to ship, and steward to steward, then. On my recent cruise there was a form left on my desk asking about special requests. I noted that I wanted 2 milk chocolates left every night, which is precisely what I received!

Since most cocktails are under the limit, and a margarita is just a standard cocktail, I would expect it would be under too. If you search the boards, I am sure you will find links to the bar menus; I don't remember if there is one already in this thread.

What makes you so sure you will get one of the forward facing suites? Have you been assigned a cabin number? That usually happens about 10-14 days before sailing.

What lines don't place a hold on your credit card to cover onboard expenses? It was my understanding that it is a standard operating procedure in the industry.

The liquid soap dripped onto the towels/bathmat on the rod directly under it. I moved them to the side a little, so then it dripped on the floor---making a mess if you stepped in it. The lotion placed next to the sink can't be used when sitting on the bed, tending to details following a shower. Small bottles were so much better.

The set-up at the Sea View Bar will vary depending on the class of ship, but all have a smoking area (not the entire outdoors of the Lido aft), at least some of which will be under cover. There will be tables and chairs where one can eat, just like in the non-smoking area. On the Nieuw Statendam, and I am guessing the other Pinnacle class ships, there are padded chairs with side tables. Very nice there.

Of course. However, in recent years HAL has downgraded the dress code from Formal to Gala, and now 'dressy'. Although full formal dress can be seen, you really have to look for it. Many people don't even seem to be able to reach the level of 'dressy'. On my recent cruise there were people who didn't bother to change out of their daywear.

The Westerdam was running this as a test, presumably to see what the traffic would bear. IIRC, there is no extra charge for a second appetizer on the other ship.

I've sailed on most of the HAL ships, in every ship class, and can't think of one ship where you are required to go through the casino to get to the theatre. Sometimes you might have to go in the theatre on a different deck than your preference, or use the forward elevator, but that's not the same as being necessary. What ship are you looking at booking? I want to check the deck plans.

Wrong! I am not a smoker, and have not been for decades. I just believe in trying to be fair to all. I can avoid a small area of the ship (if I choose) if it allows others to have a place to enjoy themselves.

Your cruise went up because you moved to a more expensive area of the ship. Whether your cabin has a tub or shower only has nothing to do with it. It's location that makes the difference.

Holland America has a bad habit of using the same term for two different things. Often it's necessary to determine what someone is talking about from the entire context of the post.