Fred321

If you get the chance please tell Marcos that Rich and Peg say hi and that we miss the world famous "Asian Cutie" and the even more famous "Philippine Sausage". Thanks.

Don't expect HAL to build or purchase small ships in the future. CEO was quite clear that wasn't in his plans on last year's world cruise and this year's Australia/NZ. Completely understand the decision simply saying what I will do. We have over 1000 actual sea days on HAL and enjoy the service and the experience but at some point if the product changes enough we'll change our actions as well. Right now we are lucky enough to be able to choose what fits us best.

Not sure what you meant to say in the last sentence but I agree with your overall opinion of the new builds. We have had multiple trips the Koningsdam and the new Rotterdam and will not be going back to any of them, MDR experience is terrible whether you are in anytime or fixed. The dining room is a madhouse with the waiters running back and forth way too much and the room extremely noisy. No chance to have a quiet conversation. Staterooms seem to have no soundproofing. Have been in a number of Vista suites and can always hear the TV next door and sometimes even the conversations. Just got off the Volendam in an Ocean View room for 94 days and it was great. Lots of room to sit and read, they haven't ruined the Crows Nest by trying to turn it into a multipurpose room. Just a nice relaxed feeling around the ship. Vista class is the largest HAL ship we would consider but would always opt for the R class if available.

Sounds like exactly what we do. If you are already comfortable with that then doing it at this stop should work out great. Have fun.

Have been there at least 4 or 5 times. Have rented a car once from the office on the pier ( should probably be able to drive a standard transmission as they are the most common available) Roads are good and easy to get around. Two other times we simply picked a driver from the guys on the way out of the terminal for a day trip around the island. Both trips were great. Had a nice Mercedes sedan all to ourselves with very friendly and knowledgable drivers. Just make sure that they really speak English before saying yes. Almost all of them do. In all three cases the cost for the two of us was cheaper than an excursion from the ship and didn't include a 40 person bus. Also don't need to worry about not making the stop and getting a refund and you get to decide where to go and how long to stay there. The island is beautiful so getting out of town is a good idea.

That's exactly what they are offering and I understand that they are to be aboard the Volendam until it reaches Montreal, well after the end of the Grand Voyage. One of the many nice surprises on this voyage. Have the distinct impression that HAL is listening and doing what they can within the financial straits the industry is experiencing.

On this year's Grand Australia/New Zealand they have a trio (piano, cello and Violin) that are outstanding. They do 3 shows a day using programs that they put together which are much better than the limited offerings that Lincoln Center had available. Their skill level is very high. All in all at least these 3 are an improvement from the Lincoln Center program. My understanding is that on the longer itineraries or in certain locales they are bringing back classical offerings. Just not Lincoln Center branded.

Have a great trip guys. We'll miss seeing you although after reading your first report we're glad that we skipped this one and are doing the Australia, New Zealand one instead. At least the last time I looked no one shooting at each other in that neck of the woods. You never know though. Say hi to Presti, Twinkle, Edward and the gang for us. Stay well and hope to see you again soon. Rich and Peg.

Could you ask them how many passengers they expect to have for the Grand? Thanks.

Thanks very much for your postings. We are joining you for the grand Aus. and NZ in a few days and are very encouraged by the music offerings especially after last year's world cruise. Almost sounds like the "old days". Nice to see that HAL's management listened to the feedback they got last year. Happy Holidays.

Opened on the World Cruise this year. Not as extensive as the R class ships and not as many chairs or tables available but it has multiple copies of newer books. Not the best library around but it is better than none at all and they have a section for exchanges among passengers.

Thanks for posting. We usually sail HAL but enjoyed our two trips on the Constellation out of Tampa. (We only live 40 minutes away so nice and easy compared with FLL. Will be following along as we have neighbors (Retired Dude) on board with you.

Zuiderdam still has a dance floor in the Ocean Bar. At least at the beginning of this year.

Suggest you stay in Beaulieu Sur Mer or Villefranche Sur Mer instead of Nice. Both are wonderful little Riviera towns within easy reach of Nice. Can use bus or train to get back and forth within about 15 minutes. Also easy to jump on the train for a quick trip to Monte Carlo. The Reserve in Beaulieu is very high end as is the Hotel Riviera. For something a little different the Hotel Welcome in Villefranche is great. Not as fancy but great location and wonderful staff.

If you feel like someone is looking over your shoulder it's only us. As usual, we are enjoying your posts but even more so since we'll be on Volendam in a couple of months for the Grand Aus. and N/Z which also has many of the same stops you guys are having. Trying to take good notes. Glad you enjoyed your lunch today. That's a lot of pressure giving you two a restaurant recommendation. We also remember the two of you walking by as we were enjoying lunch there. Stay well, sorry we won't see you in the near future but hope we can reconnect soon. Rich and Peg

Getting off Rotterdam after this fall's TA had to line up and do face to face customs and immigration. No Global Entry although it would have made re-entry a lot easier.

We also used Welcome Pickup from Amsterdam airport to Rotterdam last month. Would recommend them.

Can I ask where this was? We are going to be in Honfleur in a few weeks and love mussels.

Thanks very much for asking. We appreciate it. Got along well with him on the 2020 Half World Cruise. Can't imagine why they think there's stress on those trips. Passengers are always cooperative and well behaved. 🙂 Stay well. We'll miss you. Rich and Peg

Boarding the Rotterdam in two weeks. Usually don't sail the larger ships. Can someone tell me where the dining room staff sits on boarding day if we want to change tables? Thanks.

Hey guys, Saw you mentioned that Glenn Michael is the current cruise director. Can you check and see whether he will be aboard for the 94 day Grand in January? Thanks. As usual, enjoying your travels. Rich and Peg

Great to see you on the move again. Was hoping we would see you on the Volendam for the Australia/NZ Grand in January of 2024 but it looks like we will just miss you. Will be relying on you two to make sure that everything is shipshape for us. Safe travels! Rich and Peg

On this year's world cruise we had great cabin stewards but they advised that they no longer offered the fresh fruit option. Was able to run down one of the old wire baskets in a bar and got my own fruit from the lido. They must have had a lot of requests because they set up an entire station in the back of the lido with whatever fruit was available. Worked great until South Africa when they went out of their way to get local produce which resulted in a gastro outbreak. No good deed.....

On this year's world cruise HAL CEO clearly said that there were no new ships currently planned for HAL. He was quite clear that his primary focus was improving the company's financials.

Hate to add more bad news but we were in a Vista Suite on the Koningsdam in a room with no connecting door and we could still hear conversations and tv from next door. I know it is a different ship but it is the same design and I would be surprised if they changed the walls on the newer ships. We have one more trip booked on this class {Rotterdam} and that is simply because it is a TA that fits our schedule. After that we are done with the newer ships mostly because of the poor sound proofing of the rooms and the terrible noise and rushing around in the main dining room. We really like the Tamarind and the Dutch Cafe but not enough to outweigh the other problems.