semibeater

Just off the Zaandam in June 2023 and no poker table. Just the new table for heads up holdem against the dealer. No chance for raise and very bad odds IMO. BJ offers better odds. Previous table space replaced  with slots.

3 minutes ago, lakedweller64 said:

There is a heads up Texas hold ‘em 

Thanks for that. Table gone? BJ minimums?

I've been following and enjoying your blog and looking at daily's there seems to be a lack of casino activity including BJ and Texas hold em tournaments. Only Bingo and slot activity. Am I missing something? Do you frequent casino at all? We will be on the next B2B from Boston. Thanks in advance.

20 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I have strong doubts checking in will speed up cabin assignment.  It may be faster if you are doing a b2b.  It seems they offer upsells first then assign.  I’m sure there are cases when that doesn’t happen.

You are probably right. We are on a B2B GTY SA and it was assigned 30 days out. Just another piece of the HAL puzzle. BTW we are in same cabin!

Checking in and completing everything will probably get your gty cabin faster. I got mine 30 days out recently. Check docs for luggage tags as this will be the 1st place it will appear. good luck

4 hours ago, Native Floridian 26 said:

Can someone provide the latest link to the agency transfer form for HAL?

60043243_ReservationTransferRequestForm082718.pdf

Yes the sauna is still there as of last summer.

20 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

There are pros and cons to every approach for bookings.  Key is to find one that works best for you and of course YOUR situation.

 

Personally, we use a HAL PCC.  I find the service to be very good (often can resolve issues/questions with a simple email) and sometimes she can get me a better deal than the direct HAL number (upcoming cruise she saved me over $700 on a 7 day cruise).  Since we often book with a casino deal, it is hard to beat the price (for a TA).  

Big plus is that we employ upsell offers on most of our cruises, so HAL emails us directly with them (TAs often are slow forwarding them to you and some do not even bother), which gives us the best chance of getting and selecting the best locations.

 

 

 

 

I agree with OKC and use PCC all the time.  Especially with casino free cruises and B2B's which are difficult to do on your own.

I agree with the opine of OKC. I booked SB guarantee on Zaandam (sister) for upcoming Can-NE this summer. No worries about getting NS anywhere as they are all good. Current SB bookings will probably be offered SA upsells for more $ as SB's are sold out currently. Once in a NS you won't want anything else IMO.

I always redeem for CC credit. You get 2.5% of the points in cash back if used on HAL for over $4K. Also all HAL charges pay double points. Not much use if you don't use HAL to cruise a lot!

We did the last B2B B-M-B ending july 9. There was NO testing in Montreal and we enjoyed the day in the Old City.

FWIW My wife and I were on the B2B previous to this sailing in a NS.  We both tested positive upon returning to Boston on July 9th. No one reported to medical during our 14 days but I noticed a lot of "cold" symptoms in casino and lounges the last 7 days. Very hard to contain if no one reports to crew. We are done cruising for awhile.

View from our veranda today in Sydney. If we cross paths I will say HI! With you to Boston..

Thanks for the report. We will board Sat for the same B2B. This will be our third time and first since 2019 on Zaandam. Weather has been iffy? Usually good this time of year.

We will be on the same B2B from Boston. Thank you for finding out about in transit testing in Montreal. Now if they just removed the preboarding in Bos.....

17 hours ago, Crazy For Cats said:

I asked this question with my PCC.  The answer was no test required for B2B.

Thank you for the info. My PCC seems to be pretty busy and hasn't responded. Looking forward to our return to Zaandam and this sailing!

1 hour ago, BEAV said:

 

Thankfully, Celebrity dropped B2B testing between sailings about a month ago. Princess, too, according to a friend who just completed 21-days of 3 7-day sailings.

Can anyone is is on or recently returned from a B2B Bos to Bos confirm that no test was required before reboarding in-transit?

15 hours ago, scoochy12 said:

You have to log in on their website 😩… it doesn’t work on app for me either. 

I believe that Main DR schedules and/or reservations must be made by PCC or TA in advance. You can change or update once on board with maitre D. There also is a form that can be filled out and emailed somewhere on website to customer service.

8 hours ago, seatrial said:

The Zaandam seems to be improving a little each day. Pinnacle Grill is not open for dinner the last three nights of this cruise.  I think this is due to staffing issues. Dining room dinners have been good in my opinion. The menus are nice. Two of my excursions were canceled due to a lack of bookings. Hopefully this won’t be a problem on future trips. I wanted to share a picture of Zaandam docked in Sydney NS; we had great weather. 

Why did you bypass Charlottetown  today?

4 hours ago, electro said:

Thanks, I have one booked for Charlottetown that has since disappeared from the website so i'm wondering if it is going to be cancelled. Other ones that are sold out are still listed so I don't think that is the reason.

 

Why did you pass by PEI today? Was it on the original itinerary?

4 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Club orange members do not get breakfast in the pinnacle grill.

Neptune Suite occupants used to get PG for breakfast.

Also thank you for the reports. Can you confirm that Pinnacle Grill is open for breakfast for NS and Orange members. Will be sailing in June.

Just finished dry dock in Cadiz Spain and has moved to Cadiz cruise port to bring on crew. Should be leaving for USA In April after some sea trials. No passengers on TA to FLL.

My info obtained from Spanish news source says the Volendam arrives on Feb 8 and Zaandam Feb 9th. They both will dock at Puerto Real Shipyards to prepare for return to service in May. They should be there until late March according to source. Not sure if it means dry dock or just inspection, etc.