ZSandy25

Great attitude and I wish you the best on your next adventure and I hope for all things are calmer in July. 

1 hour ago, Wehwalt said:

A letter explaining why Antigua was canceled would also have been nice. . 

I think you know why it was cancelled....the Capt. explained it in his announcement. 

Have to weigh in on this as I was also on the 21 day cruise.  I can only repeat what Poster Regnig wrote. The staff and crew were amazing.....they kept their smiles on their faces and their main concern was for us passengers.  The cruise was very normal until the night before Martinique and the Captain announced that we would have out temps taken when getting off and back on the ship. St. Lucia was iffy and I really didn't think we would get off the ship.  Port Authority was onboard meeting with Medical and it was a waiting game but we were finally welcomed to the island.  We were constantly updated and informed about the proceedings and what was taking place with authorities.  As you've read St. Kitts denied us docking, alternative was Antigua and we were denied there.  The Captain and the Medical staff held a briefing with a Q & A in the Main stage area where they explained what this all meant to us passengers and how things were being handled.  We were assured again and again that we were a healthy ship in regards to the virus.  

I shared a few tears with some of the crew we came in contact with daily, they like us had decisions to make.  They could fly home or stay on the ship.  Some were very worried if they left the ship they might be home for an extended period of time and not know when or where they would return.  They have obligations like we do and leaving the ship would affect them as it would us in the same situation.  I said a lot of prayers and continue to do so... 

I will be writing to HAL about the wonderful caring service we had onboard during this critical time in the world. 

Just off the Koningsdam , sitting at airport after 21 days cruise. The K’dam will continue on to South America to reposition. With no pax. This is from the Capt. Crew members were told they could go home or stay on the ship. They were given the choice after Captain had a late night meeting with them to inform them of all the changes. I shared a few tears with some crew members who were surprised with this decision . Some crew we talked to will be leaving as their contract is close to ending. Others are concerned because of their personal obligations. To say this is an easy time for all is an understatement . I can’t speak highly enough about how this whole thing was handled by the whole crew and staff. Amazing.. we were assured we were a healthy ship and everyone was doing their part so it remained so, pax and crew. 

When you board and get settled make a stop at the M'D station requesting a change in dining times and dates...it's all in their system.  On longer cruises there is usually not a problem, short ones may be more difficult.  I've never tried this but maybe someone who posts here has...If you have a special date and time you really want pre-book and pay in advance.  Once onboard show your free dinner invitation and get a credit to your account.  The credit won't apply to your CC but to your OB account.  

As I said, I don't know if this would work but the thought just popped into my head when responding.

This is good news...board K'dam on the 23rd.

Will be boarding K'dam in a few days...I'm in trouble I love those things.

We are on B2B cruise in a few weeks.  We have to physically get off the ship to zero out the ship.  New pax will be boarding the ship, we will be doing a little sight seeing and reboarding.  So the question....can I bring the allowed one bottle per pax onboard?  (again)

1 hour ago, BaltimoreCruise said:

We have purchased the unlimited laundry package on many of our cruises and it works well for us and will do so again next week.  With the package, can we send out items to just be pressed and not laundered?

 

Thank you.

BaltimoreCruise

I love this service, DH loves his clothes with a good press and he uses this service frequently... he does all the ironing at home.  The grandsons send their shirts over to him because he does a better job than their mom :):) I enjoy my home service also.  He put a sign in my closet that says, Caution, sharp creases!

Thank you for taking the time to do the fleet report..much appreciated.

On 1/30/2020 at 4:18 PM, SuzieQ521 said:

Hello, first time sailing on Holland America and first time cruising with our son, 

who will be 22 months this summer for our Alaska cruise.

 

It looks like that on the deluxe veranda\balcony rooms, there is a curtain that divides the bed and the couch area...does anyone know if the curtain actually pulls across to separate the areas, or if it’s just for looks? I’m asking because I’m trying to figure out where to put my son’s crib as we want to give him his own little private area so that he could sleep better. If the curtain does not close all the way, then I will need to look into some magnetic hooks and bring our own cover.

 

Any other suggestions as to where to put the crib? I was hoping not to put him in front of the sliding glass door but that looks like the only place that makes sense, especially if there would be a curtain dividing him from us.

 

Also he’s a pretty tall boy but it looks like it’s more like a pack and play rather than a crib?

 

Thanks!

 

 

I understand your concerns, little ones do need their space that is "private".  Try looking up pictures of cabins on the ship you will be on.  We had our daughter on a trip and there was no area to put her where she couldn't see us, it was ok at the time but when we got home we had problems.  Good Luck, I still miss those days...

Will be sailing on the K'dam in three weeks and just received the usual update about the happenings on the ship.  The Orange Party was mentioned and suggested to wearing orange, which won't be a problem for me as its my favorite color.  We are looking forward to this event, always up for good music and meeting others in a casual setting.  Maybe this doesn't appeal to everyone but that's the great part of being on a cruise, there is something for everyone.

On 1/31/2020 at 6:21 PM, Himself said:

I hope they get it under vontrol.  I hope they do another deep clean in Ft. Lauderdale. I  go on the K'dam three weeks from Sunday. 

Would that be the 23rd?  If so I will be joining you, and look forward to meeting on a sanitized ship.

I’ve gotten some guarantees 3 weeks out, some closer to sailing. Seems to be no rhyme or reason. Always had time to print boarding pass and luggage tags. If for some reason you don’t get your assignment in time your bags will be tagged with your information at embarkation. Never had this happen to me and would think it’s not the norm after reading others reports on guarantees. 

5 minutes ago, daisy-mae said:

 

Just to be clear, the passing of plastic bags for collection is something that I witnessed personally on a Celebrity cruise; so to that extent it is factual.

Perhaps there is a different procedure on HAL and other cruise lines.

I'm sorry for the wording in my post, when re-reading it I see how my words looked.  I wasn't doubting what you witnessed, just passing along what I have experienced at mass on HAL ships. In regards to Himself posting it had more to do with his experience with HAL and how things work for him.   Please accept my apology. 

50 minutes ago, Petronillus said:

In my experience, I have never seen a collection taken up at a daily Mass. And, while I may be wrong, I thought that the Sunday collection went to support the Apostleship of the Sea.

This is what the priest on our last cruise said the money goes.  I have never seen a collection basket/bag passed at mass.  There is a slotted box by the missals where one can leave a donation.  Will wait until Himself chimes in with  factual information.

On 1/20/2020 at 1:09 PM, Crew News said:

Do not bring camo clothing as it is forbidden in many of the Caribbean islands.

I see you live in New Mexico where the snow does not fly...Poster from Michigan commented on the camo look because we had a white winter wonderland that day and if we were in our whites we would have been properly camouflaged...LOL.  Now that I think about it that might be where the no whites after labor day started..:):)

On 1/20/2020 at 5:40 PM, esimon said:

pean utter -  please check them out and report back -  I will be on 2/23 - they look great but will want some sun

Depends on what you mean by sun.  If you look at the posted pictures you will see that there is glass, these are not open areas.  Do you get to see the sun, yes...but if your looking to "catch" some sun you will have to find an open area.

They are free and we used them once on the K'dam which is where the pics look like they were taken.  They are a great area to lounge, read, take a nap but if I wanted to work on a tan I would find a spot open to the sky.  When the dome is closed not much air moves around in there. I did find them to be a bit noisy at times.

For a cost there is the retreat cabanas on the upper deck.  There you get your private area with loungers inside your cabana and there is an open area with loungers for your sun....

I guess there is no rhyme or reason to the slippers, we have cruised in standard verandah cabins and gotten slippers, verandah suite we have gotten slippers and then not gotten them.  DH likes the slippers so if they are not present in cabin DH kindly asks and receives his slippers.  

I bring mine home in the wrapper and donate them to our local women's shelter.  Cruising in a few weeks on the K'dam in verandah suite, DH will be looking I'm sure. 

3 hours ago, detroit70 said:

This feels silly to ask, but do people wear white (shorts, slacks, shoes) in the Caribbean in January?  (I'm starting to pack for this week's trip...)

 

Thanks!

By your CC name I assume your from the Detroit area as I am....made me smile when I saw your question because we have all had drilled into us to pack away the white after Labor Day..LOL….Bring those whites out and wear them along with all your summer colors, I'll be packing my whites in Feb. :):)

I'm really enjoying your posts, you write with such a positive energy.  Your smiles are infectious and it looks like you really know how to have a good time.  Thank you for taking the time out of your day to share your adventures with us. 

I hope John continues to improve and that's the only hiccup on your grand adventure.

8 minutes ago, msteries said:

Thanks!  I thought I remembered something about wattage limitations.  After years of trying, I finally found a hair tool that works for me.  Would hate to have it wind up in the naughty room...

I take my hair tools, flat iron and my own hair dryer.  I know they provide a hair dryer but I'm attached to mine and how it preforms on my hair.  There is a big difference in hair dryers and hair tools, when you find something that works you don't want to give it up.  😊

My husband got sick with a UTI on a Caribbean cruise.  He did see the Dr. on board, received meds and fortunately improved.  When we returned home we submitted our medical bills to our carrier,  we were refunded about 80% of the cost.  

Check with your medical carrier you might be able to recoup some of the cost.

4 minutes ago, fpat said:

 

Thank you so much for the information! 

I've not had a cabana on the Westerdam but on other ships and love them.  We are on the Koningsdam sailing in Feb.  and have rented a family cabana for just the two of us.  The cabana retreat space is much smaller on the K'dam. You will have a much larger area on the Westerdam with plenty of room for two couples.  You will enjoy the views from two sides.  Personally I would choose #5 as it's not near the stairs.  Pax will still find those stairs and use them to cross over and see what's there.   

There are loungers and a table for four in the cabana and outside loungers for those who want to sunbathe.  You won't need to move your loungers from sun to shade.

Yes, you can request which cabana you want to reserve thru ships services.  If you haven't already I would call to make sure they are available, instead of waiting to book onboard. 

Have a great cruise.

12 minutes ago, macintx said:

I can't find it.  Could you post a link?

Also looking for the link, can't find it on the site.