Pickalily, Wilts

I've never seen an ad for HAL over here and I doubt many other British cruisers have either.  DH and I like an international mix of passengers and don't feel the need to be surrounded by our fellow countrymen/women.  Thanks to HAL (and a few other lines) we've met many delightful people from all over the world and hope our health will allow us to continue for as long as possible.

Agree with 3rdGenCunarder that it's important to not put off seeing places you've always wanted to visit.  My Dad retired at 62, intending to fulfil his travel ambitions, but sadly died three years later before he got to see the US and Canada - countries which had fascinated him for many years.  He'd have loved both.

My wish is quite selfish and a little harder to fulfil.  I wish HAL would sail occasionally from one of the southern UK ports while still keeping the international mix of passengers which we so like.  (We live around 45 minutes' drive from Southampton and that would be ideal.)  Flying has become very tedious and not a little stressful with last minute cancellations and it would be great to be able to take it out of the equation once in a while.

5 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Welcome to HAL's new "Viking experience".  Man the oars like a true son (or daughter) of Odin as we plunder our way through the majestic Norwegian fjords. Special shore excursions will offer the opportunity to pillage ashore, forge weapons, or even take a turn navigating the ship using only a legendary Viking sunstone. Special entertainment will include recitation of Viking sagas in the World Theater, accompanied by the StepOne dancers....

Spare a thought for Britain.  The last time Viking oarsmen set off, it didn't end well for us! 

If you want to visit Norway, do it.  It's beautiful.  Norwegians are a civilised and polite bunch of people, but they do have concerns about the leviathans which could pull in and decant 4 or 5 thousand people into small villages.

I was surprised to see Flam on our next itinerary, having read that cruise ships would be banned.  Not sure that HAL ships can be classed as huge (in their eyes), but we have visited that port before and will treat it and the inhabitants with respect.

I don't blame them for wanting to preserve their environment.  It's really special.

In addition to the recommendations above, there are plenty of drug-free wristbands on the market which might help your child/children.  Whether their efficacy is real or imaginary who knows, but if they work, who cares?  They're not expensive 🙂.

Have a great time!

I can see that you bread pudding fans are very happy with the recipe, but as a Brit there seems to be something vital that's missing.🙂  You may think that's heresy, but bear with me while I throw another ingredient into the mix..........

These days I prefer savoury to sweet food, but that wasn't always the case.  My grandma used to make a mean bread pudding and hers contained a few teaspoons of ground mixed spice (typically cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves, caraway and one or two others).  The aroma in the kitchen was heavenly and the result didn't last very long once the family descended upon it.

Just a thought.

Will HAL changes discourage regular HAL cruisers?

We've  taken 7 HAL cruises so far (should have been 8 but had to cancel last year for health reasons) and have cruised with several other lines, including some which consider themselves to be 5*+.  

HAL suits us well.  DH is ex-Royal Navy and appreciates that the line is a well run professional outfit.  We've seen changes over the years, but keep coming back to the DAM ships.  Of course, we've noticed  cut-backs in the restaurants, but an imaginative chef can still produce delicious food from slightly cheaper ingredients.  Many cruise lines boast that they provide 'fine dining', but how can that be achieved when mass catering is involved?

We like the introduction of BB Kings and Rolling Stone Rock Room bands and would miss them if we ever went back to the older, smaller ships.  (The evening entertainment was always pretty ordinary, but has certainly improved of late - in our opinion - We're not bothered about production shows and don't need entertaining during the day, although a few interesting lectures wouldn't go amiss.)

We know HAL isn't perfect, but it meets our requirements.  The next cruise is in May and time will tell if it lives up to expectations.  Glass half full etc......  Can't wait.

Our experience has been very good.  I wouldn't describe OH or me as gregarious, but over the years we have met lovely people from many parts of the world and it has led to a few  friendships which have lasted for decades.  So long as you are open minded and have the patience to answer the inevitable "Where do you come from" questions etc.,  it can be very rewarding.

Only twice have we been grouped with folk we wouldn't want to spend more time with, so open dining and sharing a table is what we always opt for.

1 hour ago, coachmouchet said:

I just read a pretty bad review of the Volendam.  I understand, we all have faced usually something negative about a cruise we have taken.  Some cruises are perfect, some are not.  A lot of times, I see people make comments about a ship being too small, very little to do, kids club not good, food choices not good, etc.  I think if people would take the time to research what the cruise line and or ship has to offer, it would help them make a better decision if they should purchase that cruise or not.  

I took a Volendam cruise knowing exactly what I should expect.  I knew it was small with fewer activities and usually caters to a more mature crowd.

 

And for the person who bashed the employees of Volendam who do not speak English well, shame on you.

Can that person who bashed them speak two languages fluently?  I did not have any language problems with the employees of the Volendam during my cruise.

6 minutes ago, barbon2 said:

I’m not trying to start a “cruise board dress code war”, but what would you say is the average dress code for men on these nights.

Our last few Caribbean Cruises before Covid were on Crystal and Oceania which were both country club causal. Our last HAL cruise I believe was in 2016.

We are going on the Rotterdam in January and we are not sure how dressed up or down these nights are.

I am thanking everyone in advance for their input.

Barb

 

This isn't something to be worried about.  It's probably a decade since most men (and women) 'dressed up' on gala nights.  Then, it wasn't unusual to see tuxedos and long sparkly dresses, but now they are definitely in the minority.   Personally, OH and I still make an effort for the occasion and that would include a jacket for him, but so long as men wear long pants and a shirt with a collar, they can't go wrong.  However, don't be surprised to see t-shirts and even shorts.  Almost anything seems to be acceptable and we don't let what other people want to wear affect our enjoyment of a HAL cruise.  Each to their own.

29 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

 

However, I have had the opposite result.  "Sorry Sir, that is not possible". 

Oh well, I'll give it a go anyway. 🙂

9 hours ago, Mandalay1903 said:

Easily done while on board. Just speak with a Dining Dept Supervisor or Manager.

Many thanks.  That's what I was hoping.

Slightly off topic - has anyone been successful in swapping a HIA Pinnacle Grill  for a Canaletto reservation?  We're happy to take the included Tamarind option, but hoping HAL will allow us to have the cheaper (for them) Canaletto instead of Pinnacle.  

12 hours ago, wearesiamese said:

I have just booked another HAL cruise but to be honest with you I do wish they hD Ore to do during the day.I am a solo traveler and I have not dfound enough to do during the day.I am doing another TransPacific to Japan next October, and the only other cruiselien I had to choose from that time of year is CELEBRITY,AND  I prefer HAL to Celebrity.I do wish they had paddle tennis courts like Crystal and Cunard have 😞

It takes a lot of self-confidence to travel solo, so I admire you for that.  HAL does have events for solos (admittedly not every day) and, as is mentioned elsewhere, there is pickleball and table tennis available - at my time of life such energetic activity would probably result in a helivac emergency.🙃

Hopefully others on your cruise roll-call will be arranging meetings or will have suggestions for making long sea days more interesting.  Good luck and I hope you have an enjoyable cruise.

- We like the mix of nationalities (although as Brits we're always in the minority - no problem for us).

- The ships are spotlessly clean, have an understated elegance, none of the hulls has been scribbled on by a child with crayons and the cabins are comfortable and well designed.

- We don't need to be entertained during the day, but the evening entertainment is varied and the addition of Rolling Stone Rock Rooms on Pinnacle ships is an inspired decision.  These and the BB King Blues Bands have helped to blow away the line's former reputation of being staid and boring.

- The food is good.

- Itineraries are interesting.

- There are many other good points, but above all the crew members are invariably dee-lite-full.

We've tried several other cruise lines, including some which call themselves 5*+, but we keep coming back to HAL.

It's about a decade since HAL gala nights could be described as 'dressy'.  Shame really, but a sign of the times.  What other people wear doesn't really affect our enjoyment of a cruise, but we do try to maintain a standard which we think is appropriate for the occasion - and that no longer includes a tux  and posh frock. 🙂

In other words, don't worry about it.

If you look at 'whatsinport.com' there is information which may be useful.

Have never stopped there, but have heard it said that the city of Colon is very aptly named.😐

As a relative newcomer to cruising with HAL (6 cruises and counting), I'd genuinely like to know why you all are so delighted about this name change?

According to Marine Traffic, Nieuw Statendam is on her way from Port Everglades due to arrive in The Netherlands 12 May.  That's a long way to go if HAL knows the cruises in Europe won't be happening.

We are booked on a cruise out of Amsterdam to Norway departing 5 July and do not want to be on board when/if she sails.  So, like others, we are waiting (and hoping) for the 'no cruise ban' to be extended.  Bad enough for those who have cancelled and then have to wait several months for a refund, but if necessary we'll take the hit of loss of all money rather than be cooped up with thousands of others in a big bug incubator.   It's unthinkable.

1 hour ago, fox02554 said:

we are also from Ma. but we're down on the cape . HUGE influx of summer people from NY/NJ/CONN , HUGE case numbers because of it 🥵 , we were stocked up on TP/wipes and sanitizer before hand ( i will NEVER make fun of hubbies BJ shopping again ) Hubby was infected early march by an effluent homeowner that had just returned from spring in Italy 😢 tested positive march 18th , hospitalized with bilateral pneumonia and was hospitalized for 4 days ..... he's on the mend , out of quarantine  in the spare bed room 😄 I am an " essential worker " ( hardware store ) unloaded a truck from NY ( driver coughing hacking slovenly 😠 ) on friday the 27th of march was sick by Wednesday 😢 test results arn't back yet 😠 but we're assuming they will be positive so I'm locked in the spare room now 🤣🤣 tired , couch , heavy chest and head , but take my medician when I'm supposed to and nap when I need to 😄 , we are booked on a 10 day panama cruise 4/7/21 and I cant wait 

Hope you and DH make a full recovery - soon.

Some people seem to think it could never happen to them and don't realise that their carelessness could spread the disease to others.  Our government has been ramming home the message, but still folk don't listen.  Since I posted on Thursday, deaths have doubled in the UK with little sign of letting up.  Until a vaccine is developed our only defence is to isolate and not take chances.  The virus will run out of steam eventually.  Until then we must be vigilant and listen to the medical experts.

Best wishes to all.

Here in the UK the number of fatalities rose yesterday to 2,353.  (Our population is approx 70 million.) Unsurprisingly, the majority of cases are in London, but it is affecting the whole country.  Most deaths have been among the older population, usually with existing health problems, but also there have been a couple of teenagers, who were believed not to have underlying health issues, who have sadly died.

We have been told that everyone should stay at home and only venture out if absolutely essential and then for the shortest possible time.  Over 70s not to go out at all if possible.  Unprecedented measures, but we are thought to be only 2 weeks behind Italy in the progress of the virus and anything which can be done to stop us matching their desperate outcome must be sensible.

Personally, we have a cruise booked for early July, but expect that to be cancelled.  Many countries won't want to see shiploads of people and will doubtless remain closed for some time to come.

Stay safe and healthy everyone.

We also had many niggling problems on our one and only foray into the 'luxury' world of Regent.

It was very disappointing and we won't be going back.  Also tried Azamara and found they were no better than HAL, but would consider another cruise if the itinerary was appealing.

We've tried nine different cruise lines, but keep coming back to HAL; a good fit for us.

Don't know about Happy Hour, but if you sit at the bar in Zaandam's Sports Bar, you are likely to be offered some appetisers by a friendly bartender. 

Just want to add our experience.  OH and I are from England and we also like to meet other nationalities on our cruises.

HAL isn't one of the top choices for Brits and so far, with anytime dining, we've met  American, Australian, Canadian, Dutch, German, NZ and citizens from many other countries (very few from our own). 

Have a great time!

Lily

15 hours ago, SempreMare said:

 

OMG !!!   

 

I was convinced after posting that question that you probably meant an EXCURSION cruise, not the ENTIRE cruise !! 

 

Did you ever find out what was their reason for canceling? 

Millennium had broken down for a second time in Alaska.  The first time they did a "patch up" (and probably hoped for the best), but when it happened again they decided they'd better get the ship into dry dock (Bahamas) and repair it properly.  In that case they had no choice but to cancel a couple of cruises, but they did have a choice about telling all their passengers.

I previously wrote that they came up with basic compensation.  That was in the form of a voucher to be used against the cost of another cruise, but we were so hacked off by the way we had been treated, we had no wish to cruise with them again, so it was worthless to us.  Our choice to write it off to 'experience'.

The subsequent cruise on Zaandam was excellent.