OC PAT

I do believe I saw her come into the port around 5:30 AM.  Staying at the Wyndaham in Dania Beach and can see the ships coming in.  So excited.  We board her today.

Thank you all.  Interesting discussions.

We board the Rotterdam at our assigned time at 2 in Ft. Lauderdale Wednesday.  Isn't this a bit late with her leaving in 2 hrs? Judging from what I have read people have arrived a bit early but not too early for fear that they would have to wait.  We're sort  in a bad spot as we have to check out of our hotel by 10. Suggestions?  How strict are they with the assigned boarding times in Ft. Lauderdale?  Can you request an earlier time?  I suspect we had the late time because we were driving from Maryland.

Trying to find out if there is pickleball on the Rotterdam VII.  Have really enjoyed your reports.  Thank you for sharing.

Not sure how this escaped where I placed it.  Sorry.

Thank you for sharing your adventures.  We will be boarding on Wednesday.  Hubby just started pickleball.  Do you know if they have courts for pickleball?  Thanks.

Sunlover, did you get through?

Hi all.

Hubby just started pickleball.  Are there courts on the new Rotterdam?

17 hours ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

Have you gone to the maitre'd after you board to check your table and ask to be moved if you don't have the table you want? Or just go with anytime dining and ask for a big table each night, assuming that they are doing it (which was the point of this thread).

 

I often like to find other Cruise Critic members from my roll call thread and put together a table with them.  We're all booked with anytime dining, of course.

I dislike anytime dining very much but when stuck with it I do ask for a change upon arrival of the cruise. I am puzzled as to why I am on a wait list considering I made my reservations/request in one case 7 months before and in my other 18 months.  I do request a large table when I have to do anytime.

I also request large tables and mdr. For some reason I can never get either at booking.  I might get MDR but often not a large table.  We are the type who like to meet new people.

The latest I have heard is a yes.

Is the Chocolate place still open and its the Trolley running?  

So I need to confirm that I am understanding the above.  The only way I can get off the ship is that I was tested prior to the cruise, vaccinated, can provide proof of the vaccination and booked an excursion through the ship?  I am on HAL Rotterdam cruise 11/10.

Thank you for sharing vital info. to those of us able to visit your beautiful home.  Just to let you know we are on the Rotterdam, HAL who will be on our maiden voyage to the Caribbean. She left the Netherlands and is on her way to Ft. Lauderdale. Turks was dropped from the itinerary and San Juan was picked up for 11/24, Thanksgiving eve  1-8 PM. Any suggestions as to what to do?  We've been to San Juan a dozen times and visited much of the island. Also what pier do you suspect they will use?  We are vaccinated, boostered and wear masks.

Well, that is great news! Thanks!

On 9/25/2021 at 11:15 AM, Roscoe13 said:

https://infobonaire.com/getting-to-bonaire/cruises/

What to believe.  We are scheduled {Rotterdam} to be in Bonaire on 11/26, yet it is not on the list on this link.  But I did find the info. very helpful  Thanks for sharing.

We are schedule to do the ABC Islands in November on HAL so I am hoping this is going to be true for us.  Thanks.

thank you!!!  Appreciate it aliaschief.

We are leaving on the Rotterdam VII  11/10 for 21 days in the Caribbean.  I think I have heard that Bonaire and Grand Turk are requiring a 3-day test.  Not sure about the other islands, St. Maarteen, Aruba, Curacao, St. Thomas,  St. Lucia, St. Kitts, Dominican Republica, Barbados, Martinique,.  Has anyone heard what the status of these other islands are?  What has HAL agreed to do for its passengers?

So does anyone know if the cruise lines HAL Rotterdam will be doing the required covid tests? I am vaccinated and will be tested Monday, 11/8 in Fla., departing 11/10 and arriving 11/13 by cruise ship.  Based on the above link I need another test. 

On 8/3/2021 at 1:22 PM, FOPMan said:

Plantation is no where near the beach and most of the hotels are pretty basic without a lot of tropical feel. You could go to the Hard Rock Hotel in Hollywood. 
 

Prices in general seem to be much more expensive than they have in the past.

Thanks FOP I'm finding that out in my search.

Well thank you neighbor.  I will do just as you suggested!

On 7/29/2021 at 2:32 PM, CruiserBruce said:

There are dozens of threads here on hotels. Just takes a little research. You are going at the Thanksgiving week period. Could be busy, driving up prices.

I have been going through the threads and obviously I did not make myself clear.  I was trying to decide if I should bite the bullet and get a hotel close to the cruise pier if hotels are equal in costs further away.  If the rates are better further away what community should I look into.  I was seeing a number of different beach communities offering hotels outside Ft. Lauderdale and wondered if they were an option. Trust me I am searching the threads and third party options. We will be parking our car at the cruise lot since we will be gone for 3 weeks.  One responder suggested Plantation which I'll check into.  Thanks.

6 hours ago, Cienfuegos said:

Thanksgiving week is usually very busy in South Florida. The suggestion of Plantation is a good one.

I will be cruising on Thanksgiving.  I meant Nov. 2021. I'm looking for a hotel in the beginning of the month.  Sorry for the confusion.

21 hours ago, capriccio said:

Plantation, 12 miles west of Port Everglades and an easy drive, is a nice community where hotels are  priced lower than nearer the port.  All the major brands have hotels there.  

That's what I am looking for.  I have been looking at hotels for days and wanted to check in with the CC community as to where we should look.  Thank You!