oakridger

The four times I have needed wheelchair embarkation (hopefully no more with my new knee!! 😁) the HAL pushers have always taken me all the way to my cabin even when I told them I was able to walk the rest of the way. They were wonderful and I would have really struggled if they weren't available! ~Nancy

@TravelBluebird CruiseMapper is showing that you are moving away from the dock. Enjoy the day at sea! ~Nancy

@Btimmer I'm watching you on CruiseMapper and looks like you are finally on the move!! Yay! Bon Voyage! ~Nancy

So true! I'm booked with plans both on land and sea through mid 2025 so haven't booked a Crystal ship yet either. I will be watching as new itineraries are announced! ~Nancy

My Zuiderdam Trans Atlantic Ft. Lauderdale to Ijmuiden Netherlands leaving May 11th still hasn't opened up dining reservations online. I keep checking daily as @VMax1700 says theirs in April are already available. Hmmmmm????? Just now checked and still closed. ☹️

@TravelBluebird when I was reading about the Andes tour it sounded just like what I would like to do next time I'm in Santiago. Then you mentioned the road switchbacks and that stopped me in my tracks because I get horribly carsick if I'm not driving! Even on flat straight roads. Maybe meclazine would solve the problem as I really would love to see the Andes. Has anyone experienced such a bus tour and used meclazine or similar medication? ~Nancy

I am fine doing business by phone, but always ask for a follow up email detailing what was discussed. It's an entrenched habit from my working days when people often "forgot" they said something or "remembered" that I said something that I hadn't. Always get it in writing!! I do use a Travel Agent though who gives me the same price as HAL but also gives me extras like OBC and flowers and wine!! 💲🌺 🍷 😉

@rj59 thanks for letting us know your experience. I hope that the cruise itself will be great and you can finally relax! Bon Voyage!! ~Nancy

@rafinmd's cruise has already sailed and returned. It was in November 2023. Have fun on your Panama Canal cruise though! ~Nancy

Exactly! In the past HAL put a card on the room service trays instructing people to leave them in the cabin and to not put them in the hall. There are several threads on CC explaining the maritime laws against blocking corridors with food service items, scooters, strollers, (and dogs!!). Having worked in very safety sensitive jobs/locations (Chemist) it was drilled into us how dangerous it is to block egress and first responders! My pet peeve. **Please don't put stuff in the hallways even though some cruise lines tell you to do so (Carnival 😡)** Rant over. @Haljo1935 I sure enjoy reading your reports and hope you have a smooth travel day back to Texas. Thank you!! ~Nancy

Some ports have noise restrictions after a certain time of day. Maybe that's the case in Ft. Lauderdale? @POA1 or @Huskerchick probably know the answer to that! 🙂 ~Nancy

@VMax1700 I also really appreciate your efforts in keeping us all informed! I check here before booking! Now, about those Wild and Crazy Knitting groups..........😁 (Love the Linus Project people on the world cruise) Thanks, ~Nancy

I'm glad to hear that HAL is still offering a nice Prime Rib. ~Nancy

I saw on the Viking Ocean thread that the Brazil Visa issue has been resolved.....postponed by the Government of Brazil until April! All that stress for naught but glad everyone will get to go ashore. Visa requirement for citizens of Australia, Canada and the US is postponed to April 2024 — Agência Gov (ebc.com.br) ~Nancy

No, Nieuw Amsterdam is a Signature Class which is the older class of ship. Rotterdam is the newest HAL ship. It's Pinnacle Class. I love the Nieuw Amsterdam but don't remember about the night light. Have a great trip! ~Nancy

HAL will assign a check in (not boarding) time. You should get it just maybe a week before the cruise.

That’s true Bruce, but the website seems to have a different format in the Manage My Cruise pages. Today I tried numerous times to see the page showing dining credit and excursion credits but I couldn’t find them like before! When I booked excursions I would click on the “credit” and now nothing!?? I’ll look again after I get some sleep!! 😴. ~Nancy

@Haljo1935 OMG!! That's just terrible! Obviously, I really, really dislike those auctions. ~Nancy

If there is more than one person in the cabin, remember, the unlimited is for everyone in the cabin for the same price! ~Nancy

Good point @crystalspin! I forgot about the mezzanine above BBKings! I certainly hope this comment is referring to the non-pinnacle ship former LCS area and not on the pinnacle ships! The non pinnacle ship former BB King Blues Club area is now called Rolling Stone Lounge and the old LCS area is vacant based on current reports. And....don't even get me started on the "Art" auctions! 🙄

I was trying to show you where the excursion and dining credits are in my account, but the website is messed up at the moment and not showing that....🙄.....just when I thought the website was working well again, now it's not. You can give it a try. Maybe it's doing better in Germany!! ~Nancy

It doesn't show on your account except where it indicated you have a credit for shore excursions or specialty dining credits. Ask the TA to forward the Booking Confirmation document from HAL, if they haven't already. The HIA information will be there. It looks like this on my page 3 (I had the Early Booking version of HIA) Have a great trip! ~Nancy

Yes! Sydney to Perth. I flew back from Perth to Sydney. Hopefully you are in a double cabin with its own bathroom. I was in a single room which was fine for sleeping but the hall bathroom was tiny! The one with shower was a good size though. The room seat was very uncomfortable, so I just sat on the bed the last two days. Food and service was excellent! The included excursion to the Barossa Wine Valley was fantastic. Bottom line is that if they got some upgraded/comfortable seating in the room and lounge car and a dome type car for scenic viewing I would love to go again. OP, sorry for the sidetracked comments, but wanted to respond to @sciencewonk. ~Nancy

Can current cruisers comment? @richwmn or @Haljo1935? There have been reports that closing Canaletto on embarkation day has happened just recently. Apparently, HAL is hoping more people will eat in the Lido buffet on embarkation day to ease the crowded MDR. The Canaletto space was used to seat the extra Lido diners. Other specialty restaurants were open. I have no direct experience with this, but I read it here on the HAL Forum! ~Nancy

From Cruisedeckplans.com Go there and you can overlay. Music venues are on deck #2 and the cabins shown are below on deck #1. Any Veranda cabin category will be on deck #4 or higher.