oakridger

I travel solo and all of my HIA trips have been charged for one times the difference between base fare and HIA fare. I am already paying double for the cabin so would not pay double what I'm paying for HIA! Next cruise early booking promo including crew appreciation and some OBC as well is $50/day. ~Nancy

Aren't the cute little bottles of Perrier included in the drink packages? ~Nancy Oops sorry about the large picture!

I vote for both classical and jazz type music! Yes, yes, wishful thinking but I might as well put it out there! I did enjoy the 4-5 piece band in the Ocean Bar on the Nieuw Amsterdam last October. They were very talented, and dancers and socializers/drinkers could enjoy it. ~Nancy

Are you susceptible to motion sickness on a ship? Those cabins are at the very bow of the ship. For me it might be a problem, but some other people are just fine up there! ~Nancy

Is the friend traveling in your cabin with you? ~Nancy

My recent cruises in fall 2022 the robes were in plastic bags. Please don't put those over your heads!!! Ha ha. 😉 ~Nancy

I'd never thought about the aft pool deck differences, but the pictures make it clear! I prefer the Vista and Signature Class ships to the Pinnacles for their smaller size, but the openness on the aft is another positive to add.

I had seen this church in another review recently. I just love the architecture and will make a point to visit if I ever get to Alta. I hadn't thought about the upward facing Jesus until you pointed it out. I love that! ~Nancy

I feel the same as you do about the vibe of HAL! I DO avoid those jam-packed holiday cruises that sound chaotic with many little kids unsupervised, but otherwise it's a nice atmosphere on board for me. I'll watch for your review. ~Nancy

I am on this TA also on Zuiderdam May 11, 2024, from Ft. Lauderdale and wondered if that's the one @erdufylla was talking about. I was also considering taking a train from Amsterdam to Oslo through Copenhagen and realized that there will be way too many transfers. Other CCers on the Scandinavia ports of call forum convinced me also to just fly from AMS to Oslo instead of trying the train. Too bad, because I like trains if they have no connections! @Copper10-8 informed me that part of the reason HAL may be using Ijmuiden instead of Amsterdam port is that AMS charges a per passenger fee now to dock there and Ijmuiden doesn't. 🤷‍♀️ ~Nancy

Vancouver. Inside passage is wonderful. ~Nancy

For sure take Uber or a taxi from the airport to your hotel! I DO NOT recommend BART. Where is your hotel in relation to the pier? That may make a difference in how you get to the pier. ~Nancy

Thanks for the info about the tramway. My Grandfather left for the USA in late 1890's from Trondheim. It's another nice walking city. I have been once and am going back next year on the Havila Coastal Ferry. ~Nancy

The specialty restaurant and drinks charges or if with a beverage package already include the 18% gratuity. This applies to HIA benefits. The daily service charges go to the room stewards, food servers, lido staff and some behind the scenes crew such as laundry. As others mentioned, if someone gives you extra special service then of course you may tip them in cash extra and it goes directly to their pocket! I usually wait until the end of the cruise to do give any extra cash. I tip a couple dollars for room service delivery, but they also are included in the Crew Appreciation fee.

Are they calling them "Formal" nights? Thanks, ~Nancy

@dolls123 Thank you so much for coming back and answering my question so quickly! It sounds like if I go in with the appropriate expectations it will work just fine for what I need. I'm like you, I always print confirmation letters! They are on my phone too, but sometimes the cell service doesn't work so I have the old school paper back up! I see you are booked on the new line Explora. I have been watching to see how those first cruises go (finally!) because the ship looks beautiful. Windstar will be new to me since I have solidly determined that I definitely prefer smaller ships. Less than about 1000 passengers. ~Nancy

How did you find Fare Suisse? I'm considering Fare Suisse for a couple days after a Windstar cruise before I return to planet Earth. 😩 Reviews look good for a non-fancy but decent place. I'll be solo. I will have already spent a week on land in Moorea so I don't feel compelled to go back over there. I just want to decompress a little after the ship and before the flight back home. Besides @dolls123 does anyone else have recent experience? Thanks, ~Nancy

@crystalspin Ha ha. You and I must certainly be on the same CC visit schedule! We seem to post at almost the same time on many different threads!! We need to meet on a cruise sometime! 😉 ~Nancy

Sort of. Please read the attached link from HAL. Personally, the medical and evacuation insurance is no where near adequate for me. The recommendation to check online and/or The Trip Insurance store is a good place to start. Cruise Cancellation Protection Plan | Holland America

I enjoyed your review and perspective......plus the pictures! Thank you for taking the time to write it for us. Did you ever go to the BB Kings band? ~Nancy

@kstetser Yes per @hallasm in post #3 ~Nancy

Thanks for letting the sports fans know your experience! I'm happy for you that you got to see your baseball team play. (I had to google who and what the heck they are, but I get it!!!! 😁) ~Nancy

@AFNavigator I agree that the murphy bed in the dressing area would be the ideal floor plan when traveling with a friend, relative, or child. It offers that extra privacy and sound isolation a bit! (Pinnacle ships only). However, if I was traveling solo or with a significant other, I feel that the murphy bed area is a lot of wasted space. I normally travel solo so the non-pinnacle ship Signature Suites with the wonderful desk area under the window is so much roomier and user friendly! If the weather isn't good for eating on the balcony, I love eating breakfast at that desk and looking out the window. Perfect for me! ~Nancy

This^^^ That's my point in a nutshell! ~Nancy

Not an acceptable answer in my book! 😮 All of my stewards have been very good to excellent! If one ever gave that answer, I would be shocked for sure! On my last cruises last fall they gave the disclaimer speech about choosing morning or evening service.....I told them just come sometime after I leave the cabin. They did major cleaning after I left then came back for the evening refresh every evening as well. That's the good service I like and expect from HAL. They took such good care of me last fall! ~Nancy