oakridger

It sounds like amenities for the World Cruise. Somehow, they changed the name of the internet package or came up with a new name for the World Cruise internet package!! Your TA can call HAL to get the details about what it really is they are offering. HAL needs to proofread better and be consistent. Here are the World Cruise Amenities for 2025 listed on the HAL website today: Grand World Voyage Early Booking Benefits (hollandamerica.com) Have a great cruise in 2025!!! ~Nancy P.S. OOps!! Typing at same time as @CruiserBruce

The area of the ship where music groups and possibly other entertainment happens. You will find The Rolling Stone Rock Room, Billboard Onboard and BB Kings Band there. (depending on the ship) ~Nancy

Thanks @kazu. Neither of those were offered on my cruises last fall on Nieuw Amsterdam and Rotterdam. It's good to see some more options, but the one I particularly miss is the Rudy's Pop Up. My next cruise is on Zuiderdam next May so by then maybe there will be some of those options. ~Nancy

Thank you for the recap. It was a good explanation of your experience and I sure hope the staffing problems across the industry start to clear up. ~Nancy

I am reminded that I would like to go to Montreal again after viewing these pictures! I went as a kid and was so excited to hear the people speaking French since I was learning it in school....that's all I remember! ~Nancy

My recent experience in the US and Canada with priority boarding is that you bypass the regular lines whenever you show up as long as boarding has actually started. Hopefully other ports worldwide are the same. Others with direct Amsterdam experience please chime in if that's not the case. ~Nancy

@dobiemom that's a pretty funny autocorrect/typo!!!! 😁

Hi again John. Is your FB page public and if so, can you tell me your page name? Thanks! ~Nancy

Oops, now that I look back, I see that!! I need to slow down and read more closely. Have a wonderful time in Norway!! (Land of my Grandparents) ~Nancy

I like to travel light so use the laundry on HAL on every cruise. I think your cruise may be the outlier for service as I have never had longer than 24-hour turnaround on any HAL cruise since 2006. It sounds like something was definitely off for your cruise.....technical, managerial or crew shortages maybe? It's a shame you had to be on the unlucky cruise for laundry problems. I am very happy to hear that the rest of your experience was positive! Thanks for the report, ~Nancy

There, there now Scott......it will all be okay once you are all settled in your cabin and you and Drew have a drink in hand with Lucy playing on the TV! 😁 I hope to see you someday on New Crystal.....either on YouTube or better still, in person!!! ~Nancy

Nice post John and I learned something new about the Dutch observation of May 4th. Also, what perfect pictures of Glacier Bay! I've never been there this early in the season and to see all the beautiful snow all the way down to the shore is very pretty. ~Nancy

I'm not John, but yes, the Orange Party has been offered on every cruise I've been on since at least 2019. ~Nancy

Check this site. Cruisedeckplans.com It depends on which cabin you would be in. You can overlay the deck above your cabin to see what's above it using the "Cabin Check Tool". I use this website a lot! Under the Rolling Stone Lounge or galley would be two noisy places in my opinion! Under the Art Gallery or Shops not a problem. Oosterdam Main Deck Plans (cruisedeckplans.com) Oosterdam Cabin Check Tool. (cruisedeckplans.com) Good luck! ~Nancy

The Marriott Waterfront was my go-to hotel for the night before an early flight before the Grand Hyatt at SFO opened. I will check its price compared to the Hyatt and if it's significantly less than I will stay there. Nice Lobby with a fun view. Their shuttle worked well for me in the very early am too! ~Nancy

I wonder how the Ketchikan Crab and Go prices compare to Tracy's Crab Shack in Juneau?

Interesting. My Pop-Up Rudy's was cancelled on the Nieuw Amsterdam for a reservation on October 8, 2022. I spoke with the dining room manager and he said all non-Pinnacles were discontinued as of then. I wonder if any ship has had them in 2023?? ~NAncy

Worked for me on my desktop computer.

Ha ha @Florida_gal_50!! You like the balcony "morning shift" and I'll take the "Night shift"!! My favorite time is late at night before going to bed watching, smelling and listening to the ocean and sky!! Often with my book/Kindle and a glass of wine in hand! Dreaming about my next cruise......😊 ~Nancy

Unless something changed in the last month this is not correct. As of last October, the Pop-Up Tamarind and Rudy's on non-Pinnacle ships ceased to exist. I have read here on CC recently that there has been a Pop-Up Tamarind in the Canaletto Restaurant on one of the extended voyages (Westerdam in Japan???). Someone with that info please advise. ~Nancy

Ha ha.....I guess between all of us we have pretty much answered all of OPs questions!! All at the same time!! Have a great cruise! ~Nancy

Oops, typing at the same time as @0106!!! ~Nancy

Thanks @terrydtx. I realized very early in my cruising career that I really do spend time on and enjoy having a balcony in all climates. The Volendam and Zaandam problem is that I don't want to pay the premium for a Vista Suite in order to have that balcony. I usually sail solo so that's double the premium charge for me!! I no longer attach any value to double Mariner points since I've reached the all-important "Free Laundry" stage! 😁 That said, I have revisited the idea of the Volendam Lanai cabins and think I would enjoy them on an itinerary that I was interested in. I'm keeping an eye on those. ~Nancy

You are welcome @nasa1974. I lived in Berea for junior high and high school. My next-door neighbor worked for NASA there. Byron Batthauer was a pilot. Nice family. ~Nancy

@woodboat Your dad reminds me of Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame! What a sweet picture of you two. I plan on still being cruising and traveling when I get "Old" too (whenever that is)! 😉 I sometimes cruise with friends but since most of them aren't available most of the time I go by myself and love every minute! ~Nancy