oakridger

Obviously Seabourn costs much more per diem than HAL though. ~Nancy

Right before and after opening time. 5:00 to 5:30pm on Rotterdam in November 2022.

Yes!!

Yes, the bar staff can accept cash tips. I have been told by them several times that they share it among the other bar staff. I never asked what the specific percentage breakdown of the sharing was. I have the impression that different ships handle the bar sharing differently. I figure that's their business as long as the individuals can keep it and not the company. (I don't drink coffee so don't know about the barista policy) ~Nancy

I was all booked for a trip to Lisbon in June 2020. Dang!!! You have reminded me that I need to make a plan again to go!! I wonder how much corkage fee they would charge you for that barrel of vinho!! ~Nancy

Since your cruise departs on Thursday, the pre purchase online ordering option will probably be closed so you can order the Distilled water from room service upon boarding. ~Nancy

Sodas are not allowed. See HAL website: Frequently Asked Cruise Questions - Know Before You Go (hollandamerica.com) Items such as sodas, energy drinks or other non-alcoholic items are not allowed on board in any form. Plastic water bottles are not allowed. However, an allowance of six liters, twelve (12) cans or cartons (500 ml in volume or less) or six (6) cans or cartons (1 liter in volume or less) of water are allowed per stateroom. Any amount in excess of this allowance will be not be allowed onboard. Water in plastic bottles will not be allowed onboard in any quantity, including in ports of call.

That is one tour that I would like to go on even with the long day. It sounded fantastic! ~Nancy

I'm getting excited for you just by reading this!!! ~Nancy

Check halfacts.com and there are pictures of Zuiderdam cabin #7014 which is the same type of cabin and should have the same layout. This picture is #7014. No sofa. 7014 – Zuiderdam | HAL Cruiser Information (halfacts.com) Cabin #7129 has the same layout in a 2023 picture on cruisedeckplans.com.

Also, go to the "Ports of Call" forum for Alaska and get lots of info there! Alaska Cruises Q&A: Find Tips & Recommendations - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums

Hello @Leo-the-fox and welcome to Cruise Critic! Are you three adults or some children? If all adults I would take three so it's easier to pack for the individuals and you can share the weight of pulling them. The cases will fit under the beds, not in the drawers. The drawers under the bed usually have the extra linens and bed luggage covers that the Cabin Steward takes care of. If you have a small child who can't manage luggage then consolidate their things into a larger one. For carryons, they need to fit through the security scanners at the port. If they are too big, they will need to be checked with a porter. I love the Signature class ships (Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam) although I've only been on NA! Any other specific questions that you can't find answers to in the postings already here on CC? Have a great time on your first cruise! It can be very addictive!! ~Nancy

I also don't like the layout of the Signature Suites on the Pinnacle Class ships so I won't book them. I like them a lot on the Vista and Signature Class ships! The new SS layout would only appeal to me if I was traveling with a child or friend that would sleep on the fold out Murphy bed in the dressing room area. It has the privacy wall. ~Nancy

Did you try the Barnett Chardonnay? I know they are known for Cabernet, but I prefer whites. ~Nancy

Yes on Rotterdam in veranda cabin.

I seriously question if that is true!! Have your TA call HAL when she returns and get it switched. Frankly, my TA always checks with me when I book to find out if I want an automatic upgrade BEFORE she places my reservation. The TA should ask about your dining preference and bed configuration as well. In my experience though, any of those can be changed if you want! ~Nancy

Thank you for the review! Glad to hear that you had a good time. Were you aware that you can hear the bridge, scenic viewing narratives, and Captain's announcements on the TV? I forgot which channel it is on but since you know the daily times you can be sure to have it on. They purposely don't send in any announcements to the cabins except for safety or emergency information. Your suggestion to have a speaker with on/off switch would be nice, but in the meantime it plays on your TV. ~Nancy

Look on the HAL website. This is there. Crew Appreciation and Service Charge Policy (hollandamerica.com) Crew Appreciation and Service Charges:Effective on February 1, 2023 Per person, per day. Non Suite = $16.00 Suite = $17.50

I asked this on another forum but for those who voted for 'Attracted more to Crystal due to there being no casinos" I'm wondering why you feel that the casino on a ship is a negative feature? I'm just curious as although I don't enjoy gambling, having it on the ship doesn't bother me. (If the casino doesn't allow smoke to go in the public areas! Either no smoking in there at all or has a very efficient smoke removal system) Thanks, ~Nancy

I first saw these vases on Rotterdam last November and thought they are so cheery looking! As mentioned, they are available online in my booking and now are offered with some of the onboard flower arrangements. After my next cruise I'll be going on extended land travel so can't get one this time but I will sometime if I'm going straight home from a cruise. @Suzanne123 I think this one has an Iris flower.

@Dobby36 the unlimited soft drinks was the way it was pre-shutdown but as I mentioned, different people seem to have different experiences lately. I'm happy you were able to drink whatever you wanted and didn't have to worry about counting! For me, counting drinks defeats the purpose of having a package. Thanks for explaining. ~Nancy

Maybe Hank or the others onboard Westerdam can check into this new group and get back to us land lubbers! Thanks, ~Nancy

Unfortunately, this policy is in question as some people have reported that their ship used the same 15 drinks per day total (with and without alcohol) policy as the Signature Beverage Package so it's not consistent from ship to ship. HAL Website -> FAQ -> Shipboard Life says both Quench and Signature are included so this: (today) Frequently Asked Questions | Holland America ELITE PACKAGE Only $59.95 per guest/per day* Enjoy all the benefits from our Quench and Signature Packages and more! With the Elite Beverage Package you can enjoy all drinks menu priced $15 and under including Dale DeGroff’s Original Cocktails! QUENCH PACKAGE (NON-ALCOHOLIC) Only $17.95 per guest/per day* Quench your thirst with our nonalcoholic package which includes an unlimited variety of premium coffees such as espresso and cappuccino, juices, Coca-Cola™ products, our signature mocktails, Red Bull, and bottled waters 500ml and under. BUT.......in my booked cruise, "purchase beverages", it states this: "Our premium, Elite Beverage Package allows you to select from a variety of wine, beer, spirits, cocktails, non-alcoholic beverages, sodas, bottled water (sparkling or still, 400ml or less) & coffee. Only on the ms Koningsdam & ms Nieuw Statendam, the package includes Freestyle Coca-Cola which provides 100+ refreshing Coca-Cola flavors to choose from. Includes any beverage priced at $15.00 or lower (up to 15 beverages per day)." If anyone has any current on-board info about the Elite Package policy, please let us know!! Thanks, ~Nancy

On another current thread they discuss Third Avenue West. It's live music for listening and dancing on Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam. Read about it in the link: It isn't the same as LCS with classical type music, but it does sound like a great addition to the live music offerings! To me, there doesn't have to be music with a business arrangement with the Lincoln Center but a well chosen group of musicians who play that type of music would work also. Hired by HAL directly might save HAL some funds and still deliver what the customers want. I stress that the quality of talent hired still needs to be there! ~Nancy

Not always the case, unfortunately. In my experience the Signature Suites are usually around 1.5X more expensive than a veranda cabin but on my upcoming Trans-Atlantic in May 2024 from Ft. Lauderdale to Ijmuiden (Amsterdam) they are asking 2X the price for Signature Suites than verandas!!! I don't know why the price is so much more than usual other than because "they can" and people are paying for it. ~Nancy