oakridger

@PaulMCOI would LOVE a little Peace and Calm right now.☮️ 🌏🌍🌎 ~Nancy

Hello! The deck plans can be found on the Navigator App and are posted on the wall by the elevator banks. I don't know if you can get a paper copy from guest services since I've never asked for one. If you truly want a paper copy, I suppose you can print your own from the HAL website or many other online sources. has anyone on CC asked for a paper copy from guest services? Have fun! ~Nancy

As @seaomaexperienced, on my fall 2022 Nieuw Amsterdam cruise the crew appreciation did show up as a charge and credit. It was included in my HIA. I can't remember about the drinks though. ~Nancy

Thanks Joe! I do enjoy all the pictures, videos and commentary! Lots of work to do these trip reports! ~Nancy

It's on every cruise. In my experience it is a gathering in one of the music venues (BB King on my past cruises) where they sell orange color drinks and the crew wears orange accessories. "Worth Attending"? It's music and drinks and a change up from every night happenings. I don't go out of my way to go because I don't find orange drinks and wigs especially exciting. Why not stop by and check it out if you have never gone! You might have fun and if not, you can just go somewhere else! The joys of cruising and options! ~Nancy

Thanks Keith. Now I'm remembering the discussion about the more cramped feeling in the Seabreeze Penthouse. As I recall, you didn't like them, but you did like the Seabreeze Penthouse Suite on Serenity with the washer and dryer. Since I'm solo, I won't be in either one, but I was just curious. Still a lot to work out on their end. ~Nancy

I would seriously like to know what Crystal's justification for the huge price difference between the two suites. Aren't they approximately the same size. Is the New Aqua suite (Seabreeze Penthouse) location very inferior to the Classic Aqua Suite (Old Penthouse Suite)? Some people previously preferred one over the other but there didn't seem to be a consensus in the past. Any ideas? ~Nancy

If the MDR is open, it's open for everyone. I'm told there are some rare exceptions though. (Private functions for Travel Agent groups, etc) Nancy

I was on Rotterdam (sister ship to Konningsdam) in cabin 5160 also. With my currently damaged knee it was very easy to reach most everything on board except the Main Stage and spa. I would seriously consider this location for the reasons @Cruise Suzymentioned. These cabins are actually AFT also on the starboard side of the AFT elevators. One floor up and on the other side of the ship from the Port side Deck5 AFT: 5158-5192 that is the first option listed. These two groups of cabins are basically the same area one deck separated. To keep them all together I would for sure pick the Deck 5 AFT 5158-5192 area! (lower numbers are more toward forward) Good luck and let us know what you decide! ~Nancy

I am following Pete's world cruise reports as well as a few of the others posting here on Cruise Critic and their personal Blogs. It really is nice to get the different perspectives of each as they usually are doing different activities each day. I'm enjoying all of them! ~Nancy

Thanks @Skicruiser55. I didn't know about those changes. ~Nancy

If they are in 6078 then it's a Signature Suite as @Midwest Sunseeker stated above. Sorry about the small image.....can't figure out how to make it larger.

Thanks @steamboats. I wasn't aware that Hurtigruten had this ship. I'll be checking back for the next review. ~Nancy

Do you know what types of changes are on Rotterdam? Just curious. I know the regular Veranda cabins on Rotterdam have slightly moved the angle of the toilet so people don't bash their knees so much now! Very important change there!! 😁

Here is the Konnigsdam (sister to Rotterdam) aft wrap on HALfacts.com. It should be very similar to 4182. 4184 – Koningsdam | HAL Cruiser Information (halfacts.com) ~Nancy

I love the deck 6 Signature Suites! Nice verandas with a table large enough to have breakfast. ~Nancy

Thinking about Norway and their environmental regulations, I decided to book on the new coastal ferry line, Havila. They and Hurtigruten share the coastal voyage for cargo, mail, port to port and leisure passengers going up and down the coast. (Hurtigruten also has expedition ships and other longer trips) Havila isn't an actual cruise experience, but they have "fancied up" the ferry/ship to cater to those passengers who want beautiful scenery and good food. Because the new ships exceed Norway's upcoming rules for visiting the World Heritage fjords they can go where larger cruise ships will no longer be allowed. Havila can run on battery power for up to four hours and runs on LPG otherwise. Can you imagine sailing up the Geirangerfjord in silence just listening to the waterfalls and nature's sounds? I can't wait to go! ~Nancy

No free steak for anyone for room service. I will add that I wrote in two croissants on my room service hang tag, and they always brought them even though they aren't on the menu. ~Nancy

I've never seen that people can book for teatime and it's not necessary. It's not "High Tea" by definition. Finger sandwiches and cakes and pastry type sweets. I went once and never felt compelled to go again. Look at the "Live From" posts and many of those post all the menus and Daily Schedule of activities. This site from @Crew Newshas all kinds of info in it. Roger Jett Photography - Digital Images in Time Roger Jett Photography (rogerjett-photography.com) Thanks to Roger as always! Enjoy Alaska! ~Nancy

Regarding the Sydney Chinatown area.....the family that owns the local Chinese restaurant that I have patronized for 10+ years went on vacation to Sydney about 4 years ago. When I asked her about her favorite activities there she immediately said, "Eating in Chinatown!!". She thinks the food there is the best! Go figure. ~Nancy

I love this picture @Babsjo! ~Nancy

@RuthC I was on Nieuw Amsterdam in October and had 2 excursions booked. The first one was scheduled to go at 10:30 when I booked it. I didn't get any notification that it had been changed to 8:30 so I missed it! The second one later in the cruise was also changed from 10:30 to 8:00 with no notice. At least on the second one I checked Navigator the day before and knew about it. I didn't go. These were both part of my Have It All package. I tried to call the Shore Excursions that day to let them know that this was poor planning but they were never "in the office" when I called. I did mention it on my post cruise survey. Bottom line, always check the day before! ~Nancy

I'm enjoying following your reports. I love Sydney and hope to get back there again. Have fun! ~Nancy

I agree @scottca075, and the same time frame up here in the San Francisco area. Less fog. More sunshine. No rain!!! ~Nancy

Of course that's true. It's nice to have the choices! ~Nancy