Adoptionmsw

I love port days because most people get off the ship. Except for a brief walk and a chance to get wifi, I stay on the ship. It is blissfully quiet. The pool is nearly empty. In my opinion, it's better than a sea day.

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You need to ask specifically for Buckler or they will bring you O'Doul's which my husband claims has a strong resemblance to dishwater. They are the same price as I recall.

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Thank you all. Your posts have been helpful. I know we will have a wonderful cruise regardless.

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I booked a September HAL cruise in July. Knowing there could be changes in price as the sail date approached, I deleted any bookmarks so I wouldn't inadvertently see fare changes. This morning DH asked what we had paid for cruise and blurted out the current much lower price. How do other cruisers handle and make peace with this knowledge? Any supportive advice is welcome. I know we will enjoy the cruise but really wish I didn't have this info.

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Try Crystal River. It's a bit North of Tampa but the river was full of manatees

 

 

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Just south of Crystal River: Homosassa Wildlife Park. They have an under water viewing area. It's absolutely amazing at feeding time. It's a bit out of your way, a little over an hour north of Tampa, but so worth it.

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We had the same email this morning. Are you on the Zuiderdam NY departure 9/10?

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The inside rooms have walk in showers. We don't want to be stepping into a bath tub any more.

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We tried open dining on a long transatlantic cruise. Both my husband and I have some hearing loss. We were seated at tables for eight almost every night. It was such a strain to hear and to be with new people every night. And, the bigger the table the slower the service. By week three we were eating in the Lido every night. Since then we ask for a table for two, fixed dining. It is such a pleasure to have the same waiters every night, particularly on a long cruise. They quickly learn your likes and dislikes. If you book late and are told that fixed dining is full, just see the maitre d on embarkation day. He will either find you a table or put you on a waiting list. One usually opens up.

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I spent three weeks on the Oosterdam in February. I allowed myself dessert only on formal nights. The soufflé is very good. On other nights I asked for a fresh fruit plate or the fruit salad appetizer for dessert. Another option is the "no sugar added" dessert. There is a different one every night and many of them are quite nice. I didn't gain a pound in the three weeks. I did walk five miles every day on the promenade deck. Enjoy your cruise. The Oosterdam is a wonderful ship.

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The size of the inside cabins on the Maasdam can in no way be compared to the insides on the Koningsdam. Maasdam insides are very comfortable; the same cannot be said as the ships get larger.

Wow! My mistake... I don't know why I read Maasdam when the request was about the K'dam. Disregard my response.

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Hubby and I did a long cruise (49 days) on the Maasdam. The inside cabins on that ship are pretty much larger than average with a full length couch. Of course we spent a lot of time in the Crows Nest and on the promenade deck but we never felt cramped in the cabin.

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We sailed for 35 days in the summer of 2016 on the Rotterdam and 21 days in February of this year on the Oosterdam. There are some cutbacks from when we first started cruising but none that affected our enjoyment. The staff remains eager to please, the food is good to excellent. There were more than enough activities to keep us busy on sea days. I can't wait to take another HAL cruise.

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There is a note on the laundry form that is used to itemize items you send out to be washed. It states there is a charge for the laundry bag if you wish to take it home. When you arrive in your cabin, the laundry bag and the form are clipped to a hanger in the closet. Same is true about charges for the striped beach towels and the robes. The current bag being left on the bed is really a disappointment. The nice canvas sacks we got years ago were so much better. Cutbacks, sigh...

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We went on a 21 day cruise on the Oosterdam out of Tampa in February. It was a 14 day combined with a seven day. It was referred to as a collector cruise. I believe about 500 people stayed on for the full 21 days.

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The needlework group did not cost HAL anything. All we needed was an assigned room and a listing on the program. On the Oosterdam in February they gave us the board room, a well lit space with a large meeting table and chairs. Too bad there was no way to let others know the group existed.

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As I read the trip reports from recent cruises and learning about BB Kings and America's Test Kitchen, and as I read about the new O Magazine partnership, it seems that the "exciting new direction" is something other than an excuse, but rather involves real offerings, some of which I believe I'll be quite interested in.

 

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BB King has been around for a while now and we enjoy it. I personally have not been interested in the cooking demonstrations although I'm sure many like it. It just troubles me that some interest groups, bridge for example, merit mention in the daily schedule but needlework does not.

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I had a similar experience on our three week cruise on the Oosterdam in February. HAL assigned a room and time but refused to list it in the daily program. I didn't learn of the group until the first week was nearly over. DH and I have been on several long cruises and the needlework group was always listed. I've so enjoyed these groups. We were given the same story about the "new direction." One of our knitters called Seattle during the cruise but nothing came of it. It's really too bad. Knitting continues to grow in popularity. Note all the pink hats worn to D.C. On 1/21.

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No, there is a wall behind the curtain. There is about the same amount of storage as a standard ocean view. We usually take an inside cabin because they have showers rather than bathtubs. My only suggestion is to bring a small flashlight to use if you tend to get up in the night. Inside cabins are VERY dark.

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The Rotterdam is my all time favorite HAL ship. We were on it for 35 days this summer: Voyage of the Vikings. For my hubby and me it was just the right size. We're taking the Oosterdam from Tampa on 2/3/2017 for 21 days. I'm sure it will be fine but for the longer cruises I really prefer a smaller ship.

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Thanks for the heads up. I've been watching prices on a particular cruise in February. I called HAL. The price was good and there were free gratuities and two $25 beverage cards. It was enough ti get me to pull the trigger. Now to find flights. I think I have enough frequent flyer miles. This is going to be a very reasonably priced three week cruise.

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Priority re: tendering. Four and five star Mariners and passengers booked on HAL excursions. Then everyone else. You go to a designated public space where you pick up tender tickets for your party. We've found it to be a relatively quick and efficient process.

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THanks for all the good replies. We both love sea days. Wife likes to sit on the balcony and do cross-stitch and sewing type of stuff. .

Every cruise we've taken that had numerous sea days had a craft group. We met in the Crows Nest and really got to know each other. It was a high point for me.

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I have to say this was not our experience on our recent 35 day cruise on the Rotterdam. We ate breakfast and lunch in the Lido buffet daily. Breakfast was never an issue but we are early risers and ate as soon as the buffet opened. No lines to speak of. I loved the salad bar at lunch. Occasionally there were one or two people ahead of me but at busy times there were two staff members serving. And, there are two salad bars. The hot meal rarely had a line and servers were very responsive when asked for a larger portion. We didn't try the pizza but the burgers and hot dogs were great. The only place I ever saw a long line was for a special menu served from a kiosk out near the pool. That was mostly on sea days. Often the desserts stayed out well into the afternoon, much to the detriment of my waistline.

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For us, price is paramount. I might look at the HAL site for itineraries, but for price I check the online discount outfits. I usually call my travel agent and ask if she can match the online price. Usually she can come close.

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So sorry to hear this. Our super market has a big sign out front, "flu shots available." DH and I told each other it's too soon, not even September. Your story has changed my mind. We'll get ours in the next few days.

Hope you feel better soon.

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