crystalspin

The wedge (#2) in the color of #4 would be the best of both worlds!

2 each. As do the Signature ships. However on Eurodam and N.Amsterdam they are on the Panorama Deck and classed as Spa Interiors so possibly no real savings! (IQ10043 & IQ10044).

If you are BUYING new shoes, I heavily favor #4. They will go with anything. Whereas navy shoes go with navy, some reds or pinks, some prints.

Very small and only one chair (desk chair) for seating. These "K" cabins are laid out like the sideways Ls. https://halfacts.com/signature-class/5149-nieuw-amsterdam/ https://halfacts.com/signature-class/5168-nieuw-amsterdam/

Here is the board specifically for Fred Olsen: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/355-fred-olsen-cruise-line/ I think you will get more specific information there. Especially regarding your muster drill and dining options!

I always figure the largest sizes of the brackets are the handicap cabins. That said, the large square-appearing insides on the MAIN deck of the Vista and Signature class ships really are larger and nicely arranged. Nieuw Amsterdam is a Signature Class ship. When I realized we might end up in an upper-deck "I" interior with a guarantee through a mail-order travel company, I upped our level to an OceanView, and ended up just below the nightclub with the bass reverberating through the ceiling until after 11pm. No more guarantees for us! So, what stateroom are you in?

On the first 5 or so seadays, try out all the venues (speaking of where to spend your time, not only the upcharge restaurants, but them too). Then you will know where to hang out on the return cruise, and which specialty restaurants you want to repeat (if any, the MDR and Lido are good by themselves!).

I didn't know you could see the Shore Exes without booking. What are the ports? We sailed the northern Mediterranean from FLL to Venice on the N.Amsterdam and did about equal numbers of ship's tours, independent tours, and DYI. We ended up pleasantly surprised on each of the 'types', but I will say -- stay away from Hop-on, Hop-off buses leaving from the cruise ports -- you will spend easily half your time just waiting for a seat on a bus!

4. Seconded by 2, I'm old enough not to want to wear black with navy. ETA: Great dress!

Oh oh, my calendar is off by one day! I was going to wish @kazu Jacqui bon-voyage tomorrow (for the 7th). Don't worry Jacqui, I am still on call starting the 3rd and will pick up where you leave off! Bon Voyage!

I branched out and learned from that experience. I have not run out of Holland America Line itineraries that interest us!

Hi and welcome, Ruby! In addition to the tips Kat posted, you might browse the specific ports on the Caribbean sub-forum, here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/456-caribbean/ Good luck and have fun!

The levels of internet and what is possible with them are here: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/onboard-packages/cruise-ship-wifi.html The $30 & $35 daily rate are only if you pay for one day (!), read the footnote to find examples of total price for a 7-day cruise. If you have Surf via HIA, you can upgrade to Premium when you are logged on on the ship. I think you will need Premium for FaceTime. (It's like a video call, right?) Can't answer about the TV, never turn it on after watching the muster drill video.

I did a 'dummy' booking for our October 2024 Europe cruise. The total cost was exactly what our reservation is, and the $198 minimum deposit does show (for two pax). You have to take it all the way to the booking summary to see the minimum deposit. Only Alaska cruises, Alaska cruise-tours, Canada & New England, and Europe are eligible, could that be the issue?

By the day, Surf and Premium are $30 and $35. "DISCOUNT MAY APPLY FOR LONGER SAILINGS. 7- DAY SURF VOYAGE PRICING BEGINS AT $18 PER DAY AND 7- DAY PREMIUM VOYAGE PRICING BEGINS AT $23 PER DAY. PACKAGES ARE AVAILABLE UP TO 135 DAYS." per https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/onboard-packages/cruise-ship-wifi.html The differences in the levels is at that link, also bullet points with answers to FAQ.

We tasted and found our favorite already. Orient Lines 1* Holland America 2 Norwegian 1* Holland America 4 Royal Caribbean 1 Holland America 3 plus three 'cruises' on two river companies Booked: Holland America 6. * Awful

If you have the $500, take the 7 nights. You get to experience another cruise line AND you get to enjoy a few days without thinking of unpacking and repacking!

My one and only upgrade (paid) was in 2014 on the Zaandam 14-day So.America. Booked directly with HAL. Upgrade from OV to VS (Vista Suite is the lowest cabin with a balcony on the class Zaandam is in). Subsequently, we moved to booking through a PCC and paying for the cabin we want -- marking them NO UPGRADES, so I can't help with more recent experiences.

Thanks to this post (and maybe some others), I looked into a stuffable travel pillow! I wound up buying two of this one: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B09Y8XSPRN? They appear larger, with a better shape & collar snap, than the couple that came up on the search that were just pillow cases meant to be stuffed. Those were just tube-shaped and black. I liked that there were colors! I got pink and gray. I will remove the pillows and work out a system to pack that will also be comfortable to actually sleep on. ETA has a zipper at the back.

Wow. They could offer me $1000 in OBC and not make it worth that condition!

On the main banner, do NOT choose "plan a cruise" (which no longer has a TransAtlantic choice when I look) -- choose DESTINATIONS next one over. This will bring up a choice of E>W or W>E. I am not finding Trans-Pacific in the same way, or for example those cruises usually through the Panama Canal that position ships from Caribbean to Alaska or vice versa. (For the latter you can however chose PC and scan for one-way only, OR go back to Plan a Cruise and put in departure and arrival ports of FLL and YVR or SEA.) Those are some of my thoughts on the issue!

I did find the offer in my email box after being away from computer all day. $100 OBC, the cost of two steak dinners, OR 1.3% of the fare they think I should pay over a year in advance. Nope.

Yes, the Promenade Deck on the Nieuw Statendam is a full walk-around. It is narrow where it flanks the main stage (forward) and the MDR (aft), both port and starboard. There are no lounge chairs as Ruth indicated. The views at most of the wider areas are where the tenders and lifeboats (and other emergency equipment) hangs. But you can walk the entire perimeter -- and bop inside at the Grand Dutch Cafe! Confession, we did not do this on our recent B2B on the Koningsdam, but we promise to do so on our next cruise! https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/nieuw-statendam-promenade-deck/

You are asking about CONNECTING suites (next-door rooms are all adjoining). Here is a gallery of 6090 on the Eurodam, sister ship to N.Amsterdam. There is a note that says it is connecting. The deck plan shows that facing the balcony, the connecting door should be on the left wall. https://halfacts.com/signature-class/6090-eurodam/ Yet, there is a narrow piece of wall with a standing lamp, the sofa with fixed TV above, then the desk flanked by two fixed wall lamps. And then the closets start. So it seems the door must be instead of a closet or two. If you book two adjoining SS's, you can have the balconies opened between and not lose anything to the interior doors. ETA: @cate54 beat me to the same conclusion!

For precisely that reason.