QuattroRomeo

I wish!! But no. Technically, they offered me something- it was an identical inside on a higher deck. Not something we consider an upgrade, but they do.

Once on board, we made our way to the stateroom to drop off our carry-on bags. The doors were still closed at our end of the hallway but we were able to open them, found our room was ready and keycards waiting. So we watched the safety video, unpacked a little, and headed out to scan our cards at the muster station. It was too early. Had to return around 12:30 for that. So I took a few photos and then we headed up to deck 10 for a visit to New York Deli- our first food stop of the cruise.

I'll backtrack a little to describe embarkation. We took the ship transfer from the airport (YVR) to the port. We had decided to cancel the transfer bus and just take a cab, but apparently it was too late to cancel without forfeiting the payment. So we kept it. Worked out okay though. We were able to catch the first bus at 10 am. Being a Saturday, the traffic was light and we made good time. As you may know, the bus parks in the underground parking and there is a short walk to the terminal. As you walk alongside the terminal, you go past the signs for Crew Entrance, In Transit Entrance, and then the ship entrances (there were 2 that day, Koningsdam and Princess Something). On the left, before you enter, there are washrooms. If you don't have Priority boarding, use them! Use them now!! Once inside, there was already a long snaking line for general boarding. The Priority boarding line was empty, save for us. After that there was the line for Customs. No priority there. Both ships combined for that one. Then off to the waiting area, except for Priority. We were able to walk on board shortly after 11:00. Probably the earliest we have ever embarked. Thank you, CO!

I had made 3 reservations for specialty dining before we got Club Orange, but decided to cancel them so as to enjoy CO on such a short cruise. Used the credit to purchase future cruise deposits! We ate breakfast every day but one, in CO. All dinners were in CO, 2 lunches in Pinnacle Grill, and the rest in New York Deli and Dive-In. With snacks from Dutch Cafe of course..

I have to ask if anyone else thinks that the beds on HAL are smaller than they used to be? Or is it unique to the Pinnacle class, and the older ships have larger cabins and beds? They call them 2 "twins" but together that would be a king, and we sure did not have a king on Kdam or Rdam! Am I misremembering? We found them too narrow, and sloped down on one side.

We did receive a Club Orange bag, and a couple of towel animals with chocolates on the dressy nights. Later in the cruise, the Delft tiles appeared. P.S. I have washed a previous orange bag successfully on delicate setting, in case anyone wonders about them!

😉 Thanks, Nancy, I do try to pay attention!! I took photos on a camera and 2 different devices, so I have some sorting and downloading to do. But food there is!

In some other threads, posters ask about the night lighting in the rooms. It is pretty good, actually. There is a nightlight on just outside the bathroom. And floor lighting under the drawers that comes on when you walk by:

We did like the view from the big window.

What was disappointing to us was the lack of deep cleaning and disrepair of some things. The handles on the drawers, for example, were obviously not wiped down, and the drawers and closets not emptied properly. I found paperwork and an empty bag from previous occupants. The cloth couch and chair were not really clean and the couch cushion was completely sunk in on one side! The shower room had the lotion dispenser missing with just a lid stuck there, so I removed the lid. The tub had some wear and tear, too.

I pre-ordered the Panna Acqua water pkg. and it was waiting in the room, no problem. I wish they had Pellegrino available that way, but no dice. There were 2 Mariner Cocktail vouchers on the desk that I didn't get to try last year on the KDam, as they told me back then that it was a specific drink only at certain bars. Apparently I was at one of the wrong bars.. this time I found it at the Ocean Bar, just behind the restaurant reservations podium. I watched him put in some elderflower liquid, a bit of sparkling wine and 4 ice cubes, all in a martini glass!!...certainly nothing to write home about.. Earlier this year on RDam, it was good for ANY cocktail.

Happy Hour shows on Friday as well; we didn't partake so not sure what happened on the other days.

Pre-cruise I ordered some flowers in the narrow rectangular vase, as I had already bought one of the bow vases on the Rotterdam and wanted a different shape to complement it. What we got was 2 bouquets, both in bow vases! At least they all have a different motif on them. They were quite nice and fragrant. But the eucalyptus and roses really only lasted 6 days, so wouldn't be ideal for a longer cruise.

Officers:

You're welcome - I always save a lot of the paperwork so it's nice to have a use for it post-cruise!

Dailies:

Laundry info sheets.