sailingdutchy

We have some great memories of the four times we sailed with Captain Chris Turner on 4 different ships , the Zaandam , Prinsendam , Zuiderdam and the Volendam and we really enjoyed being twice at the Captain's Table in his company which was a wonderful experience . 

Martha and I wish him a long and wonderful retirement , we will be missing him on our future cruises .

Tony 

If you are looking for some good prices for a very limited time  (until Oct 16 only) there are some cruises being offered as if the Canadian Dollar was at par with the USD  so at US price.

I just booked a 40 day cruise to Auckland for 2020 and saved a bundle . Happy Thanksgiving to all Canadians !

Tony 

Thank you very much for this Jacqui  @kazu we are looking forward to this cruise with our good friends Ann and Pat  ( VictOriann) and look forward to meet Diana and Bill who we will also be touring with and there are quite a few other loyal CC'ers on this cruise.

Martha and I would like to wish you and Jose a wonderful Thanksgiving ! 

BTW we will again be doing our Tapas Tour in Malaga , great memories with the two of you there .

Tony 

How many Sea Days do you have ?  For 10 days I would think 2 Gala Nights .

Thank you all for your reply , we were just in August on the Koningsdam and we had no trouble whatsoever to embark around 11.20 when we came from Rome , it was one of the fastest embarkations of all of our cruises with HAL. !  I had never seen this message from HAL before so I thought that this possibly is a " new rule "  but with all of your replies I feel confident we will be on board again before noon .

Cheers 

Tony 

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

I was surprised that the first time listed was 1:00. On my two K'dam cruises out of FLL, 4-5* and NS/PS were called before noon.

 

So many hotels make you check out by 11:00 that there isn't much to do other than hang out in a busy and crowded lobby or just go to the port.

 

Exactly that is another one of my points , hotels would like us to get out of there .

Going on the Koningsdam next month some of us have received the following  "Important Notification " from HAL.

What are your thoughts and will this work , I am thinking of a van of 8 arriving with people in cabins on different decks or with different mariners status 

scubacruiserx2 . Was your Cellar Master Dinner in the Pinnacle on the Zaandam ? 

32 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

That looks very interesting, Tony.  Are you planning to book it again this time?  Or did the Canaletto location put you off?  

If there is no Cellar Master in the Pinnacle or Tamarind Ann on our October cruise on the Koningsdam with good friends like you and Pat for sure we will do this again but we will be careful and ask for a decent table .

I happen to have here a menu of the Italian Cellar Master Dinner that was held in the Canaletto on the Koningsdam in August of this year . 

Our judgement of this dinner , which I realize is very personal :

1) The food was very nice 

2) The wines were excellent 

3) The presentation of Cellar Master Ivica Kolaric was excellent  ( not Italian , but fairly close Croatian  ) 

4)  As 5 * mariners we received the $69 dollar at 1/2 price . Which is an excellent deal ! 

5) The Canaletto does not lend itself as a place to have a Cellar Master dinner . There hardly is any great atmosphere in the Canaletto with loads of people walking by the Canaletto during dinner time in the Lido . The noices of the people going in and out of the kitchen with carts , dishes and  dishwashers and the table arrangements in the Canaletto are not very nice at all for a special dinner like this . 

Over the years we have had Cellar Master in the Pinnacle Restaurant and also once in the Tamarind and they were much much nicer but I believe they were priced at $ 99  not the $69 from this evening.

One of our best dinners ever was a Master Chef Dinner but I have not seen anyone of those coming up at all anymore , I am always looking for that one to come back .

A couple of pictures of the dishes , taken by a non professional .

Sorry missed the entrees , I guess we were too excited .

Tony 

8 minutes ago, IrishSmileyM3 said:

I started a thread a couple of months ago, still going strong 🤗 with lots of details on the package, as well as experiences of past ROV, if you'd like to get even more info:

 

 

Did you happen to see the last update on that thread you started  IrishSmileyM3  ? I wish you a wonderful time and ceremony on your upcoming cruise ! 

Tony 

21 minutes ago, Lido deck main said:

Hi SailingDutchy, Tony and Martha, beautiful pictures.  Tony, love it that you surprised your wife, you are husband of the year.  Wonderful for your family to witness this as well.  Tears and joy all around.  Congratulations to the both of you on your 50th wedding anniversary.  The Ontario water must have something special in it as you both look fantastic.  We had Captain Bowland while we were on Koningsdam as well, if I remember correctly he was originally from Ontario, your neck of the woods.

Mary

Thank you very much for your kind words Mary , it sure was tears of joy all around and very fine organization of HAL .

We very much appreciated the time that Captain Bowland  ( from St Andrews , New Brunswick  I believe  ) spend with us and than he had another 3 ceremonies after us and they were all done in private .

We had such a nice time after the ceremony talking with the captain that we forgot all about the treats they had for us but toasted with the champagne and afterwards went to the Tamarind for a very nice dinner together .

Tony 

On 9/4/2019 at 4:29 PM, IrishSmileyM3 said:

 

Thank YOU so much for taking the time to share all of this!

 

👌👌👌👌👌👌👌

 

So exciting, 5 days and counting. Thanks again.

I would like to wish the two of you a fantastic cruise and a wonderful ROV experience . It was nice chatting with you on this roll call and to find out also from you and others what the ROV was all about on board the HAL ships .

We just returned home from our Koningsdam cruise and the big surprise for my wife of 50 years went over just fantastic from the moment we walked into our cabin and she saw the flowers and found out what they were there for untill the ceremony on the last sea day . 

I can recommend this for all you cruisers that like to celebrate an anniversary to look into this .

Specially with our daughter on board  SIL and the grandsons who were witness to the ceremony  presided over by Captain Darin Bowland this was something we will remember and talk about for a long long time and the whole thing was very well done by the cruise line .

I hope these pictures will not be as large as they usually are , my appologeese if they are .

Tony and Martha 

We just did the RoV a couple of weeks ago on the Koningsdam for our 50th anniversary that we are celebrating this year . 

The cost indeed has gone up to $250 USD and there is a charge ( Approx $17 )  for each invited guest witnessing your vows , we had our daughter , son in law and our 2 grandsons present.

The first day we came on board ship there was a beautiful bouquet of a dozen roses in our cabin when we walked in  ( included ) .Ours was held on a sea day at about 6 pm in the Hudson Room included is a bottle of  Brut,  there were quite a few appetizers for everyone which we did not touch because we were going to have supper  at the Tamerind right after . The couple taking the vows get each one Pinnacle gril dinner at a night that they can choose on that cruise . I received a nice corsage and my wife a very nice one for on her wrist  ( included )  the photographer took about 4 or 5 pictures and the day after we could choose only one of the large prints at no charge , we also received a nice HAL photo album ( included ) and in the album there were  a certificate with the names of the pair , date of the ceremony and the name of the Captain presiding over the ceremony , there also is the Renewal of Vows  celebration toast  printed off and also a official looking sheet explaining the celebration with the wording of the vows.

There also was the traditional cutting of the beautiful and very delicious  cake .

The ceremony was private  ( 3 more were to follow us later on ) the captain was in full uniform and we had about 15 or 20 minutes time to chat with him , which was a lot of fun . I purchased 5 extra large pictures for about $ 99 .

So I can honestly say it was a wonderful experience , done with class . I had booked it through my TA as a big surprise for my wife and she loved it ! 

Martha and Tony 

24 minutes ago, bichonsx2 said:

Can you possibly tell me what will be done to the Noordam?  Do they update the cabins?  I have read many reviews which are actually rather negative about the ship and the cabins.  Rust in the bathrooms, on balconies, etc.  Anything you could tell us would be greatly appreciated.  We were on the Noordam about 8 years ago and we loved her. 

Sorry I have no idea if there are any special updates for the Noordam . There will be a lot of painting going on , lots of new carpet installed and possibly some of the venues changed around to accommodate entertainment that is in vogue . A lot can be achieved in a couple of weeks with most of the crew still on board ship plus al of the contractors .

I never put much value in big negative stories , some people are always negative and should stay at home . We have had some 30 cruises and sure there are small issues here or there but some people like to exaggerate to get at a company they do not like .

Where there is sea water there will be rust , it does not matter how often they paint .

Have a great cruise on the Noordam ! 

Tony 

Thank you very much for this Jacqui , yes we are almost set to go and celebrate with our family our 50th . This will be a very special cruise for all of us and we are really looking forward to it . 

I hope that specially our grandsons for the first time outside of North America will enjoy and appreciate this great itinerary to see the "Old World " 

Greetings to you and Jose !

Tony and Martha 

We have done this on our own instead of through HAL . We booked our flights from and back to Buenos Aires  post cruise with an Argentinian Airline booked a hotel for 3 or 4 nights in Puerto Iguazu , Hotel Saint George  which is around the corner from the busstation where you can get an easy ride with the bus direct to the National Park . Transfers from the airport to the town are also fairly easy with a taxi shuttle . Some people might say see the Brazilian side while others say there is not a lot of difference , there are so many beautiful falls to see from the Argentinian side  If you see the falls for two days from early morning untill about 2 pm because it is so humid to us that was the fantastic memory for a life time and I think this can be done easily for half the price or less than the cruise line .  It is also very nice to spend the evenings in Puerto Iguazu rather than staying in the only hotel inside the National Park which is much more expensive and than you will only see the falls and nothing else.

So maybe take some time and check out your possibilities to fly to and from and book your own hotel in a convenient location , not along the road from town to the park where you are isolated. 

Hope this helps you 

Tony 

10 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

Here is the latest update of the Dry Dock, Charter and Groups file.  

Please consider this a 'work in progress' which will evolve from month to month. There is some uncertainty as to Zaandam/Amsterdam getting Billboard on Board and whether it will be a full dry dock (with additional maintenance being done) or a wet dock, also, Westerdam is not showing a sailing between 4th January 2020 and 16th January 2020, so she may also be dry docking or maybe a charter.

The file consists of information gathered from the internet or information kindly posted on these threads by other cruisers and should not be considered a complete indicator of group activity.

If you have information about groups charters or dry docks then please post here and I will update in the next file.

New information is shown in Red

 

 

DRY DOCKS

Amsterdam : 12 May 2020 – 26 May 2020 (?) TBC

Noordam : 29 September 2019 – 13 October 2019 : Dry Dock, Victoria Shipyards, B.C.

Volendam : 18 – 31 October 2019, Drydock, Freeport, Bahamas.

Zaandam : 07 April 2020 – 21 April 2020 : (?) TBC

Zuiderdam : 01 – 09 December 2019, Drydock, Freeport, Bahamas.

 

 

 

LAST COMPLETED DRY DOCK

Amsterdam		28 April 2018 – 10 May 2018
Eurodam		08 April 2018 - 17 April 2018
Koningsdam		02 December 2018 - 09 December 2018
Maasdam		31 August 2018 - 08 September 2018
Nieuw Amsterdam		07 December 2017 - 19 December 2017
Noordam		10 April 2015 - 19 April 2015
Oosterdam		21 March 2018 - 02 April 2018
Prinsendam		07 December 2018 – 15 December 2018
Rotterdam		26 October 2017 - 03 November 2017
Veendam		06 April 2019 – 14 April 2019 (28 March 2016 - 08 April 2016)
Volendam		24 November 2017 - 05 December 2017
Westerdam		14 April 2017 - 26 April 2017
Zaandam		02 April 2018 - 13 April 2018
Zuiderdam		23 October 2017 – 04 November 2017

 

 

 CHARTERS  (i.e. full ship charters)

 

Amsterdam:

 

Eurodam:

26 October 2019 – 02 November 2019 : Mexican Riviera : Legendary R & B Cruise

25 July 2020 – 01 August 2020 : Alaska : Gaither Homecoming Cruise

29 August 2020 – 05 September 2020 : Alaska : ???

05 September 2020 – 12 September 2020 : Alaska : ???

25 October 2020 – 01 November 2020 : Caribbean : Legendary R & B Cruise

 

Koningsdam:

 

 

Nieuw Amsterdam:

18 January 2020 – 25 January 2020 : Caribbean : Soul Train Cruise

25 January 2020 – 01 February 2020: Caribbean : Country Music Cruise

07 March 2020 – 14 March 2020 : Caribbean : JoCo Cruise

 

Nieuw Statendam:

19 January 2020 – 26 January 2020 : LRBC Blues Cruise

09 February 2020 – 16 February 2020 : RSVP Charter

15 March 2020 – 22 March 2020 : ???

22 March 2020 – 29 March 2020 : Inspiration Cruises Charter

 

Noordam:

14 February 2020 – 29 February 2020 : New Zealand : ???

12 March 2020 – 19 March 2020 : New Zealand : ???

 

Oosterdam:

22 February 2020 – 29 February 2020 : Mexican Riviera : All Star Irish Cruise

 

Veendam:

22 January 2020 – 29 January 2020 : Cuba : Olivia Charter

20 November 2020 – 27 November 2020 : Caribbean : Olivia Charter

 

Volendam:

23 April 2020 – 29 April 2020 : Pacific Coastal : Olivia Charter

 

Westerdam:
04 January 2020 – 16 January 2020 : Singapore : Charter? Dry Dock?

 

 

GROUPS ONBOARD

 

Amsterdam:

12 August 2019 – 26 August 2019 : Alaska : Road Scholar Group

04 January 2020 – 12 May 2020 : World Cruise 2020 : Road Scholar Group

05 September 2020 – 12 September 2020 : Canada & NE Discovery: Road Scholar Group

19 September 2020 – 26 September 2020 : Canada & NE Discovery : Road Scholar Group

 

 

Eurodam:

17 August 2019 – 24 August 2019 : Alaska : Quilting Seminar Group

24 August 2019 – 31 August 2019 : Alaska : 5 Love Languages (large group?) Inspiration Cruises

09 November 2019 – 16 November 2019 : Mexican Riviera : Gospel Music Celebration

01 December 2019 – 11 December 2019 : Panama Canal : Road Scholar Group

26 January 2020 – 05 February 2020 : Panama Canal : Road Scholar Group

05 February 2020 – 16 February 2020 : Panama canal : Road Scholar Group

01 March 2020 – 18 March 2020 : Circle Hawaii : Road Scholar Group

18 March 2020 – 05 April 2020 : Circle Hawaii : Road Scholar Group

15 April 2020 – 02 May 2020 : Hawaii : Quilting Retreat Group

06 June 2020 – 13 June 2020 : Alaska : Quilting Group

13 June 2020 – 20 June 2020 : Alaska : Continuing Education Group

15 August 2020 – 22 August 2020 : Alaska : Continuing Education Group

22 August 2020 – 29 August 2020 : Alaska : Quilt Seminar at Sea Group

 

Koningsdam:

13 September 2019 – 24 September 2019 : Ancient Empires : Political (Conserv MRC) Group

06 October 2019 – 18 October 2019 : Med Ancient Empires : Footsteps of Paul/Inspiration Group

04 March 2020 – 15 March 2020 : S. Caribbean : Quilting Group

11 July 2020 – 18 July 2020 : Alaska : Pathway to Victory/Inspiration Group

 

Maasdam:

16 February 2020 – 01 March 2020 : Australia/ NZ : Road Scholar Group

27 April 2020 – 04 May 2020 : Pacific Coast : Knitting Group

04 May 2020 – 18 May 2020 : Alaskan Explorer : Knitting Group

15 June 2020 – 29 June 2020 : Alaskan Explorer : Road Scholar Group

13 July 2020 – 27 July 2020 : Alaskan Explorer : Road Scholar Group

27 July 2020 – 10 August 2020 : Alaskan Explore : Road Scholar Group

10 August 2020 – 24 August 2020 : Alaskan Explorer : Road Scholar Group

24 August 2020 – 07 September 2020 : Alaskan Explorer : Road Scholar Group

 

Nieuw Amsterdam: 

09 November 2019 – 16 November 2019 : Caribbean : Faith & Family Cruise

11 January 2020 – 18 January 2020 : Caribbean : Mercy Me at sea

08 February 2020 – 15 February 2020 : Caribbean : Gospel Music Celebration

22 February 2020 – 29 February 2020 : Caribbean : Pastor’s Wives/Inspiration Group

29 February 2020 – 06 March 2020 : Caribbean : Phillips, Craig & Dean/Inspiration Group

14 March 2020 – 21 March 2020 : Caribbean : Quilt Retreat Group

09 January 2021 – 16 January 2021 : Tropical Caribbean : Mercy Me at Sea Group

16 January 2021 – 23 January 2021 : Eastern Caribbean : Katinas & Kuzins/Inspiration Group

 

 

Nieuw Statendam:

27 September 2019 – 07 October 2019 : Med Mosaic : Road Scholar Group

07 October 2019 – 17 October 2019 : Med Dream : Road Scholar Group

17 October 2019 – 27 October 2019 : Med Mosaic : Continuing Ed Group/Road Scholar Group

01 December 2019 – 08 December 2019 : E. Caribbean : Continuing Education Group

08 December 2019 – 15 December 2019 : W. Caribbean : The Nation Group

29 December 2019 – 05 January 2020 : E. Caribbean : Turning Point/Inspiration Group

05 April 2020 – 12 April 2020 : E Caribbean : Continuing Education Group

19 July 2020 – 26 July 2020 : Norse Legends : Continuing Education Group

05 October 2020 – 15 October 2020 : Med Dream : Mark Steyn Conservative Group

 

 

Noordam:

08 September 2019 – 15 September 2019 : Alaska : Road Scholar Group

09 November 2019 – 23 November 2019 : Australia/NZ : Road Scholar Group

18 January 2020 – 01 February 2020 : N. Z. Discovery : Quilting Group

26 February 2020 – 12 March 2020 : Aus/NZ : Knitting Group

14 June 2020 – 21 June 2020 : Alaska South Bound : Road Scholar Group

12 July 2020 – 19 July 2020 : Alaska South Bound : Road Scholar Group

26 July 2020 – 02 August 2020 : Alaska South Bound : Road Scholar Group

 

Oosterdam:

01 September 2019 – 08 September 2019 : Alaska : Continuing Education Group

08 September 2019 – 15 September 2019 : Alaska : Bridge Group

06 October 2019 – 13 October 2019 : Mexican Riviera : UFO Group (large!/ early dining)

06 November 2019 – 23 November 2019 : Circle Hawaii : Road Scholar Group

30 November 2019 – 07 December 2019 : Mexican Riviera : Continuing Education Group

14 December 2019 – 21 December 2019 : Mexican Riviera : Quilting Retreat Group

11 January 2020 – 18 January 2020 : Mexican Riviera : Continuing Education Group

29 February 2020 – 07 March 2020 : Mexican Riviera : Bridge Group

14 March 2020 – 21 March 2020 : Mexican Riviera : Continuing Education Group

18 April 2020 – 25 April 2020 : Mexican Riviera : Flying Leap Vineyards Group

03 May 2020 – 10 May 2020 : Alaska : Continuing Education Group

28 June 2020 – 05 July 2020 : Alaska : Intentional Living Group

26 July 2020 – 02 August 2020 : Alaska: Quilting Group

30 August 2020 – 06 September 2020 : Alaska : Deeper Faith Cruise

24 October 2020 – 07 November 2020 : Australia/NZ : Road Scholar Group

 

 

Rotterdam:

07 January 2020 – 23 January 2020 : Panama Canal : Road Scholar Group

08 February 2020 – 24 February 2020 : Panama Canal : Road Scholar Group

11 March 2020 – 27 March 2020 : Panama Canal : Road Scholar Group

18 July 2020 – 25 July 2020 : Viking Sagas : Road Scholar Group

08 August 2020 – 15 August 2020 : Viking Sagas : Road Scholar Group

 

Westerdam:

16 August 2020 – 23 August 2020 : Alaska South Bound : Road Scholar Group

30 August 2020 – 06 September 2020 : Alaska South Bound : Road Scholar Group

 

 

Veendam:

28 September 2019 – 05 October 2019 : Canada & N. England : Continuing Education Group

23 October 2019 – 30 October 2019 : Authentic Cuba : Road Scholar Group

30 October 2019 – 06 November 2019 : Authentic Cuba : Road Scholar Group

06 November 2019 – 13 November 2019 : Authentic Cuba : Road Scholar Group

11 December 2019 – 18 December 2019 : Authentic Cuba : Road Scholar Group

15 January 2020 – 22 January 2020 : Authentic Cuba : Road Scholar Group/Phil Coulter Tranquility Cruise (possible charter)

29 January 2020 – 05 February 2020 : Authentic Cuba : Continuing Education Group

19 February 2020 – 26 February 2020 : Authentic Cuba : Road Scholar Group

18 March 2020 – 25 March 2020 : Authentic Cuba : Road Scholar Group

08 April 2020 – 15 April 2020 : Authentic Cuba : Road Scholar Group

23 May 2020 – 06 June 2020 : Baltic : Knitting Group

 

 

Volendam:

04 September 2019 – 11 September 2019 : Alaska : Mark Steyn Conservative Group

 

Zaandam:

24 August 2019 – 31 August 2019 : Canada & N. England : National Review Group

07 September 2019 – 14 September 2019 : Maritimes & N. England : Road Scholar Group

21 September 2019 – 28 September 2019 : Maritimes & N. England : Road Scholar Group

28 September 2019 – 05 October 2019 : Maritimes & N. England : Joshua Fund (Religious)

31 January 2020 – 22 February 2020 : S. America & Antarctica : Knitting Group

23 May 2020 – 30 May 2020 : Canada & N.E. Discovery : Road Scholar Group

 

Zuiderdam:

15 September 2019 – 27 September 2019 : Colors of Canada & NE. : Knitting Group

10 November 2019 – 20 November 2019 : Panama Canal : Quilting Seminar Group

18 January 2020 – 25 January 2020 : E. Caribbean : Sporthorse Group

26 February 2020 – 08 March 2020 : Panama Canal : Road Scholar Group

08 March 2020 – 18 March 2020 : Panama Canal : Road Scholar /Continuing Education Group

20 June 2020 – 02 July 2020 : European Splendour : Quilt Seminar at Sea

02 July 2020 – 16 July 2020 : Northern Isles : Knitting Group

16 July 2020 – 26 July 2020 : Jewels of the Baltic : Road Scholar Group

 

 

If anyone has any further information, please post it here and I will include it in the next update.

Thanks!

 

 

E & O.E.

 

Thank you very much for the latest updates . With 4 cruises in my near future this can be important . I noticed that  where or what the Westerdam is doing from Jan 4 until Jan 16 2020 is still a mystery . I guess I will find out what's up when I get on board on the 16th ! 

On 7/30/2019 at 5:05 PM, cruisernan said:

We are traveling on the Veendam in September.  HAL indicates we may bring non-alcohol beverages on board in our carryons.  Does anyone know if this includes N/A beer and wine?  Also, does HAL really examine checked luggage for alcohol?  We have often taken a bit of alcohol in our luggage for a drink in the cabin.  We also contribute to ship’s bars 😁😁

As far as HAL screening for alcohol in passengers luggage is concerned . Yes coming on board a lot of the suitcases do get screened . On our last cruise on the Prinsendam we came on board before noon and my wifes suitcase was in the cabin within a couple of hours , mine was nowhere to be seen until I asked the cabin steward close to supper time if he could look into this after another 40 mins my suitcase showed up and when I opened it there was this note inside :

Dear guest 

Holland America Line performs routine screenings of all luggage arriving onboard 

to ensure the safety and security of our guests.  The screenings are done under close-circuit 

television surveillance in a secure area to protect your personal property.

We appreciate your cooperation and understanding and wish you a wonderful sailing

ahead. 

Sincerely 

Beverage department 

I had a 375 ml bottle of Maple syrup , a great Canadian treat , in my suitcase that I had purchased to give to a wonderful guide on one of my tours , she is a Canadian ExPat who realy missed it  !  

So be aware , they do not take smuggling alcohol on board lightly .

14 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Used to be the case Meneer PMP  however, since its opening in November 2018, cruise ships are now able to dock at the Hon Gai international passenger terminal

Great to hear such a positive reply Copper10-8 , much appreciated , at least that is one less tender to worry about. Love to hear from somebody who was there this spring on a Halong Bay cruise and hear hoe the transition from the Cruise Terminal to the Bay -Junk was . 

Tony 

Hi , I have not been able to find out where exactly the Westerdam docks in Halong Bay  or do we still have to tender as it states in the HAL Itinerary ?

 "What's in Port "  says there is a new pier (2018 ) and cruise terminal called " Halong Bay Cai Lan Vietnam Cruise Port " and the larger ships do not have to drop anchor anymore and use tenders to go to the city's wharf .

Even the Halong Bay Cruise tour companies have not been very helpful in this matter . Do passengers still need transportation to go to with the  "Cruise - Junks "  ? Do all the Junks leave from the same location ?  ( In specific Port matters HAL usually is not much of a help at all ) 

I hope there are some Cruise Critic folks who have fairly recently been to Halong Bay  that can help me with this ..

Your help is much appreciated 

Tony 

The Bossche Bollen in the Dutch Cafe are to die for with the real pure cream . Too bad we can only afford to eat them once per cruise otherwise I will blow up.

For me and I know for a lot of other people the Grand Dutch Cafe on the Koningsdam and the Nieuw Statendam are one of the best additions to the HAL ships !

I have a lot of Orange shirts to choose from , looks good with the grey hair .

Tony 

My grandkids love the chocolates that grandpa brings home form his cruises  and those are real treats for them . While I am a dark chocolate lover the quality of the real Dutch chocolates we received a number of years back at the end of the bed with the daily program was much better than the ones we get nowadays .

Some countries just know how to make good chocolate and others don't . 

And that is just my opinion , you may call me picky .

Tony 

Thank you for the post  Lido Deck Main   lovely pictures and a wonderful memory forever for you , very helpfull to all of us .

Tony 

8 hours ago, IrishSmileyM3 said:

 

Yes, HAL increased the ROV package a few weeks ago from $166.44 to $250 as they've added a few things to the package, which now includes the following items:

 

·         1 dozen Long Stemmed Red Roses (it used to be listed as "Flowers in the stateroom")

·         A special invitation to renewal of vows ceremony (same)
·         A reception with hors d’ oeuvres and beverages and cake (the cake is the new thing)
·         Keepsake Certificate (same)
·         Commemorative Album and 8x10 Photo (it used to be the 1 x 10x7 photo sheet)
·         Corsage (new)
·         Boutonniere (new)
·         Pinnacle Grill Dinner for Two (same)
·         Music provided by a string quartet (new)

Wow it is getting better and better . It is still a surprise for my bride I guess she will find out when we get on board ship , love the addition of the cake specially with my family in attendance and most of all the string quartet . They are really doing it up ! 

Tony