What's the one cool thing you would recommend to a new HAL cruiser?

[mamaofami]

Dinner at the Tamarind restaurant :)

 

There is no Tamarind restaurant on Noordam or Westerdam, only on NA and Eurodam.

 

If you have a veranda, order breakfast from room service. Nothing like eating outside and watching the ocean.

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

Don't set your expectations so high they can't be reached.

 

Most important thing to carry on board with you is a good attitude.

 

IMHO

 

I agree 100%!!

[lcand1923]

Try to do a full "Explore" of the ship so that you view all of the pictures, statues, flowers, etc. You will find your favorite spots whether it be the Library, Explorations Cafe, a window nook, lounge chair, etc.

 

Check out the Lido -- ice cream station, fruit station, bread pudding, etc. I personally love the raisin buns at breakfast, bread pudding, fruit and cheese selections. Other people like other things.

 

Try one of the afternoon teas. I hadn't tried them until my last cruise and am kicking myself that I hadn't.

 

The CREW!!! I cannot say enough nice things about the stewards, servers, bar tenders, young men who set up and take down the lounge chairs, etc.

[496and706]

When you are in the library, stop and look up at the ceiling. Especially the one on the Noordam.

 

(Look at my stats, it's my favourite ship.)

[Davidson Duo]

Try the cold soups in the Dining Room. Absolutely delicious! My favorite is the pear and ginger. But I also love the raspberry. Actually, I don't think I've ever had one that wasn't amazing!

[sppunk]

Drink three Wang Wangs in a row!

[pv girl]

Drink three Wang Wangs in a row!

 

but that would do me in for about 24 hours and I'd miss out on a lot of other fun!

:):):)

[SeaWatch]

Thanks Mama, I misread and thought she was going on the Eurodam.

[lovely_serenity]

I recommend you attending as many Afternoon Teas as you can, especially the themed ones. Try all the themed ones plus a regular one. They're all different!

[1160451]

Expect to be in bed by 10 every night.

[POA1]

Expect to be in bed by 10 every night.

 

I can state unequivocally that ain't happening. :p

[Lovely other]

Expect to be in bed by 10 every night.

 

really???

 

Bed before midnight was a pretty rare thing on our HAL cruise ...

[AttilaTheFun]

Thanks everyone for the tips! I'll be trying HAL for the first time on the Eurodam for a Baltics sailing and cannot wait! We chose mainly based on the itinerary, which other cruise lines can't bear, but have read some great things about HAL now too!

[1160451]

On reflection my comment was a little harsh.

We have only cruised once with HAL so to judge HAL on one cruise is not fair.

[ellieanne]

Thanks everyone for the tips! I'll be trying HAL for the first time on the Eurodam for a Baltics sailing and cannot wait! We chose mainly based on the itinerary, which other cruise lines can't bear, but have read some great things about HAL now too!

 

My favorite place on the Eurodam is the curved couches tucked away in the Ocean Bar. You will almost always find me with a book there on sea days. I really miss those cozy spots on the other ships.

[Mytime2014]

You picked a great ship for your first HAL cruise! The Westerdam is the happiest ship. Hope you enjoy it as much as we have. :)

 

So glad to see this comment - my first cruise will be Westerdam in July. I've been searching the boards for comments/reviews/pictures - can't wait to walk on board and sail away.

[mamaofami]

Thanks everyone for the tips! I'll be trying HAL for the first time on the Eurodam for a Baltics sailing and cannot wait! We chose mainly based on the itinerary, which other cruise lines can't bear, but have read some great things about HAL now too!

 

Make your Pinnacle reservations on line or call ship's services to do it. Sometimes it's hard to get them once you're on board. Print out your confirmation and bring it with you. Tamarind is also good for lunch, IMHO. I would eat dinner there every night if I could.

[campisfortis]

I say "me too" to most of the above and will add

 

- The different Eggs Benedict variations available every morning in the Lido.

Edited February 23, 2014 by campisfortis

[RetesGirl3]

 

Please keep these tips coming! We are still thinking about when we are going to cruise next. But love these tips. Thanks. Jane:)

[chloes nana]

And be sure to try the raisin buns!!! OMG!! :p

[POA1]

And be sure to try the raisin buns!!! OMG!! :p

 

Breakfast item?

[chloes nana]

yes, freshest in the early morning, these are to die for:D

[RuthC]

Breakfast item?

 

Yup.

[chloes nana]

do you love them too Ruth??

Yup.

[RuthC]

do you love them too Ruth??

 

To tell the truth, no, I don't. I'm not fond of raisins (although I am learning to eat them in brown bread). Beyond that, though, the raisin buns remind me too much of hot cross buns we ate as kids. Never did like those.

 

Now, what I do love are some of the Danish served at breakfast. I try hard to stay away from eating them because one is never enough---even while it's also too much. ;)

I could eat a tray full of them!