A thousand and one Holland Questions - Help!

[Tess2mommies]

Hi Hal CC'ers!

 

I have a thousand and one questions and I am hoping you can help me.

Significant other and I are thinking of taking the Ryndam Mexican Rivera/Sea of Cortez Dec 17th - 27th out of San Diego.

 

We are in our early 20's and have previously sailed princess and loved it. I've heard great things about Hal, however everything great I've heard has been from the "young at heart" and I was curious as to if we would enjoy the cruise or be discriminated. We aren't into dancing, but I guess we could check out the disco or whatever they have.

 

How many formal nights are in a 10 day cruise?

 

How much are the soda cards?

 

Are there any activities for us to do on board? We love Bingo and the Slots but what else is there?

 

Is the Ryndam is nice ship?

 

Anyone know how the weather is that time of year cruising from San Diego to Mexico?

 

Is there room service? (free?)

 

Princess had the best hot dogs I have ever tasted (pool snack, not main meal), does Hal have hot dogs?

 

We normally use personal choice on Princess, is there something similar on Hal, or can we get a table for 2?

 

How is the general dress attire on board?

 

Are there ping pong tables?

 

How early can we board the ship?

 

I have thick hair, are the blow dryers strong?

 

Are the beds comfortable?

 

 

Thank you so much for answering my questions. I hope to experience Hal this Christmas!

[wwinfl91]

Here we go. I will try to answer the questions I can and I'm sure others will pitch in and answer any I miss.

 

How many formal nights are in a 10 day cruise?

You should have 2 formal nights.

 

How much are the soda cards?

Too much to be worth buying unless you like coke products.

 

Are there any activities for us to do on board? We love Bingo and the Slots but what else is there?

There are lots of things going on but you need to check the daily newsletter to find out about them. There are usually very few announcements which is nice.

 

Is the Ryndam is nice ship?

We have been on the Veendam and Maasdam several times which are sister ships and we really liked both of them. There smaller size with a corresponding smaller number of passengers makes them very managable.

 

Anyone know how the weather is that time of year cruising from San Diego to Mexico?

 

Is there room service? (free?)

Yes there is free room service but it is nomally expected that you tip the room service waiters.

 

Princess had the best hot dogs I have ever tasted (pool snack, not main meal), does Hal have hot dogs?

HAL has an area on the Lido deck where they serve hot dogs and hamburgers.

 

We normally use personal choice on Princess, is there something similar on Hal, or can we get a table for 2?

There are only regular fixed seating dining in the main dining rooms. You can eat in the Lido area during a set time each night and get the same food as in the dining room in a less formal setting but to actually answer your question NO there is nothing like Princess's PC dining on HAL.

 

How is the general dress attire on board?

I'm not sure how to answer this. During the day shorts and shirts of all sorts. Evenings people tend to follow the dress code for the evening, formal, informal, casual.

 

Are there ping pong tables?

Yes

 

How early can we board the ship?

We usually get to the dock between 11 and 12 AM and have always been on board before 1 PM.

 

I have thick hair, are the blow dryers strong?

 

Are the beds comfortable?

YES very. Actually HAL just had a big upgrade of the bedding on all their ships and the beds were the best I have ever slept on in any ship or hotel anywhere on our Maasdam cruise after they had made the upgrade.

 

Hope you get to try HAL someday as I think you would enjoy it.

 

Have a great next cruise.

[willowoodf]

Hi Icebrat:

 

I can answer a couple of your questions.

 

We were on the Ryndam to Alaska in May/June of this year. This was our first "real" cruise and so we didn't have much to compare, but we had a great time! We thought the Ryndam was a beautiful ship. The art is beautiful. We had a couple of small problems that were fixed quickly and cheerfully.

 

I am mid-40's and DH is early 50's. We saw people of all ages. The age group was more scewed to older than younger, but there were a lot of young people your age always in the casino and various bars.

 

We bought the soda cards, I think they were $27.50 for a 7 day cruise. We thought they were worth it because we bought a couple of bottles of liquor from the ship and used the soda as mixers for our whole time on the ship, so that made it worth it to us. We also made sure to keep soda in the room for when we woke up in the middle of the night and needed something to wet our whistles.

 

We thought the food was very good and our servers, Dede and Ryan, were the best. The wine steward Joel was excellent.

 

Anne especially at the front desk or sometimes in the Neptune lounge was sweet and helpful with anything you might need.

 

Room service is free, we always tipped the server a couple of bucks. We got breakfast a few times and it always came hot and good.

 

During our Alaska cruise I found a great variety of attire. Most of the people I saw were wearing casual clothes during the day - men in slacks and polo type shirts, or short sleeve shirts, some T-shirts and shorts, but not many, perhaps because of the Alaska venue! Some women were dressed very flashy at all times, while others just wore jeans or nicer jogging type clothing. I mostly wore casual type slacks and either a casual top or a Dam T-shirt that I bought at the onboard shop. Of course at dinner time, most people dressed for the appropriate style of dress for the evening. Not everyone though. Dress code is a hot topic on this list!!

 

We had a table for 2 for dinner. Ask your TA to request one for you.

 

Beds are SOOOO comfortable. I thought I would have trouble sleeping, never being on a cruise and all. Between the comfy bed and the gentle rocking of the ship, I slept like a baby! Except for that pesky Alaska daylight coming through the windows at 3:00 a.m.!! LOL!

 

I don't think you can go wrong with HAL and the Ryndam - hope you go and have fun and tell us all about it when you get back!

 

Mary

[ESLO]

My wife and I have sailed several time on the Rotterdam and truly enjoyed it. We truly enjoy HAL ship and currently booked on the New Noordam on March 2006.

 

How many formal nights are in a 10 day cruise?

>>

We experiences about 3 formal days during this type of period. Please check your documents for the suggested wear for females and males. Male normally wear a tuxedo or very dark suit.

 

How much are the soda cards?

>>

Can not answer this one as we don't use those cards.

 

Are there any activities for us to do on board? We love Bingo and the Slots but what else is there?

>>

Yes, from shore, tour and shopping talks, computer lessons and classes, movies, shopping onboard, pool and sunning, EATING, trivia, bridge/card games, on deck sport, dancing, great shows, visiting executive lectures, tea time, pool games, etc.... to mention a few.

 

Is the Ryndam is nice ship?

>>

As I mentioned, we enjoyed the Rotterdam several time. My parents have been on many of the ships of HAL in the past and enjoyed each and every one.

 

Anyone know how the weather is that time of year cruising from San Diego to Mexico?

>>

We once took a cruise from San Diego to NYC thru the Panama Canal and stopped at Mexico. It was hot. You should check with your TA. We use AAA and they have fact books with full details. Also check the internet websites for the particular port you are going to land in and also you can also check some of the numerous weather sites.

 

Is there room service? (free?)

>>

Yes, room service is free. You are expected to tip at the time the tray(s) are delivered. Many times when we were lazy at sea, my wife and I would order instead of attending tea time and enjoy it in our verandah room on the balcony with the sea as a back drop. The quality is very good for room service. We also would hear and see alot of orders come to rooms for breakfast especially on days we landed early at a port and people wanted to eat and not deal with the restaurant or Lido Deck. So they can get off fast.

 

Princess had the best hot dogs I have ever tasted (pool snack, not main meal), does Hal have hot dogs?

>>

Yes, on some of the ships they call it the Terrace Grill located by the Main Pool area. Also served are hamburgers and other items. There is also a Taco Buffet Bar with fixings for the franks and hamburgers.

 

We normally use personal choice on Princess, is there something similar on Hal, or can we get a table for 2?

>>

Your table choice should be given to your TA at the time of booking. Don't wait! If for some particular reason you are not satisfied when you are on board, then once after seeing the assignment found in your stateroom, you should immediately proceed to the Dining Room and see if you can change. Be aware that at that time, you may have a problem for what you expected.

 

How is the general dress attire on board?

>>

Again, your documentation should have all this information enclosed. Also you can refer to the HAL website and either in back of a brochure or the online ebrochure. Days are casual but evenings are normally designated as formal or informal. Sometimes on a particular night at an island or at sea, a topical evening theme maybe named and casual or topical dress are suggested to stay within the theme.

 

Are there ping pong tables?

>>

I believe there are tables onboard besides many other games/sports like golf, basketball, volleyball, tennis, shuffleboard, etc.. You should consult the daily program delivered to your cabin the night before. Also many of the sports also have tournaments applied that are announced. You also know that there is a fitness center onboard.

 

How early can we board the ship?

>>

The last time we boarded was when they started early boarding about 11AM to 12PM. We did in NYC at 11:30AM. You will not go to your rooms as they are still being turnover from the last cruise. You will be directed to the Lido Deck where you will be experiencing your first of many meals onboard. Afterwards there will still be time to tour the ship, make advance appointments at the spa and other area's of the ship. About 1 or 1:30PM, they will announce that you may proceed to your cabin. You should also get to the terminal early on as you will have to check in and go thru a rigid security check. Read your documents enclosed to make it easier to proceed thru this point.

 

I have thick hair, are the blow dryers strong?

>>

There are wall mounted dryers in the bathrooms of the cabins. My wife still brings hers with her but I find them to be adequate for my use.

 

Are the beds comfortable?]

>>

We really can talk about this since the new standards of the Signature of Excellence Program still is being applied to all the ships. They sound like they will be nice and comfortable. I read on one thread, the people did want to get up in the morning. We will experience it next year on our ship. But, in the past we were satisified.

 

Yikes! Oh no! My partner had surgery on her foot recently and is unable to walk around. The doctor told us she wouldn't be ready to walk around on vacation and we cancelled.

>>

I believe many of the ships are equipped and altered to assist those that are handicapped. You can even board early on with onboard staff assisting on the pier with wheelchair assistance to your cabin if ready. You would have to check onboard or call Ship Services to find out how to obtain one or if wheelchairs are available and how to get one.

 

 

:) I hope this will help you to a point.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We have done quite a few 10 day cruises. There will be 3 formal, 2 informal, and 5 casual nights.

 

Dining Times: 5:45 - upper level dining room; 6:15 lower level dining room; 8 - upper level dining room; 8:30 lower level dining room.

The only place you can eat casualy for dinner is the Lido open from 6:30 - 8 -- no assigned table. It will be closed on BBQ night.

Hair dryers - it has been awhile since we were on the Ryndam but the hair dryers were not powerful. Don't know if they have been replaced.

 

[RevNeal]

I'm waiting for the other 988 questions. :D

 

I think the others have substantially answered the questions thus-far presented. I'll amplify on one:

 

Anyone know how the weather is that time of year cruising from San Diego to Mexico?

 

As the saying goes: "Climate is what you expect ... weather is what you get."

 

In this case, the weather is nice. I've been on much the same itinerary, but a week or two later -- Jan and Feb -- and have found the weather we got to be very nice. "Hot" is always a relative term, and I'm from Texas, but I thought ti was lovely. Temps were not oppressively humid, like they were when we were in the area in October on a transcanal cruise; in January Cabo was warm but dry and a lovely change from the bitter cold of Dallas in January (yes, Dallas can get bone-shatteringly cold in January ... it just doesn't last very long).

 

Have a wonderful cruise on the Ryndam for Christmas ... and greet Santa as he slides down the stack!!!! :D

[Tess2mommies]

Thank you all so much for answering my questions!

 

Only 988 more questions to go!

 

Let the thinking begin...

[kryos]

We bought the soda cards, I think they were $27.50 for a 7 day cruise. We thought they were worth it because we bought a couple of bottles of liquor from the ship and used the soda as mixers for our whole time on the ship, so that made it worth it to us. We also made sure to keep soda in the room for when we woke up in the middle of the night and needed something to wet our whistles.

Were you able to get CANS of soda with the soda card on HAL?

 

On Princess, I thought the cards were a rip-off because you could only get fountain soda at the bars with them. That soda was clearly watered down and virtually tasteless to me.

 

I didn't get the soda card, but one night in one of the bars, I went to buy a soda and the bartender just gave me a fountain soda. It tasted almost like water.

 

Also, the soda card was no good for cans of soda in the room. Those you still had to pay for.

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[MikeT718]

:)

Were you able to get CANS of soda with the soda card on HAL?

 

On Princess, I thought the cards were a rip-off because you could only get fountain soda at the bars with them. That soda was clearly watered down and virtually tasteless to me.

 

I didn't get the soda card, but one night in one of the bars, I went to buy a soda and the bartender just gave me a fountain soda. It tasted almost like :) water.

 

Also, the soda card was no good for cans of soda in the room. Those you still had to pay for.

 

Blue skies ...

 

:) --rita

Myself, DW, and DS were on the Zandam in April this year the soda card was 27.50 and worth it..Iam a big Diet Coke drinker and I did not find the fountain soda watered down and in the main dinning room we got cans of soda..I hope this helps

[RuthC]

Normally you don't get cans of soda on a soda card; it's fountain drinks.

If the Coke product isn't available as a fountain drink you will be served canned soda---but won't necessariy be given the can.

On my recent cruise I purchased the soda card. As caffeine-free diet coke wasn't available as a fountain drink it was always poured from a cam, but the can was always held back behind the bar. My refills came from it.

I don't know if the can would have been given to me if I had asked for it, but the service on refills was always prompt.

[bepsf]

The others are correct that there is no "Personal Choice" dining...

However, there is also the Pinnacle Grill where you can enjoy a romantic lunch or dinner at a table for two (or more) for a nominal surcharge: $10/pp for luncheon or first-night dinner, $20/pp for dinner.

You may also change your table assignments w/ the Maitre'd for whatever reason. He will do everything he can to accommodate your requests - particularly if you meet others aboard and would like to arrange to share a table with them in the Main Dining Room for the rest of the cruise...

You might also want to try drinking Iced Tea instead of sodas - it's free, fresh-brewed and better for you! ;)

[serendipity1499]

Hi Icebrat...Hope you decide to take HAL..

 

Have not been on the Ryndam since 1998 but understand that HAL's SOE has been completed..The beds are so comfortable that several posters here have ordered them for their Homes...HAL has a WEB site to sell some of their finer things found on board..Looking at the prices, believe they are quite reasonable...Unfortunately we purchased new bedding several years ago, so will have to wait until our mattress wears out..:(

 

Most of your questions have been answered so will not repeat the answers...The only exception will be the Hairdryer..HAL has upgraded their Hairdryers & they are now located in the dressing table of the cabin..I have fine hair so it's ok for me, but not sure it would be ok for long thick hair..

HAL also permits you to bring your own soda (and Wine) on board..They don't have Diet Pepsi (only Diet Coke :( which I don't drink), so will be taking a 12 pack of Diet Pepsi on our next HAL cruise...

 

The following WEB sites have average temps all over the world..

 

http://www.worldclimate.com/

http://weather.yahoo.com/

 

Love your Avitar..What kind of a dog is she/he? :)

 

Happy Planning!

[KAYEF]

HAL lets us bring our own wine aboard..................is that in carry-ons????

News (GOOD news, that is!) to us.:rolleyes:

[kryos]

:)

Myself, DW, and DS were on the Zandam in April this year the soda card was 27.50 and worth it..Iam a big Diet Coke drinker and I did not find the fountain soda watered down and in the main dinning room we got cans of soda..I hope this helps

Okay, then maybe it was just that way on Princess. But there is was DEFINITELY watered down. I only discovered this because a helpful bartender tried to save me a couple of bucks when I ordered a Coke. He just "pretended" I had a soda card, and brought me a free one. I appreciated the gesture, but could barely drink it. It tasted almost like flavored water.

 

But sounds like on HAL it is different. Maybe I'll try the soda card on my upcoming Hawaii/South Pacific cruise this January. Wonder what a soda card would cost, though ... for a 30-day voyage? Wonder if I'd drink enough Coke to make it worthwhile?

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[serendipity1499]

HAL lets us bring our own wine aboard..................is that in carry-ons????

News (GOOD news, that is!) to us.:rolleyes:

 

Yes but they will charge you a corkage fee, which I believe is approx $15.00 per bottle, unless you are planning to drink your own wine in your cabin..

 

Maybe some one else can tell you the corkage fee..

[RuthC]

Wonder what a soda card would cost, though ... for a 30-day voyage? Wonder if I'd drink enough Coke to make it worthwhile?

Rita, generally, the break-even point is ever so slightly under two cans per day.

A can of soda is $1.75, plus service charge---bringing it to $2.01.

I can't remember the exact price of my card on the 35-day cruise, but I did calculate the comparison for the entire cruise, as well as each segment. All three methods worked out the same way.

The biggest difference for me was that I never denied myself a soda if the spirit moved me since it was already paid for anyway. If I didn't want the whole can that was ok because I wasn't going to get the whole can. I didn't feel like I was wasting it.

[Tess2mommies]

Do you get any free goodies by sailing on HAL?

 

Are there safes in the room?

 

Are the electric outlets american?

 

Are there laundry rooms with ironing boards on each deck?

 

is there is refrigerator in the room?

 

I developed a seafood allergy over the summer, does the menu have a good variety of non-seafood items?

 

How is the entertainment?

 

Why should I choose HAL over Princess, or why should I try HAL prior to trying NCL or RCCL?

 

What type of movies are shown?

[csg99]

Do you get any free goodies by sailing on HAL?

A canvas tote bag for excursions and shopping; on your second HAL cruise and beyond you will get delft tiles of the ship you're on and an invitation to the Mariner's reception.

 

Are there safes in the room?

Yes

 

Are the electric outlets american?

Yes

 

Are there laundry rooms with ironing boards on each deck?

there are laundry rooms on the smaller ships but not on the Vista class

 

is there is refrigerator in the room?

The Vista class have mini bars that you can have the steward clean out if you want to use it for personal items--I don't know if the other ships have them yet

 

I developed a seafood allergy over the summer, does the menu have a good variety of non-seafood items?

I'm a vegetarian and don't eat fish or meat--I've always found something on the main menu at dinner, and you can also ask for the separate vegetarian menu the night before and see what's available. Also, I've never had a problem at breakfast or lunch, or in the Lido.

 

How is the entertainment?

Vegas-style shows, magicians, jugglers, comics, and, if you're really lucky, Joel Mason doing his Elton John show. The Piano Bar will have a player/performer and there are musical groups in the other bars for dancing.

 

Why should I choose HAL over Princess, or why should I try HAL prior to trying NCL or RCCL?

We've never sailed any other line. We were told on our first cruise, by a very seasoned passenger, that we had spoiled ourselves by sailing HAL first. We've never had any reason to doubt her!

 

What type of movies are shown?

1st run movies that have been out for a while or just left the 1st run theaters...it's usually a pretty good selection and they show them both in-room and in the theater.

[cdkempton]

I believe you have to be in a veranda room or better to have a fridge on the Ryndam and, yes, the Ryndam has self-serve laundry on each deck. There's also a DVD player in each room. HAL is wonderful. :)

[Deb C.]

Do you get those canvas bags on every cruise no matter if it is your 1st or 21st?

 

How big are the tiles? Are they like small pins or what?

 

My last HAL cruise was in 1991 so I don't remember.

 

Thanks for your help! Deb C. :cool:

[elmorejj]

Deb, I know we are on the same cruise, yes you will get a canvas tote bag, usually the day before your first port. The tiles are about 4x4, cork backed and will have a pic of one of the Veendam ships on it...........jean :cool:

 

 

go bucks!!

[Deb C.]

Thanks, Jean! What is a good use for the tiles? Anything creative anyone has come up with?

 

I'll ask another question: Are the onboard credit cards the same as your cabin key? Or will there be a separate cabin key?

 

GO BUCKS!! :D I have tickets for Sat. game with Iowa, but my brother and his wife will be going.

[csg99]

Thanks, Jean! What is a good use for the tiles? Anything creative anyone has come up with?

 

I'll ask another question: Are the onboard credit cards the same as your cabin key? Or will there be a separate cabin key?

 

GO BUCKS!! :D I have tickets for Sat. game with Iowa, but my brother and his wife will be going.

 

I actually started a thread about the tiles recently...some use them for coasters, some for display...they're really nice.

 

Your cabin key is also your "sail and sign" card.

[Deb C.]

Thanks csg99 for your answers!I'll look for your other postings on the tiles!:) Deb C.

[elmorejj]

The last time we were on the Veendam we had 2 cards, one for S&S and a separate door card. This could have changed, maybe someone who has cruised more recently on her can answer this.......jean :cool: