Amsterdam

[BuddyBee]

Thank you for posting your journey.  We are taking this cruise in September and will enjoy an inside perspective.

[lindaler]

Thank you for turning the program. Yesterday was funny watching me try to read it. Every time I turned my phone it would go back to the sideways.  Question: any service dogs on your trip? Have you seen the relief station and where? Picture please if there is one. Thanks.

 

[zelker]

16 minutes ago, lindaler said:

Thank you for turning the program. Yesterday was funny watching me try to read it. Every time I turned my phone it would go back to the sideways.  Question: any service dogs on your trip? Have you seen the relief station and where? Picture please if there is one. Thanks.

 

They're usually (always?) on the Promenade deck, clear forward towards the bow on one side or the other.  

 

Assume you've already talked to HAL about bring your pupper onboard but in case not, this is from the FAQ section on HAL's site:  

 

PETS With the exception of qualified service animals for guests with disabilities, animals or pets are not allowed on board our ships. If you plan to bring a service animal, you must call our Access & Compliance Department. (For contact information, please see page 9.) You will need to provide health certificate documentation for the animal in your ports of call. Please Note: Your itinerary may include ports of call that have very specific and strict requirements that need to be met prior to your service animal being allowed off the ship. Please be sure you understand the requirements for a service animal to disembark in each port of call. The best places to obtain specific information on required documentation and immunizations for your service animal are the U.S. Department of Agriculture, local customs offices in the specific ports and your service animal’s veterinarian. All documentation and immunization requirements are established by government authorities and not by Holland America Line. 

 

[lindaler]

We done the sr1 and the follow ups. The health forms must be done thirty days or less from leaving so those need to be sent on. The headquarters said the absorbent material and size varies by ship. 

[cruisingrob21]

Thank you for sharing.  Will be on the "one off" 7 day Amsterdam journey next month stopping in Skagway.

[65 Gator]

A cool and cloudy day in Ketchikan.  Two ships here and is a little crowded.  They are doing lots of roadwork along the waterfront so traffic is a bit congested.  Haven't seen a crossing guard in years but they are here today.

 

I regret that the service in the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast was really poor.  One out of three orders wrong.  First cup of coffee was lukewarm and second not offered until just before we were ready to leave.  Did not serve muffins or croissants until we were almost through meal and could not get the attention of wait staff.  VERY unusual for the PG.  Will try again tomorrow...

 

Wonderful service and food in the MDR last night.  Was surprised that the Yum-Yum man was not here either night and no chimes to start service at the 5:00 seating.  Will ask about that tonight.

 

We still love the Amsterdam and this itinerary.  More later...

[lindaler]

5 hours ago, lindaler said:

 

 

 

Edited June 5, 2019 by lindaler

[lindaler]

 

5 hours ago, zelker said:

 

Assume you've already talked to HAL about bring your pupper onboard but in case not, this is from the FAQ section on HAL's site: If you plan to bring a service animal, you must call our Access & Compliance Department. (For contact information, please see page 9.) You will need to provide health certificate documentation for the animal in your ports of call.

 

We've done the SR! ,the SAI and the follow ups. Sent in all her records. And got the ok today from HAL. The health forms must be done thirty days or less from leaving so those need to be sent on later. Today they wanted to know what kind of relief area she wanted. (sorry for the extra post, I tried to fix the last one and it got mixed up. Guess that's part of getting old)

I am getting excited now that we have cleared that hurdle. Looking forward to what's for dinner tonight when Rich gets a chance to post. 

[richwmn]

 

6 hours ago, lindaler said:

Question: any service dogs on your trip? Have you seen the relief station and where? Picture please if there is one. Thanks.

Earlier I took a lap around the Promenade Deck, specifically looking for a "relief area" and didn't find one. If there were a service dog aboard it would most likely be in one of two places, both of which were empty. So, sorry I can't help you with the location or type of relief area.

 

I had a nice day in Ketchikan today. Photos can be found at Ketchikan Pictures

 

tonight's menu is attached

05JuneDinner.pdf

Edited June 5, 2019 by richwmn

[lindaler]

Thank you for checking on the relief area. Now to drool over the menu. 

[zelker]

1 hour ago, 65 Gator said:

A cool and cloudy day in Ketchikan.  Two ships here and is a little crowded.  They are doing lots of roadwork along the waterfront so traffic is a bit congested.  Haven't seen a crossing guard in years but they are here today.

 

I regret that the service in the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast was really poor.  One out of three orders wrong.  First cup of coffee was lukewarm and second not offered until just before we were ready to leave.  Did not serve muffins or croissants until we were almost through meal and could not get the attention of wait staff.  VERY unusual for the PG.  Will try again tomorrow...

 

Wonderful service and food in the MDR last night.  Was surprised that the Yum-Yum man was not here either night and no chimes to start service at the 5:00 seating.  Will ask about that tonight.

 

We still love the Amsterdam and this itinerary.  More later...

Yum-Yum Man seemed to be hit or miss on our last two cruises - suspect his services were needed elsewhere during dinner rush?  Hope the PG breakfast service improves but sorry to say we’ve run into that on other ships, too.  Thanks for the info on the road construction in Ketchikan. Hope the weather improves tomorrow.

[erewhon]

 

2 hours ago, 65 Gator said:

 

I regret that the service in the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast was really poor.  One out of three orders wrong.  First cup of coffee was lukewarm and second not offered until just before we were ready to leave.  Did not serve muffins or croissants until we were almost through meal and could not get the attention of wait staff.  VERY unusual for the PG.  Will try again tomorrow...

 

 

 

 

Hope the breakfast  service in the Pinnacle Grill  improves for you.

[zelker]

Rich -

 

Assuming you bought the internet package for the full duration of the cruise,  do you remember how much they charged? (for the middle level)

 

Thanks!

[richwmn]

1 minute ago, zelker said:

Rich -

 

Assuming you bought the internet package for the full duration of the cruise,  do you remember how much they charged? (for the middle level)

 

Thanks!

The chart I posted several months ago, and has been copied many times seems to still be correct. I bought the middle tier for the entire cruse on the first day and it was $169.99. The premium package was $219.99

[zelker]

That's what we paid in December, too. Was totally expecting they'd raise it by now.  Thanks for confirming the price.  👍

 

PS - found your earlier (February) post with the chart … it stops at 31 days.  By any chance do you how they will calculate the rate on a 40 day Collector?

Edited June 6, 2019 by zelker

[cruises42]

4 hours ago, 65 Gator said:

A cool and cloudy day in Ketchikan.  Two ships here and is a little crowded.  They are doing lots of roadwork along the waterfront so traffic is a bit congested.  Haven't seen a crossing guard in years but they are here today.

 

I regret that the service in the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast was really poor.  One out of three orders wrong.  First cup of coffee was lukewarm and second not offered until just before we were ready to leave.  Did not serve muffins or croissants until we were almost through meal and could not get the attention of wait staff.  VERY unusual for the PG.  Will try again tomorrow...

 

Wonderful service and food in the MDR last night.  Was surprised that the Yum-Yum man was not here either night and no chimes to start service at the 5:00 seating.  Will ask about that tonight.

 

We still love the Amsterdam and this itinerary.  More later...

Is the Pinnacle Grill breakfast free?

[richwmn]

30 minutes ago, zelker said:

That's what we paid in December, too. Was totally expecting they'd raise it by now.  Thanks for confirming the price.  👍

 

PS - found your earlier (February) post with the chart … it stops at 31 days.  By any chance do you how they will calculate the rate on a 40 day Collector?

The longest package they sell is 31 days. For longer cruise, at least for the VoV last summer, you bought the 31 day package then added the 7 day package when it ended. Or you could wait a couple of days and buy the 31 day package, then do without for the last few days.

[richwmn]

Since we don't have the upgraded entertainment system I thought I might mention the movies now showing on the TV.

Last night one of the 3 choices was Blended, with Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore.

Tonight:

Ch 35: Ant Man and the Wasp

Ch 36: A Medea Family Funeral

Ch 37: The Miracle (Last night's feature in the Wajang Theater)

[65 Gator]

11 minutes ago, cruises42 said:

Is the Pinnacle Grill breakfast free?

Pinnacle Grill breakfast is for guests staying in Neptune Suites and is free.

[richwmn]

Good Morning,
Today Amsterdam Cruises Tracy Arm
Entertainment tonight:
Ocean Bar:
Ocean Trio has 4 sets today, 4:30, 6:00, 7:45, 9:45
Piano Bar:
Wally B entertains from 8:45 till closing
Explorers's Lounge:
Adagio performs at 3:00, 6:30, 7:30, and 8:30
Main Stage:
Bengt Washburn, Comedy
Movie:
A Dog's Way Home
Today's movies on the TV
Ch35: Captain Marvel
Ch36: Airplane!
Ch37: 55 Steps

Happy Hour:
4:00 - 5:00 in the Ocean Bar and Crow's Nest, 10:00 - 11:00 in the Crow's Nest
over the course of the day - Scattagories, Pickleball, Ping Pong, Party
Bridge, Mahjong and more

Edited June 6, 2019 by richwmn

[zelker]

Enjoy Tracy Arm!  And will be curious to hear how close the ship was able to get (hopefully enough ice has melted that she could get in quite aways) and also what wildlife you saw. 

 

PS - I give up … is that a squid?  a scorpion?  LOL

 

Edited June 6, 2019 by zelker

[richwmn]

Pictures of Public Spaces from Deck 5 this morning

Art Gallery

 

Atrium Seating Deck 5

Casino

Casino Bar

Explorers Lounge

Future Cruise Consultant

Main Stage from Deck 5

Ocean Bar

Piano Bar

Edited June 6, 2019 by richwmn

[Sir PMP]

18 hours ago, richwmn said:

 

Earlier I took a lap around the Promenade Deck, specifically looking for a "relief area" and didn't find one. If there were a service dog aboard it would most likely be in one of two places, both of which were empty. So, sorry I can't help you with the location or type of relief area.

 

I had a nice day in Ketchikan today. Photos can be found at Ketchikan Pictures

 

tonight's menu is attached

05JuneDinner.pdf 41.87 kB · 44 downloads

The 'relief' area is not on the promenade, it's all the way aft on main or dolphin next to the stairs...

[richwmn]

On 6/5/2019 at 8:36 AM, zelker said:

They're usually (always?) on the Promenade deck, clear forward towards the bow on one side or the other.  

 

6 minutes ago, Sir PMP said:

The 'relief' area is not on the promenade, it's all the way aft on main or dolphin next to the stairs...

The only one I have ever seen, on a Vista Class Ship, was on the Promenade Deck. Maybe @Copper10-8 can clarify where it would be

[Copper10-8]

7 minutes ago, richwmn said:

 

The only one I have ever seen, on a Vista Class Ship, was on the Promenade Deck. Maybe @Copper10-8 can clarify where it would be

 

Prom/LP Deck aft