BTimmer's Almost Live from the Rotterdam 11/21/21-12/1/21

[canadianbear]

3 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

Yes, we liked the quaintness very much.

 

For snorkeling trips, we found a private spot at HMC, used HAL in Amber Cove & Curaçao, and an independent in Bonaire. Bonaire was the best.

How was the snorkeling at Amber Cove?  We’ve been there but never took any excursion but may be an option next time.  
 

Did you use Woodwind in Bonaire? If not do you mind saying who you used?  We are always willing to try new snorkel companies.  

[Btimmer]

11 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

How was the snorkeling at Amber Cove?  We’ve been there but never took any excursion but may be an option next time.  
 

Did you use Woodwind in Bonaire? If not do you mind saying who you used?  We are always willing to try new snorkel companies.  

Amber Cove was the worst as the water was very murky.

 

in Bonaire I used Viator and we ended up with a lady guide for the two of us.  It's was $75 each through Viator.  We spent an hour in the water south of the salt dock with the tour titled "South Island Tour & Snorkel".  I'll have some video & stills loaded tomorrow.

[AnnieBelle]

1 hour ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

The 11 night itinerary goes to different ports than this sailing, unless there is a different version than the one I'm sailing on Wednesday. We have ports where you cannot go out on your own, such as Dominica (substituted for Martinique, which is not allowing cruise ships) and I think St. Kitts.

Yes, I was notified that Dominica was subbed for Martinique. Sounds like we will have the same itinerary. I’ll be interested to know what we can do on our own at the different ports.

[canadarocks]

Is it the protesting that's going on in Martinique that caused the suspension in stops there?

Edited November 29, 2021 by canadarocks

[canadianbear]

55 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

Amber Cove was the worst as the water was very murky.

 

in Bonaire I used Viator and we ended up with a lady guide for the two of us.  It's was $75 each through Viator.  We spent an hour in the water south of the salt dock with the tour titled "South Island Tour & Snorkel".  I'll have some video & stills loaded tomorrow.

Thanks…will avoid snorkel at Amber Cove and just relax at their pool.  
 

If/when you go to Bonaire again highly recommend Woodwind.  
 

Looking forward to your photos & video. 
 

We got some great photos a few years back in Curacao of turtles.  There were so many! 
 

 

Edited November 29, 2021 by canadianbear

[Btimmer]

In Bonaire there's a small beach just to the south of the terminal pier and more snorkeling just north of the small downtown and port  area.  The big issue, though, is security of your possessions while snorkeling.

 

I'll keep Woodwind in mind for a future visit.

 

All this being said about Caribbean snorkeling, I found snorkeling in Morea to be the best I've ever experienced in terms of varieties of colors of fish.

[Btimmer]

2 hours ago, MisterBill99 said:

Can you tell me if there is a Chanukah event on the schedule each night (it began tonight)? Many years ago when we were on Celebrity over the holiday, they had something each night and actually had holiday food, which was nice. It was very well attended.

As an update, I see in the schedule for tomorrow, Monday, and Tuesday that there is a Hanukkah event (Candle Lighting) in the Stuyvesant Room.

[MisterBill99]

12 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

As an update, I see in the schedule for tomorrow, Monday, and Tuesday that there is a Hanukkah event (Candle Lighting) in the Stuyvesant Room.

 

Thanks -- that is great news! What time is it scheduled for? Trying to figure out if I need to change my MDR dinner reservations for the first few days.

Edited November 29, 2021 by MisterBill99

[canadianbear]

35 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

In Bonaire there's a small beach just to the south of the terminal pier and more snorkeling just north of the small downtown and port  area.  The big issue, though, is security of your possessions while snorkeling.

 

I'll keep Woodwind in mind for a future visit.

 

All this being said about Caribbean snorkeling, I found snorkeling in Morea to be the best I've ever experienced in terms of varieties of colors of fish.

Oh that’s great to hear!  We are excited to be booked on HAL for the South Pacific next year & booked a private tour for 4 of us to snorkel in Moorea. 

[rkacruiser]

21 hours ago, Btimmer said:

As an update, I see in the schedule for tomorrow, Monday, and Tuesday that there is a Hanukkah event (Candle Lighting) in the Stuyvesant Room.

 

That has been my experience as well when I have sailed during Hanukkah.  There are events to honor the holiday scheduled throughout the cruise.  A Menorah is always prominently displayed with its lights lighted day by day.  

[Lido deck main]

Tim, 

Are the slot machines still in the Ocean Bar or are they gone.  If they are still there hoping you can ask if they will be there permanently.  (Not a fan of them there).

Thank you.

[Btimmer]

3 minutes ago, Lido deck main said:

Tim, 

Are the slot machines still in the Ocean Bar or are they gone.  If they are still there hoping you can ask if they will be there permanently.  (Not a fan of them there).

Thank you.

Yes there's a separate couple banks of them there.  I doubt that will change and doubt whether anyone would tell me they would be going away.  I'll ask the question if the situation presents itself.

[Btimmer]

Throughout the cruise there has been increasing mention of wearing masks at all times except when eating and drinking.  I've heard no mention of COVID being on board.

 

As a comparison, on our 3 week cruise in October, there was little mention of masking.

[Lido deck main]

39 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

Yes there's a separate couple banks of them there.  I doubt that will change and doubt whether anyone would tell me they would be going away.  I'll ask the question if the situation presents itself.

Thank you

[MisterBill99]

1 hour ago, Lido deck main said:

Tim, 

Are the slot machines still in the Ocean Bar or are they gone.  If they are still there hoping you can ask if they will be there permanently.  (Not a fan of them there).

Thank you.

 

Well, there is a slot tournament next week with several hundred participants, so I'm sure they'll still be around then. I only gamble when they put free money on my card, but having slot machines in a non-smoking area would be great (yes, I know the casino is smoke-free one day a week).

[Btimmer]

3 minutes ago, MisterBill99 said:

 

Well, there is a slot tournament next week with several hundred participants, so I'm sure they'll still be around then. I only gamble when they put free money on my card, but having slot machines in a non-smoking area would be great (yes, I know the casino is smoke-free one day a week).

The residual smoke smell in the casino is so bad we go out of our way to avoid it.  It's definitely been very busy on both the cruises we have taken in the past month.

[MisterBill99]

32 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

The residual smoke smell in the casino is so bad we go out of our way to avoid it.  It's definitely been very busy on both the cruises we have taken in the past month.

 

One positive thing about wearing a mask on the ship is that it helps avoid smoke in the casino.

[Galley Slave]

1 hour ago, Btimmer said:

Throughout the cruise there has been increasing mention of wearing masks at all times except when eating and drinking.  I've heard no mention of COVID being on board.

 

As a comparison, on our 3 week cruise in October, there was little mention of masking.

 

The ship is in Code Yellow with the CDC, which means there are cases among passengers and crew.  This could be why they are making announcements to wear your masks.

[MisterBill99]

1 minute ago, Galley Slave said:

 

The ship is in Code Yellow with the CDC, which means there are cases among passengers and crew.  This could be why they are making announcements to wear your masks.

 

But apparently it can also mean that they have not received reports, according to a FB discussion. I would think that the announcements are related to the new Omicron strain from South Africa that is in the news.

Edited November 30, 2021 by MisterBill99

[jeh10641]

Good to know about the Menorah lighting. Looking forward to seeing and participating (a little bit).

 

Jim

[Btimmer]

As we come to the end of the cruise, I need to note I've had a number of billing issues with our onboard account.  And this is the first time in many cruises that this has been a major issue.  It seems to revolve around having 5 star status and using the Have It All promotion. We were charged for every specialty restaurant dinner when all were free. I also had an onboard credit which didn't didn't get added to a future cruise booking.  While each have been corrected, they take time to resolve.  So a word to the wise:  keep an eye on your statement using the Navigator app.

[canadianbear]

2 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

As we come to the end of the cruise, I need to note I've had a number of billing issues with our onboard account.  And this is the first time in many cruises that this has been a major issue.  It seems to revolve around having 5 star status and using the Have It All promotion. We were charged for every specialty restaurant dinner when all were free. I also had an onboard credit which didn't didn't get added to a future cruise booking.  While each have been corrected, they take time to resolve.  So a word to the wise:  keep an eye on your statement using the Navigator app.

It is always very annoying having to waste your time trying to get the errors sorted out.  Glad yours are resolved.  
 

Have enjoyed your thread and photos.  

[Btimmer]

 

Some random pictures

 

 

last night's dinner location 

 

sunset 2 days ago

Towel animals were back on this cruise

 

A Bonaire flamingo

 

Wind Star sailing ship off Bonaire

[Geerts]

Hi all,

 

I am on this cruise as well and I can conclude it is my best experience out of 5 HAL cruises: beautiful new ship, excellent friendly and especially ‘we can do for you’ service by a highly motivated crew and great entertainment. Just to give one example: I had a special request for dinner (asked to  combine ingredients of 2 different dishes and this was done with a smile) and crew members doremember your fav drinks in all bars. It is especially the entertainment that makes a real difference. BB King is performing great by their top singer Frankie Mincey and his great band, the excellent Cantare singers (at the level of Il Divo) and the One Step Dance company with 4 different high quality shows. Nice to see and experience wasalso that the BB King singers participated in the One Step Dance shows (same with Billboard), so the different entertainers on this cruise work togethers, Food in Main Dining Room was very good and Pinaccle Grill was excellent. I am just disappointed in Cpt Bas Van Dreumel. His announcements are limited to paper written announcements of weather and ship positioning… nothing else. Very cold, dry and sterile and this on the flag ship of the fleet. HAL has great captains with lovely communication skills, Cpt Van Dreumel is below standard… What a difference, for example, with the other Rotterdam Cpt Werner Timmers. CptVan Dreumelyou have to improve on this as Cpt of the flagship.

[Btimmer]

I concur with the Captain's sterility.  He even thanked everyone today at the noon announcement for sailing on an 11 day cruise when we were on a 10 day cruise.

 

Yes, the crew is super friendly and glad to be back at work.  I'd sure be interested in knowing what happened to the couple left behind in Bonaire.

 

Edited November 30, 2021 by Btimmer