What are your favorite things ( preferably recent ) about HAL ?

[scubacruiserx2]

We love dining at the Tamarind  and dinner with these ladies and this gentleman always brought a smile to our faces .  And we love the variety and taste of the food but the service was always off the charts good .

 

 

 

 

 

Shrimp crackers and dips

 

 

Satay Sampler for her and she liked the pork the best

 

 

Tom Kha Kai chicken soup for me - loved it

 

 

Crispy Duck main course for her - loved it

 

 

Red Panang Curry for me - very good but a just little too spicy for me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And we heard a quite Happy Birthday

 

 

They weren't so quite for Tyler as they brought the group when we sang to him

 

Mango Posset for her - loved it

 

 

Lemon Basel/Yuzu/Lychee Sorbets for me - loved it

 

 

Everything was half price as we are 4 star Mariners

[YourWorldWithBill]

18 hours ago, Judy795 said:

I booked a 21 night cruise on the Rotterdam through Norway next June.I booked it specifically for the itinerary.   It will be our second HAL cruise, the first since the pandemic and the first since 2018 to Alaska. 

We cruised Alaska on an older ship, the Noordam, and then Norway on the Rotterdam. We noticed a difference in many aspects of the cruise, especially food. So, good luck. We dined in the separate Club Orange dining room, which was one more thing that made a difference. 

[Ken the cruiser]

2 hours ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

We cruised Alaska on an older ship, the Noordam, and then Norway on the Rotterdam. We noticed a difference in many aspects of the cruise, especially food. So, good luck. We dined in the separate Club Orange dining room, which was one more thing that made a difference. 

We’ve been away from HAL for about 4+ years and are curious as to why the separate Club Orange dining room on the Rotterdam made a difference for you since you only get one additional menu item? We’re thinking if we get an early fixed seating table for 2 in the MDR which allows us to simply walk to our table when it opens every night, what’s the advantage, if I might ask, with the CO dining room? I can see the advantage of the CO cabin category upgrade perk, but not quite sure what the extra perk is for the separate dining room. For example, are the tables set farther apart than they are in the MDR?

[YourWorldWithBill]

50 minutes ago, Ken the cruiser said:

We’ve been away from HAL for about 4+ years and are curious as to why the separate Club Orange dining room on the Rotterdam made a difference for you since you only get one additional menu item?

Good question. I've been trying to think of the most practical aspect, which I'll add; but I really think part of it is just atmosphere. The CO dining room on Rotterdam is a really nice room, and I've heard that it's a bit nicer than on the other Pinnacle class ships. The room is staffed by the same people each night, so they all get to know you, and even the maître de takes some time to attend to tables if there's time. It's true that in the MDR you have the same waiters who get to know you, but I also found out that the wait staff in the CO are chosen for that, and they're all really good.

Is it worth extra $? As you said, it's really the cabin upgrade that makes the whole thing worth it, but this is maybe just a nice added perk that I enjoyed more than I thought I would. 

Never feels crowded, since you mentioned that; you're not really surrounded by other tables.

[Ken the cruiser]

28 minutes ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

Good question. I've been trying to think of the most practical aspect, which I'll add; but I really think part of it is just atmosphere. The CO dining room on Rotterdam is a really nice room, and I've heard that it's a bit nicer than on the other Pinnacle class ships. The room is staffed by the same people each night, so they all get to know you, and even the maître de takes some time to attend to tables if there's time. It's true that in the MDR you have the same waiters who get to know you, but I also found out that the wait staff in the CO are chosen for that, and they're all really good.

Is it worth extra $? As you said, it's really the cabin upgrade that makes the whole thing worth it, but this is maybe just a nice added perk that I enjoyed more than I thought I would. 

Never feels crowded, since you mentioned that; you're not really surrounded by other tables.

Thanks for that. Your thoughts pretty much coincide with why we book as a minimum a Reserve Collection (formerly Club Class) mini suite when we book a PCL cruise so we can dine in the Reserve Dining Room. We’ll definitely give more thought to purchasing the CO package when we have the opportunity to book one of HAL’s awesome itineraries on a Pinnacle class ship. Thanks again! 😁

Edited September 16, 2023 by Ken the cruiser

[scubacruiserx2]

On 9/14/2023 at 10:54 PM, Judy795 said:

I booked a 21 night cruise on the Rotterdam through Norway next June.I booked it specifically for the itinerary.   It will be our second HAL cruise, the first since the pandemic and the first since 2018 to Alaska. Our previous cruises were only on small ships (650-1000 passengers).
I had very high expectations for the Alaska cruise because my good friends did over 20 cruises with HAL from 2000-2012 and raved about them. 
Most of the Alaska cruise (12 nights) was a big disappointment in terms of food quality, entertainment, and the mobs of people who joined this cruise. I had been to Alaska several times before, we were with friends, and we made the best of it. 
I have read good things now about the Rotterdam, and again I have high expectations. I know there is a difference between a very small ship and a midsize ship. I just hope it won’t be a replay of Alaska. I don’t think so. It’s not an itinerary children would like, and it’s just focused on all thing’s Nordic. 

 

 Congratulations on your HAL trip to Norway . We love Norway and have our 5th trip booked to them in August on the Rotterdam's sister ship which is not our favorite class ship . We did find several things that we liked on that ship on our last cruise on her . We did book a 21 day cruise on the Nieuw Statendam in August but have found a cruise that we like better on NCL that also goes to Iceland , so we may cancel the HAL . We noticed that you visit Alesund a couple of times . We did do a couple of trips from there that you might enjoy . In 2013 we went to Trollstigen with another couple that we met on CC . It was a beautiful drive and has 11 hairpin turns . The waterfall that we passed falls 1000'

 

 

 

In 2019 we booked a guide for a drive to Geiranger . It included tunnels ,

 

 

 

another 11 hairpin turn ride to get into the town 

 

 

 

and a ferryboat ride past several iconic waterfalls .

 

 

 

The Suitor waterfall is on one side of the fjord and you can see our view from the ferry .

 

 

 

On the other side is the 7 sisters that the water falls 1350'

 

 

 

A fjord video clip

 

 

 

We were drinking in the views while enjoying a delicious picnic lunch of Norwegian food that our guide had prepared . We noticed that many people were busy with their cell phones rather than enjoying or photographing the view . You can see a lot more here at our thread beginning with post # 278 .

 

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

We do enjoy days at sea if we're returning to recent previous ports and the guys at the Retreat promised us a special lunch .

 

 

 

We were enjoying a nice , calm sunny day at sea en route to HMC . Lobster tail in for lunch  the Caribbean is always nice on HAL , something that we all enjoyed .

 

 

 

The Disney Wish

 

 

[scubacruiserx2]

We don't usually eat in the MDR but we had seen a friend on shore who we usually saw in the Pinnacle for breakfast - which is our favorite place for breakfast . He invited us to dinner in the MDR on Gala night with Tyler but we did met his new partner and ate there with them before Ty got on the ship . Joel's partner is named Ulysses and had graduated from a fashion school before joining HAL . He had shown us some amazing dresses that he had designed in school in his portfolio .

The Gala night was the night before HMC - a place that Ty had never seen before . Dinner was amazing and Ulysses had designed a dress and made a drawing for Pat . It is beautiful but is probably more suited to Tyler's mom who was getting married in June . Tyler's dad past away when he was in High school and she had dated her future husband for more than a year so his design was in line with what one of our daughters might be able to wear . We never cease to be amazed at the talented and caring people that HAL employs .

 

 

 

 

 

 

Edited September 18, 2023 by scubacruiserx2

[mexico8]

On 9/15/2023 at 11:18 AM, scubacruiserx2 said:

We love dining at the Tamarind  and dinner with these ladies and this gentleman always brought a smile to our faces .  And we love the variety and taste of the food but the service was always off the charts good .

 

 

 

 

 

Shrimp crackers and dips

 

 

Satay Sampler for her and she liked the pork the best

 

 

Tom Kha Kai chicken soup for me - loved it

 

 

Crispy Duck main course for her - loved it

 

 

Red Panang Curry for me - very good but a just little too spicy for me

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

And we heard a quite Happy Birthday

 

 

They weren't so quite for Tyler as they brought the group when we sang to him

 

Mango Posset for her - loved it

 

 

Lemon Basel/Yuzu/Lychee Sorbets for me - loved it

 

 

Everything was half price as we are 4 star Mariners

Great pictures from the Tamarind dinner.  We will be on the Oosterdam next month and I will definitely try this place.   Looks really good.  Thank you.

[crystalspin]

7 hours ago, mexico8 said:

Great pictures from the Tamarind dinner.  We will be on the Oosterdam next month and I will definitely try this place.

You will not find the Tamarind on the Oosterdam. Only on the Signature and Pinnacle class ships. Oosterdam is a Vista class ship. 

[FlaMariner]

8 hours ago, crystalspin said:

You will not find the Tamarind on the Oosterdam. Only on the Signature and Pinnacle class ships. Oosterdam is a Vista class ship. 

 

But do look for a pop up night for Tamarind in the Canaletto restaurant and you should book it!.....We are on the Westerdam soon and even though the Westerdam does not have Tamarind, there are two nights available to book "Tamarind" in the Canaletto restaurant.

 

Enjoy the journey!

 

(Disclosure:  Views expressed are my thoughts, opinions and suggestions based on my experience traveling.  My apology if I have written anything offensive.  Not my intention.)

[mcrcruiser]

We love all the apecialty restaurants & our 3 Star Mariner discountv  . We are almost 4 star Mariner & then we get the free clthing washes .  Getting more use to no broadway sty;e plays & finding the other enterrainment   more than sufficient 😀

[crystalspin]

4 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

But do look for a pop up night for Tamarind in the Canaletto restaurant and you should book it!.....We are on the Westerdam soon and even though the Westerdam does not have Tamarind, there are two nights available to book "Tamarind" in the Canaletto restaurant.

Ooh, I had not heard of Tamarind pop-up on Vista ships! We are booked on Zuiderdam AND Oosterdam next year, for long cruises even. Lots of nights for a pop-up!

[mexico8]

6 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

 

But do look for a pop up night for Tamarind in the Canaletto restaurant and you should book it!.....We are on the Westerdam soon and even though the Westerdam does not have Tamarind, there are two nights available to book "Tamarind" in the Canaletto restaurant.

 

Enjoy the journey!

 

(Disclosure:  Views expressed are my thoughts, opinions and suggestions based on my experience traveling.  My apology if I have written anything offensive.  Not my intention.)

God to know and I will watch for that and try it.  Thank you.

[mexico8]

5 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

We love all the apecialty restaurants & our 3 Star Mariner discountv  . We are almost 4 star Mariner & then we get the free clthing washes .  Getting more use to no broadway sty;e plays & finding the other enterrainment   more than sufficient 😀

5 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

We love all the apecialty restaurants & our 3 Star Mariner discountv  . We are almost 4 star Mariner & then we get the free clthing washes .  Getting more use to no broadway sty;e plays & finding the other enterrainment   more than sufficient 😀

Having the free laundry is great.  They do a good job of the laundry and it's so nice to get the clothing back and clean and folded.  Didn't have any problems ad the service was wonderful.

14 hours ago, crystalspin said:

You will not find the Tamarind on the Oosterdam. Only on the Signature and Pinnacle class ships. Oosterdam is a Vista class ship. 

Okay - thanks (I think)....

[scubacruiserx2]

On 9/20/2023 at 10:07 AM, FlaMariner said:

 

But do look for a pop up night for Tamarind in the Canaletto restaurant and you should book it!.....We are on the Westerdam soon and even though the Westerdam does not have Tamarind, there are two nights available to book "Tamarind" in the Canaletto restaurant.

 

Enjoy the journey!

 

(Disclosure:  Views expressed are my thoughts, opinions and suggestions based on my experience traveling.  My apology if I have written anything offensive.  Not my intention.)

 

Have you or anybody else done a pop up Tamarind on a Vista Class ship ? Is it offered under Make Dining Reservations on your cruise ? We had suggested several years ago BC ( Before Covid ) that Vista Class ships like the Zuiderdam have a pop up Tamarind on the longer cruises and the idea was pooh - poohed by several of the contrarians on our thread . The trend seems to be going the other way which was to cancel pop up restaurants like Rudi's in the Pinnacle . We attended the last Rudi's on the Nieuw Amsterdam and it , to the best of our knowledge , has been cancelled .

 We hope that Pop up Tamarinds are the future of HAL since our favorite cabin and balcony were on the Zuiderdam on 3 long cruises  .

[scubacruiserx2]

We're kinda spoiled where we live for beaches . It's about an hour but we have a number of decent , uncrowded beaches , surfing and good SCUBA and some decent snorkeling . The sand and water color and clarity on HMC is very good but there's much move to see on the reefs and in the Gulf Stream current here where we live . Since it was our grandson's first visit to HMC we thought that he would like to see it ( we rarely go ashore here ) . We rented a clamshell here for the first time and took the first tender there . The Nieuw Statendam was right behind us .

 

 

 

As soon as we got off we made a beeline to the rental place before it got too busy

 

 

 

The water was warm and clear and Pat and Tyler wanted to snorkel . I just took photos and guarded the clam shell as people were checking ours out and asking a lot of questions about it .

 

[scubacruiserx2]

This was the first time that we ever rented anything on HMC and we would advise to book in advance or go early . Some people moved into the shell next to us and got removed because they thought that they were free . About 10:30 it got really busy and we heard that they had over sold the clam shells and people who had paid in advance found that none were left .

 

Room for 2

 

 

Nieuw Amsterdam on the rocks

 

 

 Pat and Tyler snorkeling for fish near the buoys . They found  a lady that was feeding some fish and a turtle also near the hut on the pier .

 

 

The sisters of HMC

 

 

Getting too crowded for us

 

 

A fair number of people keep bugging us about our shell and if we were leaving . Pat did meet a couple of ladies from the other ship who had paid and got no shell . They seemed to be very nice so we asked at the rental area if we could leave them the shell and  she said OK so we waited until they got settled in before we left at about 11 AM .

Edited September 25, 2023 by scubacruiserx2

[scubacruiserx2]

We really like that HAL uses the open top local tenders instead of their cramped enclosed lifeboats .

 

 

 

As we approached the Nieuw Amsterdam to board we noticed a slightly crowded tender ahead of us which surprised us .

 

 

 

As it turned out one of the passengers got on the wrong tender and they dropped him off  first before returning to the Nieuw Statendam further away . 

 Maybe a case of one too many dam Nieuw ships or a little too much sun  😎

Edited September 27, 2023 by scubacruiserx2

[scubacruiserx2]

 

We loved dinner at the Canaletto where it was Osso Bucco night .

 

 

Meatballs with plain pasta