superstein61 Posted July 7, 2004 #26 Share Posted July 7, 2004 Reason: ..."Mommy, why is my middle name 'Sky'?" . LOL Tom Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Little Feet Posted July 8, 2004 #27 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Being at sea during a Meteor Shower.......just fantastic to view from the highest forward deck. It is dark indeed, and the best place to stretch out and count the meteors! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevNeal Posted July 8, 2004 #28 Share Posted July 8, 2004 No one's mentioned the Java Cafe yet Ah, yes ... coffee and popcorn at the movies! I'd never done that before ... until I went on a HAL cruise. I usually get a coke for the movie -- and, of course, popcorn -- but once they had actually run out of coke but they had coffee ... so ... what the heck!!?? :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ore-ee-gun Posted July 8, 2004 #29 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Hot cocoa with REAL whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles at the Java Cafe. Watching the ocean from the Explorer's Lounge (tea is served here every afternoon at 3:30). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevNeal Posted July 8, 2004 #30 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Here's a secret no one has mentioned yet. Access to the bow-deck. On an S-class ship you go forward on the lower promenade deck, to where you can cross over from one side of the ship to the other (port to starboard, or visa versa). There are two closet like chambers, glass walled, with doors facing inward. Open the door on one of them and climb the stairs you'll find inside. Those stairs will lead you up one deck, then turn and -- if the door isn't open -- push the water-tight door open and step through (carefully) and out onto the forward bow deck. Here's a deck plan showing where to access it: ^^^ On an R-class ship you go forward on the lower promenade deck, to where you can cross over from one side of the ship to the other (port to starboard, or visa versa). Facing forward there's a set of double doors on port and starboard. No signs. Open either and climb the stairs you'll find right in front of you. Turn and push open the water tight door and step (carefully) out onto the forward bow deck. This deck is one of my favorite places on the ship ... it's especially a great place for Alaska. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tatka Posted July 8, 2004 #31 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Is there fruit bowl in every cabin now? Nice touch. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thoth Posted July 8, 2004 #32 Share Posted July 8, 2004 The Sky Deck, at night, is a good make-out spot, as there seldom is anyone there -- and, if there is, it's too dark to see what's going on. It gets COLD and windy up there in Alaska after dark. Could cause problems? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
like2cruise Posted July 8, 2004 #33 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Hot cocoa with REAL whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles at the Java Cafe. Is the hot chocolate complimentary? I love walking the deck sipping hot cocoa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ore-ee-gun Posted July 8, 2004 #34 Share Posted July 8, 2004 [quote name=like2cruise Is the hot chocolate complimentary? I love walking the deck sipping hot cocoa.[/quote] Yes, it is. And very tasty, even though they make it from a powdered mix. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mattR Posted July 8, 2004 #35 Share Posted July 8, 2004 I've heard tote bags in rooms? Someone mentioned flowers is that only in suites or all cabins? Is the bow accessible on the Zuiderdam? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomc Posted July 8, 2004 #36 Share Posted July 8, 2004 revneal-- I used to go out there all the time when the doors were open. But not when they were closed. I never thought to notice if there was a chance that the deckhands could close and lock the doors, thus stranding me out there until the morning. Can those doors be unlocked from the outside, as well? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevNeal Posted July 8, 2004 #37 Share Posted July 8, 2004 As far as I know, they cannot be locked from the inside in such a way that they cannot be opened from the outside. But, even if they can ... and even if you WERE stranded out there, all you would need to do would be move forward enough to be seen from the bridge. By the way, if those doors are closed shut and a sign is hanging from the dogging leavers warning you not to open them ... DON'T. :) But, then, you'll know not to do that anyway because the ship will be slamming and, at times, you'll be under water. :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kabana Posted July 8, 2004 #38 Share Posted July 8, 2004 two words: Dessert Extravaganza Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cinder Posted July 8, 2004 #39 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Nobody has mentioned the fresh squeezed orange juice in the Lido! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saltydog28 Posted July 8, 2004 #40 Share Posted July 8, 2004 tomc-"I don't like sleeping on coils of rope." Isn't that like getting a free massage? Hhmmm, just wondering. Pat. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Lois R Posted July 8, 2004 #41 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Hi,:) I am seriously thinking about booking my first HAL cruise on the Zuiderdam in Sept. Have any of you sailed her? Would you give me some input on her? From reading all your replies, I think I would be making a good choice. Sounds like a lot of good food:D After 3 Celebrity cruises...I was going on my 4th one in Sept but due to unforseen circumstances had to cancel. For those of you who have cruised both lines, do you think I will be pleased with the HAL experience? I am 46, divorced and I sail solo...shy has never been part of my personality:) ;) And I LOVE to cruise! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Orcrone Posted July 8, 2004 Author #42 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Lois, I have never sailed either line, but from what I've read the two lines are very similar. Also, people may not see your question here, either because they won't look at this thread and if they do they may not read all the posts. So I'd suggest posting your question in a seperate thread. Marc Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doone Posted July 8, 2004 #43 Share Posted July 8, 2004 OF COURSE YOU'D LOVE HAL. You are sailing with the right attitude and also HAL only charges you 1 1/2 times for the single supplement, unlike some of the other lines that charge you double. That would sell me right there, Lois. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
iluvcruzin Posted July 8, 2004 #44 Share Posted July 8, 2004 May I throw a question out there? Is it true from what the brochures say about the "white gloved" treatment when you board? Do you get escorted to your cabins or have the hall monitors pointing the way? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tomc Posted July 8, 2004 #45 Share Posted July 8, 2004 I think it depends on how busy the stewards are. Sometimes I get escorted and sometimes I get pointed. When they are loading fast & furious, they try not to hold up the line. For my part, I want to find my cabin and get to the Lido buffet as fast as possible. The "white glove" treatment is a wonderful HAL tradition, but I'd rather not hold up the line if they're really busy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jhannah Posted July 8, 2004 #46 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Lois, we've sailed the Zuiderdam. She's a good bit bigger than the S class ships, but she still has the HAL style. Although large, we never felt adrift in a mass of bodies. The passenger space is well laid out. Just takes a bit longer to get from bow to stern! Also, the Zuiderdam's decor is a little bolder than earlier HAL ships and is somewhat retro looking. I'm sure this was done since she's assigned full time to the Caribbean and HAL was gearing the vessel to a younger, family oriented crowd. We liked it, and I'm certain you will, too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RevNeal Posted July 8, 2004 #47 Share Posted July 8, 2004 Sadly, it has been hit-and-miss. I've been taken all the way and into my cabin by the steward -- yes, white gloved -- and, on other occasions, I've been taken to the hall and pointed the way. Dad has a neat method for ensuring that the steward escorts them all the way to, and into, the cabin. When they come aboard and are introduced to the white-gloved steward who is to escort them to their cabin, Dad hands him their carry-on bag. It is more than a bit awkward for the steward to try and hand the bag back to my Dad before they're into the cabin, and so the Steward is -- essentially -- forced to take them all the way to and into the cabin. It's not that Mom and Dad NEED to be escorted -- Dad is a 78 years young and still quite strong. Nevertheless, he hands the steward the bag and expects the lad to do his duty. At the end of the trip, if they Steward takes them all the way to, and into, the cabin, Dad tips. As he says "perhaps that will re-enforce the tradition." It worked for them on the Maasdam this May. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Calliope Posted July 8, 2004 #48 Share Posted July 8, 2004 The spotless decks and shining white superstructure of HAL ships constantly amazes me. The other thing that keeps me in awe about HAL is how they provide such a wonderful product for such a low fare! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Charlie2na Posted July 8, 2004 #49 Share Posted July 8, 2004 one phrase; The rum raisin ice cream is back in the lido... hurry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cruzincurt Posted July 8, 2004 #50 Share Posted July 8, 2004 On the Veendam last November, white gloved steward took us all the way to the room. We study the ship layout for months in anticpation of the cruise so we could find our way in the dark, but still a nice touch worth a tip. Cut flowers were at least in the Vernanda rooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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