Pool Question--Newbie

[RioNaiad]

I want to commend cruisecritics for providing such a great forum for people like me who have never been on a ‘big ship’ cruise. We chose HAL because of the number of shore excursions offered for Australia/NZ. We’re departing on the Statendam on Feb. 16th.

 

I’m a lap swimmer, and neither the web site staff nor the folks on HAL’s 800 number can answer these questions:

• What are the hours of the Lido Pool?
  
• Can you swim when the pool is officially closed? I like to get up and swim between 5:30 and 6 am, so I can shower up before breakfast.
  
• What do you wear to travel from the room to the Lido deck? When I swim at a hotel pool, I just grab a towel, drape it around me, and walk to the pool area.
  
• Are there any other pools on the ship worth swimming in?

Casino question: Is it true that if you grab your gambling money from your onboard account that it goes in like a ‘cash advance’ and immediately starts accruing interest? Are there any other onboard activities that work that way?

 

Thanks to all of the forum participants! Most of my other questions have been answered by reading this forum. ;)

[CruiserBruce]

First, I think you will be disappointed trying to swim laps in either of Statendams' pools. The longest pool is about 50'. Very short laps!!

 

Generally you will not be able to swim with the pools are closed. There is a net over the pool most of the time when it is closed. At 5:30 or 6, they are cleaning the Lido area.

 

A coverup is perfectly appropriate to walk to the pool area.

 

Can't answer your question about the casino.

[jtl513]

First of all, welcome to Cruise Critic and the HAL forum! :)

 

On our cruise last month the pools were open 7:00a to 10:00p, but on the Statendam in Alaska in Sept they closed at 7:00p. So, I'm not sure what the hours will be on your cruise, but I doubt that you would be able to swim laps very early. I've noticed when the aft (outdoor) pool is closed they put a net over it, but I don't recall seeing that on any Lido pools.

 

I think most people wear the robes supplied in every room for going to/from the pool.

 

If you draw any money at the casino or at the front desk it goes onto your shipboard account. Your shipboard account goes as an ordinary purchase if you pay it by cc, and is subject to whatever interest those accrue. All on-board extra-cost services or purchases work the same way. However, cash advances from either the casino or front desk are assessed a 3% fee.

[manbehindthecurtain]

The pools on HAL really are not long enough for lap swimming. I used to swim, and if I now push off and make 4 strokes I'm on the other end already.

Another downside: often the pools are 'overfilled', as in the 'beach area' also has a couple of inches of water on them. This can make a proper turn (like speedswimmers do) a bit tricky.

 

Maybe if you bring some stretch cord to put around your ankle you will get a better exercise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

 

Sorry no lap swimming on any of HAL's ships.

 

There are nets over all the pools once they close for the evening. The times vary for opening -- we have been on ships when the pools opened at 7 and others when they opened at 8. Check your daily program.

[Hoyaheel]

I think most people wear the robes supplied in every room for going to/from the pool.

I've never seen that and would, in fact, find that inappropriate. Robes are for use in your room....

 

When walking to the pool, I wear a swimsuit cover-up (I prefer a cotton sundress) or at the least--t-shirt & shorts.

[sail7seas]

I agree that few people choose to wear robes as cover ups to the pool. I have seen some do it but the vast majority of gents wear a jersey/t-shirt with their swim suit and the ladies have a nice cover up or at the least a sarong type skirt tied at the waist. Certainly shorts and a jersey over your swimsuit always works.

 

[ldog]

Hi RioNaiad

 

I've been able to swim laps in the Lido pool but it's not very long. No room for turns either. Each ship seems to have different times for opening the pool.

 

There are towels supplied at the pool so you just need a coverup for the trip to and from.

 

We are on the same cruise come and join our roll call.

[RioNaiad]

Thank you all for your helpful remarks.

 

Interestingly enough, when I called the HAL 800#, I was told that I should wear the bathrobe to the pool.

How great it is to get real feedback, instead of the responses of (apparently) clueless call center folks! :rolleyes:

[Solo Cruiser]

On my recent Westerdam cruise, I could load my slot card with money from my onboard account and there was no service charge. I think if you go to the casino cashier window they do charge a 3% fee but there is no charge to get money from your onboard account to your slot card (which is your room key boarding pass). Have a super cruise!

[jtl513]

On my recent Westerdam cruise, I could load my slot card with money from my onboard account and there was no service charge. I think if you go to the casino cashier window they do charge a 3% fee but there is no charge to get money from your onboard account to your slot card (which is your room key boarding pass). Have a super cruise!

Did you accidentally post this to the wrong thread? :confused: :):)

[Solo Cruiser]

Did you accidentally post this to the wrong thread? :confused: :):)

 

I had to check cause it wouldn't be unlike me :D but no I didn't. This was the last question on the OP post.

 

Casino question: Is it true that if you grab your gambling money from your onboard account that it goes in like a ‘cash advance’ and immediately starts accruing interest? Are there any other onboard activities that work that way?

 

And that's the part I answered. Whew ok I'm not crazy after all, well at least about this LOL.

[RioNaiad]

Did you accidentally post this to the wrong thread? :confused: :):)

Solo Cruiser was responding to my casino question which I snuck into my pool question.

 

Next time, I'll be smarter and post the casino question to a separate thread :o .

 

My bad,

RioNaiad

[jtl513]

Did you accidentally post this to the wrong thread? :confused: :)

 

I had to check cause it wouldn't be unlike me :D but no I didn't. This was the last question on the OP post.

 

Casino question: Is it true that if you grab your gambling money from your onboard account that it goes in like a ‘cash advance’ and immediately starts accruing interest? Are there any other onboard activities that work that way?

 

And that's the part I answered. Whew ok I'm not crazy after all, well at least about this LOL.

Oh yeah!! What's even funnier is that I even answered that part myself, in post #3! Ahhh, senior moments! :o:o