Pillow Talk

[MaryTiller]

We are counting the days until our 1st European cruise, Rotterdam 6-8-05. Most of my cruises in the past have left from the US and each time I would pack and/or carry my feather pillow with me. Nothing is worse than sleeping on a type of pillow that you are not use to. Now we will be flying to Rome and I am concerned about weight and space in my suitcase.

We are booked in a suite and since the HAL has been upgradidng all of the bedding etc, does anyone know if we are able to request feather pillows for our cruise?

Thanks,
Mary:confused:

[grannynurse]

let me wish you a wonderful cruise on the Rotterdam. We spent our last 3 summers aboard including 2 transatlantics. I don't know if you've sailed on her or not, but we love the Rotterdam, she is our favorite ship.

To answer your question. We were on the 11 day Zaandam New Year's cruise in a suite, and, YES, you can request any type of pillow you want. The new bedding is heavenly. We had an assortment of pillows to choose from.

Europe on the Rotterdam is quite an experience..... Enjoy!
GN

[MaryTiller]

Granny,
Thank you for your quick relpy. We have never been on the Rotterdam, never booked a suite and never cruised in Europe. This cruise will be alot of First's for us. Now I know that I don't have to plan for space for the pillow, allowing me more room for whatever!.
Our bed at home is a pillow-top and we use down comforters along with the feather pillows. We like to be comfortable when we travel so this is wonderful news.

Why is the Rotterdam your favoriate ship? Are there special places on board? Any special ports? Anything... I can't wait.
Thanks,
Mary

[Krazy Kruizers]

Test asured - you can have your cabin steward bring you as many feather pillows as you want.

Enjoy the Rotterdam - we loved her - and your first suite.

[Sea Island Lady]

I took my pillow on the airplane with me in a carry-on. I need my pillow on long flights. Don't use the airline pillows as they may have been used by someone else.

[grannynurse]

You asked a difficult question. We had a hiatus from cruising while i was in graduate school and when we came back to HAL the Rotterdam was just starting her New England Canada trips. We had never sailed from NY, never had a veranda, never really socialized while we were on board. All these things changed on the Rotterdam. We started accumulating cruise buddies with whom we still travel; started doing the traditional long cruise things like daily team trivia, meeting in the Crow's Nest for sailaways, meeting in the Ocean Bar for pre-dinner drinks, arranging private shore tours, going to high tea, piano bar etc.

Then we starting meeting cruise critic members online and made more friends, so now it's like a family affair to cruise on HAL.

Rotterdam is a truly traditional ship, more like an ocean liner than a quick getaway.. The atmosphere is different going to Europe too. Once you get there all the sea days stop and it becomes very port-intensive. We had wonderful flagship forum lecturers, and Frank Buckingham was our port lecturer (not shopping), and he's a real gem, marvelous sense of humor and very informative.
You may be able to find my last summer's review under "ROtterdam transatlantic" on this board. date would be around July 12.
I think the older ones would not be available anymore. The Zaandam one, however, is still around.

Since Rotterdam is the ister flagship she has a different style, wait, you'll see.
If you have specific questions I'll try to answer.
GN

[longtimecruiser]

Couldn't agree with you more about the Rotterdam, Myra. She too, is my favorite ship for some of the same reasons as yours. Remember, we met on the Rotterdam.

[grannynurse]

You are so right. I hope we'll see eachother again. Next for us is a short 7 day on the Maasdam in June (Montreal to Boston).

We're looking at some interesting 2006 trips. One is a 16 Baltic on the Prinsendam in June, and the one following is a 21 day polar ice cap. Both are r/t to and from Amsterdam. The 30 day Hawaii on the Amsterdam in January also looks interesting, but it sells out so fast that we may not be able to book in time (retirement dates aren't set yet).

Are you considering anything soon?
Let's try to find something we both like.
GN

[longtimecruiser]

I would love to do the Hawaii cruise in Jan 06. Also would like to do an Antartica cruise. I would have LOVED to do the Pacific Rim cruise in October05 on the Amsterdam. I have so many friends that are doing that. Right now I can't make any specific plans due to caring for my Mom who will be 92 next week. Keep me posted on your cruising plans and hopefully we can cruise together again someday SOON!!!!

[grannynurse]

The Pacific rim was the one that we were really panting over. It looks like it's been sold out for several months. Many people on our Rotterdam cruise had already booked before we got off the ship.

We are also interested in Antarctica, even more so after reading Pat's posts. I know that Ruth also loved that trip.

I will definitely let you know what we are thinking about and planning.
Myra

[CDRMark]

No comment, but I just loved the thread title!
Cheers
MarkB

[MaryTiller]

Creative Writing class finally paid off!!!! Thanks

[MaryTiller]

Thank you again for your reply. One of the reasons I picked this trip was that the Rotterdam was a sister flag ship of the line. Of course the itineray is different from any other trip we have taken. I love my sea days and I realize that this trip will be a non-stop affair with soo many choices. I am glad to hear that we will be treated to good lectures and capable tour guides.

As we get closer, I will be sure to post more specific questions for you.!!!
Thanks again,
Mary