Last minute pre boarding questions

[Loucat]

I have spent time trying to learn about the HAL differences.We have been RCC cruisers for years and are looking forward to a change.
I have a few questions for experienced HAL cruisers.They may be dumb, but here they are!
We have no assigned seating. How do we book a time for dinner each night?
Does the Lido serve the same food as the MDR and is it a good option?
Are the pools salt water? Not worried right now as we live in Florida and it should be in the 60's when we board on Saturday.:eek:
What are your favorite sea days activities?
Any advice for a first time HAL cruise?
Thanks and I appreciate any information!

[kazu]

I have spent time trying to learn about the HAL differences.We have been RCC cruisers for years and are looking forward to a change.
I have a few questions for experienced HAL cruisers.They may be dumb, but here they are!
We have no assigned seating. How do we book a time for dinner each night?
Does the Lido serve the same food as the MDR and is it a good option?
Are the pools salt water? Not worried right now as we live in Florida and it should be in the 60's when we board on Saturday.:eek:
What are your favorite sea days activities?
Any advice for a first time HAL cruise?
Thanks and I appreciate any information!

For your dinner, you can either walk in and wait, make a reservation or if you like fixed dining you can ask if there are any openings.

the Lildo serves most of the same food as the MDR. I know GN is a big fan of the Lido and the food is decent. Myself, I prefer the dining room.

Sea day activities - they are quite laid back but nice. There will be culinary arts, movies, bingo (I only play on the ship), casino contests, craft things, bridge things, tours of the galley, wine tastings, the list goes on. OMG - I nearly forgot the strings - if you like music - there is either a quartet or a trio playing every night before and after dinner - usually called the Adagio Strings and worth opening up your ears to

first time Hal cruiser - relax - it's a relaxing cruise. HAL has some of the best libraries around if you like to read :) don't forget that HAL lets you bring all the wine, water, soda you want on board (I just worry about the wine) and you can bring it on board at every port. don't miss High Tea and the show by the crew:) take a moment to enjoy the art on the ship and relax - you're on a HAL cruise:)

[CruiserBruce]

I have spent time trying to learn about the HAL differences.We have been RCC cruisers for years and are looking forward to a change.
I have a few questions for experienced HAL cruisers.They may be dumb, but here they are!
We have no assigned seating. How do we book a time for dinner each night? Dial 88.
Does the Lido serve the same food as the MDR and is it a good option? Not exactly the same. But similar. "Good" is strictly a personal opinion. We usually prefer the MDR.
Are the pools salt water? All Fresh water.Not worried right now as we live in Florida and it should be in the 60's when we board on Saturday.:eek:
What are your favorite sea days activities?
Any advice for a first time HAL cruise?
Thanks and I appreciate any information!

As Kazu said, relax. You will enjoy it more!

[Loucat]

For your dinner, you can either walk in and wait, make a reservation or if you like fixed dining you can ask if there are any openings.

the Lildo serves most of the same food as the MDR. I know GN is a big fan of the Lido and the food is decent. Myself, I prefer the dining room.

Sea day activities - they are quite laid back but nice. There will be culinary arts, movies, bingo (I only play on the ship), casino contests, craft things, bridge things, tours of the galley, wine tastings, the list goes on. OMG - I nearly forgot the strings - if you like music - there is either a quartet or a trio playing every night before and after dinner - usually called the Adagio Strings and worth opening up your ears to

first time Hal cruiser - relax - it's a relaxing cruise. HAL has some of the best libraries around if you like to read :) don't forget that HAL lets you bring all the wine, water, soda you want on board (I just worry about the wine) and you can bring it on board at every port. don't miss High Tea and the show by the crew:) take a moment to enjoy the art on the ship and relax - you're on a HAL cruise:)
Thanks and it all sounds so great!

[ASIWISH]

One good tip: You can make dinner reservations 48-hours in advance... so, get a jump on everyone!!!!!!

This has always been my most appreciated tip....

[ASIWISH]

Also, there is a thread called "HAL SECRETS" that offers some great advice from the experts - like KAZU - for first time cruisers!

See if you can search for it....

[Loucat]

As Kazu said, relax. You will enjoy it more!
Thanks! We will relax once I know a bit of the routine, and I appreciate your information. I could do an RCC cruise with my eyes closed, but we are excited to do something different.

[Loucat]

One good tip: You can make dinner reservations 48-hours in advance... so, get a jump on everyone!!!!!!

This has always been my most appreciated tip....
Thank you!! I have read your most recent cruise review and it was so interesting.

[ASIWISH]

Thank you!! I have read your most recent cruise review and it was so interesting.

Wow! Thanks for letting me know! I sure had fun on that cruise!

[jcrandle]

And, as for last minute boarding questions, HAL (like other cruise lines) will have one for each in your party. HAL will ask if you have had stomach or intestinal issues. If you answer yes, you will be evaluated by their medical staff to determine if you might have a norovirus. If so, they will recommend specific procedures.

[erewhon]

You can also attend the Art Auction, run by Park West.

[RMLincoln]

I love to do the iPod art tour on a sea day. You can check out the iPod from the librarian, no charge. I takes you throughout the ship and gives an overview of the art, about 45 mins - an hour; no way they could really do the all the art pieces.

Notice the flowers!

Play some trivia.

Smile a lot. m--

[lvz2cruz]

You can make dining reservations from about 5 to 6:15 or for a slot starting about 8 til 9ish. Only walkins are allowed from about 6:30 to 8. We do not make reservations but try to get to the dining room between 6:15 and 6:30 and have never waited more than 5 minutes. Shortly after that time there will be a line.
The lido serves most of the things on the MDR menu. Dinner on Hal in the Lido is much better (freshness and variety) than what we have had on NCL or Celebrity.
Last year on Eurodam there were some fun pool games at the Seaview pool around noon on sea days. We also enjoyed the Newlywed Game and Battle of the Sexes. The port guide did a video trivia of ports she had been to on HAL that was a lot of fun.
My advice for a first time HAL cruiser is to explore the ship. We were so impressed with all the little quiet spaces both inside and out where we could enjoy the view by ourselves. We never felt crowded on a ship of nearly 2000.
The first 48 hours is code orange. Crew will give you all your food, coffee, juice, water, etc. in the lido. At breakfast the second morning you can serve yourself if everyone is well. They do fill your plates with some foods though all the time.
The early show fills about 15 minutes prior. You can arrive 5 minutes before the second show and have a choice of many good seats.
Another different thing is that if you are going to beaches towels are provided at the gangway. There will be a bin to return them when you get back on.
There are cooking classes that you will need to sign up for soon after you board because they fill quickly. There are also camera and computer classes that can often fill.
Of course there is also the Meet and Greet Sunday at 1. Looking forward to meeting you!

[readytocruiseagain!]

You can also attend the Art Auction, run by Park West.

Not any longer to my knowledge (thank goodness!).

[RuthC]

Not any longer to my knowledge (thank goodness!).
They're baaacckkk! :(

[erewhon]

Not any longer to my knowledge (thank goodness!).

The Park West Art auctions were held on the Volendam, during December,2011.

[Micmac]

On the Christmas Westerdam cruise, Park West was there but not as "in your face" I remember previously. I think there was one flyer and don't remember hearing them mentioned in any of the afternoon announcements, etc.

[Loucat]

You can also attend the Art Auction, run by Park West.
Thanks for that information! I have managed to avoid them on all previous sailings;)

[Loucat]

You can make dining reservations from about 5 to 6:15 or for a slot starting about 8 til 9ish. Only walkins are allowed from about 6:30 to 8. We do not make reservations but try to get to the dining room between 6:15 and 6:30 and have never waited more than 5 minutes. Shortly after that time there will be a line.
The lido serves most of the things on the MDR menu. Dinner on Hal in the Lido is much better (freshness and variety) than what we have had on NCL or Celebrity.
Last year on Eurodam there were some fun pool games at the Seaview pool around noon on sea days. We also enjoyed the Newlywed Game and Battle of the Sexes. The port guide did a video trivia of ports she had been to on HAL that was a lot of fun.
My advice for a first time HAL cruiser is to explore the ship. We were so impressed with all the little quiet spaces both inside and out where we could enjoy the view by ourselves. We never felt crowded on a ship of nearly 2000.
The first 48 hours is code orange. Crew will give you all your food, coffee, juice, water, etc. in the lido. At breakfast the second morning you can serve yourself if everyone is well. They do fill your plates with some foods though all the time.
The early show fills about 15 minutes prior. You can arrive 5 minutes before the second show and have a choice of many good seats.
Another different thing is that if you are going to beaches towels are provided at the gangway. There will be a bin to return them when you get back on.
There are cooking classes that you will need to sign up for soon after you board because they fill quickly. There are also camera and computer classes that can often fill.
Of course there is also the Meet and Greet Sunday at 1. Looking forward to meeting you!
Same here! Thanks for all the great information.
Do you know if their Internet is slow? I teach online and will bring my laptop. Cannot avoid that unfortunately:(

[Krazy Kruizers]

Not any longer to my knowledge (thank goodness!).

The British group who was running the Art Auctions til about December 2010 have been replaced by Park West -- the original group who did the art acutions.

They arrived back on the Noordam on November 21, 2011.

And it appears they will be here for awhile.

[Loucat]

I love to do the iPod art tour on a sea day. You can check out the iPod from the librarian, no charge. I takes you throughout the ship and gives an overview of the art, about 45 mins - an hour; no way they could really do the all the art pieces.

Notice the flowers!

Play some trivia.

Smile a lot. m--
Of course we will be smiling! I made reservations in Tamarind for 3 nights! I appreciate information on the iPod tour.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Same here! Thanks for all the great information.
Do you know if their Internet is slow? I teach online and will bring my laptop. Cannot avoid that unfortunately:(

Yes -- the Internet on all ships is slooooooooow.

It will eat up your minutes like crazy -- not wise to teach online with that kind of a situation.

Maybe you can find Internet Cafe's once ashore.

[Typhoon1]

Relax and go with the flow once on board.

Enjoy your cruise.

[erewhon]

Thanks for that information! I have managed to avoid them on all previous sailings;)

They are very easy to avoid.:)

[Loucat]

Yes -- the Internet on all ships is slooooooooow.

It will eat up your minutes like crazy -- not wise to teach online with that kind of a situation.

Maybe you can find Internet Cafe's once ashore.
Thanks! How slow is slow and are there areas on the ship that are faster? I have no choice on the teaching piece as my course has already started. I can look up Internet cafes in the ports but boy is that a pickle. I spend port time in some interesting spots online:eek:

[Loucat]

Yes -- the Internet on all ships is slooooooooow.

It will eat up your minutes like crazy -- not wise to teach online with that kind of a situation.

Maybe you can find Internet Cafe's once ashore.
You are always a wealth of information on HAL. Dumb question # 10.
Does the Eurodam have a laundry with an iron and ironing board?

[RAJKR74]

Also, there is a thread called "HAL SECRETS" that offers some great advice from the experts - like KAZU - for first time cruisers!

See if you can search for it....

Here is the link to the "Hal Secrets" page that was started back in 2010. Excellent information.


http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=1259139

[Loucat]

Is there a laundry room on board the Eurodam?

[CruiserBruce]

Is there a laundry room on board the Eurodam?

No.

[ASIWISH]

Is there a laundry room on board the Eurodam?

No, there isn't... sorry.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Is there a laundry room on board the Eurodam?

No

There is laundry by the bag -- it used to be $20 for as much as you could stuff into one bag -- but some people have reported that the price is now $26. Everything comes back washed and nicely pressed either in a basket or on hangers.

Or you can get the unlimited laundry -- usually $49 for a weekly cruise. Send out as much laundry out as you wish during the week.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks! How slow is slow and are there areas on the ship that are faster? I have no choice on the teaching piece as my course has already started. I can look up Internet cafes in the ports but boy is that a pickle. I spend port time in some interesting spots online:eek:

Check out Joanie's site here to get locations for the best hot spots for the Internet:

http://abqreunion2008.com/

This is just an example -- I used to spend 20 minutes of Internet time just doing a couple of e-mails even though I had worked off-line and just needed to copy and past.

Some time the Internet will be done completely -- mainly because of the location of the ship.

[Typhoon1]

Is there a laundry room on board the Eurodam?

Who wants to do laundry while on vacation?

[mustcruisemore]

No

There is laundry by the bag -- it used to be $20 for as much as you could stuff into one bag -- but some people have reported that the price is now $26. Everything comes back washed and nicely pressed either in a basket or on hangers.

Or you can get the unlimited laundry -- usually $49 for a weekly cruise. Send out as much laundry out as you wish during the week.

Just to verify, that is $49 for a 7 day cruise as it is $7 per day. So if your cruise is 10 days then unlimited laundry is $70. But it is a great service and you don't have to do the unlimited. They have specials throughout the week, like maybe half-price on everything you can stuff in the bag.
They also have a service that is unlimited pressing only and I'm sorry but I don't remember the cost on that one. They also offer dry cleaning.

We have used the laundry, the pressing service, and the dry cleaning and it's great with no problems. Like someone else mentioned, you don't have to take home as many dirty clothes so you don't have 10 loads of laundry to do after vacation :eek: PLUS, you can save on luggage costs because you don't have to pack as many clothes.

[idiebabe]

Thank you all for some great information!!!

How and where would we sign up for the cooking classes?

[mustcruisemore]

Thank you all for some great information!!!

How and where would we sign up for the cooking classes?

They are not announced until you get onboard and there are different places to sign up. One time it was the front desk, one time the Culinary Center, and one time we even signed up during dinner after mentioning that we loved a particular dish and the waiter told us that they were doing a class on how to prepare it and would we like to join.

On the first day, when you get to your cabin, there will be lots of paperwork detailing all kinds of activities and where to sign up for those activities. Once the cooking classes were detailed in that paperwork, but on another cruise, we didn't know until the day before and they were announced in the daily schedule. So, it is going to vary, but you have a few places to look.

[Loucat]

Check out Joanie's site here to get locations for the best hot spots for the Internet:

http://abqreunion2008.com/

This is just an example -- I used to spend 20 minutes of Internet time just doing a couple of e-mails even though I had worked off-line and just needed to copy and past.

Some time the Internet will be done completely -- mainly because of the location of the ship.
Thanks so much! I knew you would come through with the details. I copied the list of hot spots and hope they are hot!