dining 'experiments', smoking policies & dancing waiters - rotterdam & prinsendam ???

[zaandam_2]

hi all. let me start by asking that we please not turn this into the typical 'smoking thread'. i enjoy smoking and believe non-smokers have every right to a smoke-free environment.

i'm seriously considering 2 different cruises. one is on prinsendam while the other is on rotterdam.

smoking - i don't care about the casino. i don't gamble (unless in vegas). does anyone know is the policy of allowing smoking on one side of the pools has changed (or is likely to?). i like to hang out on the aft deck and when i found i could not smoke on the liberty it had a negative impact on my cruise.

dining 'experiments' - i've read all about this on a couple other ships. i travel solo and have no interest in 'freestyle'. has anyone heard of this experiment expanding to other ships?

dancing waiters - i still shudder when i recall memories of 28 nights of the dining room 'entertainment' on carnival liberty. i might be able to tolerate the chef's dinner, if it is only one night (or go to the pinnacle). do they do this on prinsendam or rotterdam?

thanks!

[grannynurse]

zaandam,
Smoking is still allowed in most public rooms and on the outside decks on the port side of the ship but available areas have been reduced in size.
I've heard the Noordam casino is smoke free. On the Westerdam the whole port side of the Ocean Bar is open for smoking. The crow's Nest has a small smoking area. There are still ash trays on the railings port side.
I haven't been on Rotterdam since summer 2004 so I don't know how much has changed. Zaandam and Maasdam in 2005 were as above
GN

[Copper10-8]

Been on both ships, both nice but different - great crews!!

Prinsendam - obviously a different experience; smaller, no Explorations Cafe, single level dining room - two seatings, more intimate, less pax, less night life after 10 PM but..........but a very nice experience.

Rotterdam, probably our favorite ship right now; lead ship of the "R" class, bigger (but not a mega), double-level dining room - four seatings, has the new Explorations Cafe, has a night life after 10 PM - no complaints

The two, one, and/or one a half (depending who you talk to) alternative dining experience you might have read about only pertains to Oosterdam and Noordam at this time so both ships you picked are not affected.

I don't smoke but, as far as I know, smoking is still loud and clear and allowed on the open decks. Correct me if I'm wrong, folks!

No dancing waiters - just the trusted Baked Alaska parade to the Wilhelm Tell overture complete with sparklers.:eek:

Enjoy your cruises!!

[NoNoNanette]

I don't smoke but, as far as I know, smoking is still aloud on the open decks. Correct me if I'm wrong, folks!

I rarely smoke, honey.... but when I do, I get LOUD! ;)

Happy belated (?) birthday! :)

[Copper10-8]

I rarely smoke, honey.... but when I do, I get LOUD! ;)

Happy belated (?) birthday! :)
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Hey thanks - did I ever tell you I can't spell:o

Allowed, allowed, allowed, allowed, allowed,
Allowed, allowed, allowed, allowed, allowed,

[Grumpy1]

We were on Rotterdam last June and Prinsendam in September. Both still had smoking in the casino and open decks port side. No dancing waiters or dining experiments.

The Prinsendam Lido has a pretty good sized area aft with a canvas cover that is great for outdoor seating for meals. The port side has a few tables that are marked for smoking. The aft pool is two decks down from the Lido so that aft Lido area is a really good place to relax.

[dag144]

I was on the Oosterdam for the 1/13 cruise when HAL evidently began a trial with open dining in the Vista dining room. The 5:30 seating was assigned. This is too early for me. The dining room was open after this, probably began at 6:00PM or so, for come when you want. One could also make a reservation beginning at 9:00 am running until 4pm. This was the ship's first try and it worked like a charm. I was amazed. Got a table for two the first night and was able to reserve this table throughout the cruise. It was like HAL had been doing this for its entire history. However, the Vista ships have a two level dining room with kitchen on each level. I believe this is not the case on the older ships which may have more trouble implementing this program since their kitchen I believe are on the lower level.

[zaandam_2]

thanks everyone. now all i have to do is decide between the 2 cruises. what a delicious problem.

[kryos]

Smokers, please stay away from the HAL ships, thank you!!
Sorry. This smoker likes HAL ships.

But, don't worry. I'm a very considerate smoker and always indulge my habit ONLY in approved areas. Also, I don't patronize the casino ... so you don't have to worry about me puffing away in there.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[Pincus]

thanks everyone. now all i have to do is decide between the 2 cruises. what a delicious problem.

You have a wonderful dilemma!

I haven't been on the Prinsendam, but have been on most of the other HAL ships, except for the Vista class.

The closest one will come to having dancing waiters (shudder!!!) is the performance at the Master Chef's dinner. Now that was reminiscent of Carnival!

But it's only one night...and we choose to dine in the Pinnacle that night.

Have a happy cruise!

Pincus

[dakrewser]

None of the "playing around" with dinner times or service on the Prinsendam, thank the deity. Still tradtional dining with absolutely no one dancing in the dining room.

As others have said, there are smoking areas in all of the outside venues and some inside ones which are fairly well segregated from the non-smoking areas.

Both ships are wonderful, but I'd always give the edge to the more "intime" Prinsendam.

[zaandam_2]

thanks for the info.

i've decided on the rotterdam. i do want to sail on prinsendam, but i liked rotterdam's itinerary better. it was a tough decision.