billydog

I took the X99 last year. Staff and busses waiting for you. Great service. They offer a deal too for tickets on the Red Bus Edinburgh city tour which is great way to see the city in the limited time available.

OP here. This is not a Panama Canal trip so that doesn't seems to be the reason..

I was looking at 14 Western/Tropical Caribbean leaving Nov 30th next on Nieuw Statendam. Charges at USD 906 seem out of line on total cruise cost of USD 5018. Looked at similar cruise on Celebrity and charges far less. Is this an error or am I missing something? Any advise would be appreciated.

Have 6 Celebrity (X) cruises before and now just returned from first HAL on the New Statendam. Cabin - largely similar. Large showers were a big plus for HAL. MDR - Celebrity wins here, Service and food better. More of a sense of occasion on Celebrity. Also dedicated sommelier/wine on X. Hard to get wine topped on HAL and never saw the bottle. On X bottle is left somewhere adjacent to the table. Lay out of table better on X. Lido/Oceanview. We preferred Lido. Better selection. Nicer seating area. HAL has the huge plus of the burger place and pizza place. Theatre - HAL very poor here. No live band in theatre and mainly just dancers. No real stage show. Overall Entertainment - HAL beats Celebrity. Loved the music mall. BB King was best music I have seen on cruises. Trivia and other games like activities better on HAL. Coffee Shop - Dutch Cafe beats Cafe Baccio hands down. Staff- Both great. Maybe HAL shades it. Speciality restaurents - HAL. Tamarind is terrific. I've had eaten in all X specialities and all under whelming. Visibility of captain/ officers. HAL wins here. Captain always about in evenings. General comments; We have cruises in different classes on X up to suite. I liked the democratic nature on HAL with little class distinction where it comes to dining and access to areas. Except Club Orange which all can go to for a price. Laundry on HAL was great value and provided great service. I would be delighted to cruise with either line again.

Any view on the aft Vista suites on the Beethoven deck Statendam?

Sound good! More room and easier bookings in the MDR!

In a similar vein on the Statendam are most Vista Suites much the same or are they in categories? Which are the best and where? I'm guaranteed Vista and like the OP am considering Club Orange. Aft facing Vista suites are booked out. Thanks

Does the $30 bag deal include ironing/pressing as well as wash or just fold?

Pricing a 2 week Northern Islands Europe cruise. For Veranda quoting priced at Euro 1,249 on HAL's site. Option for Have it All (and OBC $300) included at Euro 3,429. Surely cost a lot less to buy the basic cruise and add HIA later as an add on ($50 or $100 a day). I must be missing something here?

Included in our package is 2 Shore Excursions - up to US$200 per guest To avail of the full $200 do you have to buy 2 shore excursions or can it be used against one excursion? Thanks

Thank you

Usually cruise with Celebrity. First time with HAL on European cruise. In general, do HAL provide transfers to city centres (pay I presuming). In particular Reykjavik if anyone has any experience. Thank

Thanks for clarification.

We gave the Signature Package included in our fare. I have prepaid the daily general gratuities charge. I note that gratuities of 18% will be added to the price of each drink. So if I order a drink price at $11 will I have to pay an additional gratuity of 18% in addition to this? New to HAL, any help appreciated.

Thanks for all the info. Very useful.