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cruz-in

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    Quick Thoughts on Our 02/10 NS Cruise

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    The inside Cabin we had was very small. There wass only a small desk (with mirror), stool and the beds. We had the beds arranged in quen bed fashion. The bathroon (especially the shower) was large. While the smallest inside we have ever had, it was very functional. We liked it very much and would not hesitate booking it again. 

    Quick Thoughts on Our 02/10 NS Cruise

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    1) We hab Cabin 8171. It is in the rear below the aft pool area. We liked it very much. Although if you want to sleep late (like past 8 ), there can be a very small bit of chair noise from the deck chairs above. Really not very noticeable. Other than once or twice we never heard it. 

    2) yes the cups for the Freestyle soda have arrived. They worked really well. Although the Coke dispenser broke the last few days and we had to go to the bar for Coke refills. All the other Freestyle beverages worked. Just not the coke. 

    3) The Freestyle dining is on the lower (deck 2) level. At least once, be sure to walk up the stairs to the upper dining room. You get a very diferent perspecive on the dining room from  the upper level. 

     

     

    Quick Thoughts on Our 02/10 NS Cruise

    in Holland America Line

    Posted · Edited by cruz-in

    I am sure you will have a grand time sailing on the NS. Some items to consider: 

    1) If you have anytime dining, the serving duo at table 22 and 16 are great. 

    2) The gent who does the EXC talks is very good. He is also available in the explorers lounge at various time to answer  questions about the ports. I encourage you to engage his services. He is a very cordial and a wealth of port knowledge. 

    3) Our Cruise was the last for this set of  Lincoln Center Artitst. you will have a new set. 

    4) Our cruise was the first week for the group in the the Rolling Stone. They are very good. 

    5) The "Ask the Captain Chats"  are very interesting. 

    6)  Lobster is available in the Lido on the second Gala night. 

    7) The fish, lobster and scallops in the MDR were fabulous. Perfectly cooked and temp when served. Oddly enuff, the shrimp missed the mark and were only so-so. 

    8 ) The ship smells like a new!

    Quick Thoughts on Our 02/10 NS Cruise

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    HI All, 

     

    Wondeful cruise!

     

    Here are some quick thoughts:

    MDR - Excellent Service and food. Best we have had in 7+ cruises. The Gala (Valentines Day) meal of lobster and fliet mignon was outstanding. Possible the best meal we have had on land or sea. Matre D told us the lobster was fresh and taken onboard that day. It was excellent and cooked perfectly. 

    Entertainment - Lincoln Center was Outstanding. BB King, Rolling Stones, and Dueling Pianos were very good as well. We enjoyed the music venues so much we never made it to a show in the world stage. 

    Crew - Just Wonderful. I really think HAL has the best crews afloat. 

    Cabin - We hand an interior on Deck 8. Small, but serviceable and comfy. We really liked our "cozy" interior cabin.

    Lido Buffet - Very Nice. Lobster on Gala Night and a "suckling pig" one night. I had an excellent flank steak there. 

    Ship Decor - Not our favorite but not obectionable either. By the end of the week it was growing on us. Except the decor in the Ocean's Bar. It drove me nuts. 

    Ship Layout - If going from older HAL ships to this one, the layout takes a bit of gettting used to. By mid week we were only going the wrong way about once a day....Okay maybe twice. 🙂

    Favorite Cool Thing: The 4 Beer Taps on the Lido where you swipe your room key and fill your own beer glass. You are billed by the ounce. It was Great! 

    Crowds: The Lido and the rear pool did get pretty crowded a few times. For the Lido, we just came back in 30 minutes. For the rear deck, we found somewhere else to chill. 

     

    All in all a really nice cruise. 

     

     

     

    • Like 5
    • Thanks 1

    HMC - Cabana and Priority Tender Boarding Question

    in Private Islands

    Posted

    Hi All, 

     

    We reserved a Cabana on Half Moon Cay. The reservation says we get Priority Tender boarding.  I had a few questions about Priority Tender Boarding and was hoping you all could help me with answers. 

     

    1) To depart the ship, how is Priority Boarding Handled?  Is there a line for normal and "Priority"?

    2) When we return to he ship do we still get Prioirity Boarding? 

     

    Thanks for your time

    Dan 

    Early Coffee on the NS

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Good Afternoon, 

     

    I have read thru several threads and there appears to be conflicting info on this subject. 

     

    1) How early does the Explorers Cafe Open? 

    2) Is there somewhere else to get a cafe Latte at 6 or 6:30 AM?

    3) Does the Lido breakfast have a station where you can get a cafe latte made? 

    4) Will the Dutch Cafe take our Quench Beverage Card for fancy (non-alcoholic) coffees? 

     

    Thanks for your time

    Dan

    Scored the Yellow Cabana!

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Our Cruise is only 3 weeks away. I was surprised the yellow cabana was still available. It was the only one left that was not near the "pirate ship". A little bit of a walk to the bathroom, bar, and food. However, a bit more peace and quiet are worth it. The NS is the only ship at HMC that day. 

    • Like 1

    Why Such Low Fares on HAL's Newest Ship?

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Quotine from: 

    latecruisenews.com

     

    "Feedback from this sailing, combined with the recent introduction of the Celebrity Edge, led Ernie Roller, a member of the “Liners List” internet chat group, to reveal some interesting research.

    On December 29, he posted the following:

    “I’ve been watching pricing for several new and popular ships for a 7-day Caribbean cruise in late February… Nieuw Statendam is a great value, and for that reason we may end up on her. 
    ”The price difference between her and Celebrity Edge is astonishing when you think they are both brand new ships from competing cruise lines.

    Celebrity Edge entering at Port Everglades

    Celebrity Edge entering at Port Everglades

    Nieuw Statendam is probably the most bang for the buck, at least for this week in February.

    “Starting rates per person in an inside cabin (capacities in lower berths)
    Nieuw Statendam (2,666 berths): $449
    MSC Seaside (4,140 berths): $629
    Norwegian Bliss (4,002 berths): $679
    Carnival Horizon (3,954 berths): $719
    Symphony of the Seas (5,400 berths): $863
    Celebrity Edge (2,904 berths): $1,349
    Disney Fantasy (2,500 berths): a whopping $1,827

    “I’m still amazed the per diems that Disney can pull in, for a ship that is almost seven years old, $1,827 per person for an inside cabin.

    Any Experience with the Quench Beverage Package?

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    5 hours ago, JanMcD said:

    My sister and I got the Quench package and just used it on the Koningsdam.  We liked it, and were pleased to receive free thermal cups with lids for our sodas.  I felt we got good value for the cost.  Just one surprise, I did get charged for my lattes at the Dutch Cafe.  In contrast, the fancy coffees at the Crows Nest coffee shop (which offered more flavors like vanilla, etc.) were free.

     

    Thanks for the coffee tip. Fancy coffees is one fo the big reasons we will be purchasing  the Quench Beverage Package. 

     

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