Mary229

Maybe a new feature is being introduced as @KAKcruiser considered. Why waste space when you can make a buck? I wonder if those enrolled in Club Orange have the fee waived?

I have read the entire contract from time to time. All of life can happen on the small confines of the ship as well as the vagaries of technology, weather and currents. Add to that government regulations, international maritime law and peoples’ sense of entitlement and that will give you a long contract. Having read it and also spent time reading about cruises and cruise news I concluded that every single word is necessary. PS not to hijack this thread but there is room for legal reform and an enhancement of some passenger rights

I agree with looking through the various cruise lines forums. You will find quite a few buried not too deeply on the Princess and Holland boards

They definitely know who they are targeting. I am good with not being in the cool kid crowd.

That just shakes me to my core. We took a flight from Finland to Texas in March high was 11 hours scheduled but we spent an extra 1 hour on the tarmac in Helsinki and 2 hours at DFW. I am still complaining😉

There are three doors as I recall. If you don’t move toward the center you likely won’t see the HAL rep. Last time there I had to help round them up

In case they didn’t say the driver will be in the main foyer outside of the baggage area. There are a number of doors leaving the baggage area, proceed to the main exit foyer.

Breakfast is included in Rotterdam as is early checkin. We love the early check in. We can wash up and take a brief nap before venturing out. Generally those features are only for non US and non-Canadian hotels. we ate one night in the hotel downstairs in the Boaton Copley and liked it. There are only a handful of restaurants nearby the Copley and most are burgers or Pho. The Copley burger and gourmet fries were very good and decently priced for the neighborhood. Otherwise we ate out at lunch while we were out and about.

For future reference: There are various advantages to sailing after the tour and you have discovered one. If sailing after the tour your ship luggage can be stored with HAL while you bus around. For me I can fly nonstop to Anchorage but have a layover if flying back from Anchorage - that made my decision for me. So many variables, so many angles.

I did Boston last year. We were met at luggage claim by a rep who was dressed in HAL garb and with a sign.; she escorted us to a waiting private car (very nice almost luxury vehicle). We arrived 2 days early so had a private ride. If you arrive the day before you will likely have others arriving soon after you or not with you and they will be there waiting but you will ride in a bus or a van. If you didn’t book your flights with HAL be sure to enter the information at the website check in pages well in advance. The bellman will take your bags at the curb and have them delivered to your room. You will also receive a welcome letter at the front desk with clear instructions. There will be a HAL rep in the lobby in the late afternoon if you have questions. Unfortunately stateside HAL does not include breakfast with your room nor early check in (this reduces the value greatly). So if you want breakfast in the hotel make a reservation immediately as it gets crowded quickly.

@MBP&O2/O please report back when you finish your Oceania

After looking over the schedule I think I have gotten down to two contenders unless something else opens in the latter half of 2027. on the Silver Muse March 14, 2027 35 nights Singapore to Athens. Still seeking an extension for this sailing ideally leaving either Tokyo or Hong Kong to Singapore. Also will add an extension (land or sea) from Athens to Lisbon. 18 hours flying to Singapore is not going to happen. or on the Oceania Vista April 11, 2027, 65 nights Tokyo to Rome. Since I have time I will take any suggestions. My goal is to sail Asia including India without having to endure any over 12 hour flights. Even tho I live in Texas I am happy to fly to SFO to spend a few days to shorten flight times. @Cruzaholic41 that is my concern. I sailed Oceania in 2018 and was sorely disappointed in the atmosphere. The crew were simply the most glum people I have ever met. I am hoping they have become more incorporated into the NCL family - a line who I much enjoyed sailing. I only now book long itineraries which NCL does not offer.

@Hlitner which ship? As in all things HAL there is never consistency ship to ship. The Restaurant Managers impact the overall quality and service on HAL ships. That management team will have an impact on all of the dining venues. I have had great dining experiences (New Rotterdam) to abysmal (Koningsdam). I have not been on the Westerdam but had excellent dining experiences on its sister ship the Oosterdam.

Here is the Air North luggage page. This is not a HAL rule. Use your own good sense to decide what you want to do. Remember what you actually wear does not count https://www.flyairnorth.com/flights/baggage-carry

We’re thrilled to announce a series of new 2025 and 2026 Culinary Ambassador Cruisesfeaturing some of the world’s most renowned chefs and beverage experts. These special sailings will include live cooking demonstrations, intimate coffee chats, curated menus, and other exclusive onboard experiences. From sushi to chocolate and agave spirits to expertly blended tea, help your clients discover new culinary tips, techniques, and traditions with Holland America. 2025 & 2026 Culinary Ambassador Cruises:

never buy an upgrade without a room number and deckplan in hand. As was said above the Vista suites are marginally bigger than a balcony in a similar deck position. I would never spend an extra dime on a Pinnacle vista

We inadvertently booked one last year. First two weeks the neighbors were very quiet. Second 2 weeks the neighbors were late night sports fans. DH had a polite talk with them and they quieted down. I now worry, what if you had a crying baby next door - you can’t exactly talk your way out of that

I was thinking the same thing but I know with certainty this cruise is not full. I think they did him a “HAL favor”.

We enjoy the low key, unpretentious atmosphere , some call egalitarian approach of HAL. We always sail for itinerary and are not concerned with much of the trappings as long as it is a calm, clean, healthful environment. We now want to go from Tokyo to Europe by way of India. There are two 2027 itineraries, one on SilverSea and the other on Oceania. Which would you suggest? Why? Thanks for your input

https://www.carnivalcorp.com/media-center/news-releases/

HAL has been a hold out on 24 hour buffets as @cruisemom42 mentioned. I expect they would have to provide something more than the Dive Inn for arrivals from shore excursions late afternoon. And also something for the late nighters.

We experienced a chinook during a camping trip which is the opposite of a Katabatic wind. They are impressive atmospheric events. To give an idea I stepped in the freezing tent and in the time it took DH to enter behind me the temperature had risen 45 degrees. And yes our tent was ripped to shreds. And you no longer need to wonder why I enjoy cruise ships during my retirement years

What happens is the agent locks in a low rate. That low rate was available publicly at one time. The agent also may get the early booking bonus attached to that lock-in and can offer that as an additional OBC. HAL does not allow commission kick backs so the agent is just shuffling things around. how does this help the consumer - they can find a lower rate almost up until final payment date if they shop around. As an example I have a locked in rate of $5900 for a cruise where currently that room is offered at $7200. My agency will have those rooms until a few weeks before final payment date.

6 is going to have less motion. The higher you go the more the motion. Deck 8 midship is directly below the lido - potentially very noisy

It depends on tides