Ready2go11

I injured my arm, and as part of my physical therapy I’ve been using a heating pad after doing my exercises. I checked the FAQs list of prohibited items, and I do not see that this specifically would not allowed to be brought on board. 

anyone have any experience with this?

I have had vastly different experiences at the pinnacle for both lunch and dinner on the same cruise, let alone among various ships. One would be great and the next would be meh. 
 

I think service and food quality is affected by how busy they are. Some nights they are so slammed they just can’t keep up and that has to be due to the extra HIA reservations and what seems like less staff. 
 

I have noticed that side dishes and appetizer portions are smaller, but I gave them the benefit of the doubt that they did not want to waste food. They used to serve them family style to share, and now they are just individual portions.
 

If you know you want a healthy portion of a specific dish, just ask your waiter when ordering for extra. 

I found a sample menu for the Pinnacle Cellar Master pop-up but I could not find one for an Italian Cellar Master dinner (held in Canaletto) that is post pandemic. Has anyone been to the Italian dinner or have a menu to share that is post 2020? There is one scheduled for the upcoming Oosterdam TA and I would love a preview. 
 

thanks!

We have been fortunate enough to dine in Club Orange on a few occasions across all three of the pinnacle class ships. We have not tipped CO staff each time, as the service has not always been stellar.
 

Last fall on the Rotterdam TA cruise, the staff was outstanding, and we gave each person we got to know well an envelope on the last day with some money and a thank you note.  Each person slipped the envelope into their pocket. 
 

If the tips are shared, so be it, but that person knew we appreciated their service. We also mentioned each one in the Navigator app feedback during the cruise (and they mentioned they received notice of that) and in the post cruise survey. 
 

The Rotterdam CO team are phenomenal, led by manager Edgar, and part of the reason we booked another CO experience on the Rotterdam. We wanted them to know how much we appreciated them. 

1 hour ago, Crew News said:

As of September, 2023 both the extra appetizer and entree charges for the Pinnacle Grill are deleted.  For extra entrees, the Canaletto continues its $10 charge for extra entrees.

 

Brilliant!  Thanks for the definitive response.  

I believe the current pricing setup is no charge for extra appetizers (a change from last year when they were charging for extra appetizers) but there is an extra charge for entrées. 

For example, Canaletto is $10 each extra entree per the menu. 

I am not seeing Pinnacle extra entree charge on the sample menu on Navigator but I think it is $15. 
 

As noted above there are also some “special” entrees that are a surcharge above the price you pay to dine in the speciality venue. All extra charges in a speciality restaurant will also incur an 18% gratuity. 

They are usually added to book approximately six months before the cruise, which is where you stand now. Therefore, I think it should be any day.
 

On my Oct cruise that I have been monitoring, although the restaurants now show in the list when I click on dining, I get a 404 error when i click on an individual venue, so they are not yet ready to book. However, they didn’t even show at all earlier this week so hopefully they will be available soon. 
 

Keep checking your booking each day is my advice. 

HAL provides a variety of food; however I like granola bars or other snacks for post-trip airplane rides or for excursions where food or snacks are not included and I want a non-perishable option I can carry with me. 
 

2 hours ago, FLCruiser97 said:

If I put my snacks (granola bars) in a bag that I am checking (not carry on), will there be a problem? I don't have room in my carry on and I don't want my luggage to get sent to the naughty room.

I have put snacks like granola bars, nuts, candy in my checked bags to bring on board and have never had an issue. I think your luggage would be held longer if you had fresh fruits or vegetables that are not supposed to be brought on board.

As far as everything we tried, all games in the room were no charge to use. 
 

I did not take note of the name of the venue but on a January 2024 NS cruise we did go in there one evening to play some games. There were about 4 teens and 8 so adults including us, so not busy all.
 

They had a number of different video games, old style, large scale wooden games, skee ball etc. we didn't stay long but it was nostalgic and fun. 

They will happily take your cash at the casino table and exchange for chips. 

Thanks for posting the daily program!
 

Many other threads have noted how crowded it is on the main stage for port and other talks. Nice to see they are also live streaming the talk in the Rolling Stone lounge for some extra room.

I think another recent Oosterdam cruiser noted they also showed these talks on the TV at a later time. If you have a chance, can you check to see if that is happening on your cruise? Seems to be inconsistent from cruise to cruise and ship to ship.  
 

thank you

57 minutes ago, 0106 said:

@Mike B LandlubberThanks for your feedback on OJ & milkshakes.

I’d use the Let Us Know feature of the Navigator App to get the charge explained. $5.90 seems like a lot for chocolate milk.  

 

 

I would question as well. I am on Oosterdam after you and can see the room service menu on the Navigator app. Shouldn't be a charge for quesadilla or chocolate milk 

There would be a charge for soda or alcoholic beverages from room service (never included with a beverage package) but based on the amount you quoted, I would guess you got something from the Dive In section which is $5 plus the 18% service charge ($5.90 total). I’ve never done that but putting it on my list!

Keep in mind the inclusion/inventory list is a guideline. Not all ships will have everything listed, and on a ship not all bars will have the same selection. However, many of the well known beers and liquors will be widely available. 

Thank you for the quick and thorough reply!  If anything, it makes me appreciate the effort from you and all others that contribute even more knowing the prep involved. 
 

ps enjoying your Volendam trip report…. Even on vacation you are not taking off. 😁

@richwmn and others, I appreciate the comments today giving me a peek behind the Daily curtain. I have often wondered how it started and how things are chosen. 

on the anniversary, I will inquire as to my other burning questions….

how do you decide the food, drink and quotes of the day? Do the “helpers” have an advance preview so they can research the info they post to complement the daily?  How far in advance do you plan? Do you keep a spreadsheet for each day to keep track and avoid duplicates? And finally when there are guest originators, like Jacqui while you are traveling, do they choose daily items or have you already planned it out?

Many thanks to all for the time and effort to produce a daily feel-good message board that helps comfort, amuse and connect people around the world!

Remember you can always upgrade to Club Orange (if not already sold out) on any ship and pick your room in the same meta category.  
 

CO is $25 a day on shorter cruises so only $175 pp for a 7 night cruise to lock in your cabin or $15 a day on longer cruises. That cost can be significantly cheaper than the choose your cabin prices quoted in this thread. 

1 hour ago, Fly and Sail said:

 Holland America Line reserves the right to assess a change fee according to the date of the request, the length of the cruise, and the actual cruise sail date. Cancellation penalties apply. Deals (and any parts) are not transferable, not substitutable, not redeemable for cash and not combinable with any other offer/deal.

wouldn't any of these excerpted parts allow them to change or cancel your trip and/or fare rate?  
 

1) the offer was extended to the first person on your reservation and they are cancelling so a penalty could apply. 
 

2) by the first guest not showing up, you are changing the reservation so a change fee could apply 

3) the deal was extended to the first person on the reservation, and would not be transferable to you. 
 

I agree with other posters in that you could show up and may get lucky, and nothing will change OR based on the above they could cancel the entire trip or make you pay the full non-casino, discounted fare, which would significantly increase your cost.  By showing up on your own, you are taking a gamble it will work out as you hope. 

I am not sure what you mean by not allowing a blind charge in Europe, since you are not taking the trip that is documented on your confirmation by having 2 people, including the one the offer was extended to, participate in the contracted journey. 

On the increased crew appreciation cost question- in my experience, if you have included crew appreciation as part of a promotion or you prepaid yourself before the cruise and paid whatever the website charged you, you will not be charged the difference for the higher cost when you sail if it is after the price increase effective date. 
 

It is possible that after they announce an increase in the daily charge, and you are sailing after the effective date, that the prepaid option by paying on the website will be at the higher price (once they get their IT on it). 

34 minutes ago, BaldiePete said:

We have pre-paid crew appreciation on our cruise this summer. What does this include? Will it cover the 18% service charge for beverage purchases that are outside our drinks package and speciality restaurant bookings? TIA. 
 

Pre-paid crew appreciation does not include the service charge for beverage purchases or speciality restaurant charges outside the HIA package. 
 

As a side note, if you order a drink that is above your HIA package limit of $11 (standard) or $15 (if you had an early booking bonus package) they will charge you the amount above your drink cost limit plus 18% on the overage. The 18% would also be charged on any wine packages or alcohol related events you attend, like a paid wine tasting, and on spa services, Half Moon Cay off ship purchases (not included with HIA beverage package and in room mini bar or room service beverage purchases. 

It would include the amount noted in the excerpt below (from the HAL frequently asked questions site)

For sailings departing on or after February 14, 2024, the daily Crew Appreciation is $17.00* per guest per day for non-suite stateroom guests and $19.00* per guest per day for suite guests.

I agree with all of the above answers!!!

Just booked the fall Volendam repositioning from Montreal. This will be the first time in an ocean view cabin.

I think I read somewhere that on the Volendam and Zaandam ocean view cabins do not have a refrigerator in the room. Read that they can rented at a cost, and subject to availability. Is this true?

thank you in advance 

With the time of your life sale ending today anyone have any idea what promotion will come next?