CNSJ

Very well put!

Just read on line changes for HAL in 2023-2024, adding a full time arts and crafts instructor as well as renewed libraries... "The art and craft instructor’s job will be to lead painting, drawing, and coloring in a new art studio. The program will also include sessions in crafting and needlework as well as painting classes to encourage artistic expression." "Holland America Line is also adding modern libraries throughout the fleet in 2023 and 2024. The collection includes over 250 titles featuring a variety of genres such as contemporary popular fiction, mystery, young adult and short stories. The cruise line is also expanding board and card game rooms to include a selection of games and puzzles."

The link indicates new emphasis on arts and crafts and library rooms!: "The art and craft instructor’s job will be to lead painting, drawing, and coloring in a new art studio. The program will also include sessions in crafting and needlework as well as painting classes to encourage artistic expression." "Holland America Line is also adding modern libraries throughout the fleet in 2023 and 2024. The collection includes over 250 titles featuring a variety of genres such as contemporary popular fiction, mystery, young adult and short stories. The cruise line is also expanding board and card game rooms to include a selection of games and puzzles." Perhaps they do listen to guest inputs. The arts and crafts program is nice for long voyages with sea days.

I am willing to bet it allows any price increases to kick in first. Many will complain (and they will....), but the way I see it is if I make a reservation three months in advance at restaraunt in the states, I get the menu price when I show up, not menu price when I book. I have an October cruise that I wish to book to lock in Birthday dinners etc., not so much worried about price.

Fred Olsen's business model is also to charge UK passengers a hefty sum to enjoy the pre-loved ships.

Appears the extra length is in the bump out section in the middle. Queen Anne has same Promenade Deck width constraints aft near dining room. Using same design saves a bunch of money in naval architecture costs.

If they sold the remaining R-class and replaced it with a Pinnacle class they would have a net same amount of passengers with less operating costs. 1 Captain, 1 Chief Engineer, 1 Hotel Mgr.... etc. Realize that many on this forum would jump off a bridge at the thought....

Paid rightfully to the shareholders of CCL (today) and HAL before that. The same people who saw thier "ownership" of CCL value fall by 80%. They are a for profit business.

Paid rightfully to the shareholders of CCL (today) and HAL before that. The same people who saw thier "ownership" of CCL value fall by 80%. They are a for profit business.

Many on this forum have complained about service standards dropping. With inflation running at about 7%, HAL needs to consider what its costs will be as far as 18 month out when they price things today. If not, service may drop even more. They are running a for profit business. The cruise lines are sailing blind when it comes to costs in the fall of 2024. I don't recall ever seeing them kick in the "permitted fuel surcharge" even when oil was really high last year. I hope they can find the right balance. Cruise travel is still a good deal if you ask me. Look at cost to eat in a restaurant stateside today.

During and in the immediate aftermath of COVID, cruise lines were not in a rush to get orders for new ships into shipyards. Now that COVID is getting further behind us (I know its not over yet!) cruise lines may soon start thinking about the fleets they will need in 2025 and beyond. That said: 1. What size (tonnage and passengers) and special features do you think should be in the next HAL new Build? Feel free to use an existing class as a basis. 2. What do you predict that HAL will build when they next submit an order to Fincantieri? This might not match your answer to question 1. Perhaps HAL executives monitor this site and will at least read your inputs.

While some may tell you that you can get seasickness meds from the ship's medical department, my advice is to just bring it with you. You don't want to go any where near the medical department unless you need to in the post-covid era!! Murphy's Law says to bring them and you won't need them... Murphy is a five star Mariner....

You will find very good variety and well=prepared hot food in the Lido at lunch and dinner. Dinner often has the same entrees as the MDR, without the need to spend 90-100 minutes to eat! HAl has a great buffet! They put food on the plates for you for most items....which is good.

The lack of a promenade deck (Pinnacle class is still better than nothing!), lack of a small loveseat in non-suites, and the loud music/party on lido deck areas are enough to keep me on HAL. Plus I don't want much bigger than Pinnacle class is today. I'll sail with HAL. May try Oceania, but price compares seem high, especially since we hit 4 star with HAL.

Out of Rye? Is that mutiny worthy?

There are so few 14 day cruises....assuming a seven day gig: I suggest Vancouver as embark/debark port. The cruises that use Vancouver will transit the scenic inside passage and have less time in what may be rougher seas if that is an issue. As for specific ships, the Vista Class (Noordam/Westerdam/Zuiderdam/Oosterdam) and Signature Class (Eurodam and N. Amsterdam) have the most open public areas for viewing Glaciers and wildlife.

On last cruise (Rotterdam in January at 80% full) Grand Dutch Cafe was open by 6 AM, with the Crows Nest "Exploration Cafe" opening at 7 AM. Perhaps its was just the sailing, but lines were minimal.

As a general rule my TA says not to buy Platinum coverage until time of final payment for this very reason.

We went the other way....after many HAL cruises we tried Celebrity and found ourselves back on HAL.

Signatures provide all that Vista class has plus Tamarind. I also prefer the layout of the Lido Market restaurant. These classes (to me) get the nod because of the great promenade deck for walking. That said, the Grand Dutch Cafe and expanded amidships pool area do make the Pinnacles appealing. Whats next? As for future builds, I think we will find that the next HAL build will be another Pinnacle or perhaps a Pinnacle plus based on the new Cunard Queen Anne. She is 10% larger than Rotterdam VI, but would still be smaller than most of the Princess fleet and RC fleet. Personally id prefer they stayed with the current Pinnacles.

As for Captain van Hoogdalem, it makes me wish HAL would publish which Captain will master which ships as a schedule so we can use that as a booking consideration. But then again, that would give some another thing complain about when the Captain plan changes....

Choose your cabin, choose how much you enjoy the trip! I am not enough of a gambler to book gurantees!

I would argue VA category Deck six middle balconies on Pinnacle class (Kon, NS, and Rot) are the best balcony staterooms on the ship. Minimal movement, staterooms above and below, and high enough above lifeboats to minimize sightline issues to water. Deck 5 V has more lifeboat blocking views than 6. The few V category cabins on deck 6 may have a slightly bigger balcony (often a wedge) but may be on facing ends of the bump and increase wind.

Thanks for the fast replies. One thing I just realized is to ensure all the segments are marked "do not upgrade" so that HAL doesn't do us a favor and cause extra cabin moves.

Appreciate the replies. As I have no interest in visiting China, the circle Japan itinerary would let me cruise the region without a stop in China.