FlaMariner

I agree. When we do a 7 day "milk run" to the Caribbean, there is not much time for lectures, etc.....It's a much different experience for us as well as the cruise line.....vs a longer cruise. Also, when attending a coffee chat w/the Hotel Directory on the Oosterdam TA, he referenced how different the longer cruises are from the "milk runs" based on customer demands....He said the "milk runs" were basically easy to figure out supplies (load up the ranch dressing, plenty of ketchup and plenty of beer) but the long cruises are a different animal....And when in Ft Lauderdale heading to Europe, stuff the ship with Diet Coke because that's not easily available in Europe......Basically, lots of different needs/requirements based on the type of cruise.

I wish we could see a breakdown by Carnival Corp brand of "rate of return". This press release indicates Carnival Cruise Line is #1.......I'm curious as to where and what return the other brands deliver.....and especially HAL. Does anyone know if that data is available? It's not in the annual report/proxy....at least as far as I can figure out.

Our OBC is listed on the Booking Notification from our TA.

Our HAL cruises have had both guest lecturers (college professor types) as well as great EXC presentations (given by the cruise director).......It has not been one or the other but has been both types of presentations on the same cruise. And we enjoyed both types and glad we had them and could choose. We even had a college professor who was an astronomer on our 2023 South America HAL cruise who gave lectures during the day and then at night she would narrate star gazing on the back deck with the ship lights turned off....that was in addition to a professor giving talks on the South America and the EXC talks.....

+1 Holland America Line....this was very true and we noticed this also when on the Sky vs Rotterdam (all post Covid).

We were on the Oosterdam in April...... For the Livorno port stop, we toured Cinque Terre. Our friends toured Florence/Pisa. No way to do both in one day. We all used www.italytours.eu for the tours in Livorno and other Italian ports also. Small group. Great guides. Fantastic price. Enjoy Italy....

Yes, We are 4 Stars and have used this fantastic benefit on 4 cruises since entering this special world.....Just check "unlimited" and send it in. No need to mark it 4 star or do anything on the form (we've never been charged since acquiring this most special benefit). Enjoy the free laundry......and welcome to the 4 Star Club!

When I have this issue, I remind myself that the issue is my lack of knowing the Indonesian language and I realize their English is better than my Indonesian. Great review. Thanks for passing along the experience......

We were on the Oosterdam this past April (2024, 22 days TA & Mediterranean) and the previous March (2023, 17 days, Santiago to FLL). We found her in great shape both times. Do not recall anything "out of order" or worn out. We love the size of the ship.....And she was in great shape. Both times we had quite the interactive and visible captains......And the staff was top notch. We'd sail her on again and again. Also, no issues with Park West being in the way. Enjoy the Oosterdam........

We try very hard to follow the "at least a day before embarkation arrival" rule if flying. Flying is not reliable. The crowd strike issue this weeks is a real live example.....It's not just weather that gums up the works.

I don't know the cost but from our experience, anytime we compared a HAL hotel rate to booking ourselves, the HAL rate was always higher...and most of the time way higher.... But when leaving for a cruise from Rotterdam.....if you want to go "all in" with HAL, check out these two hotels in Rotterdam: The former HQ building for HAL now a hotel: https://hotelnewyork.com Or the older Rotterdam ship now a hotel: https://ssrotterdam.com Nothing like going to ROTTERDAM to board the ROTTERDAM and staying at the ROTTERDAM pre-cruise. Enjoy Rotterdam or any 'dam ship...

We have cruised on the Rotterdam and the Sky Princess. Without knowing/considering the itinerary and price, we would choose Rotterdam. Why? Fixed Dining. We like same time, same waiter, same table. On Sky, we had to beg every evening for a table for two with the waiter team we enjoyed. Horrible lines, asking permission every night, avoiding the tables for two that are in a line and not private. We love the fixed dining experience on Rotterdam. And the food...more on that later. Cabins. We were in balcony cabins for both. Sky has an open closet (like motel 6), no chair, less storage and we think the balcony was smaller (could be based on the cabin) Ambience. Sky was like being at the shopping mall. Especially the atrium which was like the food court. Loud lido with some sort of bingo gambling going on. Spa/hydro suite on Sky was not as good and was hidden in the dark center of the ship...We enjoyed the Rotterdam hydro suite....Rotterdam is more our traditional, calm selves. Retractable ceiling. The Sky lido pool area does not have a retractable wall meaning the area is useless during inclement weather. Makes ship very crowded elsewhere when the weather is bad and all the lido pool folks have to seek shelter. Rotterdam (and all HAL ships) have the retractable wall. Food. For us (I realize different folks have different opinions on food) HAL food is excellent. Dutch Cafe, NY Pizza, Dive in, MDR, Lido all beat what we experienced on Sky. Lido on Sky was , for us, very frustrating...salad bar was a cluster to maneuver and it was hidden, juice cups were shot glass size, more like a cafeteria than HAL's lido market. Breakfast in MDR for Sky was a very small menu w/only one "special of the day"...HAL's was extensive every day. Entertainment. Not into production shows and that seemed to be big on Sky. Nothing similar to the EXC talks (informative educational talks) that HAL has and we enjoy. The jazz club had what we call "brunch jazz" which is not our thing. Sky had nothing like the Music Walk experience on Rotterdam (Billboard, classical, rock, blues, etc.) Technology. We liked the navigator app on Rotterdam to order burgers, etc. to pick up later....Sky relied on this quarter size "medallion" (lost on day 2) that they promised would make cruising so much easier but it rarely worked or had nothing of value for us. They seemed to obsess over it but it did nothing for us. Size matters. Rotterdam 2668 vs Sky 3660 passengers. Sky often felt crowded....We never experienced lines or crowding on Rotterdam Staff. Both were great....But the Rotterdam staff (especially cabin stewards and waiters) do a great job of quietly getting things done and getting to know your likes/dislikes. Hard to quantify that one but the staff on HAL seems to be a notch above. There is probably more but I'm tired of typing. Realize we are HAL loyalists (based on the experience and value we get) but we were open to trying other cruise lines but this Sky Princess experience on Princess helped us realize we were "one and done" with them for now..... I wish you a great journey on whatever you choose.....And we choose the Rotterdam any day over the Sky Princess.

We are in/out in 1.5 hours without pushing it......we enjoy an efficient MDR and I'll pass along a few suggestions: Utilize fixed dining....so the waiter knows what you want/don't want and is ready to help out on day 1 (which is always chaotic), find your table in the afternoon and then just go to it when the MDR opens....no need to wait in the long line to be taken to your table also, day 1 afternoon, if buying sommelier wine package, get the list from the beverage table (set up usually at lido) and figure out what you want....sometimes, they will know if some are available/not available......but wait and buy from waiter as he gets credit Check out the MDR menu on your TV while getting dressed for dinner.....so you will know what you want or at least have a general idea Order everything at once.....some folks hold off on ordering dessert or after dinner coffee....but telling the waiter what you want up front saves steps Dinner in the MDR is a highlight for us......we love it....and enjoy the banter with the waiter, trying different foods than we would risk ordering at home....and the pace is really up to us..... Enjoy the Main Dining Room......whether 30 minutes or 2.5 hours!

Called Carnival today....that was from the Carnival employee who answered the 800# this morning....

That is exactly what we will do! thanks for the info.

I called Carnival. Very helpful. I could visit with the dining room staff prior to dinner and ask for a table for two.....I could also provide a note on my cruise booking to request a table for two (but not confirmed). I've reached out to the TA to add the "table for two" request.... Also, I was told that having "fixed dining" is better for obtaining a table for two rather than having open seating. Thanks to all for the helpful intel......We look forward to our cruise and our table for two.

Wow, that is big....And we are traveling in a warm climate.....I'm not sure Her Majesty will allow this but glad to know it is an option.

We will be doing that....haven't done that since college. Thanks for the laundry intel.

I'd rather not lie.......but thanks for the tip. We are assigned early sitting....and nothing noting a request or confirmation for "table for two" seems to be available on our reservation. What's going to happen to us when we approach the MDR podium on day 1 and say "We would like a table for two, please"? Is it expected that we will be assigned a table with other folks for the entire 25 night cruise? I might prefer to walk the plank than endure that. Kill me now. LOL.

Hey @Taters, yes, we were with y'all on that great South American Oosterdam cruise! Thanks for the intel....as you certainly know where we are coming from....

Thanks for sharing the video & intel.......The pool seemed small? We may have to wait until we board to see for ourselves....And see what the price will be. The price is nowhere that I can discover when I log in.

It looks like we are turning "gold" during this cruise and I've read that Carnival lets you use your new level if it happens on the cruise....Don't think that is going to help out with laundry. Thanks for the details....Looks like we may be doing this dorm style with visits to the washateria. Will need to pack detergent pods. Thanks

Perfect! That will work well for us. Thanks,

Just awesome help @Haljo1935 ...and I know you would know from where I am coming from! Thank you.

Yes, our April Oosterdam cruise had the Dutch themed dinner in the MDR. I recall a great menu....pea soup is delicious....and also had an Indonesian entree...which, I learned, is very Dutch. It's good to see the "Dutch dinner" back...