Petie Mac

If you have internet and use Facebook, call on FaceTime or Messenger and you won’t have an extra charge.

On 1/27/2023 at 7:53 AM, Petie Mac said:

Once onboard, we were able to buy a soda only package for about nine dollars a day. It was not good for use in the room but you could use it in all the bars, lounges and Oceanview cafe.  This was not available to purchase prior to the cruise.  This was in August, 2022.

 

This is no longer true.  They stopped offering sodas only package.  You can buy individually for $4-$5 each.

H

Once onboard, we were able to buy a soda only package for about nine dollars a day. It was not good for use in the room but you could use it in all the bars, lounges and Oceanview cafe.  This was not available to purchase prior to the cruise.  This was in August, 2022.

Yes, you should definitely call.  You may have to get special approval and even pay a small fee to make the change, depending on how you booked. Most likely, you paid extra, though not double for your solo booking. If they permit the change, which I would imagine they will, you would likely pay the difference, which should be less than a full fare, depending on your booking.  I recently requested a ship and date change, which is a little different, and I had to get special approval.  Long phone hold, but well worth it.

As others have said, FLL is very close. If the ship offers the option for you to use a luggage service, you will have the opportunity to have your luggage sent directly to the airport and checked, along with getting your boarding pass the night before on the ship. This will also save time.

On 9/13/2021 at 9:28 PM, AnnieBelle said:

I have the signature beverage package but I drink a lot of Diet Coke. Would it seem silly to do the soda package so I can save my 15 drinks for pricier mixed drinks and bottles of water for when I’m going off the ship?

Don’t do both.  You’ll be able to have plenty of Diet Coke on the signature beverage package.  Just remember, you’ll be charged for any drinks or diet cokes from room service or your in room fridge.

There was never an issue w/non alcoholic drinks.  You should be 
just fine.  Don’t buy both, but remember that sodas and mixed drinks from your in room mini bar and room service will be charged.

Went on Nieuw Amsterdam to Alaska in August, 2021. We had a great time and encountered no problems really.  Hors d’oeuvres in the lounges were unsalted peanuts, period.  No warm hors d’ouevres at all.  Also, it seemed like the activities were cut back from what I had experienced in the past.  Premium items , like lobster, were an added cost always.  The food was tasty, other than the pizza, which we found truly lacking. The boarding procedure was less hectic, no crowds.  The safety drill procedure was a big improvement.  Go to station, check in, go back to room, watch video.  Yay, HAL! Many HAL passengers are repeat and so, familiar with cruising.  They are generally observant of cruise protocol.  At no time did we feel threatened by the pandemic, since people were compliant and rules were enforced. We had a wonderful time!