trinilopez

Anyone arrive recently at Amsterdam Schiphol? Curious as to how the "getting your luggage from the carousel" went. I'm planning to just carry on only, but my wife is insisting on taking a larger checked back for our upcoming 2 week Baltic Cruise. Last May, it was a nuthouse, with all kinds of chaos, lost baggage all over the place, and many passengers complaining that their luggage never arrived. I know much of that continued through the fall of 22, and the airport even fired their CEO over the mess. Anyone have a recent update? We will still take the laundry package, but you know how some of the ladies are with their overkill on clothes and shoes!

There is also a tram from the Central Station right to the cruise port - very short ride, and only a few euros. Also, if you don't want to pay the obnoxious rates near the port or train station, there are quite a few hotels right at the Schipol airport. We often use the Steigenberger Schipol Hotel, very nice with a free shuttle to/from the airport every 30 minutes. You can pick up the rail right at the airport and will take to right to Central Station in about 25 minutes. From there, grab the tram. Ideal if you can walk a bit, and don't have a ton of luggage. If so, use a taxi, about 50euro from airport or hotel to cruise port.

Best deal onboard is the laundry service. We did the unlimited service on a 15 day Spanish Farewell cross Atlantic last year (including 4 pre-cruise days in Barcelona). Wife and I took 1 small suitcase each with about 5 days worth of clothes, and had laundry done almost every day. Even with the price hike, it's worth it. Less packing, less hassling with luggage during travel, carry on and carry off ship! Loved getting the packages of folded, clean laundry every night.

HAL has been very accommodating on 3 cruises we've taken this year. The 1st night we speak to the head Maitre'd and let him/her know what time we would like to come to dinner (anytime option), and also where we would like to sit, always table for 2. Our table is generally available withing 10 minutes of our chosen time. Don't be afraid to ask, they are always very helpful!

Like another poster here, just got off the Oosterdam on Saturday after a 14 day Barcelona to Miami Atlantic crossing. Had an absolutely "brilliant" time. This was our third HAL cruise this year, and experienced no issues to really complain about, even anything remotely Covid related. Too bad this particular Z-dam cruise had some issues, but is probably a one off. I am even booking another HAL cruise in March 2023!

We're on the Sept 11 Rotterdam cruise originally scheduled out of Amsterdam and have been aware of the issue with the water salinity and changes of embarkation ports for a few weeks now thanks to Cruise Critic. Nothing officially received from HAL, yet! Called HAL 2x today, (one on their "hotline", and one with "already booked cruise" contact. Both representatives were clueless, in fact, they weren't even aware of the previous changes from Amsterdam to Rotterdam port. I didn't have my booking number readily available on one call, and they couldn't even use my name to find the cruise of which I gave them the date, ship, and itinerary. Something just "ain't right"!