Haljo1935

You just take what you want then return it to the book drop - Honor System. Books are labeled as property of HAL and hopefully passengers respect the system & who owns the book. As my DH needed every minute possible to finish the 800+ pages in the book he selected, he left it in our cabin for the steward to return. I have to believe he wasn't the only one. 🥸🤓 And no, no librarian. Books are stacked multiple copies deep like in an Old School Blockbuster store 🙂 empty spaces indicating titles are not available.

Hey @3rdGenCunarder we did indeed feel blessed to make the port as well as encounter minimal damage. More blessed to be greeted by such welcoming locals who no doubt had their hands full and minds occupied. The Bell museum was great.

That's what we did and turned in their key. As mentioned, it took about a day for us to see the name disappear from the TV statement. All worked out fine. Cruise was Feb 2023.

We had no expectations as to what would be available; only that a new stocked library would be there as the ship was fresh out of dry dock. DH found an 800+ page book which he managed to get through (to say he's not a reader is generous) with so little time to spare we had to leave it in the cabin, but it was read cover to cover, so I consider that a successful library experience. 🙃🤭

We had this happen Feb this year on Nieuw Amsterdam - to avoid penalties and last minute unplanned expenses for the roommate, the person just didn't show up (was a No Show). Guest Servics called to ask if they were coming and when they said no, they removed their name and had us turn in their key, which we had because we'd already gone by the cabin to drop bags. Because the cruiseline keeps the forfeited payment, they've received their $$ and don't charge the other person anymore. It took about a day for us to see the other name drop off, but it did. FWIW it was a HAL customer service rep that suggested this when we called in to ask about options. First question we were asked was if the person had travel protection. Since they didn't, this was their suggested action. Said if they did cancel, the remaining passenger would be charged single rate which have to immediately be paid (so it was received, of course, before they boarded). The No Show person did not receive taxes and fees - they got no refund of any kind. Hope it all works out - wishing him well.

Not sure when the boarding group was received, but we did the screenshot on April 17. The departure date was April 29, so we had it at least 12 days before departure. You can also print a hard copy so long as it has the barcode on it. You don't need all 14 (ugh) pages - everything you need is on page 2, so you can print just that one page.

New library seen this month on Eurodam. I didn't capture the entire room, so it has more books than what's visible here. Definitely a stock available. Pictures taken last day, so many books probably had been returned. Chairs would be nice; maybe they aren't providing them as a way to offer enrichment (the books) while not encouraging socialization? Or cost savings - books and bookcases cost less than chairs? Whatever it is, HAL is investigating $$ in bringing the libraries back. Another question re change on Crows Nest - where are they doing the vow renewals now that the private space is gone?

Aligned with others here - as soon as you see specialty dining available in your booking, you can make reservations. Note that you will have to pay at that time.

If it's true aft (facing out back w/wake views) it will be awesome - Congrats!!

@IntrepidFromDC appreciate all the great (and even almost great😎) pictures - sincere thanks for taking the time to share them with us. Looks like you're having an awesome trip.

Welcome to HAL! You don't select or sign up for a boarding group. Be sure you complete the online check in. Then a few days before departure, you will receive notice of your boarding time and group. It will then be visible on the boarding pass - both printed and online versions. Log into the Navigator App and you'll see it at the top; your cabin assignmentwill be at the bottom. Enjoy your trip!

So close, Very similar... 🙃 How long did you have to do that tour? Seems a day wouldn't come close to being enough time.

Nice - are they on eBay yet? 🙃

@Suzanne123Everything mid-ship will be over the lifeboats. hal-na-deck-plan-083022_230418_000138.pdf

We went to the Heritage Village during our cruise last Oct. It was incredibly gorgeous - your pictures remind me of how peaceful it was. Even though it was exactly a week after Hurricane Fiona paid her visit. Time with Mom is always special - glad to hear you enjoyed it.

These are exterior views of Eurodam balconies on 10 and 11. You can see the deck directly below (9) is deeper than 10. The curved balconies are on 11 (they're super tiny and do not have solid dividers between them so you can see from one balcony to another). The Halfacts links provided by @oakridger are a great place to look.

And remember that adjustments from prepay to OBC for excursions are done once onboard by going to Shore Excursions desk.

So happy to hear y'all are enjoying your cruise - knew you would since you packed your positive attitude. 🙃😎 Excitedly awaiting pictures. Hopefully trivia outcomes improve.

Hey @BigMattT is ordering formal night menu from room service unique to that cruise or Westerdam? 4* and never knew that was an option.

@gaudi89 once ship is cleared, you are free to get off and back on as many times as you'd like; just be mindful of All Aboard time. Welcome to HAL!!

Having some time before you cruise, perhaps go through your TA/PVP...

@IntrepidFromDC what would your recommendation to eat/not eat in Il Viaggio be for someone who does not eat seafood, but would instead be going for the more basic Italian food aspect?

You absolutely can. 🙃

@croozen you can't use OBC to prepay for excursions, but you can get payment moved over to OBC once onboard. See my previous responses. It does work as recently as May 2023 on Eurodam. Aligned with everyone that having published policies followed would ease frustrations and minimize these threads, but since we know it's not, just need to help each other be educated on how to work with what we have to get desired results.

Correct - which is why if you want to secure excursions, for example, just book online and prepay, then once onboard go to Shore Excursions (NOT Guest Services) and have them moved to OBC. You'll get the credit back on CC at end of cruise. To be clear - the credit will go to the CC you provide for your stateroom account, which may or may not be the one you originally used to pay for the excursions (you know what that is, so just be mindful when you're looking to confirm you received the credit).