InTheWASide

Nothing on here (unless I missed it) actually says this is a private destination. I got the impression it's going to be yet another stop ships can make within The Bahamas. Like when they built Falmouth in Jamaica a few years back.

HAL has offered this "Elite Beverage Package" back in 2016. It was offered on the Oosterdam in November 2016.

At that time it would have been a pilot program.

When they make an announcement like this, it is now being offered fleetwide

The relaxation room is accessible if you have the weekly pass or when you purchase an individual service like a massage

Princess , Seabourn and P&O Australia aren't part of the HAL group. They all have their own management structure that reports directly Carnival PLC ( Mother corp).

Here's the original announcement about Holland America Group:

http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/stein-kruse-to-become-ceo-of-the-holland-america-group-230519551.html

Kruse was at the top of HAL, Seabourn, Princess, P&O Australia and Holland America Princess AK Operations. This now adds P&O (the UK one) and Cunard.

Another article, additional pictures, a broader look at the layout on Nieuw Statendam's EXC and a peek at a unique spot on the new ship's Crow's Nest all the way forward. I think this concept is fantastic

http://www.travelpulse.com/news/cruise/holland-america-line-has-engaging-additions-in-store-for-2017.html

When I still had my blog up I had been able to tour all 4 and took pictures all throughout them. They are all different.

One of the more intriguing parts of this story is if the 5th Vista would have remained with HAL, what they would have named her. As we all know, the current four Vistas are named for each of the four directions of the compass

I've always had an offshoot of this thought process with regard to the decor on the vistas.

Penguins = South Pole. But they're on the ship named for the east.

Polar bears = North Pole. But they're on the ship named for the south. The same ship with the polar bears oddly assigned also has a seahorse for the atrium sculpture.

Just something that's always nagged me a bit

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In the early days of my HAL cruises (and before I was with HAL) I was finding no benefit and nearly impossible to get replies when I needed them. Ultimately went with a friend who worked as a travel agent. If you found a benefit from him, good for you. Definitely wasn't a universal experience.

For those that somehow think Oprah will have crew entourages left and right and be dominating every public room on the ONE sailing that she personally will join... this is from the Travel Weekly article:

Oprah will be on the Eurodam's Alaska cruise that departs Seattle on July 15, for two nights. The magazine said the Holland America partnership dovetails with Oprah's "Year of Adventure" in 2017.

Then it says there are 4 other cruises that will be more themed, although Oprah herself will not be there:

Besides the cruise on which Oprah herself will sail, four themed cruises are scheduled. These sailings will feature programming developed with the magazine's editors, including editor in chief Lucy Kaylin and creative director Adam Glassman. Members of Oprah's "SuperSoul 100," visionaries who use their talents to elevate people, will share their ideas on these cruises.

The following "O" themed cruises are scheduled:

• Nov. 29, 2017: 11-day Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale on the Koningsdam

• March 3, 2018: seven-day Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Nieuw Amsterdam

• Aug. 11, 2018: seven-day Alaska cruise from Seattle, Eurodam

• Oct. 28, 2018: seven-day Caribbean cruise from Fort Lauderdale, Nieuw Amsterdam.

Then it says what impacts the whole fleet:

Also, Holland America and "O" starting in August will offer onboard programming on North America cruises throughout the fleet. Activities will include an onboard book club, meditation, tai chi and healthy-cooking demonstrations.

Let's see... a book club... that will likely be in a quiet lounge or the explorations cafe on maybe a couple afternoons

Meditation and tai chi... this will likely occur poolside, in the spa or if the promo photos are to be believed, out on the bow

Healthy cooking demos... Hmm... if only HAL had a place onboard where they could do cooking demos so they don't just close off public rooms left and right with the express mission of pissing people off... Oh wait... they do...

Seriously people... :rolleyes:

People freak out fir the weirdest reasons.

 

All this is ipwill be npbrabded meditation classes, some nutrition classes, a book club, and a magazine in a stateroom.

 

They're not rebranding as O Criuse Lines for crying out loud.

Agreed

Very good revue of CCL. Nice to know some of the differences.

Does the HAL mariner standing and benefits apply on CCL. I think it used to, but not sure if it still does.

Thanks!

past guest on HAL can get the past guest rate for CCL and vice versa... in all honesty there are usually better promos than past guest, but for times when there are not, it can come in handy

I was partially correct! Does it seem ironic that a cruise line that is presently moving away from libraries should feature a book club?

In fairness, people here said they were moving away from libraries... not HAL

Thanks for your review. I'll have to look up Triumph to compare it size-wise to the other Carnival ships we've done... Spirit (twice), Liberty and Splendor (48 nights around South America!). We found MDR dining similar, especially more recent years) very similar, crew wonderful, entertainment different but good for us, but the Carnival buffet was not as good as HAL back then, so if you would comment on that I'd appreciate it.

 

Glad you enjoyed your cruise, happy birthday! m--

Triumph is same general layout but a little smaller than Liberty

I notice that there are many different restaurants offered--but they all have a fee. We are used to eating at optional dining venues on Seabourn and Regent with no added fee. It's fun, and different, to try them. From those who have sailed on this ship, is there a need to frequent these various restaurants? Is the MDR food less than desirable? Or do you just feel the need for a change?

 

Which of the alternative restaurants did you find the best? We will definitely visit Pinnacle Grill as we have found it excellent and worth the fee. But how about the Italian? The seafood? The Asian? Are they really special?

 

I would appreciate your feedback.

 

Mom C

Canaletto depends on your personal taste. I loved it, but some have been underwhelmed.

Sel de Mer is the best meal I have EVER had at sea outside of the big 7 course Chef's Table dinner we had on Nieuw Amsterdam a few years back

Tamarind is incredible on so many levels it's definitely a must do.

Culinary Arts Center is totally different than meals I've had on any ship up to this point. Super fresh, simply prepared, great flavors and fun all around (and unlimited complimentary wine that was good) :)

So HAL's print ad budget is going there I suppose. Two page spreads or inside the front/back covers? Never paid much attention to the magazine so not sure what demographic Seattle would be chasing. So July on Eurodam 7/1, 7/8, 7/15. 7/22 or 7/29 (five sailings in July) - which one? Doesn't matter a lot to us since we're on Oosterdam. :cool:

Eurodam has also been recently refitted with all the new stuff, but I'm surprised the O Magazine cruise with O herself wasn't on the "O"osterdam

and HAL has been advertising in a lot of lifestyle magazines, believe O has been among them for quite some time

We were on the Koningsdam transatlantic and were very disappointed in the lack of dancing opportunities we fondly remember from prior HAL cruises. Are there any HAL ships that will retain, for instance, the old Ocean Bar with the Neptunes and a dance floor?

Unlikely. The fleet tends to stay as consistent as possible.

I don't. Never have

Hey Everyone – Thanks for all your responses and advice. Yes, we prefer the R class ships. I also liked the idea of overnighting in Copenhagen. Both ships have basically the same itinerary. The difference is the Koningsdam is doing one more day of scenic cruising and the ports of Flam & Eidfjord, Norway and the Prinsendam is doing the overnight in Copenhagen and the ports of Helsingor & Skagen, Denmark.

 

We sail, next week, on the Volendam, and would prefer to book this cruise while onboard – so, we will see what cabins are still available on both ships. We are leaning towards the Prinsendam, but she is much smaller and may not have the cabin selection.

 

Once again – thanks for all the advice!

If it's in any way a factor, keep in mind that money will likely go further on Koningsdam. Prinsendam is smaller and prices for various categories tend to be higher than other ships. You may be able to "get more room for your money" on Koningsdam.

With the exception of two cruises, we have always been in an aft-wrap stateroom in Alaska. Choose the Westerdam Deck 5 staterooms for a fully covered Alaska experience....no rain worries and you can eat on your verandah while the ship is moving. Best staterooms are 5190 and 5191 (aft wraps Neptune Suites).

 

The Noordam aft staterooms on Deck 5 are only 2/3d covered and a bit smaller. Although only partially covered, you will still be able to dine on your wind-protected verandah while many will not have that option.

 

I will be in an aft stateroom on the Noordam in Alaska in June.

good point on Noordam vs the others.

With other Vista class, deck 5 is covered and huge. Deck 4 is mostly uncovered and huge.

Also, isn't there something about a passport check if you do the White Pass train as an excursion???

Yes. Passport is required for that excursion as you cross on land from Alaska to Fraser, BC

I'm confused - is the Princess corporate office moving from Santa Clarita, CA to Seattle?

Princess has kind of a dual thing going on. It's because this new building is for Holland America GROUP not Holland America LINE exclusively. Princess has A LOT of staff in CA as I understand it so this is a satellite office for some of their operations as I understand it. I don't believe a consolidation is in the plans in a way that would eliminate Santa Clarita though

Koningsdam is an incredible ship. If you want a more modern ship experience, Koningsdam all the way! If you like significantly smaller and much more traditional cruise styling then Prinsendam.

If you go with a signature suite, pay a little extra to get on deck 6. Otherwise I would keep what you have.

A few more.

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Here's a few pictures. I have yet to see it for myself.

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