Moriah

Nope, just 7 day one way Boston-Montreal. But.. you could still be on to something since this is a popular route for B2Bers who do the round trip Boston-Boston or Montreal-Montreal. So they may have been juggling for that reason, and we got lucky.

Wow, I really wasn't expecting to get our cabin assigned so early. Other guarantees I've had we've had to wait until at least 10 days before the cruise, and in a couple of cases until only 48 hours before. So the good news is I've got the cabin number almost 3 weeks in advance, and the bad new is, it's the first time we haven't received an upgrade from our guarantee category. Oh well, we've been SO lucky in the past, it was time to get just what we paid for. Oh wait. We paid nothing. It's a casino offer that came with a free inside cabin. I've had these offers before and the last two times we got an OV, and this past November we got an OV FAMILY (two bathrooms!) on Rotterdam. So, I've been very blessed and lucky, AND while this one is "only" an inside cabin, it's a great location near an exit on deck 3 (Zaandam) so I can zip in and out which I LOVE. I know many people don't like guarantees. I kind of like the element of surprise and I'm not terribly picky about location on the ship. When I've paid for expensive Neptune suites I've been sure to choose my location (right across from the lounge please), but other than that, in any other category, I'm really not fussed about where it is, so that if the guarantee is much cheaper (or in this case, free) I'm happy to wait for the surprise and have always been pleasantly surprised! So, anyway, no real point to this post except I have no place else to gush about these things except CC ! 🙂 sort of blank bored looks from anyone else, even the person I'm cruising with LOL

WOW! thank you so much for sharing this!

I was on Volendam in Alaska a year before Covid and we actually had a lanai cabin, which did indeed have two dedicated chairs. However, there were quite a few other deck chairs at either end of deck 3 (forward and aft). I don't remember there being any difficulty finding deck chairs, but of course it was a "cold" cruise so perhaps for your intinerary it will be different. I know sometimes people would sit in our deck chairs presumably unaware that they were dedicated to our lanai, but if we weren't using them that was fine with us. Perhaps someone who has been on Volendam on a warmer itinerary can chime in. It would be a shame if they didn't put out enough chairs.

Do you mean the online check in? You can start that anytime. Just log in to the HAL website and you will see where you can start the process. If you meant what time should you come to the port for embarkation, you will probably get an email with a check in time, but as has been reported here quite often, nobody seems to actually check whether you've arrived at the assigned time. Usually around 11 AM is when actual boarding starts, although you can usually check in a little earlier. Just remember to be on board an hour or two before sailing! Rooms are almost always ready as soon as they start the boarding process. I like to come at 10:30 and board right away, but that's just me. Some people arrive at 1 PM because they want to beat the crowds. You will love the NA and Alaska!

Oh boy! I went away from my computer for a few hours and came back to this embarrassment of riches in the form of your responses!! Thank you all SO much! I'm getting excited for my day in Montreal, and I agree with you, I'm sure I'll want to come back. It's shameful that I live so close and haven't really "been" to Montreal except a few times flying out of YUL to Europe. Again, thanks a million - this is very very helpful!! And Yes, I am going over now to join the roll call! I'm a four star mariner going on this cruise with a friend who has never stepped foot on a cruise ship in her life and has anxiety. I'm thinking it's going to be like taking a child to Disneyland for the first time LOL!

I don't think I thought this all the way through...I guess I thought we'd just jump on a bus to get home... didn't realize they don't run all day... so what am I talking about? I'll be on Zaandam for a one week, one way cruise from Boston to Montreal. We disembark in Montreal and have to make our way home to Burlington, Vermont. Renting a car one way between countries even for a less than one day rental is over $300. So I'm thinking we could spend that and get a tour of Montreal (yes, even though we live just over the border we have sadly seen very little of Montreal...) and take the Greyhound to Burlington that night. It leaves at 11:30 PM so we literally have all day - from disembarkation around 9 AM until bus station at 11... how do we fill the day? I am looking at private tours, renting a car and going to places ourselves (and returning the car in Canada, thus halving the cost), restaurants... Now, we will have some luggage... just having come from a cruise and all.. but it's a one week cruise and we're packing small carry-ons. Still, those will have to be with us all day. The cruise starts May 6 ends May 13, which is the day discussed... so there is some time... but I like to get things planned out. So... I'm open to any and all ideas and would greatly appreciate any input, especially from those who have spent one day in Montreal, with luggage... 🙂

I know this is a relatively old thread, but can you explain where on the HAL site I would see a casino offer? I get the emails, and have booked a few casino offer cruises, but lately I am only getting "reduced fare" offers. I'm curious if there is a way to see "all" the offers (or any of them) online. It sounds like you are saying pick a cruise, go through the booking process and THEN they will tell you there is a casino offer you qualify for? Or is it something else... thanks in advance for guidance!

I like that the room stewards can keep and only share with their partner, the extra tips I give them. I did not tip a couple of bar-tenders on my last two cruises who otherwise I would have, because my understanding was they would not be able to keep it. My thinking was that the crew appreciation I'm automatically charged covers them UNLESS I feel that someone has been particularly helpful and deserving of a tip, and in that case, I want him to be able to keep what I give him, and not have to share. Does that make sense?

Oh, I see. So when I gave cash to our room attendants (I did not remove the crew appreciation from the bill) they would be able to keep it, then, as she said she would.

Do you have any idea what the purpose is of the cabin attendants being told when people have removed their automatic gratuities?

On my recent NA cruise I specifically asked my cabin steward, directly, if she will get to keep any cash I give her - literally give her - in her hand. She said, "Yes, but I will share it with my partner." (Which of course I was perfectly happy about. The pair did a stellar job) So, apparently it's not true that they can't keep it, unless different crew have different rules. For example, I believe bartenders and baristas are NOT allowed to accept any cash tips. Cabin attendants, however, as I stated, apparently can. In years past, we always gave cash on the last day to our servers in the Main Dining Room, and it was my impression they could keep it. Now, I don't know. I rarely eat in the MDR anymore and don't have any servers who know me well by the end of the cruise as in the "olden" days.

On my recent NA cruise it was the debut of Third Avenue West on that ship and we enjoyed them every afternoon in the Ocean Bar. It wasn't jazz, though. More pop and folk - a lot of oldies. No vocals.

LOL! I was going to say the same thing! Give me that COLD cabin! 🙂 I hope next month on Zaandam I'll have a nice chilly cabin - we have an OV guarantee. I don't mind noise, but excessive heat does me in...

This subject is dear to my heart. For many many years I declared I "didn't like" any ship larger than Vista Class (Zuiderdam and her sisters). I sailed on Eurodam and NA when they were brand new, and declared them "too big". LOL Then as the years went by they sort of grew on me and weren't "that much" bigger... anyway, my first cruise in the A.C. period (After Covid) was November 2022 on Rotterdam, and it was LOVE at first coffee at the Dutch Cafe! I am now in love with the "big" ships of that class, and yes, there is something about sailing the newest ship in the fleet, just because it's the newest, and the flagship, and all that. So I realize I'm not being super helpful, but I'll say that having sailed on all the HAL ships and classes at this point I'd say they ALL have something wonderful to offer. After Rotterdam, I sailed a couple weeks ago on NA again, and I'll be in Zaandam in May. Different sizes, different itineraries, different experiences, yet all wonderful. But, you are talking about a Caribbean cruise specifically. I would say, get on the Rotterdam for that one! You don't need a smaller ship to fit into small ports, so there is no advantage that way of a smaller ship. And in the case of your itinerary I'd say Zuiderdam would be my last choice and Rotterdam my first simply because the Rotterdam experience is such fun right now it being, as said, the newest and shiniest. More dining choices, LOTS of amazing music, and everything else that makes HAL wonderful. My vote for THAT itinerary - Rotterdam.

Oh, thank you so much!!! Now I'm even more excited to board Zaandam in 5 weeks. Some people may think I'm crazy to be so excited about a bathrobe (and they are probably right). I really appreciate your reply - yes, that is THE ONE! When you say they asked you which one you wanted, were you able to see the choices or did you just say "like the one in the stateroom"? I assume it comes folded and sealed? Also, did you have it monogrammed? Again, thanks so much for this.

Thanks everyone. I'm still so confused. I LOVED the robe that was in my cabin last month on NA... I want one just like that one...and thought I would order it as a "gift" to myself, online, and get it on my next cruise. But now I guess my best bet is to get on board Zaandam next month and see if they sell them on board and if they do, see if it's the robe I want. I definitely want the cotton and not "plush" or "velour"... I'll report back next month.

Oh, thanks for this! I've been on over 40 HAL cruises, but next month (May 6) I board the Zaandam for the very first time! I'm so excited. I took a look at recent reviews and they were not stellar, but then I saw your post and watched the video, and well, I just KNOW it's going to be amazing. I will be so upset when the small ships are completely gone... I really miss Maasdam and Amsterdam... The Zaandam itinerary I'm on in a few weeks is one I've done twice on Maasdam. So the Z has a hard act to follow!

You are in an ocean view stateroom (the most prevalent on Zaandam) and if you have the room to yourself you'll have your own queen sized bed. I echo Greebo - please let us know your impressions!

YAY! Bon Voyage! You are on the next cruise on my "bucket list"!

Off topic, but you are going to LOVE your first cruise on Zaandam! I will be on Zaandam in May and I'm taking a friend who has never cruised before. I'm twice as excited as I usually am because of that. As far as Hagrid-sized folks, as you've already heard, it's really not a problem as far as hallways! Are you traveling alone or with a partner? If not in a Neptune suite, the bed is queen, or divided queen, which is a bit smaller than a standard twin bed. I would be more "concerned" about bed size than I would about hallway size. BUT, Don't let any anxiety about that(or anything else) ruin your "planning season" and look forward to comfort and lots of fun!! As others have said, and looking at your photo, there WILL be guests larger than you, and all of you will "fit" perfectly! Enjoy!

The two week explorer may only be available in May and September, unfortunately. You can always book back-to-back one week Alaska cruises out of Seattle or Vancouver. That may be the only way to do a 14 day sea only Alaska cruise on HAL during the main summer months. Having said that, don't be so sure you would have the "worst weather" during May and September!! I've had frigid and rainy weather in Alaska in July and GORGEOUS weather in both May and September! With Alaska, it's really a gamble no matter which end of the season you sail, and even if you go in July and August there is NO assurance of "good" weather. If you love the itinerary of the 14 day sailing, I would say go for it. But if you really want to go mid-summer, book a back - to - back. [Editing to add: I've sailed to Alaska every year with HAL since 2004, have experienced every month of the season, and my MOST memorable "favorite" cruise was in September! Tracy Arm - we saw hundreds (no, I'm NOT exaggerating!!) of whales! It was magical. It was chilly at times, yes, but sunny and gorgeous, and did I mention magical?

Yes, on Eurodam they are over the bathtub.

On my last cruise I finally decided that's it, when I get home I'm ordering a HAL bathrobe - I just LOVE the robes that are provided for use on the cruise. However, I want to be sure that when you order online you really are getting one that is JUST LIKE the ones in the cabins... anyone have any RECENT experience with purchasing a robe? The only posts I've found are from quite a few years ago and people were saying they ordered online and got something completely different... Also, does anyone know if they can be purchased on board?

For us it's an ongoing joke that no matter how we ask to configure the beds, it will be the opposite and we'll have to ask the cabin stewards to change it on the first day. As others have said, it's really not a big deal - just some extra work for those stewards, which is a shame - but they have always gotten it done before we are back from dinner the first evening, and sometimes even sooner. But really, when we've wanted the bed together, or on my last two cruises - once with my daughter and once with a friend - when we wanted them separated, we found them the OTHER way when we got on board, regardless of the request which was made at booking. As for extra tips for your steward, be sure to either give them right to him or her, OR leave it in an envelope clearly marked with their name. (simply because others will come into the cabin on disembarkation day, such as those restocking the mini-bar and other various workers, and not that I think they would "steal" tips, but I leave it very well marked who the envelope is for.