socalcruisers2

HALs Know Before You Go outlines what beverages are allowed onboard. Hope this link works

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq/know-before-you-go.html

Zuiderdam was due for a 20 year hull scraping and resealing. Major undertaking!

Just now, socalcruisers2 said:

I used Messenger recently on a Zuiderdam- Fr. Poly trip after the antenna used for WiFi was damaged in Papeete.  The cruise home was fought with connectivity problems for all onboard the ship from the bridge down, but I was able to message family in the USA and Portugal without problem.  I saw no change to my phone billing.  I had been on a ship premium WiFi plan before service konked out and became mostly unusable until 3 days out from San Diego

I too have Tmobile

5 hours ago, travelers07 said:

Just to confirm- What’s App works on HAL and Princess- assuming you have WiFi coverage.  In fact, What’s App is what I use to talk, text, or video with my daughter in Germany when I am in the US. She tells me that is the preferred method at least in her area or other places she travels in Europe. Works on WiFi or cellular. Keep in mind- cellular rates are charged according to your plan. 

I used Messenger recently on a Zuiderdam- Fr. Poly trip after the antenna used for WiFi was damaged in Papeete.  The cruise home was fought with connectivity problems for all onboard the ship from the bridge down, but I was able to message family in the USA and Portugal without problem.  I saw no change to my phone billing.  I had been on a ship premium WiFi plan before service konked out and became mostly unusable until 3 days out from San Diego

24 minutes ago, Gloria sunrise said:

Wrong!  What we thought was 3 pieces is only 1.  Assumed  that they would keep all 3 together.

We only received notification about 4 of our 6 bags.  This seems to be quite common among the World 2020 group.  The downside will be having to wait for the delivery truck on more than one day.  Oh, well.

I received an email from the luggage department stating that due to the large volume FedEx continues to prepare labels and pick up luggage throughout the week.  You should continue to check your tracking numbers for updates.  In order to give you better access on tracking, you will be listed as shipper.

Good Luck All!

I was just told by Guest Relations that some of the Amsterdam’s luggage was picked up yesterday by FedEx, but they didn’t pick it all up.  Passengers whose luggage was picked up should have received an email, yesterday.
 

Email address for the luggage department handling the Amsterdam’s luggage.

luggage_shipping@hollandamerica.com

I was told by my TA that HAL is not reducing its deposit on the 2022 World.  Hence the same deposit is required by everyone.  $3,500 p/p

1 hour ago, KirkNC said:

He has posted on Facebook 

Would you mind telling me how to access the post on Facebook by Captain Mercer?

47 minutes ago, KirkNC said:

Picture of our containers 

 

 

Is the luggage transfer being done at anchor?   I didn't see the Amsterdam docked in Singapore on any of the various websites

4 hours ago, KirkNC said:

We gave our batteries to our room attendants.

Smart move!

Did anyone leave the heavy battery charger "gift", we all received on the World Cruise, in their luggage on the ship?

I'm wondering if its lithium battery will cause a problem with whomever is contracted to transport our luggage back to the states.

For that matter, I'm wondering how customs will feel about letting all this unaccompanied luggage into the country.

Your thoughts.

12 hours ago, KirkNC said:

Our email said they “hoped” to ship it from Malaysia, no mention of Indonesia.  I am trying to get credit for luggage sea days added to my regular sea days.

Great minds think alike!  I'm with you on getting sea days for our luggage.  At least that would be some compensation for the long delay.  Hope the fact that the ship has to literally cruise by Malaysia to get to Jakarta gives me hope that it's to offload our luggage.  Fingers crossed!

On the World cruise this year, the Priest is asked to compensate the Sacristan for his time. $100.   Also, on shorter cruises the Priest must pay for his transportation to and from the ship, unless he accepts a cruise on short notice.  There have been other changes also.  You might want to ask your Priest what the current “free” cruise is costing him.

I used to really enjoy going to daily Mass while on a cruise, but I'm not a fan of the 5PM Mass time on a daily basis.  Since I am "early traditional" dining, going to Happy Hour before dinner is impossible, and it's a foot race to get to the dining room after Mass on time, sometimes.  

My biggest inconvenience is on Gala nights which typically are on sea days, which never used to be a problem when the Mass on those days was at 8AM.  Now I find I need to start getting ready at 3:30PM.  That's a little early.

I wrote a letter to the "powers that be" about missing Happy Hour and Sip and Savor, but never received a response.  It would be nice to go back to the old time schedule so that people could have a choice between morning or evening and pick the time that works best for them.

I don't think it would hurt if people voiced their concerns.

Go there for bottled water.

Located .4 mile from Pier in San Diego

555 W C St #100, San Diego, CA 92101

We asked a crew member what tip amount they received when a passenger has a SBP and were shocked to find out it was only $1 per cruise for each person on the ship who had an SBP. We were on a 50 day cruise at the time. After that, we brought a few dollars with us each time we visited the bar for tipping. That was in 2015.

Hopefully that compensation has changed. I don't think it's fair for the crew

I understand the biggest backup of walk-in passengers is generally around 6:45 to 7:00PM. Try to avoid that time if you can.

For me, I would run, not walk, to the Dining Room Manager immediately after dinner the first night, if I got the feeling things were not going well. He will most likely be down stairs helping with the Open seating diners. He will have many more options for you to choose from on the first night, rather than waiting until the second night.

Actually you could see the Dining Room Manager the afternoon on the day you board, to see what else is available. He should have a 2 hour window sometime in the afternoon when he sees passengers about dining problems. Check your Schedule. Tell him your TA signed you up without your consent.

My laundered linen pants and blouses always come back pressed. Some pressed better than others. My linen blouses always look great, while the pants - not so much.

I always thought that 'pressing' was for wrinkled items that didn't need washing.

Half Moon Cay: Security and VAT

Just curious. Disney also has a private island in the Bahamas, Castaway Cay. We received word that they are now doing security checks (ID required) when returning to the ship from Castaway Cay (in a dozen Disney cruises, never required ID in returning to the ship before, nor on Holland, returning from HMC). Also a Bahamian VAT is being imposed on shorex on Castaway Cay. Can't imagine this is specific to Castaway Cay. Did a search, and can't fill find any similar info on HMC. Anyone know?

Upper category cabins FANTASTIC! Lower end, not so much. I did not care for the public rooms. Explorers Lounge - dark and uninviting. Showroom crowded with chairs since the makeover a few years ago. Main dining room freezing during breakfast on a transatlantic. Lido - cramped. Canaletto took out the back deck on the Lido deck. Specialty coffee/cocktail bar next to the casino with the smell of smoke

Would I travel again on her? Probably not, unless I was in a Neptune or Signature suite

Did anyone mention the Pinnacle? That is open between 12-1, some port days, for a fee ($10?). I find it quite restful after a busy morning in port. Good menu and great service.

Since you would be moving to a balcony cabin which normally gets a larger onboard credit allowance when booking, I would ask if additional OBC is available:)

Any updates to the 'As You Wish' dining situation? Has everything worked itself out?