bzv143

So, to sum up--we are departing for San Juan next week and I want to know if 1) there are definitely USB ports next to the bed (we are in a DV1) and if so, 2) are the USB ports next to the bed capable of charging two iPhones at once (are there two ports, and next to each bed?)? I want to make sure I do NOT have to bring my charging hub for our two iPads and two iPhones [emoji336]. Bottom line, should we bring an extra extension cord with plugs (also for our laptops)? Please forgive that we seem to be on tech overload here, but we run a business and need to be in contact while away. [emoji18]

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Tampa Girl. Behind every post is a secondary story. We HAD booked with a TA but, not going into it, had a major fiasco and would have lost our non refundable deposit had HAL not stepped in. Now, thanks to HAL, deposit saved, booking saved. And with their blessing I can take my newly saved rez and find a new TA. Only caveat--have to do it before final payment.

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You all are awesome. Yesterday, my PC called for the deposit on our cruise, and I got my courage up and explained I may be transferring to a TA. She was super understanding and said that if she gets the deposit from me, then she gets the credit for the work she did, so all would be fine on her end. I told her I certainly wanted to be fair. Made the deposit. And will be transferring the booking once I find a TA.

So what I learned: use the PC first for any inside connections they have (cabin space only they know about, etc) and deposit. Then transfer the booking to a TA who offers the best perks. [emoji108]🏼

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What is the cost of a cabana for a week cruise? Do you reserve by day or can you reserve for the week? Is the charge per person? Thanks!

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Thank you everyone for your wonderful comments. Question: who first books on Holland America with a PC and then asks to transfer the booking.? Do the PCs get upset? I have a booking number from HAL from my PC but want to transfer to an agency for the better perks. I'm nervous about doing so.

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First off, we LOVED the Yacht Club on MS Divina. We had the Sophia Loren suite, so I figured when we arrived that our butler was ours alone. Nope. He attended 10 other suites. I asked him to unpack, and he was flustered that he had to do it. We ended up hardly ever using him. He is great to escort off ship...but he does it for his other suite guests so you line up. He did know our son loved cookies, and every night cookies [emoji514] were in our room.

Bottom line, don't expect a lot. But enjoy the quiet of the Yacht Club. Whenever we had to leave the confines, my DH joked that we were going outside the Wire.

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I know that no names are ever to be given on CC. Thus, in generalities, how does one go about finding a really good TA who offers excellent pricing and service? Is it just luck of the draw? Google? Trip Advisor?

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Thanks, TBay and POA1.

Can you comment on my newly posted question about whether the dividers on the "viewing" balconies have the ability to open so we can access the next cabin (our adult kids) without going into the hallway?

Dear CCers: I know the balconies on this ship way up on the tippy top deck are "viewing"--ergo SMALL--but wanted to know if the dividers open up to the next verandah so that my family and I can have a long "viewing" balcony. Anyone know?

We are booking two cabins next to each other so we can roll into the Crow's Nest anytime we want. ;-) it would be nice if I can access my family in the next room via the eeny weeny balcony rather than going out into the hallway in my jammies.

Never mind. Silly question as I just looked at the deck plan. Sorry! HOWEVER, anyone stay in one of these cabins and can comment?

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We are looking at booking a VQ on the (Observation) top deck of Nieuw Amsterdam. Can anyone tell me if there is a door on that small deck that goes directly into the Crows Nest? On either side? Thanks.

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RuthC--you HAVE to be kidding! So around $700+ for two on a one week cruise? That is astronomical! Makes Explore 4 look really really good about now! [emoji15]

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Debating going with the Explore 4 or not. Does anyone know what the charge is for a Beverage Package on board Nieuw Amsterdam (or any dam) for a 1 week cruise? My DH is a non-drinker but likes his Perrier and cokes, and I like specialty coffees and wine occasionally.

OMG, doublebzz--great reply! Right now, they are $300 more pp for the cruise I am looking at. I was hoping that the extra price would include extra actual Spa freebies. Almost all the cabins are still available. I'm hoping HAL gets the hint to lower prices, or throw in more amenities. Don't need the water or yoga mat. DO need thermal pool/sauna/relaxation room for free.

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Thanks, jtl513. The pictures say 1,000 words. [emoji1] Oh, and Mea Culpa for the incorrect numbers. Math is my weak area.

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Has anyone been in one of these cabins on board the Nieuw Amsterdam? The spa staterooms on the very top deck. There are only 6 on each side of the ship. Noise? Balcony? Easy access to Lounge? Other than the room amenities (yoga mat, etc), what actual spa amenities come with it--free access to Thermal Suite, etc? Any info helpful. Thanks!

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Vineyard View: Holland America no longer allows smoking except in certain areas of the ship.

NorthernLite: I used to think Holland America was for the "Newly wed and Newly dead," but now it is my adult children's and my favorite mid-size line. We see the average age is not nursing home!

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I checked with my TA this morning, and the price he had given me for a VB on a 2/16 cruise, 7 days, was much better than the new offer on HAL.... Unless I was a booze guzzler, in which case it would behoove me to get it. [emoji4][emoji481][emoji482][emoji484][emoji483][emoji485][emoji898]

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If you google 4178 - Nieuw Amsterdam | HAL Cruiser Information - you will see pics of that cabin as well as a couple of others and possible comments. Eurodam pics apply as well since they are sister ships.

I love all you CCers! Thanks, Kazu!

Not necessarily. Not even usually is that the case.

 

On those ships where the tub has been replaced by a shower only, the new shower is large, in the same place as the tub used to be.

On those ships where there has been a choice of tub or shower (excluding the Prinsendam, which was built for a different company), the placement of the tub or shower, and vanity is switched around. The cabins with a tub take a large space, and put the vanity in the smaller area. The cabins with the shower use the smaller area for that, and have a large vanity where the tub would have gone. The entire bathroom, however, is the same size.

Thanks, Ruth C!

I would hope that the showers have glass enclosures rather than the "stick-to-the-butt" shower curtains? ;)

Looking at booking an aft cabin on the Upper Promenade Deck (Deck 4) on Nieuw Amsterdam (4178, 4180, 4182, 4185, 4187, 4189) and need feedback from anyone who has stayed in one of these...pleeez and thanks!. :D

Thank you, Crew News, for the link to all the pictures. Can you clarify though? Are the aft side cabins with "showers only" smaller? Seems like the cabins are the same size as all the others on the decks as seen on the deck plans. Also, does anyone have a pic of the bathrooms with "showers only"? I would assume if a bathtub is removed, the bathroom would be larger?

As for the forward cabins--if the Nieuw Amsterdam is in the Caribbean, will the forward doors to the viewing deck be open? I like drinking morning coffee while watching the ship come into port, or watching the ship sail out of port. Can I do this do you think?

We are in 6125 in December. I did not know that some of the cabins only had a shower and not a bath. Would have preferred not to have a bath.

Ask your TA if s/he can get a change for you. Seems all the aft side cabins have showers only. Me, personally, I like to soak in a nice bath. :p

Trying to decide between a far forward Deck 6 (Upper Verandah 6008) cabin or a side aft cabin (6162 on Nieuw Amsterdam. The far forward allows me to access the forward viewing deck at the front of the ship. The aft cabins are closer to accessing the elevators to get to the Lido deck.

I noticed the side aft cabins on all decks are showing "Showers Only." Can anyone who has stayed in one of these side aft cabins elaborate? Is the cabin smaller? Why a shower only?

Thanks!

Thank all of you for your informative replies. Our stateroom is on Port side--is there no door on that side as well? Will I have to run down the hallway and back up the Starboard hallway to access? Just wondering because I am an early bird and love watching my ship come into port whilst sipping my morning cuppa java. :)