SilvertoGold

Surprisingly, we were on the Koningsdam for a month of 7 day Alaska cruises and found little time to read - we were amazed at how intensive the days were and how quickly the time went past!! The 7 day cruises do have their drawbacks! Have a great time!!

Fries at the Dive In are sometimes OK Pannekoek were on a Brunch menu on the Noordam a while ago. But otherwise, no.

We were there taking a look at the ships in port last weekend around 9;30 am and saw the guys with the signs, exactly as you say. This is a big improvement! We saw a few passengers around having a coffee at the Harbour Cafe so assumed check-in had not started. Is it going to be a hassle to keep our two medium-sized wheeled carry-ons with us, as we usually do? We really prefer to unpack immediately on the ship and not have to wait and wait for delivery. Thanks, Roger, for your input! Great info as usual 🙂

Be aware of the cruise line pricing. Buyer beware. Be sure you know what the cruise line charges on their website, both fare and taxes. One travel agency here just adds extra on to the cruise line tax amount, So it the cruise line website notes, for example, $100 taxes and fees, this agency on their own website quotes a fare price and adds on an extra amount to the tax. What I have seen quoted is anywhere from $30 to 80 pp above the cruise line tax amount.

Thanks for this info: I was wondering myself. However, at one time in the past you had to go down another level to the parking garage (smelly!) in the one sole elevator and drop off the bags there, then go back up, so this year's method is better than that was!! To OP: the Zaandam is scheduled to be in port with only one other ship: this will help your embarkation move along more quickly. Canada Place is a pain, but think about the cruise, get through it and enjoy!

Thanks for all the photos and info. SO glad the Pinancle scallops were good. I order them most times, but the last order on this ship I think they were cooked from frozen: tough, undercooked. Really not up to par at all!

Fantastic posts! Thank you!! Did you receive the "timed" plan to check-in or has HAL discontinued that method? Just a free-for-all as usual?

Not sure about the books for Alaska but the Noordam had very few non-fiction books when we sailed in April this year. The Library was fantastic, a huge plus for cruisers, but it had mostly fiction. A lot of "coffee table" sized/type of books that I didn't pay attention to: wrong place, wrong time, but I read 7 older non-ficition books in 39 days and really loved this new Library. I am not sure anyone has much time to read on an Alaska cruise, but I do hope HAL has some books on Alaska!

Order on board only. Right. It "should" be handled like a wine package. However, if I were going to do this, I would go to the Front Desk and ask that they order the package for you, reminding them of your Mariner status and confirming the pricing. Silly? Yes. But possibly an idea to consider Good luck!

Have a GREAT! cruise on the Noordam. Hope you have good weather and enjoy all aspects of your time on a HAL ship Thanks for the interesting info on the computer systems' latest wild characteristics :) Always a fun read to see how things can go wrong.

VMax: Very helpful and well-done lists. I like the use of red, good spacing and dark print for headings! List and notices are hard items to get "just right": you do a super job and it is much appreciated!

It really makes a difference how long your cruise is: 7 days or ???

Fasinating numbers. Thanks for the info! The 35 day Koningsdam is a very nice cruise as is the 50 day extended one. We have enjoyed them a lot a few times and would do them again.

Most interesting about your friend. The J is likely much better than what she would have received otherwise with the Stand-By. Thanks for all the interesting info!

This is excellent info. Thank you. We prepay crew incentive but forgot the OBC could also be purchased. I will look into this and appreciate your help!

Great for you! We were down at Canada Place at am today and were surprised not many people were around. Looks as if your timing was perfect! Did you get any specific instructions from HAL on when to show up for check-in? Your lunch looks excellent, too! Hope you will post a bit on this cruise or when you return home. Enjoy!!

Could you let us know how the check-in and boarding goes? Have a lovely cruise!

Welcome to Vancovuer, a grey day so far. Thanks for all your help and a really over-the-top excellent thread. Your website is so helpful, I use it all the time and sincerely appreciate your prosfessional set-up and all the up-to-date info. My calendar now has your next cruise noted! Hope your trip home is easy and quick.

Thank you so much!! They look perfect! Now we have to keep our fingers crossed that they won't change the recipe! The carrot cake muffins look reasonable too.

This is good info and appreciated, Roger. If not the "real" Kalamata ones, better than regular black olives. I think DH can live with these!

Nice to look at but rather ordinary to taste we thought. I picked the chocolate cake with the thick cream cheese icing and it was rich, heavy and very filling. No carrot cake, too bad as HAL does that one well

I know there was a thread about this, but find the Search function difficult to use to good effect. OBC from HAL: 1. The OBC which comes with the FCD/FCC 2. The ZPM credit (Welcome Back) and 3. HAL's OBC when booking certain cruises as noted on the website -- are all of these non-refundable? Thanks very much for any info.

Roger or BaileyMJ: we love NY Pizza and are wondering if this ship actually has the kalamta olives the menu lists. In the past and even pre-Covid we have seen only regular black olives. No change in the sign to be true true to form, so it is always a question mark. If wither of you can find out, it would be much appreciated. Thanks to both of you for the great photos and commentary.

Much better and more abundant offerings than I have seen in any Crow Nest area. A few stale macrons from a box is what theKoningsdam had! Thanks for your help! Thanks for this photo. If by chance you see anything there photo-worthy in the afternoon I would be thrilled to see it.