caribophile

My problem is that I am unable to make the commitment at this point. Thanks for all the suggestions and advice.

I'm already booked to sail on the Nieuw Statendam out of Fort Lauderdale on January 5th. What are the odds that I might be able to book a second cruise on the Koningsdam January 12th sailing while I am on board the NS? I'd be booking the first or second day aboard the NS, only 5 or 6 days in advance of the Kdam sailing. 

We usually sail during the Holiday season but this year are waiting until January 5th 2020. In seventeen cruises, we have never experienced a ship without Christmas decorations. Kinda looking forward to enjoying the Nieuw Statendam's elegant beauty without extra adornment. Can we expect that she will have been de-decorated by the time we board her?

Thanks so much for all the information, folks! I will definitely take my disinfectant wipes with me.  I'm not surprised how popular the sessions are but it's reassuring to know they're worth getting there early. Looking forward to taking in a few of these classes.

I'm curious about the Microsoft courses being offered on the Nieuw Statendam. Is it necessary, advisable, or even possible to book the classes in advance? Is there a schedule for the specific classes? Any feedback re other cruisers' experience with this would be much appreciated.

Thanks so much for all the answers to my question! I learned much more about OBC than I would have even known to ask. Gotta love CC peeps!

Just about to make our final payment on our January cruise on the Nieuw Statendam. I've thought I'd like to purchase some on board credit as well so that I'll have pretty well payed for the entire cruise experience in advance. Wondering what will happen if I have not used it all by the last day of the cruise. What is Holland America's policy in that case?

Where and when are the 'BBC Earth Experiences' films screened on the Nieuw Statendam. Are they also available on your stateroom TV?

18 hours ago, catl331 said:

First try going to hafacts.com/pinnacle-class/ to see if there is a picture of the room you are interested in that shows the door to the hallway.  The foot of the bed will be on the same side as the door, the head will be on the bathroom side.   For example, 4145 shows the door on the right and since it is on the starboard side of the ship that means the foot of the bed is forward. For an even numbered cabin (i.e. port side) if the door is on the right side the foot of the bed is aft.

 

Now, if there is no picture of the cabin you want, try to find one nearby.  Since the bathrooms are placed back-to-back going down the hall (to make the plumbing easier) the heads of the beds alternate going up and down the hall.  Swin26 said in 4135 the foot was aft, that means the foot is also aft in 4139, 4143, 4147, etc, and forward in 4137, 4141, 4145 etc.  That checks out with the picture from halfacts.

 

If you can't find a picture of a cabin nearby, go look closely at the deck plans. You can sometimes tell which side the hall door is on. It is on the left (aft) for 4135, 4139, 4143, etc and on the right for the cabins in-between - 4137, 4141, 4145, 4149 and so on.

 

Complicated but I think I understand. Thanks! 

For our next cruise, I am looking at midship balconies on the Nieuw Statendam. I have found that my motion sickness is mitigated by having the foot of the bed nearest to the ship's bow so that when I sit up in bed I am facing forward. Is there any way to determine the bed placement in specific staterooms?

I recently saw a post about Duval Street being closed. Does that mean that all or part of it has become a 'pedestrians only' street?

17 hours ago, keywester33 said:

Taxi, Uber, Lyft, or the hop on hop off Trolley.

 

you can also rent bikes, scooters or an electric car.

Which would be the closest bus stop? Which intersection is closest to the entrance to the gardens?

3 hours ago, HamOp said:

I agree, no audible alert 🔇 but a VIBRATION  would be nice.

Sounds like the perfect solution.

13 hours ago, canadianbear said:

Ours showed a red dot to indicate a message.  I can’t imagine  if they started making it a sound alert how many you’d hear going off!   Basically you have to be diligent to check for messages if you’re expecting one.  

Good point!

Does the chat feature notify or alert your cruising companion that you have left a message?

What are our options for getting from Pier B to the gardens at the West Martello Tower?

Has anyone used this free hop on hop off bus service? Your experience, impression, advice?

Thanks for your help, folks.  Seems we're at Pier B. No shuttle bus. Disney Magic is in that day as well. A Viking ship will be docking at FT. Where would that be?

Where does the New Statendam dock in Key West?

Are the movies shown on the big poolside screen also available on your stateroom TV?

Nothing like breakfast watching the wake! Thanks for the information and clever ideas everyone.

Does the Lido on the Nieuw Statendam have an al fresco dining area?

Thanks so much for these!

I'll follow your blog for the rest.

Thanks for the feedback, folks. I wonder if there's any way I could research the Statendam's art collection in advance?

I have heard so much about the artwork throughout the Statendam. Is there some sort of self-guided tour available?