*Miss G*

No. They eliminated that on April 1st, thank goodness.

If I recall correctly, longer voyages are 14 days or more. Hopefully someone can confirm. If I find the info I will come back to confirm or amend.

No, I am on the Holland America Greek Odyssey. HAL spells it out: The test needs to be proctored. (Circled) You can see where I have also underlined the type of statement which contributes to the confusion. I take things literally. When I see “embarkations” it means just that. I want to see “as a port of call” in there too. Is that too much to ask? (Don’t answer that 😂.)

Yes, I am hoping the same. I can just see the people on my roll call going into a tailspin now. 😂 Also agree about the tangled web. All government and cruise line websites require highly analytical staff to review their wording and processes for clarity and continuity. It would save a lot of grief on both sides.

Testing is no longer required to return to the US, nor is it required to disembark in Canada. You are good to go. 👍

That “No Climbing” rock is hilarious. 😂 Also… who knew there were so many yarn shops in Halifax?!

Well, I guess a new lawsuit will keep that sector of the economy rolling. And don’t get me started on the Sovereign Citizen movement. I see and hear it every day here in the Metropolitan DC area. I agree with @truckswain in that it’s a tool. I am not offended. Then, again, I cannot fathom the mindset of the freedom and liberty crowd. My husband tells me that’s a good thing. 😂

Well I am glad I peeked into this thread because I have the same issue as @tottenhamfc. Departing from Rome and visiting Greece. Greece’s government website says: However, ALL cruise lines state they require testing but refer only to “Greece Embarkations” and nothing about visiting Greece within the itinerary. Super frustrating. The link the OP provided led me to clarity: we require testing. My roll call insists we don’t require testing so maybe I can get a nice upgrade onboard when those people are denied boarding. 😂

Are they still providing the paper Customs form to be handed in onboard the ship? Maybe that’s where the confusion is coming from.

Honestly, I think you can’t go wrong either way, although they will be different experiences. I have been on Rotterdam’s sister ships, the Nieuw Statendam and Koningsdam, a number of times. I’ve also been on the Queen Victoria. Both ships handle marine conditions well. Love the daily curry in QV’s pub. Enrichment-wise, I think Cunard does a better job. The Rotterdam’s bathroom, however, beats the QV hands down. Since you’re already leaning that way, and because it will be a new experience, my vote goes to Cunard.

Luckily you can purchase Club Orange through the same number as the paid upgrades. They are very knowledgeable at that number. Contact 888-628-8107 between 8am and 5pm Pacific Time Monday-Friday

It seems you have misunderstood the term “flexible”. That is unfortunate. On the bright side, you may be covered under the 24 hour free cancellation window since you cancelled the flights within 24 hours. I say “may” because I am not sure if Flight Ease (not Easy Air) falls within those rules. You may want to look into disputing the charge with your credit card company if you cannot get this resolved through Flight Ease. Good luck.

Looking forward to reading today’s adventures!

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) reviews you and your documents electronically (through passport & ArriveCAN) when the ship sends its manifest. If they want to speak with you they will let you know before you disembark. Other than that, you’re good to go. Welcome to HAL!

Poor choice in wording. How about protective?

Yes, sorry, the UK has restrictive laws to protect the consumer but they also eliminate the flexibility we receive in North America.

I HATE the taste of sugar substitute, and can spot it a mile away, but whatever they do to the Black Forest Cake they have managed to remove that “flavor”. I had low expectations and was pleasantly surprised. No idea how they do it but I’m not complaining.

Agree with most everything others have already stated. Keep in mind that you can book and then refare if you see a price drop prior to final payment. Results will vary depending on the terms you have booked under. For example, if you chose a non-refundable deposit, you will have to forfeit that deposit to book under the new terms. In my experience with Holland America, if you book directly with a Personal Cruise Consultant (PCC) they will work to provide compensation if there is a price drop after final payment.

If you booked directly with HAL (general reservations or with a HAL Personal Cruise Consultant (PCC)) you will start receiving email paid upgrade offers about two weeks from sailing. Mine normally come about a week before but the last one came 12 days out. If you booked through a non-HAL travel agent then the offer goes to them. In my experience, they never forward them on. As well, if the offers are funneled through your TA, there will be a lag time which is detrimental to the process since you need to call right away or they’ll be gone.

Yes you can. They will ask which cabin you want.

Yes. If you google “Koningsdam Neptune Suite” you can see it in the videos. Looks like they changed the layout for NS. Having that layout on the HAL site is poor quality control.

That diagram is from the Koningsdam. I have that booked next week.

Shorter voyages are $25/pp per day. Longer voyages are $15/pp per day.

Thank you. It just seemed like a lot of food per element. I mean “Water”, alone, has 9 rolls more than I can eat! They must be tiny. I will be on K’dam in less than two weeks so I’ll let you know. 👍

No. I didn’t like what was available. I looked at the worst-case scenario in the higher category and chose the guarantee. I anticipate a paid upgrade offer closer to the sailing date and have budgeted for that. If it doesn’t happen I will be fine with the guarantee. It’s a port-intensive cruise so it’s really only a crash pad.