lizzies_mom

On 9/7/2019 at 10:37 AM, Cruise4food said:

In July 2019, Maasdam, sister ship of Veendam, had the Adagio classical music duo playing in Explorers Lounge. A violinist and pianist performed regularly to large audiences. You can expect that Veendam has her own Adagio players, even though they are not on the chart.

While we've enjoyed the Explorers Lounge, what we like about Lincoln Center Stage is that the chatter of passing diners is somewhat muffled. Generally there are rows of chairs for the 'serious' listeners who arrive early, and comfy seating in an adjacent area so you can drop in inconspicuously if you are late.

This thread makes me feel better as well. Lizzie's dad and I will be on the Veendam for a 17 day transatlantic next April. Last year we did a similar itinerary on the Royal Princess, but we are looking forward to being back on a real ship. 

For the last few years, our HAL cruises have been on larger ships which have the Lincoln Center Stage. Is there anything similar on the Veendam? It's difficult to find the on website. (Okay, everything is difficult to find on the website.)

Jacqui

lizzies_mom will be on

Veendam--22-Apr-2020-- 17-Day Azores & Normandy Explorer

Jacqui

Please add lizzies_mom to

 Zuiderdam - 06-Feb-19 - 11 day Panama Canal Sunfarer

Thank you

Agree with most of the above. Will add that DH and I each bought 3 pair of Ex Officio undies which wash easily and dry quickly. Also, because I had trouble locating inflatable hangers, we brought balloons to put inside clothes on regular plastic hangers. Fewer wrinkles and faster drying.

My theory is that any stranger who doesn't want to see scary faces should probably not be on a transatlantic overnight flight.

Are you doing this online or speaking with a HAL agent? If online, is this the actual HAL site or some third party?

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We bought our Ex officio at Rei You could check their Garage. Really only need two or three pair.

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N Amsterdam--13-January-2018--10 Day Southern Caribbean Seafarer

These warm weather ports are sounding more and more appealing every single day! So nice to escape Old Man Winter especially with an itinerary like this. Hoping our CC members have safe travels, great weather, fair winds and, of course, smooth seas.

 

 

Bon Voyage to Nieuw Amsterdam - 11 day Southern Caribbean Wayfarer:

LUV2CRUZalso

lizzies_mom

scrappytraveler

 

 

 

 

 

Bon Voyage everyone!!!!!

Have a great cruise and a WONDERFUL time!!!!!

Thank you all! Think we really need this.

Stay warm.

A friend on the Westerdam right now says they have the packages now that relate to how you use the internet--social media, emails and more, or higher bandwidth type. Thinking I've heard about this elsewhere and it's not minute based.

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Think the salad bar sounds like what we had on our Zaandam cruises. Mmm, yes, the seared tuna was wonderful. While we usually managed to avoid long waits, I appreciated server preparation. Not all self servers practice the best hygiene.

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Jacqui,

Please add us to

N Amsterdam - 08-Feb-17 - 11 day Southern Caribbean Wayfarer

Jan and Bob aka lizzies_mom (and dad)

The important perks in the Signature suites are the added space and the second sink.

If a cruise is part of a collector's cruise, you may not see all the open rooms.

Donna, so sorry your cruising days have ended, but we certainly understand why. Raising a glass to the best Trivia partners (did we not win four times in seven days?)

It has been awhile since we were on a regular verandah and were thinking they were pretty much the same as Vista suites. Our PCC pointed out the Vistas have considerably more square footage. Nonetheless we are getting an aft verandah for our Southern Caribbean next year. For the most part, we do like Signature suites. The extra space and double sinks help ensure marital harmony.

Bon Voyage!

Newlyretiredtraveller, we will see you in Valparaiso when we board.

Donna, enjoyed reading your review and glad it all worked out for you. We also enjoy the Signature Suites on the Vista ships--enough room not to bump into each other coming and going and double sinks for marital harmony without the temptation of all those appetizers and pastries just down the corridor.

I think there are only a certain number of Explore 4 packages offered on a given sailing given that free Pinnacle and/or Cannaletto dinners are offered as well as the drink package. So it may be that it was popular and is sold out for your cruise. We had this for our NZ cruise and drank more than we needed to. I agree that the drink package alone is not something we would purchase.

Did the ship transfer to the airport this past July. HAL had a special arrangement with Canadian customs that allowed for passengers that had purchased the transfer to pre-clear immigration at the pier.

Flight had to be direct to the USA. The luggage was transferred inbond by truck to the airport. We were taken off by a separate gangway, direct to the motorcoach and taken to the airport.

Once at the airport we were taken to where the luggage was located on a secured area. Claim luggage and proceed to airline checkin.

I don't remember what the cutoff time was for the flight.

We had similar experience with Princess at end of cruise tour last year. Easiest disembarkation ever.

Thank you all for your very helpful answers.

 

One more question, I think. I'm confused about the mini suites. I read that the ones with an ocean view have no balcony. Is that possible ?

I think there are suites or perhaps mini suites which face forward. Instead of having a balcony which cannot be used while at sea, these have extra space.

Think our 4 star pins and a note congratulating us on our status were delivered to our room the final day of the cruise where we earned them.

This was the Best Cruise Ever.

We were pretty fortunate that, except for Tuesday in the Antarctic, we had the best weather as well.

There were a number of entitled types on our Prinsendam TA several years ago. Beginning on prior Holy Land cruise, some did not report illness so thy wouldn't miss tours. Many ignored the hand sanitizers and the cordoned off areas in the Lido. We had code red for 13 days of a 20 day cruise.