cheezenip

48 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

The point of the Postmodern Jukebox is looking at a song in a different way. It's very creative, but perhaps it requires more knowledge of music (structure and genres) to appreciate it.

Give this person a free a subscription to medici.tv !! 😊

1 minute ago, Despegue said:

Postmodern Jukebox is absolutely fabulous in what they do.

unfortunately, the North American audience seems less open to this retro style than Europe, where this is indeed extremely popular.

maybe too “artsy”for  many Americans and not enough glam?

It's always good to see other people acknowledge their talent (and I do mean TALENT). I would respectfully disagree that North American audiences don't appreciate them. Their concerts usually sell out and they do have a big fanbase here. However, it is still a niche market (despite the popularity). HAL is not the right demographic. Personally, I don't think the mainstream cruise line is the right place; however, if you were to "force" me to pick a cruise line it would be Celebrity or Norwegian that could appreciate the artistry.

9 hours ago, bEwAbG said:

 Postmodern Jukebox is such an odd concept for a show.  Their popularity was gained online because of the novelty of hearing a particular song done in an older style.  However, they were putting out one song a week, so you had a full seven days to wait for the next one.  Putting together a whole evening dedicated to that seems like a tough sell.  And I like them!

I am a big fan of Post Modern Jukebox and have been following them for years. However, having them on HAL (or any mainstream cruise line) is a big mistake as this is not the proper audience that would appreciate their talent. This is a misjudgment on the executives responsible for overseeing entertainment. They were looking at $$ and not taking into account what works for passengers.

5 hours ago, cruzin4us said:

I just called Ship Services (because I had nothing better to do) and asked.  My response was this:

 

ME:  Just curious if the $10 for an additional entree in the MDR is still in effect because the trial was supposed to be ending March 31st.

 

HAL:   Well, I'm not sure.....let me go find out for you.

 

ME:   Thank you

 

HAL:  The trial has officially ended as of March 31st and there is no longer a charge for an additional entree in the MDR.

 

ME:  Thank you!

 

While I realize you can get 3 different responses from 3 different people, I just thought I'd pass on the info.   May call later and see what kind of answer I get.   

Those that feel strongly against the surcharge and have the time should call and barrage HAL with their inquiry and ALSO voice their opinion AGAINST the $10 nonsense. Those that are for it...well....(LOL...I'll stop right here)...

2 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

"Which ship do you prefer and why", you asked.  Your simple question produced a complex answer.  I hope it's useful for you.

I appreciate your thoughtful response.

In 3 weeks, I will be on my 1st HAL ship which happens to be the NS. I am a big fan of Royal's buffet with the amount of variety offered (I was not as happy with the MDR and considered eating all my dinners upstairs). I've been reading how many passengers end up eating many of their dinners at K-Dam / NS's Lido buffet which brings memories of my feelings with Royal's Horizon Court. I am trying not to build my expectation on Lido's buffet compared to Royal but was curious since you've been on both.

I suspect I might have mix feelings about NS's entertainment. I enjoy classical music so the Lincoln Center should be fun; however, HAL's cutbacks (from what I have read) reduces the amount of productions shows and variety acts so I might feel less satisfied after doing 2 weeks aboard NS. Not a rock n roll guy but enjoy jazz and good musical arrangements with all instruments.

In the end, variety is the spice of life as each will have their own pros/cons.

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

Ask me that question about my cruise on Royal Princess that preceded my Nieuw Statendam cruise, my answer would be quite different

Out of curiosity, which buffet did you prefer betw/ the 2 ships? Also, which ship do you prefer and why.

13 hours ago, killsport said:

The remainder of the time, he seated us in a table in the middle with an outstanding waiter (Budi).

WHere is he located in the MDr? We may try to ask for him during our anytime dining.

18 hours ago, Jennifire7 said:

I just returned from a Caribbean cruise on the Nieuw Statendam and wanted to share our thoughts on this ship, as I have benefited from many reviews posted here from you all.

I realize there are movies on demand in the cabin room but do you recall some of the movies that were playing on the big screen in the evenings.

20 hours ago, HALover said:

We sailed on the NS last December. ..

You can change your dining options in the MDR. We have chosen the Anytime Dining option for the last few years and our average wait for a table has only been a few minutes, if that helps.

On Princess cruises, we have found fixed dining provides better MDR service than anytime dining and we are extrapolating the same idea on HAL NS (rightfully/mistakenly) til proven otherwise. We just hate the idea of eating so late and may end up w/ anytime dining since the likelihood of getting early sitting is probably small. We plan to enjoy our cruise whatever ends up happening!!

As I am getting closer to my first HAL cruise via the Nieuw Statendam, a few more newbie questions:

(1) I understand that the big movie screen  is by the main pool which has a retractable roof. Can I safely assume the roof will be closed in the evening when the movie is playing during our transatlantic voyage? Kind of curious how they will make that decision whether to close the roof in the evenings as we are going from warm Florida weather to colder temperatures (on Princess, I packed warmer clothes since the movies were outside but I won't on HAL if the roof is normally closed in the evenings).

(2) Where do I go to request a switch from late fixed dining to early fixed dining upon boarding the ship (on Princess, it was one of the MDR)? If they cannot make that switch, we will "test drive" the late sitting for 1 or 2 nights but was wondering how difficult is it to changer permanently to Anytime dining (do I go to the service desk for this or speak with the Maitre-D)?

Cheeze

On 3/23/2019 at 5:50 PM, Tinytinkmom said:

We just returned from our first Holland America cruise on the Nieuw Statendam (LOVED it!!!), 

I will be on the same ship in approx. 4 weeks and this is my 1st time on HAL. Care to provide any insights / recommendations / tips for someone new?

3 hours ago, cruzin4us said:

Nope, I wouldn't pay for what I feel is only "fair" food in the MDR.  I will cough up the extra $ and eat in the Tamarind/Pinnacle Grill or even Canalleto where they actually give you a decent size portion.

The 3 big cruise lines (Carnival, Royal, and Norwegian) have been earning record profits the last few years.

Management is experimenting with policies like the extra entree charge in order to increase profits (NOT the fake eliminate waste excuse) in order to get more people to the specialty dining venues to increase profit margins. Then they can start making the MDR size portions smaller or less appealing (possibly by having less choices) and keep the standard portions the same at the specialty dining venues. All in the name of profits and cost cutting.

HAL needs to be stopped with this experiment because it will spread to all cruise lines if companies get a "whiff" that this idea could possibly work. The writing is on the wall. My 1st cruise with HAL is next month and I plan to complain loudly (on the ship and to the corporate people by phone/email/etc) if they start this nonsense on Nieuw Statendam.

1 hour ago, BarbarianPaul said:

Do you know what ships it is being test on?

Eurodam, Nieuw Amsterdam, Oosterdam and Zuiderdam

Having never been on HAL before, I was wondering if a shirt and tie is good enough on Gala dinners. What did you observe during those evenings?

On 2/26/2019 at 5:02 PM, Shmoo here said:

Please, everyone!  Let's not give them any ideas!

You should take this comment seriously.

5 hours ago, rothbury said:

 

  

cheesenip, the internet was so much better than 2018 I would think if somebody had a desire to watch the markets and even react to the markets it would have been easily accomplished with the new internet packages.  I have to say I was pleased with the access and speed I experienced last month. 

This is helpful ...I trade and it won't stop when I am on a cruise if the opportunity presents itself. Will purchase one of the packages.

14 minutes ago, gizmodog said:

I know the $10 charge for additional entree is being tested but not on all ships wondering if it was being done on the NS.

The testing is on 4 ships but not NS.

I seem to recall on another thread that HAL will make a decision after the end of March if this will be fleet wide.

10 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

Bring back CNBC!!

 

is it still on the Eurodam??

 

Agree wholeheartedly.

People who have $ and you are denying access to a financial station to track their investments...rather silly.

Someone on the K-Dam just posted that CNBC is not one of the TV channels that are available.

Could you confirm if CNBC or any other financial stations (Bloomberg, Fox Business, etc.) are available on NS?

Thank you.

2 hours ago, RMMariner said:

Entirely agree. We were on the Star a couple times in a short period. The head chef changed, and the food changed completely.

I concur with this statement. I too was on the Star twice within a year and had 2 diff executive chefs. On the first cruise, the meats  in the MDR were excellent, fishes not so good, and the buffet preparation poor. The 2nd time, the meats were poor and the both the seafood and buffet food were very good.

It's so odd how much variance there can be between chefs with Star Princess. Understandably, differences are going to happen but the changes were quite noticeable (at least on the Star). I now look at it as a culinary  adventure when I repeat Star.

8 hours ago, ShyannDay said:

I never posted anything negative about my experience late last year on the Coral, but my husband and I and our traveling companions - another couple - were VERY disappointed with the food in the MDR.   The choices were lackluster and the taste was average at best.  Everything was edible of course, but not "tasty".  The dining room service also was not up to a high standard......  I, and my companions, felt that the Hotel Manager (I believe that's who runs the MDR), should be retrained and that there needs to be a shake-up on that ship with the rest of the staff.  

I'm sure your question/post and any negative reply about the food will bring out all the regular Princess zealots who will make comments such  "I don't cruise to eat", "You'll never starve on a cruise", "Go eat somewhere else if you don't like it", etc.  which is tiresome to anyone trying to give their honest opinion.  I will never cruise on the Coral again for this reason even though I really enjoyed that wide Promenade deck. 

I sailed on Coral in May 2018 to Alaska and share the same sentiments with the added complaint that I found the buffet poor compared to the other Princess ships. I too will NOT cruise on Coral in the future.

Can you comment on the Internet speed?

This will be my 1st HAL cruise and I'm excited as it will be on the Nieuw Statendam in April for a 2 week transatlantic relaxation trip. I am use to the "Princess" style of cruising but look forward to see the differences. Some newbie questions:

(1) Early fixed seating is not available so we were put at the later seating at 8pm (my experience has been fixed seating offers better MDR service). At times when we can't wait til 8pm and we don't want the buffet, can we do anytime dining?

(2) Will the main dining room be open for lunch (on Princess, they are on sea days)? Is there a place on the ship where we can see both the lunch and dinner menus ahead of time?

(3) On Princess, the serving sizes are small so I usually order 2 to 3 entrees but I specify I don't want some of the sides offered to avoid waste. Will Holland America offer this upon request (when I was on Celebrity, they were reluctant but agreed to when I pushed the issue)?

(4) At the buffet, will they honor special requests if the items are available (on Princess, I request papaya and avocado for breakfest each morning and have not been turned down; Celebrity and Norwegian won't honor it)?

(5) For those that have been on the Nieuw Statendam, how are the internet speeds (on Princess, it is quite slow)?

(6) After midnight, can I get hot tea or water even though the buffet is closed at the beverage stations?

(7) Does the NS / Koningdam offer a place to take a shower after exercising besides the cabin?

(8) In the cabins, are the thermostats programmable by the passengers?

Sorry for the lengthy questions.

On 2/24/2019 at 6:32 AM, AF-1 said:

WORLD FRESH MARKET BUFFET: Ate here for a few breakfasts, a few lunches, and a few dinners.  Never had a bad meal.  Met head chef and he showed me around the buffet and we talked about different types of foods and breads served there. (full disclosure, I have a food service background).  Anyway is was interesting to hear about some of the regional foods they prepare.  There was a lot of asian, and mediterranean food on buffet; and there was a fajita bar everyday for lunch.  Food was good

Compared to other non Royal Princess class ships you've been on, could you comment on the variety and appeal of the buffet selections / cooking execution at lunch and dinner (going to assume breakfest would be similar). 

3 hours ago, whatcruiseisnext said:

 The concept is great but the implementation is poor.  All those photos posted of the food in the buffet look ok

Princess gets credit for trying new stuff but the cost-cutting mentality ruins the idea. Visually, yes it is appealing but the passengers are actually getting less food options compared to the other non Royal class ships BASED on the photos Idahospud presented (thank you Idahospud). I would be curious if Idahospud and others who have traveled on several non Royal class ships can verify my suspicion.

Take the Cheese monger as an example. There are only 4 cheese options available cut up in cubes. Usually, we get 5 or (sometimes 6) each night. Lots of wasted space with nuts and crackers that could be used for more food options.

The fruits in the baskets look like they are taking up valuable space which could be used for more food options. The sandwiches I am neutral on and the ramen selection is a nice idea if you like that stuff but I would like to specify how much of each ingredient I want instead of pre-made bowls.

If they would maximize the space with more offerings and variety, I could see the revised design as an  improvement if the food choices were decent.