REOVA

Just now, OlsSalt said:

Once saw a famous swimmer on the Maasdam who hooked up a harness to the end of the after deck pool and swam "against" it. He was famous for swimming from Russia to America - actually two close by islands.  

 

That is how he worked out in the HAL pool every day. He did pick off-hours - typically at the end of the day when most are going off to dinner.  What permission he got to hook this system up in unknown, but he was also a special guest. 

Yes Joe taught me. 😉

39 minutes ago, gluttonfp said:

Thanks for all of the input.  Sounds like I won't be getting my normal swimming in during this trip, but I guess there are plenty of other things to keep me busy, and I'll probably get a decent amount of exercise just walking around the big ship!

The pools are way too small for laps but I bring 2 bungee cords and a robe belt (soft). The belt is loop tied at each end. I wear the belt and thread one end through the other and that end is hooked in the bungee  which is tethered to a rail. This was showed to me by a long time cruiser and swimmer. I stay in a corner or away from others and swim for 30-60 minutes. It's the next best thing to a motion current pool. Usually pools are empty about 4 pm as people are at happy hour pre dinner. Or you can try mornings. 

Yes we've done on both. But it also depends where the ship is as there are drop areas where the wifi doesn't work well. We also use FaceTime (iphone) or Facebook messenger calling. 

VoV might be what you are looking for. Sails out of and returns to Boston and overnight usually in The Netherlands for return trip. Sails in July so if you look for saling out of Boston in July, you'll find it. 

Did you book a non refundable booking? If so you may lose the deposit or HAL may allow transfer to a future booking. In any event, since you booked through a TA. HAL will require going through the TA. 

If you want to move the booking to another TA, you will need a form that the current TA signs to release and new TA accepts. 

If it's a refundable deposit, you can call the TA company and ask for someone else to help with it, or cancel. (Or maybe they have a website you can cancel the cruise online). 

The outcome of the deposit will depend on the terms of the booking. 

We've enjoyed scenic cruising either on the bow or deck 3 to get a broader view. We try not to eat during scenic cruising as I end up leaving the table with camera which doesn't bode well with DW. Sea days are our specialty restaurant days, however some passengers want to eat in MDR on sea days that have "dressy" nights as the menu (used to be) is different. 

10 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

You could add prepaid gratuities, trip protection, transfers or anything else that hits the invoice and increases the total due, FCC is used to cover those charges.

Not things like specialty dining, excursions etc which would be covered by OBC.

I'm a fan of not voluntarily leaving $$ on the table.

It not worth the $30 as we are past final payment and have over $1000 OBC which will go to gratuities. We don't use HAL transfers or their insurance. Right now it would cost more than $30 extra to use the remaining balance. 

HAL cut a lot of positions (or combined them) pre Covid. Bruce used to put together some great shows and entertainment. Barbara (RIP) had been to every port (flags included) and was a wealth of information on every port. HAL did away with those positions. 

Last year's VoV was basically 2 17 day voyagers with entertainment repeats. The ports were excellent (if you were able to get off and not quarantined) and they had a good lecturer who got on in Canada and off in Iceland. Other than that repeated Step One, Cantare, BBC movies, etc like other cruises. I'd hope things changed this year for you. Maybe next year things will improve after revamping their "Legendary  Voyages" program but that means they have to include this one as Legendary as well. 

4 hours ago, terrydtx said:

This correct, we had a sizable FCC from our Covid incident last year. It had to be used by the end of this year or lose it.  We decide to use the FCC to book our cruise on the Koingsdam in November. We first looked at a standard Verandah cabin that would have left about $600 in FCC unused. I asked HAL if that $600 could be converted into OBS for the cruise and was told it could not be converted. We then booked the highest Verandah category, Aft Facing cabin, to use up the $600.

Yep. Mine has to be used by November. I prebooked the cruise a year ago and priced it based on using all of the FCC. When I went to apply the balance, they had a price drop so I couldn't use up the FCC. Oh well. Saved on the price drop but losing the $30 left on FCC. 

Yes. Your statement will have 2 parts, non refundable and refundable so make sure you check with guest services and it is listed correctly and you can see how much non refundable you have left each day. The refundable can be received in cash on last day (or put back on your credit card). 

FCC can only be used for the cost of the cruise. I have left over FCC ($30) that HAL will not allow to be converted to OBC on a currently booked cruise, they said it has to be used at booking. 

28 minutes ago, Tom O. said:

 

Just curious, what deck is the emergency drill done on the Koningsdam?

Thank you everyone, for your advice.

Tom

When you get on, ask guest services about passengers in wheel chairs and procedure for her to have her card scanned. You have to watch a video on cabin TV. Then you walk down (before 3 pm) to the deck location (specified onboard) to have your card scanned at an internal meeting spot depending on muster number. 

22 hours ago, CNSJ said:

And we shall all enjoy an OBC of up to $200 on the future bookings we make!

Until they cancel the promo next year 🤣

1 hour ago, Haljo1935 said:

Good to know - thanks for the update. If it's handled the way other pre-purchased excursions to OBC are done, you'll want to go to Shore Excursions Desk once you're onboard, don't go to Passenger Services.

Yes and be there watching while Excursion Desk changes it. Otherwise you may not get the correct outcome. 

Depends on the ship and staff but now (post shut down) all wine needs to be declared and $20 corkage fee no matter if just one bottle. Some people have gotten away with not paying. You still can bring 1 bottle back on a HAL excursion to a winery without fee. 

They usually give you an option (if 2 consultants on board) to schedule an appointment with one or wait in line for the other. Of course if one of them isn't busy (lol) they will take the next appt or person waiting. Best to schedule a time just in case. You still have 4 years to use FCD and get some OBC with it. 

The scale can be set depending on what measurement you want it to read. 

You will probably want to weigh multiple times a day as the scale can be affected by ship motion. But at least you'll have a rough range if that is what you need. 

Unfortunately HAL has been behind on revamping shows on World Stage. Hopefully you'll have better choices when you are on. But if you haven't seen any of them before you might enjoy them. Usually an early (7ish) and repeat late (9ish) show on most nights. Sometimes a BBC movie with music or mix of band members and dancers, a singer, a comedian, etc. Will depend on the length of the cruise and itinerary. May have nights with no shows/dark stage. 

I did my own hiking and walking around in Greenland. For black flies and mosquitoes (especially Red Bay Canada not so much Greenland) we just took the netted bags that ropes came in from the cabin and put those on our head. The do offer a food tour which was interesting if you like dried fish. 

Usually the bar have Futbol but you could ask if they can change if its on. There is a sports channel you can get in the room that may have the game. I believe the ship satellite channels only has certain licenses for broadcasting. Even the super bowl one year was ESPN channel and didn't show the network commercials (just ESPN commercial, over and over). 

1 hour ago, ldtr said:

Kind of reminds me the Discovery tours on Princess.  Not sure I would get that excited.

 

HAL seems to have this fixation on having to partner with entities with name recognition for everything (BBC, Lincoln Center, BB King, etc) instead of doing quality things on their own 

Yes. They had some talented in house managers that could do great programs. They got rid of them in the 2018-2019 overhaul (some retired or passed). It's probably easier to have a 3rd party handle these but we did a "Food and Wine partner" tour in July that was worthless. (Although there are hits on some tours). I think maybe consistency would be better with more HAL control. But still looking forward to seeing what the next few years bring. 

39 minutes ago, fastandhappy said:

Thank you for all the information, Reova. What is your National brand? I am definitely looking for the right jacket.

Columbia- it's Omni-Tech products are lightweight and pack easily and good for outerlayer rain/wind environment (just need warm layers underneath as temps fall). 

My DW used to get "queazy" early in our cruising years. She brings ginger candies just in case. After doing longer cruises (including 4 month grand Voyages) she doesn't have issues. Even during 27' swells in Australia she was standing up taking videos while the ship heaved hoed. You do get used to it the more you cruise and doing tricks people mention. 

On 6/15/2023 at 12:13 PM, fastandhappy said:

 

For example, we like a glass or 2 of wine with dinner but do not drink alcohol during the day and I can't decide whether we need the HIA. We drink lots of water and tea. Do we have to pay for them? I saw orange juice listed on the HIA beverages. Really???? Do I have to pay for orange juice at meals? 

 

Fresh squeezed OJ is included in HIA beverage package. Otherwise it's from bottle. Also milkshakes, specialty coffee and drinks from Dutch Cafe,  hot chocolate, specialty alcohol drinks (under $ limit) and canned water comes with HIA. 

Have your TA price out each line of the HIA to see if the Total HIA saves anything from buying individual line items (or wine packages). The beverage package is usually the bigger savings as other items (gratuities, excursions, OBC...) are $ for $. 

You sound like my DW. She is allergic to various chemical (even "natural") so avoids the spa treatments. Even bringing your own is no guarantee. She prefers massages at home. Allergies are unique to people so someone's response may not have the same reaction as you would. 

Depending on cabin, you may bring a nightlight. We just leave the bathroom light on and close the door (otherwise the ships motion will), some light comes under the door. 

Any temps below 70' and she has a parka. I would suggest a thin outer layer jacket (maybe even pants) that are water proof (not resistant) and also wind proof. We have a National brand and you can find some at outdoor stores or outlet malls (hint hint). A lightweight middle layer and a wicking (non cotton) base layer. That way you can be prepared for any temps and weather/wind. 

As Ruth said, corkage fees apply to wine and they don't like you bringing sodas and water to compete with onboard sales. But some people do and some get confiscated. 

You don't want to check email from ship without internet package. Ship satellite costs are triple without package, even using your phone. You can buy 1 package and share with cabinmate, but one has to log off before the other logs on. 

We haven't been to Copenhagen of Stockholm in many years so can't help there but love train travel in Europe. Depending on how many people are traveling and what section you want may dictate when to buy. If you require specific seats and section, I would pre purchase. (And don't forget to validate the ticket before boarding).