REOVA

4 hours ago, kazu said:

Prinsendam was my favourite ship in the fleet.  She didn’t have the bells and whistles that the Pinnacle Class ships have but her cabins were unique and lovely.  And her Neptune Suites and Neptune Lounge were the nicest in the fleet.  NL had it’s own verandah and an ocean view.  That lovely pic that used to be in the HAL brochure with the stained glass?  That was the Prinsendam’s Neptune Lounge.

 

 

Since she wasn't HAL built, but cherished by many passengers, we are surprised HAL didn't incorporate her features into the newer builds. They did try a dual entry bathroom with separated WC on Koningsdam but not on the other 2 Pinnacle ships. And the converted Neptune Suite from cabin did add nice natural lighting, although we didn't use the verandah since we already had one in our cabin. 😉

10 minutes ago, CruiserN1 said:

Looking over the daily programs that have been posted, I see that some exercise classes have a cost next to the name of the class and some do not. I'm assuming those that don't are free. Do you need to sign up in advance for the free classes? If so, is that done in the Navigator app once on board or do I have to go to the fitness center to sign up in person? I'm also wondering how good the free classes are, so if you've taken one I would appreciate your perspective. Sailing on Rotterdam in March.

The free classes are usually morning and afternoon stretch which you just show up to, granted they may get crowded depending on venue. Yoga, plates, etc will be a sign up and charge. They also have "free" classes with upsell for products. Best to visit fitness center day 1 (5 pm) for the raffle and check out what is available and they have sign up sheets. 😉

We prefer smaller - Prinsendam was best. The newer ships have smaller cabins crammed to get more in, the lower prominade deck is better on smaller ships as you can walk side by side or visit people on loungers without being blocked by tenders and blind corners. Service is much better on smaller ships, crew more relaxed and happy and spend time getting to know passengers (many don't like the Pinnacle Class and are discouraged from spending too much time with guests as they are overworked, and it shows). We like Ocean bar band, the "old" World Stage with backing band, and smaller passenger experience and quiet nooks. Smaller ships can go to more (better/unique) ports. But HAL can make more money cramming 3 "entertainment" venues together and adding more bars. If Dutch Cafe was on a smaller ship, we wouldn't sail on Pinnacle Class (jk). 

I wonder if you can turn the couch sideways when (before) opened, if that fits. I've heard people have had this done. 

10 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

I remember that day now  - here is my post!

 

https://www.theinsidecabin.com/day-41-sea/

 

 

Thanks for the memory post. We miss Amanda (now flight attendant with United). She did so much for passengers on Zaandam in 2020 (read "Cabin Fever" as a parallel view of our 2020 Amsterdam cruise which had no cases -that we know of). I believe Mario is still with HAL, maybe on Zaandam now. 

3 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Now back to my work on Port Arthur and Hobart 

 

We arrive in Adelaide in 4 hours.....

 

 

Pete, fair winds and following seas. I just received memory pop up of this time in 2018 with 27' swells hitting deck 9 on Amsterdam in the Bass Strait storm. 

Try and order a double. The bartender may or may not oblige  but won't hurt to ask. 

The canned water is "pop top" 1 time open. The screw top bottled water is additional cost. We bring an empty plastic bottle and fill it either at Lido or with canned water for fridge or excursions. Also, milk shakes usually come with HIA beverage package. 

4 hours ago, glorialagos said:

When I try the Navigator app it tells me to connect to ship wifi.  ??  I can't seem to get past that page.

Is your phone on wifi mode or cell mode (or both). You may need to play around with settings. 

56 minutes ago, lovemycruisetoo said:

We use Tripinsurancestore.com. Very helpful if you have questions, Steve is great in helping understand the policies. . 

There is a forum posting for Steve on CC and getting ready for another Q&A soon. 

4 hours ago, Mary229 said:

4 years at which time it is refunded 

So the same as their FCD. Our FCC have been expiring 1 year from when they are posted (with some exceptions for 2020 GWC be able to be used for 2023 or 2024 if needed). 

Is there an expiration on the FCC? 

34 minutes ago, Catlover54 said:

 

Questions about the $20/bottle charge :

1.  Do you have to drink the bottle in your suite, or can you have it served in a dining room, or at the pool or elsewhere? 

2.  Are you allowed to bring wine back on (at a $20/bottle charge) that is from a regular shop that is not part of a HAL tour?

3.  Can you also bring liquor on at $20/bottle (to drink in your suite or elsewhere), or just wine?

4.  How does the charge work if it is a 1/2 bottle of wine (375 cc), or a mini-sampler pack?  $20/bottle still, regardless of size,  or is there an adjustment to $10 bottle because it is half the volume?

 

We were recently on a HAL ship as relative newbies, and weren't sure how charges and procedures would work when we stopped at a HAL excursion sponsored shopping center and there were tempting mini-packs of assorted local rums (I definitely did not want to pay $20 per mini-bottle).

 

Thanks in advance.

 

 

 

Not sure about liquor but once you pay the $20 "corkage" you can drink it throughout the ship (where you can usually drink). The corkage is usually waived for a HAL tour (Pete did a private tour) to a winery or tasting but don't think a shopping excursion would be waived. Would probably be like being at a Port with duty free shop. I also was told (years ago) that even if we purchased onboard in shop, we wouldn't be able to open onboard. They didnt want the shops competing with the bars. Not sure if that changed.  

. " I ended up doing a cash account due to the number of reviews I saw while researching my online check in issue about erroneous credit card charges and multiple charges/holds that stayed on cards for months on end."

Curious how well you are able to dispute a cash charge. I've heard fees being added or changed which I guess the cruise contract could be used to hold your cash. I find it easy to get the credit card company involved in the fight and reverse charges. But never have used cash accounts. 

1 hour ago, XBGuy said:

 

Vegemite?

Actually they keep a jar in Lido near the condiments. 😉

Just now, Colorado Klutch said:

 

I've already done the final payment. I signed up on Cruise Watch for my cruise. I'm thinking it's unlikely prices will drop if HAL is in fact getting a lot of bookings. But if prices do drop, is HAL likely to give me a refund or OBC for the difference?

Not likely to give after final payment but it doesn't hurt to ask if the total cost is actually lower. (Not just the base fare). 

20 minutes ago, Colorado Klutch said:

 

Do you think a minimal deposit is the reason? Maybe I don't understand how most cruisers book. I mean, if you have the money to book a cruise, what difference does the deposit make? 

I booked a HAL Alaska cruise in early January and I didn't see the $1 deposit offer anywhere. Maybe it didn't apply to Alaska cruises?

Maybe it's a reasoning that they won't lose much if anything happens between booking and final payment. Or could be, like many with credit cards, charge now and figure out how to pay for it later. I'd be curious on what HAL's fallout rate is on these bookings. 

Alaska has some specific promos that come up. Check regularly to see if you can get a better deal (before final payment) 

Numbers can be skewed depending on where your data is collected. The negative comments on CC are a very, very small sampling of HAL cruisers compared to those that don't comment or that join FB groups, which are usually pro HAL by definition. 

Also there may be exclusions on which cruises the FCD can be used for so make sure you know if interested in those cruises. 

Saw them last Summer for 2 shows. Enjoyed them better than Cantare (who can be hit or miss depending on the singer). 

2 hours ago, Crew News said:

For Alaska cruises, any excursions that involve flying, or smaller boats, have limited seats so booking ASAP is required.  FWIW most of my May Alaska cruise excursions are sold out.

 

Booking excursions after boarding will get you on a waitlist or the least desirable excursions.

Just need to watch the cancelation times on those. They differ than the usual 48 hour. 

3 hours ago, Hlitner said:

I think many HAL fans are smoking the funny weed when they talk about Antartica.  With the recent international treaties and agreements, no cruise ship can actually go to Antarctica unless they conform to "Polar 6" or better standards.  No HAL vessel meets that standard so their ability to even do "drive by" cruises are very limited to areas further north.  If you truly want to visit Antarctica and go ashore (which is generally done in Zodiacs) you will now need to take a so-called exploration ship such as the new Seabourn vessels (one sailing and a 2nd on the way),  some of the Hurtigruten vessels, Ponent's exploration ships, etc.    This is now the exclusive purview of the small (and expensive) exploration ship market.

 

Hank

Yes and even the Viking Expeditions ships touch the far edges. But passengers can say they kayaked or "walked" on a 7th continent whereas we can only watch from our balcony. 

2 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

We have travel and cruise wish lists, but no HAL wish lists.  When HAL can fulfill one of our "wishes" than we consider booking.  Otherwise, we book other cruise lines or simply fly to our desired destination and go off on our own.

 

#1 on our wish list has been to go to Antarctica (had to recently cancel that trip due to a medical issue) which cannot be done on HAL or other mass market lines.  We also wish that HAL had kept the Prinsendam, but that is a failed wish.

 

Hank

Yes. Rumor was that HAL "suggested" we would have Zodiac boats on the Amsterdam for the 2020 GWC Antarctica portion, which enticed Captain Jonathan to not retire sooner. Of course HAL didn't come through. 

We research the ports and what seems interesting at each. We then look at private tours that others have reviewed and finally when HAL posts its excursions we look to see if any of them hit our interests. Except for a few (watch the fine print) you can cancel and get refund to credit card days before boarding so better to book earlier and get a spot and change it later. 

Some HAL tours sell out so book early. They can also increase price on board, even if new spots open after being full. 

We prefer local/private tours. Of course changes in itinerary, late arriving and missed ports put a wrench in planning private tours so finding a guide that is flexible and low deposit is key, today. 

2 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Here is the itinerary 

 

 

They will bring this back in the next few years and it will sell out quickly. Need ports and things to get settled down. Always was a popular itinerary. 

Did you stop at Uncle Tetsu's?