REOVA

Is there still a shortage of chips for IC cards (other than tourist Welcome Sucia)?

We've met many people from down under that walked clockwise around the ship. 😉😁 It's a pet peeve of DW, but I go with the flow. Just like on trails, people walk in different directions. Yes courtesy is most important, especially on the Pinnacle ships where the Promenade Deck is single file (and obstructed view) in many places.

Assuming it's a Pinnacle Ship, yes, I would suggest it, just for comparison. And try to tell us details (time of day, sea day, etc). 🙂

It was a good cruise in 2020 but we couldn't get to the Falklands due to weather. Drake passage was calm and we also were able to tender to Easter Island, which is hit or miss as well. Depending on what you want to do in Antarctica, maybe another cruiseline/Polar class ship would be better. Much more expensive but probably worth the experience (and to claim you walked on the driest, coldest, windiest, highest Continent, even if you were only able to set foot on the frozen edge 😁). There are always cancellations on the GWC and always segments to book. Many people sail every year or a few different years so you should be able to get onboard.

Yes if it takes the place of Adult Coloring, I will be upset. 😉

I find the service on the Pinnacle ships more chaotic than the smaller ships. Even before the shut down it seemed the size of the MDR rattled the crew (along with the noisy acoustics). Most of the crew we talk with prefer the smaller more intimate ships. During down time it's not as bad but having more passengers onboard, all coming at a set time (or a bulk at same time during open seating) frazzles the kitchen and servers. Unfortunately paying for Club Orange while less chaotic, limits who you can meet and sit with if that is a goal.

Search 2026 in Holland America

HAL used to only do 1 GWV and did it on smaller ships and did segments then as well. I'm sure they feel that two pulls passengers away but there's always a market for segments and its more profitable for HAL.

Nice. Clear skies too.

You won't find HAL in "consistently". Just an L, so 2/3's of the time you won't know what to expect. 🤣. This is across the board when dealing with Customer Service, emails, Mariner amenities, supply, etc. I get different answers to the same questions. Unfortunately it's been this way for 3 years now but appears they are trying to get better. We just need to help them along (and they appreciate that). Some have posted that they let the servers know ahead that they want to be somewhere by xx:xx and the crew oblige. Not saying we should have to do that, but we are all on the same ship for a while so we have to communicate and make the best of our time. They will remember you. We still keep in touch will many crew that no longer sail. Many of the crew now are new and sharpening their skills (especially when faced with inevitable slip ups). Crew is one of the reasons we sail HAL (and of course itinerary which you said) and it does crimp a smooth cruise when problems arise, but doesn't sway us to leave. We sail other lines that may have better food and service (and entertainment) but not better crew, small ships and itineraries of HAL unless we want to spend much more.

Yes it's cheaper to by 47 day segment than 128 day whole. 🤔

It may also depend on time of dinner for open seating. We try to eat (if in MDR) before or after the rush of fixed times or "anytime" bottleneck and usually try to get the same section if available. We no longer do fixed as we are not reliable MDR eaters and don't want to leave open seats at a table causing others eating alone if we decide we are not up to or can't make dinner on time. But both can have issues if the kitchen is trying to handle a rush. The key is to nicely respond to someone or Navigator so they can review and try better. Usually doesn't happen every night, especially if they flag you 😉.

Segments are priced more than the whole, especially if you count the incentives of booking the complete cruise. Plus having to fly mid cruise internally.

Yes but not on Amsterdam and due to restrictions in Antarctica, they didn't have them on the GWC. Maasdam used them for its EXC itineraries.

We thought yours was. 😉😁

I've look at the cabins people get with free offers and they are not what we want. Many times HAL knows which cabins they need to fill and having someone onboard to spend money in other venues is better than empty cabin. And if picky people like me book, HAL knows they will upgrade and spend money so that cabin is again available. Some people don't care what cabin they get and these people pay less than we do also. The markup on onboard non cabin purchases helps HALs kitty and the Casino "department" also helps subsidize. My guess is if they didn't fill these cabins, the rest of us would be paying more for our cabins and other things. Marketing works for everyone.

Vista Suites are usually just slightly larger than verandas on most ships, just different configuration. Until you get to Neptune Suites (or Signature Suites on ships) there isn't much difference. The Aft cabins are usually smaller but larger balcony.

It will be hit in miss on all ships and especially if turnover in a port. Many cruisers report good service there are days when things are amiss. Best to note it in Navigator and speak with staff supervisor/matre d'. They will make it priority next night. There are many new crew in dining and kitchen. Training is an issue according to Management. I've read reports that MDR was chaotic, late ordering, miscooked food, etc. But usually the good will overshadow the bad. It also depends when you eat as busier times are more prone to slip ups. (And on Pinnacle ships it can get crazy so we try not to eat in MDR). Our last Eurodam the MDR was slow and food okay when we ate but Pinnacle and Tamarind were both a miss with delay service, overcooked or missed food, etc. But I'm sure others had good meals. You hit a wrong moment, but yes post shutdown things are different and hopefully working towards better with feedback provided to HAL.

Good suggestion to wait to see what is on the list. I used to bring my own because of the marke up, which is typical of any retail (even at the $20 corkage it was cheaper and better than what they had..."snob" 🤣). But I have found some decent wines in #1 (at different times) that were as good as #3. I've also got multiple bottles of the same wine before. There are some wines my palate doesnt like (cab sav). Price doesn't equate to better wine so experimenting with different wines in #1 is what I do now.

I wonder if you can try to make wife's phone a Hotspot and connect your laptop if you will see a difference. (While she is not using it 😉).

No. Fortunately 2020 went there. One of the reasons Captain Jonathan stayed until 2020 as they enticed him with possible Zodiacs. (Which HAL didn't have and its ships are not Polar class so they cannot do excursions closer to the Continent). 2026 is similar to the planned 2020 up until after the Maldives. (Of course it ended short after Cairns and sailing around to Freemantle to fly home).

If it's the same TA that booked the current cruise they will automatically transfer to them if you ask when booking. I used a different TA for the new cruise and didn't notice HAL put the old TA in. Then I had to use the form to change where all had to sign.

Yes missed the Singapore event in 2020. And missed Bishop Tutu (on board) in 2018 as we were on Safari during So. AF port. I thought 2019 was at Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam but Pete can check.

💯 % 😁