REOVA

The NY pizza on the other (Pinnacle/Signature) ships is much better than pizza in the Lido on Westy. Something about having it freshly made to order makes a difference. It's not very good in Westy Lido in our opinion. Try to get it when they first put it out. 

You may find many from South Africa in the spa as well.

2 hours ago, deliver42 said:

All the cruise lines take the best crews of the fleet, and put them in the newest 

Not what we found on HAL. We find the best crew on smallest ship and not as hurried or stressed. Most of the crew that we've known for years are on the smaller ships still and prefer them to the bigger ships.  But every cruise is different, as is everyone's experience. 

On 12/23/2023 at 7:05 PM, Torquer said:

 

To further complicate things, fresh OJ (i.e., not from concentrate) is served by default in the Club Orange dining room on Pinnacle Class ships and in the Pinnacle Grill for breakfast on other ships for suite guests.  I seem to remember you can request OJ from concentrate if you don't like the pulp.

Yes I got fresh squeezed last year on Rotterdam for breakfast and had to send it back. It was a thick glass of pulp, very little juice. They asked if I wanted concentrate and I said no, but juice would be appreciated.🤦‍♂️

Did someone tell you it wasnt included? Did you bring it up to guest services to have it removed from your bill? They make errors on many drinks that we have to get corrected but we've always had fresh OJ included in the package. The server in Lido brings it (not from the pitcher on the counter).

We find temperature is also affected by where you are in the world and which side of the ship the sun is while sailing. 

We haven't sailed Volendam but have on sister ships and love the smaller ships. You will find many "problems" on the older ships if you focus on them. And 2 cabins will have totally different experiences on the same ship (heat, plumbing, etc) as will 2 passengers have subjective opinions on the same cruise. We always sail with an expectation that it won't be perfect and if we don't like something, we make a comment, or try another item. The crew will try to help you enjoy your cruise. If you communicate (nicely 😉). 

10 hours ago, aaaaa said:

How was the condition of the cabin and balcony furnishings on Eurodam?  Reports are mixed.  Thanks, and safe travels.

If you look you will find many areas that need work.caulking, night stand damage, teak deck rotted at some doors causing issue pushing open, etc.  But it's an old ship and none of these detracted from our cruise. Just noted. We'd sail on Eurodam any day over the newer ships if given same itineraries. 

The Grand World offered different packages for wifi and/or drinks. Most passengers are 4 and 5 star so maybe HAL probably didn't think it would sell for other items. And when you are sailing 120+ days, the per day package needs to be enticing. 

We've had problems depending on where in the world and where on the ship, but that was before Starlink. I had to upgrade to Premium in October as signal was dropped. The premium package is (used to be) discounted if you buy a few days before embarkation but prices probably went up now with Starlink. 

1 hour ago, Vineyard View said:

Thank you. Is there not an area in the MDR set aside for CO on the older ships?  I thought I read that as a benefit. Maybe I am wrong. 

CO usually get a table by the window or a "preferred" area which can be anywhere really. You enter on right of entrance (separate line) and they seat you on that side, for the most part. 

7 minutes ago, Vineyard View said:

It sounds like the Pinnacle class ships are where Club Orange shines….both in dining and Signature suites? It also looks like maybe the Signature suites shine more on Pinnacle class? That combination, if true, possibly changes the value statement for CO within ship categories, such as  Niew Amsterdam? 

I like the SS suites on the older ships. Pinnacle SS cabins seem smaller. The upgrade benefit shines better on the lower priced cabins as opposed to SS (and no benefit in Neptune since CO is "included"). Club Orange on Pinnacle ships has its own dining room (same food as MDR but better service) so that is better on Pinnacle ships. 

8 hours ago, chisoxfan said:

Thanks.  I do plan to eat in Orange generally  but on 14 night cruise would try the MDR a few times.

Happy to hear your comments on Orange- not seeking gourmet Nirvana but a more relaxing experience with decent service.

The CO dining is same menu as MDR with 1 added entree selection. What you don't get is a long wait to be seated or served and the loud noise from the open and often crowded MDR. Unless you are dining with friends who do not have CO benefits. There isn't a reason on Rotterdam to go to MDR. (IMHO)

Depends on what the refare price includes compared to what you currently have. Also depends on who you (or your TA) talks with (who answers the phone) at HAL. You (or your TA) will need to be referred to a pricing specialist at HAL not just the call service as they may tell you different things. 

13 hours ago, Tampa Girl said:

 

What were your complaints?  

I generally wouldn't use ship spa staff for extraordinary services such as color as you don't know what they will do and we've heard stories of lack of quality of some of the services. I've had many hair cuts on HAL and usually the staff is well trained and know what they are doing. You can tell by they way they are cutting your hair. My experience last month on Eurodam was a bad cut (I'm an easy 10 minute cut). When I went to my regular stylist after disembarkment a few days later she noticed the lack of blending and uneven cuts in my hair, it wasn't a different style, just a poor job. She was able to correct some but obviously much shorter. But hair grows so it's wasn't a permanent issue, unlike color. 

Was on Eurodam last month. Wouldn't use them if it's the same staff. Not even for a haircut. 

6 hours ago, seagarsmoker said:

I had one on the Eurodam last month, chocolate, it tasted like Nestlé quick. 

Mine (chocolate) was white and the server tried to tell me it was chocolate. I told her it was vanilla and she came back with a cup of chocolate sauce so I could add "more". 🤷‍♂️

As long as you aren't wearing matching ones. 🤣. We've seen to many of the guys wearing speedos so please let her to get the balance back. 😉

Would be curious if/after you cruise of your updated comparison. I agree that the additional bars and music venue don't make up for the downgrade in HAL entertainment. Especially if the bands play the same songs every night. But since you haven't sailed HAL since the change, you may not have seen Step One or Contare or HALs history "lectures" or BBC movies multiple times over the past few years. Being a holiday cruise, one would suspect it will be a crowded cruise which may put a drag on the crew, service and inventory, especially at peak times. The Pinnacle Class ships are not like the old ocean liner ships (which we prefer) but I think you will find something to enjoy. 

Check in is different than boarding. I haven't heard of anyone lately being stopped from checking in early (through security). They did during first reopening out of precaution and don't know, with any rise in positive cases in AUS, if things will change. 

The ship usually boards around 11:30-12:00 so everyone that checks in earlier is put in a waiting area, priory boarding in one place and everyone else another until they board, either by a number you get or otherwise. So getting there early and going through security may or may not get you onboard earlier, depending on how they are doing it at each port (and cruise). 

3 hours ago, Vicki'sMom said:

REOVA and OlsSalt:  Thank you both for your detailed information.  It's really helpful!  I'm thinking of booking the Sydney to Auckland 14-day (my son & daughter-in-law live in Wellington NZ) so the ship's entertainment, having a suite with lots of amenities, etc isn't as important to me for this cruise.  I love the itinerary!  I haven't been to AU/NZ since 2017 (2020 was canceled) and I'm anxious to get back!

 

Thanks again!  🥰

You will enjoy it. Its a beautiful itinerary. Mind the Tasman Sea. Take ginger candies just in case (my DW's best choice). 

We've seen menus change once on board. I would take it as a sample for now but may stay once onboard if you are trying to plan specific day dining. 

2 hours ago, Vicki'sMom said:

That's a good question!  On Norwegian, Celebrity and MSC (which I forgot to mention in my original post!), I love their "private" area (Haven, Retreat, Yacht Club).  I get overwhelmed in crowds so I've found these areas to be perfect and relaxing for me, although pricey.  I think Westerdam being a smaller ship (under 2,000 passengers I believe), I would be okay!  I have never cruised "solo", but since losing my husband a year ago, this is becoming my reality.  

 

I'm not sure how dining would work, but I have no problem sharing a table - in fact, I prefer that to eating alone.  Do they assign dining times?  I am used to dining on my own time schedule. 

 

Thank you for any information!  😊

 

  

We are sold on "SWAS" concept and especially Yacht Club. It's the best value for us. HAL doesn't have that or come close to the amenities they offer via private area, restaurant, pool, butler, entertainment etc. But those ships are too big once you step outside the suite area. HAL is more of a relaxed sailing overall with much smaller ships, which we prefer and on the older ships, a full wide wrap around promenade walking deck with lounge chairs to read a book, watch the seas or chat with new friends. The entertainment is much less than the other lines but the food is good (hit or miss on any line) and the crew is wonderful if you interact and get to know them (some are new and shy at first but open up when you smile 😃 ). The larger Pinnacle Class ships have more options for food and some more music but are bigger and you lose the wide promenade seating and crew and dining can be more chaotic. Westerdam, as with many of HALs older ships, will show its age and many people will point everything out but most overlook them and enjoy being on the water or the itinerary. You won't have the production shows compared to the other lines but there will always be something to do, if not just reading a good book in the sea air or meeting with other solos. The cabin choices are key as others said these ships have exterior elevators on the sides which lessens the balcony privacy for cabins closest as the car moves up and down. Choose a cabin between other cabin decks and not deck 4 (above music) or deck 8 (below the Lido).  We usually book midship Veranda or Signature Suite staterooms on deck 6 or 7. Signature Suites are larger than Verandas but neither are true suite experiences like the other lines (nor priced like them).  Neptune suites are much larger than Yacht Club but more pricier. You get a separate lounge area (small interior space) but nothing like Haven, Yacht Club, etc. The lounge area has 2 person concierge  crew that handle all guest services and excursions for Neptune Suites (and above) and also has small selection of snacks and drinks. Again, not up to other line Suite experience. We find the Neptune cost/reward no longer benefits us (we have sailed from 7 days to 113 days in Neptune) and enjoy Signature "suites" or Verandas just fine (neither have concierge service and amenities.) Our next cruise on Westerdam is 53 nights and we can't wait to get back to her. 

What do you like about the other cruise lines? Then we can answer better about Westerdam. 

Just now, rover16 said:

I've see lots of comments on CO, but when Ive booked with my PCC at HAL its never bee n mentioned or offered as a option.

I know it's limited but can find nothing on HAL's website on cost or how to get it.

 

Sailing June, 2025 on Rotterdam, in a Vista Suite, never been on that class of ship. Do folks think CO is worth iot?

Your PCC should have mentioned it. CO price will vary and may increase but it's best done when booking as you can "upgrade" within your cabin category for the price of the lowest cost cabin in that category. You could probably call the PCC and ask about adding it but not sure how the price will affect what cabin you booked. If you are already in your best cabin, they may give you OBC or have it rebooked at the lower price and then charge CO. I feel it's best value is on the Pinnacle Class ships where you have a separate dining room which is less noisy and less hurried than the MDR. But you have to weigh the cost against the benefits you feel you are getting to decide worth. 

18 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Depends on if you have HIA with service charges covered or not.

Yes. HIA would cover first. But extra can be given. Our OBC went to crew gratuities last month. We didn't have it included in HIA.