Sun&Sand52

8 minutes ago, hulagirl57 said:

What is the cost of the Hydrotherapy Pool area?

I purchased my thermal spa pass prior to sailing (Nieuw Statendam) and it was $139 for the 7 night cruise.  When I was on board the spa told me the price was $199 for the week.

31 minutes ago, panoramaofthepast said:

I got the same email last week for our cruise on Zuiderdam. I called my HAL rep and inquired about the upgrade; she said it was only an upgrade within the category [ie, a "better" balcony room] - then she said, "let me check on something!" Five minutes later, she was back with the offer of a FREE upgrade to a mini suite [yep! I said free] because apparently prices had decreased and a mini suite was now going for the approximately price I paid for an aft balcony. The change got me some of the Club Orange perks, so we took it. Fast forward 24 hours and another offer comes in, this time an upsell from the mini to a Neptune suite for just about the same cost as we were contemplating for Club Orange [10 day cruise x $25 per person]. Yes, indeed!

 

So in the space of 24 hours we went from a balcony to a full suite and you better believe I am going to enjoy that suite! 

👍🏻👍🏻Woooohooo! Great deal!!  I hope I get that lucky sometime in the near future 😉

I agree Ruth, but it think the days are numbered.  NS newspaper only on app.  I’m pretty sure this is something that will be rolling out to all ships.  Very unfortunate but sounds like it is unavoidable.  

Forgot to mention, that as stated by the previous poster there is NO dedicated dining room on the Nieuw Amsterdam ship.  You would be in a special section for Club Orange diners in the main dining room. Advantage to Club Orange on the Nieuw Amsterdam would be no waiting for dinner.  You should be seated immediately at any time you like.  That would be the only advantage I could see on the NA as dining would be in the main dining room and not a separate smaller venue as on the NS or Kdam.

And the upgrade is only within your category of stateroom.  Example, outside to a “better” outside or veranda to a “better” veranda - which may or may not be a better one in your view, only HALs.  It does not provide you with an upgrade from interior to outside or verandah to suite.  The only way to do that is to pay for a better cabin or get an “up sell” from HAL.  Which occasionally will happen via email about 2 weeks or so prior to sailing.

Me, personally, I do not think I would do Club Orange on any of the ships without a dedicated dining venue for CO.  I would probably spend the extra money on specialty dining in the Tamarind, Canelleto or Pinnicle Grill.  

I am cutting and pasting my reply from another recent thread about Club Orange.  Here is my personal response to a recent Club Orange experience:

 We were in Club Orange on the recent Feb 2nd sailing on Nieuw Statendam.  We very much enjoyed Club Orange.  For us, it provided some nice perks that we would have not had available to us as were are not 4 or 5 star (yet!).  Or in a Neptune Suite.  So it made sense for us to purchase as I really wanted to finally try it out on the larger ship with a separate dining room. 

Positives for me:

1) Priority Embarkation.  We were at the port at 11:00 and on the ship by 11:30.  Upon check in for Club Orange you are given a "Priority Embarkation" card and allowed in to a smaller room with fewer people that has coffee, juice and danishes.  

2) The dining venue is very nice.  It is a small room with far less people than the main dining room.  More intimate and cafe like in feel.  Ate breakfast and dinner every night in Club Orange and have no complaints about the food.  It was very good.  Much more relaxed feel to the atmosphere than the main dining room.  Only complaint is that service was a little on the slow side than I had expected.  BUT this was not due to the staff as they work really hard.  I just feel they are understaffed and definitely need a few more waiters and bus people as some times there was quite a delay between courses or getting dirty plates taken off our table.  The staff does work very, very hard but I just think they simply need more help.  Also, it is possible that our sailing had more CO people as it was always at least 80% full when we ate there.  

3) Behind the scenes culinary tour was excellent and yes it is different than the "normal" one that is given to all passengers if they want to go to it.  Much more in-depth and we were taken to lower decks and areas that not many passengers get to see.  It was very interesting!  I really enjoyed that tour and and glad I was able to attend,  Highly recommend.

4) Nicer orange tote bag and nicer robe in room.  Just a little extra something that is not really any extra value.  But still nice.

5)  Special invite to private sail into (or away) port with Captain and crew at the Bow of the ship.  REALLY wanted to make this but unfortunately could not get there in time.  Nice little perk of Club Orange on my sailing and I am sure others.

6) Dedicated Club Orange "host" or concierge at Guest Services.  This was a nice perk as we avoided getting in the line that always seemed to be at Guest Services.  You just stepped up to the area where the CO host is and wait your turn.  Usually there was either no one there with her or only 1 person in line.  Unfortunately we had to use her services every morning for issues with the Navigator App!  She was most helpful and courteous.  Diane was great!

7) Priority de-embarkation.  That was a big plus for us which we liked a lot.  We were first (or 2nd) group I believe to be called off the ship.

So my opinion is  CO is worth the extra cost if you like the dining in Club Orange.  To me that is the main reason to purchase.  If you enjoy the main dining room or specialty dining then CO might not be something you want to spend the money on.  JMHO 

I was on the Nieuw Statendam this month and yes, it is exclusively on the Navigator App.  That is where a guest can read the news.  It is offered from several countries, but can ONLY be read on the app.  Guest Services definitely will not print out any copy for a guest.  You have to read on your Navigator App.  Which by the way, does not work well many times so you have no access to the news at those times.  When the app works it is ok, if your eye sight is good and you enjoy reading things on a small screen.  Which I personally do not 😞

Me too, once was enough.  I never really could figure out how it was supposed to work.  It was an odd combination of rain type shower heads.  It was confusing to try and get it to work right! 🤪 YES, the thermal pool and the heated loungers are fantastic!!! My achy joints miss them already!!

Yes, I was recently on the NS and had a Thermal Spa pass for the week and there is a steam room and a sauna that is for the use of Spa guests only.  There are also several different type of showers in the Spa too.  There was an interesting horizontal shower where you lay down and the water hits you.  Interesting shower.  But there is definitely a steam room and also a sauna too.  Enjoy!  The thermal pool is wonderful!!!!

2 hours ago, VegasRealtor said:

I believe the brand of coffee used on all HAL ships, in all different stations, in various types, is a Dutch product called Beukenhorst. It can be purchased in bulk (which is what I do) from their supplier in Florida.

Yes, that is correct.  Beukenhorst coffee from the Netherlands. (Didn’t realize an individual was able to purchase their coffee, interesting 😃)   It is talked about in the blog post I referenced in the above link.  Here is a bit from the HAL blog post:

Rotterdam 1873 is roasted fresh in small batches in Beukenhorst Coffee USA Inc.'s West Palm Beach facility and supplied to the ships. For more than 20 years, Holland America Line has been serving Beukenhorst Koffie imported from the Netherlands in the Lido Market, Dining Room and other venues where complimentary coffee is served.  
 

"Beukenhorst Koffie has worked with Holland America Line for many years, and it was an exciting opportunity to work together to create a personalized, premium coffee experience through our small-batch roasting process," said Hans Wiggemans, co-founder of Beukenhorst Coffee USA Inc. "Our hope with having Rotterdam 1873 available for purchase is that guests will go home and reminisce about their Holland America Line cruise each time they enjoy a cup of our coffee." 

The Dutch have been roasting coffee since the 16th century, with signature blends from various regions. Arabica coffee is believed to have been the first species of coffee to be cultivated 500 years ago in Arabia. The Dutch, famous for their seafaring, brought the plant from Arabia to Java where the island became a leader in coffee production. 

About Beukenhorst Coffee USA Inc.

In 2017 Beukenhorst Coffee USA Inc. opened an espresso equipment showroom, training center and small-batch micro-roastery, 4th Wave Brew, to be able to fill the increasing demand for small-batch specialty coffees. Beukenhorst Coffee USA Inc. creates specialty blends, cold-brew coffee and private label projects using the freshest, cleanest and purest coffee available.

Beukenhorst Koffie was founded in 1784 when Albert Beukenhorst settled in Winterswijk, the Netherlands, as a coffee roaster and retailer. Today, the company continues to roast Arabica coffee beans through a traditional slow roasting drum system, giving the beans time to develop their taste while retaining the important flavors.

Recently off the Nieuw Statendam and enjoyed the desert treats in the Grand Dutch Cafe.  Somehow or another I missed this Rotterdam Drip coffee that has been mentioned! And I love coffee!  Not sure how that happened.  I thought they only served cappuccinos and lates which are not my thing at the the Grand Dutch cafe. I would have LOVED a good cup of brewed coffee.  (To me, MDR / Lido is just ok, not bad but not excellent). 
 

OK, I guess I’ll just have to sail on the NS again or Kdam to enjoy the coffee and be able to bring home a bag!  😉According to the below HAL blog, they sell the coffee at the Dutch Cafe.  Must have missed the coffee beans for sale too! Guess I was too focused on those delicious and huge chocolate chip cookies😋😋😋

interesting HAL blog info:  https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/holland-america-line-unveils-exclusive-rotterdam-1873-coffee-in-partnership-with-beukenhorst-coffee-usa-inc-300781765.html

More Club Orange photos from Nieuw Statendam ☺️

Not sure sure why photos didn’t show up so reposting photos below. 

We were in Club Orange on the recent Feb 2nd sailing on Nieuw Statendam.  We very much enjoyed Club Orange.  For us, it provided some nice perks that we would have not had available to us as were are not 4 or 5 star (yet!).  Or in a Neptune Suite.  So it made sense for us to purchase as I really wanted to finally try it out on the larger ship with a separate dining room. 

Positives for me:

1) Priority Embarkation.  We were at the port at 11:00 and on the ship by 11:30.  Upon check in for Club Orange you are given a "Priority Embarkation" card and allowed in to a smaller room with fewer people that has coffee, juice and danishes.  

2) The dining venue is very nice.  It is a small room with far less people than the main dining room.  More intimate and cafe like in feel.  Ate breakfast and dinner every night in Club Orange and have no complaints about the food.  It was very good.  Much more relaxed feel to the atmosphere than the main dining room.  Only complaint is that service was a little on the slow side than I had expected.  BUT this was not due to the staff as they work really hard.  I just feel they are understaffed and definitely need a few more waiters and bus people as some times there was quite a delay between courses or getting dirty plates taken off our table.  The staff does work very, very hard but I just think they simply need more help.  Also, it is possible that our sailing had more CO people as it was always at least 80% full when we ate there.  

3) Behind the scenes culinary tour was excellent and yes it is different than the "normal" one that is given to all passengers if they want to go to it.  Much more in-depth and we were taken to lower decks and areas that not many passengers get to see.  It was very interesting!  I really enjoyed that tour and and glad I was able to attend,  Highly recommend.

4) Nicer orange tote bag and nicer robe in room.  Just a little extra something that is not really any extra value.  But still nice.

5)  Special invite to private sail into (or away) port with Captain and crew at the Bow of the ship.  REALLY wanted to make this but unfortunately could not get there in time.  Nice little perk of Club Orange on my sailing and I am sure others.

6) Dedicated Club Orange "host" or concierge at Guest Services.  This was a nice perk as we avoided getting in the line that always seemed to be at Guest Services.  You just stepped up to the area where the CO host is and wait your turn.  Usually there was either no one there with her or only 1 person in line.  Unfortunately we had to use her services every morning for issues with the Navigator App!  She was most helpful and courteous.  Diane was great!

7) Priority de-embarkation.  That was a big plus for us which we liked a lot.  We were first (or 2nd) group I believe to be called off the ship.

So my opinion is  CO is worth the extra cost if you like the dining in Club Orange.  To me that is the main reason to purchase.  If you enjoy the main dining room or specialty dining then CO might not be something you want to spend the money on.  JMHO 

IMG_2872.HEIC IMG_2875.HEIC IMG_2913.HEIC

On 1/11/2020 at 10:10 PM, JNAL2T said:

Do you think it's worth the cost? I was spoiled on Celebrity having the T-Pools and saunas free

I enjoy HAL’s thermal so much more than Celebrity’s.  The HAL thermal pool has high powered spigots that pulse water at a nice force that feels wonderful on stiff sore muscles.  Also the HAL thermal pool is limited to a small amount of people so it is never crowded.  The spa area on HAL is very nice and has several different shower, sauna and steam rooms.  It is my favorite splurge on holland.  Always get a cruise pass prior to boarding.  I think it’s well worth the cost.  Photos from Nieuw Statendam spa.  The ceramic beds are great too.

DH and I brought 2 bottles on board with us and drank them in the dining room.  Paid $18 each bottle corkage fee. If you choose to drink in your cabin, no corkage fee.  We choose to drink in DR, so subject to corkage.  No problem with us paying corkage fee, it is added to your account.

I enjoyed this venue recently on the NS. The chocolate chip cookie is fantastic!  And HUGE! It is the size of a plate.  And free too.  The chocolate  covered pastry is like a chocolate covered eclair.  It is free and delicious too.  Unfortunately I did not have a chance to try the food, but it looked good as they displayed some entrees in the glass case.  Great spot to sit and enjoy your treats.  There is a small alcove area that looks out to the ocean. Lovely little spot to eat or drink. 
 

Just off the Nieuw Statendam and the makeup mirror was in the desk drawer with the hair dryer.  It is a nice size and is a 10X magnify (maybe 5X not sure?) on one side and non-magnify on the opposite side.  Worked well for me, so I won't bring mine along next time.  Saves space in my luggage!  Here is a photo of the one that was in our cabin.

Good to know. Sounds like usual maintenance then.  Was just concerned as I thought there may have been an infection  or something going on within our cruise population. I became sick on day of disembarkation so must have unfortunately picked up something on the ship. 😞

Does anyone know if it is unusual to do a “Deep Cleaning” of the thermal / thalossotherapy pool in the spa during a cruise?  On the NIeuw Statendam last week and there was a sign posted that said they were closing the thermal pool for a deep cleaning and that it would occur on the last night of the cruise.  Sign stated thermal pool would be closed at 6:00 PM on Saturday (2/8) but that the rest of spa would remain open for use.  
 

Just curious if this is normal and usual?  I have never seen a “deep cleaning” posted before on a cruise.

I understand your point RocketMan about the advertising providing a  % to Hal, I get that.  I do think that the amount of garbage / junk mail that was delivered this time around was a bit less than usual.  However it still arrived and pretty much went directly in the recycle bin in our cabin.  However, I really do think HAL should rethink this policy of not printing the daily news for a guest.  Even if they only agree to print the guest a copy of their stated Country,  it would be a vast improvement over refusing to even print 1 copy for a guest who is unable to read it on their smartphone.  Especially as the inability to read the daily news is due to HAL’s inability to program the app to work better.  Not every guest is able to read the news on their smartphone.  And that could be for many reasons: old smartphone, too small of font, guest inability to deal with technology, etc.

Just keep it simple and print a copy if a guest is unhappy and unable to read it on their phone.

We were in Club Orange this time around and every morning DH went back to the CO host and had to have her “fix” his phone to update to that day’s news.  Granted the CO host was very kind, but she stated HAL was no longer printing copies and she had no way to do so.  I know that to some people reading this will think how silly it’s just the days news and your on vacation.  But personally, I don't think that is the issue.  I think the bigger issue is assisting a guest and making their experience on the ship even more pleasant.  Especially with such a easy request that be be handled very simply.  Customer service goes a long way and will be remembered.

Just off the Nieuw Statendam on Sunday and there were no News papers.  Front desk would not print a copy for DH.  Was told to use the navigator app.  Problem was the app is very glitchy and would not properly update each day to show the current days news.  Each day DH had to go to front desk to have them fix his app in order to read the news.  He was NOT happy as this was a big inconvenience to go to the desk every day to fix the glitchy app.  Front desk refused to print one copy for him stating they no longer were printing any copies for guests.  Only available to read on the navigator App.  Said they were saving paper.  Really silly as the amount of sales garbage that is printed daily and put in your stateroom. They could really save money by stop printing all that junk.

Thanks so much for posting this info! 

ElleZ, thank you for your review of CO,, it sounds really nice to me.  Question:  you mention “no dress code!”.  Did you find that CO has a more casual, relaxed dress than the main dining room?  That would be fine by me 😊!  Just curious,  did you see anyone in their shorts or workout clothing at breakfast?

Our upcoming cruise on the NS is in a few weeks (Feb 2)  and one port of call is Puerto Rico.  I have spoken with my PCC a couple times to see if HAL has made any decisions regarding PR and each time I’m told no news from HAL. The PCC said passengers would probably hear via email if there were a change in itinerary faster than he would. 🤔

My heart goes out to the people of PR as it just seems to be one natural disaster after another for the island. Very sad.

Thanks for the answers to my question 👍🏻 I’m sure there are lots of fun ways to use it up then.  If not, thank you for the thoughtful way to give back to the crew.  That is an excellent idea!