Homala

I’ll be boarding next week, so this is so exciting to read a live! Could you let me know when the early MDR dinner time is? It appears from the activity list that it’ll be 5:30, but I’ve read different times lately from 5:00 to 5:45. Hoping it’s on the later side, as this is the first time we’ll be doing early dining instead of late. Thanks!

Yes, good point that I won’t actually board at 11:00, but still probable that I’ll be on board before the MDR is open for lunch, which is where we typically have lunch upon embarkation. So it sounds like, if the doors are open in order to access the rooms, then we can drop off bags without annoying the crew. That’s great. Thanks CruiserBruce. You are always very helpful.

I’ve read conflicting tips on CC about whether it is ok to drop off carry-ons in your room upon embarkation. I have a relatively early boarding time coming up (11:00), so I expect our room won’t be ready yet. But IF the “fire doors” are open, would it be ok to drop off our carry-on bags before heading to lunch? (I wouldn’t even try if the doors are closed.) I don’t want to get in the way of the crew, who I know are working extra hard to get those rooms ready. But, boy, it would be nice to drop off those bags before lunch. Or I may take my chances and leave them with my regular luggage with the porters to be delivered and hope it all gets to my room before (early) dinner. TIA

That video was funny and what a catchy tune! I’ll be singing that all day!

Ok, I did my own research and it appears black flies are more of a problem further north and in wooded areas, rather than in Montreal, Quebec City, etc. Phew!

Yikes! Is there a black fly problem in Montreal, Quebec City, PEI or Nova Scotia? Leaving on cruise from Boston next Saturday. Thanks!

I’ll be boarding Holland America going out of Boston in two weeks. This cruise will go to Bar Harbor, Halifax, Sydney, Charlottetown, Quebec City and Montreal. I’ve sailed out of Boston once before and the cruise terminal was well managed and, of course, Boston is a wonderful city to visit pre-cruise. Good luck with your decision and I hope you love your cruise!

Thank you! Yeah, I don’t think the one in the drawer is the best, but it beats those tube things coming from high up on the wall. I was also surprised to see the power strip, but that would be great if they provide those now without a special request. Thanks again!

I am enjoying your review very much! My DH and I will be on the Zaandam in a few weeks, so I’m reading everything twice and just love your photos! Your photos of the bathroom show a tube-style hair dryer hanging from the wall. Is that the only dryer in the room? There was a “normal” hair dryer in the drawer on our past cruises, but if all they have is that wall unit, then I will need to pack my own dryer. Was hoping to avoid the added weight. Thanks in advance!

Very cool! My DH and I will be on the Zaandam on May 27th for a B2B. Can’t wait!

Thank you for posting this. We will be on the Zaandam eight weeks from today and we can’t wait.

I thought Zaandam now had the updated TVs with On Demand, but the PDF doesn’t show that…?

Ah yes, I too would be more inclined to have HAL handle the reservations and transfers in some foreign countries where there would be a language barrier. Good planning on your part. I hope you get more feedback on this.

Following this because I am considering pre and post cruise hotels and transfers for two cruises I have coming up. A preliminary search seems to show that HAL charges significantly more for the hotels than I would have to pay if booked directly. (These are for hotels in Auckland, Boston and Montreal.). Anyway, still want to know more of other’s’ experiences if anyone else is willing to share or offer tips. Thank you for a good question, Mary.

Thank you for letting us know. I don’t post often, but follow Kathi’s reviews and was wondering how she’s doing. My thoughts and prayers are with her on this difficult journey.

I don’t plan to cruise NCL, but I thought that about Carnival, until I read your review. Now I think Carnival looks like it would be a nice change for me, so I won’t be surprised if your Prima review gets me to look at NCL with fresh eyes. Thanks again for a great review!

I’m so happy to see this thread unlocked, as I didn’t have a chance to write my thank you for a great review. I haven’t yet sailed on Carnival (only HAL so far), but this and a couple other reviews lately have made me think that Carnival might be a good fit for me after all. Thank you Sid for a great review and stunning pictures! I imagine reviews like this one entice a lot of people to book more cruises.

I’m responding because I’d like to know the answer to this as well. It sure seems that there is no need to bother with Verifly anymore, unless there is still a shorter line for those who have it.

I’ve had to call customer service a number of times over the last few weeks due to the need to cancel a cruise. Sometimes there was a bit of a hold, but never really very long. I just finished what is hopefully my last call for this matter and, not only was it handled quickly, but HAL took care of us better than I had ever anticipated. So right now I’m pretty much in love with HAL. My only recommendation is to call as soon as they open as possible and be as nice to them as you hope to be treated. It worked great for me. Best of luck!

Oh no! I’m so sorry that you’re going through that. I hope you feel better soon.

Thank you. My husband went to his doctor already, and his doctor advised him not to travel. He wrote it out, so we could submit that to insurance. Fingers crossed we provided what is required.

Great advice. Thank you! I’ve managed to file the claim already and now just wait to hear. And focus on my sweet husband. thank you again for the advice. You’re all the best!

Wow so fast! No such luck for me. I’m just thrilled to get 90% back in a week or two. Fingers crossed that our other insurance covers the rest, but my husband isn’t holding his breath.

Oh my gosh! I’m glad he was able to feel well enough to go. I bet your husband doesn’t play hockey so close to cruises now! My husband’s doctor told him he shouldn’t travel for at least several weeks. He’s had a herniated disk in the past, so his back is a little fragile to begin with. But he hasn’t been in this much pain in years.

Got thru to someone at HAL pretty quickly! Canceled and confirmed 90% will be refunded direct to my credit card. No idea as to when. But that’s ok. Very nice person at customer service, although difficult to understand. He put up with my tearful voice, so kudos to him. 🙂 They will send an email confirming everything and then I’ll have the paperwork necessary to submit to my third party insurance company for the remaining amount. Now I just need my husband to get better, so we can think about what cruise we can take to make up for this lost one. Maybe in the spring. thanks again!