RuthC

If it's OBC you will otherwise lose, then the HAL bling purchased with it isn't exactly 'overpriced'. One thing that can be done with extra non-refundable OBC is to add it to the Crew Appreciation.

Wherever they are showing it that night! When I have been on her sister ship during a Super Bowl or playoff game, the game was shown in the Wajang Theatre and Mix. Other times it has been shown in the main show lounge. The locations will definitely be posted in the daily program, and there is usually more than one location. It will also be on your cabin TV.

Usually 5:00 PM, or shortly after. 5:15-5:30 would be the absolute latest that dinner starts in the Lido. Each meal shuts down so the area can be cleared of food, cleaned, and food prepared for the next meal. At 2:00 PM the workers in the Lido go off duty and get a little time off.

You need to go to the Roll Calls forum on this site. Then find Holland America, your ship, and finally the sail date. That is the forum where those sailing the same cruise find each other, chat, and make plans for the cruise.

Not allowing non-refundable OBC to be used for gratuities may be HAL's policy. However, we all know how well the HAL computers are programmed, and that is what matters here. The computers subtract gratuities from OBC. I have had that little computer blessing bestowed on me.

Both the pools (Lido and Sea View), plus the Lido cabanas are on the Lido Deck. The Retreat cabanas are on a higher deck.

True! If it's a clear day at Little Diomede, that is.

I checked a few minutes ago, and the cabin I want to book is open. If someone else grabs it before I can contact my TA, there are plenty more open, too. I just hope I'm still able to cruise two years from now! Something to stay healthy for here!

They are on the Lido Deck, on the Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam.

I'm excited. First time I have been this excited about an itinerary in years! Thanks for posting it.

I've never been on the Rotterdam, but have been on the next youngest ship, the Nieuw Statendam. I know that the accessible cabins on that ship do not have automatic door openers for the cabins, nor have any of the other HAL ships I have sailed on. I don't know if the Koningsdam has them, but since that ship is older still than the Nieuw Statendam, I doubt it or the Nieuw Statendam would have them, too. I have never heard of automatic cabin doors being on the Rotterdam accessible cabins. I have some mobility, so have my steward give me a door stop, which I keep with my scooter. When returning to the cabin I get off the scooter, prop the door open, get back on the scooter and drive in, then get up again and close the door. This system, obviously, won't work for someone who can't get up and move around and is alone. I can get out of the cabin by myself, but then, a scooter is a bit easier than a wheelchair. My stewards would jump to it to open the door for me and hold it open when they saw me coming, but one can't count on them being there always. One thing the Nieuw Statendam does have, that many of the other HAL ships do not is electric eyes on some doors to the outside. Someone alone in a wheelchair, or scooter, can get outdoors without looking around for help! I would expect the even newer Rotterdam would also have this feature, too. There was one (unfortunate) area indoors on the Nieuw Statendam where someone in a wheelchair or scooter could get stuck. On Deck 4, forward of mid-ship there is a line of glass doors that separate the Lincoln Center/BB King lounge and the Billboard Onboard and Rolling Stone Rock Room areas. Those doors do not have electric eyes, so if they are all closed, to prevent 'bleeding' of sound from one set of lounges to the other, someone alone in a wheelchair or scooter has to sit and wait for help to wander by.

Why, thankewveddymuch! So nice to read that. Hope I've been of at least some assistance to you over the years.

I carry an old fashioned extension cord with me every time I travel. They have come in handy in many pre-cruise hotel rooms, as well as the ship itself. A simple cord, with a receptacle on one end, and a plug on the other is safe. If you bring one long enough it can go around the perimeter of the cabin, and be taped down (masking tape removes more easily than other kinds), to prevent tripping.

He can order the filet without the wasabi and soy. Not a problem.

I once sailed from Sydney to Seattle, and there was a King Neptune ceremony around the time we crossed the Equator. We also had one on my Sydney to Singapore cruise. I have not had them twice when doing a round trip north to south and north again (single cruise; not a back to back). Those were on the southbound only.

I don't know anything about the Royal Caribbean ships, but do know that all the Holland America ships from the Vista Class and larger have a T-pool area that is quiet; only the two R-class ships don't have it. This is a purchased option in the spa/salon area with the fee based on the length of the cruise. You can also purchase by the day, but only if there are spaces available on a given day; priority is given to cruise-long passes. The area also includes use of the heated loungers, and some other features I have never used, so don't know about.

A 'Thank you' note is always a thoughtful gesture. You can mention something specific the person has done for you during the cruise that you found especially helpful, and express your gratitude, and hopes to see them again while sailing. You can also let them know that this is in addition to the crew appreciation fee, so they know they don't have to turn it in, and can keep it. If you write your name and cabin number, or table sitting/number, on the note, they have information they can check against the list of those who did remove tips.

If you were quarantined on a passageway that was closed off to other passengers, then placing your tray on the floor outside would not have created a problem for others, since no one on a scooter or in a wheelchair would have had access. Except if there had been an emergency and cabins had to be evacuated, I suppose. However, on the Nieuw Statendam, there was an entire passageway that was open to passengers, but was a row of quarantined cabins. Those cabins all had stools outside, which did not prevent someone on a scooter from passing by. Had the trays been on the floor, though, it would have been impossible.

I've never seen a florist shop on the ships, but have ordered arrangements many times. There is a florist on board. You can go to the Front Desk and review the selections, place and order, and they will be delivered. Or, you can describe what you want if it isn't in the book. If the florist has the desired flowers, you can get what you want. Sometimes the specific flowers aren't available, so others are delivered to the ship. Ordering on embarkation day will get you the flowers when they are at their freshest. I've done that later afternoon, and they are in my cabin when I return for the night.

The people who are in isolation have a stool outside their cabin on which to place their trays, however; they don't put them on the floor. This raises the level of the tray above the wide part of a scooter, so the scooter can more easily get by.

No.

Favorite destination is Antarctica. I've been there three times, and could go again. Favorite foods? Filet mignon in the Pinnacle, prime rib in the dining room, and short ribs in Canaletto. Yum! I dress for dinner every night, with a pretty dress and good jewelry. On 'Gala' nights I up the ante and wear something very dressy made with chiffon or georgette, along with lots of fabulous jewelry. I like to look nice.

Deck 5---Upper Promenade. I used to think of that as the 'Evening Deck' since everything I wanted in the evening was there. From pre-dinner cocktails, to dinner, entrance to the nightly show, then entertainment in the Piano Bar until 2:00 AM. Yes, there was a time HAL encouraged passengers to stay out and play until the wee hours. And many of us did!

Ah, yes, you have. More than you realize.

S-class is gone. As noted above: it does not refer to the Signature class ships. P-class was the Prinsendam, although normally not referred to as that. It was the complete opposite of the Pinnacle class. The Signature and Pinnacle class ships do not use letters to note them.