6 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

There WERE plenty of options before HAL increased the prices. I was on NS just before the price increase and even then one needed to scrutinize the menu to make a selection that would be "free" under the package. After the price increase, almost all of the drinks I had picked would no longer be "free" but would incur additional cost.

 

In my mind (and others may disagree), the attraction of a drinks package is being able to order a reasonable choice of drinks within a pricing tier that do not add extra cost.

 

Once HAL starts nickel and diming like this, it makes folks like me reconsider whether adding the beverage package or the HIA in general is worthwhile, as I'm not a huge drinker and rarely come near the daily limits. I just like the convenience. However, if HAL makes me scrutinize too closely, I will choose NOT to add it.

 

 

oh Jesus, you do know that this covers coffee and a lot of of other non-alcoholics drinks, right? 

Just upgrade to Elite , seems like that is what you need anyway.

There are plenty of $11 drink options , and if you want something more expensive than what the Signature Beverage Package allows, you can always upgrade to the Elite Beverage Package, or just pay the difference. 

14 hours ago, RuthC said:

I would jump on that ship, to take that cruise, in a New York minute! 

Agreed! They had me at Volendam and 45 nights. 

Nice, the vase options are so cool, 

And the flowers are $20 and the vases are separate, if you wish, starting at $17.49, if you just want the vase it looks like, here is the link...

https://www.hollandamerica.com/sf/extras?extrasType=flowers&date=1706407831164

On 1/23/2024 at 12:26 PM, mawvkysc said:

Who offered the free gratuities? HAL or a TA promo?

That is what I was wondering. Would love to see the famous receipt as well. 

I do know that if you get a booking re-fared, or make changes you lose amenities. At least that was the warning on my booking: The devil is in the details.

"Included Crew Appreciation (previously called complimentary shipboard gratuities)

The amenities included above are assigned to this booking. Any changes to price, cabin, category, sailing date, promo, etc., may result in a change of amenities."

On 1/13/2024 at 12:42 PM, crystalspin said:

Both of my cruises were refused (but refused because they said I already had the benefit?) -- one has AARP credit and the other pre-dates that promotion. The AARP and SHB should be stackable. 

 

I am hoping I'm really already redeemed and that it's just not showing yet. Waiting until next week to call again.

try this - fax your proof of stock with your booking number. you can block out what you need to , but they always need a current proof of stock statement. with dates and amount of shares that you hold. 

good luck

World Cruise Reservations

Holland America Line

Phone: 800-522-3399

Fax#: 206-501-2620

On 12/28/2023 at 11:20 AM, cruise*enthusiast said:

What is "Open Water"?

I was kind of hoping it was sea water....

On 12/28/2023 at 5:23 PM, OlsSalt said:

 

Reminds me of the joke on our Zaandam Antarctic cruise - speaker promised a new penguin joke a day, and he delivered. What are penguins called that you find in New York City?

 

 

***Lost. 

a penguin walks into a bar..

and asks the bartender "have you seen my brother?"

the bartender says

"what does he look like?"

Hmm, fresh squeezed OJ was covered on our recent HIA cruise . You can always refer to the beverage package on your app or TV, and while there may be changes at any given time, it is spelled out very well what you can or cannot get with the various beverage packages. I guess you would have known when they asked for your keycard to charge you for the drink. If you have the drink package or not, they always take a key card, so that it would not be a surprise. Unless you were wanting them to freshly squeeze it in front of you, it will always come in a bottle. Plus, $6 seems steep. Are you sure it wasnt $3 pp?

10 hours ago, VermeulT said:

 

For accounting for sure.  Someone with a statistics analysis background figures out how many people eat where and at what times.

exactly. If you aren't at a table in the MDR, a specialty restaurant or ordering room service, I suppose that they can assume you are in the Lido. I would assume that Crew Appreciation follows this tracking. 

I have never had a problem with the HAL website. No issues ever. 

Nothing compares to a Pinnacle Grill steak. It is a steakhouse, so that is their specialty. They also have a great steak on the lunch menu. Main dining room steak is also fine, if you order steak for dinner. 

On 10/25/2023 at 9:27 AM, 2LoveBikes said:

Does anyone know if HAL will allow you to pop your own popcorn on the ship using the ships microwave somewhere?

depending upon the ship you are sailing, you can always go to the movie theater and snag a bag of popcorn if you are really jonesing for a bag. or buy bags of pre-popped popcorn. that is readily available on land

11 hours ago, leerathje said:

I took a screen grab of a video by Cruise with Amber I found on Youtube.

'Tis the truth.

L.

 

Thanks

I guess I should have googled it first.  I haven't sailed on the newest Rotterdam as of yet,

But I will be on the Koningsdam soon, and I see the pattern is the same but in different colors.

On 10/11/2023 at 3:48 PM, leerathje said:

 

Hahaha!  Just happen to have such a photo!  This was on the Rotterdam earlier this year.

 

L.

 

This was on the Rotterdam? To me, this does not look like Holland America Line carpet, or an area I have ever seen on HAL.. just saying. Kind of sad to me that it looks like a different cruise line carpet. I miss the old Rotterdam. so if the carpet is like this on the newest Rotterdam, that just makes me sad. 

Just ask for the beverage managers phone number, most premium  bottles are for sale at premium prices.

2 hours ago, Cruising with kiddos said:

waffle cone? 

nacho bar?

yes, the ice cream station has wafer cones and waffle cones

yes, the taco bar has all you might need to make a plate of nacho's for yourself

2 hours ago, dchip said:

Hi you two!!! We are going to the South Pacific once more in October. Come with us! No aft balcony this time though. 
Hope all is well in your neck of the woods,

Denise and Howie, too

Hi there, So great to hear from you. I wish we could join you in October! We are going back to the South Pacific next year. We will be looking for you and Howie around each corner I am sure..

I am feeling nostalgic this evening. I am missing the ocean and my cruising buddies. I am listening to music that reminds me that every single moment on the ocean is a gift and understanding that, in the end, all you have are photographs and memories. Thank you every fellow passenger that crossed our paths and made the conversation that much more interesting, the meal that more entertaining, the sunrise or sunset that more special, the hello from below, above or across balconies that much more engaging! Preserve your memories. Until next time....

Time it was
And what a time it was, it was
A time of innocence
A time of confidences

Long ago it must be
I have a photograph
Preserve your memories
They're all that's left you

On 6/28/2023 at 11:54 AM, sseibert3 said:

I think after we return from this Alaska trip I will cancel our cruises and find another cruise line that can answer phones and questions.

Ironically enough, I cruise to forget about phone calls and questions. But if I do need to ask one, I usually stay on hold until I get a live person, as others have said. Or you can ask your questions here on this board. A million people are here to help you. Good luck and happy cruising. 

Sometimes if you want recognition, you have to promote yourself. It is not a very comfortable thing to ask of anyone, and I can only imagine how awkward it must feel to ask it. I always assure whomever is asking that I will fill out the survey. Kind words are seldom heard in this day and age. Praise is so seldom given. I recall being asked to be sure complete the survey and to mention their performance on the survey. I never felt they were begging for a good review, just a fair one. I try to kill them with kindness, and enjoy all that they do for me. I am not the one being judged for my performance, they are, and I try to remember that. 

This may seem silly but i usually bring postcards from home to not only share with my table mates our contact information but to send thank you and appreciation notes to the appropriate departments. If i am not sure whom to thank, the front desk always is eager to give me the correct name. I always receive a note in kind. I like to write also, and I always send postcards from the ship. The mail service is really great. I dont mind so much that they do not provide cards, but you can always ask for a paper and pen at the front desk. I think a kind note goes a long way for them. I know the captain and crew appreciate it, as well as my comments and pics at the end of the voyage. 

44 minutes ago, Lesliern1972 said:

Saturday night?

I think what Gail and Marty are gearing at is that the first night of the cruise (yes, in your case Saturday night) most people are tired from traveling and it is what is known as turn around day. Often you get new crew and the first night in the main dining room can be a little crazy. Sometimes you dont even meet your table mates until the second night, so the first night is a good night to take advantage of a specialty restaurant with your family to settle in to your adventure. But it is your vacation. Do what feels right and just have fun. The Eurodam has Tamarind. Yum. Pinnacle is great, but we often go to Pinnacle lunch, which is lighter and quite amazing. And you cant go wrong by going to Canaletto. If you don't want to think much, or plan much, the MDR is quite wonderful. We opt for the 2nd fixed seating. Open seating can be hectic, so don't forget that your parents know the ropes. 

Whatever you decide to do, have a blast. It sounds like an amazing family vacation. 

Well, having recently done two 14 day cruises on the Volendam this winter/spring in the Caribbean.. you're right ..B2B's can be the same cruises sometimes. The food, entertainment, all repeats, but there is new stuff too: passengers, second visits to ports for new excursions, the weather conditions, the sea conditions, the same smiling staff that really gets to know you, you're so relaxed nothing ruffles your feathers. You get a second chance to try new food/show/talks/things that you missed on the first segment. It took the pressure off fitting it all in the first go around. Longer cruises are a bit more varied, but the B2B can be just as varied for us as they will bring on new comedians and entertainers and crew. Not everyone will experience it the same way, which is also fun to witness. I am just happy to be on board, and the fact that we can stay in our same room and at our same table for dinner and not have to worry about anything for the duration is relaxing enough for us. Where ever you go, no matter how long or short, may all you days be relaxing days at sea. 

I also ask for recipes while on board, while in the dining room, and get the recipe before I am done with dinner. I have even had them emailed to me.

Thanks Destiny0315 for the recipe! I am sorry about the passing of your wife. What a great memory of her. 

On a side note, my go to recipe website is: epicurious. https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/zucchini-basil-soup-242831