VMax1700

9 hours ago, Happily@Sea said:

 

It was NA last season - soon to leave for Alaska - I can't remember if they sent her to Freeport before her April repositioning. I do remember about the azipods.

I thought it was NA ok, but hoped that someone would have a fresher memory of it.  Thanks!

It sounds familiar that they had to reschedule a cruise for the work to be carried out after they had completed a couple of cruises at reduced speed and reduced port calls.

54 minutes ago, Himself said:

Colin:

I always do this on my Vacation time. Canon Law gives all priests four weeks for vacation. As a senior priest I can get away more often.

46 minutes ago, Himself said:

AOS USA learned of the change several days ago. I first learned of this tuesday afternoon. I doubt AOS knew ahead of time.  I would suspect they they got the word on Monday or Tuesday. 

Thanks Father.

Do you know or have any indication if AOS was having difficulties in getting members to offer their services?  

Probably another supply chain problem! 

I know the local diocese has had to drastically reduce the availablility of masses and I am sure it is a world wide problem with the fall in vocations.

We were on Nieuw Statendam April 21st to May 5th and our history updated within a week of disembarking. 

6 minutes ago, McGarrett5oh said:

Do you know if this ship was also in Dry Dock in March 2023?

Not aware of any dry dock in March 2023.  Her routine dry dock was December 2023 and the previous one was December 2017.  However there was a ship that had azepoid/propulsion problems and it may have been Nieuw Amsterdam.

1 hour ago, edinburgher said:

As an example, only a few days ago MSC Virtuosa arrived into Lerwick, Shetland  which has an approximate population of 7000 residents.  It is the largest ever to visit Lerwick and  can accommodate up to 6334 pax and 1704 crew, more than the number of local residents.

It is in Cobh today! 😱 Usually we would go to Cobh (15 minutes from our home) to see the ship and chat with cruisers, but today......no thanks!  It is docking in the town centre and will overpower the sea front.  At least Lerwick is a tender port and the 'bulk' of the ship would have not been so noticeable.  

15 minutes ago, edinburgher said:

But that may not be the situation at all unless you have evidence of that?

 

At the time they confirmed they had a slot, they were possibly the first or second to confirm  and unaware of how many other ships might request the same date AFTER after their own confirmation  only later  discovering just how many others also booked the same date.

 

Given that an overcrowded port call could bring disappointment and possible upset to so many, voluntarily withdrawing in favour of a different port  is maybe the better decision.

No evidence at all.  My point was just that it does appear that the lines can offer for sale ports of call which may or may not happen.  Someone needs to grasp the nettle and devise a way of allocating the overcrowded ports.  

I agree that voluntary withdrawal to avoid the port is better than having disappointed cruisers, but why is it necessary to voluntarily withdraw?  Even the voluntary withdrawal leads to disappointment as mentioned by OP.  

Perhaps CLIA should become involved?

Just announced.....

Nieuw Amsterdam March 30th, 2025 on Nieuw Amsterdam

https://www.inspirationtravel.com/event/gaither-homecoming-farewell-caribbean-cruise-2025

1 hour ago, BigTeee said:

People tell me that I'm going on Hospice of the Seas for the nearly dead...

This is the third time you have posted this 'quote'.  If it is an attempt at humour it is seriously wasted on me.  If you are not looking forward to your cruise then don't travel. 

11 minutes ago, chinita415 said:

As you can see from my signature I am not a naive cruiser nor a naiver traveler. There is just too much information to gather. Why am I being lectured on for asking? And most definitely the cruise lines have to be more responsible about booking ports they can’t deliver. But I suppose this is the same as airlines routining overbooking flights.

I do not believe it is the same as airlines overbooking flights, it is more like airlines booking you on a flight to Vegas and instead taking you to Reno.  It's similar but not the same! 

There appears to be no sanction on cruise lines offering itineraries for sale before they can confirm that the ports will be available to them.  Who should be responsible for that?  

Perhaps a class action against a cruise line for false advertising would awaken them to their devious failings.

As the cruise companies have know about the 'cap' since 2016, surely the question is more about the cruise lines selling destinations which they may not be able to fulfill, than the local agencies enforcing their guidlines.

Why have the cruise lines not got together and 'planned' their voyages instead of making deviations and cancellation which lead to customer unsatisfaction?

Docked.  It is a very busy ferry port with many ship movements per day. 

The dock is in the centre of Cobh town and the train station (to Cork) is right there too.

Cobh is a lovely little town, though a bit of a steep climb on the walk up to St Colman's Cathedral.  If she takes the train to Cork City, then the city station is about a 15 minutes walk from the centre.

11 hours ago, chinita415 said:

Whatever government entities came up with the 8000 pax per day limits and are actually enforcing it need to make a public statement.

They made it public quite a few years ago.  Why do they need to make a public statement about enforcing their own rules?  It is our responsibility, as travellers, to find out the local rules and regulations before we plan to visit.

On 5/18/2024 at 12:40 AM, Gabs300 said:

Do you recommend Hotel Principe?

I have stayed in Hotel Principe several times.  It is close to the station and there are many restaurants close by.  The bar and restaurant overlook the water and it is fun to sit and sip.  Breakfast is adequate but on European standards not US standards.  Rooms can be small even on European standards, but if I was travelling to/from Venice by train I would price NH or Principe and stay in the cheaper.  It comes down to ease of access for us.

12 hours ago, 3-dog-day said:

This is the week after the Dave Ramsey charter.

But that is on a different ship!

If HAL get an offer to charter a ship, be sure that they will take it.  Any compensation offered or costs incurred in cancelling regular guests will just be rolled into the price of the charter.

Nieuw Amsterdam between January and April seems to attract the most charters.

Thanks for your review.  The smoke on Nieuw Statendam was not too bad as they have removed that staircase between deck 2 and deck 3 that is positioned just forward of Rolling Stone Rock Room.

Glad you enjoyed Cobh.  Do come back sometime!

52 minutes ago, Niagarawine said:

As far as the beverage package goes I would not use it again because it is expensive and then they add fifty cents to each drink. 

They only add to the price if you purchase a drink higher than the package limit ($11/$15).  There are plenty of drinks available within the limit.

19 hours ago, chinita415 said:

the local authorities allowed booking of well over 10k pax on many days this summer

I would suggest that it was the cruise lines who not only allowed, but promoted the booking of over 10k pax and that the local authorities have nothing to do with the booking system.

The cruise lines put the sailings on the market several years in advance and well before they make any firm arrangements with the authorities. 

p.s. there are non stop flights from Athens to Santorini from €30 return.  Why limit yourself to a port day when you can spend a couple of days there instead?  

We were recently on Nieuw Statendam (sister ship to Rotterdam) and in a connection room.  We heard nothing from next door.

As extra insulation we used magnets on the door and hung the bath robes at the connecting door, just as an extra baffle.  Don't think it was really necessary though!

updated service:

https://www.transportforireland.ie/news/new-routes-354-and-358-for-waterford-from-1st-november/

4 hours ago, Seasick Sailor said:

Collin, if you have the HIA, we never hit 15 drinks, so always order the water during drinks/meals to fill our coffer. 

Ellen does not care for the 'recovered' canned water.  The Aqua Panna seems a better option for her.  

3 hours ago, BlackJack2 said:

Looking at the HAL site for cruises in Alaska June/July 2025.  The Westerdam doesn't have any dates for June 6, 2025 until July 6, 2025.  Is the Westerdam in dry dock or have a group for a month?

Thanks!

28 day Arctic Circle from Seattle departs June 8th.

29 minutes ago, kevingastreich said:

Yes it is!  I just did it on Zuiderdam.  Make sure that the person you order it from knows you want the mini-bar price and not the "water package" price or they will charge you double because "everyone in the cabin has to get the package".  We know from experience.  Happy drinking!

So were you charged $27 - 50% + grat on 27?  (13.50 + 4.86 = $18.36) or was it 6 bottles @ $6 each = 36 - 50% = $18 + grat 6.48 = $24.68?

6 minutes ago, Overhead Fred said:

I would say mild. The Beef Sumatra and the Sambal potatoes and green beans had the most zing. Mitzi is less "heat" (chemical as opposed to thermal) tolerant than I am and she had no trouble with any of them. 

Thanks!  We did it previously on Koningsdam (pre covid) and although I am tolerant to the heat, it did really feel hot!  Perhaps they have toned it down a bit, like a lot of the other dishes onboard.