VMax1700

Volendam is moving too!

Apex backing up. The procession begins

Those timings are now confirmed. Apex to lead the procession at 1530h (3.30pm)

So your handle for this cruise is 'Blue Blob Bob' 🤫

Good to know, but is it relevant?

Have great cruises, all!

Rustic Homemade Lasagne on every menu except Gala and Chefs'. I really wonder how 'rustic' and 'homemade' fit into the idea of 'fine dining'?

Friends of ours were in Amsterdam last weekend. They flew back on Saturday evening. Security was 15 minutes.

Our experience is that if we have HIA then we are credited for 1 day for each day of the cruise (for HIA). Additional spending has no relevance as the maximum 'spending days' is reached with HIA. (You cannot have more 'spend' credits than 'Sailing Day' credits. 12 day with HIA in a suite = 12 +12 +12 = 36 days credited. 12 days in Verandah (non suite) and HIA purchased as an add on = 12 + 12 = 24 days. 14 days in Verandah (non suite) with HIA included in cruise price = 14 + 14 = 28 days.

What about flights to the departure port? When will you bite the bullet on them?

Much stronger demand this year compared to last year. First week of April runs in to Easter this year, so another strong demand time. Not saying what to do, just pointing out some information on which to base your decision.

I believe that HAL have left this deliberately vague as there are so many variables. Number of passengers on the booking, length of voyage etc. Also the logistics of storage and carrying them onboard in the 'carryon luggage' tends to restrict the quantities. Thankfully, we are not limited to one carryon bag! Personally, I would not consider 6 bottles of wine for 2 pax on a 7/10 day cruise as excessive, but I have no idea how they would treat a couple going on a 28 day cruise or even 42 days. Would 24 bottles of wine be excessive? or 36 bottles on the 42 day cruise? It seems like a lot of wine, but is no more than the 6 bottles/7days for 2!

I don't read anything confusing within the FAQ's. Alcohol cannot be brought onboard except etc etc. $20 per 750ml bottle. Guests are not allowed to bring alcoholic or non-alcoholic beverages on board for consumption or any other use except as follows: Guests 21 years and older may bring Wine and Champagne onboard, however a corkage fee of USD $20.00 (which is subject to change without notice) will be applied to each bottle (max 750 ml in volume or less). Limitations apply. Wine brought in quantities deemed to be excessive by the vessel or security will be refused.

Jetsam comes to mind. 😉

I didn't see any hors d'oeuvres at sailaway, but it was a late sailaway and we were having dinner. They were still loading the ship very late in the afternoon. There were afternoon hors d'oeuvres available in Billboard on Board lounge most afternoon. I don't remember a chocolate parade on this cruise, but as I still have the hard copy of the Daily Programs. I will go through them and check.

Although it isn't Norway, we did the Northern Isles 14 day cruise on Rotterdam last August/September. Here is a link to my thread, which has daily programs and menus. It will give you an idea.

It is not a mistake, it is the 'corporate fixed exchange rate'. We too have have taken advantage of the generous euro/USD rate. It is fully refundable and refundable in cash. I would believe that they fix the rate annually, so it may be due to be reviewed soon. If I had a cruise booked and did not have pre paid gratuities then I would be seriously considering doing it now.

Have a great cruise and safe travels!

@cruisemom42 What a great question!

I agree with you however a lot does depend on ports and embarkation. Sail from Southampton and Sterling may required. Also for any UK ports. Denmark, Norway and Sweden will require their currency or a credit card (preferably with zero FX fees). Some other countries in Eastern Med too. But my comment was more a 'nudge' to do research. The US Dollar is not accepted everywhere. As a side note to OP also note that Amex is not widely accepted in Europe.

You will need to do a lot more planning than on a Caribbean cruise. Passports for one, currencies for another (depends on countries visited). Transport to/from airport to pre/post cruise hotel. Transport to cruise port (some such as Barcelona and Athens are quite close) but some such as Rome to Civitavecchia port or Venice to Trieste require a bit of pre planning. Also tours need to be pre booked privately or through the cruise line. You will not find the line of buses or kiosks selling tours in Europe. You may get a taxi, but there may be language differences and taxi drivers are not tour guides. For more information on Europe visit the sub forum that has a lot of information https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/8-europe/

Regarding the 'HAVE IT ALL Early Booking Bonus' that is offered. The terms are very confusing to me. It seems that the bonus offer is that you pay more to include Elite Beverage Pack, Premium Internet and Crew Appreciation. $50pppd. Is the offer the same on the far side of the 'Pond'? HAVE IT ALL EARLY BOOKING BONUS For a limited time only, for the same price as Have It All, you can enjoy a premium, upgraded package that includes high-value amenities for 1st/2nd guests only: Shore Excursions The longer you cruise, the more you can explore. Cruise 6 to 9 days and get US$100 Shore Excursion Credit; 10 to 20 days and get US$200 Shore Excursion Credit; 21+ days and get US$300 Shore Excursion Credit! Up to $100 value per tour or $100 off any tour. Available for 1st/2nd guest in stateroom. Elite Beverage Package Choose from a large selection top shelf wine, beer, spirits and cocktails, plus non-alcoholic options like sodas, specialty coffess and more - with service charges included. Available for 1st/2nd guest in stateroom. Specialty Dining Enhance your cruise with award-winning specialty dining at Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto or Tamarind. Available for 1st/2nd guest in stateroom. Premium Wi-Fi Stay connected throughout your journey with premium satellite Wi-Fi.. Surf the web, use social media, check email and send messages to friends and family. Available for 1st/2nd guest in stateroom. Crew Appreciation Receive prepaid stateroom crew gratuities included. Crew Appreciation is a daily amount per guest that is paid entirely to Holland America Line crew members to recognize their efforts. Gratuities for other services, including bar, dining room, wine accounts and spa/salon services are not included. Available for 1st/2nd guest in stateroom. For a total value of US$130 per person / per day, you pay $50 per person / per day - an overall savings of 65%.

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Please report back when the credits post to your Mariner Account.

We have completed 3 cruises since the restart. Two had HIA included and for one cruise we purchased HIA as an add on. All three cruises gave maximum credit for the 'Spend' element. There was no difference between HIA being included in the price and HIA being purchased as an add on. The twelve day cruises gave 12 days + 12 days 'Spend' = 24 total for each. The 14 day cruise was 14 +14 = 28.