oakridger

I've been to Raiatea once in 2019 and thought it was a place I would love to go back to and spend a couple of weeks. I liked the laid-back vibe and look of the island. When we sailed away from the port for the next hour or so I was transfixed at the views out of the front of the ship. Gorgeous spot to sail around! ~Nancy

"The Biddy's" sounds like something different from the usual and lots of fun!! ~Nancy

I love going to the BB King lounge and Rolling Stone Room. If it's warm outside, the movie by the Lido pool at night is good or hanging by the Seaview Pool bar and having a drink with friends. I'm not bored at all! ~Nancy

Thank you for responding John! I find it so hard to understand why some people have so much push back on just keeping their damn things off the hallway floors!! What's so difficult about that? ~Nancy

Deck 5 has all those nice verandah cabins mid ship. They should work well for your family. I really like the Nieuw Amsterdam! Nieuw Amsterdam Verandah Deck Plans (cruisedeckplans.com) ~Nancy

I am going to travel on Havila also but not until June of 2024. I like planning ahead! @Flyinbyanswered my question yesterday on the "Other Cruise Lines" forum in a thread titled "Havila Capella". I'm deciding on my cabin location. I appreciate everyone sharing their personal experience here on Cruise Critic since there is very little information online and YouTube about Havila yet. All of the previous info about the port stops and Norway in general on this Hurtigruten forum is very helpful as well (kudos especially to @hallasm). I loved Hurtigruten way back in 2005 and would happily travel with them again but wanted to give the new ships a try this time!! I'm looking forward to hearing all your experiences. ~Nancy

I thought about that too, but you know what? It doesn't matter if you have Covid, syphilis or an ingrown toenail, it's still a safety hazard!!! I spent my career working in safety sensitive areas (chemistry labs, refineries with hazardous and deadly chemicals) and clear egress pathways are major safety policies for many places. Think about theaters, sports arenas and ship hallways!! I know that some people have been instructed by the ships own staff to leave room service trays there but it's probably against the ship's own safety manual to do so. HAL used to put cards on all room service trays to specifically call them for pick up and DO NOT put them in the hall. They didn't do that on my trays post shutdown. Can one of our great Maritime experts on CC offer the companies' policy regarding clear egress?? @Copper10-8 or @chengkp75 or @Heidi13 Thanks for letting me share my obviously strong feelings on this!!! ~Nancy

Thanks for sending this along @Flyinby! It looks to me like there aren't any cargo doors on the starboard side when I zoom in as much as my computer will go. I'd love to hear your impressions of Havila when you get a chance. I've taken this trip on Hurtigruten and absolutely loved it but wanted to try Havila this time. Have a wonderful time in Norway! ~Nancy

My huge pet peeve!! It's a safety hazard to leave their trash/dishes in the hallway!!! Just hope that if you need the medical team to come to you with a stretcher that they can get through without tripping!! It floors me that the ship staff allow this. ~Nancy

My October Nieuw Amsterdam Panama Canal cruise cancelled Nicaragua also. It's my understanding that the cancellations on many cruise lines are because of political unrest. I haven't heard any details though. Nicaragua Travel Advisory (state.gov)

You can also view your account on the cabin TV.

I believe that is part of the problem. Charging these incredibly low prices how can HAL possibly keep up a higher level of food and service than the budget lines? Not possible in the long term. ~Nancy

@WCB I would like to clarify for people that I have gotten umbrellas in my Veranda cabins, so not just for Suites. I sure wish I was in French Polynesia right now!!! 🏝️

Can you retake the picture please? I can't read it because of the angle of the camera. Thanks, ~Nancy

In the Seaview Pool?? 15 is fine in the Lido pool, but that's just too many in Seaview even with their confusing/conflicting signage about kids in that pool!!! ~Nancy

Duh! I was reading it as a separate question. Thanks for clarifying @crystalspin! ~Nancy

Do the Havila ships have loading doors or gangways on the starboard side of the ships? I have only been able to see pictures of the ships on the port side online and YouTube where the gangway and loading doors show clearly. I'm getting ready to book a round trip Bergen/Kirkenes/Bergen so I'm looking at cabin locations. Thank you! ~Nancy

Check on HAL website or ask your Travel Agent for pricing.

@colbeThat's excellent news! I felt that the MDR service on Nieuw Amsterdam and Rotterdam last fall was good to excellent (by one wait team), but I was only there once for lunch and a few times for dinner. The big problem for me at that time was the big line ups to get into the dining room unless I went at 8pm or a little later. I like to eat later usually but the times I went to go earlier it was a zoo in the waiting area! I pivoted and boarded the elevator and went to the Lido more often than I would have liked. ~Nancy

My beef with that is that we shouldn't have to book Club Orange in order to get good service. The MDR should have good service to begin with included as part of the cruise fare!! ~Nancy

What a great photo tip Pete!! Now why didn't I think of that??? 😉

My four cruises with HIA in fall of 2022 were all approximately $50/day per person. Was that $142.86 per person or for 2 people? Never heard of it being that high!!! Yes, they still exist, and they are listed on the HAL website. All adults in the cabin must purchase if one does. Cruise Drink & Beverage Packages | Holland America Line ~Nancy

Check this thread.......

The Glamping sounds fun to me! I love a party around the pool, minus the downpour! ~Nancy

When I went through the Panama Canal on the Nieuw Amsterdam on October 19, 2023, we didn't have to get tested withing 24 hours before. ~Nancy