SempreMare

Thank you  @Crew News

No need to look it word for word - what I really meant by that question was more along the lines of... 

1) Does this PDF look legit?  i.e., is it an official Holland America PDF?  

(I believe I went to last page and first page and didn't see an official document mark or copyright but maybe I missed it.)

I don't see that PDF on the HA Westerdam website.

2) If you think it's legit,  is it probably a Pre-Renovation booklet? 

I googled a question about the Westerdam (which floor is the muster drill location?).

That landed me on a Japanese website with a "Welcome Book" PDF about the Westerdam.

Is this PDF accurate? 
https://www.cruiseplanet.co.jp/pdf/holland/WelcomeBook_WEDM_2016_v1_180205.pdf

It looks like an official PDF with a familiar font but I don't see it on the Holland America Westerdam official page

3 hours ago, Hawaiidan said:

 Did you already pay?    

Just the deposit.

3 hours ago, Pickalily, Wilts said:

 

Yep.  They didn't tell our cruise agent either.  Having flown from UK to Vancouver we could have been standing at the quay - no ship.  I was both horrified and angry, but luckily our agent found us another cruise departing a day later on Zaandam, so we were able to use the same flight outbound and that cruise was far better than the original would have been.  We had extra costs because the second cruise was longer and Celebrity eventually came up with a basic compensation payment, but we haven't  cruised with them since (2013).

OMG !!!   

I was convinced after posting that question that you probably meant an EXCURSION cruise, not the ENTIRE cruise !! 

Did you ever find out what was their reason for canceling? 

 Thank you for the clarification  @kazu

I read in a different topic that the Pinnacle is open anytime the MDR is open. 

Does that mean the Pinnacle is open for lunch on Embarkation day? 

39 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

New Pinnacle Grill Menu

Hey @*Miss G*, I'm seeing this error when I click on that link

On 3/30/2019 at 1:03 PM, Pickalily, Wilts said:

 

It's so annoying when this happens.  We had a cruise from Vancouver cancelled by Celebrity and they didn't tell us either.  I found out quite by accident on a cruise site with just 2 weeks to go.  

The cruise was canceled and they didn't tell you !!?!!

On 4/1/2019 at 5:29 PM, Walfam said:

You can also get free pressing of items that got wrinkled in your suitcase.  (No irons in the cabins nor are they allowed)

I didn't know that!  Thank you! 

On 3/22/2019 at 3:14 PM, iancal said:

And we only deal with TA's who have the payment billed through the cruise line not the travel agency. 

How do you know for sure how the payment is billed? 

@kantonburg Your post above was one of the single most helpful posts I've read! 

I am cruising for the first time in eons, and made my summer Alaska cruise reservation on impulse, booking direct,  a couple weeks ago in a Neptune Suite.

So I won't lose the specific room I've booked if I re-book via a travel agency? 

I really like the specific room location....

Hello HAL Mavens,

Is ice available in the Neptune Lounge? 

Ewww.  Can you request it be washed?   

Anyone know how many European outlets (type C) are in a Neptune Suite? 

My guess from squinting at pictures is 4:

      2 - bedside right and left

      1 - desk area

      1 - bathroom

Thank you @IPB4IGO,    Wow, 500kbps is really slow, esp for a premium plan.

When I'm planning a vacation I always mentally decide I won't be online at all, but then there's always 1-2 tasks a day that makes me need to be online. 

When it's slow it's very frustrating because I don't really want to be online, I need it to do something.

@terrydtx Does that road damage change the path from Anchorage to Seward? 

Thanks to contributors for the very helpful topic.

What internet speeds should I expect to actually see?

Could someone who is cruising test the speed you are experiencing?

And reply with speed & name of plan you have paid? 

How to test your internet speed: 

fast.com

speedtest.net

Especially after you are going to go on an Eurodam Alaska cruise 🙂 ? 

I realize Alaska cruises don't start until May.

The pricing choice I have for a 7 day cruise: 

-   $70 Social

- $100 Surf

- $140 Premium

I need to be able to see Nest camera home video should the need arise. 

Memorable example from a long time ago: 

Waking up @ 6:30am in Vienna Austria to an alert showing video of police officers with guns drawn going through my house in Austin Texas.

I realize social plan won't work for me but I'm still curious as to its actual speed.

Thanks so much @Crew News

Do you know if it is available in the Neptune Lounge? 

What non-alcoholic beer is served on Eurodam / HAL?

Although I still occasionally drink wine and liquor, I have switched to non-alcoholic beer. 

My fave is Clausthaler, with Beck's coming in second.      http://www.clausthaler.com/

I have tricked my beer-loving friends into thinking Clausthaler is a craft beer.   It's perfect when I "feel like a beer" or when I want something different than water, tea, coffee.  Here in Texas you can find it at Specs and Total Wine (I always call first) and more rarely, some HEB grocery stores.

I would guess that I could bring on my own non-alcoholic beer since...

Via goog, on a 3'rd party web site about what beverages are allowed to be brought on board HAL

>> Bottled Water and soda is also allowed (no limit) as long as you carry it on board with you on embarkation day.

I tried to find answer to this on Know Before You Go PDF, but only saw the info about how 1 bottle of wine is OK then more at $18 per bottle.

So much to read and learn as a first-time HAL cruiser! 

@OR_Cowboy_1952 thanks so much for the additional pictures

@DaveOKCthank you for your insights, and @Himself thank you for the sentiment which I totally agree with.

New news and 2 quick questions: 

My cruise buddy is a former colleague and dear friend who I haven't seen in eons but stay in contact with all the time.  However, I just learned that his schedule might be affected by a corporate acquisition to occur this summer...  I knew this was a possibility when I booked but now it looks more like a probability.

I will go on this cruise (in a NS) regardless.  I've always wanted to see Alaska via a cruise, and I love the vision of doing it on a chill cruise.  I admit the idea of doing it alone is scary. 

My first thought "if I fall into a glacier will anyone know?"

My second thought  "what will I do on that big deck?  cartwheels?" 😉

Question: 

If I were to rebook to a different room or another NS on a different cruise, should I use a travel agent? 

I am only on page 4 of HAL for Newbies thread.  I know there is a penalty for cancellations from reading the fine print.   Is there a $ penalty if I rebook to an earlier cruise?  (my preference if there is a NS available)

Wow thank you @Rowsby ! 

Those pics, especially that last one, and all these replies help put me at ease, though I certainly wish it weren't there.

Maybe I will encourage my new friends on the cruise to call in requests for their windows and balcony glass to be cleaned    .

I wonder if those are post-renovation pictures? 

Thank you all so much for your thoughtful replies.

9 hours ago, terrydtx said:

Was this the only NS available? I agree the deck is huge and it shouldn't impact the view. Enjoy your cruise, you have a fine NS.

No - but it was the only left side, aft cabin available.

1 hour ago, twodjs said:

There are no windows looking out that direction, so you'd have to stand behind the machine to have it block your view. Yes some other decks have larger balconies, but this certainly has a much better view than most NSs!

Really?  Odd that there are no windows looking out in that direction. 

What wall in the room is that side view?  My headboard?    The room is layed out differently then I had it pictured in my head.  

I am very appreciative of the person who posted the video of that room specifically,  but I really wished she had slowed down all the herky jerky video motions.  Even with that video it's hard to realize what you are saying.

ps:  I had so much fun in your town Port Angeles last summer! 

looks like the Multi-quote reply feature limits me to 2 quotes..

After not cruising for 11 years I got the itch to see Alaska and just booked this room on whim.

I booked:   

Westerdam Neptune Suite on corner left 

Aft balcony room 4180, left side since the ship heads south

One concern from this YouTube about this specific suite.  That window washing equipment just outside the balcony looks HUGE.

Does it stay parked there the entire cruise unless it's washing windows?