crystalspin

4 hours ago, IBM Sweathog said:

It's the Westerdam.

We are booked in 8025 on the Zuiderdam (sister to Westerdam). It is under the Thermal Suite, and I think it will be quiet enough! I would never take a deck 8 that I couldn't choose myself -- horror stories of being under galley or pool deck with carts (galley) or lounge-chairs (deck) being dragged around overhead in the night-time hours!

We were under the Blues Club once; that was my one and done guarantee! And at least they stopped at 11:30pm each night...

2 hours ago, bonnieparker80 said:

Or would it be better to book a vista suite? I'm specifically looking at Verandah 7131 or Vista 5127

Here is a video showing one place to charge a scooter in a Vista Suite (that happens to be right next to 5127 (left-right mirror image):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zsYsh8tZ3k8

On 5/23/2024 at 3:36 PM, kazu said:

Rotterdam - 18-Jan-26 - 21 day partial Panama Canal & ABC Islands

Rotterdam - 18-Jan-26 - 21 day partial Panama Canal & ABC Islands

crystalspin & dr'spin - Have started Roll Calls!

1 minute ago, bajae said:

What is the mini bar like in the rooms w/o a refrigerator? Is there no mini bar or do they just place the drinks somewhere else?

No mini-bar even if you rent a fridge. At least pre-shutdown. There may have been the bottled still water on a shelf, but wouldn't swear to it. 

48 minutes ago, njhorseman said:

Not for run of the mill Caribbean island port calls, but you may have to go through an immigration check in many countries.

I was speaking of non-Russian Europe, also don't remember any immigration in South America or on a turn-around day San Diego on a B2B Mexico. Certainly at the final disembark but seems like not for "in transit". Haven't yet done Caribbean, or Polynesia!

I agree there are some ports that may have immigration even for day visitors.

7 hours ago, BANV said:

Hi - some of the off shore excursions start quite early in the morning. If we have a pick up at port at eg 8am & are GS guests - when should we plan to disembark to complete immigration etc? Are we able to get takeaway breakfast with us from coastal kitchen? Do the ships have takeaway boxes? Appreciate any replies 

thanks 

There should be no "immigration" for either shore excursions or DIY walking around -- what port(s) are you thinking of that would have that? 

The trick for early ShoreExes is ROOM SERVICE.

22 hours ago, crystalspin said:

If you are in a starboard Verandah from Florida to California, you will be in the south-southwest sun in the afternoon, and be forced off your balcony! Ask me how I know!!!

 

ETA: It is true we did see the failed French canal as mentioned by lcand. That was in the nice (cooler) early hours...

I did not see the edit that you were doing an Atlantic Partial -- Then I would choose starboard for the French Attempt.

BUT, I did not know the Rotterdam was too wide for original locks (I thought it was a Pana-Max for them). DNK what the view of French canal is from new locks. We are booked for a Atlantic Partial on R'dam in 2026, in port Verandahs (because they were available!). We will be doing the Pacific locks to Colon shore excursion!

3 hours ago, Nang said:

Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat will work fine. I don't use Youtube

I have read more than once on CC that you do not need $treaming to watch YouTube, but I believe Premium is necessary.

ETA: Happy to be corrected about the Surf included with HIA.

25 minutes ago, rideev said:

I realize they don't have a GDC, but will I be able to find Pannekoek and Frites on the cruise?

I don't believe so, not as a regular item anyway.

10 minutes ago, Torquer said:

Just curious why you say you have no preference when going Pacific to Atlantic, but you do have a preference going in the opposite direction?  If the reason you prefer starboard going from Atlantic to Pacific is the remains of the French attempt, wouldn't you see this on the port side going in the opposite direction?

Having seen it from starboard Atl>Pac, it is a narrow cut mostly swallowed by the jungle. The view from the other side (direction) of the canal would be slim to none.

I would choose starboard going your direction, although the afternoon sun might be less oppressive in the northern Atlantic locks than it was for us.

On 5/20/2024 at 9:29 PM, julia said:

Frankly, I would not book a Vista at any price... I do NOT prefer the bed near the balcony, with the sitting area enclosed from the ocean view. No. Nope. Not for me.

We quite liked our Vista Suite on the K'dam B2B (that also got us to 4*), but THANK YOU for reminding me that I always said I would want to have seating near the balcony if adjoining friends or family! I switched us and my DB/SIL to connecting Verandahs on Deck 5 Rotterdam from Vistas on Deck 4. Both mid-ship, and saved some money, too!

1 hour ago, rsans93 said:

Messaging apps (audio/video features not supported) - but will Facebook, Youtube, Instagram and Snapchat work?

I have not cruised since the StarLink was installed on all HAL ships, but it's pretty clear that Audio/Video is not supported. But you can upgrade the "Surf" plan included in HIA to Premium and get (I think) all that you are asking about. Here is the table of upgrade costs:

https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Internet-Update-from-HIA-Surf-Plan.pdf

I believe all adults in the room must purchase the HIA, so work that into your maths.

ETA: Welcome to Cruise Critic!

19 minutes ago, Jensue9 said:

Oh dear. Once onboard, if I asked nicely for a more comfortable chair or sofa they would bring me one? I’m happy to pay for it.

I'm sure it's not a charge-able request -- either it is available or not! You should start by asking your room steward(s) when they come around to introduce themselves. Escalate within housekeeping (ask stewards to ask their supervisor -- explain you don't need the extra room (which is left open for wheelchair or scooter users), but do need a more comfortable chair.

Hey, it just occurred to me -- this is a case for the Special Needs Department (which apparently has another name):

"Holland America Line does not discriminate against individuals on the basis of disability. We seek, to the extent feasible, to accommodate guests with disabilities. However, some needs require adequate time to prepare for a guest's arrival. It is recommended that guests make every effort to contact our Guest Accessibility Department and to submit a  Special Requirements Information (SRI) Form well in advance of the departure of their cruise and/or cruisetour. We recommend submitting an SRI upon booking or a minimum of 45 days prior to departure."

The underlined SRI Form link takes you to a page to enter your booking number and last name. But I can't manage to embed it. Go here:

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/about/our-company/accessibility

and find the text I copied above, click link.

3 hours ago, Jensue9 said:

Cabin number is 1082

Hi!

It appears this is a handicap-accessible cabin and as such it does not have a sofa, rather a firm chair (desk chair) and a storage cube shown AT the desk. Here it is the mirror-image on the Oosterdam (sister ship):

https://halfacts.com/1081-oosterdam/

It also has a curb-less shower, per the diagram here:

1 hour ago, Boatdrill said:

Just curious...what are the drinks on the top left (door) shelf ?

I read "On The" on bottles 1&3 and "Rocks" on #4 = "On The Rocks".

31 minutes ago, sunviking90 said:

On our last cruise we were told the room steward is responsible for the mini bar contents. On past cruises, it was the bar staff. Maybe it varies from ship to ship.

I believe it was changed a while ago, on all ships, to the cabin stewards. Like they needed something else to do!!! I like the idea of a photograph, and then putting the contents in the under-bed drawers (or some other un-needed storage).

20 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

If so, I'd suggest you look at the cabins available for the individual voyages.  If you can find a non-connecting cabin that's available for both voyages, contact Ship Inventory, or have your TA do it and have them assign that cabin to you.  I've had to do this on several cruises.

Oddly enough, I had to have my PCC go to Inventory to get two connecting rooms midship on the Rotterdam, just last week. Actually NONE of the truly mid-ship Verandahs were showing for the combined voyage -- only at the fore or aft border of mid-ship. 

I think they throw darts at the target and say "Hey let's try this" with no reason or rationale.

2 hours ago, Al2863 said:

Okay, thanks everyone for the input, all set! I can’t seem to delete the ?

We leave the questions up, for others to learn from! Enjoy your cruise!

12 minutes ago, tigervixxxen said:

Does HAL put shore excursions on sale ever or is the price pretty standard?

No sales reported, but the prices can (and do) go UP!

1 hour ago, Cire3081 said:

We are booked in SZ 6106. Our first time on HAL. Any input as to this cabin’s location?

Your cabin will be the left-right mirror image of this one (6111):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWhLmMi1r-Y

13 minutes ago, Al2863 said:

Is there a side of the ship preferable for viewing going through Panama Canal, if out on your balcony?

Yes! Although you will get replies saying you should be moving around the ship...

If you want to use your balcony that you have paid for, you should choose port if going from Atlantic to Pacific and starboard if the other way. This is because the canal is not cut on an East-West line!

If you are in a starboard Verandah from Florida to California, you will be in the south-southwest sun in the afternoon, and be forced off your balcony! Ask me how I know!!!

ETA: It is true we did see the failed French canal as mentioned by lcand. That was in the nice (cooler) early hours...

ETAA: We are both assuming you are traversing the original canal.

40 minutes 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. 

On our last cruise/s (B2B on K'dam), we often finished the evening with a nightcap at the Crows Nest, where the bar-stewards got to know us. They could see that we had "drinks coming" (had not hit 15) and would bring us un-opened cans of water without our asking. We had a row of them, un-drunk, when we left our cabin for the last time!

3 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Interesting question.  Specialty coffee is included in HIA. Does anyone recall if the coffee bars are open in the lido on debarkation day?

I strongly believe we had lattes at Explorations (in Crows Nest) pre-COVID, but never noticed if billed. Coffee bars in Lido???

1 hour ago, cruiser man 60 said:

We are going on a circle of Japan cruise next April, I see the shore excursions are already showing. Anyone been before recommend any excursions with HAL or others? We’re planning 4 nights in Tokyo pre cruise.

We normally book independent trips but unsure how easy that is in Japan particularly Miayako if anyone has experience.

Also browse on Asia ports of call:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/43-asia/

I saw one thread claiming a Gold Mine for independent tours in Japan!

1 hour ago, KitKatSacramento said:

Thank you.  Does anyone know if Holland has non-alcohol wines on board?

Seems like if they did, there would be some mention under Mocktails in the Quench list just shared on previous page, and there is not.

38 minutes ago, alwaysfrantic said:

Has this always been stated? I have never seen it written.  It is was in an email about my cruise next month.

 

what is their threshold?

The CDC states:

Considerations for suspending passenger operations

In some circumstances, additional public health precautions, such as returning to port immediately or delaying the next voyage, may be considered to help ensure the health and safety of onboard travelers or newly arriving travelers.

A ship should consider suspending operations based on the following factors:

Sustained transmission of ARI (Acute Respiratory Illness), defined as a voyage with:
15% or more of the passengers have met ARI criteria; or
15% or more of the crew have met ARI criteria; or
15% or more of total travelers have met ARI criteria.