bluesplayer

Why are they assigning boarding times when they are not enforced? Allow people to enter the foyer at their assigned boarding time. 4 star Mariner in a Neptune Suite. Assigned boarding time was 11:00 am. We arrived at Canada Place 10:50. Stood in line for close to two hours. No priority boarding whatsoever. The foyer after going through customs was empty. All those folks ahead of us in line could not have had assigned boarding times prior to 11:00 am. Not sure if I would leave from Vancouver again.

Check in time was not enforced. Hence the long queues. We had an 1100 check in time and arrived about 10 minutes early. The lines were already massive. Perhaps if they made folks wait until their actual boarding time hundreds of people would not stand in line for 2 hours.

Immigration, they probably had 30 or 40 booths to scan your passport. I know all of Princess and Konigsdam passengers were in that queue to use the same scanners. Once you passed through Princess went right. Konigsdam went left. Never have stood in line like that even in non priority. Hope this can be streamlined.

Just got on the Koningsdam today. May 6. 4 star Mariner in a Neptune Suite. No priority boarding whatsoever. Took close to 2 hours to board all standing in lines. 4 ships in the harbor. We arrived at the port about 11am (our scheduled time). Total chaos!! VeriFLY meant nothing. Late departure. Long day!!

Oh no!! No more Tanqueray?? Say it ain’t so!!

Thank you for sharing. Nice cabin. We were in an Aft Neptune last fall on the Nieuw Statendam. The room was different. The TV was off to the side of the cabin. I wasn't a fan as the room was odd shaped.

My last 3 cruises I brought an empty plastic bottle and refilled it. Never a problem. It was a Lipton Iced tea bottle. Took this bottle full on shore excursions and kept refilled by the bedside. This was brought on the ship empty. I refilled from the tap daily and took the bottle home with me. No one tested or was concerned if this was a PET bottle. (may have been??) Bring whatever you choose on board.. if it is thrown away the gift shop has alternatives.. and yes.. way more expensive.

We cruised to Alaska then from Quebec City to Ft. Lauderdale in 2022. In 2023 we cruised to Antartica, all 3 cruises had Lincoln Center with classical music. The musicians were very good!! We have also cruised Celebrity and found their live music options disappointing. Most of the bands were sub par. HA was much better in the live music. Celebrity did have better big evening shows. The food on HA seems to be a bit more ethnic than Celebrity. Many European recipes served. Not so much on Celebrity. I liked the food better on HA. I believe that is very subjective. The HA crew is wonderful.

We really enjoyed Antartica. Beautiful scenery. Loved seeing the penguins. All was wonderful but a LONG flight from Seattle.

We do the same $2 - $5 and put the money out the night before so we are ready.

I was on the Nieuw Statendam in October and heard the entire fleet starting in November was going to only charge the difference in price of the drink charge over $11.00 and not for the entire drink? I sailed on the Westerdam in September and only the difference was charged. The Nieuw Statendam in October charged for the entire drink. Any changes out there on this?

Looking forward to your reports. Sailing the Oosterdam in January. Hope you have smooth seas and meet many new friends. Sorry for your loss.

I did indeed get double points. Need 14 more for 4 star.. almost there..

Interesting about the Mariner points for a suite. We were in a signature suite and accepted a paid upgrade to a Neptune. As of today my Mariner points have not been added. Just disembarked Saturday. Wonder how they will calculate them?

Brought to you by Mikael - Nieuw Statendam. LOL

Agree.. when I book a cruise through my travel agent they send an immediate confirmation email. I request they stay on the line to go over the amenities on the reservation.

Music opinions are very subjective.. check in on the live thread from this voyage as well. Last night Billboard was full!

The billboard duo was the best I have heard on any cruise!! They do an excellent job harmonizing. The female singer has a wonderful voice and both play piano well. I did not have a chance to find out how long they will be on board.. will continue to investigate..

Will report back. Have not been to the Billboard so far.

I am currently on the Nieuw Statendam Quebec City to Ft. Lauderdale. I sailed to Alaska on the Westerdam September 4-11, 2022. I see someone started a “live from” on this sailing. A big thank you! Some differences. We had the beverage package on both ships. Both had $11.00 drink maximum that was included. On the Westerdam.. anything over 11.00 you pay just the difference.. that policy is listed on the menus. They also give you a slip to sigh for each drink.. which includes a line for additional tips. On the Nieuw Statendam.. no signing for drinks No slips requesting additional tips.. yet if you go over 11.00. You pay the full amount. Quite different policies. If anyone has a question I can try to find information. The boarding process in Quebec City was a fiasco!! Everyone went through the same lines. Priority boarding used the same lines. Conflicting instructions provided by the staff. Total opposite of boarding in Seattle. I understand these are not Holland America employees.

Heading off to sail on the Nieuw Statendam.. will check it out.

Yes. The $7.00 upcharge in the Pinnacle grill is on the menu for an additional appetizer. Westerdam September 4 sailing Alaska. We each ordered an appetizer and also ordered and shared the clothes line bacon. We were not charged extra.

Thank you for always posting the menus!

Same situation here. We are also on your same cruise from QC. No excursions or boarding passes show on the Navigator app. I emailed them twice (no response) and called. Still not working.