bluesplayer

We cruised to Alaska in September 4 cruise.  The MDR was open for lunch from 12-1.  Enjoying your report and photos!

1 hour ago, CM1984 said:

We have cruised twice and we breezed right through using VERIFLY.    Loved it!  BUT I can’t seem to get it to process for our 11/5 cruise on the Nieuw Statendam.  🙄 

Having the same issue.  Worked fine for our Alaska cruise..  now cannot get a verification.

1 hour ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

You might like it but I don't.  18% for handing my drink to me at the bar is more than enough.  Tip more if you want to but don't force the issue on others. 

I agree!  I do not like it either.  Makes you feel obligated to tip again after being charged a tip.  I did express those feelings to the hotel manager onboard the Westerdam Sept 4 cruise.

3 hours ago, SLC1954 said:

I’m on the “Testerdam” now, I usually tip when it is unsolicited, but with this new sign for your drink/give me a bigger tip,  is driving me nuts.  It takes twice as long to process your order.  I used to go to the bar, ask for sparkling water or wine, hand my card to swipe and on my way I go.  Now you have to wait for them to print the receipt, put in in a folder with a pen the stand over you hoping for more money..  HAL should just up the gratuity to 20% instead of making the bar staff beg.

 

I did send the hotel manager a note about it.  There’s a box by guest services.  He did respond.  Hope other cruisers supply feedback.  I feel if you want to leave an extra tip you can leave cash (which I did do).  Not fair the cabin stewards cannot leave a form for extra tips as well.  I like the 20% idea…
  

2 hours ago, BetsyS. said:

I think that the "suits" in Seattle HQ should be required to take at least one 

cruise on a HAL ship.   They are out of touch with reality.

and read this forum...   

10 hours ago, JesseLivermore said:

 

hmm  we got second entrees,  second appetizers and even desserts on the Westerdam MDR.  N/C

The Pinnacle menu on the Westerdam did say (in small print) there would be a $7.00 additional charge for each appetizer.  We each ordered 1 appetizer and shared the bacon.  We were not charged.  Thinking they may want to curb the folks that order multiples and take one bite.

5 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

Did any of the crew you talked to tell you why this was being tested?  Had their bosses explained the "thinking" behind the added paper and effort to each transaction?  If no official reason for the test, did the crew have any speculation on why?    Reviving this old and annoying practice doesn't make any sense to me!!

 

Thanks,

~Nancy

I did not ask these questions to the staff.  Perhaps @celticGreen81can query?  Currently on the Westerdam.  

50 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

Strange.  We didn’t have any slips to sign last week on the Koningsdam.  It’s been years since I’ve signed one of those.  Why would they go backwards?

According to the staff..  this was a new process that went into effect sometime in August and only on the Westerdam.  @Florida_gal_50 was correct calling the ship the Testerdam.  The crew confirmed they were trying this out and only on the Westerdam.

9 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

First, the bar staff is NOT included in the hotel service charge. A bartender and a bar waiter are on a separate contract where their pay is heavily dependent on tips. If you are talking about the 18% that is automatically added to a drink, that goes to a pool that is split unevenly between bartenders and waiters. Additional tipsto waiter or bar tenders usually goes to the employee. 

 

We have had waiters go above and beyond,  and tipped them direct. Have not seen the addition line on the receipt. 

I had no idea the bar staff did not receive any of the hotel service charges paid.  Thank you for clearing that up. I tip them regardless and pay my hotel service charges.  Wonder if this will start going fleet wide?  It is easier to just add a tip on..

Was just off the Westerdam sailing roundtrip from Seattle to Alaska.   Now when you order a beverage, you sign a receipt..  not new.  What is new is there is an additional tip line on the receipt.  One cruiser was very vocally opposed to that, saying "I already tipped".  I found it interesting that if the wait staff was provided an opportunity to sign for additional tips the cabin stewards were not. I did ask the bartender..  does this tip go directly to you?  or is this added to a pool.  His response was it goes directly to him.  Maybe soon there will be a slip of paper on your made bed requesting additional tips?   I always do pay my required tips and tip extra..  not the issue.  It does seem slighted for the wait staff and not fair for the cabin stewards.  

  Still not over the scaled down room service menu.  This change happened long ago I understand.  All in all this was a great cruise!!!   The service and food were excellent.  The ship was fairly full and the staff was working quite hard!!  Our stewards had 39 rooms!!! 

Really enjoying your thread. Thank you for all your time posting!!

Looking forward to following along on the NS in October..  Quebec City to Ft. Lauderdale 

If you use a TA ask them to email you an updated invoice.

12 minutes ago, iceman93 said:

On my recent NS cruise, I never found a bar that I liked enough to go out of my way to visit again.  They were all adequate, so whenever I wanted a drink I just went to whichever one was most convenient.  Usually a couple of days into a cruise my wife and I find a bar (and let's be honest, it's usually an outstanding barTENDER) that becomes our go-to spot.

I agree.. it’s the bartender.. that makes it special.  I loved going to see Jerry in the Crows nest on the Eurodam.  Hope he is still around 

18 hours ago, firsttimer1971 said:

Really? Sold you bitterballen als kroket? Why would they do that?

The advantage of bitterballen is that they are easier to eat out of hand and you can eat more of them before you realize you just ate a whole platter of them 🙂

In the Netherlands you will be able to order a portie bitterballen at most Café's and bars but not kroketten (unless as part of lunch/diner). 

 

 

Tot ziens!

I understand what you are saying is a whole platter of Kroket is a bad thing? 😠    OK,  only a couple;  then a side of split pea soup and a couple of Speculaas!!    HA split pea soup is my favorite dish.

6 hours ago, semibeater said:

I always redeem for CC credit. You get 2.5% of the points in cash back if used on HAL for over $4K. Also all HAL charges pay double points. Not much use if you don't use HAL to cruise a lot!

I did see the information below.  So, is the $4,000.00 the amount of points you have?  or the cost of the cruise?  Is it possible to use these points to pay for a cruise?  Still confused.  Thank you

5 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

There are meters in uber rides?  

You are correct, no meters yet I thought we had to pay more?  

Not many options to choose from these days.  Many of the spa choices are for couples.   My husband is not a spa person.  There used to be many more choices to redeem your points.  What is everyone using the points for?   

If you take an Uber to the port have your port location written down in French.  Our Uber driver took us to a working pier, no cruise ships there. Of course the meter was running.  Thankfully I had the address of the port on paper..  another few dollars to get to the correct location.  

Sorry, 

After reading the entire thread; the difference between Bitterballen and Kroket.. the shape!  When visiting the NL,   yes,  obvious from USA  they sold us those round treats advertised as Kroket!!   We certainly did not get the long version.  Next time we will demand Kroket..   not those paltry Bitterballen balls.    Thank you for the explanation.  Tot Ziens..

On 8/25/2022 at 4:25 AM, firsttimer1971 said:

 

It is a typical Dutch treat and they are small fried crispy balls with a filling of ragout (very dense stew) with veal or beef (prawns or cheese is also possible). They taste great with some mustard and a nice cold beer. 

 

 

What is the difference between bitterballen and Kroket?   Enjoyed Kroket in the NL yet never saw bitterballen.   

Thank you for all your time and efforts posting.  Glad you had a fantastic cruise.  Have a safe trip home.  🛳️    Hope to travel this route one day..

How far is the Bicycle thief from the cruise port?  We are cruising this October from Quebec City to Ft. Lauderdale and Halifax is one of the stops.   The lobster roll..  yummy!    All the yarn looks lovely!!!

I have enjoyed your posts tremendously!!   Thank you so much for taking the time to post so we who are on land can live vicariously (and also order the imaginary meals).  This itinerary was fantastic.  So glad you are having a fantastic trip!!

Sorry to hear about Lincoln Center.  Every cruise I have been on the musicians in LC were top notch.  This was pre Covid.  Many were Russian, which I doubt this is the case now.