Snowesha

It wasn't great. I did this a few weeks ago with Holland America. Beach is crowded and many vendors bothering you. Buffett was minimal at best. Fajitas, salad, beans, chips and tortillias. Only 2 drinks and about 120 people from the cruise ship plus their regular guests. I would not do this again.

Honestly we just show up when we are ready to eat and get seated. We have never had to wait very long. We enjoy being seated with a variety of people so we are willing to be seated anywhere. We have met a variety of good people that way from all over the country.

16 minutes ago, san diego spartan said:

Will be sailing in 2 weeks on Nieuw Amsterdam from San Diego. I would appreciate any information on The Daily events and the recent menus from the main dining room or the bars. Thank you very much

That would be super we leave Saturday on the Eurodam.

NO

2 hours ago, seamist said:

Loved that stingray myself😁 hee hee. In the future on any Signature class or Pinnacle class ships we will no longer do any gty’s.  We did this one and actually got a lower grade cabin sad to say.  They didn’t consider it lower grade as it was supposedly a “better location”.  But what they put us in was the ridiculously small insides only found on those 2 classes that everybody hates because they are too small!

  

The verandahs on these 2 classes are bigger than our small inside but bear in mind they are going to be smaller than verandahs on the vista, R or S class ships.  What we are going to do is take the advice of the cruise consultant and look at the deck plan, then hand pick any future insides.  You want the ones that are “horizontal” on the deck plan, not ones that go “vertical”. It’s the vertical ones you don’t want.  If you book gty you may well get stuck in one of those like we did.

 

We are going to book another cruise tomorrow (Mediterranean on New Statendam) and looking at that deck plan is priority #1!

I'm with you on the gty's; never again. I ended up with a decent cabin but gave up my Explore 4 to do so. I've learned my lesson! Take good care of the ship, I'm  very excited to board her when you return to San Diego next Saturday! Perhaps we will pass each other in San Diego. Thank you so much! I have thoroughly enjoyed your review and look forward to it every evening!

How about the Scallops? Has anyone tried them? Thoughts?

On 3/24/2019 at 1:14 PM, Jilltoons said:

I have tried to search for the topic. First time on Holland America. My cruise is in 2 weeks. What has been your experience to when your room number is assigned. We have a gtd verandah on the Nieuw Amsterdam. Thank you so much for your help.

I sail on April 6th and got my assignment this morning exactly 10 days out! Happy with my cabin too!

29 minutes ago, avian777 said:

 

IIRC the Tamarind California rolls are 100% vegetarian ... you might want to check this out with HAL Ship Services before giving up on your desire to try Tamarind ...

The California rolls on the sample menu say they have crab in them. She is Lacto Ovo and doesn't eat fish or crab...

I love the escargot! Which night is the escargot? That is the only thing I look forward to on Gala night! BTW I do like to dress up for them, call me old fashioned!

54 minutes ago, kazu said:

Well, what can I say,? I am about to go on the ship with the best PG (so far IME)

So what ship are you referring to? I had my heart set on Tamarind but my wife is vegetarian and they don't seem to have any appetizers for her to eat besides a salad. It seems like most of the sushi seems like it has meat and fish too. Any advice? I wanted to go there for my birthday dinner. Would PG be a better option for us?

17 hours ago, ScottC4746 said:

We leave for the Eurodam out of San Diego in exactly 14 days and if all goes well we would have boarded by now, had a nice lunch, and enjoying or nice Aft corner Neptune Suite veranda.  I cannot sleep, cannot focus on anything but the cruise.  Is this normal?  How will I survive the next two weeks.

I got the suitcases out of the garage this morning. It is starting to feel real. Time to start packing...

On 3/21/2019 at 2:55 PM, Ine said:

In case you arrive on April 10 indeed one ship needs to tender as 4 ships are expected that day.

I only see three. Who else is in port?

What about Holland America?

Does anyone know what resort is offered by Holland America? The excursion states that it is 25 minutes north of Puerto Vallarta. Sounds like it is all inclusive. Thoughts?

17 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

That is VERYC close to the pier/ship.  Ask for the tower near the ship - fun to watch the ship come in in the morning, seems like it is going to come right into the room!

 

I think it is closer to the ship from the tower than it is from the tower to the front desk!

We are staying at the Bayside right across the street. Is that different from the Baymont?

On 12/29/2018 at 5:15 PM, ninjatoes said:

I also enjoyed the Mexican dancers and Mariachi band.

What port were they on? Do they still do a Mexican Fiesta type meal out by the Lido pool one night? Just curious, if anyone knows?

On 3/5/2019 at 3:08 PM, wales4ever said:

Nearly always found a bed at the back of the ship.  The lido pool had towels down from before 8am!  One sea day on the second week they all had towels down by 8am - no one on them though....

I like to have coffee and read a book first thing when its quiet so was at the back of the ship by 8 most days. Some sad  people put towels down but did not return for 2/3 hours.

That is so frustrating when people do that because some people may have been able to utilize the chairs for an hour or two and then would be gone anyway. This is exactly why I spend the extra money to have a Lido Cabana so that I know I have a guaranteed place to sit whenever I want to and can come and go as I please.

1 hour ago, ScottC4746 said:

I just logged onto my HAL booking and says I have 19 days till my cruise. Must remember to breath.

We are driving down and found a hotel that offers 7 nights parking while we are on our cruise walking distance from the terminal.

I saw the same thing last night! Can't wait to get my cabin assignment! less than three weeks out!

On 3/14/2019 at 9:37 PM, cruzin4us said:

 

 

If you read the 2019 Cruiser's Choice awards, NA is listed in the top 10 of almost all categories......You made a good choice.  I sail on her in a couple of weeks (again)

Honestly, We have been on both and found them fabulous! I don't think you can go wrong.

On 10/28/2018 at 7:23 AM, cruisingrob21 said:

Hi everyone, below are links to the first and second posts from my trip report on the Eurodam.  There are plenty of photos and a few more posts coming in the next week.  Enjoy.

 

Post 1: https://cruisingrobsblog.blogspot.com/2018/10/eurodam-coastal-trip-review.html

 

Post 2: https://cruisingrobsblog.blogspot.com/2018/10/eurodam-coastal-trip-review-ship-decor.html

When was she refurbished. We are sailing in a few weeks but were on her 3 or 4 years ago. Looking forward to seeing the changes!

45 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

 

No, we are in a Neptune Suite (sorry for the confusion on my post as we were in a Signature and got an upsell to a Neptune).  So, we would like to know where and when the Neptune cocktail party is normally held the first evening.

Last time we were in a NS it was held in the Tamarind Bar and all of the officers attended. It was really nice!

9 hours ago, 1964IceCreamLady said:

Got our upsell offer a few hours ago and JUMPED on it!  Inside to Verandah!!!  I am happier than I imagined!

I noticed online the insides are now sold out too!

That was very interesting! Thanks for sharing!

39 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Here is some more interesting info that is provided to the prospective singers and dancers.   It looks like all ships are getting RWS except the Amsterdam.

 

https://www.rwsnyc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/LifeatSea-083117.pdf

 

Info about life at sea from Belinda King

 

https://www.belindaking.com/onboard/#1536148703795-8015f5fa-86fbf005-a826

 

 

 

 

It took a little persistence but this morning I am finally in a Neptune Guarantee at no additional charge. I did give up some of the explore 4 perks but through negotiating was able to get future cruise credits plus keep some of my OBC. I am thrilled and excited to say the least. Thank you everybody for the advise and encouragement! I don't even mind the fact that it is a guarantee (I was in a SS guarantee anyway). 26 days and counting!

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

This does not sense to me (I am not doubting you, but rather your PCC).

 

First, I know first hand that not everyone gets an upsell offer when they go out in the first wave (it has happened to me).  I have no idea (nor does my PCC) why this is.  Maybe they are trying to limit the number of calls, or perhaps there is some measure they use (like how much you paid for your cruise).

 

Second, I was offered  earlier this week but before the upsells came out (on the same cruise) to upgrade myself from a SS to a SC Neptune for  the difference between what I paid for the SS six months ago ($1034) and the current SC price ($1449) - thus $415 (I declined).  So, unless you only paid $749 for your SS guarantee, the $700 upcharge does not make sense.

 

A thought - you might try calling your PCC today (I assume he/she is not working on the weekends) and when you get the voicemail, transfer to the PCC who is covering for them today.  Then simply ask them what it would cost to upgrade yourself to a SC Neptune.  Its worth a shot and you might be surprised what happens (at least you would verify what your PCC is telling you) - please let us know the results if you do this.

 

Good Luck!

Hi Dave- Just curious, do you have the Explore 4? That seems to be the hang up for me I think.