jljcruise

21 minutes ago, Bill B said:

 

After three cruises I'm still waiting for any of the below:

"Mariner Cocktail" voucher to be used anytime during the cruise

We always find the cocktail vouchers on the desk with several other papers. It's a small card. If you just shuffle all that stuff together, you probably won't see it.

We were on the Oosterdam this past October/November, Athens to Ft Lauderdale.  The weather was lovely in Greece and Turkey and continued to Spain (high 70's, low 80's). But we did have a problem with WIND and docking at times. We missed 6 ports total (Kotor first with 65 knot winds coming down the valley the port sits on) then some others after we got to Spain. At Gibralter, the Captain rerouted us south so instead of heading north to Lisbon we had two stops in the Canary Islands. So, as always, be flexible about ports! We had a great trip, it was just a bit different than we expected.

-- I'll add, we had a smooth, sunny Atlantic crossing!

11 hours ago, Mary229 said:

We are packing lighter these days and want to pack only 2 pair of shoes for the upcoming outdoorsy cruise.  My plan is to wear hiking sneakers and one pair of semi-dressy flats.  On days when I send shoes out to polish are sneakers allowed in the MDR?  Thanks.

Yes.  It's much more comfortable for me on some days. DH does the same. Never had anyone comment.

We were on the Oosterdam from Mid-October to mid-November this year, in cabin 6008. I'll add to the above comments that you do lose some veranda privacy as you are directly (very directly) below the glass floor on the  bridge.  You can turn your head up and watch the officers working when they're there, like when docking.

Thanks for posting this! I hadn't heard about it. As a retired couple that live 2 hours from a port, it sure is an enticing idea to us.

4 hours ago, JAVERZ said:

Maybe there's some hope they will bring back some classical music although the "old" Lincoln Center will be missed.  It's good to hear they are working on the entertainment overall -- but I think it's time for Step One to go away.  The same old shows are getting old.

We just got off the Oosterdam from Athens to Ft Lauderdale. The new Lincoln Center programs were wonderful (as mentioned above). Step One also did a debut of their new show and the CD said one of the old shows was being dropped (don't remember which one was named). Third Avenue West was very good too, they play at the Ocean Bar.

11 hours ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

And my personal experience is that the libraries don't get used by a high parcentage of passengers.  

 

As to technology, virtually everyone has a smartphone, even if they don't have a tablet or kindle.  And there is a kindle reading app available for any smartphone.  

 

So, I maintain my opinion that it makes no sense for HAL to continue to devote a significant amount of ship space to these outdated libraries.

1. My experience is that the libraries on board are well-used.

2. I can and do (rarely) read ebooks. The experience of reading is lessened by using just one more e-thing. I read a lot less if forced to read that way.

3. I love the shipboard libraries and would hate to see the space wasted as one more under-used lounge.

2 hours ago, 2disneydads said:

Hello, Everyone:

 

I have not sailed on HAL for a while, so I am not aware if HAL still offers Catholic Mass each day on its ships.  Is Mass still offered?  My mother would like to sail on a ship that offers daily Mass.

 

Thank you!

I've seen daily Mass posted on all of our cruises. I was told that the ships usually do have priests aboard due to the many Catholics on the crews.

On 10/2/2023 at 1:14 PM, Duane S. said:

Also, I have not seen any mention of an alarm clock in the cabins, or even just a clock in the cabin.  we are in an inside cabin so we definitely won't see sunrise lol, I just need to know if I should bring an alarm clock.

On our last cruise I noticed the cabin phone had a very, very small digital read-out showing the ship's time, IIRC. I was hunting for something else on the phone and noticed it. Not sure it's on all phones. I always bring a travel alarm, but make sure it's set to ship's time -- nothing else counts on board. 😁

23 hours ago, MaiTaiMary said:

It's been a while since I've cruised. I'm going to be assigned a time to arrive at the pier to board, correct? Any idea approximately when I will receive that? And how do they notify me? Thank you. 

Got my check-in time today for an Oct 20 sailing. I was notified by email.

Lynn

32 minutes ago, nicenurse22 said:

Can I get room service on Westerdam for all meals to the cabin? Breakfast, lunch or dinner? Do they charge for this service?

I haven't been to Japan, so can't answer those particular questions, but Room Service meals on all HAL ships are offered 24/7 and mostly complimentary. There are a few items on the room service menu with extra charges and they are clearly noted. The only other $ is if you choose to tip the waiter (always a nice thing to do!).

Also the Lido pool has a retractable roof, which they close in cool/rainy weather so you can swim even then.

No charge on the ship for regular coffee, tea, some juices, milk, lemonade, iced tea.

Enjoy your cruise!

We're on the Oosterdam later this month for 26 days. The Navigator app list is still  incomplete, but so far shows that on Main Stage in the evening we'll have (two nights  each IIRC) Lincoln Center musicians, Cantare, a classical pianist, a comedian, and One Step Dance group. Like Vmax1700 says, they're listed separately on the right side of the Daily.

It's a no-brainer to me with Covid on the upswing again. The card takes up no room in the back of my passport and on my phone. If I never need it, fine. I don't want to regret not bringing it if a country we visit suddenly changes their mind and requires it. Simply, be prepared or be willing to possibly skip a port.

1 hour ago, Sailnsurf said:

These are my observations 6 days into the Cruise. My comparison is to pre- covid and our last cruise on the Nieuw Statendam, a 21 day Norway cruise. Opinions will differ.

 

Thanks for your comments. I'll be following to see how things are going. We'll be on the Oosterdam in October (Piraeus to FLL).

If you get a chance, could you ask if she's going into drydock or if she's doing a charter in early  October? There seems to be uncertainty on this. I'm hoping for a bit of a freshening up drydock -- I realize it's not long enough for the full drydock experience. 

Have a great cruise!

27 minutes ago, Kelownabccan said:

Wife just bought some "tide pods".....and I said what for......to wash a few things on the three week cruise she says......but I said I do not think there is a laundry room on the ship.....looked at the ship plan and could not see one......if not just use the ships laundry service....I guess....I think she was thinking that they all would have one.....on some of our Princess ones she did some washing....and maybe even the older HAL ships???.....am I wrong???

No self-service on HAL, "just" an excellent and quick laundry service. However, if your wife does want to occasionally do a hand wash of anything, I would recommend putting some detergent sheets in a good zip-lock bag. I use a small strip of a sheet to do a hand wash. Touch them only with dry hands as they dissolve quickly. TIP: Packing -- they're flat, pack easily, and take up basically no space. Most stores have them, I think, in the detergent area (I know Kroger stores carry them among others.) They come in a flat cardboard package. Much better than pods for travel.

11 hours ago, CH_ca said:

We used to have fresh fruits delivered to our staterooms pre-pandemic. On our recent cruise, we asked the cabin steward for fresh fruits everyday. She told us HAL no longer provides that because they don't want cabin stewards to handle edibles 😏. On their website, "Fresh fruits upon request" is still clearly stated under amenities regardless of cabin categories. Has anyone got fruits delivered to their staterooms recently?

 

 

In April, my SIL and her hubby requested 2 bananas be delivered each evening so they could eat them in the early morning before taking pills. The request was honored. 

1 hour ago, Mary229 said:

Hi Roz,  we currently have flights to Vancouver but are thinking of changing them so I can’t see the prices for the shuttle.  What does the HAL shuttle cost from Seattle to Vancouver?  Thank you 

Hi Mary, Our cost was about $79pp IIRC. The bus ride is about 3 hours, depending on the time through customs at the border. We find the bus transfer is the easiest way to go. We've done it twice, last in April of this year 

3 hours ago, Roz said:

I'm sailing out of Vancouver next month.  I'm flying into Seattle the day before, staying at a nearby hotel overnight, and then taking the HAL transfer to Canada Place the next day.  What time should I plan on being back at Seatac in the morning to board the bus?

I've done the shuttle from SEA to Vancouver twice, the last time was in late April of this year. There has always been a HAL rep right at baggage claim to check us off and direct us. I don't know that it's changed, but that's been my experience. I think we got there about 8 or so. Don't remember the time we had to be there by.

1 hour ago, pryce_tag said:

We can make our own fun.  He loves to be with us.  He would live in the pool if he could.  We will take cards and a few small travel games, and things for him to do.  I have decided to take 25 small gifts that he can have one each day.  There is of course TV and the ipad but we hope not to take advantage of those too much.  I think it will be a good experience for us all to switch off the devices and keep ourselves entertained.  I mean heck, we are on a cruise!!!!

I love how you're taking this cruise and running with it! Your son's attitude and enjoyment will be a reflection of your own attitude and enjoyment. At 5, he will undoubtedly find the BEST part of the trip is being the  total focus of mom and dad every day. And kudos for switching off devices ... too many parents "play" with their kids with 98% of their attention on the devices, not the child. Have a great vacation! (And ignore the curmudgeons.)

3 hours ago, Motor City said:

1) We arrive at 10pm on Friday, embarkation is Sunday.

Should we stay at SEA hotel and then make our way DT or another place to stay on Saturday? 

We would like to explore Seattle, but haven't been, and don't know where a good jump off point would be.

 

3) Places to see or go in or around Seattle for a couple with 6 year old?

 

I'd stay downtown since you have a full day to tour, unless you want to do something in the outer area like drive to Mt. Rainer. In town you'd have lots more to see and do.... Seattle Center attractions (for kids, there's the Pacific Science Center which has lots of hands-on), the city waterfront has a lot of attractions including an Aquarium,  and if you have a car (or want to try a bus) there's the excellent Woodland Park Zoo not too far away.

BTW, I don't think the airport area is too awfully sketchy except maybe at night, but I'd say the same of downtown. True of most big cities I've been in.

4 hours ago, 20165 said:

Thanks for the replies everyone, great info and i think we may be leaning a little more toward HAL, given after our last MSC cruise, we need some piece and quiet and less people would also be nice.  And sorry, i meant we are a party of 4 people and our youngest child is 17. I have 2 add on questions, although both of our kids are fine with a laid back cruise, they do both like to work out so hows the gyms on both ships?  Also, 1angelcat posted that Nieuw Amsterdam will just be coming out of dry dock and im assuming that we will be the first cruise after that give it leaves Dec 16th.  anyone have experience with that and should it be a concern?  We have been on previous cruises that just made the turn from Europe to Caribbean and the service was not great because i guess they were making a crew change.  I dont know if this would fall into that category.

Thanks again for all the great info, lots to think about.

The HAL NA gym is great. Very good  equipment selection (and great views forward over the bow while you work out!).  Also, if they're into pickleball all HAL ships have courts available. I haven't used the Princess gym, so no comment on that.

Laundering includes pressing. You choose, too, if items are folded or on hangars when returned. Laundry is usually back by the next morning or even the same evening, in our experience. Their laundry service is amazing.

On our cruise in April, the Entertainment director said that plans were to restart classical music "sometime this summer", but probably on Main Stage. I don't know if that's still their plan.

We did enjoy the new group in the Ocean Bar for quieter music. Not classical music, but very enjoyable.

 Old locks. I have been through them twice on the Nieuw Amsterdam,  which is Eurodam's sister ship and same size.

4 hours ago, AllTheSun said:

Does anyone know if they have a eucalyptus scent in the hydrotherapy pool or ceramic chair area in the thermal spa on Zuiderdam?
 

Looking at gifting my mom a thermal spa pass for a New England cruise but she has an allergy to eucalyptus (not super serious, just headache like so someone coming from the eucalyptus steam room isn’t going to set her off).

The spa uses Elemis products, which are high-end, and that is also what is used in the cabins for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash.  One of the ingredients of Elemis is eucalyptus. Therefore, that scent can be all over the ship.  If this is truly an allergy issue, you might want to mention this to her.  Google the Elemis company for information on their ingredients.