regnig

For those who don't want to run or walk the 5km that is not a requirement. Just go to the desk, make your donation and if you want, collect your t-shirt. I have several of them and the quality is great.

bobpell the problem you encountered with the "400 kids" was due to the Holiday Week and the shorter length cruise. This is not typical on HAL for 10-11 day cruises even over a holiday. I would not have been a happy camper either had I been on that cruise. Amazing how so many "orphans" there are in this world. 😬 The parents are the real problem!!! I did see deck staff ask children on the same ship last spring see to it that kids were removed from the hot tubs. Mind you we were not at full capacity but even chair hogs, except bordering the pool, were not a problem.

Thanks to both of you for your response!

Can someone tell me what color the outside of the stateroom doors are on the Rotterdam? Deck 7 if that makes a difference. TIA

From what the OP has explained this appears to be her Mom situation. I was advised years ago to use my birth surname on all legal or semi-legal documents. It has taken the place of my "middle name". Over the course of my many many years (and marriages) I have never encountered a problem.

We have booked onboard with an FCC several times and have never been rushed or treated with anything other than respect by the FCC.

This threat begs me to ask a question. I need 2 more sea days to become a 4*. I am currently booked on two cruises, B2B, but with 2 booking numbers for a total of 21 days. After day 2 of the first cruise it sounds as if I am entitled to my 4* benefits and a new card showing that I am a 4* Mariner. Have I gathered correctly from the previous posts or is this only something they do for passengers on the Grand Cruise? If yes, then I will wait to send out my 1st bag of laundry (traveling clothes) until then. TIA

The service is $25 but you will still have to pay whatever baggage fee the airline would have charged you were you to check them in at the airport yourself.

I am also doing a 21 day cruise on the Rotterdam in March. My booking was made as an 10 day cruise and an 11 day cruise, basically a B2B. Yes, I have 2 booking numbers. One of the people traveling with me has hers booked as a collector cruise, 21 days with only one booking number. So are our protocols currently different? I recognize everything evolving Covid is subject to change at any time but I'm curious as to what others think. TIA

I do believe that is "Sir Howard". He ended up on the Statendam after having the misfortune to being on the Crystal Ship that dumped it's passengers rather than paying it's fuel bill. He helped keep me entertained when my traveling friend ended up in Covid Prison for 5 days. We also got to experience being deposited, including being taken to the wrong hotel, in FLL for 2 days while HAL had the Azipod repaired. Howard was generous with his time and I now know far more about world geography than I did before that adventure.

Bill & Mary Ann the next time you see Howard would you please tell him Barbara, Nieuw Statendam this spring, sends her best to him. I've enjoyed relating stories of getting goodies to our friends locked up in "Covid Prison". Thank you both for always allowing those of us land locked to travel along with you. Barb

In addition, when booking on board you also get a reduced deposit usually $100 per person.

Does anyone know for sure about the doors on the Rotterdam... are they magnetic or not?

45 minutes is the minimum required layover time at MIA. Are you changing airlines? If not you will probably be okay provided there is no delay on your originating flight.

The connecting doors should not present a problem. We have had many a stateroom with them and found them to be as sound proof as the walls. Those SZ staterooms are under the very end of the Lido Market where there are tables. Unless you plan on sleeping until 9a/10a in the morning you should have little to no noise from above.

Ruth that is a very valid point. I have a suggestion for you, although you are smart enough to have perhaps figured it out yourself, ... take an empty container with you and fill it up from the wall dispenser allowing you to use it anywhere in the stateroom.

Hair dryers are allowed. I have taken my own hair dryer in my carry-on suite case every time I cruise with no problem. Although my hair is short it is very thick and I like neither hotel nor ship dryers.

WELCOME TO HAL! Feel free to keep asking question.

No, sorry I can't help with that.

I've used luggage direct from the ship to my final airport several times and it is wonderful. The airlines provide your boarding pass(s) and luggage tags. Bags get placed outside your stateroom and you don't have to deal with them until you pick them up at your arrival airport. There is a charge for the service but it is well worth it. I believe it is $25 but by the time you eliminate a tip for the terminal porter, the driver to the airport, and the baggage handler at the airport it almost pays for itself. Prior to this spring I've always arranged for the service in advance but for some reason this year I had to wait until I was onboard to secure the service with HAL provided paperwork.

When bunkering at a port the aft pool does not close - they simply do not permit smoking in the smoking area.

Yes.

Just put your laundry in the bag, fill out the contents form and mark Unlimited Laundry, remove your copy and leave the bag and form on the bed for your cabin steward. Although I don't think it is really necessary I always write - Pre-Paid on the form with my 1st bag. After that I just mark N/A in the charge column.

Love mine, have several with plastic holders, and always have it with me onboard the ship. Even the stateroom door card readers work with the card still in the holder. I do though take it off after leaving the ship at a port.

The ship must get down to a zero count so no, you cannot just linger as long as you want. You may though stay until the last group is called.