How easy is boarding on HAL?

[bigwally]

I was just relating how easy it was to board Celebrity Century last year in Barcelona. We arrived at the ship at 12:30pm, were about the only people checking in, and were on the ship in under 10 minutes. We even got access to our stateroom (just an OV) right away, which was a bonus.

 

So how is check-in and boarding going to go around the same time of day in Rotterdam for HA Rotterdam?

[wwinfl91]

Be sure to do the online check-in and boarding should be as easy as it was on Celebrity. If you don't do the online check-in there will be a little longer wait but we haven't done a boarding without online check-in in many years on any cruise line.

 

Have a great next cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

In nearly every port -- all over the world -- unless something unusual has happened -- HAL begins their boarding arounf 11:30 AM.

As you enter the terminal building you will be given a number. Usually around 11:30 they begin to call the numbers to board the ship.

Make certain that you do your on-line immigration form and PRINT it out.

You will be directed to the Lido for lunch or the Neptune if you are in a PS or S Delux suite. Cabins will not be ready until around 1:30.

You can roam around the ship after you have lunch.

Many people also use this time to check their Pinnacle Reservations and another thing else they have prebooked.

[bigwally]

Do they have a designated (and safe) area for leaving your carry-on luggage, or do you have to drag it around the ship with you until your stateroom is ready?

[Krazy Kruizers]

There will be a designated are in the Lido -- just about where you get off the elevators -- that is set up with tables where you can check in your carry-ons. It isn't a "lock up" area. Just part of the Lido pool area set aside to hold passengers carry-ons. If you leave anything there -- I would make certain that it has a lock on it.

Personally I would rather lug things around myself.

We are forunate that we can leave items in the Neptune Lounge -- but even there we mack certain that everything is locked.

[Copper10-8]

Just a heads up; you don't always get a boarding number with HAL. It totally (totally, dude!) depends on the time you board and, most of all, on the number of people ahead of you at that time.

[RuthC]

Do they have a designated (and safe) area for leaving your carry-on luggage, or do you have to drag it around the ship with you until your stateroom is ready?

Usually there's a safe area in which you can leave your carry-on's. I've boarded a couple of times when there was no place available, though. Usually it's at the Lido, but it was in the Piano Bar the first time I boarded the Noordam, and once it was in the Hudson Room on the Rotterdam.

Ask where it is when you board.

It is safe, though. There are stewards there at all times.

[fateknows]

I was just relating how easy it was to board Celebrity Century last year in Barcelona. We arrived at the ship at 12:30pm, were about the only people checking in, and were on the ship in under 10 minutes. We even got access to our stateroom (just an OV) right away, which was a bonus.

 

So how is check-in and boarding going to go around the same time of day in Rotterdam for HA Rotterdam?

 

We took a late hotel check-out at 1:00 and after which we headed to the hotel lobby to catch a cab to Port Everglades. The hotel attendant was busy trying to get people on their way. It was checkout time and a very busy time for her. I asked for a cab, when along came a driver who pushed my luggage into a van. At this point I realized that I was in a ride share van. Ugh. We we were crammed into this van with 10 other passengers and their luggage.

Our fellow ride-shares were boarding the Princess cruise. (Nice people. I have no complaints about the company.) They were dropped off first. The line to get into the Princess cruise was huge. The traffic was poorly organized. I prayed that the driver wouldn’t mix up our luggage and send it off on the Princess cruise.

Finally we arrived at the organized and clean Holland America entrance.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/RickKnows/cruise%202008%20II/cruise191.jpg

In a nutshell, the ride-share trip from the hotel to the port was half the distance of our cab ride from the airport to the hotel. The cost of the ride-share was $20.00 including tip. It was the exact same cost of the cab.

 

Our ride share van dropped off us off at the curb. There were what seemed like thousands of other suitcases. Someone with a badge came up and checked our bags and said that he would make sure that the baggage was delivered to our room. Then he held out a soiled brown bag for a tip. We tipped him $8.00 and left with doubts that we would see our luggage again. (I wasn't even sure he was with the cruise line. Does anyone know what an official badge looks like?)

We waited in a short line to get off land. People were moving as they are anxious to get on board. There was a wait to have our picture taken by the photographer so we could purchase the picture later. This photo ‘opt’ didn’t appear optional.

Then, we were handed a questionnaire asking about our health. At this point everyone waited in line for a pen and a table to fill out the form. Then a nice Holland America rep pointed out that there were lots of pens and lots of tables available. Note to self, look to see if you are in line for a reason. We walked up to table and filled out the form. It is nice to be a trend setter. At this point everyone else realized they were waiting in line when they didn't need to be waiting in line and all headed off to the tables.

After our health questionnaire was filled out we waited in a line with our boarding passes and passports in hand. (Another Holland America rep was there to make sure that we were had our documents before we waited in line.) It was less than a minute before we were talking to another rep who was signing us in. She took a picture for the records and handed us a brochure with a folded, wallet sized map of the ship and our ship cards. She told us that our room was ready! We weren't even a suite express category.

From hotel to room, it was 45 minutes total. The only hang-up was the silly ride-share. From the curb to the ship it was about 10 minutes.

[Ine]

I was just relating how easy it was to board Celebrity Century last year in Barcelona. We arrived at the ship at 12:30pm, were about the only people checking in, and were on the ship in under 10 minutes. We even got access to our stateroom (just an OV) right away, which was a bonus.

 

So how is check-in and boarding going to go around the same time of day in Rotterdam for HA Rotterdam?

 

Apart from what other postings have stated, Rotterdam's cruise terminal is just a few years old. Very nice situated close to city-center and has all facilities.

Next to the terminal you will see Hotel New York, which was once HAL's head-office. The name is still on the building.

Enjoy your cruise

[English_in_Spain]

We have not cruised with HAL for a few years (last time was 2004 on Rotterdam).

 

At that time, when you boarded the ship (usually around 1-2pm) you were welcomed aboard and there was a line of uniformed staff waiting to escort you to your cabin.

 

They took your hand luggage if you wanted them to and took you to your cabin, opened the door for you and showed you where everything was.

 

From what I have read here this does not appear to be what happens now if you arrive early.

 

If you arrive at 1-2pm when cabins are ready are you still taken to your cabin or have they stopped doing that?

[Djptcp]

We've never received a number when boarding, so can't comment on that. DH and I usually arrive between 11:30am-noon and are on board eating lunch by 12:30. However, our recent Noordam embarkation was a nightmare because their computer system was down. We arrived at noon and the line was incredible and not moving. It finally started to move and it went fairly quickly and we were eating lunch in the Lido about 1pm. Worse embarkation we've ever experienced and I felt sorry for all the elderly and handicapped although mobile passengers who had to stand in line for so very long. Previous HAL embarkations were the opposite and very smooth. As previously mentioned, you must have all your paperwork taken care of before. Disembarkation from the Noordam was a dream.

[Taxguy77]

Do they have a designated (and safe) area for leaving your carry-on luggage, or do you have to drag it around the ship with you until your stateroom is ready?

 

Yes!:)HAL is the 1st line we have used that has this feature and it's great!:D

[mariner]

Once the wheelchairs, walkers and scooters go abaord, pretty painless.

[auntdana]

can i take my carry on luggage to my stateroom as soon as i board?

 

it is hard to eat and carry around your luggage

 

thanks

 

dana

[Copper10-8]

can i take my carry on luggage to my stateroom as soon as i board?

 

it is hard to eat and carry around your luggage

 

thanks

 

dana

 

After 1:30 pm, yes. Before that time, usually not, because the stewards are still cleaning the rooms and, for that reason, the fire doors will be closed, shutting off access to the corridors/cabins from the elevators/stairwells

[rjm1cc]

Maybe.

It depends on when your cabin gets cleaned vs when you get on.

If you are in a suite it might be ready.

Assume your room will not be ready until after 1:00pm.

[honey-bunny]

We took a late hotel check-out at 1:00 and after which we headed to the hotel lobby to catch a cab to Port Everglades. The hotel attendant was busy trying to get people on their way. It was checkout time and a very busy time for her. I asked for a cab, when along came a driver who pushed my luggage into a van. At this point I realized that I was in a ride share van. Ugh. We we were crammed into this van with 10 other passengers and their luggage.

Our fellow ride-shares were boarding the Princess cruise. (Nice people. I have no complaints about the company.) They were dropped off first. The line to get into the Princess cruise was huge. The traffic was poorly organized. I prayed that the driver wouldn’t mix up our luggage and send it off on the Princess cruise.

Finally we arrived at the organized and clean Holland America entrance.

http://i239.photobucket.com/albums/ff286/RickKnows/cruise%202008%20II/cruise191.jpg

In a nutshell, the ride-share trip from the hotel to the port was half the distance of our cab ride from the airport to the hotel. The cost of the ride-share was $20.00 including tip. It was the exact same cost of the cab.

 

Our ride share van dropped off us off at the curb. There were what seemed like thousands of other suitcases. Someone with a badge came up and checked our bags and said that he would make sure that the baggage was delivered to our room. Then he held out a soiled brown bag for a tip. We tipped him $8.00 and left with doubts that we would see our luggage again. (I wasn't even sure he was with the cruise line. Does anyone know what an official badge looks like?)

We waited in a short line to get off land. People were moving as they are anxious to get on board. There was a wait to have our picture taken by the photographer so we could purchase the picture later. This photo ‘opt’ didn’t appear optional.

Then, we were handed a questionnaire asking about our health. At this point everyone waited in line for a pen and a table to fill out the form. Then a nice Holland America rep pointed out that there were lots of pens and lots of tables available. Note to self, look to see if you are in line for a reason. We walked up to table and filled out the form. It is nice to be a trend setter. At this point everyone else realized they were waiting in line when they didn't need to be waiting in line and all headed off to the tables.

After our health questionnaire was filled out we waited in a line with our boarding passes and passports in hand. (Another Holland America rep was there to make sure that we were had our documents before we waited in line.) It was less than a minute before we were talking to another rep who was signing us in. She took a picture for the records and handed us a brochure with a folded, wallet sized map of the ship and our ship cards. She told us that our room was ready! We weren't even a suite express category.

From hotel to room, it was 45 minutes total. The only hang-up was the silly ride-share. From the curb to the ship it was about 10 minutes.

we will be on noordam on jan 3 2009 can you please let me know what is the health questioner is it regarding vaccinations?

ps my father has parkinson i advise hal they said that somebody will assit him with the wheelchair , who do i ask about that and where is the line for the people with wheelchairs