Bostonjetset

I’m thinking it’s something with that ship haha. Our MDR service on K’dam last August was pretty poor as well. Certainly below average and not up to usual HAL standards. They were clearly understaffed. Even my last cruise on Carnival Pride had better service in the dining room. I was shocked. I actually really loved other aspects of the K’dam. It was just the MDR service that left something to be desired.

You can never really go wrong with anything in Japan. I’ve only travelled there on a land trip, not a cruise, but I would pick the longer itinerary. You are flying all the way so I’d make the most of it. The cabin is less important IMO and after all it’s still a suite either way. We honeymooned in Japan and we included a stop in Otaru. It’s such a lovely place as is all of Hokkaido. The Princess cruise skips that part of Japan entirely so that alone would make me pick HAL. I was there in October as well and it’s similar to New England in the autumn. Can easily be between 50s to low 70s. Hokkaido averages on the cooler end of that and Tokyo area on the warmer end.

Thanks for the clarification.

I know it’s a range but I thought the high end of the range was almost always for handicapped cabins and most of the regular ones were at the lower number. We have a guarantee F and I’m not picky but found it curious that the smallest OV would be smaller than the smallest Inside regardless of what the upper limits are. I’ll be fine with whatever we get but again I found it strange.

But the HAL site says 140 for OV. So confusing.

I’ll be on the Volendam in June and can’t wait. I love the smaller ships. My first HAL ship was the Veendam and that size is great. However, looking at the deck plans it says the ocean view staterooms have a smaller square footage than the interior ones! Is that correct? Can anyone confirm that? I found it strange. We had an inside on Veendam and thought it was a great size but have an OV on Volendam and expected it to be at least the same if not bigger.

Sorry to hear of your fall. That puts a damper on things but thankfully Keukenhof is a go. We went last year and it was a highlight of Amsterdam. Enjoy and hope you get better soon.

I think they do depending on the itinerary and availability perhaps. Last year on the Rotterdam in Scotland we had a guy who played Rum Tum Tugger in Cats (West End) among other roles. He did a variety show one night (in between the three nights of Step One) and he was great. Though he didn’t sing anything from Cats which was a disappointment, he had a wonderful voice.

I don’t want to make assumptions but this post is a bit suspect. That exact same thing (word for word other than name of cruise line) was posted to the Princess page and the Carnival page.

Aww I actually like the Step One Dance Co. It’s just that it gets boring seeing the same show every sailing across different ships in different areas of the globe. I saw one of their sets thrice…once on Rotterdam in the Caribbean in 2022, once on Rotterdam in Scotland in 2023, and again on Koningsdam in Alaska later in 2023. I enjoyed it but would like some variety. I’m happy they are bringing some variety back. Though who knows what we will get on Volendam this June as they aren’t listed for the new stage shows yet.

Historically cats had a place on ships. And I would much prefer to see them on ships today than dogs; they are far cleaner, much quieter, and will keep the rats out of the food hold lol.

The current Queen Mary 2 still allows both pet dogs and pet cats onboard for transatlantic crossings but they have a designated kennel area and cannot roam the ship freely.

Maybe we’re cat people? In all seriousness though, I don’t think it’s anti-dog sentiment as much as it’s anti-rule-breaker sentiment. Most of us have no issue with legitimate service dogs. Beyond being allowed under the law, they are legitimately helping someone in need. It’s the people who bring their pet dogs onboard under false pretenses when the rest of us aren’t allowed to do that. It’s not that same as retail stores that allow pets as they would also allow me to bring my cat in if I wanted to but HAL would not because he’s clearly not a service cat (as he can’t be according to the ADA laws). Not saying I would, but I’d be allowed to bring him to a place like Home Depot just like the women with the stroller dog.

Great now I need that book! I got the 175 year Cunard book on the QM2 several years back so this will be a nice companion to that one. And the lion is adorable. I don’t need it but he’s very cute!!

Thanks for the reply and the info! Thanks! I think I may just book it. It’s pretty inexpensive so not much to lose. I too wish it was at night but alas there isn’t much we can do about that bit haha.