Lis2065

I have to say I missed the platters of fresh fruit at breakfast on my recent Noordam cruise as I used to have 3 or 4 slices of rock melon and watermelon topped off with 4 or 5 strawberries every morning. On this sailing there were little plates with a slice each of rock melon, honey dew melon and pineapple... I have an intolerance for pineapple and didn't want to risk ruining my holiday with a dose of hives so avoided those little plates...

The strawberries were good, as were the kiwifruit - and the pastries were just heavenly.

Unfortunately I thought the coffee was terrible but others seemed to enjoy it.

I had a fantastic cruise.

If I'd had the toilet issues the OP had I would have been very upset. I can't comment on the steward/waiter issue as I wasn't there but if someone or something makes you uncomfortable you need to speak up about it and hopefully it turns out to be a cultural misunderstanding that is easily fixed.

Congratulations - love that upsell fairy!

My handbag would make a good anchor - never a floatation device!

The iSites are good for picking up tours once you are in port. We also organised our own trip to the Weta Cave in Wellington - just take the number 3 bus to Mirimar - it takes about 30 minutes. Book your Weta tour online before you go.

In Akaroa we did a harbour cruise with Akaroa Dolphins - $75 booked online - it was sensational!

Have a wonderful cruise!

Hi - not sure what country you are living in, but if it is Australia just remember that some TAs will charge you to re-ticket if you want to take advantage of price drops after your initial booking.

We have been very fortunate with ours as she monitors the prices and lets us know but I have heard stories of some bigger agencies not returning calls and then charging an agency fee to cancel and rebook.

So I guess what I'm saying is talk to a TA and ask questions about their fees and charges.

We've been on the Oosterdam several times and enjoyed using the Explorations cafe near the Crows Nest.

We will be on the Noordam in a few weeks and it looks like the area is taken up by the Oakroom on her.

The screening room on the Oosterdam is where movies were shown when we were on board. It is quite a compact comfortable area.

I'm not able to make comparisons at this stage, but must say I did enjoy having Explorations near to the Crows Nest as it was lovely to have a coffee with a view!

With HAL or with the 'australian' lines?

With HAL - through my Aussie TA!

So Lisa, do you know if this nonrefundable deposit prevents the booked pax from getting a price drop applied if one occurs before final payment?

I've been successful in gaining price reductions prior to final payment on three separate occasions for bookings in Australia.

Deposits are non refundable in Australia....

Captain Bos allowed people on the bow in the islands last year on the Oosterdam so fingers crossed he'll do it on the Noordam for the Sounds!

Ah all great advice - I am also heading to NZ in January!

Enjoy your cruise and Neptune suite.

We were surprised by how much sparkling wine we were given last cruise when we were in a Neptune suite - just lovely. It seemed every time we turned around a bottle appeared in our suite!

Just returned from land tour of India and your observation is right on. Nonetheless, it is a fascinating country and well worth the bureaucratic nightmares.

Agree 100%

Yes a visa is necessary - make sure you leave yourself plenty of time to get it too. One of the most frustrating experiences I have ever had was organising travel, visas and accommodation for a group of colleagues traveling to India...

I believe the Brits invented bureaucracy, however its my experience that our friends in India have perfected it!

Ohhhhh it had better be on the Noordam in January or there will be tears!

Also, if Jim Beam isn't your favorite bourbon you can email guest services and arrange for other brands (if they have them on board) as we did with Makers Mark last year.

Sending best wishes from Australia for you Marnie.

Melissa

Hey Krazy Kruisers - did they say when the menu might change?

We're on the Noordam in January and my DH will jump for joy if they are bring back the lobster by then!

I have been fortunate with my TA in Australia requesting and gaining reductions for me when the prices have gone down. Only once did we decide not to take the reduced price as we would have lost the perks which were of value to us and balanced out to a very similar amount.

Interestingly, in Australia generally if you cancel a booking, no matter how far away from departure, you may very well forfeit your deposit.

Thanks for alerting us to this very useful information - I hope it will be available on my upcoming cruise on the Noordam.

And here it is - http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/holland-america-line-partners-with-lincoln-center-for-the-performing-arts-to-present-live-music-in-new-onboard-venue-lincoln-center-stage-300052568.html

Every time I suggest a different cruise line I get the silent treatment.... We've only done four cruises - all on HAL.

There are cruise lines sailing out of Aus who incorporate the hotel service charge in the up-front fare.

I choose to cruise with HAL out of Aus and factor in the hotel service charge when booking my cruise.

Yes the $Aus is dropping at the moment - perhaps you could pre-purchase enough on board credit prior to departure to cover the service charge? Or if your cruise is far enough out, perhaps you can transfer your booking to one of the lines who incorporate it in the overall fare?

Ships are docked or are using tenders . In either event most ports have sea breezes most of the time .Thus ,mosquitos can not fight sea breezes;) . For sure safer on the ship that in a mosit thicket where mosquitos multiply

 

Going on shore in those islands or ports where there is probability of mosquito bites using Deet spray or cream is highly recommended & can be applied over sun screen ;)

The DEET ingredient is the important one here. I have traveled throughout Asia, the South Pacific, the Indian sub-continent, and Australia (my home country) and have always used a pump spray DEET based mosquito repellant with success. Common sense is the key, and reapplication at regular intervals!

Go prepared and don't let mozzies wreck your holiday - enjoy!

We're in fhe same boat with the OBC for excursions for our January cruise to New Zealand. I have pre-booked one tour we particularly want to do and paid by credit card - knowing that a Princess Cruise will be in that port on the same day so not wanting to risk missing out on limited seats by waiting to book on board.

The good news is that others here on CC who have sailed already on this promotion have provided advice that the OBC may be used for other purchases once on board - including payment of gratuities. Apparently the OBC is not identified on your ship board account as being only for cruise tours. This may of course change, but I am hoping not as I honestly don't see us spending $800 on cruise tours.