HELENPSL

@kazu…you’ve done a fabulous job on this thread.  You made me laugh and you made me hungry!  Now rest up so you can do another one in October on the Oosterdam!

❤️😍

4 hours ago, kazu said:

Just because I know how very important it is to some - I managed to score a pic of the bread puddings before they were dipped into.

 

 

 

Thank you.  My favorite!

Helen 😍

@kazu…all of your posts have made my heart happy.  I’m so glad that you’re having a great time.  BUT…I haven’t heard you mention the casino.  Maybe I shouldn’t ask!

Love ya,

Helen 😍

I’ll be watching you to make sure you behave! (HA-HA).  Have a fabulous time and win a lot in the casino.  I’m proud of you my friend for going forward and doing what you love.  I know it’s been hard but it’s always about one step at a time.  Wishing you a glorious cruise!

Helen ❤️

Me too!  I’m running away on the Nieuw Amsterdam on March 16 for a 7 day Eastern Caribbean.  Bon Voyage everyone! 😍

Helen

On 3/2/2024 at 8:09 PM, DesireeC03 said:

slots or cards?

Both and that’s the problem! 😢

8 minutes ago, DesireeC03 said:

was there a special location on the ship that you enjoyed spending the most time? Or any pointers?

I am absolutely the wrong person to ask since we spend most of our time in the casino.  DO NOT DO THAT! 😁

Helen

Just now, DesireeC03 said:

is there a certain must do or see that you would recommend to a 1st timer?

Which ports?  If you’ve never been there before I would suggest a tour around the island or a hop on/hop off bus.

7 minutes ago, kazu said:

I rarely disagree with @HELENPSL but if you are going at spring break, there is a good chance there could be a ton of kids (for HAL) on the cruise.

 

I did a B2B2B on Koningsdam at Christmas & New Years.  We had 500 - 600 children on each segment.

 

I haven’t been on a spring break cruise so can only say what I saw at the holiday season.

 

I completely agree with Helen on the remainder 0 a much smaller ship - not the bells and whistles of RCCL but it suits me just fine 👍 

Most spring breakers here in Florida gravitate to Carnival…more party and a lot less money.  We are leaving March 16 on the Nieuw Amsterdam.  I purposely picked that date since that’s when spring break ends for most colleges.  I’m keeping my fingers crossed! 😍

5 minutes ago, DesireeC03 said:

Hi Everyone. First time posting on HAL's forum as I have only ever cruised RCCL. Perused this board over the last couple of days and learned about the Standby program. I am on a low budget and have a guaranteed Spring Break as I am a teacher and went ahead and got on the list. Can anyone compare the Amsterdam to a Royal Ship please. Also, we are used to the entertainment incidentals such as karaoke, trivia, bingo..., will we find this on HAL? Queer scene on the ship? General vibe?

thanks for your time

The Nieuw Amsterdam is one of HAL’s mid size ships and holds about 2100 people.  You won’t find rock climbing walls or go carts like on some RCCL ships.  You also won’t find a million kids.  What you will find is some of the best service on any ship.  There are multiple music venues, bingo, trivia and various games.  I believe there is an LGBQT meeting every day.  The ships are much smaller than most RCCL ships and easy to navigate.  It’s a much more laid back experience.

Helen

Thanks everyone.  We are ready to go! 😍

Helen

56 minutes ago, Smmessineo said:

I asked a question here some time ago and got helpful answers. Now I'm ready to book and would like some more info. Pictures of the Sea View bar on Rotterdam and Nieuw Statendam show some nice cushioned seating . Do both these ships have the same amount of this good seating? Is smoking allowed  only near the bar or down the length of the pool all the way aft? 

Thanks for any help !

Actually you can’t smoke right in front of the bar.  If I remember correctly they put in some fake shrubs to show where the smoking area starts (at the end of the bar) and the smoking area is almost entirely covered.  Fair warning…it does get crowded up there but we are the friendliest people on the ship since everyone else hates us! 😁

Helen

1 minute ago, liamur14 said:

Interested in your experiences doing TransAtlantic on Nieuw Statendam or on the Rotterdam.  14 - 17 days.Europe to Ft Lauderdale.😎

We did the TA last October from Barcelona to Fort Lauderdale on the Oosterdam and it was fabulous.  Now booked this October on the Rotterdam from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale.  Been on the Rotterdam before and it’s a beautiful ship.

Helen

If there’s a Tamarind on the ship we always book for our first nite.  Gives the dining room a chance to settle down for those boarding for the first time.  After that we try to do specialty restaurants on sea days except gala nights.  We know 1st gala nite is usually the first sea day.  After that it’s a roll of the dice.

Helen

Hi Jacqui,

Can you add the following:

HELENPSL - 24-01-2024 - Eurodam -10 Day Southern Caribbean Wayfarer

Thanks my friend!

Helen

Call guest services and tell them you need a long, orange extension cord to go across the cabin.  It should be waiting for you in your cabin when you board.  Your cabin steward will hook it up for you and tape it to the floor so you don’t trip.  We do it all the time.

Helen

1 hour ago, Tampa Girl said:

 

Who is the insurance carrier, pls?

The coverage for just the medical and evacuation is thru Seven Corners. When I was filling out the form for the quote it did not ask for the cost of the trip.  Since I was sure I filled it out wrong I called the rep at squaremouth.  He said they don’t need that info since it was only medical and evacuation.  Hope this works for you.

Helen

I do the insurance a little differently.  First, I take the platinum insurance thru the ship.  It includes cancel for any reason amongst other things.  Age does not factor into the price.  But the ship insurance is minimal for medical and evacuation coverage.  I searched on squaremouth (search engine) and found several policies available.  Our trip is 20 days.  We are 75 & 84.  I took the policy for $500K medical and $1M evacuation.  It cost $268 for both of us.  It is also primary insurance and not secondary.  If you price it out make sure you’re not including cancel for any reason.

Helen

34 minutes ago, rodndonna said:

When you have the "free drinks" in the Casino (when playing) offer, how do you tip for those drinks?

 

Do you get a slip for $0 that you add a tip to, or is it normally done with cash bills?

 

If I’m playing at the tables I usually give a $1 chip.  I also carry $1’s with me for when I’m playing the slots.

Helen

13 minutes ago, dawnvip said:

I can't seem to find any information or photos of the SV balcony rooms with no bathtub (shower only). They are demarked with an asterix on the HAL deck plans but I would really appreciate any info or first hand experience with this lay out. Is it a larger shower stall with door?

 

TIA,

Dawn

Are you sure it’s an SV cabin?  When I look at the deck plan I don’t see anything that starts with an SV.

Helen

3 minutes ago, mightycruisequeen said:

Smokers are not limited to that one area; they have free run of the whole ship, just like non-smokers.   Smoking is limited to that one area.

(If only the smoke would stay right in that area.💩)

I’m sure you understood exactly what I was saying.  Next time I’ll use shorter words so it’s clearer.

18 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

I spent considerable time this past winter and secondhand smoke was noticeable most of the time.  From my perspective, the Sea View pool area wasn't useable.

 

I'm glad it worked for you as a non-smoker.

I am a smoker and we are limited to that one area. 
Helen

8 hours ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

 

Does the breeze blow the second-hand smoke over to the port side?

I honestly have never noticed.

Helen

Hi Ms. Jacqui…can you please add us to:

HELENPSL.    25 day Mediterranean Romance and Spanish Farewell 

Oct. 20-November 14, 2024.

Thanks,

Helen

15 minutes ago, bvocruise said:

We are going on the Niew Amsterdam in Alaska next year. We are not smokers but think we can get by with only one smoking area on the ship. We might have to avoid the Sea View area but can live with that.

The Seaview bar area (starboard side) is all smoking.  The port side is all non-smoking.  Lots of room.

Helen