HELENPSL

21 minutes ago, OVgirl said:

We are also onboard this weekend.  Will definitely look around and try to get some pictures of the small insides.

I'm specifically looking at the larger inside cabins.  I think these would be the "I" cabins.  We've done everything from NS to OV but we thought we try an inside and see if I can live with no sunlight.  Thanks for whatever you can find out.

Helen

Thinking of trying an inside cabin for a 1 week cruise.  I keep reading mixed information regarding a love seat in these cabins.  Does anyone know for sure if any of the inside cabins have a love seat?  Thanks so much.

Helen

And I would be happy to be on any one of these beautiful DAM ships!!

Helen

We started cruising with HAL because of their longer itineraries.  This is something we try to do once a year.  We just came off of a 1 week Caribbean cruise on Princess in a balcony cabin.   We live an hour from the port and the deal was too good to turn down.  But there were little things that I noticed that I believe puts HAL a notch above.  As someone else mentioned, HAL has the towels in the public bathrooms as opposed to paper towels on Princess.  Is it the end of the world?  Of course not!  But it is a nice touch.  We found the cabin bathroom to be much smaller than on HAL.  One thing that did annoy me - HAL gives you fluffy bath sheets which real sized people can actually use when they get out of the shower.  The towels on Princess were much smaller and thinner. So I thought...ok...I'll use one the robes to dry off.  Princess robes are cotton and not the thick terry cloth robes that you find on HAL.  And while the food on Princess was good it cannot compare to the food on HAL.  Believe it or not, we will sail Princess again since the timing of certain cruises work better for us.  Thankfully, our next cruise is in April on the Prinsendam.  As soon as I board a HAL ship I feel like I'm coming home.

We did the Thanksgiving cruise on the K'dam on Nov. 21.  We never received anything about boarding times.  There was no line waiting to get into the building at 11:30AM.  There was a line inside to check in but since we are luckily 4 star we pretty much walked right through and were on the ship within 20 minutes.  I wonder if they're doing this just on the Caribbean cruises.

Helen

3 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

Hi All,

 

First time to Russia. I'm on the April cruise to Baltics with 2D in St Petersburg.

 

Do I need a visa for the two days? Alternately, I could stay on board and not need a visa. Just looks very annoying to get a visa in Ottawa.

 

??

 

Thanks,

 

Jim

 

 

I would also suggest that you don't go floating around Russia on your own.  I was looking at a street sign while there and realized that I couldn't read their alphabet and would have no way of explaining to anyone where I was if I got lost.  We used a private tour company and it was very easy.  Actually, we booked 5 tours with them throughout our Baltics cruise.  As previously stated, we went into Russia under their visa and all was well.  Don't know if I can mention the name of the company but I'm sure you'll see it prominently referenced on the ports board.

Helen

Have a fabulous cruise!

Helen

Thanks Jacqui and every one else for the warm Bon Voyage. Since I just got an “upsell” offer I’m assuming there’s still room on the ship.  Just a quick phone call and I’m sure it can be yours “ if the price is right.”

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

Helen

Safe travels and have a fabulous time!

The only thing sad about watching is that I'm not on the ship!

Helen

11 hours ago, kazu said:

 

It is the basic fare (refundable) without any of the bells and whistles.  So, for example, right now, the refundable fare without Explore4

When you look for a cruise on the website do you see pricing called "advantage fare?"  Right now I only see Explore 4 or restricted fare.

Helen

28 minutes ago, Chuck said:

Hello to ALL;  Has anyone out there ever actually filed a claim on Holland America's Platnum Insurance Program???   And if so how was your "experience" with the company and the results???   We have booked a Canadian Cruise in SEPT. of 2019 and would love to hear from any Insurance Experts out there that can tell us just how good this policy really is.  I have learned over the decades ( Iam age 68, wife 67) that its the "FINE PRINT" that sometimes bites you on the ______  not the big bold print.  THANK YOU.   Chuck.........

The platinum insurance has limited coverage for medical and evacuation.  I believe it's $10,000 med. and $50,000 evacuation.  Having said that I'm assuming that many of the ports on this trip are in the United States where your medicare coverage would apply.  If something should happen in Canada I would think that the $50K evacuation would be enough to get you home.  We usually use the ships insurance if going to the Caribbean since we only have to get back to Florida.  On our cruises to places that are far (think Asia) we take out an additional policy that specifically covers medical and evacuation at much higher amounts.  Check out an annual policy which primarily covers those two items.  It's really not too expensive and will provide you with a lot more coverage.

Helen

We are using flight ease in April. Two different airlines. We have not paid the fare yet. One airline allowed me to choose the seats now. The other airline said I could do it once we paid. Each airline has its own rules.

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We have just cancelled another cruise, as have many others , due to the main port overnight stay being drastically reduced by 9 daylight hours, and consequently have lost our deposit.

We saw a good looking deal on Holland America Koningsdam and have luckily been able to book a balcony cabin 6171. Our TA says this is on a bend in the ship, so I am asking any HA seasoned passengers if they know whether this will have any disadvantages for us. Obviously, this cabin may not have been our first choice, but at this stage we're just grateful to be sailing on a lovely ship (judging by comments read). Any other advice for HA newbies please. We know Princess, P&O, Celebrity and NCL, but not this company.:cool:

Personally I think it's a great location. You are near the elevators (which are not noisy) with cabins above and below. It's a beautiful ship. Have a wonderful time!

Helen

Which HAL ships have the Crown Grill? When was CG introduced to the fleet? Can you share a copy of the CG menu? And how does the CG compare with the Pinnacle Grill?

Crown Grill is on Princess. I'm sure she meant the Pinnacle Grill.

Helen

DaveOKC is correct. If you’re at the machine there’s no charge...only if you’re actually at the table.

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Do you use cash in the machines in the casino?

 

 

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The casino has various ways in regard to money. First, you can put cash in the slot machines at any time. When you're ready to leave that machine you just hit the "cash out" button and whatever is left will be credited to your "bank" on your card. When you go to the next machine you take the money from the "bank" on your card. Option two is to charge the money to your cabin. When you input your card it will give you the choice to be able to charge the money to your cabin. The only time you need to be careful is if you're at the tables. If you tell the dealer to advance money against your cabin then they will charge a 3% fee. BUT - if you have, for example, $300 in your bank on your card you can ask them to give you $100 against that bank money. If you do it that way then there's no charge.

Hope this helped and that I didn't confuse you even more.

Helen

When coming on board, we feel as if we are coming home--familiar, comfortable, taken care of, great staff providing care of everything from cabins and public spaces to wonderful meals in several different venues and knowing that we will see fascinating places that many other lines don't offer. It's a great way to start off a vacation!

I was just getting ready to post when I saw your post and it made me laugh. You took the words right out of my mouth...coming home!! I have tried to explain that feeling to other people and they often look at me like I'm nuts (OK - maybe a little). We have also sailed on Princess, RCI and Carnival. We do our long cruises based on itinerary and our shorter cruises based on the convenience of leaving out of Fort Lauderdale which is a 1 hour drive. But there's something about that first step onto a HAL ship that lets me know "I'm home."

Click on https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showpost.php?p=54698579&postcount=402 for information on viewing my video of Bordeaux. Pictures were taken on our recent cruise on the 28-day cruise on the HAL Prinsendam from Amsterdam to Athens. Bordeaux has more building on the UNESCO World Heritage List than any other city in France.

 

Ron

Just wanted to take a minute to thank you for this fabulous video. We will be on the Prinsendam and in Bordeaux in May 2019. We are not drinkers so we didn't want to do a wine tour. After watching your video I was elated to see the beautiful architecture and history of the city. My day is now planned. Again, thanks so much for taking the time to share.

Helen

I can answer a couple of questions.

1. The casino is now totally non-smoking

2. We always do anytime dining. We get there between 6 -6:30PM and rarely have to wait since we are always willing to sit with other people. The only request that I make is that we sit at an oval or round table for 6 or 8 people. It is very difficult to have a conversation when you're sitting at one of the long tables.

3. I would also suggest a tour in Costa Rica. We did a ship's tour to a plantation about 2 hours away. It was very interesting and beautiful scenery. Of course, we were 45 minutes late coming back but I didn't worry since it was a ship's tour. That is my usual criteria - if it's a city tour that's close to the port I'll do private excursions but if where we want to go is a considerable distance then I stick with the ship's tour. It just makes me feel more comfortable.

You will love this trip. We've done it twice and the Zuiderdam is my favorite ship.

Helen

I know that there are lots of you who use a C-Pap. I have used one for about 4 years and have traveled quite a bit with it.

Something I have been wondering about: Does anyone have any experience with, or advice regarding being away on vacation and having your C-Pap run into problems?

I wonder what we would do if it broke down in Europe or on our transatlantic cruise??

Sorry to be the bearer of bad news but it happened to me. We were doing a 24 day cruise of the Baltics. Day 2 of the cruise my C-Pap died. There was nothing I could do to fix it. Even the Dr. onboard came to see if there was anything he could figure out...nothing!! They did have a couple of C-Pap machines onboard for you to rent. We were so early in the cruise that they wanted $450 for the rental. The only reason I was pissed off is that I had their insurance and they said I would have to pay it and then work it out with the insurance company. I called the insurance company and nobody could give me a straight answer if they would cover it. I admit...I was stupid and told them to stick it. If I had to do it again I would have just paid the money and fought with them later. But to get back to your original question - they did have machines onboard. You might want to call guest services and they may be able to check with the ship.

Helen

Hi Jacqui,

Can you add the following to the rollcall:

HELENPSL - April 12, 2019 ...first time on Prinsendam

Thanks so much.

Helen

I was a bit concerned about the K'dam but we cruised on her for the first time last Christmas. Is it different than the other HAL ships - absolutely yes! But we learned to accept the difference in decor and ended up loving the ship so much that we booked it again for 11 days at Thanksgiving. The food and service were great but that is something I've come to expect from a HAL cruise. The theater -in-the-round style was wonderful and there were very few poles that would block the view. There were many more music venues than on the other ships. And, of course, the casino was also larger.

The Zuiderdam is still my favorite but the K'dam is a close second.

Helen

I have another Q, or 2, regarding the staterooms on the leading edge of Koningsdam. We booked one of those Oceanview cabins at extreme front on the Sun Deck (D1102)--talked to one of their reservation staff while we were on the road, so didn't realize until later that this room is underneath the Observation Deck, below Crows' Nest. To the best of my photo and and ship's deck plan interpretation, this room is situated under the swivel chairs and loungers in the Crow's Nest.

I know that there are some nights when there are late-night types of activities, including DJs, and so on. My question concerns NOISE LEVELS. Have you had one of these cabins, or talked with someone who has? I'm retired military, so I'm capable of sleeping in places and situations where more sensitive folk would throw up their hands and run for a sleeping pill to accompany their ear plugs and white noise machines. I have been retired for a while now and no longer have all the abilities I've had at other times in my life.

But--particularly if you have first-hand experience with these rooms, I'd love to know what your experience was.

I know you're asking specifically about that location but I wanted to give you another option if that doesn't work out. We booked our first OV on the K'dam last year (we usually do a balcony). We were midship on deck 1, category C cabin. We were a bit unsure about the OV and the location but we figured we'll give it a try. We loved it!! We were shocked by how bright the room was and how large. I could stand by the window and the ocean was right there. We were underneath the shops which are on deck 2. It was very quiet. We are booked again for Thanksgiving in the same location. Hope this info helps...just in case!

Helen

Looking at doing a food tour in St. Maarten in November. The tour is supposed to go to 2 restaurants on the Dutch side and 2 on the French side. From what I've heard the French side is not really up and running yet. Does anyone have information regarding the status of restaurants on the French side?

Thanks for your help.

Helen