dakrewser

No problem at all carrying your drinks into dinner. Or asking your steward (not the wine steward, he only handles full bottles) for a glass (or a coktail for that matter).

I knew what I said would get under someone's skin. Our auto dealership was an ADP flagship store. They brought in their latest and greatest software packages for us to use and help them de-bug. Too many times I saw change for change sake, hence my "IT justifying their existence" remark. There were multiple occasions when I had to have them "dumb" things down as they had added unnecessary bells and whistles making things too cumbersome for our employees to use. I was trained as an engineer, and though never a programmer, I can put together a mean flow chart. Leaner is meaner once in a while.

It was as though you read my mind on your MS developers in Seattle remark.

And, as someone else pointed out, IT doesn't design these things - they're presented with a spec and have to produce it, whether or not they think it's a good idea.

I did book last night. Yippee!

 

But the drinks package for 11 nights is still more than I want to pay.

 

I typically purchase a wine package on Carnival.

 

I can order any bottle in the package at my table and they keep the open bottle for the next night. But I can also get a bottle at any bar or in the dining room to take back to my cabin to enjoy a glass while getting ready for dinner. Does anyone do that on HAL or do you use it strictly in the dining room?

Works like that on HAL also

Per the link provided, it looks like those package prices include the 15% service charge, correct?

That's correct.

I see a Washington Riesling listed on the by-the-glass list. On my Zaandam cruise, two of our tablemates were women from Seattle who ordered a bottle one night and shared with us. I loved it but foolishly didn't make note of the name. I'm hoping the one listed at $7.25/glass is the same wine. I typically drink Pinot Grigio, but really enjoyed that Riesling.

Probably the same but not a sure thing.

Sorry, I guess a lot of people walk in to the dining room with drinks in hand, I never noticed this. I know that it would rude, or even illegal, to do so in most land restaurants, so I just assumed it would be not a good thing to do on a cruise too. I know that I would feel strange doing it.

At a land-side restaurant you often wait in the bar for your table to be ready, then carry your drink with you into the DR (except in Virginia where it's illegal to carry your drink anywhere). No different on board ship - carry your drink from the bar to the MDR.

Hi there

 

I don't know what your specific concerns are, but we just completed our first HAL cruise on the Veendam last Saturday.

 

It floats very well, so I would imagine it will get you where you are going.

Good answer!

We love the Grand and cruising from our home port. We take a Mexican Riviera cruise every year that we can. We now have a new terminal, Port 27, which has made both embarkation and disembarkation a breeze!!

 

Enjoy!

Denise

We left NorCal in 2011, when they were still debating Pier 27. Glad it turned out ok.

I detest the laundry...would never trust a ship laundry. We did once on Oceania and the clothes were washed much too hi temp .....and presumably they are washed with other peoples clothes. Shudder!

Not only that, but they wash your plates, glassware and tableware with other people's also! How yuck...

We cruised both Princess and Celebrity from SF when we lived in Sunnyvale. It was great not having to get on a plane, but I've never seen such confusion as when we disembarked - worst cruise experience ever.

If you'll be buying from the wineries have them pack the wines - their boxes are made for shipping. We've brought wines back from Europe and also had the wineries ship directly to us (we can buy direct from wineries here in Maryland). Interestingly, we've more often had to pay duty on shipped wine then on wines we've carried in.

Someone knows how many Gala Nights to expect on Prinsendam 14-night cruise roundtrip Athens? We have only 2 sea days

Most likely 3, but there could be 4.

In case you doubt the $50 limit, remember that the average passenger is a beer drinker. This would never fly on HAL - because we're all above average.

Have you been on the Lake Wobegon cruise?

I have seen so many different answers to this question, including from Holland America. The explanation on the booking info clearly states one's drink must not be more than $8 with the 15% tax included. That would mean that no drink can cost more than $6.90. When reviewing the beverage lists on Roger Jetts page, there isn't much in that price range except non alcoholic drinks, beer, coffee, and water. Looks like one white wine, one red, and one prosecco. Has anyone actual experience using this new Explore 4 promotion?

A quick search of this forum will show that this question has been asked and answered many, many times. And it's always been answered correctly - Any menu item of $8 or less is included. Anny item. No need to futz about the 15% service charge (it's already covered). Just read the bar menu and stick to drinks listed at $8 or less.

Umm ,,,, I don't think so.

 

Big difference on activities on a World Cruise, Grand Voyage and a regular cruise.

 

Big difference depending on the ship and the itinerary too - but that's just my experience.;)

You're right, of course, about World Cruises but I don't think there's a variance based on ship - more likely based on Cruise Director. And as far as itinerary, more sea days means more activities, port intensive means less - but that's pretty much the case no matter which body of water you're in.

We're looking forward to both of our upcoming Hawaiian cruise on the Amsterdam and our South Pacific cruise on the Maasdam, of which both have many days at sea. As we have never taken any HAL cruises yet that include a multitude of days at sea in a row, we're curious if HAL will have a lot of things for us to do on those sea days or do we need to bring a bunch of things to keep us entertained? If you have cruised the Pacific on a HAL ship with a multitude of sea days in a row and have a few extra minutes, we would enjoy hearing about some of the experiences you've encountered.

The activities will be pretty much the same no matter where you are in the world. Check some of the Trans-Atlantic cruise threads as well as the World cruise threads for ideas as to what to expect.

have not been on holland in years. are men allowed to wear "nice" (bermuda) shorts into the dining room at night, when it's not formal night? thanks for the input.

No. Shorts are for daytime wear.

Which football? College (probably not), NFL (maybe a national game). If you want to follow your local team think internet and streaming. Of course a 1 PM kickoff in California is a 10 PM kickoff in Europe.

Choose by itinerary - that'll differ more than the 2 ships do...

Yes, read thru the "New to Holland America" sticky thread, then come back with any specific questions you might have.

We really wanted to do the Island Wings float plane in Ketchikan...it's to be our one splurge!! Has anyone else taken this? It's pricy ($240 each) but I think it will be one of those great memories from our trip.

Did the trip and really enjoyed it, but our best float plane ride was the Taku Lodge salmon bake out of Juneau - great flying over the glacier and the river, and fabulous food.

We tried afternoon tea on Eurodam in June. It was pathetic. It consisted of 6 tables in a corner of the MDR. No atmosphere at all. They made one pass with small open sandwiches, scones and small cakes. You had to take the whole lot at once as otherwise you would miss out. There was a selection of packet teas but it was impossible to get a second cup. the whole experience lasted no more than 10-15 mins.

 

They need to see how Oceania do afternoon tea. It is fabulous with a mouthwatering selection of savouries, proper sandwiches, scones, jam, clotted cream and various cakes cut to order from the sweet trolley. they also have the string quartet providing background music. You can have as much as you like. The whole experience in the Horizon lounge is very elegant.

 

HAL is just playing at it and getting it very wrong.

If afternoon tea is the reason you cruise, then maybe HAL isn't for you. There is a reason only 6 tables were used - no one else wanted to go.

You need to get your TA to work hard for you, especially as it was they're mistake. Although it does appear any cabin with a balcony is sold out, you may need to wait until after final payment to find one.

Wow, I didn't realise this. Don't ever remember leaving it open, but I am one of those people who like it sub zero, so will be much more cognizant of this in future.

Leaving the door open will make your cabin warmer, not cooler. Have your Travel Agent request a fan for your cabin.

If you're stopping in Skagway (or Haines) you'll want to do the White Pass RR tour.

Your opinion has been noted but this is not the question that I asked.

You did, however note that you didn't need to present a credit card when making a pre-cruise reservation on O. Not surprising if there is no upcharge...

I bought a coke there last month.

 

Sent from my LGLS991 using Tapatalk

I was mistaken, then. But I don't think I've ever gone there for soft drinks...

Demographics means a lot more than age. In fact, age is only a small part of that social science. We prefer to be on a ship full of experienced travelers (of any age) than a bunch of parochial "ugly Americans" (or Germans, or Russians, etc.). In other words, we don't want to travel with people "just like us" except in one regard - a passion for exploring the world.