OldBoot

If my memory is correct, there is a no-charge sauna available. I did not use it, so I don't recall its location.

 

The Zaandam does have a Greenhouse Spa Thermal Suite area, but it is not like what the Vista, Signature, or Pinnacle Class ships have. There is a hot tub, nothing more than warm water that holds 4 people at the maximum, thermal beds, and a sauna as well; maybe a wet and a dry one. During embarkation, the Spa Staff will offer tours of the facility and I'd suggest you take one (it won't last long) and see if the facility is worth its cost for you.

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When you say "sauna", do you mean the dry heated room? Maybe with a pail of water and ladle to dump it on heated rocks over the heater? To my knowledge, there is only 1 of these "saunas" on the ship (per gender) and it is free. I've used them frequently on several ships including Westerdam and it's very often vacant although occasionally there will be 1 or 2 others there. The showers are free too but be sure to bring something like the bag offered on ships to store your belongings in as the lockers are often all claimed.

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I usually do online checking myself. This time I expect the TA will do it. However, we are in a Guarantee. Do you think the timing of checking in online affects your Guarantee chances of being given an upgrade?

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When a cruise is sold out, that does not mean that every category is exactly filled, only that the maximum capacity of the ship has been reached. Some bottom-step categories in each class (inside, OV, suite) could be oversold with guarantees while upper levels are undersold. Undersold categories will still show as sold out, because they already have enough people to fill them, just not all cabins are assigned. HAL will first try to upsell the oversold groups, then whatever is left over will be upgraded for free. So - the ship being sold out in total is not sufficient information to predict the chances of an upgrade.

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We booked a Guarantee for our South American cruise this December. I see that our sailing is sold out. I wonder what impact this will have on our luck with a better grade of cabin?[emoji848][emoji854]

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It does work.

 

Our Oct. 28 itinerary on the Nieuw Amsterdam has been changing...and changing...and changing. So when Punta Cana was added a week or so ago, I started researching what to do.

 

In a dozen cruises we have only booked ship excursions a couple of times so I looked for private tours. I did find one, but when I emailed for information was told that I MUST book through the cruise. Since this is a tender port and the cruise is so close I just gave up and booked the HAL excursion that seemed the same.

 

I saw the 110% guarantee on the HAL website and submitted a claim. In less than 24 hours, I got a reply that it had been approved. The price difference isn't much, but we will be getting the refund in the form of OBC.

 

I'm pretty sure the tour operator is the same one that I initially emailed so I am getting the best of both worlds...the tour I wanted and NOW at a (very slightly) cheaper price!

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We've taken both HAL and private excursions depending upon our needs. The private is most often very cost effective with the added bonus of having a small group. [emoji4]

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It turns out that we will be in Iguazu Falls for the full moon. I understand there are specific tours for seeing it at night, but per my TA tickets aren’t available in advance.

 

Does anyone have more info? Are tickets required if you are already staying inside the park (at Melia?)

 

If anyone has done it, is it worth doing?

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This is tricky, 110% of the DIFFERENCE is probably not that much. It also keeps EXC informed of the competition's offerings and pricing.

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I'm so curious to see how this pans out. Keep us in the loop!

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You can't miss us! An older couple with an eleven year old girl should stick out like a sore thumb![emoji6] come up to us and say "hi"!

 

 

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I re-read your original post...our Zaandam cruise departs December 1st, so you'll get an advance preview of our cruise. Have a great time with your granddaughter!

One tip for you. If you pre-purchase excursions, etc. you can spread out your expenses over time.

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We are going to Rio de Janeiro for three days and then getting on the zandaam for a trip around the horn, disembarking in San Antonio Chile. 17 days. And we are super excited!!

 

 

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Right here:

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/albert/

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Next update from Captain albert is out of Huatulco. He is on the Nieuw Amsterdam at present. Let's see if he has any comments about it.

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Wow! That's an adventure you can tell stories about. So glad to hear how professionally HAL is handling things.

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So nice you enjoyed your sailing! We've never had that many consecutive sea days so I've wondered what it would be like. Thank you for your post!

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Santiago is not a port city. You will disembark in San Antonio. Santiago is where the airport is.

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I posted too soon. The cruise line now has a few options posted for day tours with transfers to the airport included.

We were originally scheduled to disembark at Valparaiso, now it's been changed to Santiago. With late flights home we have several hours to fill before we need to be at the airport. So far the cruise line has not posted any day tours that end at the airport. Any suggestions for things to do for the day with bags in tow?

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Your sunny day photos are sublime. Enjoy. There is nothing like the cruise life! We are looking forward to a South American trip in a couple of months. Can't wait to float through Glacier Alley. [emoji4]

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Unless you plan to do the boat trip to the falls (where you will get all soaked), you won't get really wet after your visit.

 

When you plan to go? If it is between december to march, it will be really hot and humid, so your cloths will dry very soon.

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In the MDR we were exchanging plans for disembarkation in Amsterdam with our table mates. One gentleman had plans for staying on and exploring the city post-cruise. He happily explained that his hotel was in downtown Holland. We all slip up from time to time and its fun to enjoy a little giggle!

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We've had several friends and colleagues respond, upon hearing that we cruise with Holland, "Why with them, they are for old folks?" or my favourite, "Holland, the Grey Line".

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We did every trail on the Argentine side and had no need for rain ponchos. We were also carrying a DSLR with no protection, and it did not get wet. I can't imagine walking around in that heat and humidity wearing a poncho.

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