Bentleg

The basis of the survey mystifies me.

In my opinion Carnival Spirit is better than P&O. It is nowhere near as good as Princess. Holland America is even better. I have never sailed with a Royal Caribbean.

All of these cruise lines cater for different markets, a comparison is not easy or fair.

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We were on Noordam in a Neptune suite Vancouver to Sydney and got off on 22 Oct. It was still on the "old" colour scheme in the cabin but the overall condition of the ship and fittings etc was excellent. Our only complaint would be the small TV. It is due to be refurbished April 2018 (I think).

As discussed elsewhere we did notice the cutback in the cruise directors staff and on board activities. That was not an issue for us as we do our own thing most of the time.

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When we originally booked our upcoming 15 day Panama Canal transit (we leave in 11days) the HAL agent asked if we wanted to be eligible for automatic upgrades. It was my understanding that we wouldn’t have a say in the cabin location. We opted out because I am particular about the location of my cabin. Now I’m worried that this may have eliminated the possibility of any upgrade offers. Does anyone know anything about this? I think I’d better call them.

The on board cruise consultants have advised me that if you book a specific cabin, rather than a guarantee, HAL is likely to assume you want to stay there. You might get an upgrade offer, but it is far more likely if you book a guarantee. Having said that if you book a guarantee you must take whatever cabin they allocate, you can't then choose. If you are offered an upgrade you won't get to choose where that cabin is. You can refuse an upsell (usually because of price rather than cabin location), not sure that you can refuse an automatic upgrade.

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Thank you for all the wonderful information in this thread. I posted this comment on a Noordam thread but realized that I should have posted here first :). I have friends booking Noordam out of Sydney on an upcoming itinerary and they asked if I knew about the interiors on Noordam. Forgive me if this question is redundant but I have not been able to find the information within these pages. Does Noordam have newer interiors with refreshed suite color schemes and soft furnishings upgrades or is she still sporting the older color palette for her Neptune Suites. Our friends are planning to book a Neptune wrap-around (one of my fav locations on that class of ship) and we have not sailed on Noordam before so I am at a loss. The photos on the HAL website would indicate the old color scheme and furnishings but I am not sure how up-to-date the website photos are in relation to how the ship presents today. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you

Ashley

We have just got off Noordam from a Neptune suite (on 22/10). Neptune suites are in the old colour palette. The ship is in excellent condition and I did not see anywhere that was tired. It is scheduled for update in May 2018 and I expect the colour change will happen then. Glenn and Yvonne, the concierges in the Neptune lounge, provide top service.

Hi, we are visiting Lautoka for the first time. Not interested in a cruise tour. Any suggestions on travelling around. I will have an 85 year old with me but she is very mobile. I am thinking about hiring a taxi. Any idea about cost for 2-3 hours? also is Sleeping Giant Orchid Garden worth the visit?

Thanks.

Lautoka downtown is a hole. I don't know why the ships stop there - Suva is better. In Lautoka you should either stay on the ship or go on a tour. We did tour to a resort, to Nadi (the capital) and to a Hindu temple.

Yes there will be taxis at the wharf, but I cant help you with costs.

that's a big difference between Canada and the USA.

USA is the only place in the world where I have encountered the "I must tip" practice.

(and let's not start yet another tipping debate, there are heaps of threads on this already. Just accept that tipping is not mandatory in Canada, Australia or NZ).

We always fly in on day 1, have a rest day on day 2 and join the ship on day 3. If we get delayed it affects our rest day only. Also gives us time to get over jet lag before boarding.

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Thanks - I'll double check once onboard. I don't care if it's all on one sheet but just shows passenger A or B for the line items...

Transactions a listed sequentially by date. Transactions by the second person are flagged with their name.

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If you book HAL accommodation at the Pan Pacific, they will look after the transfer of your luggage to the ship, and escort you for the short walk to checkin.

If you are flying in, the taxi queue to drop off at the terminal can be impressive - we spent more time in the queue than we did driving from our downtown hotel. My recollection is the bags were taken by porters as we left the cab.

The queue to clear US customs was lengthy and took quite a while. The checkin queue followed - you may get some priority at checkin with the walker passenger.

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With HAL it seems you need to be American or Canadian for this to happen.

 

We are five star HAL and Aussie. We always book a balcony, yet we have never been visited by the upsell fairy. We have seen accompanying American travellers of lesser status receive offers, and for us - nothing.

 

Having said that we are committed HAL cruisers.......

After years of no offers we got (and accepted) an upsell offer from Signature to Neptune - even though the ship shows as sold out. Whether it was because we made a fuss last time when American friends got it and we didn't is open to speculation. It was received via our Aussie travel agent.

The upsell thing happens but you need to be American or Canadian to get it. We are five star HAL and Aussie. We have seen American travel companions of lesser status get the upsell offer time and time again. Sucks!

After years of no offers we got (and accepted) an upsell offer from Signature to Neptune - even though the ship shows as sold out. Whether it was because we made a fuss last time when American friends got it and we didn't is open to speculation. It was received via our Aussie travel agent.

I agree the Neptune concierge should be able to change it. If you want to settle the issue now, book (and pay for) it online. They will refund the charge to your shipboard ac at the Pinnacle. On some cruises Pinnacle is in heavy demand. On some it is not. We always book online, then claim a refund (as we are five star).

The whirlpool room in the spa is wonderful.

 

I remember the afternoon Captain Kirk (Keijer) decided he wanted to be Captain for a day on a tender. He gave someone the day off.

 

 

 

 

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Tamarind and silk den

Embassy Suites. As already said - great value.

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Captain Pieter (Dutch)/Peter (English) Bos, with HAL for 35 years, is currently one of Noordam's two captains, the other being Capt. Henk Draper

 

 

 

CD Mario Vines is currently not at sea

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We will be on Noordam trans. pacific, pity it is not Peter Bos, we like him very much.

Sometimes if queues develop they will make those earlier than their checkin time wait. However with priority boarding that should not happen to you.

Take it. There is no comparison between an Oceanview and a balcony. A balcony is superior. We had an ocean view on our first cruse, always at least a balcony ever since. If we cant get a balcony we don't go. Even in Alaska we love our balcony.

They are sister ships and virtually identical. When we travelled on Westerdam last year it was not a happy ship and some aspects of service were lacking. HAL gave us an on board credit after reading our appraisal (we are 5 star). We have not travelled on Noordam and will rectify that next month, by doing the Pacific crossing.

Only covers certain crew bar staff/wait staff in the DR etc. Not RS.

Not sure which line you are talking about but on HAL the hotel service charge includes everyone , even the laundry and other behind the scenes workers. Bar staff are excluded as they get the 15% sc that is added to the drinks.

There is no service charge for RS.

You pay a daily hotel service charge. Surely that covers all service including room service.

You pay a service charge. I only tip if the service is exceptional.

(There are so many threads on tipping. Suggest you do research first).

I did a cruise across the Pacific in September 2017 on the Noordam.

We are booked on the Noordam across the Pacific in September 2017 also. I hope I have not missed it?

I guess you meant 2016. Really looking forward to it. We did the same cruise a few years ago on Oosterdam. Excellent!

There is no self service laundry on Noordam.

I am Aussie. Dress standards vary between lines. Need to know the line. Don't bother on Carnival or P&O, it would be fine on Holland America and OK on Princess. (Never travelled on Royal Carribean, soon to travel on Celebrity).

You can book the specialty dining places on-line, also shore excursions. Fitness and cooking classes once on board.