Kona921

Yes, our PCC always applies those discounts for us.

My first cruise was a full transit through the Panama Canal 1997 on the Maasdam.  After that, I was hooked!  

New Years on the Niew Amsterdam and March 2021 on the Oosterdam..I have more confidence in New Years at this Point than Australia but we are not throwing in the towel.  HAL will have to cancel us, not the other way around. I pray we can sail.  I miss travel a ton but I am just sick when I think of the crew and all of the other services that rely on cruising to make a living..hotels, restaurants, taxi, tour operators, food providers and on and on. 

My 10year daughter loves club HAL.  She has been cruising HAL since she was 3. 😀

We highly recommend SPB.  Fabulous 2 day tour in St Petersburg.  Getting you back on time is critical to their bottom line.

We’ve done this. The one we did also stops on a little island with birds and a gator show...super fun for the kiddos.  They serve refreshments as well.  https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g34227-d144784-Reviews-Jungle_Queen_Riverboats-Fort_Lauderdale_Broward_County_Florida.html?m=19905

We attended the Orange party on the Nieuw Statendam.  It was packed and super fun.  Lots of Dutch goodies. I agree the orange party shirt sold on the ship is hideous so I would suggest bringing your own, or a tie or some beads...it’s just a fun excuse to celebrate the heritage of the cruise line and The Netherlands.

Foie Gras....oh so  good.  The steak frites are awesome as is the Duck Cassoulet. Fresh cod was awesome grilled. 

We just came off the Niew Statendam a couple weeks ago.  We usually bring our own wine when we cruise but this time brought 8 bottles for our 14 day cruise. We enjoyed the wines on the new list and also some from the Pinnacle.  Even in the MDR if you ask they will bring a Pinnacle selection.  There was only one wine we did not like(Sokol). Yes, the price points are high, just like any restaurant.  I’m more concerned with having a nice selection to choose from.  Cheap doesn’t help me if it’s lousy wine.

Thanks for the review.  We were on your cruise.  We had a great time!

We got a lovely note on the Niew Statendam last week.  Pleasant surprise.  Also, great job on the laundry which I can’t always say.

18 hours ago, Mickb said:

Great pictures but I cannot help commenting on how small the portions are. It is several years since we cruised with HAL but there seems to be a very distinct diminution in the amount of food on the plate!

Maybe that’s a good thing?

 Op stated that  they ordered a “small” version of the courses.

This is wonderful!  We board August 4th.  I can hardly stand it! Enjoy and thank you so much for all the detailed information.

There is a children's menu in the main dining room. Our daughter always eats off the regular menu though since the kids menu is nuggets and mac and cheese type food...

Also there was not a children's menu available anywhere except room service.

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I am Laurie and I am a shoe addict!

Attached are my current favourite. I have a wonderful online shoe store that I frequent.

Oh, yes! Love!

 

No one else in my family like raisin buns. Go figure.

Krentenbollen(raisin buns) are something I look forward toon every cruise. For my husband it's the mini chocolate croissants.

I can always count on HAL to have something to please everyone in our family.

Rijsttafel-sambal and ketjap manis please

Pinnacle grill burger(lunch) just do it. Trust me! So good!

LeCirque Chateaubriand or Lamb--excellent

For us we are almost always pleased. My issues are usually with seasoning or lack there of. I know many guests have issues with sodium so I am satisfied with S&P on the table😊

I always try to pack "light". It's the shoes that get me every time!

I appreciate your comments. :) However, my question pertained only to the HAL policy. I appreciate and understand all of the possible issues - whether on a ship, at school, with a babysitter, etc. I've cruised two-26-day Transatlantics with DD (one to Baltics, one to British Isles), as well as several other shorter cruises. Rest assured I take all precautions and engage in meaningful communications with the club staff.

Exactly! Enjoy this next adventure! :)

I'm surprised HAL allows children to be dropped off while a ship is in port. Disney does not allow this for the reasons previously described.

We are just off Disney Fantasy,. On port the kids clubs are open house only, a family member stays with the child. There is no secured babysitting option which was fine with us. We had no intention of leaving little ones onboard.

It sounds like, as with many things, each line makes their own policy. HAL has chosen to extend the hrs of club hall on port days. Not limit them. Furthermore, the OP specially sited goin on a HAL sponsored shore excursion. The ship is not going to "take off" without them. When signing the forms to enroll them in the club you give them contact information including a cell number and when leaving th ship even without a child on board I would being contact information for the ship I was sailing on.

Unexpected tragedy can occur at home or abroad. As parents we do our best to make sound decisions with our children's safety and comfort in mind. I have no problem leaving our daughter on a secured ship with a competent staff who's job it is to care for my child.

Hi Everyone!

 

What if a parent wants to go on a HAL-sponsored excursion but the child (eight years old) would rather play in the club? Does HAL allow this? I believe Cunard doesn't. Thanks!

Yes! You take them to kids club before heading out--feed them breakfast first😊.

Let the staff up there know if they will be eating lunch with them or if you will return in time to pick them up. Easy!

Exciting news!

Thanks for the info Rothbury. We were on the Niew Amsterdam in March and they already had the new flat screens and on demand entertainment in the cabins. I guess we just got lucky. I highly doubt it will make or break our May trip:D

TexasHikers-Did your room have the new televisions with on demand entertainment? Just curious.

Thank you so much for sharing your experience. We will be on the Zuiderdam for our Baltic cruise the end of May. It's nice to hear about your customer service experience. We all know that things can go wrong...its how they are addressed that makes all the difference. :D

Do you think they are the little NESPRESSO size pods? Or the K-Cup size?

They are Mocoffee. Created by someone who worked for nespresso. They will have regular/decaf/espresso.