LAFFNVEGAS

Unfortunately Web Cam operator is not zooming in like they did in the past several week she is sailing away now.

Here's our Wind Surf, Sail Away was to be at 7, looks like they are running late again, but then so were the two NCL ships.

I am watching again this afternoon, NCL Gem has left and they are just waiting for NCL Encore which should be leaving shortly. Surf was right behind the Encore so hard to see her all day. Looking forward to when the Cam operator returns to zooming into Surf Here is current web cam view

There is a weird Pink kind of sofa on the Rotterdam in the Aft Vista Suites as well and that was just as uncomfortable as the sofa on the Nieuw Statendam. Who ever sold this furniture to HAL for the Signature Class Ships were probably laughing all the way to the bank.

No, it was actually like a sofa with two cushions, I would say a Standard size bed or a large love seat. Tom and I could both sit on it but it is not overly comfortable to sit on. We actually would sit on those two chairs Tom is sitting in to read.

I was told by a Hotel Manager who has worked on all three of the Pinnacle Class ships and he stated that the Deck 5 corner afts are the most different from the other aft Neptunes. It does have a regular sofa but I have to say it is not overly comfortable to sit on. I did love the big shower. I was not sure if I would like the window above the bed but it actually was nice giving a lot of light in the suite.

Just last month I was on Nieuw Statendam in Neptune 5223 which appears to be exactly the same as 5217 on Koningsdam here was m pics

Thanks, I know it is hard to judge compared to other people's likes but as long as they are not super soft or super hard that makes them perfect with the movement of the ocean!!

Your question actually leaves me to the question...How are the Beds in general on Indstar. We will be on Sind Surf in less than 7 weeks. We cruise a lot but on those big ships. We have found NCL Haven to have comfortable beds, HAL use to have more comfortable but in recent years has become too firm so have requested egg crate. We have also been fine with Suites on Princess. Do most people find the beds comfortable?

You had a very nice Sail Away last night. In watching the web cam it looked very breezy earlier in the day but did look like winds calmed down some for you Sail Away. Thanks for the pictures!! I love this, not that I am counting but just 48 more days will we are there 😄

It appears base pricing is pretty much the same as any other One World Ship Spa that was formally Steiner. The big difference may be that other cruise lines allow you to pre book prior to the cruise and pay in advance giving a discount for port days. But since most days are port days especially with itineraries in Caribbean and Tahiti I guess they cannot do that but it would be nice if one could book in advance and maybe get a 10% discount.

The Sails did all go up Very Pretty Sail Away Tonight

She has left, might be a bit too windy tonight for the big sails

They just zoomed in closer

Waiting for this weeks Sail Away in about 20 minutes

Per Holland America and booking flights with them, flights are from 11:00 am on disembarkation day so 11:50 is more than do able. I know last year we did the luggage direct and had HAL transfers and we were at the airport at 9:15 and we were not on the first bus to the airport. We had to sit around for a couple of hours, then Delta let us around 11 for our 4 something flight.

I am speculating here but I suspect the Crew are going to get very tired of charging the additional 50 cents to a dollar and getting yelled at, as well as Front Desk Crew having to deal with Passengers complaining. Plus now raising the Crew Incentive Feb 1st. I Suspect they will make a big deal about increasing the allowance of the drinks on the HIA but also quietly again raise the price of adding on the HIA while it also reflects in the pricing of new reservations. Most likely will go to $60.00 or $65.00 per person per day. Most other cruise lines are actually considerably more so at $65.00 pp per day it is still a bargain.

There are two drop off points. In February of 2023, we were on the NCL Encore, I know different cruise line but when we boarded the bus they asked the airline we would be on. They did the two drop off points The first was the end where American Airlines was and the driver announced it before he got off the bus to take out the luggage for those with American flights.

Our assigned disembarkation was 8:30,by the time we got our luggage and walked through immigration and went out to find the bus heading to MIA it was about 9:10, then we sat there for about 20 minutes and the bus took off about 9:30. We were at MIA at about 10:00 Now the bad part was that these bus drivers will only drop you off at one location. I think there are two bus drop offs, In February of 2023 we were dropped off right at where our America Ticket counter was. This time we are all dropped off at the furthest point.It took us 45 minutes to walk. I want to say they dropped us off at check point 10 where all the International flights were. I definitely got my steps in that day.

I just did in on the 17th of December, I also had booked hotel through HAL and they picked us up at the MIA Airport. It is really not that far as long as traffic is not a problem. For me I can get much better flight that are non stop to MIA rather than FLL. For the return home we did not do that Excursion tour of MIA because we did that on on February 2023. Our flight was not till 5:00 pm but fortunately I have Club Lounge Access whihc makes the time go by much easier. If you have a long wait it might be worth buy a day pass that many of the airlines offer for their lounges.

I have to agree that the NS Pinnacle Grill was by far the Best I have been to for food quality and service in the past 5 HAL cruises. The worst was the KDam just a few weeks before the NS. It was total night and day difference. I also had the David Burke Special with tenderloin and lobster dumpling. The one thing consistent with Pinnacle Grill and HAL is the inconsistency.

Here more info

I have seen very recently people stating that Westerdam was canceled for August 18 sailing. I just got this email this morning that Effy Jewelry has chartered it and inviting me to sail

Watching this weeks Sail Away

This must have just been added, been waiting for this one.