RoyalVisit

Hi all,

I asked HAL about this...received this response:

Thank you for your recent correspondence with Holland America Line. 

We apologize that an unexpected increase in email inquiries resulted in a delayed response time.

We certainly understand and appreciate your concerns.

Please know that we take our environmental obligations very seriously and our commitment to doing the right thing is a top priority in the company.  Without pristine oceans and beautiful destinations that our guests want to visit, we would not have a viable business for the future.

We make significant investments in our people, in our training, in our systems and on our ships – spending nearly a billion dollars across Carnival Corporation over the last three years on environmental initiatives. We know there is more to do and we are dedicated to continuing to improve our fleet operations, ensure regulatory compliance and to be best-in-class with respect to environmental responsibility. We have done these things not just to meet requirements, but because all of us deeply care about the world we live in and the more than 700 places we visit.  And we will continue to do more.

Regarding the recent media coverage, it is important to know our cruise lines self-reported any possible issue on every ship in the fleet over the course of the past year. There were some incidents identified, but being transparent in the process is an important part of our larger efforts that are driving improvements throughout our fleet. Carnival Corporation and its nine world’s leading cruise line brands continue to keep Environmental Compliance and Sustainability a top priority for all our brands and every employee.

If you’d like to learn more about Carnival Corporation’s environmental efforts, you can read the most recent Sustainability Report at www.carnivalcorp.com.

As a valued guest, we sincerely appreciate the trust you place in us, and we look forward to serving you and your family with great cruise vacations for many years to come.

Thank you for contacting Holland America Line. Please feel free to contact us if we may be of additional assistance or visit us online.   We look forward to welcoming you onboard in the near future!

Aruba and HMC are lovely! And I totally agree with your Jamaica comment.

Depending on ability level, we stayed at the Augusta Lucilla Palace in Rome. It was a short walk to the train station and they included a good breakfast with the rate. From there we walked to the Colosseum and the Trevi Fountain.  I'd suggest you narrow down the sites that are must see for you in Rome when selecting which area you stay in.

I'd suggest going out further like the Courtyard at Boynton Beach and either rent a car or find a shuttle.

We're both vegetarians (no seafood). 😀 We leave for Alaska in 17 days.  I imagine we will be eating primarily on the ship. 😂

1 minute ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

I KNOW.

 

Not sure you did understand my point. I'm not trying to dictate your views or convince you to pack a tuxedo.  I'm just saying there's no point in trying to justify/explain something that doesn't need to be justified. I've heard all the excuses before in the days when HAL had a dressier code for what they used to call formal nights. Now that dress codes have been relaxed, there's no need to explain why you choose not to dress up. 

 

As another poster here says, I can explain it to you but I can't make you comprehend it.

This post confirms my point. 😂

Enjoy your next cruise.👋

8 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

And this post is an example of why I decided to vent. 

 

HAL's policy is absolutely clear, and it's what most of the HAL passengers want. My point was that you don't need to pack a sportcoat or special shoes or extra undershirts or ties and there's no point in whinging about uncomfortable clothing that you don't need to wear. SO YOU DO NOT NEED TO EXPLAIN YOURSELF AND PRESENT ALL SORTS OF EXCUSES THAT ARE IRRELEVANT GIVEN HAL'S RELAXED POLICY. 

 

Don't blame airlines, suitcases, dress codes, snobs, slobs. You don't want to dress up, that's OK. Just own it.

 

Caps are the equivalent of screaming.

I understood your point but I disagree with much of your original post. You're trying to dictate how others view issues.  You own your opinions and I'll own mine.

17 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

That's true. I find it difficult to see how anyone could have trouble meeting the current dress code. I like formal nights when everyone participates. It's one of the things I enjoy on Cunard. But if HAL doesn't want to have a formal night, so be it. I will dress somewhat above the standard, but I won't be sitting there taking pictures of people who don't. 

 

This is not aimed at any particular poster, but I want to vent. If you don't want to dress up, just say so.  I'm so tired of the whiny "excuses" about packing and how suits and gowns take up too much space. HAL is not asking for people to wear a tuxes and gowns. Not even a sportcoat. So why trot out that old complaint?????????

 

And "dressy" clothes don't have to be uncomfortable. A necktie is tight only if it's pulled too tight. Odds are if a necktie feels too tight, it isn't the tie, it's because the wearer needs to buy a shirt with a larger neck size. And ladies, stop griping about shoes that hurt. WHY buy something that hurts?????? I get it, a lot of women can't wear high heels. OK, so check out the wide variety of ballerina flats that are around. Lots of nice looking flats that are comfy. And here's a hint: if you wear a long skirt, nobody sees your shoes and you can get way with "comfortable shoes." I was just at a brunch where one of the women was wearing a long dress. I complimented her on it and she said she loves long dresses because she can wear whatever shoes she wants. She stuck out her foot to show me her loafers. I would never have noticed if she hadn't told me. 

 

There's plenty of packable comfortable clothing out there that will exceed HAL's standards for those who WANT TO do so. If you don't want to dress up, fine. But stop blaming your suitcase or your wardrobe.

 

This post is exactly why some people get turned off from asking questions or commenting on CC. Vent all you want but if this topic frustrates you then read something else.

Luggage size and weight is valid concern regardless of what you choose to pack...unless your OK with paying excess baggage fees and dragging around extra luggage.  A sportcoat does take more room in a suitcase than a polo shirt.

In my opinion a tie is not comfortable and I wear the correct shirt neck size.  If I wanted my neck to feel pressure l could also wear a scarf or a turtleneck. Ties are an accessory most men could easily live without. 

Extra layers (i.e.undershirt, dress shirt, tie, jacket or sport coat) are not comfortable....unless maybe if it's cold. 

I've never worn pantyhose, heels or any other fashion contraption that women choose or feel obligated to wear but ultimately if they wear it, it's their choice to do so.

HAL's policy is clear and reasonable.

Finally, I'll blame airlines, suitcases, dress codes, snobs, slobs or whatever/whoever else I feel like.  

We cruised on the Koningsdam in 2016 and never felt the Lido was overwhelmed with passengers. Our worst experience was the MSC Orchestra...when you have to wait to be seated in the buffet for breakfast AND lunch almost every day you soon realize how well the other lines manage passenger flows.

3 minutes ago, ScottC4746 said:

Hopefully the weather will clear up for you to have a great cruise.  That is a dream cruise for me to do Alaska.

It's our first to Alaska but as we live in Nova Scotia we're used to constantly changing weather 😂

1 minute ago, canadianbear said:

Ha ha...us too!

 

 

Parrrrrty! 😀💃

Which LGBT travel and cruise Youtubers are your favorite and why? Have they influenced your decision to take a particular cruise or go to a specific destination? 

Just now, ScottC4746 said:

Meanie!  Bully!  HA!

😂😂😂 It's overcast, damp and dreary here today....and we're going to Alaska... while you're going to Hawaii (we've been to Oahu).... so excuse me me if I don't feel your pain 😂😂😂  makes me wonder if the countdown counter can break four digits 🤔😁

Me not so much 😂 I'm already packing 😂

On 4/17/2019 at 1:32 PM, olemissreb said:

We got a hand painted Christmas ornament - I think in Ketchikan.  But it is a great reminder of a great trip that we had every year when we put it on out Christmas tree.

Great idea! We've collected various Christmas ornaments on our adventures. Looking forward to buying some Alaskan ornaments 🎅

3 hours ago, Coral said:

Tongass Trading is very popular for "cheap souvenirs". They are right on the dock. They sell a pretty nice jacket for $20. They have a lot of variety of items - most things are not made in Alaska. https://tongasstrading.com/store/ 

 

Creek Street is fun to walk around. There is a store there that carries a lot of items made in Alaska called Sam McGee's. https://sammcgeesalaska.com 

 

Alava's Fish-n-Chowder and Burger Queen (right next to each other. Both places are "no frills" but quality food.

Definitely going to visit Sam McGees! Although I won't bring any Alaskan moose poop back to Nova Scotia 😂 Thanks for the suggestions! I'll be looking for Alaskan theme cufflinks.

We're also taking our first cruise to Alaska in May on the Nieuw Amsterdam. We have picked anytime dining to give it a try. With the daylight hours being so long in Alaska we wanted flexibility with dining.  The more we cruise, the less we like the set time dining.

1 hour ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Here is the line up for our 7 day on the Nieuw Amsterdam
Day 1 - movie
Day 2 - step one Humanity (dancing)
Day3 - comedian.
Day 4 - Illusionist
Day 5 - planet earth music video
Day 6 - step one Stages (dancing)
Day 7 - combo show of comedian and illusionist.

🤔😒 Is there a description for Step One Stages on Day 6? we're on the same ship next month.  I don't think we've seen Humanity but the rest is 😴

1 hour ago, rkacruiser said:

I have viewed the videos of these Postmodern Jukebox posted.  I'm not impressed.  Maybe a few glasses of wine prior to/during listening to this music would make me more mellow and accepting.  Sober:  No!

 

I know I am probably a dinosaur, but what's wrong with music from the disco era?  Where's Gloria Gaynor when we need her?

I'm not a dinosaur 😉 but I'd be thrilled with disco, soul and Motown which is why BB Kings is a favorite. The success of Mamma Mia/ABBA is evidence enough to demonstrate that people want to dance! Boogie with Earth, Wind and Fire, dance to the Bee Gees, mess around with Ray Charles and jump with the Pointer Sisters 😁 

2 hours ago, JT1962 said:

Post Modern Juukebox is where newer songs are reimagined in an older style - Shake It Off in a 1940s style, others in a do-wop 50s style, etc. It seems to be very popular worldwide. I prefer to hear the songs in the original style and it appeared many at the show seemed more confused than entertained.

Thank you for the explanation! I've read the other comments after this and I looked the style up on Youtube - I'll pass. 

38 days until our cruise and I suspect I'll spend more time looking at the scenery than I will enjoying the entertainment but as the ship will have Lincoln Center and BB Kings, I'll be happy.  As we are both in our early 40s, I cannot help wonder how the entertainment changes on HAL will affect their chances at attracting more younger clientele.

4 hours ago, JT1962 said:

I am currently in the Rotterdam and the shows are as follows (if I remember correctly):

 

First Night - presentation regarding the ports

 

Second Night - Comedian / Impressionist

 

Third Night - Post Modern Jukebox

 

Fourth Night - Comedic Magician

 

Fifth Night - Different show by Post Modern Jukebox

 

Sixth Night - Combination of the Comedian and Magician from earlier in the cruise

 

Last Night - Can’t recall, possibly a BBC Movie

I'm not familiar with Post Modern Jukebox but the rest sounds awful. BBC Movie would be fine but I can watch those at home.

These recent experiences really make me wonder what we will see on our upcoming cruise in May.   

I hope the guests that have been disappointed with the entertainment (or lack thereof) are communicating that back to HAL. 

For what it's worth, when we cruised on the Koningsdam we were across the hall from N4024 as we were in a balcony cabin, VB4022. We didn't realize the ship had cabins set up that long way so we took take a peek in when the steward was cleaning and N4024 looked quite roomy. 

39 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

Watching now and loving it. We'll be doing (almost) the same cruise this summer, but on the Nieuw Statendam. Great preview!

The episode makes me want to go to Norway! it was funny to see the captain looking down from the bridge onto the cabin we stayed in which had a large balcony that guests from above could see too. ☺️

Yes