ExpatBride

33 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

I am sure a lot of women in the US would welcome a prolonged paid parental leave, free or reasonably priced prenatal and postnatal care, and birth as well, and free daycare and preschool. It has nothing to do with the independent attitude, though, but everything with being infant/child friendly. 🙂

As an American living in Scandinavia, I see these benefits as a pragmatic approach to securing the next generation of taxpayers. Without incentivizing people to reproduce, the welfare state won't survive. 

7 minutes ago, Despegue said:

We are also HAL fans, and used to cruise with them often ( 4 stars) for the relaxed, quiet and slightly refined atmosphere, and not many kids haha, but now we are a family, our World has changed 180 degrees! 🤪 

Yeah... I would hate that 🤣

On 6/26/2023 at 8:48 PM, MommytoAsquared said:

I've never been on AIDA cruise lines, but the "baby corner" concept is interesting to me.  For me, it would be more of a turn off to cruising that line. because it would encourage more babies and small children on board.

Same. I'm younger than HAL's core demographic, but I sail with HAL because of their lack of kid-centric onboard activities, which helps to keep kids off of their ships.

1 hour ago, Alphen said:

If you are from the UK, you should be able to find the form, if it exists. From the Netherlands no such luck. After contacting HAL, I already learned that the veterans offer is only for US/CAN, the same goes for the aforementioned refer a friend offer. Where did you find the statement that the Military Appreciation Offer to first responders and healthcare workers it is now extended to Europeans?

Unfortunately, I'm in Denmark. 

It was a news release from 2022, so a bit outdated but I was hoping since the US/Canada off is still valid this would be, too.

This is where I saw it: https://www.ttgmedia.com/news/hal-to-offer-healthcare-workers-100-onboard-credit-32610

1 minute ago, Alphen said:

Well, if you can find a location on the HAL website where you can fill in a form and select from anything other than US or Canada, I am all for it!

 

That's what I'm asking. Does anyone know if/where the elusive UK/EU form exists?

@Alphen Thanks! That's what I was referring to. But then I found this (not sure if I'm allowed to link, so I'll copy/paste):

Holland America Line (HAL) has extended its Military Appreciation Offer to first responders and healthcare workers from the UK and Europe.

1 hour ago, CruiserBruce said:

I am not aware that such credits are limited by region. Occasionally by type of fare booked under, but not by region.

To clarify, I'm looking for specific information on how to request this OBC in Europe – assuming it's available.

I found an article that says this program has been extended to UK and Europe, but I can't find where to apply. The only link I can find to request this $100 OBC gives a dropdown option of US or Canada, but my SO is a licensed physician in Europe.

I sent an email to HAL last week but I haven't received a reply. That's why I'm asking here. Does anyone know?

1 hour ago, Hambagahle said:

In Europe (I am Swiss and live in Switzerland) masks are history now even in hospitals (of course they are worn during surgery as usual!).   I would be astonished to the point of cancelling any cruise or transport that required me to wear a mask.   

It's the same in Denmark. I work in a hospital, and masks are "over."

8 minutes ago, DarrenM said:

Yes. It was the first on the list, on the night we decided to work our way through the list of cocktails.

Then you got what you ordered. But a vodka martini with a dill pickle is definitely a new one to me 😳

16 minutes ago, DarrenM said:

 

The worst one was a martini with olive brine.

 

Did you order a 'dirty martini'? 

47 minutes ago, sanger727 said:

 

This strikes me as a highly personal thing. To physically hold someone and try to comfort them. Alot of people might appreciate that. Many would also not, me being one. I personally would be taken aback by a stranger whether guest or crew, touching me outside of providing medical assistance. I'm not sure that expecting crew to "relieve" you in this duty is reasonable. They could be accused of groping or taking advantage of the person while injured.

Edited because I read it wrong... I initially understood the OP to mean they were reassuring the women that help was coming and they were going to be ok. That's what I would expect the crew to do as far as comforting in such a situation.

10 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

 

+1. Exactly what I have been saying all along. The last minute booking is your best friend.

Yes! I generally pick a few sailings and plan to be on one of them, then I watch prices. As a rule, the best deals I've found are right after final payment date because rates generally fall and there are still decent perks available. I booked in late April for a Norway sailing next month and got pre-paid gratuities, discounted HIA, and a generous OBC. Base fares are a bit lower now (about $100) but I'm still ahead with the incentives.

Fortunately, I'm within driving distance of the port and I'm not picky about cabin location.

2 hours ago, Mark_T said:

Disappointing to see the fake-meat options from a vegan/vegetarian perspective, but a great option for those just seeking a plant-based diet.

I agree and it seems that HAL is following the trend. They had a great veg menu in 2016 (no fake meat in sight), but it's been revised to mostly offer Beyond products 🙄

33 minutes ago, graphicguy said:

Most crew are trained in getting guests to their muster station, how to organize and load guests onto life boats. As far as giving on site medical treatment, unless they're trained, they wait for someone who is trained to offer medical assistance.

 

Of course, but the common issue is see in both my experience and the OP's experience is that the crew didn't know how to respond. That should be part of their basic training. In a medical emergency, you do ABC and then XYZ until medical staff arrives.

If the crew can be trained to get people into lifeboats, they should be able to handle calling for medical assistance and asking people to stop being idiots and put their phones away.
 

I was lured to the Epic by an excellent price and lived to regret it. I prefer smaller ships with no more than 2,500 passengers, so it was a bad fit for me. I've had a wonderful time on both the Star and Jade.

Pre-COVID, I thought that NCL delivered excellent value for money, but I quit sailing with them in 2017, so I don't know how it is now. Given that there have been recent cost-cutting measures on every cruise line, I don't think I'd like the "new" NCL. 

21 hours ago, bobkat11 said:

This is a random, weird situation that was handled very poorly by NCL staff. My husband and I came upon two injured passengers, elderly women who had fallen down a set of stairs on top of each other, and we began screaming for help. Long story short, several crew members came and went, making phone calls, trying to get a wheelchair, but not one crew member offered to relieve us as we held and comforted the injured passengers. Crew knew we did not know the women, because we made that clear. We spent about a half an hour helping these strangers before a wheelchair finally arrived, and it was only then that I realized, "Hey, a crew member really should have taken over and not left us there taking care of these strangers." Just pretty weird that not one crew member relieved us, and also that it took so long to get something as simple as a wheelchair.

 

 

I will not be cruising with NCL again.

 

My SO had a seizure aboard an NCL ship and the crew had no idea how to respond. I had to tell them to call for medical help and to please stop people from filming him seizing and bleeding on the floor. Some of my fellow passengers were of more help than the crew, with one woman telling people off and even blocking their phones so they couldn't film.

In addition, the medical centre ran up the bill and it wasn't until I threatened to remove his IV myself that they let us go back to our cabin. They charge per hour and there was no reason for us to be there on an IV drip for 5 hours other than to run up the tab. The ship also offered no help for the rest of the cruise (e.g., it would've been nice for them to comp room service since our trip was clearly ruined).

That was the last time I cruised with NCL.

Why chance it?

7 minutes ago, TGCRUISEO said:

 Orange is a special color for the Dutch

 I know. My best friend lives in Amsterdam. I'm more interested in the practicalities of the onboard party, which obviously isn't (or shouldn't be) a patriotic occasion.

What exactly is the "Orange Party"? It doesn't sound like it would usually be my jam but I have a vintage 1970s orange and gold evening gown and it seems like this might be one of the only occasions I could have an excuse to wear something so ridiculous!

6 hours ago, Mary229 said:

That may be fine if you need to order a beverage but if you have a medical emergency it may not be great.  Sure it could work the background ordering the appropriate medical services but people under duress want another human. 

After dealing with a medical emergency on NCL, I can said that AI handling would've probably been better. The crew was woefully ill-prepared. I had to tell them to contact medical services and to stop people filming my partner seizing and bleeding on the floor of the buffet.

I don't quite understand what you're asking. If your visa is sorted, it doesn't matter how you arrive. When I relocated from the US to Continental Europe, I considered sailing so that my cat wouldn't have to go in the cargo hold. Ultimately, I decided that a week plus in an onboard kennel (Cunard) wasn't necessarily an improvement, so we flew. 

I sent my belongings ahead in a shipping container and they arrived a few weeks after we did. 

4 minutes ago, Mike07 said:

 

 

The Niew Statendam definitely has ice cream (soft-served and scoop) available from lunch to evening. It was quite popular.

 

 

HAL had scooped ice cream in Zuiderdam in 2016, so IDK what @mlgb is on about 🤷‍♀️

On 6/5/2023 at 2:19 PM, dmbcanada said:

Seems like NCL is getting bad reviews lately, booked the Epic for next year cruising to Greece and Italy.   However having second thoughts due to bad reviews, what are the chances things will change for the better in a year?   We have cruised NCL twice in the past and love the itinerary for next year.  

I cruised on the Epic in 2015 and it was an epic mistake back then. I loved my other NCL cruises, but that one was just... regrettable. With that said, it was a bad choice of ship for me. If it seems like a good choice for you, it'll probably be fine. I just prefer small to mid-sized ships, and I've moved on from NCL.

6 minutes ago, Analog187 said:

That's what he goes by, the Pianist with the Hair.  His real name is julian gargiulo.  Either way, look him up on Youtube.  He is really incredible.  

Thanks... it looks like he won't be on my sailing 😩