WriterOnDeck

The deck stewards are always happy to give you a tour if you want. No need to book it without checking it out. Also, if not fully booked, you can book it by the day once on board.

On the Zuiderdam now, Westerdam last fall (Vistas). The loveseat and desk are next to the window in all the verandahs. I believe it is the same on all the Vistas. The obstructed oceanviews, which are like the verandahs but without a door to the balcony (a lifeboat where the balcony would be -- great light but obstructed view) have the bed by the window.

This is only if you book through HAL. If you book through a travel agent, you can't make payments through the HAL site, but through the travel agent. There are many benefits in booking through a travel agent, like perhaps additional onboard credit, but if prepayment is desired, make sure the agent can and will do little payments. I, too, support the idea of setting the money aside rather than keep paying it to HAL.

Assuming by the itinerary you are on the Zuiderdam? I am, too. I fell on shore and fractured my kneecap in April (Canary Islands), and medical made all the arrangements for me to get an MRI the next day in Agadir, Morocco. They were prepared to send me to an orthopedic at the next port, Casablanca, but the MRI showed no ligament damage and after a telemedicine consult with U Texas Medical Branch, they put me in a cast, then a brace, and I just healed on board. Another passenger on the world cruise earlier this year had an eye problem, and while the ship medical was working with the port agent to get an appointment with an opthamologist in Papeete, Tahiti, the passenger found their own that was open on Saturday morning. He corrected the problem, and medical arranged a followup a few weeks later in Sydney. I didn't rely on my travel/medical insurance company (Travel Insured) for any help, but after I filed the necessary paperwork for the claim while still on board, they had the reimbursement money in my bank account in 2-3 weeks. Make sure you get all the paperwork from medical and any onshore medical facilities. So I would be proactive on your own, but let medical and the port agent be your primary advocate. They took care of everything for me. It sounds like you have a good backup plan for Boston. Good luck!

Yes, I've been on the Zuiderdam since Jan. 3 and we have a very nice library.

The one place I can think of where larger ships have an advantage is Sydney, Australia. The HAL Vista ships can only fit under the harbour bridge at low tide, so they time their arrival/departure so they can get to the remove White Bay Terminal. One lucky larger ship gets the Overseas Passenger Terminal at Circular Quay. Other larger ships must tender. My most wonderful experiences were on the Amsterdam in Shanghai, just across from Pudong on the Huangpu River. We had to back a half mile down river when leaving to have room to turn. One year the Volendam was docked there with us. The Westerdam was an hour away at the industrial port. But I guess that's moot for now, as I predict that even when cruising returns to China, the Chinese will hold these special berths for their growing cruise industry.

Varies greatly depending on how bookings are going. On the world cruise we got them a month or two in advance, through our travel agent. On this cruise the next segment is fully booked so I doubt any offers will go out. That's why it's good to book a cabin you are pleased with, as it most likely will be the cabin you get.

There are many flavors of OBC, and this one from HAL as a goodwill gesture may have come with strings. Also, sometimes OBC you get for "inconveniences" such as poor internet service, or OBC that comes with a casino fare, etc., may not qualify for some expenses. It is important to get the details about the OBC when you get it.

Ellen, I used my AARP gift cards on the world to pay down my onboard expenses (but not all of them). I still got reimbursed for medical expenses (knee) through Travel Insured. But I was left the quandry of scanning 21 pages of onboard expenses to show the charges (which I also had receipts for from medical) went to my shipboard account. In the future, if I have medical expenses, I intend to have the front desk charge those to a credit card during the cruise. Or add up the total and make a credit card payment for that exact amount during the cruise. that would just make submitting the claim easier, I think.

None on the Zuiderdam since the end of the world cruise on 5/12

I'm currently on the world cruise and fell in the Canary Islands (private excursion). Upon return to the ship my knee swelled, so went to medical. They X-rayed, found fractured patella, and said I would go ashore the next day in Agadir, Morocco, for an MRI to check for ligament or other damage and an ortho consult. They didn't know whether I could come back. Long story short no ortho consult in Agadir so had MRI and came back. MRI results were good, so the onboard docs had a telemedicin call with U Tex Medical Branch (supports ships at sea), who said I could recover on board. I initially had a partial plaster cast but eventually they got me the necessary knee brace. I'm still doing well, and will stay on till late July. Great service IMHO. BTW, I blogged about it starting with this one: https://www.writerondeck.com/2023/04/07/if-only-i-hadnt-missed-that-one-little-step/

My experience for the last year is that HAL, like other cruise lines, has had a heck of a time getting visas approved for crew members, and that has led to being short staffed. One of our cabin stewards had to leave mid cruise because his visa renewal didn't come through in a timely fashion. That issue isn't driven by "cutting back" on staff, but an inability to fully staff up.

I'm seeing our all over the place. I injured my knee and am temporarily in a wheel chair, and he's been among the many crew and guests pushing me along from one venue to another.

The service charge is automatically added to the bars, specialty dining, etc., so additional isn't an issue.

Mary Ann, I believe it did happen in those cities, as well. My normal discounted latte of $3.06 was $3.37, for example, while we were in those ports. Apparently they got lots of questions so put the item on the Daily Report. But didn't explain that it was already being charged. My long career in corporate communications leaves me wishing they paid more attention, and were more forthcoming and transparent (e.g. various reasons for TV reception loss in Europe). I'd offer my services if I didn't like being retired so much! I still can't believe I haven't run into you on board in 99 days .... Jo

Much better. Got rid of the cast and will be getting a brace.

Ouch! I broke my femur when I was 5. All I remember was 2 weeks in traction in the hospital. And then a body cast. I'm looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks.

I'm still on board -- and it wasn't a given! After a trip and fall in the Canary Islands, I thought I might have to leave the ship for treatment. Doesn't look like it. I am still blogging -- you can find my latest report here: https://www.writerondeck.com/2023/04/08/a-view-of-morocco-from-an-ambulance-window/

My understanding from officers on the Zuiderdam now is that installation crews are getting on May 12 and it may take a couple of weeks to install. No word about when operational. I'm on until July 22 so hope to get to experience it. The company is installing it first on the Zuiderdam and Zaandam.

Do the Zuiderdam - I'll be on it! HAHAHA! Seriously, I would go by itinerary. The ships are different but not greatly. If you want a quiet ocean view there are many more on the Volendam. I've been on the Zuiderdam since early January and will be here until late July (world cruise +), and find it delightful and of course the crew is always great. Our family (adults, maybe one 5-year-old) is doing the Zuiderdam holiday so my sisters and I can stay on for the 24 world cruise. You will have a number of us doing both, but not enough to notice, I think.

I've known and sailed on cruises with him, and want to add my condolences. Many of us here on the world cruise are grieving his passing, too. He was much loved.

HAL raised all its internet prices March 1. Pays to book the internet early in case of future increases. Also, the Premium online price is probably close to the Surf (or middle) price once on the ship. It is the only internet discount price I have seen.

No idea why, but for me the Navigator app doesn't play nicely with VPN already on. I'm on the world cruise and use my VPN, but I always turn it on after connected to the internet through the Navigator. If I come back later and need to re-log into Navigator (happens with irritating frequency) I make sure the VPN is off first.

This varies greatly -- it's not a set percentage by cabin category or by cruise type. If the cruise is selling quickly, it's less. If not, the discount might kick in. Just like airplane tickets. You and the person sitting next to you might pay vastly different prices.

The rationale is that the cruise line loses the opportunity to sell more booze, more shore excursions, more casino play, more photographs, etc. Not saying I agree with it, but they won't make as much money off a cabin with one person, even paying double, as a cabin with 2 people.