akke29

My June 1st Jewels of the Baltic on Rotterdam (Ryndam)was rescheduled for May, which is actually too early, I would have preferred it get pushed back a bit.  When the dust settles I hope to rebook for the Sept/Oct Jewels of the Baltic.  Hopefully that's not too late in the season for a Baltic's cruise.  HAL has the latest sailings, with most lines pulling the gangway in August.  Either way, it's nice to have some clarity on what was bound to happen in the new build being delayed.

Since I started this thread, I'll give everyone an update.  I ended up canceling the cruise in question and after some back and forth and finding a new agent to deal with, I got the $100 cancelation fee waived.  I'll also be taking my business to a new agency with no extra fees.

Thanks everyone for the update, I've never encountered this before, so I wasn't sure if it was a one off, or more bad info by the agent, which is a consistent reality.  For color, I had to inform her about "Cruise With Confidence" after she quoted me the standard cancelation policy, as if Covid wasn't wreaking havoc and wasn't front and center in the industry.  Unfortunately, I'm stuck with her until this particular cruise sails or I cancel. 

I go into all of this having done my homework, but I'm shocked that in light of what's going on and that the cruise lines, airlines and hotels aren't even charging cancelation fees, an agency would.  

Anyone cancel their cruise and have their TA levy a cancelation fee?  

2 hours ago, mugtech said:

September 4 Vancouver to Tokyo final payment due June 5, hope the June 2 email cancels said cruise.

I'm booked on the Sept 20th Tokyo-Singapore, I too hope they cancel that one as well, before final payment is due.  

4 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

I don't usually remove them.  If they are not bothersome, when I put my underwear on in the morning, and I see them, good memories.  

Oh good!  I'm not the only one that leaves them on as long as possible... to recount the memories.  

10 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

Only 'essential services' are operating across Europe and Italy has been badly hit, specially the northern industrialist areas.

Building will resume when the lockdown ends and Ryndam will continue to be built.  I would guess that she will be 2/3 months late.  Even if Fincantieri would work double shifts, the supply chain will need to get back up to speed.  Also, I don't imagine that HAL would be pushing for completion too soon until bookings for all ships start to fill.

I did read on the Fincantieri website that they'll work through the summer holidays to attempt to get back on schedule.  Hopefully this will be achievable.  

Booked the June 1st, 2021 sailing Jewels of the Baltic's while on my Maasdam cruise in Feb.  Couldn't pass up the deal!  Now... will she be finished in time for her scheduled debut?  

FWIW - I was curious what Fincantieri was saying about Ryndam.  Their statement said that while current work is on hold at all their shipyards, when work does resume, they'll work through their summer holidays to try to get back on schedule.  I'm booked on one of the early Ryndam sailings next summer... hoping it doesn't get canceled.  

23 hours ago, Balsam12 said:

I would suggest you will be the last cruise before dry dock, which is likely to be in Singapore. She would then sail from Singapore to Brisbane to commence her season there.

Makes sense.  We dock in Singapore on Oct 1st and the next cruise appears to not sail until Nov 4th, on a repositioning cruise to Brisbane.  

On 3/19/2019 at 4:57 AM, dl6996 said:

maybe the refurbishment will be after the Alaska season in 2020 and before arrival in Brisbane

Any idea on more specific timing?  I'm booked in Sep 2020 from Japan to Singapore.  Curious I'll sail before/after refurb. 

Just off the Maasdam as well, same cruise as @ScottishMaid.  We had ZERO problems with our AC, in fact it was often too cold at times.  Problems with the shower?  That's another story.  

Recently ended a cruise on Maadam.  Based on info on CC, I had planned to eat in the MDR on embarkation day.  Unfortunately its was NOT open.  No big deal, just ate in the Lido as it was relatively early on after boarding started and wasn't busy.  So... word to the wise.  

FWIW... I had no issues with check-in for 3 people.  I'm using a Macbook and Chrome browser.  

Anyone have any car hire experience in Auckland?  We end our cruise and will spend another week in Auckland and wanted to have a car for day trips etc...  Looks like there are several downtown locations for various companies.  I've rented a car in Auckland before, but it was at the airport.

Done...  I'll just spend the extra $$ for peace of mind and what appears to be a neat way to spend some time.  

I've been exploring options for our day in Akaroa.  Visiting a sheep farm is high on the list while in NZ, but I'm wondering if pairing it with the drive all the way to Christchurch is too much?  Lots of reviews complain about "too little time in Christchurch" so I'm wondering if skipping Christchurch and devoting the day to exploring Akaroa and visiting a sheep farm is a good use of the time in the day?  

I normally don't book shore excursions via cruise line, but am tempted to in this case.  The sheep farms website essentially says you can only visit via cruise ship booking.  Anyone have any experience with trying to do this on ones own?

On 1/16/2020 at 1:44 PM, OzKiwiJJ said:

If you're planning on going to Rotorua after your cruise then don't bother trying to also do it on the Tauranga day. There is so much to see in Rotorua.

 

The township and beaches of Mt Maunganui are only a few minutes walk from the cruise terminal. Perhaps consider climbing Mt Maunganui then having a swim in the hot pools at the base of it. 

 

If you're there on a Sunday and like model railways (the ones you can actually ride on) then head over to Memorial Park in Tauranga where they have an amazing set-up.

Thanks, I've decided to just explore Tauranga on this day and not attempt to cram everything into a logistically challenging day.  I think your suggestions are great!  We'll save Rotorua for our day trip from Auckland where we are in better control of the schedule.  

We'll be on the Maasdam in Feb calling in Tauranga from 830-2145.  I've booked the ship's zodiac excursion, which is 2 hours, 930-1130.  Now I'm exploring options for the rest of the day after lunch.  We are likely returning to Rotorua on a post cruise day trip from Auckland so was trying to figure out the best use of our time while in port.  It appears we'll have to do it ourselves as most bookable options start in the morning.  I'm fine with DIY and am comfortable driving in NZ.  Would it be feasible to rent a car and drive down to Wai o Tapu then up to Rotorua for the Tamaki Maori village evening experience, then drive back to Tauranga in time for the sail away?  Or perhaps stick closer to port for the rest of the day and skip the evening Tamaki experience and include the geothermal experience in our return to Rotorua?

I was disappointed with Jamie's on Anthem, this past November.  Slow service, loud music and mediocre food.  Of all the specialty dining restaurants, I was looking forward to this one the most.  It was also empty, which was not the case at the other specialty dining spots on the ship.  

Did the northstar twice on Anthem last month, once in Cococay and once in Nassau.  Both times it was late in the day approaching sunset and then during.  It was actually quite nice.  The glare on the glass makes pictures a bit difficult, but still a neat experience.  

Had a fantastic cruise last summer on Oosterdam.  We too found the MDR closing hours for breakfast a bit early.  We usually did breakfast at Lido and fought the crowds.  I don't think we ever did a breakfast in the MDR, now that I think about it!  Though, at times there was little seating available, but with patience generally found something relatively quick.  We enjoyed a leisurely breakfast in Lido during port days, opting most time to let the masses disembark and then we'd walk right off, no issues.  Lots of good advice already upthread, just thought I'd give my 2 cents.  Oh... and I love how HAL does much of the serving at the Lido.  

1 hour ago, Host Clarea said:

 

I'd book no closer than about 8 staterooms to the centrum to minimize the noise.

Agreed.  I was on Vision for 17 nights this spring and every night we left the centrum, we commented that we were so happy to not have those close to the centrum cabins.  

On 10/19/2019 at 1:34 PM, momilani said:

Had to go downtown for a meeting this morning.  Can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen one of HAL’s wonderful “dam” ships here in port and just wished I was sailing away with her on another adventure.. This time, as I drove ‘round the curve and the Noordam came into view, I was grinning as I know that tomorrow  that wish is coming true!  Back to packing...😀

Me too!  I live in Kakaako and rounded the corner and saw her as well!  We sailed on Oosterdam last summer and will sail Maasdam in February.  

I booked on the first day last summer while sailing on Oosterdam in the Med.  The price on embarkation day was cheaper than booking online prior.  We used the thermal suite nearly every day of this port intensive cruise!  Enjoying the "bubbles" as we called it after a day of exploration, was terrific and just what we needed.  I actually fell asleep more than once in the thermal chairs.  After an hour, we'd get ready for dinner and be relaxed for the evening.  It never seemed crowded, but sometimes there was a bit of a wait for the chairs.  Sauna's were almost always empty and the pool rarely had more than 5 people max in it at a time.  Maybe we timed it perfectly...  I'd do it again, absolutely.