Burrata

in the Garden Cafe, you can request a veggie burger. A selection of vegetarian Indian options (yummy) are available everyday too as well as other veg options. Pre-pandemic Breakaway did a special Indian lunch buffet, not sure if it will be offered again

@julig22thank you so much for your help!

Can points be used to book shore excursions in advance? Just got off phone with NCL and the answer was "no" had to book on the ship to use points. Is there a work around? TIA

Thanks for the information! Shocking what an office visit costs on land!

Special shout out to the Fleet Report and the Daily! Enjoyed the posts very much! Now to our story… Sailed on the Zaandam, Montreal to Boston at the end of August. Very easy embarkation after arriving at the scheduled 1:20 pm time slot. Room keys already at our cabin, time to relax! Watched the safety video and had our key cards scanned, very easy! When we returned to our cabin, DH was complaining about something in his eye and tried rinsing it out. No luck! Our luggage had arrived by this time and I had some unopened saline that we hoped would take care of his eye. No joy! We knew it would be expensive to visit the medical center on the ship but DH was really miserable, not a great way to start a vacation. Headed to the medical center when it opened at 3pm. After filling out forms and having a nurse take vitals, he met with the doctor. Doctor successfully removed a “seed” (that is what she called it), DH experienced instant relief and his vision was not affected. Hooray! Left with antibiotic drops and tried to guess the total cost. DH recovered very quickly and was 100% the next morning. Total bill= $511.42 This was our first time cruising on HAL. The staff was amazing! Really made the cruise. Our room steward was a gem. Meals were tasty for the most part but many of them could have been hotter. Loved: the Crow’s Nest and the Exploration Cafe! Our favorite spots. Also enjoyed walking or relaxing on deck 3. Other likes were Afternoon Tea, surprise items at the Lido (fresh cherries!) and meeting a new people at breakfast. Disliked: Tender process at Bar Harbour! Due to weather (very foggy) and how slow the ship has to travel, the ship was not cleared for disembarkation until 8:20 am. We had booked an excursion from HAL that departed at 10am. Written instructions were in our cabin in advance about the process. The line was insane! We were in line at 8:30am as instructed to clear immigration and customs. DH and I heard a couple behind us complain about the line and how it was taking up their pool time! What?!?! If they had waited, oh maybe 30 minutes, it may not have been an issue. If you have mobility issues, can’t stand for long periods of time or are not a US citizen, be prepared to wait. It would also help the process if those who were not planning to leave the ship or didn’t have anything booked, to wait a bit. We tendered in on the ship’s lifeboats and came back to ship via a larger local boat. All the confusion shouldn’t fall all on HAL but there has to be a better way for those who have excursions and/or mobility issues to clear immigration. Overall, we enjoyed our time on this ship and the itinerary. We would book again on HAL if the right itinerary came along. Be safe, be well and happy cruising!

@whogo You had to ask about the poutine, it was next to the hot mains of the day, not many toppings and not very good 😐 I was so surprised to see CC machines to lit a candle in the basilica! maybe to help pay off the restorations due to the fire? We settled for the 4 hour candle for much less. Enjoying your report!

On the Zaandam I would say 80% was served, things like rolls/bread and some cold items were self serve.

There were two gala nights, the 2nd night (Quebec City) and the 6th night.(Halifax). Enjoy the Zaandam!

10 days before departure!

I was a little concerned about possible noise from the deck above with our original cabin (World Stage) but liked the fact that the promenade was close by. We selected our original H cabin, it was not a guarantee rate one. Good to know that you can select "do not upgrade" as an option. Rather torn but either way sure we will have a great cruise! Thanks everyone for your answers!!!

Long time reader, first time poster on this forum : ) Just received an email that the cabin for my upcoming cruise has been changed from a H (lower promenade, partial ocean view) to a DA (main deck). The new cabin looks bigger? Never had a room change without asking, have sailed on NCL. Is this an upgrade? Thanks in advance!

Seems like the OP has left this lively thread! I have really enjoyed some of the responses : ) @HBCcruiser's photo's would hopefully convince the OP that NCL did them a huge favor but adding a balcony room at no charge. I think they will understand how right NCL made it up to them once they see the set up of the cabin. Much more comfortable to have the extra room (at no cost) plus Haven perks! OP be happy not angry! Enjoy your cruise!

thank you NanaJPB and rkacruiser for your replies! I will take a look at it once on board.

hello all! Thinking of purchasing the week long thermal spa pass for an August cruise (Montreal to Boston). This is my first cruise with HAL but have cruised several times on NCL. From photos and write ups I could find, the spa does seem small. A few questions please, Does it get busy? Is it a quiet place to relax? Does anyone know the operating times? TIA!

I take a KleenKanteen aluminum water bottle with me. I ask the room steward for ice and then fill it with water from my room. My Kleen keeps it nice and cold for a long time. I do dump out any water if coming back on the ship. Using the "Just Water" refillable cartons that are on the ship is good idea too. 😀

I booked a clamshell back in 2018 and shore excursion credit couldn't be used for that but you do get priority tendering. : )

you must doing a B2B! we are sailing August 20th-27th, Montreal to Boston. I did book the one excursion that was a must do!

thank you everyone! Booked the one excursion we really wanted. Can't wait!

good to know! This is our first time sailing on HAL. Your husband sounds like my husband debating on excursion due to cost! I usually book something not telling him the price then he raves about it afterwards. Total strangers can also talk him into things too : / The Alaska cruises look amazing!

Hello all! booked Montreal to Boston August '22 on the Zaandam. Best to book excursions in advance? on board? TIA and thank to all who have served!