asebastian

I recently got an upgrade to a Neptune which I turned down, and a day later got another upgrade offer for a Signature Suite. I accepted on the proviso that I get a cabin from a list I provided to my TA, and she came and said yes, 2 were available from the 6 that I provided. We are particular on the Port or Starboard side of the ship depending on destination, also particular to the decks (don't want any cabins that may be under Lido for example). This is on the Westerdam, sailing is just over 3 weeks from now.

The QE2 a few months ago ran a short 2-day cruise from Melbourne to Davenport (in Tasmania) for those wanting to experience an ocean cruise. I had 3 friends on board for the cruise, and the ship was turned around in Tasmania for not complying with the issues mentioned above, so they stayed on the ship the whole time and sailed back the next day.

So we're booked in a Verandah cabin at the moment, and have turned down the offer to the Neptune upgrade. Boy, HAL are persistent and yesterday made another offer for a Signature Suite at half the rate which we have accepted. Likely we won't get double cruise credits, but the additional upgrade cost was quite low. This is for the Westerdam which doesn't have Vista cabins/suites. We book Vistas or Verandahs at the minimum, based on the ship. Pre-covid have booked a few Signature Suites, but had 3 cruises canceled at that time! Lucky we received quite a lot of FCC with bonuses for those. Thanks for all your responses.

Hi all, I've just had a paid upgrade offer to a Neptune (up from a balcony). Will I be eligible for double cruise credits if I accept? I know about all the other perks, just wondering. I've also noted on this forum that complimentary upgrades are not eligible for double credits, which is fair enough. Thanks.

HAL promos are a mystery at the best of times! You will get different opinions from different staff on HIA inclusions. We have it on the Japan Collector for October this year and the Amazon Explorer in 2025, but have 2 other shorter cruises this year and the Voyage of the Vikings next June where it wasn't offered.

Pre-paid crew appreciation (gratuities) seem to be included on promos for longer cruises booked far in advance. For example, our 2025 Amazon Explorer has it included in the HIA promo. Usually the Grand Voyages and the like have them as part of the deal. I have never seen a short cruise with pre-paid crew appreciation thrown in. Just my 2c worth.

Will definitely keep an eye out for those next time. I guess would be similar to painted lines on a train platform (used to be in the transport industry at one stage), where the engine would have to stop exactly at the lines, and usually there are a few different lines marking the number of carriages on the train. Shorter suburban trains or commuter trains had 3 on weekends, 6 on weekdays, now 8 on busy lines during weekdays.

I asked the captain how the maneuver the ship to just bump the rubber bumpers on the pier with millimeter precision. With a wink he said "we use our impulse engines, not the warp engine"! Trekkies will get the reference. Anyway the side thrusters are set to their lowest RPM to achieve that sideways movements. Photo here (on a sea day so the pier on the side is not shown; but one can see down several balconies below, I wonder if they know! 😃)

I beg to differ, @RuthC and am not attacking you over this. Not sure where or what you've been served. Not to name drop, but Chef Bitta is a personal friend of mine, he's the Exec Chef on the Nieuw Amsterdam now and 15 years on other HAL ships. I just sent him a message about this and he was horrified, said you should have complained and sent your plate back if that was the case! Anyway enough said on this, back to behind the scenes tour on a happier note.

I've gone thru many restaurants (now a volunteer chef too), never seen food being "slopped" on to the plates. Typically placed in using small utensils according to the plating requirements as shown in the posters. The only thing slopped would be gravy or semi-liquid food that will spread on the plates. Sample plating and posters are also in use in many land-based restaurants to achieve consistency and visual appeal of plates sent out.

"Magic" machine that creates the small stick-on labels that you find on your clothes sent out to the laundry!

"Tailor shop" from behind the scenes tour on the NS. Shirts were tailored to fit as well, especially lengthening or shortening the sleeves.

I remember asking if the ship was on "auto pilot" and answer was no, it was all manual even though they had sophisticated equipment on board that allowed auto pilot. But the navigation officer said on sea days with no traffic around mostly, it was "steady as she goes" with the watch officers keeping an eye on what's outside. So it all seemed very calm and relaxed on sea days. Quite the different experience for me.

Both of my tours were on sea days!

I have been on 2 of these tours pre-covid (Zaandam and Nieuw Statendam). The tours are NOT advertised anywhere, but you have to approach Guest Services and ask to put your name on the "secret list". Once the tour is confirmed, you'll get a note in your cabin with details of when and where. Numbers are usually quite small, not exceeding 15. Usually led by the CD, and it is a fascinating tour that takes you up and down the ship, from Deck 0 to the bridge, and ends with a Q&A session with the Captain and a photo. Free drinks at the meeting place too. You may also be presented with a keepsake from the ship. Tours were not cheap, $150 added per person to your running bill on the ship. One of our group recently on the Nieuw Amsterdam was interested, and asked Guest Services and he was told the tours are not offered at the moment.

Likely we'll be arriving 1-2 days ahead of the cruise...but by the looks of the logistics of stairs etc we may just take a taxi. Pity there isn't a train connection.

Thanks for the info Roy. A Taxi from Amsterdam might be the way! Hate carrying bags up and down stairs, which the hotel neglected to tell me about!

To be honest, I'd gladly pay that myself if the ships can stay at Amsterdam!

Interesting history right there guys! Back on topic, we have a cruise starting from Ijmuiden in June 2024 (Viking Passage), and I have done a little bit of research to get there. I thinking we'll probably take the bus 382 (35mins trip from Amsterdam Central to the last stop), 10mins walk to the Leonardo Hotel. I've been in correspondence with the hotel and they assure me it's only a 10mins easy walk from the hotel to the cruise pier. So we may go the day before and check out the place. In the map, note that the pier is on the left side, hotel Leonardo in the middle and last stop for the bus on the right (small blue bus symbols). If anyone thinks this is not doable, please let me know. Thanks. Correction: my apologies, the bus starts in Amsterdam, Station Sloterdijk, not Amsterdam Central.

I wonder if this is a requirement to provide crew with more open space, post-Covid. As far as I'm concerned, they seem to be occupying space unused otherwise and they certainly deserve it!

In our last voyage on the NA, a new structure was in progress in "Deck 12", basically a crew-only rec area off-limits to customers. This was mentioned by the CD Kimberley during one of her talks. Anyone on the ship now please take a photo and post if you can.

Anyone has any ideas on Starlink installation across the various ships? Been reading snippets in some threads but no definite answer. Particularly interested in Westerdam, Zandam, Nieuw Statendam and Zuiderdam. Thanks

Ship is good, clean, well maintained with crew painting constantly - lifeboats, railings, ship externals etc as well as balcony washing. Carpets were clean with several areas had changeover noticeable. And both azipods were working 😄

Here (marked Tasman Room):

Just across the Hudson room