richwmn

Just hoping HAL has a free local network. Was it on HAL where you used it recently?

All you need to do is connect to the wireless network and you can use these apps without paying for internet, this has always been available.

At least one of the apps I mentioned earlier needs no configuration. Softros LAN Messenger when installed and activated will show a phone book of others using the application

A couple of quick thoughts. It has always been possible to "piggy back" on the ship's wifi and use programs and apps, HAL just never made any information available until recently.

If you search "LAN Messenger" in google play you will find 4 third party apps that should work on the ship. I don't have any Apple equipment so I can't comment on iPhone apps. These apps would take care of the texting needs while on the ship.

I understand that there is on demand TV on the Koningsdam but do they also have a DVD player?

 

Can I bring a USB loaded with kids shows and play them on the TV to keep my grandchild amused?

The short answer to both questions is no.

The TV in my cabin was mounted solidly to the wall and no access provided to the back. On one side I found a cat5 cable connected and what felt like rf, hdmi and usb port. However, due to the way the TV was mounted it would be very difficult to use those ports. In addition, the remote is limited to the functions required - it does not have any means of switching inputs.

We've just booked our first ocean cruise (Alaska in August) yesterday and trying to learn as much as possible over the next 5 months. Why would one purchase obc's rather than just have any purchases applied to your account and settle up the last night? Or is it a budgeting issue trying not to overspend?

I can only think of one reason and that would be if you're trying to meet a pending spend requirement in order to receive a sign-up bonus for a new credit card.

I'd like to know what other reason there could possibly be.

We each have our own reasons for how we pay for the cruise and on board expenses. One of the beauties of our system is that you don't have to understand why I chose to pay for things the way I do.

Many people have had trouble in the past with credit / credit cards and don't want to fall into that trap again. They might have plenty of money to take a cruise and pay the expenses incurred so the common response that if you can't afford it you shouldn't cruise doesn't wash.

Another reason to pre-pay expenses is that when you leave the ship, the transaction is over, no credit card is given to add additional "found" charges to.

Sorry, I should have been more explicit. During "Happy Hour" what does HAL offer? Discounted beverages? Food? entertainment?

Normally the "Happy Hour" offer is just buy one, get a second identical drink for $2.00. Some ships serve "finger food", but most do not. On the Prinsendam, the early "Happy Hour" included afternoon trivia.

Koningsdam Billboard Onboard also had a self-serve buffet type line set-up with different appetizers during afternoon Happy Hour...can't say if it was everyday, but was there the two times we went.

I believe the buffet line was there every day during my Koningsdam cruise.

Rich

Koningsdam Feb 12-19 (from saved Navigators)

nothing on Embarkation Day

Mon - Sat Billboard Onboard 4 - 5

Tue - Thu & Sat Crows Nest 4 - 5

Mon - Sat Crows Nest 10 - 11

buy 1 get 1 for $2

I've really enjoyed this board as my wife and I prepare for our first cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam to Alaska. I've got some questions regarding Onboard Credits.

 

1. How do I purchase the OBCs? Is there a spot on the HAL website? Or, do I let my PCC know? Can I purchase the OBC at any time before sailing?

 

2. Can the OBC be used for everything on board? Dinners at the PG and Tamarind? Wine and alcohol purchases? Tips? HSC charges? Excursions?

 

3. Is there a limit of how much OBC I can purchase?

 

4. If I don't buy a Signature Beverage Package, do I get receipts for every drink I buy? And then, will these (plus tips) be deducted from the OBC?

 

5. Can I check at the main desk while cruising to stay updated on my OBC account?

 

6. I I don't use up the OBC total, is the difference refunded to me upon disembarkation?

 

Thanks for the help.

In addition to what Kazu said.

1. You need to purchase any OBC you wish at least a week prior to the cruise. You may be able to purchase it within that last week by calling rather than using the website.

5. On many ships now you can use your laptop, tablet or phone to check your balance.

6. If you have a credit or debit card registered the balance can be refunded to the card. If you don't, you can get a cash refund starting around 10pm the night prior to disembarking. At that point your card will be turned off for charging.

A couple of notes for those who have asked / talked about purchasing FCD for people who are not on the cruise.

1. If you have any combination of their Name, Mariner Number, phone number, and maybe address and birth date the Consultant on board can easily find their Mariner Number.

2. Anyone who has sailed on any Carnival Corp. line has a Mariner number that can be determined the same as people who have sailed on HAL.

3. I have been told that if you want to purchase a FCD for someone who has never sailed before, the Consultant will have a Mariner Number generated then and there.

One thing to watch out for, I had a problem one time with one of my cards trying to buy a FCD for someone else. Both HAL and the bank said that it was the fault of the other. Also, I have noticed that you will have multiple charges of $100, rather than one total - at least I always have.

I also just checked and the form in the link above is identical to the one I got on Koningsdam 2 weeks ago.

You can also receive the refund in cash, starting around 10pm the night before the cruise ends.

Microsoft has a long history of taking standards and altering them such that programs other than Microsoft products are not compatible with the file. Many examples can be found if someone cares to research it.

Thanks for your prompt reply. Just based on the deck plan, "one of the largest" is probably most accurate description of 1012. Certainly, again based on the deck plan, the OO staterooms forward of yours appear not to be as "roomy". Even with the ones aft of yours, if there is any difference in size, it's probably in millimeters of difference.

 

My reason for questioning is due to my plan to make a far out booking for the Koningsdam (or on the Nieuw Statendam) in order to snag one of these OO staterooms. If I can, of course. "Buyer beware"; I want to know what I am going to find before making such a booking decision.

 

Thank you for your information!

When I booked my Koningsdam cruise I got a nice discount by taking the Solo cabin. Looking at a random Caribbean Cruise for next season, I found the pricing to be about the same for the OO cabins as an Outside Obstructed regular cabin. With that in mind, I might go with a regular cabin to have more choice on location. While I had no problems with the cabin, choice is nice.

Many thanks for all your speedy responses. In response to your question, my questions were related to the Koningsdam.

Koningsdam definitely has all the "bells and whistles". I just left her last Sunday. Restaurant Menus for all restaurants and main dining room, on line viewing of account, excursions, and more. Easy to set up and use. Connect to ship's wifi, set up account with your name and cabin number and go for it.

Another question about your comments concerning the stateroom: You stated that 1012 was considered to be the largest of the OO Category. Looking at the deck plan and considering the changing of the curvature of the hull, I wonder if the two OO staterooms aft of yours are not slightly larger. I realize that the difference is probably not much, if there is any difference. Speaking with others whose staterooms were in other outside/standard veranda categories, did you hear comments/complaints about the positioning of the commode in those staterooms as well?

Sorry, I was going by what I remembered my PCC saying, and it might have been larger rather than largest. I thought I had looked at the deck plans and that 1012 was the last OO. Looking again I see two more aft which might be slightly larger. Not sure if the difference would be very much. I didn't have any contact with the passengers in neighboring cabins so I don't know about the positioning of the commode in those staterooms.

edit:

looking back at the post about size I said "One of the largest".

Prinsendam also has the intranet setup for Navigator, tours, menus etc.

Thanks for posting your comments and particularly the photos of the stateroom.

 

What is the "black colored" object next to the nightstand?

 

To me, the stateroom looks adequate for a short cruise, but for a longer one, I doubt that I personally would be happy with such.

 

The toilet's position is as bad as I thought it might be! One can only hope that the bathrooms on Nieuw Statendam will have a more comfortable placement.

 

Now, HAL, in Pinnacle III, how about some solo veranda staterooms?

The black colored object is a small (18"x18" or so) table. I kept my laptop case below it and my paperwork on top. I didn't try to move it but most likely you could if you wanted to.

Rich, I went out about 10 am. The mobile passport line was in-between the Global Entry and the standard line - on the right. Maybe they set it up after you went through.

 

With the debarkation running 1/2 hour ahead, I got off way too early to catch my train, I was in the last group.

 

 

I'm going to mention the email I got in my survey, I hung around the hotel an extra two hours and came on when my 4-star status gave me no benefits [except not having to wait additional time].

I saw the Global Entry sign, but no Mobile Passport. I guess maybe 40-60 people were off in front of me, and when I got to the CBP people there wasn't a line. No problems at all, Officer looked at my passport and checked picture against me and waved me along.

Back home after leaving the Koningsdam and Fort Lauderdale this morning. This will not be a "review", but some comments about different things that people commonly ask about.

1. Embarkation -

As mentioned in an earlier thread, my embarkation went smoothly for the most part. The unfortunate part was that they had one line for even numbered cabins and another one for odd. The unfortunate part was that my traveling companions, first time on HAL, were not on the same side as I was. Luckily I was able to finish mine in time to go over and assist them.

It also appears that HAL sent notices to "some" passengers asking them to refrain from arriving at the port until noon, shortly after I actually boarded. They really need to be consistant.

2. Solo cabin -

It was really a nice size, although all the solo cabins are all the way forward. I don't have a problem with that but some people might. The cabin had a nice layout with the one downside - no couch. Pictures can be found here.

3. Television in cabin -

The television was set up at the foot of the bed, with a small path between the end of the bed and TV.

Programming was limited

Live TV - MSNBC, CNBC, FOX, ESPN, ESPN2

Programs - There were about a dozen programs in 3 categories. Sorry, I didn't write them down. But you could binge watch one season of several different shows.

Movies - I counted a little under 200 movies which could be streamed to the cabin. In the previous setup we could choose from over 1000 dvds.

The TV itself was tightly mounted to the wall. I did try to see if it could be pulled out any without success, but I didn't take too much time on it. From what I could see and feel, there are on the right side a network connector (used), an RF connector (unused), and what felt like a usb and htmi connector (unused). It would be difficult to use those connectors. The remote was very limited to only the functions needed to view the presentations.

4. Activities -

Activities were varied and continued well into the evening. The three music venues "Lincoln Center", "BB King", and "Billboard Onboard" were constantly crowded and kept going until the "wee hours".

The main shows, held on the "World Stage", were all good. There were three shows each night and I went to the 10 pm show each night. For that show about 2/3 of the seat were filled.

One thing for beer lovers, Billboard Onboard had 6 beer taps - Blue Moon, Amstel Light, Heineken, Stella, Guiness and Bodingtons

5. Crew -

The crew lived up the standards I expect from HAL. The small problems I had were handled quickly and efficently.

6. Disembarkation -

Since I usually travel alone I don't worry too much about this. I can usually handle putting my luggage out and going thru the regular disembarkation. This time we tried express disembarkation and I was really not impressed. We were asked to be at Lincoln Center at 7:30 this morning. We got there a little after 7 and were seated. As the seating area filled, the other people started milling around in the open area. At about 7:25 the seated people were told to proceed to the roped off area while those standing were held back and were not happy about it. No problems ensued, but the potential existed.

Once we started moving, everything went smoothly. I didn't see a sign for the Mobile Customs app, thankfully we had the paper filled out and were processed quickly. We were in the car and on our way by 8:15

All in all, a great cruise.

K-dam actually has two CD's assigned at the moment until mid May; Carson Turner and Jonathan Rogers

According to Carson, Jonathan had to leave the ship 3 weeks ago. AFAIK, Carson is the only CD aboard right now.

Koningsdam shared HMC with Nieuw Amsterdam today. Despite the sizes of the ships, the beach wasn't too bad.

Okay, Newbie Dummy question here:

 

Why is it that we may not name The Site Which May Not Be Named (but which seems to rhyme with "AL-Hay acts-fay")?

see this thread which is one of the stickies:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2165032

also, discussion of board policies is against the rules.

Good news for me, bad news for you. I think that is your last regular port. It's been windy, I hope we both make it to Half Moon Cay. In the meantime you have at least 1 sea day to explore the King. Enjoy the rest of the cruise.

 

Roy

You are correct, sea day tomorrow, then HMC, then unfortunately back to FLL and the drive home. Wish it could have been longer, but there is always another one on the horizon.

Great day in St. Thomas with my travel mates and an old friend. Had lunch at a restaurant I first visited 40 years ago, but hasn't been open for lunch until the last 6 months or so.

Today's picture is Koningsdam on left, and Nieuw Amsterdam on right.

Thanks for sharing your experience in Pinnacle class' OO category. I'm anxious to try one. The few mock bookings I've attempted have had discouraging results in terms of price. In fact, I often notice they are $1 more than other ocean view categories with the 100% single supplement.

 

I just sailed in a single ocean view cabin on P&O's Aurora, and it was lovely. That price was 160% of the going ocean view rate, so I felt like I was getting a good value. I'm now booked in a single inside cabin on P&O's Arcadia, which is a Vista class ship intended for HAL that was outfitted for Cunard and then assigned to P&O. The price was very similar to that 160% ratio.

 

I hope that Nieuw Statendam and Pinnacle III have more OO cabins, and maybe some single inside cabins, too, so that HAL can get closer to that 160% price point.

When I booked the cruise there was a significant savings for booking the solo cabin. I have watched the fare go up as the cruise came closer, and I believe the solo cabins were sold out early.

Being so far forward, is it a rouugh ride in that cabin?

The ride has seemed smooth to me, but in general it doesn't bother me so someone else could give a better answer.

We will be there in a few weeks and also plan to visit Bacardi. Had you purchased your tour tickets before going and which tour did you do?

I did the ship's tour Casa Bacardi, Old San Juan & Fortress and booked it well in advance. The tour went well, thou the tour guide got a little political at a couple of time but not bad.

Bacardi itself is nice, be prepared to walk a bunch at the Fortress to really appreciate it.

Have fun!

Rich

I hope you enjoy the ship as much as we did!

Thanks Peter, I am having a great time as is the couple I brought along for their first HAL cruise.

Several crew member have mentioned having a good time last week. I think most enjoyed having your group aboard.