Cailey53

Hi Kazu,

Can you please add the 15 day Bahamas Caribbean/Eastern Wayfarer  Nov 2, 2024 sailing on the Eurodam please? We decided to book this one while on Rotterdam last week-- a pre-holiday getaway!

Many thanks!

Cathy

Cailey53

16 hours ago, TinaLee said:

Hi all - we’ve only done one previous Holland America cruise and it was long ago! Now we’re booked on the Rotterdam next month and I have a couple of quick questions. I see they have Diet Coke and Diet Sprite (yay for at least two choices) but I’ve also seen mention of sugar free ginger ale onboard? If anyone can confirm and tell me where? I’m just assuming it will be a bar specific option. Also, can anyone tell me if there are any sugar free syrup options in either of the coffee bar locations (GDF or ?Exploration - sorry my brain is fritzing on the name of the second one). 
 

thanks in advance!

My husband is type 1 diabetic— currently on Rotterdam— happy to report that they have added AHA sparkling water to the no sugar offerings! 🙌🙌🙌The flavor seems to vary from bar to bar but so far have encountered 2 flavors. We have HIA so I’m not sure of price but it think it’s the same as Sprite Zero. 

13 minutes ago, motherjoy said:

Does anyone know if the deck area show on the bow of deck 7 is accessible to the general public?

No

Hi Jacqui,

We have a change for 2024-- please delete the July 27 21 Day Norse Legends and Britain Scotland and Ireland on Rotterdam and add June 9,2024 28 day Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice on Westerdam. 

Many thanks!

Cathy

Cailey53

HI Jacqui,

Please add us to the 1/28/2025 18 Day Circle Hawaii on Koningsdam sailing. We had this itinerary booked in early 2020 and you know how that went... trying again!

Please add July 27,2024 21 Day Norse Legends and Britain, Scotland and Ireland on Rotterdam. Couldn't resist that onboard booking bonus and early release Mariner bonus last week!

Many thanks!

Cailey 53

Cathy and Mitch

Please remove us from the July 1 2023 21 day Voyage of the Midnight Sun and Norse Legends. We've decided not to fly internationally next year and instead have found a domestic sailing on Viking. Hoping that Amsterdam airport improves in 2024 !!

We couldn't resist booking another one now that the 2024 Caribbean sailings are open:

21 Day Southern Caribbean Seafarer/Panama Canal Sunfarer January 26-Feb 16 2024 on Rotterdam. It will be interesting to see if we use the new locks!

Thanks for all you do!

Cailey53

Cathy

2 minutes ago, janmcn said:

Thanks to everyone, we disembarked and got a porter right away who took us to the taxi line (probably only 20 people in it at that point)!, but got us right into one. Taxi had no problems getting to Logan, AA had curbside checkin. In our seats at the gate by 9!!! Fastest disembarkation ever!

@janmcndid you carry your own luggage off??

10 hours ago, iceman93 said:

This is what I mean by Uber pickup "around the corner".  It's a very short walk and totally do-able with rolling suitcases.

Thanks for the info and map!

1 hour ago, janmcn said:

No more shuttles…Uber it will be.

@janmcn when you say “go around the corner” to get an Uber, which corner are you referring to? We debark the NS on Saturday and plan to do Uber or Lyft to the airport and I’m not that familiar with the Boston port. TIA for any help!!

On 2/15/2020 at 11:15 PM, willow949 said:

Are the walls metal? Could we use magnets on the extra wall space for hanging things? We always need extra hangers for jackets and hats. 

Yes metal walls. I’ll attempt to post a photo. Have no idea why it’s upside down but you get the idea!!

1 minute ago, kb4683 said:

We will only be using our AirTags for travel.  My question is -- do you store them between trips with the battery removed?  Next trip isn't until November.

 

TYIA

 

We plan on leaving the batteries in--they should last up to a year and the type of battery is easy to find on Amazon. 

5 minutes ago, NattilyAttired said:

We bought the BinaxNOW Covid-19 Ag test kits online (that is the very specific name for the telehealth version of the Binax test) made by Abbott Labs. When you purchase the kits, the price includes the online test fee; it's built into the cost, so you won't have to pay again.

 

An affiliated company/service called eMed does the test supervision. Before you take the test, download the Navica app on your smartphone and register. That is where your test result will be sent. When you are ready to take the test, log in on your laptop, iPad, or cell phone to start.emed.com. It's an internet connection, not a phone call. The connection will use the camera on your device. Hint: a laptop is easier because it can be angled to show the table in front of you as you take the test and it has to stay focused on your test for 15 minutes. It is harder to do with an iPad or phone, but not impossible.

 

Hope this helps.  Happy to answer any questions.

We plan on using Binax Now tests on Monday for a Wednesday sailing— one question— can we both do our tests on the same call or will it require a second sign in for the second person? We plan on using a laptop but also have the Navica app installed on my phone. Thanks!

6 minutes ago, Bea3 said:

I just took an upgrade to a Veranda on the Nieuw Stetendam to room 8125. It is one of the cabins with the extended balcony because of the bump/bend in the ship.  I remember reading about those balconies on here but i have been searching for photos and posts and cannot find anything.  Does anybody have any suggestions on how I might find the posts I had read?  Thank you.

Try this thread— we are in a bump verandah on 7 and I found this. Photos down a bit on the thread.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com.au/topic/2723115-nieuw-statendam-category-v-bump-out-stateroom/

On 7/15/2022 at 6:54 PM, ivanidea said:

I would if my wife had an iOS device. I may just have to bite the bullet and buy some AirTags too, just so I can track my luggage.

@ivanidea, I don't think you need 2 iPhones--just 1. We just bought the 4 pack of AirTags during Prime Days, and when I set them up, they are all on my phone. You get a chance to "name" each tag and then each of them shows up on the "Find My" app on your phone. As long as you have a way to keep the tags straight (we ordered some holders), you can see where each tag is. Pretty slick!

Just now, Red Haired Lady said:

Wondering if the gift cards can be used to pay for the government taxes or air part of the bill? Does anyone have experience with this? I don't see it in the T & C.

Yes, used gift cards to pay for all my remaining balance— flights,  port fees, insurance.

26 minutes ago, Crusin-Suzan said:

Can someone explain to me if we should buy gift cards thru HAL or AARP? What is the difference?

You can purchase either— the difference is you are limited to 5 gift cards/month through AARP, but the 10% “bonus” is netted off at the time of purchase (eg— purchase $2500 worth of cards for $2250). AARP cards do not expire. 
  The HAL cards also have the 10% bonus, but it comes in the form of a “bonus” card. The original gift card has no expiration but to bonus cards expire in approx 1 year. For $2500 worth of cards, you pay $2500, and you have $250 time limit bonus cards.

I'd recommend these: 8 for just over $8.00 on Amazon. We've used them on multiple cruises and they are holding up perfectly! We gifted a couple to some fellow cruisers as well as the 8 pack is the same as the 4 pack.

https://smile.amazon.com/Cruise-Luggage-Holders-Steel-Loops/dp/B017BVFA00/ref=sr_1_3_sspa?crid=1NJXMYGU97AOF&keywords=cruise%2Bluggage%2Btag%2Bholder%2Bholland%2Bamerica&qid=1646920303&sprefix=cruise%2Bluggage%2Btag%2Bhol%2Caps%2C81&sr=8-3-spons&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExVlhUWFRCM0tPVEtWJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwNjA3Njc4MlUyNlU4MldMUDJUViZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjE4OTAzM0FIQTYzWktMQ1RHTyZ3aWRnZXROYW1lPXNwX2F0ZiZhY3Rpb249Y2xpY2tSZWRpcmVjdCZkb05vdExvZ0NsaWNrPXRydWU&th=1

Hi Jacqui,

Thanks for all your hard work! We just departed the NA yesterday after a wonderful 21 days and couldn't resist booking another sailing while we were onboard . Please add the July 1, 2023 21 day Voyage of the Midnight Sun and Norse Legends on Rotterdam if you will. Many thanks!

Cathy

Cailey53

2 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

 

I just booked a "Rapid-result test (antigen)" with Minute Clinic at CVS like you did.  On the confirmation page however, it states "NOT ACCEPTED FOR MOST TRAVEL"  and on the email confirmation it says "If testing for travel, be sure that your selected test typeis accepted at your destination"!

 

Did you get these messages?  Is it something I should be concerned with or is it just a boilerplate disclaimer by them??

 

Yes, we got those messages too. I think it's just a stock disclaimer. We had no issues in October with the test for our K'dam sailing.

7 hours ago, dmcfad2 said:

“Also under the minibar there is a floor light. I spent about 10 minutes trying all the switches trying to turn it off last night. As it turns out it is motion activated so once you get in bed it will turn off in a minute or two .”

 

This light was the bane of our existence on our recent Coastal Cruise. We ended up stuffing a towel down there to cover it so it wouldn’t come on every time we walked by it. LOL

 

It was the bane of our existence as well until DH put a snip of black  duct tape (we carry a small roll) over the sensor. Problem solved! 🙂

4 hours ago, ulcards99 said:

Are you all finding that you have to pay at Walgreens or cvs for the test? If Walgreens isn’t asking if it is travel related, then are those tests being covered by insurance?

We paid zero at CVS for ours. We're on Medicare and they did ask for a copy of the card and they knew it was travel related.

29 minutes ago, BobbiSox said:

I'm probably missing something here. I see a lot of information about the testing and when the results are delivered, but I can't find HOW or WHERE they are delivered. Will they be delivered to my cellphone? Thanks!

When we did our tests with CVS we were required to created a MyChart account for their Minute Clinic. We received our results on there as well as our emails that we had provided during the sign up process to get our appointments. We had them on our phone and also printed results to carry.

15 minutes ago, trixiee said:

Thanks for the replies everyone!

 

Any specific recommendations for a first-time cruiser?  I'm thinking mid-ship, main deck would be ideal if trying to avoid and potential issue with seasickness? 

 

One of my concerns with an inside is if one of us needs to quarantine - would we have to stay in an inside for a predetermined number of days, or would they move us?  i.e. - if the ship becomes a floating hot Covid vessel.  KWIM?

If you are a first time cruiser, I'd suggest you stick to mid to aft locations for cabins. The forward ones tend to have more motion, and remember the higher you are the more the movement is enhanced. FWIW if you can afford it and the location is right, at least spring for an ocean view cabin. It will make the time you spend in your cabin more enjoyable. Make sure you look above and below the cabin you might select and avoid being near public areas. Ocean views aft of the Ocean Bar (above you) should be relatively quiet. You may get some noise from the kitchen. Hope this helps--we have not sailed Rotterdam yet, but have been on K'dam and N. Statendam multiple times (sister ships)  albeit in verandah rooms.