Ready2go11

As far as everything we tried, all games in the room were no charge to use.

I did not take note of the name of the venue but on a January 2024 NS cruise we did go in there one evening to play some games. There were about 4 teens and 8 so adults including us, so not busy all. They had a number of different video games, old style, large scale wooden games, skee ball etc. we didn't stay long but it was nostalgic and fun.

They will happily take your cash at the casino table and exchange for chips.

Thanks for posting the daily program! Many other threads have noted how crowded it is on the main stage for port and other talks. Nice to see they are also live streaming the talk in the Rolling Stone lounge for some extra room. I think another recent Oosterdam cruiser noted they also showed these talks on the TV at a later time. If you have a chance, can you check to see if that is happening on your cruise? Seems to be inconsistent from cruise to cruise and ship to ship. thank you

I would question as well. I am on Oosterdam after you and can see the room service menu on the Navigator app. Shouldn't be a charge for quesadilla or chocolate milk

There would be a charge for soda or alcoholic beverages from room service (never included with a beverage package) but based on the amount you quoted, I would guess you got something from the Dive In section which is $5 plus the 18% service charge ($5.90 total). I’ve never done that but putting it on my list!

Keep in mind the inclusion/inventory list is a guideline. Not all ships will have everything listed, and on a ship not all bars will have the same selection. However, many of the well known beers and liquors will be widely available.

Thank you for the quick and thorough reply! If anything, it makes me appreciate the effort from you and all others that contribute even more knowing the prep involved. ps enjoying your Volendam trip report…. Even on vacation you are not taking off. 😁

@richwmn and others, I appreciate the comments today giving me a peek behind the Daily curtain. I have often wondered how it started and how things are chosen. on the anniversary, I will inquire as to my other burning questions…. how do you decide the food, drink and quotes of the day? Do the “helpers” have an advance preview so they can research the info they post to complement the daily? How far in advance do you plan? Do you keep a spreadsheet for each day to keep track and avoid duplicates? And finally when there are guest originators, like Jacqui while you are traveling, do they choose daily items or have you already planned it out? Many thanks to all for the time and effort to produce a daily feel-good message board that helps comfort, amuse and connect people around the world!

Remember you can always upgrade to Club Orange (if not already sold out) on any ship and pick your room in the same meta category. CO is $25 a day on shorter cruises so only $175 pp for a 7 night cruise to lock in your cabin or $15 a day on longer cruises. That cost can be significantly cheaper than the choose your cabin prices quoted in this thread.

wouldn't any of these excerpted parts allow them to change or cancel your trip and/or fare rate? 1) the offer was extended to the first person on your reservation and they are cancelling so a penalty could apply. 2) by the first guest not showing up, you are changing the reservation so a change fee could apply 3) the deal was extended to the first person on the reservation, and would not be transferable to you. I agree with other posters in that you could show up and may get lucky, and nothing will change OR based on the above they could cancel the entire trip or make you pay the full non-casino, discounted fare, which would significantly increase your cost. By showing up on your own, you are taking a gamble it will work out as you hope. I am not sure what you mean by not allowing a blind charge in Europe, since you are not taking the trip that is documented on your confirmation by having 2 people, including the one the offer was extended to, participate in the contracted journey.

On the increased crew appreciation cost question- in my experience, if you have included crew appreciation as part of a promotion or you prepaid yourself before the cruise and paid whatever the website charged you, you will not be charged the difference for the higher cost when you sail if it is after the price increase effective date. It is possible that after they announce an increase in the daily charge, and you are sailing after the effective date, that the prepaid option by paying on the website will be at the higher price (once they get their IT on it).

Pre-paid crew appreciation does not include the service charge for beverage purchases or speciality restaurant charges outside the HIA package. As a side note, if you order a drink that is above your HIA package limit of $11 (standard) or $15 (if you had an early booking bonus package) they will charge you the amount above your drink cost limit plus 18% on the overage. The 18% would also be charged on any wine packages or alcohol related events you attend, like a paid wine tasting, and on spa services, Half Moon Cay off ship purchases (not included with HIA beverage package and in room mini bar or room service beverage purchases. It would include the amount noted in the excerpt below (from the HAL frequently asked questions site) For sailings departing on or after February 14, 2024, the daily Crew Appreciation is $17.00* per guest per day for non-suite stateroom guests and $19.00* per guest per day for suite guests.

I agree with all of the above answers!!!

Just booked the fall Volendam repositioning from Montreal. This will be the first time in an ocean view cabin. I think I read somewhere that on the Volendam and Zaandam ocean view cabins do not have a refrigerator in the room. Read that they can rented at a cost, and subject to availability. Is this true? thank you in advance

With the time of your life sale ending today anyone have any idea what promotion will come next?

Beautiful!

Not sure why it was added to the menu if not available yet as 0106 saw on the Oosterdam in February. The press release says it will not be available until March and will last until supplies are gone. So perhaps still a chance for some to try…hopefully including me since I sail in early April.

This is from the Ocean Bar menu posted on https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/Ocean-Bar-Menu-2024.pdf HAL Single Barrel Select Bourbon by Buffalo Trace neat or on the rocks $15 HAL Single Barrel Select Old Fashioned HAL Single Barrel Select Bourbon, Angostura bitters. sugar, orange and lemon twist Originally called the whiskey cocktail, this drink is arguably one of the oldest on record. In the late 1800's alternative ingredients, beyond the classic, bourbon, bitters, sugar and water were introduced to glass; making way for new concoctions like the Manhattan and the Martini. Some imbibers, longing for the more traditional preparation would order a Whiskey Cocktail, made the Old Fashioned way, hence its modern name. $18

When you have HIA, you get credit for full cost of package, including 15 drinks, as part of onboard spending, as well as what the full cost of Internet and HIA dinner and excursions would be as if you had purchased them separately. I always get full bonus spending credits when I have HIA.

There are no pre or post cruise hotels showing for my October cruise either. I read somewhere that there is a Taylor Swift concert the day I arrive at FLL. So maybe, HAL could not secure hotels for their program because demand and prices are up. Is there something going on in the area on your date(s)?

Thanks for the quick and detailed response!

Rich, thank you for taking the time to post all the menus, daily programs and experiences. I know it takes time. I just booked my first voyage on the Volendam for later this year so I have been looking for any and all info on the ship. Yesterday I watched a YouTube video of a deck-by-deck tour of the ship. I saw the Queens room looks like it’s being used for arts and crafts and that video showed the Kings room set up for private dining. Have you seen people eating in the Kings room or is it being used for any special purpose that you can see? thanks in advance for any reply!

I was just searching around the webpages and noticed that on the mariner early booking bonus benefits web page, it had a box for each of the cruises where it was available! https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/cruise-deals/mariner-early-booking-bonus I had always thought it would be great if there was more transparency about which cruises that booking bonus applied to and voilà, there it was. Thanks HAL

Thanks everyone for the feedback. I’m booked! First time on Volendam (my last first time on current fleet 😉) and first time in an OV.