travel_fanatic

We were on Westerdam from Rome to Venice and then back to Rome, Oct 2-26. Here is the sheet with the plans and costs, the cost was for the first 12 days, and I bought another for the trip back to Rome:

 

 

I chose the middle, Enhanced Plan level, and found it OK for email, web browsing, etc. I did not try to Skype. At one point, I tried to post a photo to Photobucket, and the system kicked me out; I presume it detects sites with high baud rates, so the middle option might not work for Skype. Maybe the Premiere Plan may not support Skype -- see the last note on the sheet.

 

Dave

Ahh, thanks for this! Does the social plan not include the app Snapchat anymore? In previous photos of the plans it was an app listed, but now it isn't? How long did it take for things to load?

After various ships in HAL have gone out of drydock, many of them have seem to gotten upgraded wifi. I will be sailing on the Zuiderdam later this month and they now have a flat rate charge for wifi instead of pay as you go. There are 3 plans, social, surfer, and something else that I couldn't remember. But does anyone know if the lowest costing plan, social, allows access to social medias like Snapchat and Instagram? Or would you have to pay one plan up at surfer to access it?

Does anyone know if the lowest plan will allow you to go on social medias like Snapchat and Instagram? I would want to think so because it is called the "social plan," but who knows. Or would that have to be in the middle plan?

How fast is the wifi on the ship?? And does the social plan include apps like Snapchat and Instagram or is that with the surfer plan and up?

I know that a couple of ships recently just came out of dry dock, but I was wondering if there were any wifi improvements that were made after coming out of the dry dock, or if it was solely focused on physically renovating the ship itself? (specifically the Zuiderdam?)

Ah, okay. Thanks for the info! I hope to see families with kids around the teen ages and am still debating if their wifi is worth it. I know the Zuiderdam recently just came out of dry dock, but I'm not sure if any wifi improvements have been made.

Yes!! I am very curious as to see how the neptune suites look because they are supposed to have gotten a major makeover.

I'm very excited to be cruising on this ship during the holiday time with my family and kids, but I was wondering if there are more kids that sail during this time because it is the holiday season. I've heard HAL is more geared towards the older age group but I wanted to know if there would be a larger ratio of kids on the ship at this time. I find it to be better if there are more kids so my kids stay occupied and make friends. They keep asking about the wifi when we go, but is that really worth purchasing? I'm not sure how efficient the speed is. Also, do they do any special festivities or if there is a change in the menu for New Years? Thanks!

For an 11 night holiday cruise Gala nights will most likely be the 2nd night and the next to last night. If you are sailing over New Year's Eve, that night will also be a Gala night. HAL does not have "formal" nights. The preferred dress code for men is jacket and tie, but this is NOT REQUIRED! The minimum for men is a collared shirt and slacks.

 

Yes your Neptune suite is being upgraded during the 2017 dry dock! Specifically, "top-level staterooms will receive new furnishings, colors, amenities and upgrades. Suites’ new furniture includes a sofa, lounge chairs and desk chair added to the living area. Contemporary carpeting and wall covers will give rooms a more present-day feel; bathroom suites will receive a makeover with makeup vanity while bedrooms will be upgraded as well with a quartz stone top on each desk, dresser and nightstands. Added amenities are in-cabin coffee and espresso machines and binoculars for use during sailing. In addition to cosmetic revamping and furnishings, electronic enhancements include a USB outlet added over the bed’s headboard, LED reading lights and lighted closet rod."

Ahh, okay thanks! I'm really looking forward to see the improvements in the new rooms because I've seen some pictures and they look pretty dated.

Hi, I am sailing on the Zuiderdam in Dec on an 11 night holiday cruise through the Panama Canal. I was wondering if there were going to be 2 or 3 formal nights, and when they would most likely be? I also know that the ship is going through dry dock until Nov 5th. Does that include any furniture upgrades or refurbishments to the suites, specifically the neptune? Thanks in advance!