CNSJ

Booking a 7 day Norway trip as a BTB following a Transatlantic on a different HAL Ship. We usually book VA Cabins Amidships on Deck 6 on Pinnacle class ships. The cost difference between a VH (Fully Obstructed Balcony) and a VA is $400 per person. The cost for Club Orange is $175 per person, and allows an upgrade. Math supports Club Orange. The only benefit we will get is teh Club Orange Dining Room as we are 4 Star already. Am I missing something?

I have not seen the Taco Bar/Nacho Station since the Rotterdam before COVID.

Just contact yourTravel Agent with the offer info. They will get a hold of HAL and work it out.

One exception I have seen in the main dining room are those whose luggage didn't make it on the ship for one reason or another. They are usually in HAL t-shirts etc., and yes sometimes shorts. I always feel sorry for these folks!

You can book a land only tour through Gray Line Alaska or Princess. I did this last year to take advantage of a Casino fare on Whittier to Vancouver. Did a five night pre-cruise land tour. I had to do my own transfer from Anchorage to Whittier at the end. https://www.princesslodges.com/alaska-rail-tours/ https://www.graylinealaska.com/alaska-rail-tour/ These sites and tours look alike because they are the sister companies.

I love your pictures, yes Post Card quality! Weather is hit or miss in Alaska. Glad you had a great cruise. Really glad that people are still enjoying cruising! We do!

The passenger space ratios show up differently on other web page articles: https://cruisefever.net/most-crowded-cruise-ships-by-passenger-space-ratio/ This link shows HAL ships like Noordam at 43 per passenger. Remember that the Vistas have two decks of Signature Suites reducing the number of passengers. Volume to Passengers is also deceiving. Grand nine story atriums look nice but have little deck square feet to use. Also, the amount of top deck space for pools and sun bathing is a function of length vs. beam. A ship with 20 decks still only has one top deck. My experience is that the Vistas and Signature Class seem roomy and less crowded than the Royal Caribbean ships by a long way.

Found this graphic on a Travel Trends Report from the "Points Guy" Website showing the seven biggest cruise lines. It shows where HAL ships plot against the other "big" cruise lines. I find this interesting. It may just be my observation, but HAL ships may seem a bit less crowded at times as there are few triple and quad booked staterooms and quite a few solo travelers. I can't imagine 5,500 passengers and then a crew of 2,000 more!

BermudaBound2014, When you pulled the "Suite Price" for the Seabourn ship, I think that would be an ocean view, as on Seabourn, the Balcony Suite is a step up. There are about 25 suites without a balcony. Your analysis tells me I could take 2 world cruises in a VC-VD on HAL for the price of a one on Seabourn. I am content with a Verandah on HAL. I think HAL overprices the Neptunes by a long shot. Guessing there are some that won't travel in less than a Neptune.

To me....again just my thoughts....Cost equates to two or three cruises in a Verandah vs one cruise (assuming all same length) in a Neptune/Signature. Although we did transpacific in a Signature (bought the upsell) and Alaska in a Neptune (special occasion), DW says two days in a Verandah (in a great location - amidships on deck 6 for example) is better than one night in a Signature under the Lido....by a long shot.

Must agree that the Pinnacle grill Coffee is superb. I drink my coffee with nothing (yes, just coffee) - so the flavor comes through. At Grand Dutch Cafe or Explorations, I order Americano as they don't normally have a pour over or brewed option. Coffee Matters

Just book a cabin where motion would be less and then hope for the best. TAs are a great way to get to and or from Europe from the US.

Totally with you mrmoviezombie- To those that complain we don't have great entertainment productions in the Main Stage, I say this....After a day climbing the Acropolis in Athens, seeing the sights at Pompeii, or walking the Streets and Rambla of Barcelona, we are ready for a good meal and a shower in my clean and well maintained stateroom. I am not ready to watch a show in the theater. Again, thats just the way we see things, and why we are very happy with HAL.

What is the going price on Club Orange for non-Pinnacle and Pinnacle ships?

We never sailed on Prinsendam, but would have liked to. Today to get that same size/itineraries we would need to sail another cruise line. Luckily there are dozens to pick from. Azamara and Oceania hit that mark, but I am instead looking at niche market cruises for every other year or so, like Paul Gauguin for the South Pacific Islands of French Polynesia. (It is pricey though). That said....Having become a four star on HAL, we appreciate the extra perks and perhaps that keeps us semi-brand loyal.

I'll let those familiar with Oceanviews answer portholes, but I do believe most Ocenaview Cabins on Pinnacle Class have rectangular windows and are all on Deck 1 less a few in the front of the ship on higher decks. You will find great service and IMHO very good food (at times great, and at times perhaps just good). Entertainment is where HAL falls short. Don't expect great shows etc. Some music and events to attend, but I think HAL is about the ports to visit, with a great floating hotel in between. Many places all over the ship to read a book. Trivia (it is like entertainment to watch people get right and wrong answers) is available on most days and you will find some classes and lectures depending on the itinerary. Where and when do you plan to sail. Nieuw Statendam is a great ship.

For Rome, we have flown in the day before, booked a room at the FCO Airport Hilton for the night, then slept in best we could...enjoyed a great breakfast then left for ship with no worries. We booked Rome Cabs which provided great service. A nice gentleman was waiting in lobby for us at 11 am with a sign. Starting a vacation/trip with stress and anxiety is just as bad as rushing off the ship to catch a flight leaving shortly after arrival to find long lines at security and check in....no fun.

It seems my investment in CCL Stock has made up its loss and I have enjoyed several cruises with OBC. A few more planned for the next twelve months will be equally nice. Stock up again today, now over %15 a share. A long cry from pre covid, but up a great deal since last year!

On my last voyage on Westerdam, the only draft beer on ship was found in the Gallery Bar, just aft of the Casino. I do believe that HAL has removed most of the Gallery Bars from Signature and Vista class ships. It would be nice to have some real ales at sea!

Good points Nancy. I find it interesting that people complain about the cost of laundry on HAL, as it's cheaper than most major cruise lines and you don't have a flimsy paper bag to fill. Let's take a 14 day cruise for example, where you buy the unlimited package at $9 a day per stateroom. That's $126 for the cruise. Assuming a $2000 per person cruise fare (yes that probably low) - adding laundry increases cruise cost by about 3%. That 3% makes the cruise much more enjoyable, plus you can pack less. The real deal is a cabin for three or four, as the per stateroom price is the same!

Who wants to do laundry on vacation? I am not angry HAL removed the last of the self service machines years ago. Either buy the unlimited package - send in whatever you like each day if you want, or by the bag. I have stuffed a lot into those cloth bags. Now that we are 4 star, free laundry - its the best perk ever!

Most of us that exchange info/discuss on this board have the resources to enjoy cruising, albeit some more than others. The crew on HAL ships work very hard and provide, in my opinion exceptional service with a smile. The compensation they receive is far less than most if not all of you would accept for work in any job. Throw in months away from family....! That said, the "system" that drives their request you provide them a good review is not their fault, it belongs to HAL management - which pushes this down to the cabin stewards, bartenders and waiters. I think that good reviews by name matter more than extra "in hand" cash gratuity. We tip well and provide great reviews to those who do their job well. On a long cruise, well before it ends. It is rare that we have had any issues with HAL crew. A bad review may be loss of their job. We understand that. I also find that "thank you" with eye contact sincerity is an important interaction with the crew. When I interact with the Captain, Hotel Manager or Food and Beverage Managers, I do let them know how their teams are performing. Comment cards that call out crew members by name for great service also matter. I think those that get in a huff about being asked for a review (by name) are being a bit petty. Put yourself in their shoes. I appreciate the crew and the hard job they have. Just my two cents (probably four cents due to inflation).

Montythecat - nice to read a positive review of a HAL ship! Glad I am not the only ne that is overall happy with recent cruises.

I suggest keeping your HAL booking, and would recommend keeping a first Celebrity booking if you had this situation backwards. Trying new cruise lines helps you to either appreciate your favorite line more, or potentially find a new favorite. We have cruised Royal caribbean (smaller ships only - no waterslides!), and Celebrity (not the new Apex ships though) and find HAL to be our sweet spot. that said, if entertainment is your thing, you may find Hal not your cup of tea. We cruise HAL for clean, safe, well maintained ships with the best crew/service. I think you will enjoy the Rotterdam (we have sailed her twice)

Looks like you need another postcard to get caught up. Rotterdam a very nice ship!