CNSJ

Looking to book the 22 day South America/Antarctica voyage (late Jan 2025 on Oosterdam) HAL is advertising a free upgrade from Obstructed Oceanview to Verandah, then you choose Have it All.....a great deal right? When I just try to book the Verandah (not selecting the lower cabin class first) - I am prompted with the following options and prices: But when I select the Ocean view and use the "Free Upgrade" I get the following: Am I missing something here??? It seems the "upgrade" is just an orange border.....

Simply amazing pictures!

Wow! A great trip indeed. I wonder how this 134 day trip compares cost wise to the World Cruise?

It's really not "GLUTEN FREE BREAD" it is a totally different "thing." It's a bunch of stuff thrown together at an attempt to look like bread with a similar taste/texture. My heart goes out to those who cannot tolerate gluten. I don't know how I could make it through the day without bread. I hope you find solace in Alcohol, which depending on variety is not gluten free, but just Rum or Vodka etc. I think the olive in the glass is safe too.

Are they the same size bottles?

Thanks for a most detailed photo set and blog. I am looking a this trip for Jan 2025.

All good signs in my opinion. Now if they would just remove those silly monitors in the front of the crow's nest and put a few more lounge chairs with ottoman's there!

The return of a library (First Rotterdam, now NS) may be evidence that HAL is listening to passengers, and no doubt monitors this forum. I would have preferred a more traditional wood bookshelves library, but fire codes and the more modern look were understandable drivers. Better seating and lighting helps make a library. The massive puzzle tables on the R class made the Explorations Lounge/Library so appealing.

Assuming they both were not married at the time.....

I am sure that CCL as owner of HAL, has a plan of sorts that respects age of the ships, required maintenance and associated costs that has to be overlayed on passenger desire and demand forecast. They do so watching the overall CCL fleet and their competition. They just aren't sharing it with the public - as it's a business secret. Also keep in mind they often order a hull under one brand and switch it just before build. I think HAL sees a winner in the Pinnacle class ships as they have great reviews for the most part (less the Promenade deck [So many new ships have zero promenade]) if you discount the folks that feel Volendam is too big. Most of those customers left for Oceania or others. Next build will likely not be a "new design" or smaller. Expect more Pinnacle class or a slightly larger ship modeled on the CUNARD Queen Anne design (which is a stretch Pinnacle) Having similar ships makes it easier for ship's officers, engineers, and crew. Economies of scale. Time will tell.....

Regret to OP all the doom and gloom involving tendering and immigration. In some cases/situations such as this, I have found the HAL tour gives peace of mind getting off and back to the ship. Best to you!

On Neptune Suiters who have Club Orange by default. And of course Pinnacle Suiters...

From our experience in Europe, Pacific, and North America....there is no "typical time" as there are many variables. If you are clearing customs (first UK port or after a stop on the continent or Ireland) you may have delays. Yes, HAL excursions have priority in just about all ports. No real way around that. Tender size (ship or port based) makes a difference, and then there is weather.... If you are 4 star or above and or Club Orange that helps get you to the front of the line, but you still need clearance and may go after the HAL tours go. Give yourself plenty of time for DIY. DW and DD rescheduled a Bar Harbor DIY tour just days before after finding out about the tender process in Bar Harbor....if they had not , they would have missed tour, even though it was two hours after "arrival time." Good luck.

That’s a great deal of difference! add 50 a day for HIA and HAL still half cost. Plus those itineraries have around 7 port days, so you may eat meals off ship.

Unless you don't want to have funds tied up, I suggest you book what you want well in advance. Itinerary drives a great deal, for example sea days tend to fill up quickly in Speciality Restaraunts. This way you can experience the restaurants you want and not have to dine at 8 PM. No offense to those who prefer to dine at 8. You can always cancel prepaid bookings, and you then have refundable credit. If you are 4 or 5 Star you will get the discount applied (where applicable) and a credit issued. Again these are refundable credits.

Totally agree. Rode NS in the fall in Eastern Med, and had a few nice discussions with him. Worked his way up from the bottom.

Sailed on Westerdam transpacific in 2022. If booking a verandah on Vista class (like Westerdam is), suggest avoiding Deck 5 (although the true amidship cabins are only on Deck 5) as these have balconies with about 18 inches of less depth - hard to stretch legs out IMO. Balconies forward and aft of teh "lifeboat cut out" don't have these issues....The "V" Cabins near amidship elevators on Deck 6 have privacy issues due to glass sided elevators adjacent. Suggest you consider 6047-to 6053 (all Deck 6). 6053 is a great V cabin! We try to avoid Deck 8 at all costs....noisy above. Good luck. One good thing about Westerdam is that ship has a large number of Signature Suites. Opportunities for upsells are better than most ships. We snagged a Signature Suite (from Verandah) on Deck 6 for only $599 a person on a 36 day cruise. Amazing deal.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts and observations for HAL.

Where (which cruise lines) have you sailed with prior?

The whole cruise is subjective..... I read two reviews of the same ship on the same days and find totally different levels of satisfaction. Happy to say that the Dive In Burger has been consistently good. Sometimes a beer and a burger is all I need. Speaking of beer, HAL needs to offer more beer selections at most bars, exception is the fine selection Grand Dutch Cafe.....beer drinker heaven.

Pinnacle remains our first choice after looking over the Morimoto menu. Agree with there posters that perhaps an Indian restaraunt would have been a better choice, or even....I'll say it - an Irish (or British) Pub? Why not? Tamarind is very good, and Canaletto is nice as well. Rudi's did not appeal to us and neither does teh Morimoto menu.

Agree. It's like saying that "it is a European Restaraunt" Big differences between French, Italian, and German food..... 🙂

Travel Safe Roy. Let Amtrak do the heavy driving for you.

On this cruise as well. So,,,,I expect a full house. Booked it a long time ago. Perhaps it is full because it is a bit longer (10 days) than the 7 day sailings, and is an Eastern Caribbean cruise. Also, 13 Jan is far enough after the holidays for decent airfare/pre-cruise hotels. Too many HAL cruises make the HMC, Jamaica, Caymans, Cozumel circuit. Note: I for one have been unimpressed by my visits to Mexico and Jamaica lately. This cruise is different, as are the ABC island runs. Just my thoughts.

I am glad the tote bag retains its allure.