FlaMariner

There is no need to walk around in the ship in a bathrobe going to/from the spa/gym.....(but of course, you can). Holland America Line provides a nice changing room, robes, slippers, locker, showers, all the towels you can use, fancy shampoo, conditioner and soap....with no surcharge in the gym/spa area....enjoy the benefit. ....but for the OP who will be the spa deck, there is a "secret" stairway (on the Pinnacle ships, anyway) that you can use to go to/from the spa deck 10 directly into the spa/gym. That's provided to you as a spa deck stateroom (IMO) benefit so that you can dash to/from the spa/gym in the bathrobe. Enjoy the journey.......

We have.....Nieuw Statendam The forward staterooms are our favorite and we were "upgraded" from a VF on deck 8 forward (our go to location) to a VQ once during a price drop situation. Nice and quiet. No thru traffic. Great location and you can easily get to the gym/spa and the lido deck (of which we frequent). The "secret" forward stairs were convenient for easy morning gym....deck 10 was convenient to NYPizza (and bagel) and an easy exit down to the lido pool. We would never pay for a VQ....we see no difference between VQ forward deck 10 and VF forward deck 8...but we'd easily go if free upgrade. I've heard some reference the balcony not being as big? We did not experience that....Balcony was fine for us. Not sure that is true but other experts will chime in, I'm sure.

We must have missed this....do not recall this event....Could someone enlighten us on what was/is "sip and savor"?

There are no "formal nights". They are called "dressy" nights and a jacket is not required. I wear kaki pants and a collard shirt. From the FAQ's on the Holland America Line website regarding "dressy" night for men: For gentlemen, collared shirts and slacks are required in all fine dining restaurants.

This is good to know....Thanks for passing along an example of the regular processing time.....We will be tossing ours into the renewal bucket soon and I do not want to pay even more extra tribute to Caesar for speedy service....that seems to be 4.5 weeks. LOL. We can wait and use our "priority" money to pay for high priced groceries. LOL.

That's a great way to get to taste the wines in the Sommelier package before we order the next bottle in the MDR.....Thanks for passing along. Hope the "wine flight" is on the Westerdam 10/1 because we will be onboard!

From the Athens Airport website...We would plan to arrive 3 hours..... How early should I arrive at Athens Airport? A two-hour arrival before the flight is recommended, especially during the peak season, which is during the summer.

We just made 4 star. It only took us 21 years. LOL. For us, the business case to buy suites and spend a lot of $$$ onboard did not come close to being worth it financially for the 4 star benefits. We just continued to book with Holland America Line and it happened.....21 years later. Please do not get me wrong though, we are very excited that we board in October for the first time with 4 stars on our belly (and the rights and privileges herewith-in) but I'd suggest you just enjoy the journey and let it happen......But if you do not want to do that, the best way is to get those double points for suites (never buy an upsell as they do not count towards double points) and spend onboard like a (@#$rat) and you will get there sooner..... Enjoy the journey........

Native Floridian and have grown up on water from the well that comes from the Florida Aquifer......For us, Florida water and Holland America Line water (the no surcharge kind) are perfect! Enjoy the journey......

Sorry...thought it was Rotterdam.....The one that is first would be my first choice.

I used that address a month ago and then realized I should have used the new one and then sent it to the new one.......My confirmation came from the new one. The correct email address (based on my recent experience and the most recent shareholder info) is the one in post #2.

Rotterdam would be my vote. Why? An extra day of cruising.... ...onboard and settled before the Brits/others join..... But it really should not matter......

You rule VMAX!!!! Many thanks and that will be the plan........Agree...I'll take the US photo requirements page with me. Enjoy the cruise and I'll take care of your meal tomorrow night in the MDR. My treat!

Awesome ports......overnight Egypt, Israel and Istanbul.....Bermuda on the TA's, new Croatia and Spanish/Portugese ports, Morocco, Scotland on a fjord cruise....Iceland as a departure....and lots more I need to dig into. Amsterdam as a departure port only two times in 2025...Hope they don't miss us..........Hello Rotterdam! (Did I see that correctly?....and yes, I know some of them are 2024 ports and all not new.....just glancing and thinking thru our strategy....fun times)

see the document....yes CCLshareholderHAL@hollandamerica.com

Thanks VMax!

Thanks but still not on the large, online TA we use......

Thanks for the intel on the various places one can get a passport photo.....I've also seen an app for that....... I'm aware and I can easily get the passport photo (CVS is 5 minutes away)........ Our question remains the same.....Does anyone know if the HAL photo team will take passport photos? And so far, the answer seems to be no. All good and thanks!

Our passport needs to be renewed once we return from our next cruise. Does anyone know if the HAL photo team will take passport photos? (Seems like an efficient way to get the task completed, spend some OBC and be done w/it)

yes, the awesome pool is included....as well as the steam, sauna, showers and based on the ship, the ice bucket.....enjoy.

...nothing yet (Europe 2025) on our preferred TA site (big, internet only) except for portions of the World Cruise that traverse Europe. ....still waiting

Not sure of the price for the can but we enjoy the "fare included" free tap water......lots of ice and water in lido 24/7....room attendant keeps the ice bucket full in the room....and water is served w/dinner int the MDR.

....not on another TA site

...not on my TA site yet....

Yahoo!!! Thanks for sounding the alarm!