FlaMariner

According to the mega online TA we use these 7 night T'giving cruises are listed as SOLD OUT 11/19 Nieuw Statendam 11/20 Nieuw Amsterdam also, while looking at November, the 28 night 11/8 Australia Westerdam is listed as SOLD OUT We need more sold out's to keep our 'dam ships sailing......We too enjoyed the low capacity but I'd rather have ships continuing to sail! $$$$$$

Agree! Welcome to Holland America Line.....One of my duties on cruise critic is to provide this link to Club Orange info......Here it is. Have fun figuring it all out and keep asking. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/dining/club-orange.html

Brining the fam to Jack's Shack in November....... Question for folks who have been there recently (under the new management): Can I run a tab (w/my credit card) for our chairs/umbrellas/drinks/food?

All passengers are required to drink HEINEKEN as you sail on a 'dam ship registered in ROTTERDAM, the NETHERLANDS from a cruise line called HOLLAND America Line. Obviously, it's the "official beer of Holland America Line" and it is good.

Here you go.... https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/dining/club-orange.html

Maybe the next class of HAL ships can have a lazy river.....That would fit the HAL model.

3* and never been in a HAL lido/aft pool...... I've been in many a HAL spa pools though!

Us too. We never attend M&G either even though we are all about the back and forth help on the roll calls (for our longer cruises). I find the roll calls very valuable for rounding up small tours and learning the ins and outs of the ports.

We've boarded three cruises since the "unpleasantness" (2 Pt Everglades & 1 Amsterdam) and we've ignored boarding times and arrived at our usual time of around 10:30am and on all 3 they were glad to see us, lines were minimal and we were welcomed and did not have to sit on the curb. I concur with @Florida_gal_50 that the port might matter. (San Diego: Welcome to California and you are not welcome until we say you are per your papers. Port Everglades: Welcome to Florida and glad to have you, come on in and have a seat!) I'd be curious to hear from the folks boarding in Port Everglades if this is still the case with the new season starting.

The low participation on the roll call may have to do with the type of cruise......(I'm sure demand can be soft now also so not discounting that...because I've seen some very low fares close to boarding) For 7 day "milk runs" to Mexico/Caribbean there is not a lot of planning and activities that go into the cruise, in our opinion......And we find our roll calls quiet and not of any real value. On longer cruises with, for some of us, "once in a lifetime" visits, there is much more planning and help needed....and on trans Atlantics/Pacifics folks like to plan for those sea day activities......and we find our roll calls quite busy w/spreadsheets and tour exchanges and activities and on and on...and many pages long.

We always load up on the FCDs (Future Cruise Deposits) onboard. Why? It's only a $100 deposit and comes w/OBC. It is refundable after 4 years (I think that's the timeline) if you don't use it. (Rarely get to visit with the lady at the cruise desk.....She always has an elderly gentleman at her desk talking loudly about all his previous cruises....So we fill out the form and drop it in the box)

From the FAQ's on the Holland America website regarding "what is the orange party?" Learn more about this unique Dutch celebration and prepare to get your orange on. What’s the Orange Party? Orange is the color most associated with the Netherlands and the House of Orange, Holland’s royal family. In keeping with our proud Dutch heritage, we invite you to a new onboard celebration inspired by the Netherland’s national holiday, King’s Day: The Orange Party. Just wear your favorite orange clothes and accessories, or purchase Orange Party essentials in our shops, and get ready for the time of your life. What happens at the Orange Party? Enjoy Dutch-inspired appetizers, beer, cocktails, live music and more, plus a festive display of national pride with a sea of orange! When and where is the party? Holland America Line is hosting the Orange Party on board each of our ships on one evening every cruise. What attire should I pack for the Orange Party? Pack some orange clothing and/or accessories to wear for this special celebration!

Agree! That was a hoot. Another reason....actually a lot of reasons... to cling to the 'dam ships............after reading that. (And always love the Brit humor)

Welcome home.....good luck with ATL. It's been great traveling with y'all on this thread!

They still have them! I always fetch a few for giving a little extra to a few crew.

We've done two HAL TA's (NS & Rotterdam) and a sea day is the same as any other HAL cruise sea day, from our experience. We love 'em. If you are into lots of people involved activities, I agree w/Vmax that you need to jump in to your roll call. They plan all kinds of stuff that will keep you very busy w/people. For us, it's all about the food, the greenhouse spa pool, the food, the EXC talks, the food, the gym, the food, reading good books on our balcony, the food, billboard onboard, the food and of course, the food. Rinse and repeat. Enjoy the journey.......

It's on sale now......And the OBC makes for a great stock dividend yield!

Welcome to Holland America Line! If you own 100 shares of Carnival Corp stock you can get $$$OBC for your Holland America Line sailing.....Here is the info: https://www.carnivalcorp.com/static-files/50351a91-4dc0-4f6b-bfec-684647e6129f

Price seems high to me.... Just pulled up and priced the June 11 Westerdam balcony with my online TA and the rate is $1159 w/$675 OBC per cabin.....The entry level suite is priced at $1779 w/$700 OBC.

Welcome to Florida!......I've very much enjoying the "play by play" reporting. (We board her 11/19 and it's a great pre-cruise briefing!)

We were on the maiden Rotterdam cruise from Amsterdam to Fort Lauderdale last October/November. Had weather delay leaving Amsterdam due to weather and missed a stop in Belgium. Also, missed Porta Delgado due to the weather. No issues with the crossing though...Seas were not a bother. It's a crap shoot regarding weather.....it's always changing. Go. We love TA's. Done 3 and want to do more.

So far after 3 crossings we have seen no difference in the sea than any other cruises......All good. I'm sure our number will be up soon.

We require a balcony for trans-atlantics or any other "lots of sea days" cruises. Not required on "lots of ports" cruises.

We have never disembarked in Miami after a TA but we have disembarked from Port Everglades after two TA's. One was after the unpleasantness. We've found the process and timeline no different than a regular 7 night Caribbean milk run. (And we always do early disembarkation and are at FLL or the FLL Amtrak station by 8:20am)

nice! you must be getting closer to Florida! The water has turned from brown to a beautiful blue!