FlaMariner

Yep, it's the only reason we use navigator.....it's good to place the dive in order while finishing up our pre-lunch activity and then go find a table, get our drinks and get situated and then it's ready....and you just go up and get your order and pass by all the other people waiting and leaning against the wall by dive in.......

We board early...in the first boarding groups..and lately (Oosterdam in April 2024 and Westerdam in October 2023) we have not experienced the buffet first day chaos of the past. We also grab a table on the lido pool deck area...keep walking and the crowd dissipates....and found it very calm and pleasant in the first hour or so...... Another option, is to order Dive in burgers on the app and then when they are ready, take them to your cabin....works great if you have a balcony. We were big fans of lunch in the MDR on embarkation day but we've adjusted fine.

So passing this along but this may never happen again...... So we wanted the thermal suite for our TA but we really only wanted it for the first 7 days (all sea days, eastbound, the Oosterdam, April 2024) During the embarkation tour, we asked the spa lady giving the tour if that was possible and she said "we will need to see the manager" after the tour......We did and the spa manager sold us a 7 day thermal suite pass for $149 each (even though this was a 14 night cruise). This worked out perfectly for us. I never expected it and will never expect it again.....but learning it never hurts to ask.... Enjoy the journey......

on our Oosterdam cruise last month, the afternoon tea's (on sea days) had a different theme ......Dutch, Queen Elizabeth, Indonesian....and other themes I cannot recall.... We enjoy the Dutch heritage on Holland America Line....and glad to see them promote it more frequently.....

no, but happy to answer any questions.....we had a blast.

OP, you are on target.... We upgraded to a Vista suite once and we will never pay for that again.....For us, absolutely no advantage for the $$$$. We were underwhelmed once we opened the cabin door.....It was a great balcony cabin but for us, not that much more room and was not worth the upgrade price.....We will gladly travel in a vista if it is a "free upgrade' but not paying for/doing that again. Enjoy the cruise.......The Nieuw Statendam (and any HAL ship for that matter) is a great ship!

We've done several TA's .... both directions.... Last month we were on the Oosterdam FLL to Barcelona TA So the sea days fly by for us.....We enjoy the ship and all the amenities and entertainment..... What we like: relaxing activities (coffee chats, presentations, EXC talks, captains talk, etc) dining (from breakfast, to lunch to fixed seating MDR....enjoy the food on HAL) special activities (cruise critic m&g, mariner reception, mariner lunch) reading (knock out some Grisholm novels) entertainment (going from billboard to the main stage to the rolling stone lounge) based on what's going on that evening exercising (walking on the promenade deck, gym) spa (her majesty books a couple of treatments and we usually get the thermal suite access) not flying and not arriving w/jet lag the ports (we've been to most of them before so like to find something different to do or just enjoy walking) the price arriving in Europe or home with clean clothes (love the laundry) What we do not like: having to depart the ship because the cruise ends lido line skippers and chair hogs (obviously, downside to sea days)

Great waiter service for us in the MDR for 25 nights on the Oosterdam last month.... The waiters are busy....but there was no chaos or delays.....Food was excellent....hot food arrived hot.....Service was as good as always.....Menus promptly given upon arriving, great recommendations, our specific requests were always ready for us (coffee w/dessert, Sommelier wine package wine and/or menu ready)....The maitre de and chefs would stop by the tables every few days to inquire....Even the Captain walked thru the MDR a few nights....We enjoyed our 5 course meals in an hour or so.....Best part of the voyage.....Perfect.

But when the Volendam is doing a "regular cruise"......for instance, FLL to Montreal in 6/2025, the daily rate is $81/night/per person for an Oceanview...... On the older, smaller ships, I have experienced sticker shock for balcony rates as there are few balconies on the older ships....When we want/need a balcony, the larger ships are much more within our travel budget for a balcony.... Still trying to figure out the premium price for the word "grand" attached to your voyage......The "added benefits" listed so far do not move the needle for us....and appreciate all the intel provided.

We will be stopping in Vietnam in October (2024) on a Carnival ship and it looks like from an email we received from Carnival this past week that Visa's are all handled by Carnival with nothing for us to do......I can handle that..... From the email: VIETNAM – A visa will be issued upon arrival (it is not necessary to apply for one ahead of the cruise). The cost of the visa and landing fee is US$31, per guest, which will be applied to your onboard Sail & Sign® account.

Educate me on what is different about a Grand Voyage vs a regular HAL cruise? Here is an example......(and please check my math) 4/26 The Volendam has a "Grand Voyage" that is 25 nights and visits 9 ports on its way from Lisbon to FLL. The Oceanview price is $5838/$234/night per person cruise fare only. 10/25 The Rotterdam has a cruise that is 22 nights and visit 10 ports on its way from Rotterdam to FLL. The Oceanview price is $2568/$117/night per person cruise fare only. The "Grand Voyage" is 100% more in price. What is so different about a "Grand Voyage" that it is worth a 100% premium from a "regular" cruise? I've seen this price premium on many other "grand" itineraries vs regular cruises....and do not understand....please educate me as to what I am missing or not understanding?

Port stop in Manila....... I am hearing conflicting info....some say get out of town and head to the mountains for the scenery and others suggest a tour of old Manila. What did you do and what would you recommend? And any independent tour advice would be appreciated.

We based in Yokohama for 5 nights and took the bullet train for 2 day trips one to Kyoto and another to Kanazawa (regular train to Tokyo Station and then bullet train to Kanazawa) Easy. The Bullet Train station is on the outskirts of Yokohama but we easily got to it from trains at Yokohama station. I would suggest you take a day and go to Kyoto.......Lots to do there and the bullet train passes by Mt Fuji. We made it a long day and left early am and returned late pm. The bullet train was a highlight of our time in Japan....get onboard.

I must travel in some alternate HAL reality....... Just off the Oosterdam (April 2024) and live music was our evening entertainment....every night....and we loved it and we had choices. We enjoyed Billboard Onboard piano player, Rollings Stones band, classical trio, Ocean Bar band and the World Stage spotlighted live music a few nights with a vocal performer, a very good flutist and other live music acts I cannot recall..... After 25 nights, we were never without live music....and choices.

I hear you about higher prices.....It's not just cruising...obviously.....Here is a stat based on when you last cruised: Inflation spiked to the highest level in over 40 years. Despite recent moderation, consumer prices are up nearly 18% overall since January 2021. Gasoline is up 29%. We still find cruising with HAL a much better value than any other type of vacation. I scrutinize cruise prices and try to scoop up what I think is a good value.....I base a "good deal" on paying ~$100 a night per person (cruise fare). Good luck searching.....

Just off the Oosterdam.....25 nights cruising the Mediterranean in April.....visited 8 countries (if you count Monaco as a country)....and medical vaccinations were not on anyone's radar........we did vaccinate ourselves along the way with lots of expresso, cappuccinos, olive oil and wine.

From our April Oosterdam cruise..... We were invited to a reception in BillBoard Onboard for 3, 4 and 5 Star Mariners a day or so after the cruise began. The drinks were plentiful and the Captain and many of the officers attended and were mixing.....It was fun. One of the officers told us that they have 3 of these receptions scheduled for the cruise as there were so many 3, 4, & 5 stars onboard. Enjoy the Mariner reception.....

Sorry to hear that..... We've been on 5 HAL cruises (Japan, Alaska, South America, TA, Mediterranean) over the past two years and we've enjoyed the classical music each time.....whether it is branded Lincoln Center or whatever, we do not know/care....but it was good and it was classical.

I never knew it left....we've enjoyed classical music onboard forever, it seems.

Disembarked the Oosterdam 4/30 and we enjoyed wines off of Sommelier Package #2 for 25 days..... The Sommelier package is alive and well....and quite the deal with our 4* (like $25 a bottle, including service charge). The wine was great and the price was as well. The Sommelier list is in the drink menu at your MDR table. We never pre-purchase.....Why? We think the Dining Room waiter gets credit for the sale and he will be doing the heavy lifting while we enjoy. Enjoy the wine onboard....we do.

Any intel on touring Kota Kinabalu? We try to stay clear of the cruise ship excursions and prefer a small, independent tour.....Any intel from those that have gone before?

Jim You've been deprived then....or perhaps you were at the casino or the rock room? Country has always shown up on the Billboard Onboard schedule...at least for our numerous cruises over the past 5 years or so...for as long as Billboard Onboard has been onboard.

No branding needed to play Beethoven.......I think HAL got their money's worth getting folks excited about "Lincoln Center Stage" when they rolled out "Music Walk" and then stopped paying the branding fee when they realized they could still deliver great classical musical.....

Classical music was alive and well on our Oosterdam cruise last month.....There was a group that played in the main stage as well as around the ship.... It's not branded Lincoln Center Stage anymore ($$$) but it was classical music and had a much bigger stage than before....and seemed to play more often around the ship.

Country Music is our genre..... And yes, HAL delivers...... Billboard Onboard always drops in a few country sets.....And all the standards are played as well as some of the new stuff......We love it when Country Top 100 appears on the Billboard Onboard schedule.....The Billboard Onboard presenter last month on the Oosterdam did a great Patsy Cline....Crazy....and a great Going to "Jackson" Johnny & June Cash Also, music trivia will have a country theme...... We manage to get our country fix onboard...... Enjoy the country music.....and the journey.