RileyFox

Thank you! we are doing HAL Rotterdam May 24 2025 to see the fjords. 

I am the original poster.   I have never been on a cruise and was confused because some folks said they paid $29 for dinner,.  I now understand that they went to the fine dining room and that is extra. 

We are going on a HAL cruise next MAY.  I have never been on a cruise and put down Viking and Greece as my favorite because that is a dream.   

I promised i was not meaning to cause disruption.  I tried to search this subject before I posted and i kept see where people had paid to eat.

I am truly sorry. 

4 hours ago, EatonDoolittle said:

I'm  the first one to call out a suspected  "pot stirrer" - to myself, don't want to get in trouble with the HAL mods by posting,  but I think you all are being a little harsh here.  

 

If you follow this  board, you'd see that this is a new cruiser - many of the questions they ask are answered after being on a ship just once. I've chuckled at some of the rookie questions, but have enjoyed reading this poster's obvious excitement about a first cruise.  They have asked questions here starting with cabin type and location, booking, etc. 

I'm  giving this one a pass, and saving my derision for the ones I know are just posting to cause controversy or a reaction. 

 

 

. 

Actually I have never been on a cruise.  I put Viking down as my favorite because oneday i hope to be able to afford them.  So in reality they are my favorite.  I will go and take Viking off my profile/  Thank you for understanding.

55 minutes ago, atexsix said:

At least nobody responded with "use the search feature for existing threads", which is what I recently got on another cruise line's board that will remain nameless.  HAL cruisers are pretty helpful.  I think everybody was just having some fun.  

 

In defense of that, I do check for past threads, but much of it is not current or it's pre-covid restart.

I tried to search the threads. I  guess it was such a simple answer that noone had ever asked it.

Thank you TERRYDTX,
Based on this I do not think we will have crew appreciation charges, nor tips added our bill. 

1 hour ago, terrydtx said:

Your mini bar, drinks from room service or drinks off the ship at a private island are not included Gratuities

1 hour ago, terrydtx said:

The only gratuities you would have would be for any specialty restaurant outside of the 1 included one and other non-included services like the spa or bottles of wine not included

Is the "prepaid appreciation" the same as "the daily crew appreciation charge"?

Is this charged per cabin or per person?

How much is this charge normally?

Hello, 

Can you eat as much as you want, any time you want?
Do you have to show any ID to eat?
Does Holland America keep up with how much you eat?
Thanks

Riley Fox
 

There is a large group of us going on a 7day cruise.  We all bought the early booking bonus for an additional $450.00 each.
1) We all thought this meant that we could use the fine dining option EVERY night, but now we think it means only ONE night.
2) We all thought this meant that all gratuities were covered but now we think we will need to tip at all meals.   
3) There is all so confusion about the drink package included in the "have it all package"
 

I know that Holland American has recently changed their "Have It All" package,  Could someone please clarify this new package. If this is all true we want to cancel the HAVE IT ALL package,

We have already put down a $700 deposit.  Can we cancel our Have It ALL package for a full $450 refund?   
Thanks
Riley Fox 

What are some DIY alternative excursions when visiting Alesund.

I think that the excursions offered by HAL are so expensive.  What can we do on our own?
Thanks
Riley Fox

The Eidfjord excursions provided by the HAL seem so expensive.  Are there things we can do on our that are cheaper.   Can we walk around the town of Eidfjord?  Is it a good stroll from the port to the town?   Is there a Hop off Hope on bus?

Please tell us what other options we have other than what Holland America provides?
Thanks
Riley Fox 

Is there anyway to shop by deck?  I want to see all availiable rooms / cabins on the entire deck regardless of price or type. 

I think HAL only lets me shop by room type. (not by entire deck)

Thanks
Riley Fox.

49 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

@RileyFox The balcony dividers are not removeable. However, the outermost section (nearest the rail) can be opened to allow access to adjoining balconies. Just ask your stewards.

I am going to look for a photo of that. 

Do I want a covered Balcony/Veranda?   It might be good if it rained, but would it interfere with your view?
Do all the Balconies have roofs?

Thanks
Riley Fox 

Future Rotterdam Cruiser!

23 hours ago, rj59 said:

 

23 hours ago, rj59 said:

A balcony is the worst place to see fjords and glaciers, because you're getting a narrow, limited view, far from the water, where there are brilliant blue ice floes with birds and seals on them, as well as whales that surface by the ship. Any place near the promenade deck  i 

in June I walked outside my inside cabin, and in 20 steps I was outside on the promenade, on whichever side has the best views. When the captain or naturalist announced a whale spotting, I was there in 10 seconds and could quickly get from side to side. 

What is the Promenade deck called on the Rotterdam?
Thanks

If we get adjoining rooms with our friends, can we remove the dividers/partitions to create one big balcony?

Or is this only true on with a Deluxe Veranda Suites?

Thanks
Reily Fox

Future Rotterdam passenger

I think HAL calls them private verandas, but I see some forum users calling them balconies. 
Are balconies and verandas the same thing? 

Thanks

2 minutes ago, FlaMariner said:

 

We prefer the VF forward balcony cabins on deck 8.

 

Why?

 

• good price point
• quiet, tucked away area with no thru traffic
• only one deck up to the gym, spa, lido 
• nothing loud above or below us

 

But the last few cruises we have gone "guarantee" and we've never had a bad/loud/bad location cabin......

 

Enjoy choosing a cabin!

I see Veranda has several choices and i figured out that VF means veranda forward.

Now top figure out the others VQ, VS, V, VA, VB, VC, VD, VE, VF,  VH.. 
Thansk so much! 

4 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

Photos and info available on HAL Facts website.

https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/

That is a wonderful link to cabin photos.
It appears to have a great representation of all the sleeping accomodatioons, i.e. staterooms, veranda, suites,vista suites. signature suites, ocean view state rooms, interior stateroom and inside rooms.
Thanks!

What is your favorite deck on the Rotterdam and why?

What deck would you avoid and why?

What deck sells out first? 

All in all is there a favored most desirable deck?
Thanks,

RFox 

I have posted several threads and started several topics but I keep getting this error message.

Before you can reply, you must verify your email address
Somehow i am eventually allowed to post if  hit my profile and hold my mouth right, but it sometimes takes 10 attempts./

What am is doing wrong?
Thanks
 

How do I see the available rooms and prices before I go to buy the room on Holland America Website.

Thanks
R Fox 

Ship: Rotterdam
We may stay in a lower inside cabin and our friend will probably stay in an upper veranda.
What is the walking distance between the two?

How long will it take us to walk from a lower inside cabin to the main deck?
 

Thanks
Riley Fox 

If I choose an inside cabin (with no window), where do i go to get the best views?
Where on one of the decks can i get a panoramic view of the fjords?
I was thinking about getting an AFT but they are all sold out?   Seems to me that a veranda room that only looks one direction is not much better than an inside cabin
 

I appreciate any and all feedback.

Thanks
Riley Fox 

where to see the views if you have an inside cabin

I can't sleep in noise. 

I had planned to get an AFT veranda room.  
What is the quietest room of the entire ship rotterdam to get?
What is the quietest deck?

What stateroom should I avoid?  
What deck or areas should I avoid?
What rooms are away from night life?

I want a balcony room, but if an inside cabin is quieter that is what i will get?

Thanks!

Riley Fox