iflyrc5

We are currently on the NA and I can have all the toast, salt/pepper and butter that I want. No worries.

Here was our experience Nov 6 in terminal 19 when boarding the NA. Arrived at the terminal at 1045. There were lots of guests already there - we were directed into the building and the boarding passes were not checked. The first stop is the security scanners - they had one line for 4/5 Star - Neptune - club orange and a second line for everyone else. There was no Verifly line and we did not have to show a vax card or test results. After security we went to have facial recognition/passport check - again there was one line for 4/5 Star - Neptune - club orange and a second line for everyone else. When that was done we were asked if we were 4/5 Star - Neptune - club orange. We were directed to the upstairs awaiting area (we are 5 star) - others to the downstairs. This total process took less than 10 minutes. The ship started boarding guests at 1130 which is the first time we were asked for our boarding pass which is where they scanned the bar code on the pass to allow us to board the ship since the key cards are at you cabin. Total time from arrival at pier 19 to the cabin was less than 60 minutes with more than half of that sitting in the waiting area. The process was perfectly smooth. Hope it is that was again in January when we board the Rotterdam.

I boarded the NA yesterday and ran into the food and beverage manager yesterday. I asked - being a 5 Star we get 2 free diners in one of the upscale restaurants - do we need to pay the $7 upcharge for having a second appetizer? He said yes. Tonight is a dressy night in the MDR and they have "jumbo shrimp" for an appetizer so I guess I will get my shrimp and my salad at the MDR tonight without an upcharge.🙄

We just boarded the NA in Port Everglades. We were not asked to show our boarding pass to enter the building or go through the scanner or do the facial recognition/passport check or even to go to the 4/5 star waiting area. The only time we had to show our boarding pass was when they scanned it when we got on the ship (key cards are now in your mailbox). So - arrive at the terminal anytime you want.

I did not see a Verifly line when we entered terminal 19 today. Our assigned boarding time was noon. We arrived at 1045 and there were already over 100 people in the terminal. When entering the building there was a 4/5 Star/Neptune line and a second line for going through the baggage xRay. The 2 separate lines for facial recognition scan/passport scan - then upstairs to the priority waiting area. We basically never stopped walking and were seated in the waiting area before 1100. Then at 1130 boarding started. All very smooth and all of the HAL shoreside people were great. Overall very smooth process. We were the only HAL ship in port today.

Agree - and many folks think it is cramped being used as a tender. Now put on those 50 more people in the dark in a rolling sea with rain. Not a pretty picture.

We have done it. Carry off your bags. If you have global entry or TSA precheck it will help.

If you look at the deck on the Pinnacle class ships it is not wide enough to hold the guests by the life boat all at one time. You assemble at the station and are then led to the boats. It would be interesting to really see this in action. Seeing guests with mobility issues getting around all the machinery to get into the boat could be a nightmare. Also, when the boat are used as tenders they are only using about half of the number that would be on the boat when used as a life boat in an emergency.

We will be waving from the promenade deck around the area of the aft elevators.

Or maybe HAL has not updated the Boarding Pass with the correct pier info. We are in FLL today and we see the NS at 19

Our boarding pass for Sunday on the Nieuw Amsterdam shows us at pier 26.

Chief - I know you cruise a lot on HAL and we do too - in fact we are sailing Sunday on the NA and we are on a couple of the cruises on the Rotterdam in Jan/Feb listed on your attachment. I don't understand why we never get any of these offers.

I am boarding on Sunday in FLL and have the Verify app loaded and it shows I am good to go. If I get a chance I will post about a Verify line.

Where is the shore excursion desk located on the Nieuw Amsterdam? It does not show up on the HAL deck plan. There is a shore excursion I have questions about and I want to check with them as soon as I board the ship on Sunday. I have OBC to use for the booking so don't want to book it now. I am guessing it is in the Crows Nest area but can't tell from the deck plan that I see online.

I agree - we use a TA and get the pricing with a refundable deposit - it is usually about 5% more than the non-refundable fare.

Where did you find the 40 day criteria on the HAL site - I can't find it? OK - it looks like you put in a long cruise in the tool they have. I am doing 28 day back to back with different booking numbers and then 42 days with different booking numbers. Each of the bookings show standard protocols

Waiting to hear back from my TA.

Rather than having to wait in line you might try using the "Let us know" tab under the connect menu on the Navigator app. If I have a billing issue I will try that first on our cruise starting Nov 6. This tab can be used for reporting problems and also giving a crew member a positive input which will get them recognition from their supervisor on the ship.

Marty - are they charging extra on the Rotterdam for the 2nd appetizer?

Yes - the price will be the same.

OK - as a 5 star we can get 2 free meals in the Pinnacle - do we get charged the extra if I want a salad and a jumbo shrimp cocktail? I guess I will find out next week.

I hope we get some more posts from guests currently sailing to see what the policy is on all the different ships. We are boarding the NA on Nov 6 and will be dining in the Pinnacle and Tamarind with our 5 star "free" meals so will come back after we dine and let you all know what is happening.

We will be waving to you next Sunday!

We are staying on until Dec 4. My DW and I are both allergic to Cats🤣

We will be on the NA leaving next Sunday😁