iflyrc5

9 hours ago, RMLincoln said:

We’re boarding Feb 25. Wondering if they’ve shown the new Too Gun Maverick movie.  We saw it on Eurodam in December in Main Stage theater.   Would love to see it again. Thought maybe they’d have it at the pool but I haven’t seen it listed. Thanks for posting all the Dailys. Have a great last segment!  

They have not had Top Gun on this ship since we boarded on Jan 14.  They did have it on the NA in November.

45 minutes ago, islander47 said:

Can you make MDR dinner reservations prior to boarding if you have Open Seating?

 

I don't think you can do that.  I don't think that option shows up on the Navigator app until you are board.  Open seating reservations can only be made  for 5:15 and 7:45

Partly cloudy with a few short showers today in Barbados

Here is the daily program for Feb 10 - we have a new entertainer couple 

2 hours ago, larry_s_taco said:

So they have done away with the production shows and live theater productions?

I guess it depends on what you call production shows.  Since 2019 they have had the Step One Dance company doing 4 different shows with great dancing and graphics on the main stage to canned music.  We like the shows but we have seen them too many times.  The other entertainment on the main stage over the last 14 months has been a singing group Cartare' doing 3 different shows, on this ship the Runaround Kids which is an English group that plays/sings 50 and 60 music and the BBC movies with the Lincoln Center members playing.  Also an occasional comedian and tomorrow is a mentalist duo.  I understand we are getting a new English singing group on for the next cruise.

Today was St Lucia and after leaving Castries we sailed down the coast to the Pitons and spent about an hour there as they rotated the ship 360 so everyone got a great view.  It was sunny when we got there then some showers came in so get a beautiful rainbow next to the Grand Piton -  Also nice rainbow leaving Castries - see photos

Daily program for Feb 9

1 hour ago, highscar said:

Was on sister ship Koninsdam circle Hawaii.   Very disappointed to see for a larger ship than others how small both pools are.  

This is true.  One advantage the Pinnacle class pools is that they have steps into the pool.  Some of the ships only have a ladder which can be difficult for some people.

1 hour ago, KroozNut said:

 

Can you elaborate a little on this.. What was the source of the noise, engine vibration, hustle and bustle of service in a busy dining room.. something else?

The noise level is from guests talking and laughing and such.  It is loudest in the center on deck 2 where it is open.  The tables and are under deck 3 has a lower noise level.  This could also be because the larger tables for 8, 10 or 12 are in the middle.  I have not been on deck 3 for dining to can not comment on the noise level up there.

3 hours ago, QuattroRomeo said:

Enjoying your posts, thank you!

Can you tell me where the gangway is when leaving the ship at the various ports? (Deck #, fwd, aft, mid etc?). Just trying to arrange a meeting point in proximity. Thanks and keep enjoying your cruise!

It is always midship A deck and often  forward A deck too.  Sometime the forward has only been in the morning when leaving the ship.  The Dutch Cafe' is midships on deck 3 and would be a good location to meet a group prior to getting off.

Today we were in Sint Maarten along with 3 other cruise ships and a French Frigate, the Ventose.  The Dutch Royal Family was also in Sint Maarten yesterday and today.  Lots of folks on the beach at Philipsburg.

Here is the daily program for Wednesday 8 Feb and a photos of the Ventose

8 hours ago, Colorado Klutch said:

 

I've already done the final payment. I signed up on Cruise Watch for my cruise. I'm thinking it's unlikely prices will drop if HAL is in fact getting a lot of bookings. But if prices do drop, is HAL likely to give me a refund or OBC for the difference?

Not if you have done the final payment

15 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

Here is the pdf file I created for DH, DD and DS to use.

 

Navigator on laptop.pdf 32.47 kB · 0 downloads

This is a good information but I have found that about once every day of so I do lose the internet connection and have to reconnect the laptop using this procedure.

Today on the Rotterdam they had a "Coffee Chat" with the Executive House Keeper.  He confirmed that they have 176 people in his department with about 96 being cabin stewards and 3 tailors.  I ask about the water temperatures and he said that guest clothes are washed in either hot or cold water depending on the fabrics and that if you want it washed in cold to write that on the laundry slip.

Tonight was the 3/4/5 Star Mariner reception in the lido pool area.  We are getting a new musical singing group on board for the next cruise starting Feb 15 but the Contare' group is not on until some time in March.

Rocking and roll was not so bad today so they reopened the outer deck for walking.

Here is the daily program for Tuesday Feb 7 - Sint Maarten.

Once your laptop is connected to the ship intranet open a browser then type login.com and it will take you to the Navigator app

Today on the Rotterdam was a sea day heading south.  

Tonight was Dressy and we had a new "Silver menu" with slightly different selections from the old "Silver menu"

Here is the new menu and daily program for 6 Feb

Yes - the new Captain is Frits Carsjens.  The name of the new CD is not yet showing on the TV

Here is the daily program for Sunday Feb 5

I verified with the cabin stewards that the liquids in the bathroom are still Elemis products.  We are getting a new CD starting tomorrow but don't know the name of the replacement and also heard that Captain Timmers will be leaving for a while to go home while his wife has hip replacement

Here is daily for Saturday, Feb 4 which is our turnaround day in Ft Lauderdale

I talked to the chief engineer on one of the HAL ships several years ago and yes all HAL ships are fresh water and heated - maybe not as hot or cold to your liking but they are heated.

Note for guests that like the Elemis bar soap.  We got several bars earlier in the cruise in the cruise but today instead of Elemis we were given Ivory.  Our cabin stewards said that HAL no longer has the Elemis bar soap available (didn't ask if the liquid soaps in the shower and bathroom are still Elemis although the containers on the wall still say Elemis).

Here is the daily program for Friday, Feb 3 - sea day heading back to FLL.

Today is a sea day and we were doing some rocking and rolling.

attached is the daily program for Feb 2 Ocho Rios.

We left Aruba on time tonight

I included a photo of the Gelato/juice station menu and also a couple images of the library on deck 2 forward.

Here is the daily program for our day at sea tomorrow.

The Rotterdam is in Curacao today until 11pm 

Here is the daily program for Tuesday Jan 31.

3 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

@iflyrc5 

 

None on display in The Shops. I asked and one clerk told me "sometimes" the vases are available on a pop-up sale. The other clerks I asked had no idea what I was talking about.

 

Since they are available for pre-purchase (in the floral section) I talked with someone from the floral department. I was told only with an arrangement. I was a bit surprised at that, but at least they are onboard. YMMV

 

I will post on your Live thread if there is a pop-up later in the week.

Thanks for investigating this for us.

Today was a sea day on the Rotterdam as we head to Curacao with arrival Monday at 7am.  Sunny and 82 degrees.  They are showing the NFL games at the lido pool big screen and in the cabins.  I talked to the media manager and the Super Bowl will be shown at the lido pool, the World Stage and in the cabins.

Here is the daily program for Monday 30 Jan

Along those same lines - if I am a 5 star I get 2 upscale meals free.  If I book ahead online when I get on board will I get a refundable credit on my account for the entire amount?  With folks getting the HIA and having free dinners it is hard getting a good time once on board.

We left Amber Cove about 30 minutes late today because of a medical debark.

Below are the current taxi rates from Amber Cove to various locations and also the daily program for Sunday, Jan 29 which is a sea day.