HALFans

Hey There....

 

Cool....maybe we can team up for Trivia Time!

We will be in Barcelona the day before and have no set plans yet. We have traveled exclusively on Holland for many years.

 

Send me a private message if would like to exchange contact info and maybe meet up in Barcelona.

 

Take Care

 

M & J

I checked & got your email this evening... sending one from my normal home email address.

Have you guys received any upsell offers for the stateroom yet? I keep expecting one any day now.

I am looking at an 18 day Hawaii cruise (Dec 2, 2017 - Oosterdam) and am a bit confused.

 

The route map on the website shows that we first go to Hilo and then pass the Kilauea Volcano on our way to the second port, Lahanaina.

 

The port schedule however has our last Hawaii port as Nawiliwili before we sail back to San Diego, but we do scenic cruising of the Kilauea Volcano after we leave Nawiliwili. This does not make sense to me.

 

Has anyone done this route (it seems that other 18 day routes are different)? I would like to know so as to decide which side to book - port or starboard.

 

Any thoughts on port vs starboard for this cruise?

We've done the HAL Hawaii cruise 3 times, and as far as lava goes we only saw a red glow on the horizon one time... never really got a view of the lava at all. I'm not sure how common this is, but the lava doesn't always flow into the ocean anyway... sometimes it's busy trying to cover little villages and stuff inland. ;) I certainly wouldn't book either side of the ship with that in mind. What the lava is doing now may not have any bearing on what it will be doing when you get there.

It also seems that the port order may be adjusted for various reasons during the cruise; that happened 2 out of the 3 times. Weather, other ships making port changes, etc.

The important thing is to keep flexible and have a great cruise regardless of what may happen to the itinerary - you'll be on a great ship in a wonderful part of the world!

Enjoy your cruise!

Sent a friend request... Hopefully that will allow a private message. <SNIP>

Thanks for confirming the friend request... Unfortunately I can't figure out if/how to send a private email on CC any more. Sigh.

Fortunately I have a 'throw away' email that I use... you can send your contact information to:

alan DOT wactor AT yahoo DOT com and I'll reply with my real email.

We've been sailing exclusively on Holland America for 20 years - since my first cruise. Chris had been on one prior cruise, with Carnival back when they only had 2 ships. LOL

Thanks!

Hey There....

 

Cool....maybe we can team up for Trivia Time!

We will be in Barcelona the day before and have no set plans yet. We have traveled exclusively on Holland for many years.

 

Send me a private message if would like to exchange contact info and maybe meet up in Barcelona.

 

Take Care

 

M & J

Sent a friend request... Hopefully that will allow a private message. We'll check our schedule and let you know what we've got planned for November 3rd. I think it's our Montserrat tour. (Chris is doing all the planning this trip.)

I know we want to hit the Bacon Bear Bar one night. 😃

Boarding day we have lunch plans before boarding, then nothing else until sail away at 11 that evening.

Our last Trivia team was great! Turns out we had a well educated world traveler, a NASA engineer, and a lovely older couple from Canada. Most times we came in first or second place. It was a hoot!

Hey There...

 

My partner and I will be on the same cruise. Always nice to meet others for a Happy Hour or Pub Trivia.

We were just chatting and hoping that we'd find good trivia players on this cruise!

We're going to be in Barcelona early; on the 1st. We've got a couple of Rainbow tours lined up.

Have you guys been on HAL much?

They also put them away early each morning before they spray the deck down for cleaning.

Hi folks!

Typically not a lot of GLBT responses for a 'regular' Holland America cruise, but hey, it's worth a shot!

Of course, there's the two of us, and another couple we know who are boarding the Eurodam the week before for the 22 day version.

Hoping to hear from someone. LOL.

Alan (and Chris)

<SNIP>

2) the organ in the atrium how often or when does it play?

:)

We did our third Zaandam Hawaii cruise last September and the ship is in beautiful shape.

The organ has been serviced fairly recently, it was nicely in tune and didn't have any ciphers this time.

It's normally scheduled to give a brief (maybe 10-15 minutes) recital on Sea Days at Noon, and I think 3:00pm. They will be listed in the daily program.

If you can, take the opportunity to take the stairs during the program to see the different animated figures. Some play bells, drums, or just move like they're conducting. Each one is programmed to play with the music and they don't all go at the same time... you might have to watch one for a while before you see it move.

I echo what's been said previously on the Lower Promenade staterooms for R & S class ships. They're a bit smaller than the outside staterooms on the lower decks, but the quick access to the outside deck makes it all worthwhile (for us).

Make sure you bring a comfy sweater or light jacket - the public rooms are often a bit chilly, even in warm climates.

If you're a music fan, check out some of the instruments on display throughout the ship. There's even a saxophone autographed by Bill Clinton. There's a free iPod tour you can get from the library pointing out various artwork, instruments, etc.

Enjoy your cruise!

I can't say I think much of the new logo....

Pretty generic.

The first "Around the horn" cruise of the season disembarked yesterday. For anyone recently back from Zaandam, a few questions that I and our roll call members would greatly like to know...

 

These cruises have lots of tender ports. How is Zaandam currently issuing tender tickets?

We got off the Zaandam just over a month ago... here's what was current then: Tendering varied by port. A lot depends on the weather, and whether or not there are a lot of ship shore excursions sold, if the port is supplying a large tender, how many tenders can dock to load/unload at the same time, etc. Sometimes the tender tickets were available a day or two before, sometimes that morning. Just listen carefully to the daily Noon announcement for updates.

What fixed dining times are being used on board?

Only the upper level of the dining room was fixed seating, and times were 5:45 and 8:00.

Are the shows for 'later dining' late at night (10:00) or before dinner (7:00)?

Unless there's only one evening show, the normal Late Seating showtime was 10:00pm but sometimes during the 17 days it varied. Check the daily log for accurate time. :rolleyes:

Any information on 'happy hours' being offered is appreciated!

Often the location and time varied day by day, but again, correct information was posted in the "On Location" daily log. I think it was always 'Buy one, get one for $1 more' but it can vary depending on who knows what. :p

What is being charged per day for the "Unlimited laundry package?"

We did do the unlimited laundry package, and I'm not sure what the daily charge was (sorry)... The front desk can tell you when you board.

Hope you all have a wonderful cruise!

Just returned from 32 day S. America cruise on Zaandam. Cost reduction doesn't always mean cheap. Next time we cruise we'll bring our own toilet paper and tissues. Spending millions on advertising, and pennies on paper supplies doesn't make too much sense. :)

Jolly, I have to agree with serendipity1499...

I'm sorry, but your perception of cost cutting on the TP and Tissues is way off base. This specialty paper is MUCH more expensive than anything you could purchase to bring on board, unless the papers you bring clog the system... in that case what you bring board could end up being even more expensive with cost of repairs thrown in. :eek:

I hope the rest of your cruise was much more comfortable and enjoyable!

I've got an idea of what the announcement will absolutely NOT be:

"Holland America Line announced today that following the success of Cunards Princess Suites concept, the McKoningsdam Sky Deck will be refitted with a new concept: The Sky Promenade.

The Sky Promenade will feature a full ring of Suites circling the top passenger level. All Sky Promenade level suites will be both an outside stateroom, with a sliding door opening onto a second, top level teak wraparound deck, and also feature a veranda facing the open central area of the ship.

Each McSuite will overlook the Lido pool and have the ability to override the volume for all external PA announcements and entertainment. The verandas will also have a canvas covering that can be extended during inclement weather.

The Sky Promenade deck will be restricted to passengers who have booked Sky Promenade Suites, and teak loungers will be abundant.

The refit is expected to delay the launch of the McKoningsdam by at least 3 years."

Hahaha!

...

At least, with your report, that is three ships with improvement in entertainment ;)

Hopefully we'll get some input from recent cruisers on more ships too!

We got off our third Zaandam Hawaii cruise the 8th of this month, and I have to say I'm impressed.

The quality of the shipboard entertainers is MUCH better than on our previous cruises.

The members of the ship Cast had the range to sing their parts in all the shows we saw, and had very nice voices and sang on pitch.

The Adagio duo violinist was very good and the pianist played very expressively - not just banging out the music.

The Neptunes all played well together even though they were a new grouping, and a couple of them traded off singing so it wasn't the same voice all the time.

The HalCats (or whatever they're called these days) had a male lead for once, and sometimes a female singer too... both had nice voices and I don't miss 'Screechy' at all!

Heck, even the organ in the atrium had been serviced fairly recently; it was in tune, and the cipher that plagued its performances on our prior Zaandam cruise had been fixed.

The costumes for the production shows weren't nearly as flashy as the old Bob Mackie ones but were still decent.

I was a music major in college, and I must say I've been disappointed with the quality of the shipboard entertainers pretty much from our second or third cruise on HAL. This cruise was WAY better!

(I do have to say that the sound 'technician' must have been hard of hearing - or had no idea what he was doing. NONE of the stage shows went smoothly or were balanced well.)

So here's my question... is this a fleetwide improvement that HAL is doing, or did we get a 'music magic' cruise that's a one time deal?

OK, after our awful Le Cirque experience in their early days on the Maasdam (2011 sailing), I'd consider trying it again our our next cruise later this month just for such a glowing Escargot recommendation!

The cruise leaves this weekend... any other GLBT persons aboard?

You'll have Lee Strubeck as piano entertainer for that particular voyage.

Thanks Copper10-8!

I'll have to look at our old cruise log, but he may have been the piano guy on our most recent Hawaii cruise.

<SNIP>...

Have a great time on this cruise! I was booked for this one, and the previous, but canceled the latter when the former was chartered out from under me. I'm doing it next year, but it's not the same itinerary (I liked this one better).

I had seen your posts on the Roll Call thread and was SO looking forward to meeting you! Then I read a bit more of the thread. :( Sigh. From all indications, at lease we'll see lots of cherry blossoms. LOL.

<SNIP>...

Please post a report when you get home! (and let us know who the entertainers were. ;))

I'll be sure and do that! Thanks for the super fast reply and the encouragement. :D

We're doing the North Pacific Crossing from Yokohama on April 14th (Happy Birthday to ME!) and I was wondering if anyone knows what we can expect for entertainment on this 17 day cruise?

I'm particularly interested in who's going to be in the Piano Bar... RuthC can you help?

I've seen the BB King Blues groups mentioned on other threads... is this on specific cruises only or is it a new fleet-wide entertainment?

Many thanks!

Depending on how you booked your cruise, I'd suggest you call your travel agent or Personal Cruise Consultant.

In a case like this, Holland America will often let you at least switch to a 'VA Guarantee' or possibly even select a stateroom and maybe even snag some onboard credit.

It never hurts to ask, and you've got a stateroom you'll enjoy at the price you wanted to pay even if nothing else pans out.

Or maybe they made the same "improvements" to the Maasdam internet that they did to the Amsterdam.

 

Roy

ROFL... at least until I get on the Volendam in April and experience the same 'Improvements' myself. :eek:

So glad to hear a positive review of the Ryndam; especially the improved quality of the beef.

Thanks for your review and happy you enjoyed your cruise!

.<SNIP> I sail solo often, in inside cabins. I know that there are numerous places to sit outside on either ship without being disturbed, if that's what you want. When outside you will get a more expansive view than you will from even the largest balcony. Please don't exclude the possibility of getting out & about; the scenery is worth it.

We've done Alaska a couple of times, and please don't discount what Ruth said about going outside. Last time we had a Suite on the Rotterdam, and even though the veranda was huge, the view was always better out on deck or from the Crow's Nest.

A sweater and good windbreaker over it should keep you nice and toasty (unless you're out on the forecastle for some of the Scenic Cruising opportunities) and isn't too bulky to take on and off for unexpected wildlife viewing opportunities.

Can anyone tell me where/if I can find out price for pre-ordering a bottle of spirits for the cabin - or even if I can actually do it!

If you don't find what you like on the list (for instance we like Meyers Dark for rum) and can wait until you get on board, you can order a bottle from room service at similar cost savings.