Moriah

The interior rooms on NA will have the exact same outlets/ports as any other cabin on the ship (other than Pinnacle suite perhaps). It's been a while since I was on NA or Eurodam, but I remember there are very "few" ports and outlets. They do have USB and outlets on each side of the bed, as opposed to on the smaller ships that only have them on the desk. And I believe just the one on the desk, but hopefully someone who has recently sailed one of them will enlighten with details.

Probably what the TA meant is that fixed dining is not available for you because both times are "sold out" (for lack of better term at the moment) for your cruise. If he really meant that Westerdam does not HAVE traditional fixed dining, then he is misinformed.

There are other locations to rent cars in Ft. Lauderdale, not just the airport. Which ever one you choose, I would just jump in an Uber or taxi to the location. If you do go to the airport, you still need an Uber or taxi (or prepaid HAL transportation, which I do not recommend) Some rental companies will pick you up in their "shuttle" but they are not convenient, in my experience. It's a small area and as a rule Uber prices not prohibitive.

This is an old thread, but I'm booked on Zuiderdam on October and VERY excited about the new library! I've been loving the libraries on the Pinnacle class ships. I've always loved the smaller ships having the library sort of wrap around the Explorations cafe... that's still my favorite... (not a fan of Explorations as part of the Crows Nest bar, and a few books - maybe- up there...), but the dedicated library space on the new ships is also lovely, and as said, can't wait to see how it is on the Z soon.

HAL cruises longer than a week, and especially the ones during the regular school year, rarely have more kids than you can count on one hand. If one of them gets into the hot tub I don't think it really bothers anyone.

You were sent a PDF of your booking - probably attached to a mail you got right after you booked, and perhaps again if you've already made final payment. It will be there. Also, even if your online checkin is complete, you can still go into it and look at it, or even edit it, I believe. But I don't think your dining time has anything to do with online checkin.

I noticed this as well, but realized it was just giving me a chance to add any additional gratuity (over and above the one they will get anyway from your complementary booking) and sign for that. If you don't add anything, it is all complimentary. My only complaint about it is I felt a little badly not adding anything, and having that be so obvious. Service was great (Westerdam Pinnacle grill), but I stuck with the obligatory gratuity and didn't add anything and almost felt like I had to explain... This same thing happens in the spa. The gratuity is added on automatically (in that case, it's not complimentary - it's part of what I'm being charged) and yet they still seem to be asking for me to add an amount onto it. And there too, skipping that and just signing makes me feel cheap even though I know rationally I've given a really decent gratuity! Sigh...

Please tell us what deck your friend will be on, and it will also make a huge difference whether your inside cabin on main deck (also called Deck 1) is forward or aft, and same for theirs. We're not talking about half hour walks here - it's a few minutes to anywhere on the ship. Even Rotterdam isn't that big, even though it's in the largest HAL class. Also, as was already asked, are you planning to use the elevator? That could increase your time, but make it easier if your friends are on deck 8 and you are on deck 1...

Oh definitely, take the signature suite!! The Vista "suite" is just a fancy name for a regular balcony cabin - no, there is no "separate area" - I'm not sure what you are seeing in the photos. Very tight for three adults. If your budget can handle, you will be SO glad you upgraded to the SS!!!

Also, I'll add that when you are cruising through the fjords you are not going to want to stay in your cabin, even if you have a balcony! You'll want to walk the decks and take it all in from all directions!!

While obviously from a veranda you can see "a view" - the great thing about Holland America's ships is there are SO many wonderful outside decks where you can see the view from ALL sides of the ship!! Go to deck 3, where you will find a deck that takes you, literally, to the view in ANY direction. Go to the Crow's nest if you want a vista from indoors, and deck 9/10/11 (depending on what ship?) for views from, again, wonderful outside decks. I've sailed in every category of HAL cabin, on the entire fleet, and I would not hesitate to take an inside cabin because, as I said, while you'll see nothing from inside that cabin, you will have infinite views just steps away, no matter where that cabin is located!! My favorite is always the Sea View pool area - there is comfortable seating and you can be partially protected from weather as well as see more than 180 degrees of vistas. Enjoy your cruise!!

That is correct, and I had written the same thing when I decided to edit because I realized that trying to bring the info up on the TV using the remote is definitely just as "hard" if not harder than using the Navigator app on one's phone, so I figured the OP would not be interested. In fact, basically what happens on the TV is you are using the app, just on a larger device. I do have sympathy for people who are trying hard to "not need" their smart phones but it reminds me of my Mom, many years ago, saying she didn't want and didn't need and would never have a microwave oven in her kitchen, thank you very much... In later years she did get one (well, we just stuck it in her kitchen and she used it here and there for warming things up, not to "cook."), but I think my point is, we don't do ourselves a service by rejecting technology. We don't have to become addicted to scrolling on Tic-Toc or playing video games, but looking up our shore ex info may actually be called, dare I say it, "covenient"? Also, I do feel a bit more secure walking around foreign countries (or even domestic ports) knowing I have my phone "just in case." But to each his own, I'm not bashing "Luddites" of any degree.

I understand wanting to "get away" completely by leaving your phone in the safe. I guess. But it does seem just a tiny bit like cutting off your nose to spite your face... I am sorry you've given up on HAL... can I ask what line you are cruising on now that has a lower tech way of communicating about shore excursions?

Americans do not need visas to visit Canada. If you are an American citizen with a valid passport you are good to go.

Wow... poor Skagway. They just recently recovered from landslide problems... this will set them back again... Glad everyone is okay.

On the website, click on "Manage my Cruise". Oh, sorry, editing after I read your post more closely. You want the actual booking confirmation which you clearly stated. I agree the website is lame - very difficult and non-intuitive and I haven't a clue if you can get it online.

The "twins" that are put together in the cabin are NOT standard "twin" size beds. They are narrower. They are 1/2 the size of a standard queen. So, when the beds are together, you have a queen size bed in your cabin. Then you separate them, you have two beds that are each a bit SMALLER than a regular twin size. I've never measured them, but I'm estimating each "twin" in the cabin is around 30 inches (or even slightly less) The above goes for all cabins except Neptune and Pinnacle. In Neptune and Pinnacle suites, however, the bed is King size (two actual standard twins)

When you say "book a suite" - do you mean a Neptune Suite? In that case, you will have breakfasts in Pinnacle grill (but perhaps CO on Oosterdam give you that as well?), access to the Neptune Lounge and concierges, plus the obvious benefit of a much bigger room/double sink and double shower bathroom... It's not just priority seating - you are also seated in the Club Orange area, and there are mixed reviews on how that compares with the dedicated Club Orange dining room. You asked about priority tendering, and yes, that's also on the list of your suite benefits. So, yes, it all "overlaps" since booking a Neptune suite gives you all the CO benefits plus the Neptune Lounge and bigger suite. If you book any "suite" at a lower category than Neptune, then no, there is no overlap with CO and you would have to book that separately. In that case whether it's worth it to you because your husband would not have the same experience in the dining room as in a dedicated CO dining room... well... I'll leave that for others to speculate.

Yes! If you don't see one, ask your cabin steward.

While I agree Tamarind is a wonderful restaurant, I would always choose a Vista class chip over a Signature Class. Other than the extra food options, there is no "real" difference except size and number of guests, and I feel the extra size did the ship no favors. The overall feel of the slightly smaller, slightly older Vistas (of which Noordam is one), well, there is just something better about them. I avoid NA and Eurodam - they are my least favorite in the entire fleet and given a choice I would take Noordam over NA hands down. If you do not have your heart set on an Asian eatery, go with Noordam. Just my two cents - don't spend them all in once place.

Embarkation usually starts at around 11 or 11:30. You can probably check in around 10... but until then you'll be outside. You'll then have to sit in the embarkation "lounge" (there is a section for priority boarding, but it's nothing special, really) and then you'll be in the first group to board when boarding begins. Bring a good book. 🙂

Are you saying you are considering Club Orange because the cruise has two tender ports? What is the thinking there? I fail to see the connection between tender ports and the decision to get Club Orange?

I've never heard of Tamarind and PG being unavailable for reservations. My advice would be to relax and simply make your reservations when you board. There is no reason at all to reserve now, in my opinion. Make dining reservations you first stop when you get on the ship in December and book the dinners. You won't have any problem paying for the kids' dinners using OBC, but if they are in a different cabin and the OBC is on your account, be sure that when you get to the restaurant you specify that you want all four meals on your account.

I read over your long post itemizing your complaints several times. Here's what I understand your complaints to be: Day one: 40 minute wait for dining w/out reservation My response: This IS a long wait - I don't know how many children you have, meaning the size of your party but I'll assume total party size 4 or more, so when you choose to just show up and not make a reservation for MDR it's reasonable to expect a wait. Why didn't you make reservations? (again, I sympathize for the long wait, especially with kids, but why didn't you learn from this first night to make reservations?) Day two: Difficulties getting refunds/ canceling shore excursions My response: Seems this was resolved, and all excursions canceled and refunded. Day Three: No issues. Chose to eat in Lido because "suit and tie required" My response: Glad you enjoyed this day. You could have eaten wherever you wanted - the dressy nights most certainly do NOT require suite/tie/tux!! It's been ages since they have. Day Four: Wife is "breaking down" and kids want to leave ship. Overcharged for spa services, charged for free casino bar drinks My response: Your wife was "breaking down" and your children were miserable because you were dealing with overcharges from the spa and not being comped for drinks? I just can't figure this out. Whey would your kids even be involved with these issues, and does this really constitute cause for a breakdown? There was nothing positive going on while these administrative snafus were being dealt with? Day Five: Hotel manager offers free steak dinner but this is "insulting" My response. Sigh. Day Six: $250 cash is offered but this is also not okay. My response. Whatever. Day Seven: You disembark from a terrible, horrible, very bad cruise, So, you went on a cruise during which you had several administrative/billing problems involving the spa, shore excursions, and the casino bar. All of the above were resolved during your cruise. You did not understand anytime dining and the need to reserve a table. You were offered generous (IMO) compensation for your inconveniences. You did NOT REVIEW YOUR CRUISE! You really should change the title of your original post. Honestly, I don't know why I sat her going over all of this and spent half an hour of MY life to do it - LOL, but that was my choice. I wish you a life of never having any administrative problems, never encountering mistakes made by other humans, and whatever cruise line you try next I hope will live up to your expectations.

But... WHAT were the "issues"? WHY was it a terrible cruise? Your long post gives us absolutely no information about what actually happened! You say you were not able to use the dining room (what?) and that you had "issues" with the casino, spa, etc. The rest of your post just says over and over again how terrible your experience was and how you were not "compensated." So I am at a loss as to how to respond! I have no idea if a specialty dinner for the family was or was not proper acknowledgment of your issues, because I have no idea what your issues were! You say "avoid our experience" but give not even a HINT as to what your experience was! Care to elaborate? I am not a HAL "apologist" - I do feel badly when people have a lousy cruise - but there is a right and wrong way to let Cruise Critic people know so we can discuss or get any information from your post. You stated it was a "review" - and that's why I clicked on it. However, you did NOT review any aspect of your cruise.