barbon2

9 minutes ago, mahi mahi said:

On our Rotterdam cruise over Easter everyone had a noon boarding time. Priority boarding included Neptunes, 4 & 5 star mariners and club orange (I believe they were last on that list but not 100% sure). It seemed disabled passengers were also allowed to board anytime and there were quite a few. We arrived just after 10:30 and were assigned group 12 in regular passenger group (it was a full ship, 2700 passengers) but boarding was well organized I thought. Once onboard we hit a wall with the elevators and there were some frayed tempers from people forced to wait as long as 20 minutes! We really noticed how the absence of those 4 glass elevators added to crowding on a full ship.

Thank you.

Just now, Haljo1935 said:

HAL has very recently changed the process to show noon on all boarding passes. I have not cruised since that change went into effect. You can still do priority boarding since you have that.

If you're not in a rush to board, especially since MDR will not be open, you may find lighter crowds if you wait a bit. If you decide to board toward the front, just be diligent about showing your priority status so you don't get herded into a group that has to wait.

Safe travels- enjoy your cruise!

Thank you.  I will post about the new boarding process when we return.

We have cruised on HAL many times and have always had a boarding time.  We are cruising in a little over a week.

Our boarding passes say noon.  It seems everyone’s passes say noon.  There is no specific time.

We are Orange Club and our passes say “priority”.

Someone mentioned that they were told that a recent cruise assigned times were given the night before and they boarded by deck number.

I have cruised over 30 times on different lines and have never heard of this.

Any comments?

1 hour ago, iflyrc5 said:

OK - I found out more about what is going on with the dishes on the floor.  We are on the main deck aft and the photo is of the 5 cabins aft of ours.  In talking to our room steward he said these are set aside for new crew members that are joining the ship.  They stay in quarantine for a short period of time when joining the ship before joining the rest of the crew members in the crew quarters. 

Thanks 

19 minutes ago, RuthC said:

Four consecutive cabins? All sick at the same time? All doing back to back? Highly unlikely. 

It looks more like 8 cabins.  Could this be the quarantine section?  I wonder what floor.

20 minutes ago, RuthC said:

 

Four cabins in a row? All under quarantine, but no others in the neighborhood?
Possible, but unlikely. 

Unless they are sick and are doing back to back and are staying in their cabins a couple of day.  Who knows?

2 hours ago, baggal said:

I'm thinking that those are "quarantine" cabins and those passengers are instructed to leave their trays outside their cabins.  Just a thought.

 

My thought too.  

22 minutes ago, Zanne208 said:

Ditto, even though my team just played horrible and are out.  Hopefully I can cheer for KC.

Cheering for the Eagles 🦅. Go Birds!  

Just now, barbon2 said:

 

I give up, lol.

6 minutes ago, canadarocks said:

I think you're probably right. But that darned "Gala Night Instant Makeover" is still there for January 29! 

Just looked at itinerary.  They just added “dressy night photos” 1/26 and 2/1.

1 hour ago, canadarocks said:

Thanks, narrowed it down the same way. Almost positive Feb 1 will be the 2nd. 

What is hilarious is that there are "Gala Night Instant Makeovers" on both Jan. 26 & Jan. 29th!

Or….perhaps they are trying to sell spa sessions for pax to book on gala nights.  Maybe they will do a quick makeover on one or two people and try to get you to book .  My guess is the 29th and 1st.

13 hours ago, iflyrc5 said:

They are on in the cabin and also the big screen at the pool.  At the pool there is popcorn and also the NY Deli is open for pizza and other snacks.

Thank you!

1 hour ago, iflyrc5 said:

Tonight was Caribbean night in the Lido for dinner.

 

Here is the daily program for Sunday Jan 22

My hubby is happy.  They are showing the games.  I see it on the schedule. So far the Eagles are killing the Giants.  As long as they win, he will get to watch the game next Sunday.  It’s a sea day for us, so it’s a win win situation. 

Thanks again.  It’s a shame that the smoking area is at the adult pool.

It should be in a corner on a top, rarely used spot on the ship.

Enjoy the rest of your cruise.

2 hours ago, Seasick Sailor said:

We are at the Sea View Pool now, playing cards. The smoke wafts over us every minute..

 

So the nice relaxing adult pool is a smoker’s paradise?  I guess we will sit at the Lido Pool.

Is it true that there is a smoking section at that pool and that it’s very smoky to sit back there?

Thanks for posting.  We will see everyone on the 25th!  Can’t wait.

3 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

I know that it isn't a special (better) menu. In fact, I think there have been fewer choices than other days on some cruises. For me, the attraction is that it's calm and quiet, without the kerfuffle of people trying to figure out the Lido for the first time. 

Agree.

5 minutes ago, DAllenTCY said:

Some of the dining room staff are rotated for shore leave on embarkation day.

 

Others may be assisting with luggage collection very late the night before... or delivery of bags to your room for departure.

 

Maybe dining room staff are helping out with wheelchair assistance?

 

My guess.

 

David

 

 

I agree with you David. I only asked the question because we hadn’t been on Holland America in a bit and I read that they had the main dining room lunch. We usually do buffets on embarkation day, but the older you get the easier it is to sit down and be served. 

9 minutes ago, FlaMariner said:

Yes to lunch in the MDR on the Nieuw Statendam on 11/19 & 11/26.  12 to 1.  Calm way to begin the cruise.

Thank you!

6 minutes ago, ScottishMaid said:

There was on the Koningsdam two weeks ago. It was very quiet there because everyone was being directed to th Lido as they got on. I firmly asked if the Dining Room was open and the staff member said yes somewhat reluctantly. That was about 12:15.

Thank you for answering this question.  We will be firm in our request too.

For those who recently sailed HAL, is there still a lunch served in the MDR for Mariner members?

Thanks

49 minutes ago, KroozNut said:

 

Actually there is a dress code, and you mentioned the minimum for men. One correction though, it's a collared shirt, not just any shirt. For example, 'wife beaters' do not qualify.. 😉

Oh NO, I’ll have to put the wife beaters back in the draw.  They look great on his mid-seventies body and especially well with his Speedos. 😂😜

5 minutes ago, KroozNut said:

 

Actually when sailing on any ship, it's important to have a cabin far away from ANY source of noise, whether it be the music venues, Lido deck dining/pool areas, etc., etc. Which is why we always book a cabin on a deck 'sandwiched' between passenger decks above and below ours.. nice and quiet during sleep time 🙂

Curious as to which cabin you had on Rotterdam..

Us too.  We always select a cabin away from any venues.  
That’s why we shy away from guaranteed staterooms.