Tampa Girl

What concerns you about the size? Safety? Things to do? If you are concerned about entertainment, I cannot respond, not having been on either of these ships since 2019. . Regarding safety, we have been on the Zaandam in Antarctica waters. No problems. We sailed on her during the Grand Asia , through the Pacific Ocean, Bereng Sea, the China Seas, etc. No problem. The Zaandam is the same size as the late Amsterdam, which was used every year for the World Cruise. If it is the size of the ship that is bothering you, bear in mind that it is not the size of a ship that determine its ability to take heavy seas; it is the hull design that determines its seaworthiness. And, BTW, the Zaandam is only "small" by comparison to some of the behemeths that are currently sailing the high seas. Enjoy your cruise! It is a comfortable and safe ship.

We had the identical situation in a Tokyo restaurant in 2018. The young waitress ran out to the street after us and returned the money. Our ignorance was embarrassing to us and impolite to her.

I If you look at the deck plan for the Eurodam, you will see that the V category cabins are located in mid-ship and are considered the best located of balcony cabins. Whether it is worth the upgrade price for your cruise (is it the 10-day Sunfarer cruise?) is your decision. What is the difference in price? For ten days, we usually don't feel that it is worth additional cost. We are taking this cruise on the March 25th sailing, as a balcony guarantee.

I don't see how you can possibly figure that. Any of the cited "add-ons" are very much unnecessary and and not necessarily desirable. IMHO, the Holland America ships are, in no stretch of the imagination, class-oriented cruises. They are not "ships within a ship."

And, as always, thank you for your prompt response to my questions.

I am curious about your response since we are booked on the '24 WC and it is presently scheduled to be on the Zuiderdam. Is there any talk about changing ships for that cruise?

No, I don't think that is top dollar for a balcony, considering you have given no info as to the cruise, and the no. of days.

It seems like it is the length of the cruise determines, whatever date that might be. I have seen "cancellation" dates and the %, but I have never seen a "forfeiture $xxx." date. I was wondering if this was a TA-determined date. I think a phone call to our TA will clarify.

Who set these penalty dates and why? I understand if there is an interim payment due. But simply responding "yes, there are earlier payment dues" without an explanation for the apparent reason is no answer. I have never seen forfeitures set before at least the interim date, not even on a grand voyage. Do any of you know the basis for these? There was no interim payment due on this cruise. Does anyone know what the rules are?

Does this cancellation rule apply to all cruises where fees are refundable? I just looked at my contract for this summer's VOV, and there is a $875 forfeit fee on March 24, 2023, and final payment is not due until April 23, 2023. Can this be correct? I am considering cancelling but I wanted to wait until closer to the final payment date.

If I am understanding correctly, the '24 WC doesn't meet these qualifications but the proposed "pole to pole" '25 WC would?

Thank you . You have been most helpful. Enjoy every minute of your cruise. We are eagerly awaiting HAL's decision re the '25 WC.

Park 'n Go or Parks By Ports?

Thank you. We are trying to decide between the official port parking and one of the off-site facilities. The port, obviously, would be more convenient.

Are there signs indicating which garages serve which berths or are signs really necessary? Isn't there shuttle service between the garages and all the berths?

Appreciate your prompt responses. Thank you.

A telephone call to the WC desk confirmed that it is still 60 days. Thank you all for your responses. The transfer was easy and quick.

I have tried searching for this info, with no luck. We are booked on the Eurodam's Sunfarer cruise, leaving FLL on March 25th. Does HAL regularly use the same terminal and, if so, which? We are trying to pinpoint which cruiseport garage we should use. Thanks for any info.

Hi Marianne, I think we met on the 2018 Grand Asia? Are you also on the '24 WC? Anyway, re the future cruise request, your travel agent will submit one for you. We just submitted ours yesterday for the '25 WC. Gail & Marty - since the '24 WC is on the Zuiderdam and the anticipated ship, per The Inside Cabin, will be the Zaandam, why would '24 guest be rushing to get cabins on the '25, which may be different ship?

I'm not sure I understand your speculation. Since the '23 and '24 WC's are on the Zuiderdam, are you saying that you do or don't think that HAL is going to be concerned about booking the '25 on the Zaandam, although the passengers obviously can't get their cabins from the most recent WC on the Zuiderdam? On one hand, I would prefer the Zuiderdam being used for the '25 because it has the Signature Suites. On the Zaandam there are only three choices for a verandah - Verandah Suite, NS, or Pinnacle, the latter two of which will command top dollars. On the other hand, the Zaandam is a better ship for the WC from the standpoint of ports to be visited.

Wouldn't the shop in Osaka be able to box and mail them back to you, perhaps in care of a friend or relative? I can't imagine that any seller would attempt to mail a knife other than in a box.

Thank you for responding.

We normally book initially with a TA. This time we booked initially on line with HAL. What is needed to transfer this booking to our TA and how long after the initial booking must it be done? We were told that we must initiate the transfer. Thanks for any info.

HAL naming a narrow, one-room cabin a "suite" does not a suite make.

Memories, memories.......