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and.... if you are sailing on a ship with a self serve laundry room, it is only $2 for a wash and $1 to dry the clothes.

I too am missing looking at the cruise log. It was a wonderful Voyage of the Viking cruise, but.... I did not check the television screen for the total sailed mileage before leaving the Rotterdam. And heaven knows, we paid enough for that cruise that printing the cruise log would not make a dent in HAL's profits.

If HAL says it is too costly to keep printing the cruise logs, well.... how about all of those ridiculous ads and promotions we receive onboard???

HAL is not wasting money on keeping the Lido open. You eat on their schedule or pay for room service if you want something nice.

HAL has brought onboard a lot of entertainers that really do not encourage the normal HAL cruiser to go and see.

HAL has cut the kitchen staff and dining staff so much that people have to wait and wait. Saving money here.

SO..... this new HAL president has had no experience with cruising before accepting his current job.... and it shows!

Okay. I am done complaining. Sorry for going on and on.

e2011

I am so sorry that HAL let you down, in your opinion. There is so much info on Cruise Critic, I am surprised that you were not able to tell beforehand that it would not be a good fit for you.

I admit, I have not read all of the posts in this topic. If you used a travel agent to book the cruise, I wonder why they did not tell you what life is like on the HAL ships. I have only cruised on HAL, so I am used to the Lido and waiting in line. The dining room usually has a minimal wait time, depending upon when you show up. And unfortunately, I have never had the luxury of booking a Neptune suite, so no comment on that area of the cruise.

But I bet you did have a good time, all things considered. When you look back, you will appreciate the level of service and the beautiful ship. Good luck on you next cruise.

Personally, I am so glad that they stopped the conversions to lanai cabins. Yes, I would love one, ... but too expensive. What I do like is that on both of these ships, the deck chairs on the lower promenade deck are not reserved for the people in the lanai cabins. This means I can sit where the ship's railing is open and I can watch the ocean. I so love doing that, but not sitting way up high... or not sitting in the sun.

So here is my vote to leave the Amsterdam and the Zaandam alone please.

Great photos. Enjoy your cruise. Looks like you are. :)

Thank you for posting the links to webcams.

Beautiful shot of the Amsterdam in Homer. Just beautiful.

CJcruzer... I do not know how you do this, but your hard work is sooo appreciated.

Thank you very much.

Wow... great article with awesome pictures. Thank you for posting, Joanie. I love that stop at Ketchikan. It is touristy, quaint, and beautiful

Love, love, love, love that balcony. I can dream about having one....someday.

Thank you for all of the onboard pictures. Fantastic.

Arzz, looking forward to your reports. It sounded like a horrible start at the airport, but hey.... the plane and you made it to FLL, so not all bad.

A great way of ending your first day on board... finding the laundry tag. Loved it.

Just a bit of trivia, I met you a few years ago on a Panama Canal cruise.

Oh Kazu, I am so sorry that the cruise on the Rotterdam has ended. I so loved those pictures.

But oh so happy your vacation continues...with the awesome pictures. Loving them. From the pictures, it looks as if you up very early for the arrival in Rotterdam.

I cannot wait to tell my tale from the Rotterdam. Thank you for all of your insights.

Such beautiful photos. If you posted the info and I missed it, I am sorry...but what camera are you using? Your photos just show so much detail. Thank you once again for all of your effort put into this live from blog.

Great way to handle luggage and only costs about $25 per bag.

Is this another change? Any idea when the cost went to per bag?

Well, if there has to be a fire, so very glad it occurred in dry-dock and not while at sea. Hopefully no injuries.

Kazu, your photos are awesome.

and....that unnamed site has your latest photos posted.

I am getting more and more excited about my upcoming cruise on the Rotterdam. She very well might replace the Amsterdam as my favorite. I love looking at the menus.... and invariably, when the food porn photos are posted, it is when I am starving! LOL

Keep enjoying your cruise and keep those updates coming. All of your hard... and expensive... work is most appreciated.

Hi Clueless2. I have had cabin 429 and absolutely no problem with that door to the outside. It was on a very tight spring/hinge/closing mechanism, so it never slammed or banged at all. And not that many people use the door. You will enjoy your cabin.

Alaska59... the lighting does not bother me at all. The curtains are cabin darkening and you can draw them closed very tightly. or... leave them open a bit and have the shears closed over the window. It is like a night light in the cabin. No need to turn a light at night if you need to get up. Just make sure at night, when you do have lights on in the cabin that the heavy curtains are closed for privacy! ;)

Kazu, your postings are wonderful. Thank you so much for doing this.

I was wondering what the Rotterdam would be like and you are putting me so at ease. I cannot wait to board her for the Voyage of the Vikings.

The photos are awesome. Keep them coming. And all of the activities.... I hope they offer us the tour with the florist. That would be so interesting.

Once again, thank you. :)

OK, is anyone else having issues with the formatting on this new site? Even after numerous drinks, I don't type that bad.

 

Anyway, thank you all. For those not in on the joke, Christy and I are not actually twins; we just act like it. We always joke that we are twins but I slept late for nine years. Still, twins where it matters.

 

We had a trip on the string -- Alaska, May 22nd, on the Amsterdam.

 

I will be going, with my good friend Robin who has never cruised, never had a passport before, and enjoys chardonnay very much. Never a replacement, as no one can replace Christy or would ever be bold (or stupid) enough to try, but I would be thrilled to meet in person any of the folks I've come to respect on the boards.

 

So if anyone wants to join, I'll happily buy you a drink in my sister's honor. As long as it's not chard. That's mine.

I wish there was a LIKE button. I am so glad that you are going to continue the cruise tradition....and with a good bud. I am sure you will show her the ropes. And she will be there for you, even better. Hang in there.

I am so sorry for your loss and cannot even imagine the pain you are feeling. Thank you for sharing with us. The venting will help you heal, or at least I hope so. You and your sister have brought us so much happiness in the past and for that, I thank you. Just remember, we are here for you now too. Please take care.

I'm cruising on the Eurodam to Alaska out of Seattle in August. My return SWA flight has a layover in San Diego, so I'm wondering if Luggage Direct can accommodate a change of planes to the final destination. We're in a Neptune Suite, so we should be able to disembark shortly around 8am and our flight leaves at 11am. Will Luggage Direct work for us? I tried to sign up online, but it said it couldn't find the "parameters." I'll try calling them on Monday. Just wondered if anyone knew. Thanks!

I have done Luggage Direct out of Fort Lauderdale and with a change in planes... on Southwest too. No problem. regarding the 11 AM flight... if there are a few ships in port on that day, you are cutting it close. I have done one flight at 11:30 and made it to the gate.... with the flight already loading. Way too much stress. Good luck. And have a great cruise.

Thank goodness the O cruises are limited to just four and that they are all listed. It will be a different crowd for sure and I hope these cruises are all charters so regular cruisers are not impacted. The inspirational speakers will be from the Soulful Experience or some such name.

I wonder how many, if any, beyond the initial four cruises will take place. I am okay with them just as long as I am not on any of them. Sorry, but that is how I feel.

AND that O magazine is such a waste. :(

So very happy to see this blog. And I too love the Amsterdam. She just has a special feel! Looking forward to all of the postings. Enjoy those 125 days. I know I will enjoy reading about your adventure. :)

Love those toots for sure! Lucky people on board.

NA better not put the pedal to the metal too much. Have to get the other ship moving a bit faster!

Oh my.... This is the first for photos of the lovely P ship. At least, first for me. Those cabins.... WOW. The other photos, she is a beautiful ship. Thank you for sharing,... and looking forward to more photos. :)