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@dalesyang I know showtimes may not be the same now, but when showtimes were 8pm and 10pm, we would eat dinner in the Lido around 6:30pm and it seemed to be a good time. ymmv. We have found there to be more food options in the Lido. If something isn’t to your liking it’s nice to be able to have a variety of choices. Have a way to designate that your table is occupied. I have used a note on each place setting so that the stewards do not think we have left, nor other passengers take our table while we are getting more food (although we have encountered the occasional guest that will attempt it any way). Sometimes we’ll put an appetizer or dessert on the placemat so it’s apparent it’s occupied. I am not a fan of one person holding a table and going through the line in shifts (you could miss half your meal with your party doing that). Have a great time!

I just read Copper 10-8’s live report from the Nieuw Amsterdam and they have a number of live entertainment choices, right from the very first night. Completely different feel than the Westerdam. It’s concerning that 2 ships (and more) from the same cruise line could have such vastly different offerings. Whose responsibility is this? HAL corporate or the onboard Cruise Director equivalent (I can’t recall the current name of this position)? I sincerely hope that HAL will listen to the feedback and do what it takes to ensure that every sailing offers the same expectation of quality entertainment options. Appreciate the time you are taking @Hlitner to share your experiences with us.

I’ve been told in the past that they have their time perimeters for the transfers because if someone on the shuttle missed their flight even if it wasn’t the shuttle’s fault, HAL doesn’t want to bear that responsibility. AMS has been notorious over the last couple of years for excessive wait times. If the ship was late getting into port, and then if disembarkation ran behind, there could be some passengers who miss their flights even if they left with a reasonable amount of time by most standards. I feel for your frustration and agree she should have been informed when booking. I hope it all works out!

The Hilton is so convenient, I would stay there again in a heartbeat. (Thankfully they had room when our flight was canceled for us to do a morning check-in. AA didn’t give us vouchers but told us to submit receipts for a hotel of our choice as they had no flights that day. Since we had stayed there upon arrival, we knew it was an ideal option). I think we padded our time and gave ourselves 20 minutes so we wouldn’t feel rushed, as I do not walk fast. I had a similar experience in the mid-2000s at AMS with security. I was treated in such a way that I refused to fly through there for several years thereafter—even opting for Rotterdam flights with a London layover instead of a non-stop transatlantic—that’s how traumatic it was for me. Thankfully it’s been much better for me since I began flying through there again, but I’m sorry to hear of your very unfortunate experience. I hope the situation is better now.🙏

We took a cab on a Sunday in 2019 after disembarking and it cost right at $85 USD for the 2 of us. We got at the airport in good time with no traffic issues. After previous sailings, we’ve walked/taken a tram/taken a taxi to the train station and then a train to Schiphol, but the taxi was by far our easiest mode getting to the airport. All the Best!

@Mary229 did you have a Priority Lane going through security after check-in? Thanks!

The ship’s transfer has to wait on the other passengers to board the bus, so keep that in mind. Having Flight Ease should give you the help you would need in case of issues. I’ve never used it, but there are some great tips on this forum from those who have. All the Best!

The last time we were in AMS (2019), our flight got canceled. Though we were AA Business Class, they did not open Priority lanes for the passengers on the canceled flight as we awaited re-booking. It took a looong time. Thankfully I had a list of backup flights for the next day. Though we always take the train to get to AMS, we took a taxi and made great time (it was a Sunday). Insurance reimbursed us. The times over the years I’ve traveled through AMS there hasn’t been a Priority lane for AA passengers going through security. Is this still the case?

It’s hard to say because there are factors that can cause delays. We have been the very first off the ship in Amsterdam before, getting off at 7am (the scheduled time). But the last time we were in Amsterdam, we were delayed and didn’t arrive until 7:45am or so.

Here’s a recent report from the Nieuw Amsterdam.🤞

On the Pinnacle class ships, is the Grand Dutch Cafe open on the morning of debarkation?

Sorry to hear about your cough and case of COVID-19. Here's some info from the CDC about what is expected. Did they clear you to fly on Sunday? I know the "Day Zero" issue has been a source of confusion for many; I wish things had been clearer since the beginning on how to count the days. I've had friends think they're okay to go out and about after 4 days without re-testing, don't follow the guidance about high quality masks for additional days, and then wonder why those they came into contact with ended up sick thereafter. I pray you get well soon and everything works out for you! All the Best!

@skurvish so are you saying if someone’s shore excursion credit wasn’t fully used for excursions, HAL will automatically apply it to any port shuttles used during the cruise? Thanks!

@BeachBum47thanks so much for sharing your experience with us! It's very helpful to hear how things are handled during emergencies onboard. So glad your precious Mom is well! All the Best!

We were in Norway during the NBA playoffs in 2019 and our HAL ship had the games.

I never thought I would be as stringent as I am now about not touching anything in public with my bare hands, using a clean paper towel or napkin as a barrier, but here I am😂🤷‍♀️ I must say, though, that it’s worked out for me so far; I haven’t even had a slight sniffle in over 3 1/2 years, thankfully.

@FlaMariner so glad to hear this! Thanks for sharing. Who was the Cruise Director?

My silverware never touches a tabletop, either. And my hands never touch a doorknob.😁 Do tell: what were the most contaminated surfaces in your experience?

Can you imagine when marketing the Worry-Free Promise, HAL having a footnote, “Note: it may take around a year to reimburse you, and cause you to lose so much confidence that you don’t actually use the FCCs, but we will eventually get around to it!” Is that “Cruising with Confidence?” I am glad to hear reports of passengers finally getting their reimbursements. I remember during the re-start so many passengers reporting a lack of information on some ships, while others were efficient. You would think fleet-wide, they would have had at least a standard information sheet with clear details of what to expect once isolation or quarantine was entered. @we135b I hope things work out for you soon!🙏

@Hlitner thanks again for sharing your adventures! Did they say how long they would keep the Gallery open? Was it a set time or until the last person left? Thanks!

@kit125 Did Ship Services say if this was only with the Oosterdam? Thanks!

It’s been a few years since I was in Civitavecchia. Can you still buy transportation passes for the day at the newspaper stand inside the train station? Saved us waiting in a long line. Thanks!

Thank you @Hlitner and @cruisemom42 for sharing your experiences with us! Sounds like a memorable journey! I appreciate the honest comments about HAL’s (lack of) entertainment. I do wish the corporate office would realize this is important, even for those of us who choose a sailing based on itinerary and have full days. We’ve always enjoyed the classical music onboard HAL, as well as the various other entertainers. I hope they bring the classical musicians back, even if under a different name. We were on one of the first sailings with a BB Kings and it was such a great addition. I miss the solo pianists and guitarists. I wish they would bring back the first or second night “Welcome Show” featuring most entertainers on board. I felt that gave guests a glimpse at what was offered around the ship and on my sailings at least, seemed to boost attendance in the venues. I do enjoy the “hybrid shows” Hank mentioned, and agree that they can be some of the most well-attended of a sailing. Hope the rest of your journey is wonderful! Appreciate all the insight into this cruise. I have never sailed in Asia but would like to some day. All the Best!

This is so sad. Sincerest condolences to you and your family. If he paid for his cruise with a credit card, some offer various types of supplemental insurance, some even offer assistance while abroad. Be sure to check what his card offers, in addition to primary insurances. I hope you can get everything sorted out soon. Best wishes and prayers for you during your time of grief.

Sadly, it was reported that members of BB Kings witnessed the tragedy. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2919837-nieuw-statendam-crew-death/page/2/#comment-64944347