KroozNut

I didn't notice any real differences with internet based on time of day, but I did notice that most of the emails I received popped into my inbox in the middle of the night, or wee hours of the morning. Perhaps due to less people using the network at that time? ... not sure. I never was able to send an email out.

We had the 'Surf' package that came with our HIA. It was okay, but not great by any means. Very slow much of the week, especially for downloading or uploading anything. Emailing was hit or miss. Web surfing was okay. We ended up using WhatsApp for all of our communication back home, which worked out well. We did not stream.. In general, the ship did not seem crowded, but lines were long at popular buffet stations; like the omelets to order station for example, and sometimes Guest Services (depending on time of day). The RS Rock Room and BB King's were packed during most performances, so had to get there early for good seats. Hot tubs at the Sea View pool aft did not seem crowded. We did not hang out at the Lido pool area, so not sure about those. We did notice a lot of kids in the Lido pool though.

The RS Rock Room band was awesome in our opinion. They brought down the house each night they performed (which was not every night).

Thanks.. We received chocolates on two nights of the sailing, along with towel animals; not every night. We received our two tiles in our cabin the next to last day of the cruise.

We absolutely enjoyed our cruise on NS, just finished Sat morning. I was up on deck 9 aft non-smoking side a lot during the cruise, and I never caught even a faint whiff of smoke there the entire week.

May have been just a coincidence, but the menus mysteriously appeared after we boarded the ship.

We just completed a 7-day sailing to the W Caribbean on Nieuw Statendam and enjoyed every aspect of the cruise. But rather than submit a lengthy review that most people won't read, I'll try to answer any questions anyone has about our particular experience, so fire away!

I had the braised short ribs and gnocchi in Canaletto on the NS cruise we just finished, and it was one of the best short rib dishes I've ever had.

Yep.. ever heard of a 'self-fulfilled prophecy'? If you're convinced you're going to smell something on the non-smoking side, you probably will. Which works very well with your position that the smell from the one, single smoking area on pinnacle ships permeates the entire ship on every deck. Sorry, just not the case..

FWIW, the 'Gala Nights' on our just recently completed 7-day NS sailing were the first sea day out, and the last sea day before the final night returning.. YMMV.

Just off the NS, and I can honestly say that there was absolutely no hint of any drifting smoke on the non-smoking side of the Sea View pool area on deck 9 aft. And I was over there several times during our 7-day sailing.

I have to agree with Ruth and you too, but will take it one step further and advise not booking ANYTHING on deck 8 (directly under the Lido), if you can help it. It's just asking for strange noises coming from above somewhere..

Yep, my email to HAL IT customer support last Saturday about this issue has been ignored so far, and we leave tomorrow. So at this point, I'm giving up on the menus. I'll deal with it (or not) after we get onboard..

You had me until the part about having a 'little walk for drinks'... ummmm, no! 🤣

You mentioned no specialty restaurant menus, but are you getting some menus, like MDR or wine listing?

Oh darn.. But you can always cancel.

Nor do the MDR or wine menus 😕

If you're on an android device, the latest version is 4.23.1.

Is wearing something orange a requirement to enjoy the party?

Not much detail here to support such a strongly negative conclusion to your experience, so we'll have to consider it a one-off, since nearly all recent reported experiences are very positive.

I'll be paying close attention to that, as we do have the SBP. I won't be posting anything here while onboard, but will try to report back on this after we return. 🙂

See you onboard Saturday! 😃

Interesting.. I'm looking at activities in my Navigator app now, and I do see "Permission To Dance" scheduled at least on one afternoon of our sailing leaving on Saturday.

I was actually able to do the security photos, just no menus.. 😏

I sent their IT support department an email Sat morning about the menu issues with 4.23.1, and have not heard anything back yet, not even the 'we're working on it' nonsense. If it's not resolved prior to our departure Saturday, I guess our only other option is to consult the guest services folks after we board and see if they can help with it. I doubt they will though..