Infi

We used this on our last cruise on Zaandam and it was a lifesaver: https://smile.amazon.com/dp/B07V32PJ59?psc=1&ref=ppx_yo2ov_dt_b_product_details 

Not only were there extra outlets, we could also charge USB-A and C devices like phones, Kindles, and portable chargers. It had a slight extension cord as well so everything wasn't bunched up on the desk. 

2 hours ago, lissie said:

Is there an outlet near the bed?  My partner uses a CPAP and I'm sure he's not the only one. 

No outlets by the bed; they're on the desk, so a slight distance away. For CPAP users, I believe HAL can supply power strips/extension cords for this purpose if asked; I'd recommend reaching out directly to HAL's accessibility department. 

Here's the Port Everglades schedule with pier numbers; it's usually updated ~7 days in advance: https://pevvesseltraffic.broward.org/webx/

As others have noted, Princess is usually at Terminal 2 and HAL is usually at 26, so they are on complete opposite ends of the port. Would highly recommend a taxi or Uber. If the ships are at 2 and 4, that's the only case where it would be easily walkable. Good luck with your cruises!

Interestingly enough, RWS (HAL's entertainment vendor) still prominently features LCS on their website: https://experiencerws.com/case-study/lincoln-center-stage/

Then again, the HAL/Oprah partnership is also prominently featured as a case study for RWS so perhaps this page now functions as a retrospective of former successful HAL partnerships 🙃

Maybe I am overly optimistic, but I think LCS will be replaced with a similar act in due time. Prior to LCS, the Adagio quartet and then the Adagio duo performed in the same space to similar crowds. While LCS likely doesn't pull in the same bar money that BB King or the piano bars do, it still fills a niche for pre-dinner entertainment, plus additional musicians for sundry needs around the ship (BBC Earth, piano hour, etc.) Without any music, the venue (LCS or Explorers) will be quite conspicuously empty - not a good look.

2 hours ago, VermeulT said:

it's their port... ok so maybe not NO charge.

2 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

Definitely seems high.  These islands are long term leases from the Bahamian govt and pay head taxes to the govt for each visit.  Yes, not much, prob $10-15 per person.  I would expect 125-150 in port fees for a 7 day cruise, not over 200. 

HAL bought HMC in the mid 1990s; they (more accurately, Carnival Corp) own the island outright. HAL ships still do pay port taxes, however. 

On 1/6/2023 at 9:17 AM, FlaMariner said:

 

Our strategy also.....

 

And there is a hammock (no surcharge!) in the shade down the beach (used it in November) if you are early (but do not tell anyone).

Shhh...!

Verify was not used on our Dec 20 sailing; there was no separate line in FLL for it. I felt let down because there was no point in using the service, and because I had instructed our group to download the app and go through all the rigmarole for no reason at all. 

I also wonder if HAL is doing a natural "cleaning house" of their partnerships. On our holiday cruise on Zaandam, I was told the partnerships with Microsoft and Oprah had expired during the pandemic and were not renewed; America's Test Kitchen expired in January 2020 as well. I also heard from one of the entertainment staff that the Port to Table (cooking shows that aren't ATK) is coming back, but the BB King contract expires early 2023 as well - not sure if those are true or just rumors. If BB King contract is expiring, that will be another big loss for HAL as that venue must be a huge moneymaker.

Perhaps HAL is being strategic and taking a note from Disney's playbook: many of their 7 day itineraries feature a "double dip" (2 stops) at Castaway Cay, as they know how popular the island is for their passengers. If this isn't a calculated move and more out of necessity due to port schedules, it will be interesting to see how the cruise sells and if HAL offers the route again.

With Lincoln Center now departing, I do wonder what will fill the void - that lounge is always packed in the evenings and that music style is clearly enjoyed by many. The Volendam/Zaandam still have the classical duo in Explorers that is not branded as Lincoln Center. Perhaps RWS (HAL's entertainment company that provides Step One Dance Company/Billboard et al) has something new in the works? For HAL's sake, I sure hope so.

I always head past the villas and pirate ship. In addition to providing shade, it helps to avoid the hordes of people who tend to set up their beach gear on the stretch right after getting off the tender. 

Dined at PG last night on Zaandam for our final meal and had the filet. The only choice available was the 8oz. I always used to order the larger filet in the past, but found the 8oz cut to be tender and sufficient. Yes, it is a cutback, but far less offensive than many others these days.

Meant to add - our departure on December 20 was supposed to be at 3pm but never materialized due to fuel and last minute loading. Don't know what is up with HAL and their early departures these days but it seems like they're a good idea in theory but not happening in practice. 

Just disembarked this morning, so the arrival photos and marine tracking are especially fun to see as I was out on deck 3 when we sailed past the webcam. Great cruise, and missing her already!

Will be leaving on her tomorrow - so looking forward to this cruise!

2 hours ago, kazu said:

 

I have you added to the list but just realized the date and sadly it was too late to do the Bon Voyage as that date’s Bon Voyage listing was based on the current Future Cruise Listing.  I do my best to accommodate if possible but there is a reason I ask for sufficient notice.  

 

Thank you for clarifying. I had wondered if it was too late to add but thought it was worth a try. I understand the inability to include this in the future cruise listing.

This would be so nice to see on Zaandam/Volendam, the Tamarind is the main thing I miss when sailing the smaller ships. I have to wonder if there is a specific reason as to why they don't do the pop-up Tamarind whereas the Sel de Mer is quite common. I wonder if it is because the Tamarind dishes or prep are harder to translate to the Pinnacle/MDR kitchen, especially given the example below from Loreto. 

14 minutes ago, Loreto said:

Our last cruise before COVID was the Amazon Explorer Nov. 2019 on the Volendam.  The Pinnacle Grill was beautifully transformed for this A Night at the Tamarind event.  The evening started of well with appetizers, but soon became a disaster as the Volendam kitchen became overwhelmed and the meal stretched almost 3 hours.  People became angry and walked out.  We stayed, although after 2+ hours we ran out of things to talk about!  The manager personally apologized to us and we were never charged.  The meal, when it came was delicious.  Hopefully they have learned from their mistakes.  The Tamarind is our favorite restaurant!

OP's point about Home Depot and bearing the brunt of others using the self-check out reminded me of this anecdote. Several years ago, when the Rotterdam (VI) was based year-round out of Rotterdam, we were told by a crew member in a very high position that the HSC for that ship had to be handled differently. Since most of the Rotterdam passengers removed the HSC as a matter of course, the entire fleet's tips were pooled and divided equally so the Rotterdam crew would get their fair share, despite passenger behavior. An interesting story, and I wonder if that's part of the reason why there hasn't been a HAL ship with an overseas homeport year-round since. 

Hi Kazu, can you please add the cruise below? It's our annual holiday cruise and this year a first time cruiser is joining us, too. Very excited!

Zaandam - 20-Dec-22 - 16 day Southern Caribbean Holiday

We were lucky enough to sail the Prinsendam 3 times, and she was truly our favorite. Her decor and layout were first class and the service was always impeccable. Such a loss for HAL and her fans when they sold her; her itineraries just can't be replicated anymore. I remember rumors on CC in 2019 that HAL was considering replacing her with another smaller ship. Does anyone else remember those? Now I doubt those will come to pass. 

For those who are missing the Prinsendam or wish they had a chance to sail her, vote with your feet and let HAL see there is still demand for the smaller ships. We are concentrating all of our future cruising on the remaining R class sisters, as I fear they are not long for this world and I want to enjoy them as long as they are with us. Did the same with the S class and Amsterdam/Rotterdam prior and when we lost them in 2020, I was so glad I had been intentional about only sailing them while they were still in the fleet. I personally refuse to sail the Pinnacle class until the time comes (hopefully many years from now) when there are no other smaller options. They will be around a lot longer than their smaller counterparts, and there will be plenty of time then. 

Thanks for the ideas, all. I wish there was an easy way to accomplish this, but it doesn't sound like it. I will try the OBC transfer first, and if that doesn't work, I'll just put everything on my credit card and try the reimbursement route. 

I was thinking of calling HAL but am not sure if this is more of a ship question due the fact that it concerns onboard accounts or if Seattle will be equipped to answer it. 

Thanks. I forgot to mention that I would prefer not to pre-pay the HSC because I have a large amount of OBC on my own account (shareholder etc.) that I'd like to use to pay for the HSC for the both of us. Otherwise, I would just pre-pay the HSC and call it a day, so hoping for advice for this scenario. 

I've invited someone to join me on my next cruise and am wondering how to work out our onboard accounts. Because the cruise is a gift, I'd like to cover their HSC charges on my account, and they would like to pay for their own incidentals onboard (drinks etc.). Is there any way I can set up this arrangement, either pre-cruise or onboard? In the past I've shared an account with family where one person was responsible for all the charges on both of our accounts, but I didn't know if one account could cover only the HSC for another guest. Any guidance is much appreciated. 

2 hours ago, REOVA said:

The R class ships do not have the rooms for BB King. They do have a band in Ocean Bar which some of them (as well as pianist) may participate in a show on World Stage, but the R class are not set up for music like Music Walk on P ships. 

Yes, I am well aware of the layout limitations, hence why I asked the question.