jenp123

Is this a brand new thing? I was on a recently as late December and it was not available.

It's not about the money for me, it's the kind of soda. I bring on caffeine free regular coke. I bring it fully aware that I may be out the cost if they decide to confiscate it

According to HAL's official policy, NO. I have recently been able to get cans on a few times, but definitely no bottles in Fort lauderdale. They even confiscated my 1 plastic water bottle that I had it my purse. So if you are ok with losing your soda, it may be worth a try.

No thanks. I don't drink, so having to purchase something (drink package) to get a perk (the upgraded package), doesn't really seem like a perk to me. The mini bar setup appeals to many people. If you like to drink, you get some free booze, if you like coffee, get the cards and if you don't drink alcohol, you have have 20 non alcoholic beverages loaded in your mini bar.

Hey, I am a 4* and get 50% off specialty dining. If I book my reservations ahead of time, do I receive 50% off or a credit for 50% off onboard, or nothing?

Carribean princess...done by room service yesterday

You can try if you are willing to loose it. In Fort lauderdale in Nov and Dec, security was very strict about taking plastic bottles of any type, but let canned pop go on, even though it is against the rules.

One cruise I ended up eating dinner there most nights. They made a lot of interesting things for me that were not on the menu. (They offered, I never asked) one night I had some sort of tempura shrimp roll...Cali rolls were definitely available upon request

The rotterdam had an amazing selection of books provided by hal. Many different sections and genres. They also had a few shelves for book exchanges.

Ask for a "pricing specialist" I didn't know they existed until a few months ago when the agent couldn't find me a price adjustment that I showed online...they transferred me and I got an even better price than I had found

I was on a 21 day HAL carribean on the koningsdam just before covid and just went on one in the rotterdam Nov 2022. I didn't think there was any difference in the quality of the food. The menus have been made a bit smaller (but they are still very happy to accommodatespecial requests), no lobster on formal night (may be different on a world cruise) but having dishes on this past cruise that I have had many times pre covid, they were just as good as they were before.

You will go through usa customs and immigration before you board the ship. As a Canadian, I used an automatic system in the terminal that printed out a slip and I didn't even have to speak to an agent... When the cruise gets back in to vancouver, you will go through Canadian customs and immigration in the port again, which was a very quick process

I am very picky about noise and definitely avoid having a room with any "blank spaces" above, below or around me. I was booking directly with a HAL agency, and he was able to call another department to find out what one of the "blank spaces" was above a potential room. It was the mechanical equipment for filtering and running the pool. I promptly picked another location:) So it may be possible to find out by phoning hal and asking

I did 31 days on the Rotterdam from November until December 21st period on the 1st cruise we went to Bonaire and docked no issue. 2 weeks later, We were scheduled to dock in bonaire again. We received a notice in our stateroom saying that we were too big to fit at the pier and we would be tendering in. The tenders dropped us off at the empty pier that we were docked at 2 weeks prior. When the other ship moved, the Rotterdam ceased tendering operations and docked for the afternoon. The locals including tour guides who have multiple years of experience were very confused. They all said that they had never seen tendering happen and called b******* On the fact that the dock was too small considering we had just been there 2 weeks prior. A few of these taxi drivers had been living in Bonaire most of their lives and had never seen it. One even said there were news crews out in the morning taking footage because it would make the nightly show. Seemed very odd And now with more issues it definitely seems like something is going on.

Thanks for the information. I decided to go with a 14 day plus a 7 carribean to ensure I have some pretty warm weather. I will save hawaii for another time

I am looking at doing the 18 day cruise to Hawaii that leaves diego Jan 31. I am curious what day the weather turns "warm". I understand that it is weather/system dependent but I am curious how many sea days in do you get more "Hawaii weather" as opposed to "San Diego weather". Just wondering if a few sea days will be potentially good for suntanning.

Looking for anyone who has previous experience being put on a waitlist for a sold out cruise. Do they email you or call you if it becomes available, take a deposit, waitlist for certain categories etc...just looking for some first hand experience before I call to be waitlisted for Feb 4th cruise

Was just on the rotterdam. I didn't play in the casino, but walking through every night, the smell of smoke was very strong. Smoking allowed by aft pool on the side with the bar. Depending on the wind, the smoke smell definitely carried to both sides of deck in covered non smoking area. (Enough that I left the area a few times)

I am on right now. They sold me a day pass for the 2nd to last day for $49 and if I wanted the last day as well, the 2 days were $69 (I decided to go with the 1 day)

It was the security at port everglades that were scanning passengers getting on the ship. There was a massive pile of empty/full and partially full bottles that they had confiscated...not cases, but random single bottles people had in their purse or bag

Don't try and bring on a single plastic bottle to use while on board. I had 1 sport cap evian bottle and they took it at security. (I also have a metal one but like to keep 1 in the fridge for colder water in the morning)

On the rotterdam. Food has been good to very good. Buffet-lots of variety. Salad bar station(they serve you) has been fresh and well stocked, they have an Asian station, make your own pasta, sandwich and hot section as well as a decent selection of desserts and breads...(and may other things I am missing) MDR-seems that the menu is slightly smaller than in the past. No lobster on formal night but shrimp and escargot have been offered. The servers have been very accommodating when asked for substitutions or changes to meals. Lobster and some specialty items on menu for an up charge. Specialty- tamarind....great as always, can order as many appetizers and desserts as you want. Pinnacle- 7$ charge for 2nd appetizer and 12$ (I think) for a 2nd entrée. So you cannot have a soup or salad course and an appy, you would have to pay for that. Quality very good, food came out very hot. They got rid of the "chefs choice taster" which used to come out before the appy

New HAL policy is that any wine brought onboard pays the corkage fee. No more free bottle allowed....whether or not it is enforced on your cruise is another thing. Security will scan your bags and tell you to go to the wine table to pay corkage, or maybe they won't....depends on the day and sailing.

Your easiest option would be to get one at the port from Holland America or the company they have it contracted to ($60 i believe).. If you go to the frequently asked questions you will find a link to the 3rd party website to book the test but I believe you can only book it 10 days out. There is the Fairmont waterfront hotel across from the port and they have a walk in clinic so you could call there to book or walk in. (Approx $130) Another option is to find one of the online services who will watch you take the test certified and send you a letter by email. Some of these services require you to buy their test and some of them allow you to have your own rapid test. As for shoppers drug mart... The shoppers drug mart in British Columbia or near Vancouver don't do rapid tests last time I checked. There are not many options for cheap rapid tests in the area ( Compared to Alberta and Ontario).. Another option is a few clinics at the Vancouver airport that I believe are listed on their website