REOVA

I don't think this is new. Even prior to the shut down we were told if we booked a quad cabin, there would be a chance we would have to move if a family needed it. And it's also done on accessible cabins if you don't need the accessible cabin. Although most people don't book accessible cabins if they don't need it (unless it's the only one left).

Yes and such low prices...not🤣 "Sale" and "Upgrade" are 2 words HAL uses that may not align with expectations.

On Zaandam try to stay in cabin 7027-7029. We find it less noisy from pool deck shuffling chairs early morning or at night when they clean. Also not directly under Lido market as same for chair moving. It's a bit more isolated under Canaletto. We prefer Neptune Suite on smaller ships as they are slightly bigger. We do miss the Dutch Cafe and BB King that are on Pinnacle ships but not enough to choose over an R Class sailing in Alaska.

HAL'S marketing program may include "40% off" or $1 deposit, but the prices don't necessarily equate to a "sale" price and they may be limited to specific itineraries. Prices reflect demand so if it's a popular itinerary, you won't see a sale. And price drops are not usually announced, you (or a good TA) have to keep track of prices and check. I booked a cruise last March for Fall of 2024. It has had 2 price drops since (and various HIA versions) which I was able to take advantage of (before final payment). Where does the cruise that you want go?

Agree 💯 Kathi.they've made the cabins and storage tighter (as well as the promenade walking deck) to cram more into the ships. Still hoping they acquire some smaller ships since they won't build anymore when the R class retires.

What specific information are you looking for? You will probably get more wind on the balcony being up and forward. VF will have a small love seat (too small to lay across). You can see photos and videos of similar cabin/location on Koningsdam (Cruisedeckplans dot com).

Better to use website before boarding. Navigator is glichy (well so is website but at least you know it connects to the server...sometimes). I haven't seen excursions go on sale but have seen them increase in price after boarding. Especially if popular. Tours are priced through the vendor and if not enough prople sign up they don't drop the price but will cancel the tour. Best to book what you want as soon as possible and read the cancelation rules (they vary). You can always cancel the excursion later (subject to rules, usually 24-36 hours before the tour except specialty or overnight tours).

Usually they will price upgrades factoring in various amenities that you have but definitely ask. I suggest you look at what the current offer is for SA and SB and price in crew appreciation (if current price does not reflect it). Then you can see if it's a deal you want. Also check deck plan and which current cabins may be available, although a guarantee may not allow cabin selection you may still know value. Prices do go down from when you booked so potentially they could offer an upgrade but having your own data helps to prepare your decision. Also HAL may find selling your SC as an upgrade to someone in a lower Meta easier than an SA, giving them 2 upgrade revenues.

Or a young pro (refurbished cruiser). 😉

We usually bring our own when traveling on land but not flying/cruising. First thing in cabin we test the pillow and if needing a change (we usually do as they can be too soft) we ask the cabin steward for a different pillow. They always find what we need.

Just curious, with anytime dining, do you need reservations for any specific reason (private table or just for 2)? We usually just show up and are seated quickly, depending on number in party.

Did you notice passengers in the elevator looking into your balcony? Some folks may mind that, others don't care but it's something to consider.

No matter what time you check in, nobody boards until the ship is ready which is dependent on clearing and turn around of prior cruise. With priority you will be placed in the priority waiting area (if they have one) and probably board by 12:00. This is all based on the port having staff and caring whether you have priority boarding. Some priority folks have been snubbed by SD port staff. Did you already contact HAL for wheelchair assistance?

Billboard is transitioning to solo pianist and only Rock Room (no BB King) except on Pinnacle ships. Depending on itinerary length you will probably get a dance routine, comedian/magician, or singer on Main Stage and maybe a movie or HAL documentary. Entertainment at night is not HALs strength and other than conversations with newly met passengers, after 10:30, there is limited "entertainment". I also suggest Eurodam over Westerdam.

Yes on all ships, except Koningsdam's (Pinnacle Class) is narrower and no lounge chairs like on older ships. Also should visit library after boarding and pick up a few books.

Same. I would get notifications hours after an event was over with my Android.

Wow 1 day cruise. I doubt you will get any feel of the cruise or any restaurant in 1 day. Cruising is about experiencing and we've had days that were good in some restaurants and not so good on other days. Would hate for you to try a restaurant on its off day and then forever think it was bad. But you won't know unless you try and experience it. We used to like Pinnacle and hated Canaletto, then loved Tamarind, Canaletto and not Pinnacle. Last year we weren't impressed with any of them on Eurodam. Did our tastes change? No. But we just ate during a "rough" time for HALs service and kitchen. If this is the first night of a longer cruise, it may be hectic for HAL.

As Hank said word of mouth is great. I found a few good agents by referral. I've used big box and automobile agencies (which booked the wrong cruise for us- one a year later). I find that ones that specializes in what you want (cruising), has traveled onboard and keeps up with education and tricks and trades of the cruise lines are the best, as opposed to "catch all" travel agents. I contacted my agent who was on a cruise at the time, and was helped by others in the office. So the office environment and how they run it is important as well as we hear people say "my agent is out" and they can't get responses. You may have to search and call different companies (like interviewing staff) and see. Also ask for quotes from a few different agents and see how they respond and interact.

Yes you probably need to call. I used to book with Big box but stopped after having to call their agency's manager to get a response. Then had to call multiple times to get an agent who knew what I needed and how to get it done. Now I use a large cruise agency that does everything (after I research, because that's what I do 😉) and not only get a better discount on price plus OBC (much better than big box), but someone to talk with that knows cruising if I need something. But the savings we'll offset the refer a friend bonus. Also they can price more items than HAL website shows.

I thought it depended on what food you purchased. Some were additional cost as was some of the beverages unless you had HIA or beverage package.

Yes I realized after posting that I was responding to OPs NS cruise instead of Zaandam but couldn't delete it. That's totally different....Never mind.

You should be able to log into Big Box TA website and see what is offered and book it.

Except on the "state of the art" World Stage that may be dark or show a movie one (or more) of those nights. HAL got rid of production department in 2019 and went with third party agencies and brand named license contracts. You may see a dance group (Step One), or a singing group, which on a long itinerary or B2B may repeat shows. There's a history/documentary of HALs 150 years or virtual ship tour, a BBC documentary, maybe a magician or comedian. Fortunately since you haven't sailed HAL in the past 3 years you may not have seen them before. Their music walk consists of 3 bar/lounge areas close together so the sound competes if they are on at the same time (for BB King and Rock Room but pianist will alternate time with Rock Room). The artists can be excellent to chalkboard scratchy quality and may repeat songs each night so you have the option to watch the BBC movie on off nights. HAL entertainment took a reverse direction from its prior years and still below Celebrity or others if you are looking for production stage shows like it used to have. But the ship is nice and Dutch Cafe is a nice addition on the Pinnacle ships. You should be able to find something or enjoy new acquaintances.

I haven't run into losing priority boarding (as a 5*) to CO. Everyone (4*/5*/CO) are still grouped together, once we get through security (which is different at different ports and no longer has priority security lines). Once in the waiting area, everyone of us lines up when the ship opens for boarding so being 6* doesn't change the current boarding issue, as the same 5* that may have been grouped before may just be a different name in same group. I believe that was the comment from passengers (no priority) to Gus during the Q&A to which he responded (too many in top tier). The port terminals will only be able to service so many "priority" lines unless costs increase. So I doubt anyone at HAL wants to increase costs so we can board 30 minutes faster than others. The algorithm HAL uses for loyalty is harder than figuring out credit scoring.