REOVA

We ask the cabin steward to remove everything from the fridge and get our own drinks through HIA and put in. That way we don't worry about charges for what was taken. Plus it's stocked with what we choose.

We weren't asked and they used a prior TA on a new booking and we didn't know until we got an email from the TA. Had to use the form to transfer from the old TA to new TA afterwards. I would think PCC would be treated the same to new TA as long as it's within the time frame and will probably lose and "amenities" that received with PCC.

You can and if you walk past the chairs and clam shells (and cabanas) you have a very large area to yourself and even good snorkeling right off the beach. We get the clamshells since we spend most of the day there and go to the buffet and then back to our clamshell.

We do the same with pizza on Pinnacle ships. Have made to order so it's fresher. Also we ask for no salt on fries at fast food at home so we know they have to cook a fresh batch. But I digress....

The GWC is a winter home for many every year. (Some only do alternate years or specific itinerary- Africa or Europe- ) A few have been known to stay on the ship for most of the year. Prior to shutdown most of the cabins were sold so segments were used for fill ins. Segments are more available now it seems.

There might be 10% change in passengers on the segments but for the most part its a big family reunion and bonded friendships that will last a lifetime.

The NY pizza on the other (Pinnacle/Signature) ships is much better than pizza in the Lido on Westy. Something about having it freshly made to order makes a difference. It's not very good in Westy Lido in our opinion. Try to get it when they first put it out.

You may find many from South Africa in the spa as well.

Not what we found on HAL. We find the best crew on smallest ship and not as hurried or stressed. Most of the crew that we've known for years are on the smaller ships still and prefer them to the bigger ships. But every cruise is different, as is everyone's experience.

Yes I got fresh squeezed last year on Rotterdam for breakfast and had to send it back. It was a thick glass of pulp, very little juice. They asked if I wanted concentrate and I said no, but juice would be appreciated.🤦‍♂️

Did someone tell you it wasnt included? Did you bring it up to guest services to have it removed from your bill? They make errors on many drinks that we have to get corrected but we've always had fresh OJ included in the package. The server in Lido brings it (not from the pitcher on the counter).

We find temperature is also affected by where you are in the world and which side of the ship the sun is while sailing. We haven't sailed Volendam but have on sister ships and love the smaller ships. You will find many "problems" on the older ships if you focus on them. And 2 cabins will have totally different experiences on the same ship (heat, plumbing, etc) as will 2 passengers have subjective opinions on the same cruise. We always sail with an expectation that it won't be perfect and if we don't like something, we make a comment, or try another item. The crew will try to help you enjoy your cruise. If you communicate (nicely 😉).

If you look you will find many areas that need work.caulking, night stand damage, teak deck rotted at some doors causing issue pushing open, etc. But it's an old ship and none of these detracted from our cruise. Just noted. We'd sail on Eurodam any day over the newer ships if given same itineraries.

The Grand World offered different packages for wifi and/or drinks. Most passengers are 4 and 5 star so maybe HAL probably didn't think it would sell for other items. And when you are sailing 120+ days, the per day package needs to be enticing.

We've had problems depending on where in the world and where on the ship, but that was before Starlink. I had to upgrade to Premium in October as signal was dropped. The premium package is (used to be) discounted if you buy a few days before embarkation but prices probably went up now with Starlink.

CO usually get a table by the window or a "preferred" area which can be anywhere really. You enter on right of entrance (separate line) and they seat you on that side, for the most part.

I like the SS suites on the older ships. Pinnacle SS cabins seem smaller. The upgrade benefit shines better on the lower priced cabins as opposed to SS (and no benefit in Neptune since CO is "included"). Club Orange on Pinnacle ships has its own dining room (same food as MDR but better service) so that is better on Pinnacle ships.

The CO dining is same menu as MDR with 1 added entree selection. What you don't get is a long wait to be seated or served and the loud noise from the open and often crowded MDR. Unless you are dining with friends who do not have CO benefits. There isn't a reason on Rotterdam to go to MDR. (IMHO)

Depends on what the refare price includes compared to what you currently have. Also depends on who you (or your TA) talks with (who answers the phone) at HAL. You (or your TA) will need to be referred to a pricing specialist at HAL not just the call service as they may tell you different things.

I generally wouldn't use ship spa staff for extraordinary services such as color as you don't know what they will do and we've heard stories of lack of quality of some of the services. I've had many hair cuts on HAL and usually the staff is well trained and know what they are doing. You can tell by they way they are cutting your hair. My experience last month on Eurodam was a bad cut (I'm an easy 10 minute cut). When I went to my regular stylist after disembarkment a few days later she noticed the lack of blending and uneven cuts in my hair, it wasn't a different style, just a poor job. She was able to correct some but obviously much shorter. But hair grows so it's wasn't a permanent issue, unlike color.

Was on Eurodam last month. Wouldn't use them if it's the same staff. Not even for a haircut.

Mine (chocolate) was white and the server tried to tell me it was chocolate. I told her it was vanilla and she came back with a cup of chocolate sauce so I could add "more". 🤷‍♂️

As long as you aren't wearing matching ones. 🤣. We've seen to many of the guys wearing speedos so please let her to get the balance back. 😉

Would be curious if/after you cruise of your updated comparison. I agree that the additional bars and music venue don't make up for the downgrade in HAL entertainment. Especially if the bands play the same songs every night. But since you haven't sailed HAL since the change, you may not have seen Step One or Contare or HALs history "lectures" or BBC movies multiple times over the past few years. Being a holiday cruise, one would suspect it will be a crowded cruise which may put a drag on the crew, service and inventory, especially at peak times. The Pinnacle Class ships are not like the old ocean liner ships (which we prefer) but I think you will find something to enjoy.

Check in is different than boarding. I haven't heard of anyone lately being stopped from checking in early (through security). They did during first reopening out of precaution and don't know, with any rise in positive cases in AUS, if things will change. The ship usually boards around 11:30-12:00 so everyone that checks in earlier is put in a waiting area, priory boarding in one place and everyone else another until they board, either by a number you get or otherwise. So getting there early and going through security may or may not get you onboard earlier, depending on how they are doing it at each port (and cruise).