cruiseaholic78

We are booked for this October, to be honest for us the only real advantage is booking a guarantee and then buying C.O. to upgrade to the cabin of our choice. The price difference was not worth it for this cruise as the upgrade is the only real value for us and there are not as many (other) advantages with this ship versus the Pinnacle class ones. If you have already booked and paid it could be interesting for an upgrade otherwise all you get is OBC. https://www.hollandamerica.com/content/dam/hal/inventory-assets/activity-types/dining/club-orange/Club_Orange_Benefits.pdf

Yes I just realised that and was looking for a more up to date version, you beat me to it! Rosalyn

Maybe this will help. https://www.space-institute.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/10/Avoiding-Stairs-on-the-Tube2.pdf Rosalyn

We were on the Westerdam 28 days Asia in October 2023 and on embarkation day we were (of course) sent to the Lido for lunch. I actually went down to the MDR to check and it was definitely closed. I didn’t quite understand this thread as I am sure this has been discussed previously but as I couldn’t find it I didn’t bother to answer.

I would check to see if NCL offer a combination of sightseeing tour which at the end drops you off at the airport.

I have been told never to add your address to your luggage label as it is possible that thieves will also know that your house is empty!

Sorry if I posted something that was out of date, it was what I used last October when planning our M&M. I was quite surprised though to see mention of a fax! Still all the basics are mentioned there so thought I would post it.

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/meet-mingle/hollandamerica/

After seeing the shrines/Pagodas extensively in Tokyo here is something completely different but definitely worth a visit. If it is fully booked keep checking as tickets can become available. https://www.teamlab.art/e/planets/ happy planning

Good for you have a great cruise.

Welcome to CC. Here is a good place to start. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/48-australia-amp-new-zealand/ Happy planning

Hate to be the bearer of bad news.

Maybe this information will useful for their first HAL cruise. The main question is, did they book assigned or anytime dining, if anytime they just have to show up when they can request a table for two or shared dining, this is not for every evening so they can mix and match if they want. We do this too sometimes we like to chat and sometimes we don't.

We will be coming to the terminal on 19th October but have a rental which will have to be returned before 11:00 at Atlantic Avenue. We are hoping to dump our cases, return the car and walk to the terminal taking in the Seaport area on the way (we missed this part on our last visit) Does anyone know how early we can deliver our cases ?

For some reason I can’t get any further after choosing a cabin category on (any ship) on my iPad but can do so without a problem on my computer.

The GDC questions have been answered, now the CO, this is something that to me has the most value on the Pinnacle ships. We booked (if CO is available which is not always the case) the guarantee Veranda category and upgraded to our veranda cabin of choice. You also get some extra’s shown below. The total cost of this was cheaper than the price of our preferred cabin. On the smaller ships the price difference is not usually worth it, the maths just have to add up, I do not know how they work for other categories. https://www.hollandamerica.com/content/dam/hal/inventory-assets/activity-types/dining/club-orange/Club_Orange_Benefits.pdf If the maths work for you I would get the CO the booking process. Happy planning

Yes this was probably in 2022, things are fine now, last time we were there October there were loads more staff so no waits at all. Don’t worry. https://www.schiphol.nl/en/ Happy planning Rosalyn

If you are looking for something different in Amsterdam this could be interesting. https://davinciamsterdam.com/

Does your ship have an excursion to Lamanai? First a boat trip and then you can see a Mayan pyramid. This area has not been excavated as much as many others so there is really a feel of how the explorers first found it. It was more impressive than one that has already been “tweaked” Happy planning Rosalyn

I presume you are on the Nieuw Statendam. You have found CC for some questions so you might like to join the roll call, this is for your sailing where people post tips, questions etc for your specific sailing.

This is the Early Mainer bonus, you have to know when the itinerary was released, this is in addition to the early booking bonus which can vary.

Here is some great info for Tokyo and other ports. https://tokyocheapo.com/ happy planning

Here is the roll call for your cruise. We did a similar cruise on Westerdam from Tokyo to Singapore in October and were able to buy the Welcome Suica card at Narita. I understand that is no longer possible. An alternative is a Pasmo card once again only available once you get to Tokyo. As you now have your Suica app all you need to do is select the app and hold it at the reader at the gate in the metro station and most important do the same on leaving. You can also pay in shops cafes etc. Most important you do need one phone app each though. happy planning Happy

Last October on Westerdam, no embarkation lunch in MDR, we were directed to the Lido but I went to the MDR to check. It’s a shame because it was always a nice relaxed way to start a cruise. Just hoping they might bring this back!

The Port talks are usually repeated on the ships TV so maybe you can do both. Have fun and enjoy Asia on the Westerdam.