9 minutes ago, BarbarianPaul said:

Unless they’ve tested virtually everyone on board, Holland America can’t be sure, since the incubation period is two weeks, and eight hundred passengers were boarded only 6 days ago. And let’s not forget the other 600-700 back to back passengers from the previous cruise from Singapore who ventured off the ship on various excursions who might have been exposed in Hong Kong. It’s entirely possible almost any one of the 1455 passengers could have the virus but is currently asymptomatic.

 

Because the passengers are not quarantined in cabin, IF someone develops systems at day 10 then the whole 14 day clock starts again.  I hope no one is ill on the ship and they can disembark on day 14 and fly home.  

9 hours ago, asebastian said:

The bags are made of some sort of plastic material. We had two delivered to us in our last cruise on the NS (Baltic cruise).

This is also what I got on the Veendam this November

11 minutes ago, catl331 said:

You must be confusing the R-class Rotterdam with an S-class which has an A deck. On the Rotterdam two decks down from the "walkway" is the Dolphin deck. I don't believe the stern Dolphin deck area is accessible by passengers, and there are no stairs down from the Main deck.

Might be  I get deck names confused  

yes 2 decks below the walkway  Small unused area with about 5 loungers.  Not sure if I got to it from A deck or the main and then going down the stairs.

there is also open loungers aft on the walkway  and on A deck  I was outside aft A lot.  

There is an extra fee the cost of the wine  I think it was $ 8.50.  The first time I went on the prinsendam The wine steward  talked about the wine and the bite of appetizer giving background.  last week on the Veendamn  we were just giving our choice of red or white and told the name of the bottle  no education still not sure what the appetizer was.  So in my opinion if you get a class with the wine well worth it.  

Does HAL run these special on board?  I will be on board both black Friday and Cyber Monday.  

They now offer gift cards.  

New Holland America Line Gift Cards Make It Easy To Give The Gift Of Cruising For Mother’s Day, Father’s Day And Graduations

Digital and printed cards help gift-givers year-round; now available through select retailers

Seattle, Wash., May 7, 2019 — Looking to make Mother’s Day, Father’s Day or graduation extra special? With the new Holland America Line Gift Cards, it’s now easy and convenient to give the gift of a cruise and other memorable experiences on board. In addition to new cruise bookings, gift cards can also be applied to an existing cruise booking.

But the idea of an Amex card for any cruise line is wonderful.  I have to drop hints to my co-workers for when I retire..   

Do we know what port HAL is going to now that Cuba is out?   It would be nice to go to some different ports like Grenadines, Grenada, or St Barts.

From the HAL Web site

Cuba Travel Update – 6/5/2019 – 8:30 AM PDT

Carnival Corporation confirmed today that due to changes in U.S. policy, the company will no longer be permitted to sail to Cuba effective immediately. Currently, Carnival Corporation is sailing to Cuba on Carnival Cruise Line and Holland America Line, and Seabourn has been scheduled to begin sailing in November to Cuba. Additional details for currently booked cruises will be provided directly to booked guests and their travel advisors by the end of today. We appreciate guest patience while we work to confirm new special pricing and replacement ports of call. Finalized details will be provided on or before June 15.

One of the rumors I heard while on the P-dam was that Viking might sell one of their unbuilt ships to Holland America.  Viking has contracted for more ships and might be wiling to let one go.  Might be wishful thinking but they are the right size.

I had a cabin beneath the Prominade deck and got woken up every morning to the thump, thump, thump of 2 folks jogging laps a 7 am  so Please No

If you want to spend some time in Rome you could take the train from the port to Rome about 7 euros  check your luggage in luggage hold  spend the day then that the express train to the Rome airport 15 euros..  You will need to be able to handle your own luggage.  I did this in reverse last  year spending the night in Rome not too  hard and I speak no Italian.      

You will need a birth certificate along with your drivers licenses  unless you have an enhanced drivers licenses. Va just started issuing these.

https://help.cbp.gov/app/answers/detail/a_id/74/~/documents-needed-to-take-a-cruise

Thank you every one   I Will look into booking the princess when the Prinsdendam leaves the fleet.

Thankyou for all the information.  I will have to keep the shallow draft in mind if I do a trans Atlantic  .  I can deal with old and layer of paint but not so much old and non working plumbing.  I will miss the Prisendam  I hope HAL see the light and replaces her with something in that size  

I took my first cruise on the Prisendam this fall and loved it; I have decided that I am a small ship cruiser. 

Looking for other ships this size I found that Princess Pacific is close and has some nice itineraries. Has anyone sailed on this ship and can say what you like or not?  I will most likely be traveling solo if this makes a difference.

Thanks I thought I remember the receipt from the bar but maybe not. I will pack 1's

I will most likely have excess non refundable OBC on my upcoming cruise.

Does room service come with a receipt like the bar, so the tip can be added there or do I need a stack on 1$ bills?

Thanks was not sure if the stock credit can be used for tips or not The goal is to spend it or give to a deserving person

I will have some non refundable on board credit with having pre paid Gratuities I might not spend it all, Is there a way to up my tips with that money as oppose to a 'gift" to carnival Corp?

What i have done in the past is go to Happy Hour buy one get one 2$ then carry both glasses with me to dinner

Good walking shoes and warmer clothes I ended up with a souvenir

Hoodie.

I think an lesson here is if you have the skill for minor repairs Teach your children grand kids spouse or anyone else It is an small thing to learn but it is important duct tape is not appropriate for everything

My folks now a days did not learn this skill At my office in a how to train class I taught how to sew on a button and hem a pair of pants many of the younger set had never seen it done.