akenned

Oh my gosh yes I am missing cruising.  I had my first transatlantic cruise planned for October out of Southampton but it was cancelled.  The first part of my trip was going to be visiting my parents in Beverly, East Yorkshire but it's all had to be cancelled sadly.  So, I've re-scheduled to do a transatlantic next year on HAL's newest ship Rotterdam out of Amsterdam. Hopefully, cruising resumes!  I will visit my parents and then take a ferry on DFDS King Seaways to Amsterdam and then get on the Rotterdam, super stoked!

I enjoyed reading your review. I'm hoping to sail on the Escape in October for a transatlantic voyage.

I am in my early 40's and I love HAL because their ships do not have a party crowd and provide the relaxing atmosphere that I seek.  I have gone on 5 HAL cruises (Westerdam, Nieuw Amsterdam and Nieuw Statendam) and my experience has always been consistently good.  These are some of my favourite things:-
 

• Room service breakfast!  Here is a link to the typical menu for non suite guests:  http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Room-Service-Breakfast.pdf
• The Tamarind - I highly recommend booking this specialty restaurant. Its pan asian fusion and my favorite dish is the wok seared lobster!  Well worth the $25 charge IMO just make sure you go with a big appetite 😉
• The aft pool is adults only and I love the wake view while enjoying a cocktail or two
• Fresh flowers and art collections throughout the ship
• BB Kings blues band is awesome entertainment on an evening.
• Bread pudding in the lido!  (and chocolate croissants!)
• The eggs benedict station in the lido
• Build your own pizza at the NY Pizza/Deli is wonderful.  Here is a link to the menu: http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/NY-Deli-Pizza.pdf
• The service of the staff on the ship is always exceptional. Always smiling and happy to help you.
• I love getting a spa pass for the week so I can enjoy the heated loungers, hydrotherapy pool and saunas every single day of my cruise.
• This may seem silly to some but I love the movie selection on my interactive room tv
• The WANG WANG cocktail is always a must. 🙂
• The chocolate parade
• America's test kitchen

You can get a spa pass for the whole duration of your cruise. It includes use of the heated loungers, sauna and hydrotherapy pool.  I recommend making that your first stop when you get on the ship as these passes sell out quickly.  Well worth it IMO!

I don't recall where I got this but this should cover it:-

Neptune Suite Room Amenities

• Approximately 506–590 sq. ft. including verandah
• Suite amenities include:
• NEW: In-suite coffee and espresso machine
• NEW: Bose® SoundDock®
• NEW: Expanded line of Elemis bath amenities
• NEW: Complimentary mimosas with in-suite breakfast
• NEW: Premium duvet, and soft, cotton bathrobes and slippers
• Use of the exclusive Neptune Lounge and personal concierge service
• Complimentary laundry, pressing and dry cleaning throughout your cruise
• Complimentary sparkling wine served in the Neptune Lounge upon embarkation
• Complimentary bottled water provided in suite at embarkation
• Cold hors d’oeuvres served before dinner each evening on request
• Binoculars and umbrellas for your use on the cruise
• Priority boarding for tendered ports of call
• Special disembarkation service
• Priority dining and seating requests
• Exclusive daily breakfast service
• High tea service in suite on request
• Elegant wooden clothing brush, lint remover and shoehorn for keeping clothing immaculate
• Fragrant bath salts and exfoliating loofah mitt for an invigorating shower experience

Neptune Lounge: A very special amenity exclusively for guests cruising in a Neptune or Pinnacle Suite, the industry-leading Neptune Lounge features a private place to relax, socialize with other suite guests and enjoy the personalized service of a concierge. The fleet-wide lounges provide worktables, large screen television, library, sofas and chairs, refreshments throughout the day and wi-fi for a small charge. One-Touch 24-hour Concierge Service is available when the Neptune Lounge is closed.

I have the ones from Amazon that chill6x6 posted an image of and they work like a charm.  Previous to having these, I just would cover the tags in clear tape (front and back) and it would essentially laminate and protect them from the elements.  Then, I would just punch a hole in them and use plastic cable ties to attach to my luggage.

Oh my goodness, thank you for a very thorough reply OlsSalt! (I'm not judging on how you know where all this extra food is found! hahaha 😉)

I will be on the Nieuw Amsterdam this coming Sunday.  Are hors d'oeuvres only usually served during happy hours or are they served at other times?  Which bars typically serve them or in your opinion, which bar has the best ones?  I always seem to miss them for whatever reason. I will be in a Neptune suite so I suppose I could always order some for the room.

Thanks in advance!

My choice would be the 2nd option Oosterdam out of FTL (3rd week of January). I have never sailed on that particular ship but I have been on the Westerdam which is also a vista class ship and really enjoyed it. I always get a spa pass, the hydrotherapy pool is wonderful. Grand Turk does not get me very excited, I have been there once before and I will be going there again in December. However, this time I may stay on the ship.  I think it's a great relaxation port if you want to have a beach or pool day. Or if you like snorkeling it looks like there is a fun catamaran excursion you can book via HAL. 

Deep down you probably know which one you want to take 😉  Good luck on your decision!  I'm sure it will be an awesome cruise whichever you decide on.

The first time I had the SBP, out of curiosity I kept track of how many drinks I had each day by keeping a note in my phone.  I hit the 15 limit a couple of times.  I think it's easy to do if you are drinking specialty coffees, have a few poolside cocktails or beer, waters, wine with dinner etc.  However, I am also English so....yeah I am naturally able to handle more beverages than most 😉  LOL

The bar staff can check in the system though like others have mentioned.

Get a spa pass for the week so you can use the hydro-therapy pool, sauna, heated loungers and steam room.

I think it's a great idea and strategy that will appeal to people in their 40's and 50's!

There are tons of movies, documentaries and tv series to choose from on the Nieuw Amsterdam tv's. I was on the NA this past December. I watched several movies and got hooked on watching Downton Abbey!

Hits for me: Thai chicken and rice soup, Satay Sampler, Shrimp Tempura, Ginger and Garlic Wok seared Lobster, Wasabi Crusted beef Tenderloin, coconut rice pudding

Misses: Indonesian-Style Laksa, Peking duck with Chinese Crepes, Braised Pork Belly, Chocolate Almond Fortune cookie

Thanks for all the very helpful answers!

I have signed him up for luggage direct so he won't have that hassle. Good to know about the bus waiting until it’s full. I think he may just use Uber then. Thanks for your response!

Does anyone have any experience with using HAL's post cruise transfer service? Is it just a shuttle/bus? My husband will need to get to the airport after the cruise and I'm wondering if its worth the $19 cost. I'm trying to make it as smooth and hassle free as possible for him. After reading the other thread about problems with taxi cabs over charging, I'm wondering if it's a better option.

While we are on topic of B2B, how is debarkation for each leg of the cruise typically handled? Do you have to get off the ship and go through cutoms/check in or can you stay on the ship? I have my first one in December and the turnaround port will be Ft Lauderdale. I have the same cabin for both itineraries. Can't wait!!

Thanks for your reply Sail7Seas. I think what we will end up doing is bringing our own bottle of wine to the Pinnacle and pay the corkage fee.

If I dine in the Pinnacle Grill and explain that I have the beverage package, would they bring a bottle of wine from the MDR (that would fall under the $9 per glass variety) and then serve me by the glass?

Thanks Kazu! :) Good to know about requesting the house wine at the Pinnacle Grill.

This website has pdf's of the HAL drink menus:-

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/hal-regular-and-specialty-restaurants/hal-beverage-menus/

There are tons of options for $9 and under. The Pinnacle Grill is the only place where I could not find a wine that is $9 a glass and under. However, I have heard that you can request (if you know the name of the wine) a bottle from the main dining room. I am sure other members on here can confirm.

I just called HAL and got the 'Plan a Cruise Month' promo $50 OBC (balcony room but cruising solo) added to my Explore4 booking for next years Dec cruise. Every little bit helps!

a.madruga here ya go:-

Neptune Suite Amenities include:

• New Bose® Bluetooth-enabled Soundlink
  
• New complimentary mimosas with in-suite breakfast
  
• New premium duvet, and soft, cotton bathrobes and slippers
  
• New binoculars for use during voyage
  
• New expanded line of Elemis bath amenities
  
• New in-suite coffee and espresso machine
  
• Neptune Lounge:
  A very special amenity exclusively for guests cruising in a Neptune or Pinnacle Suite, the industry-leading Neptune Lounge features a private place to relax, socialize with other suite guests and enjoy the personalized service of a concierge. The fleet-wide lounges provide worktables, large screen television, library, sofas and chairs, refreshments throughout the day and wi-fi for a small charge. One-Touch 24-hour Concierge Service is available when the Neptune Lounge is closed.
   
  Also, you can go to the Pinnacle Grill for a nice quiet breakfast! :) I don't see it mentioned but when I stayed in one we had unlimited free laundry, afternoon tea delivered to your room and hors d'oeuvres
  

We are on the Oct. 29th 10 day Koningsdam sailing. Just checked today's HAL update and we now have also lost San Juan and going to Cap Cana (Punta Cana). We now have 2 Dominican Republic ports before heading down to all 3 of the ABC Islands. We are not surprised losing San Juan and have been there many times. Has been so sad to see all the damage. Last I checked the ship schedule for our stop at Amber Cove we were going to be the only ship. Now I doubt it with all the changes being made.

We now have 2 stops in the Dominican Republic (Amber Cove and Samana). I've been to San Juan a couple of times and it's one of my favourite ports in the Caribbean to visit. So sad about the damage and the people it has affected. I'm also wondering if some of these ports are going to be very crowded. Oh well, I won't let it ruin my vacation!! It's much better being on a cruise ship than stuck in an office cube! :D