Denverbri69

For those that have purchased Signature Beverage Cards (15 drinks per day), was there any rules, policies, limitations or requirements that surprised you in using the cards? For example, room service alcohol was not covered by the cards.

Also, does the cards cover corkage fees?

Thanks.:)

Can you go into the workshop to edit your pics without attending a class?

:) _ same here _ i luv the retreat cabanas, I all ways book them on the NA and the Eurodam__. I settle in and I can do my reading ,writing, and do a little watercolour painting and leave my stuff there while I do other things,,:)

But have you used the Retreat on the Kdam?

Has anyone used the Retreat area yet? We are doing the Rome to Ft lauderdale sailing on Oct 24th. On all of our other sailings we booked a cabana for the duration of the cruise and thoroughly enjoyed it. But the other cruises were in the Carribean and no a TA.

The price for the 16 days is reasonable and i rather like it new location on the ship.

I want to know if anyone has booked the Retreat cabanas yet. How did they find the service and location?

What kind of weather would we expect Crossing the Atlantic during 1st week in November? And would it worth the risk of prepaying for the duration.

Any other experiences and thought not mentioned here would be appreciated.:D

This will get you started with beverages:

 

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

 

Menus currently for Lido and MDR in Alaska:

 

https://www.rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/specifc-cruise-lido-and-mdr-menus/hal-alaska-ms-nieuw-amsterdam-2016/

This was very helpful. I signed on to the forums this morning to figure out of the 16 day Signature beverage card was worth the money. In looking at your menu shots it appears that it certainly is. Many thanks for effort and the share.

:D Also works at all inclusives in the Caribbean.[/quote

 

Showing appreciation always pays dividends.

Please don't flame me for this. But i have found focusing on a couple of bartenders & waiters at ur favorite locations & tipping them over the service charge gets u heavy pours.:)

The one time I had a Signature Beverage Card I was able to order a double. My card was run through twice, but they had to hold it for the 5 minutes "between drinks" to be able to do so. Not a problem.

 

I have also been able to order doubles at Happy Hour when I was using my cabin card, or a regular beverage card. There was no wait between ringing it up on those.

Other prepaying is there any other benefits to signature bev card?

You can bring 1 750ml bottle per adult for no charge. Any other bottle is charged the corkage fee regardless of where enjoyed.

 

You can bring as much soda and water as you wish.

I am assuming these btl per person is only at embarkation port & not at the other points.:)

What are the policies about bringing on wine for consumption in your stateroom? I know they charge a corkage charge in the dining rooms.

Are you permitted to bring on sodas? We were permitted on the Eurodam out of FFL.

Did you get this from Captain Mercer's blog. I have to say I have found his blog to be absolutely fantastic!

It is from one of the Indonesian crew member's facebook page. I have kept in touch with some of the crew members from each of our cruises. What is the link to Capt Mercer's blog?

Pictures from Pinnacle crew training pre launch.:D

http://s1198.photobucket.com/user/denverbri69/library/Koningsdam

I think people get upset about the lido cabanas. I wouldn't take one if it was free. The retreat cabana space is not really taking up any valuable real estate.

Lido vs Retreat, no comparison.

But not for the entire cruise. How would you feel if a relatively small group reserved the PG, spa, or Tamarind for the full cruise? Or the Crow's Nest? Or your favorite lounge? Or the promenade?

.

You are over looking that there are plenty of day rentals. With a ship that is almost a thousand feet long and 12 stories high, don't you think it is a petty point to isolate the retreat area minuscule area as topic of criticism? Place it's placement is so obscure on the NA and Eurodam that the area really has no valuable re-purpose. I would challenge anyone to rent a cabana there for a day and say it isn't GREAT.

Those are available to all 2200 passengers, not just the handful that reserve a cabana.

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Like the pinnacle, spa and tamarind, the cabanas are also available to ALL passengers who want to spend a little extra for something special.

We are doing the maiden TA in October. We have booked retreat cabanas on everyone of our previous cruises. We love the peace and quiet of the Retreat area and the indulgent service. We have avoided ships that do not have these cabanas. Unless you have booked at least one day in these cabanas then you cannot really have an educated opinion on the value. Some way they take up valuable space, then how come you do not complain about the other enhanced services like the spa, the pinnacle or tamarind?

For a 4pm sailing, you will need to be on board no later than 2:30. That is the key restriction.

I guess you answered my question. Thanks!

16 day TA cruise on the Koningsdam. Ship departs at 4 pm. If we drop out suitcases at the ship, that might give us a leisurely lunch in town and a stroll back to the ship. Am I wrong?

Well, you could take a taxi. Or walk back to the gate and get the free shuttle to your ship. Civi isn't that big, so as long as you don't have mobility issues, it is very walkable.

Thanks!

We will be taking a car service from our hotel in Rome to the port. We were thinking of just dropping our bags at the ship and then taking the car into Civi for our last Italian meal. The town sounds quaint and interesting. Are there any nuances on finding a taxi to take us back to the ship after we have strolled around town?

my camera uses a CF card so my tablet won't be able to read it. If I connect my camera to my SSD card there is not interface to transfer the files. The patch cord for my camera has usb plug on one end and the table uses mini ubs cord.

First I unlock my phone at http://www.cellunlocker.net.

For my European trip coming up I will pre-buy a card from http://http://maxroam.com/Home.aspx?cur=USD#.VqTfC05lDMJ. They will ship it to your home and you can set it up on your phone prior to leaving for your trip. It is good throughout the Euro Zone. For txting with family I just use Viber or Google Hangouts; they are free and just minimally use up your data plan.

I know predicting the seas is a fool's quest, but crossing on the Koningsdam in late October to Ft Lauderdale. Are talking ling sleeves or jackets?:)

not sure what cabin category you're in but it's either $12.50/pp per day or $13.50/pp per day for gratuity (hsc). Here's the hal link for the hsc amounts:

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/planningandadvice.action?tabname=shipboard+life&contentmenu=money+matters&contentsubmenu=is+there+a+hotel+service+charge+(gratuity/tip)?

 

i will defer to others who have cruised hal more recently for drink pricing.

 

Edit: I forgot there's a web site with drink pricing from november 2015 - here's the link (and thanks to roger for keeping this updated):

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/bar-menu.pdf

thanks!

Booked the transatlantic cruise on Koningsdam for Oct 24th. Just putting together our budget: any one know the price of cocktails, like a Jack on the rocks?

Also, what is the daily service fee (gratuity) per person that is auto charged to your account?