IndyDenise

I did! Nieuw Amsterdam February 27,2021.

I’m excited to be able to show my husband HAL ( he has only been on Carnival). I’m close to 4 stars since my mother would take me all over the world . She passed away in January and one of her last words to me were “take the trip, make those memories “. I plan on doing just that !

What’s even better is that I booked at a casino rate and snagged a Neptune Suite for under 1300.00 ( including taxes, port fees, and insurance) whoohoooo!! Plus $400.00 in OBC !

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Thanks everyone for the kind words!

My mom is finally taking charge of her health and said this cruise was the best thing that happened to her in the past 10 years.

It served as a huge wake up call ( about smoking, treatment of issues promptly, healthy eating)

It may be her salvation but that cruise was my nightmare.. so many unknowns and scary scenes.

She wants me to book the cruise again for the Fall.

Um.. no way, Jose! I instead talked her into two weeks in Paris.

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On our Oosterdam cruise ( Barcelona to Venice ) my mother encountered a medical emergency and we were “kicked” off ship to get additional medical treatment. ( note: HAL was perfectly reasonable to do so , and I am not complaining at all )

My mother was cleared to go back onboard after s day of crossing Sicily and spending time in the ER. We did incur taxi and hotel expenses but we have trip insurance so no biggie.

Once back onboard she continued her care with the medical staff . ( Fantastic bunch there!!! ) .. again incurring quite a large bill but trip insurance will cover that .

We never received a final bill from HAL upon disembarking ( but we did get daily medical bills ) . Quite large but hey what medical care is cheap?

I found out today that other than the medical bills HAL wiped out everything.. they never charged us ! No hotel charges, no meal charges, no drinks that my daughter had ( mom and I had the drink package for free) no gift store stuff... no bill got anything!

Wow! Never in my wildest dreams did I imagine this !! This is totally unexpected !! I love HAL

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Just off the Oosterdam April 30th. Fine ship and outstanding crew! We had a medical evacuation in Sicily and re-embarking ( Now THAT is s story on its own ) and I can’t say enough good about this ship.

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ALL of the piano players onboard play “Freebird” when you walk past.

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They are even more interested in people in private cars. IIRC the last time we entered the large electronic sign above the gate said to have your boarding pass ready. I've often wondered what Uber/Lyft drivers or just friends coming in to pick up debarking passengers have to show.

In taxis I’ve never been asked at the port to show my boarding pass...however in Lyft or Uber ( my new go to ride in FLL ) I always have been asked ( but not had to show ID )

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I took some, just like yours mine was on the train so they aren’t great .

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We board next week in Barcelona, hope all the work is completed by then..

Thanks very much for report.

Me too ! Leaving for Barcelona on Friday ( tomorrow) to see that beautiful city.. then boarding on Wednesday!

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I broke down and bought two orange shirts.

As much as I wanted to rock the life jacket it just makes my butt look even bigger .

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I would call back pronto and see if they have an aft wrap available! That and breakfast in the pinnacle grill make it totally worth it!

I must be the only person in the world who hates being aft .. and that includes the aft wrap Suites.

Yuck !!!!

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My first Mediterranean cruise ( and first HAL cruise) we received a free upgrade to a NS aft wrap .

Loved the room, and the huge balcony but hated being aft.

It did hook us into Suites .. but we are three females and bicker A LOT! We need the space so I can’t reach out and slap my sister or slyly trip her .

When my husband and I cruise we are happy in a normal balcony room. I like being close to him.

I do know that on the Med. cruise we were exhausted at night and spent more time in the room than we normally would.

But for 5000 buckaroonies I would stay put .. that said I am leaving in one week for another HAL Mediterranean cruise in a NS...but we got it at a great Casino rate with Explore 4 and the 2 night Barcelona hotel stay .

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I would not pass up a party, but would not wear orange. I would not be comfortable honoring a monarch or any other foreign leader. Leave that part of the observance to any Dutch onboard.

I don’t think it’s honoring another foreign leader but showing respect and partaking in some festive fun.

Heck , if I met QE2 or any of her family I would curtsey.

Not because I want to be her subject but I respect her title and dedication to her country.

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We were in Amsterdam a few years ago the day after the Dutch lost the world soccer championship. Even tho' they lost, they were number 2, so there was an enormous celebration. We were just starting a river cruise, so we had front row seats to a floating parade that went right past us. Every floating device in the city participated--including rubber rafts--and everyone wore orange. Those of us who didn't have orange clothing wore our bright orange life jackets. Factory smokestacks belched out orange smoke! It was enormous fun. Very patriotic people!

Um.. I wish you had never said this because I’m the type to wear the life jacket proudly. I wonder if that’s a no no in the main dining room.

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If bright orange isn't your colour, you could always pin an orange ribbon onto your blouse or t-shirt, or wrap the ribbon around your wrist. Have a great cruise!

 

 

 

Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

 

This is a great idea !! Orange is not my color ( I’m a pink or green gal ) .

We will be in Dubrovnik that day and I will rock the orange ribbon ( also used for gun violence awareness) .

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Once we were on a ship when there was some kind of a celebration -- can't remember what it was.

 

 

 

But there was no open bar. They had a special drink for that day but you paid for it.

Since I have Explore 4 I may explore the special drink 15 times !

Teehee!!!

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I received an email notification concerning my upcoming cruise. I’ve received many of these the past few months , some were fantastic, some were bad.

What could it be this time ? Another flight change ( yuck! ) or maybe a free upgrade from a NS to a PS ( as if ) .

Nope, this one I could of never guessed!

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION:

We are happy that you will be on board Oosterdam on April 27, which is

King's Day, a national holiday in the Netherlands in honor of King Willem-Alexander's birthday. With our company's deep history and roots in

the Netherlands, we are proud to celebrate this day on board Holland America Line ships around the world. King's Day is marked by various festivities throughout the Netherlands, and a common theme is an abundance of the color orange, the national color of the Netherlands and the Dutch Royal Family. So

as you prepare for your cruise, we encourage you to consider packing something orange to wear on April 27. Whether it's an orange hat, tie, socks or

necklace, your "touch of the Dutch" will fit right in during our King's Day celebrations.

————

I look terrible in orange but I do have a coral colored blouse that I will now pack . Has anyone experienced an onboard celebration before? What does HAL do ? I’m hoping for an open bar and with double Wang Wangs but like the PS upgrade I’m sure I that is a pipe dream.

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I am not going to defend what you call "persistent vendors" but simply post some facts. Different countries have their own mores or culture and you will find, what we might consider, annoying vendors in many places of the world including Asia, Africa, some parts of Europe, Central America, Caribbean, South America. etc etc. In many of these countries the poorer residents need to hustle to make a living since they do not have a welfare system that allows them to sit at home watching TV. For us, we have few problems because we do not take ship tours (or any other large group tour) which makes the group a large target for vendors who figure the tour groups are easy pickens :).

 

 

 

One needs to simply smile and say "no gracias" and you might find yourself having to do that more often then you would prefer...but it is what it is! We live in Mexico for 10 weeks a year where this is also not unusual. On the other hand, I respect many of these folks for being out on the street trying to make a living...rather then just putting their hand out and waiting for their government to toss money in their hands.

 

 

 

Ask DW about Cartegena (we have visited that city 3 times) and she (an American senior) will tell you that she enjoys the city...especially the European influence that shows in some of its architecture and traditions (we will often sit at an outdoor cafe...just like we do in Italy, Spain, etc.).

 

 

 

You mention feeling "uncomfortable" and that is your own issue and all too common among many Americans. It is part of the reality of traveling to many parts of the world. Take some time to learn about their culture and how to deal with these type issues and you have started to become a more adventurous and seasoned traveler. Stick to large group excursions, populated with similar thinking folks, and you will never get beyond these kind of issues. When I was relatively young I lived in a foreign country (Japan) and was able to view the so-called "Ugly American" as they tried to impose our culture on locals. It taught me a valuable lesson (regarding international travel) which has stayed with me for the past fifty years...since those days. One should try to enjoy and understand the local culture rather than try to impose our own values on folks that have no clue as to those values...and why should they? They are in their country...and its our goal as tourists to learn how to work with their culture....not change them to ours.

 

 

 

Hank

You know Hank I really like your postings but this one above is uncalled for.. you really sneakily insult the poster this was directed to.

Maybe that wasn’t your intention ..but as someone reading your posting with zero monkeys in this circus it sure looks like it.

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I’m on the cruise after, embarking In Barcelona. Leave her pristine for me please ! Lol!

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Is this secret code for something? Do we hand in our room keys?

I hope not! I’m on the same cruise as the OP!

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I wouldn’t do it because you haven’t thought out the issue if one couple/person had to cancel for a medical or other emergency.

 

If you are going to do this consider HAL’s premium travel protection so you can all cancel for any reason and only lose 5-10% of your cruise fare plus the premium if someone needs to cancel last minute.

 

It’s too bad HAL doesn’t treat everyone like adults. Even on Celebrity one person in a cabin can purchase a drinks / alcohol package.

 

 

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Jade, this is very good advice!

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Why don't the ladies booze it up?

Now you are talking!!!

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With all due respect to people who cruise on Carnival, there are lots of things that people do on Carnival cruises that (thankfully) HAL cruisers do not do.

What? Like dress better on Gala nights .. cause they do !

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I did not assume they were going to share, ;);)that's why I underlined the part about misuse.

How is that misuse?

To the OP :people do this on Carnival. I’ve never ever heard of anyone getting into trouble over it ... as long as you follow the no share rules 100% which means even a sip is considered sharing!

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I’m booked in Barcelona for the free April signature experience.

It’s two nights ( with breakfast) at HH Hesperia Presidente . I then booked, on my own, two nights there pre HAL stay. It was much cheaper than using HAL for those nights ( like half the cost )

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