ksqueak

Unfortunately, that's been my experience too on HAL.  On the NA and the Prinsendam.  I tend now to go to the bar and place my order directly with the bartender. 

On 10/31/2019 at 3:25 AM, Sharon Almond said:

 This will be my second attempt at seeing whales. We did this in Iceland a few years back and didn't see any... So hopefully this is going to be the highlight of the trip for me. 

I've done the whale watching twice in Juneau and both times, plenty of whales.  The company HAL used I believe has seen whales every excursion!  Enjoy your cruise!

2 hours ago, pete_coach said:

While this is sort of good news, it does not indicate on what ships this new entertainment is on.

Never having been on HAL yet,  I have come to realize that the different ships all have different venues. We are sailing ion Rotterdam and it does not have the same venues as the newer ships so am presuming that this new "approach to entertainment" will not be on Rotterdam?

 Actually on the Rotterdam last month and yes, Post Modern Jukebox and Step One Dance Company were there.  Totally enjoyed them. 

I had information wrong (my birthday) and contacted them via email (twice).  They fixed it.  The website did another whatever they do and it reverted back to wrong information.  I've given up!   I hope you have better luck than I did

My aunt and uncle cruise Princess a lot (HAL occasionally).   You can pre-order the Kosher meals but they aren't enamored with them.  They order off the menu but stay within the boundaries.  She eats a lot of salad and he eats a lot of the salmon.  And I believe they only eat 2 meals a day.    

When I took my 14 year old niece I was told that she could everywhere with me. NO restrictions.  

Obviously they won't serve her alcohol but she was able to order and be served Shirley Temples without me being present. 

have a great cruise!

Edited to add:  The ship was the Veendam

I wear glasses and one time the jewelry department onboard was able to fix a screw issue for me.  Another time I walked into an optical store in a port and they were able to help me.  They are used to cruise passengers wandering in. 

One of our local donation groups takes all those small ones and combines them into one big bottle.  I felt sorry for the volunteers who were opening them and putting them in a larger container.  

I just got off the Prinsendam on Oct 13.  The above chart were the quoted prices, however when I actually signed up for the social plan - it only cost me $99 for 14 days.  I missed having access to the internet but I was able to take care of what I needed to.  It looked all the plans had some sort of discount applied if you signed up for the whole voyage. 

I was in cabin 1085 I think (it's been a couple of years)  and loved it.   I too have issues with movement and I barely felt anything.  Do you have any specific questions?  I travel solo and won't pay for a balcony - at least with OV I get a discount, so I can't compare for you. 

I do a mix of both. I'm a female traveling solo so safety and comfort level are concerns. It depends on what others have arranged and what HAL offers.

:)Very true, but there are some areas that are notorious and I unfortunately am affected by high seas. For instance, I will avoid cruises in the Tasman sea. So I just like to gather information on how things are usually which I know can change. And pack meclizine:o

I'm like you and have to be prepared. I found ginger capsule very helpful. And when I was in the Tasman sea it wasn't choppy at all. Goes to show that you never know.

I'm on this sailing with you - see you onboard :-)

I know you said you don't want an inside but on the Zaandam (and her sister ships) the back wall has a curtain and is backlit so it almost seems as if there is a window there. Something to consider. I've done a mix of both inside and oceanview and have traveled many solo trips now (my longest and first solo was 28 days to/from Sydney Australia - talk about brave).

Dutch Night menu:

 

Appetizers:

ShrimpCocktail,

Huzarensalade,(saladcontaining tender veal, diced apples, potatoes, pickles and chopped onioons)

MaatjesHerring,

Freshfruit cup,

Crudites

 

HotAppetizer:

BarneveldPasteitje (a pastry shell with sweetbreads, chicken and mushrooms in a creamsauce)

 

Soups:

Dutch vegetable,

Bruine Bonen soep Brown Bean Soup

Erwtensoep (Dutch green pea soup)

 

Salad:

Salad of the day mixed greens,

From the garden tossed greens

 

Entrees:

Fillet of Dover Sole Meuniere,

Seafood Zeeland,

Dutch Tenderloin Steak,

Duck AlOrange,

Idaho Baked Potato,

Hutspot met Klapstuk (hodge-podge of potatoes, carrots and onions with boiled brisket of beef)

 

Fresh Fruit Plate,

ImportedCheese and Fresh Fruit

 

Desserts:

Parfait Rothschildt (an almond flavored parfait with diced fruit and kirschwasser liqueur),

Bosche Bol (kinda like a cream puff with chocolate cover)

IceCream Bombe,

Chocolate Mousse Cake,

Dutch Apple Pie,

Chocolate Eclairs,

Pastry Tray,

French Vanilla, Tin Roof and Blueberry Ice Cream.

Gee thanks! Now I want Dutch food and I'm not going to Amsterdam for another year..... :D:D

I was on her a year ago and in the cabin next to yours. I love that cabin location (my TA thought I was crazy) and booked that cabin on many cruises.

Thanks for bringing back wonderful memories.

Thanks everyone for the info on. Booking the Anne Frank house. i have marked on my calendar 60 days out.

Did anyone go to the resistance museum ?

yes, I did on my last visit. Very interesting. I liked the children's section but be forewarned, there's no English there so it could be hard to follow. I then walked around the corner to the Holocaust Memorial and decompressed in their courtyard.

I stayed at the Sint Nicolaas Hotel. Not a bad location. City center and near a tram line had been my requirements. The other hotel I stayed at is no longer open but it was out by Vondelpark. Nice and quiet out that way.

Thanks for sharing. Pictures are bringing back wonderful memories of Killybegs, Galway, Kylemore Abbey, and I'm sure more places to come.

And, Happy Belated Birthday

I did this a couple of years ago. I found it interesting and our tour guide was very informative especially on the ride over. I can't remember where we docked but it was NOT Southampton. It was about a 2 hour bus ride. You do not get very close to the stones - I'm not good at distance. There was an audio tour. I'm glad I went even to just say I'd been there.

I was on the Zaandam a year ago. Thanks for showing the updates. Still as beautiful as ever.

I took my niece and nephew on separate cruises. Both times the cruise line had no issues but customs or immigration agents in Canada asked about the letter. I realize you aren't going to Canada but the point being it wasn't the cruise line that I had to prove it to but customs or immigration. Glad I had the letter signed by both parents.

no sugar added cheesecake for dessert. .

not to hijack the thread but on my last cruise I requested this for dessert from waiter and the next night guess what I had for dessert :-). I've also requested no sugar added Baked Alaska with success

I'm a trial size person and usually just toss the container at the end of my trip. I pack everything is at least 1 baggy and sometimes double bag. Last trip was the first time I'd had anything leak out of the container. It was in the baggy not over my clothes!

Can you imagine 6,000 passengers plus some of the 2,000 crew all trying to find space to see it? :eek:

yes, because I did this 5 years ago on the Oosterdam.

It's an amazing experience.

A little late but Monday's: I'm in Indianapolis, Indiana, we had 92% and the clouds broke just in time.

What about ordering it from the bar (unopened) the evening before and storing it in your cabin?

I know it's not what you asked but this might work and it would be on your drink package

Yeah, another thing of the past on HAL; the hats for the men and women; the decorations and the (mostly) Dutch food;

Appetizers:

Shrimp Cocktail,

Huzarensalade,(salad containing tender veal, diced apples, potatoes, pickles and chopped onions)

Maatjes Herring,

Fresh fruit cup,

Crudites

 

Hot Appetizer:

Barneveld Pasteitje (a pastry shell with sweetbreads, chicken and mushrooms in a creamsauce)

 

Soups:

Groentensoep Dutch vegetable,

Dutch Brown Bean Soup

Erwtensoep (Dutch green pea soup)

 

Salad:

Saladof the day mixed greens,

From the garden tossed greens

 

Entrees:

Fillet of Dover Sole Meuniere,

Seafood Zeeland,

Dutch Tenderloin Steak,

Duck Al Orange,

Idaho Baked Potato,

Hutspot met Klapstuk (hodge-podge of potatoes, carrots and onions with boiled brisket of beef)

 

Fresh Fruit Plate,

Imported Cheese and Fresh Fruit

 

Desserts:

ParfaitRothschildt (an almond flavored parfait with diced fruit and kirschwasser liqueur),

BoscheBol (kinda like a cream puff with chocolate cover)

Ice Cream Bombe,

Chocolate Mousse Cake,

Dutch Apple Pie,

Chocolate Eclairs,

Pastry Tray,

French Vanilla, Tin Roof and Blueberry Ice Cream.

thanks for the memories.. I too miss this meal