scm1848

Read my trip review posted here on CC from our nightmare of a trip around Cape Horn. We have the Captain's log that certifies that we had a 30 meter/90 foot wave break over the Crow's Nest, and sustained winds of 100 mph. We were confined to our cabins for over 12 hours, and we spent every minute of that time thinking from minute to minute that we were going to die. There are also videos posted on YouTube.

Like getting back of a horse after being thrown, we used the very nice credit from HAL to book a Panama Canal cruise, and have been cruising ever since. AND we found out nothing makes us seasick!!

If I'm going to be on a cruise with you and the E.O., I will need to double my supply of Depends. Also, I will need to pre-order wine to be delivered by my cabin to insure that my liver's maintenance schedule is kept up.

We just returned from a cruise out of Rotterdam in July. We are 67 and 72. We spent 3 nights in Amsterdam, then took the train to Rotterdam, returning to Amsterdam after the cruise as well. As is usual in Europe, the airport and train stations had information booths with English speaking helpers, and the train ticket sales as well. You may have to ask some one for a little help here and there, but all is easily doable on your own. The train run is about 50 minutes, and about 30 with the express. We managed our luggage just fine.

We were on the Noordam last September, anchored off Corfu, when we encountered a similar situation, although not as serious. I was out reading on my aft wrap, with the weather just as calm as could be, when a sudden wind blew up out of nowhere. I think the wind went from 5 to maybe 50 or 60 mph in just a few seconds. It was really scaring, but the ship was immediately moved so that we were facing into the wind. Unlike your situation, there was no clouds or rain with what hit us; it was fair weather WIND!!

We were given a complimentary upgrade to the PS on a Norwegian fjord cruise in July on the Rotterdam. We're on the same November 6 cruise as you, and have an aft wrap. We can compare suites. Come join us at an informal get together on November 7, Saturday, the day we leave HMC, at the Sea View bar.

Since both of you said the same thing, I'm pleased to know that we will get it. Thanks for your prompt responses.

I booked this on line today for our upcoming cruise in November, in fear that it might fill up if I waited to book once we were on the ship. My question is whether we would get our 3 star, 25% discount if I wait until we board. Or will the discount be applied somewhere down the road to the $98 charge I think I made today?

Thanks for you help.

I know HAL cancelled a port call at Lesbos last week, but it currently shows the New Amsterdam calling there tomorrow. We have a 24 day Med cruise booked for next August/September, (which I know is a long way down the road), but I'm curious how those of you who have been there recently or are enroute now are finding the refugee situation affecting your cruise.

You didn't say how long your cruise is. None of us has any idea what your financial situation is. Having said that, the room is approximately 50% larger, as is the balcony. We think those cabins are a great bargain, if it doesn't stretch your budget too much. You do not get the amenities of the SA, SB and SC suite.

I would say if you are talking about a 10 day or longer cruise, go for it. If it's for 7 days, but you have the money, go for it. They are great cabins overall.

We had a complimentary upgrade to the Pinnacle Suite on the Rotterdam in July in Norway. From looking at the pictures of it and the Zuiderdam, I think the balcony was better, (even though it had no hot tub), because it was much deeper and not so linear. We were always able to get out of the wind and rain. We had no noise issues. ENJOY!!

. . .since that was $300 for the 2 of us, and this was $400, we netted an extra $100 OBC. Thanks for the heads up that CC is always good for!!

We had the opposite experience. We cruised the Norwegian fjords from July 4 to 11, but didn't return home until July 23, having spent the time touring in the south of France.

When I went to respond to my survey, which was waiting in my in-box, it said it had expired. I contacted guest services, and they said they couldn't re-send it once it had expired. Too bad, as we were complimentarily upgraded to the Pinnacle Suite, and I wanted to thank them!! I did write a letter directly to guest services, doing just that, though.

We were on the Veendam during the cruise from Buenos Aires to Santiago in December 2010, when we encountered what Captain Rick Krombein described as the worst storm he had encountered in 25 years at sea. I can't believe she is still in good shape and steaming ahead!!!

I will pick something I drop off my airplane tray and eat it. I hold on to all handrails. I use public restrooms, and unless I have "contaminated" my hand by wiping, do not wash my hands afterwards. What have I touched, but the flusher and the toilet paper? I will eat anything in the Lido the staff serves or brings to me. We spend 3 weeks in Mexico every year, and drink drinks with ice. I have eaten off banana leaves at a housewarming in Sulawesi with my fingers, served by who knows.

I am a 67 year old chain smoker, who hasn't even had a cold in 7 years. Maybe it's just a good immune system, built upon by a very healthy diet, the "true bones" of our whole body. Sometimes, I think we worry ourselves into sickness, literally.

We are currently booked on a 12 night European cruise for next September with the SBP, in a Neptune Suite with the $300 OBC plus dinner package. We are looking at changing to a 19 or 24 night cruise. Is the SBP only good for the first 14 days? If we don't drink 15 drinks/day (unlikely), is there some sort of carry-over for the remaining days? Has anyone had this on a cruise greater than 14 days and how did it work? Thanks.

CrewNews,

I just checked, somewhat in a panic, because we, too, changed to the Osterdam. We are sailing on November 16, and that is what HAL shows now. Did I miss something? Or have you confused your dates? Thanks.

Hi, Terri and Jim,

This is Connie from this same cruise last year that you missed due to Jim's surgery in Rome. I was so glad to see your review and know that you and Jim finally got to do this cruise. I only wish we could have met and done it together.

Thanks for writing such a lovely description of the ship and your ports. See you onboard somewhere, someday, I hope.

On all HAL ships, the aft starboard side of the pool is smoking.

We have a November 2015 cruise and a September 2016 cruise booked. When I can no longer smoke on my balcony, we will stop cruising HAL. We do have an aft wrap booked for next year on the Osterdam in Europe, so my smoke shouldn't bother anyone.

Our first cruise on HAl was on the Veendam from Buenos Aires to Santiago, leaving BA on Dec. 8, 2010. Upon leaving the Fauklands on Dec. 12, we encountered what the captain described as the worst hurricane he had encountered in 25 years at sea. We had a 90 foot wave break over the Crow's Nest and winds of 100 mph. We spent 16 hours confined to cabins, with over half the crew and passengers sick.

HAL offered everyone a nice credit, and we used it to book our first suite on the Zuiderdam through the Panama Canal in May 2011. Some people we met from Istanbul and Sydney are still friends, that we have visited with.

Like getting back on a horse and riding again, we have become HAL suite addicts!! Just returned from the Norwegian fjords, with a complementary upgrade to the Pinnacle Suite and have 2 more cruises booked. Love HAL!!

Hi, Terry,

My husband and I were on the cruise you missed last year. I'm so glad to see that Jim is all recovered and that you two are getting to enjoy your current cruise. We just returned from 24 days in Europe, including a 7 day Norwegian fjord cruise, where we were upgraded to the Pinnacle Suite from a Neptune Suite. While that was awesome, we had horrible weather, with the temps never exceeding 57 degrees Fahrenheit, plus rain and wind.

I just saw this as a post on Reuters about an hour ago. Nothing further as to the relationship of the passengers to each other.

Thanks so much for the objective review. We board the Rotterdam in 10 days, and were so glad to hear that everything is in "ship shape" for us!

You can also walk out of the MDR with it. Since we are smokers, we usually take the remainder of our wine with us up to the Seaview pool deck area and finish it there. You could do the same with your cabin and/or verandah, and save the overworked staff having to find and deliver your bottle.

Since our Norwegian fjord cruise will only be the first half of our trip, and we are then going to a much warmer southern France climate, I will only be wearing one pair of closed-toe shoes the entire week. We only pack one suitcase each.

Also, remember that many types of shoes and other clothing may be being worn due to some type of disability or other body issue. Let's go easing on judging others for whatever reason.

We got our stateroom assignment last night, so, yes, HAL does assign guarantees over the weekends. We were booked in an SB guarantee, and received an SA in our preferred location!! We sail on the 4th of July on the Rotterdam!!