CruiseIreland

5 minutes ago, Petronillus said:

Thanks! This is exactly the viewpoint I was hoping for. Very reassuring. And it carries a lot of weight.

It sounds like, from a marketing standpoint, HAL's claim on orange is a plus in Ireland.

I think, at best, most Irish people are oblivious to HAL and most Irish cruisers leave their sensitivities at the gangway!👍

Ha! That's the longest winded and most erudite post attempting to start an argument or caffufle on these boards that I've ever read!! 👏👏 FYI, the Republic of Ireland flag contains green and orange although they're separated by white. Nobody in Ireland takes offence at the Netherlands' use of orange. We loved HAL and Club Orange. The Orange party is just an excuse to sell tat to cruisers and sell more drink etc. My son had a lovely orange and black soccer 'Holland' jersey! Nobody from Ireland will get upset at the colour orange or celebrations of Dutch heritage but most will roll their eyes at the annual parade of pompous bigots of the Orange order and their annual day out on 12th July! Small point but the Irish Rising was in 1916. Good Post though! 😅😅

Really enjoying your trip report. You did so much in Vienna. We only had a day there on our Gate1 river cruise last August. Loved Bratislava too. Keep it coming! Ken 

Yes, subject to a 90 day limit.

We were on a two week cruise on Nieuw Statendam, in Club Orange. A few of the wait staff were very engaging and we wanted to add a tip in addition to the Daily charge. It is very awkward to tip one and not another on the QT. So, in the last couple of days, we slipped our waiters a bill in a handshake (cheesy I know). However, we unexpectedly did not go to breakfast in CO on disembarkation day and missed out on tipping another favourite waiter. Hard to know how we should have done it!

Looking forward to following along! Millie and Winnie are very cute! Safe travels and Happy Saint Patrick's Day to you and your friends! ☘️☘️☘️

Oh right! 😊 Thank you. 👍 

@Host Jazzbeau. That link just takes me to a form for brochure request and sign up for emails. Did I miss something?

We were on it a few years ago. As you say, older ship but we found the food and service to be better than the larger ships - at that time! Curtain on the shower, unfortunately!!

I wouldn't recommend Club Orange if you want to share a table. Most choose Club Orange, in my opinion, partly to dine with their partner or family, not with a stranger, no offence! 😉

OP, your review is brilliant and reflects much of our experience on the Nieuw Statendam last month. Excellent photos. Keep up the good work!! Ken 

Loving your review! You are, clearly, a keen photographer and your photographs are so much better and more thorough than the snaps I took on Nieuw Statendam a couple of weeks ago in an identical stateroom. 

9 minutes ago, daisy-mae said:

We disembarked on Sunday - our survey arrived a few minutes ago.

Same! Within 48 hours. 

Currently on N. Statendam,  World Stage shows last week were at 7.30 and 9.30. I seem to recall our first couple of cruises, on Royal Caribbean, had early shows for the later dinners and vice versa. Seemed logical at the time!

Currently on Nieuw Statendam and we are blown away by BB King All-stars and the Rolling Stone Lounge band. Each does 3 shows per night and we alternate between them, after dinner. By far the best live music on any cruise of ours. Our kind of music, loud yes! 

On Statendam, game shown in World Stage and at Lido poolside with some food provided. Condolences to 49er fans!

Thank you for your replies. We will fly into Miami International and will need to get to a hotel in Fort Lauderdale. Larry's Limos quoting $143! Booking.com quoting $73 for a standard taxi, not including tip. We will have 2 check in cases and 2 carry ons.

13 hours ago, 1cruise2U said:

• There will be a shuttle that will take you from MIA to the tri-rail. I have used this about 5 times and never had a problem. In the Airport you will see a sign that says tri rail and buses. You will need to go to the exist and buy your ticket from kiosk and then the shuttle will arrive and take you to the tri-rail to go north to FLL or wherever you are going.

Is the shuttle included in the tri-rail fare? Can I confirm that we can get tri-rail direct to Fort Lauderdale? Is that FLL airport or is there a downtown Fort Lauderdale option? Thanks, Ken 

Looking at the package and menus, how best can I order my bourbon and diet coke? Does that count as 2 on the SBP, ditto for my wife's G&T?

Thank you. Good to know I wasn't imagining this and good to remind about day 1! 👍

I booked the Key at 18.99 pppd as it is only a dollar more than the Voom package. However, I thought that I read that it included 20% discount off the speciality restaurants, arising from which, I cancelled the dining package. This purchase does not show on my account/app but I have the email confirming the purchase.

Anyone know if the restaurants discount applies?

4 minutes ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

I just did in on the 17th of December, I also had booked hotel through HAL and they picked us up at the MIA Airport. It is really not that far as long as traffic is not a problem. For me I can get much better flight that are non stop to MIA rather than FLL.

For the return home we did not do that Excursion tour of MIA because we did that on on February 2023. Our flight was not till 5:00 pm but fortunately I have Club Lounge Access whihc makes the time go by much easier. If you have a long wait it might be worth buy a day pass that many of the airlines offer for their lounges.

Can you remember what time you left Fort Lauderdale?

Does anyone remember at what time the direct transfer leaves the ship? Thanks, Ken 

Looking forward to following along. Sounds like a lovely way to spend new year. What is your itinerary? Ken 

Best luck for your morning flight. Looking forward to your trip report, as previously! Have a Happy Hawaian Christmas. 🧑‍🎄Ken