RuthC

He wouldn't be the first, and won't be the last. There was even a post one time from someone who proclaimed that he should be able to go to any place on the ship he wanted and not have to deal with smoking. He should get 100% of the ship available to him, and smokers should get 0%. Many others over the years have implied as much based on the sum total of their posts over time. Then, of course, there is always the fun of the anti-smokers not able to agree on where the smoking area should be. Everyone has a different favorite spot where they don't want any smoking whatsoever. Covers about 100% of the ship when you add it all up. By Jove, I think you've got it!

Does the TV also swivel so it can be watched from the small couch? That would be handy. At least those arms on the couch can't go very far when they're dislodged.

You are allowed to bring a 'reasonable amount' of wine, for use anywhere on the ship. There is a corkage fee of $20 per bottle, regardless of where it is consumed. This is for passengers age 21 or over, for 750 ml bottles. There is no more 'corkage free' wine for in-cabin consumption only.

All cabins do have a bathrobe for use.

Which prompts a question. How is the Shore Excursion office handling it for people who have mobility problems? Once upon a time their 'dots' were sent to them the night before, and they just had to make their way directly from the cabin to the bus. They got a head start, so weren't holding up the crowd. In more recent years, there were reserved seats---with their names on a paper placed on the seat---for the disabled. Again, so they could cut down on the necessary walking, at least a little bit. Are there any accommodations being made for these people on this cruise? I am also interested in knowing if anything will be done to make it easier on them with this new policy. Thanks for whatever you can learn.

No one on the ship is forced to sit in an area where smoking is allowed. You don't want to be near the smoke, don't go near the smoke. It's not like the smokers can go elsewhere.

You don't always get everything you want, when you want it. Adults know this.

I keep out just enough for morning, and skip some of the toiletries entirely. For example, I take a sample size tube of toothpaste, take my shower and use deodorant the night before, put just enough facial moisturizer in a small travel jar for morning; skip perfume and make-up on disembarkation day. It's amazing what we can do without, especially for one day.

'Better location' is in the eye of the beholder. What HAL considers 'better' may or may not be what someone else thinks of as 'better'. I have some inside cabins that I deliberately book because they meet my needs: very mid-ship, large enough to hold a mobility scooter (not accessible cabins). If HAL were to move me to an outside, or even a balcony cabin, it might not suit my needs at all. I would want to be moved back to my favored inside.

Easy solution if there's a day smoke is bothering them: go elsewhere. It's a big ship, with a small smoking area. Easy enough to stay out of it. Problem solved.

I primarily do ship excursions, as that way I feel there's the safety in numbers, and hopefully someone will notice if my seat is empty before we leave a site. However, I have gone on private excursions when I knew the people I was with. I have traveled with friends, and we have gone on tours knowing each others mobility limitations, or other individual characteristics, and accept them. We had some great times! But go off with a group of people I don't know? Ah, no thanks.

I've been on more back to back/Collectors cruises than I can count (but never in the US), including Amsterdam, and the only place I ever had to go through any head-count type of procedure was in Japan. I agree with Cruiser Bruce that in Amsterdam OP will be able to treat this like any other port day.

I don't know when the extra charge for an additional appetizer started, but there have been discussions of it on CC, and someone (sorry, I don't remember who, so can't give credit) posted a photo of the fine print on the menu.

That's a false assumption. How smooth a ride one gets is more dependent on the shape of the hull of the ship than the tonnage. One of the smoothest ships was the 38,000 ton Prinsendam. It cut through the roughest of seas. Some of the behemoths out there now have so much superstructure it can act like a sail when the wind comes from the side of the ship.

I've never heard of a further discount on unlimited laundry on longer cruises, and I have taken my share of longer cruises that were not back-to-back (not to mention a few that were). Where did you get the information that there is a further discount?

Your sentence structure makes it sound as if an extra appetizer in the Pinnacle costs $15; it does not. An extra appetizer in the Pinnacle costs $7. An extra entrée costs $15. There are no additional charges for extra items in a course in the Main Dining Room. There are, however, some 'upcharge' items, well marked on the menu.

My first cruise was on the smaller Statendam (of 1957) in 1978, in an inside cabin, NYC to Bermuda, and return. I was a solo, paying $700, when the rate was $350 per person. Funny how I remember that figure to this day, when I can't recall the exact price of any other cruise I have taken. The cabin was small, with bunk beds. I did have my own bathroom, however; my third cruise ship (Carnival, Mardi Gras) had bathrooms w/showers down the call for some insides. Statendam was a great little ship, however, and set me on a path that has enhanced my life. Eventually I returned to HAL and took many cruises on my beloved Rotterdam V. She was much larger than the Statendam, at 38,000 tons, and is my favorite ship to this day. The Prinsendam, had she remained with the fleet a little longer, might have taken over that 'favorite' spot, but since I had only four cruises on her, she never had a chance to grab the title.

HAL uses Elemis products: shampoo, conditioner, body wash, and lotion. It's a good product, IMO.

I'm sure the galley must have white vinegar. Just ask for some from there, then proceed with your procedure as described. It's amazing what the ship will provide if you just ask for it. I ran out of bath powder one time, so asked for corn starch (an ingredient in bath powder). Got all I needed! Posters recommend bringing some duct tape all the time! I bet the ship has enough to give some away should the need arise.

You may purchase the bag if you want. I think the notice is more to alert you (nicely) that if you take the bag with you when you go home, there will be a charge placed against your final bill.

For example? Could you elaborate, please?

If it is open at all, the MDR is open to everyone on embarkation day. Sometimes it is closed for a private function, but that doesn't happen often. The only problem is it is open for a limited time period. The other options are the Lido and Dive-In on every ship, and the Dutch Café and New York Deli & Pizza on the Pinnacle class ships.

Also the same water from which the ship makes ice. If you like ice in your drinks, then you might as well drink tap water. Or get glasses of water from the Lido or any bar you happen to be near. If you have a reusable container, then it may also be handy to save the (still cold) melted ice in your ice bucket. Just have it replenished twice a day and you always have some cold water available. Keep the ice bucket in the fridge, and it doesn't melt as fast! Best way to bring cold water on a tour.

Really? I consider washing my underwear and returning it to me all nice and clean to be about as 'personal' a service as I care to have provided by ship staff.

Clothes sent for washing/drying are also pressed prior to being returned. There is a separate package for 'pressing only' clothes.