VMax1700

My link shows that it is BBK that 'throw a few together' and not HAL as stated in your post #193. How do you think bands/groups are formed? Not all went to the same school/college. Many bands were formed or reformed after auditions. e.g. Rolling Stones auditioned Rory Gallagher to replace Mick Taylor.

Not entirely true as the BBK musicians are selected by BBK Corporate (first hand information from numerous BBK musicians). Here is a link to the site where artists can apply for auditions. https://bbkings.com/at-sea/auditions/

Samsung on Koningsdam and most other ships, but Rotterdam has LG

It is listed on the updated 'Ships at a glance' pdf - updated 27th December 2022. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/cruise-ships.html The website description for Noordam also does not show the newly titled 'Rolling Stone Lounge' (different to Rolling Stone Rock Room on Pinnacle class ships). I will give HAL the benefit of the doubt (for the moment) and suggest that the web designers have not yet produced an icon for the RS Lounge.

Are you saying that your significant other is not worth £1,000 per night?? 😉

Yes you can book now. Have you set up a Holland America account? https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/log-in/sso-log-in.html?login=myacc You will be able to make Speciality Restaurant bookings with your 'Meal Credits' and excursion bookings with your Excursion Credits. For a TA in April you may find quite a few of the excursions fully booked already as there are limited port calls.

Is the Wokingham in UK? Did you apply to Holland America UK for your shareholder's OBC? They usually send an email confirming the addition of the OBC and an updated Booking Confirmation. If you booked through a travel agent, then I would ask them to confirm in writing that the OBC has been added and ask for an updated Booking Confirmation.

There are slight differences to the layout of the deck 4 staterooms in the Forward area (4037~4047). Rotterdam has a dedicated and stocked library, forward of Rolling Stone Rock Room whereas NSD has a sometimes used space, previously occupied by Microsoft Studio.

I have read that all the auxiliary ports are disabled. Also you would need to have a full remote control with you as the supplied remcons are very basic.

We love 2 hour dinners and detest singers and dancers, so HAL works for us. Long may it continue this way.

If you log into your account on the HAL website and go to 'My Bookings' then select 'Manage My Cruise' You will see 'Promotional Credits' on the 'Itinerary' page. This is where you will see Dining and Excursion credits. Next, if you select 'Travel Planning' and 'PrePay Crew Appreciation', it will mention if you have prepaid tips. I have not yet found anywhere that mentions if Internet is purchased or if you have OBC. The only place to find the OBC is on page 1 of the Booking Confirmation, at the last line of 'Guest Information'.......where is shows Onboard Credit (USD). If that is blank then you do not have OBC.

Bump!

THREAD CLOSED!!

Why post to a thread that is has been closed by the author? To find your Roll Call go to the Board Index Page https://boards.cruisecritic.com/ then scroll to Roll Calls > Holland America Roll Calls > Rotterdam VII > and the roll call you want is half way down the first page.

You may find taxis at the port, but very unusual to find availability of tours at the port. All the good ones will be pre booked! A taxi driver may take you on tour, but his command of the english language may be significantly less than you anticipate. Also tour guides in most European countries are licenced and are a different profession to drivers.

Not worth expending the mental energy to think about it. Frozen, warm water lobster - no reason to get excited.

Not wishing to be pedantic about it, as any increase in connectivity would be welcome, however, if you read the actual Carnival Corp press release (here), it does not specifically state which brands will be getting the Starlink update. It mentions "plans to expand Starlink to several of the company's other world-class cruise brands, which include Princess Cruises, Holland America Line, Seabourn, P&O Cruises (Australia), Costa Cruises, P&O Cruises (UK) and Cunard." So it will be rolled out to several of the other brands and then mentions all the other brands, but does not confirm which brand will receive the update.

For those wanting to try this exhilarating walk, a new train service from Malaga to El Choro/Caminito del Rey station is due to commence in March 2023. Should be ideal for a Malaga port day! https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/guadalhorce-valley/malaga-caminito-del-rey-train-20230116111047-nt.html https://www.surinenglish.com/malaga/guadalhorce-valley/caminito-del-rey-reopens-20221216092058-nt.html https://www.caminitodelrey.info/en

Most music does not occur during the early week, but towards and at the weekend. It would also be difficult to find somewhere during the afternoon/early evening. Perhaps you could get a group together from your Roll Call and have a private seisún with these guys....... https://visitbelfast.com/partners/belfast-traditional-music-trail-2/

There are no Uber cars available in Ireland. If you use the App it will just call a normal licenced taxi cab.

Deck 11 at Crows Nest/Explorations Central. Use the FWD elevators for ease of access.

O Jacqui, I am so sorry to read of your further trials, but so happy that you are now home. (I am a little behind in reading as I have been out of circulation for the past week due to a severe kidney infection). We wish you a strong and quick recovery to health. And a good lawyer 😉

That article is dated June 2017

Zuiderdam was dry docked during the first two weeks of December, so should be nice and clean. Though could pick up a few 'nasties' during the cruise.

Sorry. I should have made it explicitly clear that my BC comment was so tongue in cheek that it was hurting me. 😏