rotjeknor

I waited for un upsell from a Vista suite to a Neptune on the Rotterdam VI, ( basically the same ship , also R- class) was worth every penny imho. We were with three people , but even with two I would have done it. So much more room and amenities. Big balcony and the use of the Neptune lounge. 

Good news ! Hopefully Dan  from Louisana (?) will be back !!

2 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

We had this problem last year when trying to make a payment.  Tomorrow I am due to make final payment on April cruise.  I am dreading trying to make the payment online.  No translation issues here, but Ireland is 'managed' by UK, so I will have to phone Southampton and remind them not to process our booking in £ stg, but to process in Euro!

I have made about 6 payments by phone. Never had any issues with it. Was always handed correctly, I gave the amount and currency and agent always confirmed and asked again if was ok with the payment. 

Logging into the Dutch version of the website is always a joy.... 😅 Sometimes the info is part Dutch, part English or completely in German ! Or Dutch . Always  a surprise. Trying to make a payment is a different story : " sorry we are unable to process your request at this moment " . So call the office and make the payment by phone. At the Rotterdam office they had ( maybe still do) a seperate option : dial 2 for making a payment .

When I asked the reason for this glitch : something to do with translations ....

Oh well, you get used to it .

Used Stockperks , uploaded my statement from my Dutch bank with everything but my name and Carnival stock blacked out. OBC was added within 3 days. At first I was a bit apprehensive in using this app after reading some stuff about it in the forums .But like always : RTFM  😉

At least a lot faster than sending the statement to the HAL.

On 3/24/2023 at 4:24 PM, YXU AC*SE said:

Personally, I say yes -- Rotterdam's post-ww2 reconstruction architecture is pretty interesting (post-war / mid-century modernism) -- and it is also a good spot to jump-off for day trips?  Hoek van Holland; Keukenhof; Kinderdijk; Gouda are all easily (and cheaply) accessible by transit / train. 

 

Last summer's restrictions lock passage were lifted eventually (21 September 2022).  

https://myport.portofamsterdam.com/nl/update/schutregime.     Scott. 

 

Don’t forget the SS Rotterdam! Or the Markthal , great shopping in the Lynbaan and surrounding areas, several nice museums, the Euromast etc.

Much more than amsterdam has to offer, but if you like tourist traps , a zillion Nutella stores and fake “ bruine”  cafés etc.stay in amsterdam. Okay they got the Rijksmuseum , but other than that… 👎👎

23 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

 

It's a mess. Hard to believe they've been in business for 150 years...

Read up on the history of the Holland Amerika Lijn , then you know why they ‘ve been in business for 150 years , the first 116 years run by the “ Holland “ part of the HAL 😊

On 3/8/2023 at 10:53 AM, bdd123 said:

 

• Amsterdam is the main flight hub.
• Blues and Rock and Roll have to be played loud, if not most effects are lost and if soft, you just hear everyone talking.  Wear eargasms or plugs if necessary.  The musicians control the level of the sound.
• Greenhouse is cheap at $149 for a week.  Treatments are more than a cheap spa at home, but the service and facilities are generally much better, its a captive audience and they book out.  The "seminars" are promotions and it is made pretty clear.  Why even bother.  Just book a treatment.
• Libraries require a lot of space and weight and generally people bring the books they wish to read or use a computer for reading.
•  lectures are not well attended and lecturers are too expensive.

 

Amsterdam may be the main flight hub , but Rotterdam the main port ! Rotterdam is seeing a lot more cruiseships  this year than ever before. Must be a reason for that 😉

On 3/8/2023 at 8:59 PM, bdd123 said:

Don't disagree at all.  In fact I would leave a book on the shelf if I brought one.  I cannot imagine a lecture that I would learn from.  Not against them, just no desire for me.  LOL.  I am a know it all.

Disagree. On the R and S class ships, libraries were always full with people reading. 
About the lectures: on the TA in October on the Rotterdam, Mr. Bill Miller had a full house every single day , actually two presentations in a row. 
The history lectures in the afternoon were very well attended as well.

But to each his own.

My questions/ requests:

• Why does HAL keep using amsterdam as a port in the Netherlands when on one hand the HAL stresses the historical ties with Rotterdam (obvious !!) and on the other hand the city council of amsterdam does everything to discourage cruise ships coming to town ( extra taxes , a new terminal in an industrial area ).By bus or train amsterdam is only 30-45 minutes away from the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal for those pax wanting to go there. And an unobstructed passage to see . No locks !
• Why is the volume of the music in BB King and the Rolling Stone Rock room so unbelievably high. We like the music but is almost unbearable to spend time there. Way too loud !
• Please stop the nickel and diming in the Greenhouse Spa and Salon and their so called seminars. It always ends with promoting a product to buy.
• Bring back the libraries as they used to be , not like on the Rotterdam VII with just a few books and 4 chairs or so. Like on the Volendam/Zaandam and how it was on the Rotterdam VII with lots of books about culture, destinations, shipping, art etc.
• More lectures on a variety of subjects not just the EXC talks.
  
  Thank you !

On 2/21/2023 at 8:03 PM, OlsSalt said:

 

Study up ahead of time to know which sambal:  Oelek of badjak.  One is super hot, one on the sweeter side.

 

(Darned if I remember which was which now- I need to keep studying too, since I really liked the sweeter one - they offer both)

 

Asked our waiter once which one he liked best. His answer- the one his mother makes, fresh every day.

Oelek is more spicy , though not nearly as hot as the one we buy in the supermarket in the Netherlands , but it’s a good one. We keep three at home , Oelek, Badjak and Surinaamse.

The last one is made from   Madame Jeanet peppers  (125000-325000 on the Scoville scale) so pretty hot ! Sambal Oelek is about 2000 on this scale.

Been on the Zaandam twice, last time summer 2022 . Like mentioned in an other post, the wiring and setup for new tv’s was ready , but no screens yet due to logistical problems. We were in a Vista on the Voyage of the Vikings and on that itinerary you don’t really need a tv anyway…

I like the Explorer’s Lounge with Lincoln Center and the library with the café a whole lot better than on the other ships. Would love to sail on her again !

We had the Rijsttafel on the anniversary TA last October on the Rotterdam, very good! 
And if it’s not spicy enough, just add some sambal.

Great info ! Thanks a lot 👍👍

You will enjoy the Volendam ! Different from the Oosterdam of course . 

I guess HAL has done a great job with this commercial targeting marketing experts...😎

On 1/29/2023 at 4:42 AM, Mr and Mrs C said:

Were you able to find anything? I’m not having much luck. 

Nope .... still searching 😊

We’ll be in Halifax summer 23 arriving on the Zuiderdam. Can anybody recommend a whale watching tour from Halifax or surrounding area ?
Thanks !

18 hours ago, Moriah said:

Do you remember the brand name?  I had some on Rotterdam and would love to order more online but can’t for the life of me remember what it was called. I devoured a few bags on our cruise!

 

Please tell me the brand name! I’ve been craving more ever since my Rotterdam cruise!

 The brand is Klene.

38 minutes ago, rotjeknor said:

Ok ! I’ll try this workaround.

Works ! Thanks .

1 hour ago, CruiserKris34 said:

Yes, I had problems and someone on here said to wait for a few minutes after you choose Flights and Begin.  It worked for me!  🙂

Ok ! I’ll try this workaround.

2 hours ago, rodndonna said:

 

Yes, its seems to be a little less cooperative for the last few days. Our window for booking flights would have just opened this week, so didn't really try much though.

Thanks . Good to know the problem is not on my end 🫣

For the past few days I've had trouble getting access to the Flight ease site . The link provided in the " Management my cruise" under bookings doesn't work.

Anybody else experiencing this problem ?

On our Voyage of the Vikings last July lots of activities other than Trivia and the usual ones : several very good guest lectures, arts classes, Spanish lessons, Bridge instruction etc.

5 hours ago, travelers07 said:

Just a little update.

 

Alesund was good yesterday. There was a hop on / hop off bus at the pier. Also a small “train” that toured the town. Both went to the top of the hill for a good view. Weather was dry but cloudy and in the 50’s.

 

Today we are in Bergen. It’s a little warmer but still cloudy.  We are docked at the port nearest Bryggen. Walkable to town- about half mile each way. It is Saturday so may be busier but there are lots of tourists besides us. 
 

Still Covid on the ship and cabins with Covid have a red sticker. Captain said yesterday we are getting better so that is good. Everyone is wearing their masks very well.

 

Sea day tomorrow and then Rotterdam. I have talked to a few people disembarking but most of us seem to be on for the full 35 days. 

Good to read the Covid situation is getting better as we are coming onboard in Rotterdam…Weather forecast calls for 25 celsius on Monday and 22 on Tuesday with a chance of rain. But probably the warmest weather for the next two weeks or so.