BobbiSox

Should you choose a lanai on Volendam, don't choose lanai cabin 3346. The weather stripping is worn out and whatever the weather is outside becomes the weather inside. I spent 13 days and nights freezing in that room and my neighbor ad the same situation in her lanai. No one did anything to resolve the situation and I was told "this ship is 35 years old", Their solution was to do nothing. Husband and I are both sick after spending 13 days and nights freezing.

I got off Volendam on May 5th. this was our 32nd cruise on HAL. We were hoping that a lanai would allow us a nice view and an easy way to go in and out of the cabin, onto the deck and enjoy our 'reserved' lounge chairs. Sadly the weather stripping was shot, so the curtains had to stay closed for the entire cruise to prevent the freezing air from coming in, as there was no heat in #3346. Keeping the curtains close did not help very much and it was always cold the entire 13 days, Customer service were called at least four times, to no avail. One gentleman was kind enough to be truthful with us and told us there would not be any heat in our cabin, as the ship is 35 years old. Our neighbor also was in a cabin with no heat, and was not to shy to yell about it in the hall. We have a 42 Day coming up on Volendam this Novermber, also in a lanai, so the first thing I did after getting home, was to cancel it. It was quite obvious that customer service had any intention of fixing anything. .

Thanks TAW1963. I will surely look into that GeoBlue'sTrekker and see what it has to offer. I'm always learning new things on this board!

When cruising with HAL, I do EVERYTHING through HAL including buying their premium insurance. It simplifies things. For me, it's worth any extra cost. They have come through for me more than once when I ran into problems.

I have booked the 13 day New England cruise on Volendam, departing this coming Sunday. It's a trial run for our 42 day on Volendam this November. I really need to know what I'm getting into. 42 days is a long time to spend on a ship I don't like. I was able to book the same lanai for both. I love a lanai cabin, but I know I will miss the Dutch Cafe.

There are some really good PC people and some not so good. I have a good one. She always returns my calls and is very helpful in all matters and gets me great deals that I would never have heard of otherwise. I had to 'fire' some of the first few over the years. Don't know if I am allowed to post her name; her initials are KO.

I've heard rumors that there is a rather 'secret' category that comes after the 5-star. I have researched it to the best of my ability, and found nothing. Does anyone know if there is actually a category higher than the 5-star?

I have seen similar slippers in most Dollar Tree stores.

I can't say if any food is good or bad. It's simply a matter of if I like it or not. I am married to a man who will eat anything that doesn't eat him first, so he thinks everything is wonderful. I don't.

No need to fret about privacy in a lanai. No one can see in due to the special glass which is like a mirror so no one can see in. I love these rooms and get them whenever they are available. I suggest that you try one on a short cruise to try it out. You just may love it as much as I do. And two deck chairs are assigned to each cabin so you don't have to worry about finding a place to enjoy the sea view because it's right outside your door. I going to New England in two weeks, then 42 days to Europe this September, both in a lanai, and can't hardly wait!

I always say there's no harm in asking. I doubt anyone will make you walk the plank for asking a question. (Not sure, though.)

I have no idea why you have such good luck. HIA is the best deal I've ever come accross in over 25 years of cruising. Thank your lucky stars, bring copies of the paperwork, and grab your flip-flops! You're going cruising!

Thank you all for you humor and your good ideas. My experience with the lanai deck chairs has not been very good. I have spent a lot time explaining to other passengers that lanai chairs are for the lanai passengers only.. Hard as it is to believe, there are some rude people on HAL. I've TAPED on signs that I had made at home :THESE CHAIRS ARE FOR LANAI GUESTS ONLY. I've gone to customer service. I was told recently by another lanai guest that her chair had a permanent wooden sign attached that stated 'for lanai guests only', but even that didn't help and caused a lot of trouble. I'm very small and fit in a very small chair, which is easy to move around as a carry-on.. I'm driving to Fort Lauderdale, so no luggage problems. This is my last lanai if it doesn't work out, I'll go back to a balcony.

Our upcoming Volendam cruises will both be in lanais. From past experience, the chairs on the lanai deck are removed fairly early in the evening, and not put out very early in the morning. We enjoy coffee out on the deck, and we are wondering if HAL would allow us to brin the foldable Coleman camp-chairs that are carried on in their own nylon sack. Carnival allows this. Does anyone know if they are allowed on HAL? I have called the HAL departments who I assume would know, but they say they don't know, so I came here, where people know things.

I am sorry for offending anyone on this board. Perhaps I need to take my medication and put on my glasses. I am not new to this board; I don't post much but I read almost everyday. I'm not new to HAL; I am 5-star. I will only read now and keep my crazy opinions to myself. 😔

Pretty sure it's not Maine Lobster. Almost no one gives that away anymore. Some of those 'warm water' lobsters are awful.

I am amazed at the number of cruisers on this board who are willing to risk the lives of thousands of people so they can have their perfectly brewed cup of tea. Some even offer an explanation as to why an electric kettle is perfectly safe, when they have no knowledge whatsoever about the electrical systems on a ship. Any suggestions offered regarding an alternate way to enjoy a cup of tea is flat out rejected. If there is the slightest chance that something could a fire hazard, why on earth would anyone ignore the warning.?

Isn't tea served at the Explorations Cafe (or the Dutch Cafe on the newer ships)? If they serve tea, they probably would give you a hot cup of water and you could brew your own. The coffee served in both venues is really hot so it could work.

I never understood the Dueling Pianos. One is enough. Requests are a great idea, as they were back in the glory days. These musicians are used to requests and it's amazing how many hundreds of pieces of music they know. (and with lyrics!)

I wonder if they would print it for you if you asked. Smile when you ask. Say please. 😊

This 5* Mariner finds some ships have a better variety of entertainment than others. I see a lot of repeat performances because I travel HAL with some regularity. Sometimes I may choose to leave a show early, so I always sit in an aisle seat near an easy exit, so I can depart without disturbing anyone. I need to be there early to accomplish this, so I bring something to read until the show begins. (After all, how many times can I enjoy snakes chasing a lizard?)

It's been my experience that if you have a specific time in mind for anything, you should book it as soon as possible. Excursions sell out fast, and the popular dining times fill up quickly.. Don't wait until you board. There's no benefit to waiting.

I try to abide by ALL the rules because I assume there is a good reason for them, even if I don't know what that reason is. I no longer use a hair dryer but when I did, I remember that the 'on' button had to be pressed continually to keep the power on, so if it was set down, it would go off automatically. Not so with a kettle. Safety before comfort, right?

Everyone has a different preference when it comes to a good cup of coffee. I use gourmet beans at home, and I know I'm never coing to find that quality on a HAL ship in the Lido, so I go to Explorations (or Dutch Cafe) where it's decent. 'You get what you pay for' applies here.

Oh goodie! I thought it was my computer.