oakridger

Welcome to Cruise Critic @Sea-n-Ease! ~Nancy

Except it happened on Nieuw Amsterdam out of Vancouver and San Diego and Rotterdam out of Ft. Lauderdale (twice). Fall of 2022 ~Nancy

Yes. They would seat three people at a table for four and remove the fourth place setting and glasses. ~Nancy

That's exactly why I phrased it that way @Laminator ! Thank you for explaining it in more detail to the confused poster. ~Nancy

I don't "think" Roger Jett @Cruise News is associated with Halfacts.com. (not that it really matters)🙂 Roger???? Thanks, Nancy

Drink package drinks always include the gratuity. ~Nancy

In Juneau for example, if you dock at AJ Dock you have to walk or take the tram much further into the main town area. At AS Dock you walk right off into the action! It's just more convenient.

@luv2cruzuk that was a very balanced review. Thank you! I'll look for the rest of them as you are able to post. I would like to mention that Vancouver port at Canada Place is especially crowded many times and is complicated by having to pass through both Canadian and USA immigration checks. There has always been a LOT of walking involved to board. Those are controlled by the port, not HAL. Your video stated that there wasn't any available assistance for people who had mobility issues. The times I have passed through I had wheelchair assistance off the ship by HAL staff which I needed post surgery. Last fall I had wheelchair assistance going through security and immigration and was then passed to HAL staff who pushed me all the way to my cabin!! Hopefully those that need it are getting it! ~Nancy

I am very happy to hear that the entertainment has been improved on this ship so far!! It's encouraging there was a real show on the Main Stage! As many have said, the showing of The Origin Story belongs in the afternoon. It sounds like a great start to the cruise! I'm surprised they didn't stop you with the plastic soda bottles because the HAL website specifically prohibits them. Maybe the dock security doesn't know about that rule. ??? 🤷‍♀️ Maybe HAL changed their policy? Frequently Asked Questions | Holland America Items such as sodas, energy drinks or other non-alcoholic items are not allowed on board in any form. Plastic water bottles are not allowed. However, an allowance of six liters, twelve (12) cans or cartons (500 ml in volume or less) or six (6) cans or cartons (1 liter in volume or less) of water are allowed per stateroom. Any amount in excess of this allowance will be not be allowed onboard. Water in plastic bottles will not be allowed onboard in any quantity, including in ports of call. Guests will be asked to discard open beverages in plastic containers prior to boarding. Let the party begin!! I'll check back here to look for your next post. Thanks John! ~Nancy

This did happen pre shut down. Disembarkation day had in room breakfast and cabins were also available to new cruisers on embarkation. It is possible! In the past, that was one of the very few times on a cruise I did have room service breakfast. I missed it on my last two disembarkations last fall. ~Nancy

Bon Voyage @spleenstomper!!! I'll be watching for any pictures you have time to share! ~Nancy

I like the Nieuw Amsterdam. It's the ship from HAL that I have sailed on the most. Love the signature suites! I'll be watching for your posts along the way. ~Nancy

Depending on the ship, and it varies quite a bit, the live music you will have could be: -BB Kings Band which is older Motown and Top 40's type music. They have always been really good on my cruises. There is a dance floor with dancing but not ballroom style or music. Often quite lively! -Sometimes there is DJ music after they are finished for the evening where the BB King Band plays. -There may be a live band in some of the Ocean Bars with a small dance floor (maybe wood). In my experience they seem to play more easy listening and jazz type music but people do dance to them. -No dance hosts anymore. -Sometimes now there are classical shows. No dancing there. I read in your profile that you like the old Crystal Cruises. So do I. I'm watching to see what the new Crystal offers. I'm hoping for some interesting and even better offerings from them! We'll see! ~Nancy

I am curious what the price differential between the polar class ship cruises and the HAL Pole to Pole will be. ~Nancy

I almost always visit the embarkation port for at least two days before a cruise and also stay at disembarkation port after (time depends on port). I can put all the dirty clothes from the pre cruise stay in for cleaning the evening of boarding the ship and get them back the next day. I also wash at the end even if I'm going straight home. Remember that the cut off time for laundry is about 48 hours before disembarkation. If you have unlimited you pay for all days even though the last day can't be used. It's still a good deal especially if you have more than one person in the cabin. ~Nancy

That's good. What ship and itinerary are you on? Thanks for the info! ~Nancy

I always itemize, for my benefit to remember what I sent as well as the reasons listed above if something is missing. ~Nancy

I'll be reading along as always! @Copper10-8 I'm curious why you flew from LA to San Diego? It seems like it would take longer door to door than driving. Bon Voyage, and I'll wave as you pass by San Francisco!! 😁 ~Nancy

When is your cruise? What dates and ship? This information may be helpful to those who have experience. The itinerary you posted helps though. ~Nancy

@The-Inside-Cabin Wow! The woman on the right looks like she could be my sister!!! My grandparents immigrated from Norway......wonder if she's part of my gene pool!! 😁 (Sorry about the large picture. Don't know how to crop or resize) Cute pic Pete! ~Nancy

I sure hope Schiphol Amsterdam Airport has improved, but just remember or read about what happened there last summer. It was a s*** show!!! If it were me, I'd switch my flight to at least the 2pm one. I hate to stress about waiting in endless security lines! Good luck and have a great trip! ~Nancy

The fill the bag price seems to fluctuate between $20 and $30 per bag. Last fall on NA it was $30 in Alaska and 3 weeks later on Rotterdam it was $20. Check the current pricing when you board. Either way it's a great option! ~Nancy

"Cool Beans" Ha Ha @ Copper 10-8! I haven't heard that term since high school!! Cute! ~Nancy

I was very grateful to HAL last fall when they wheeled me off the ship with an injured knee....twice. And yes, the HAL employees are limited to how far into the terminal they can go by each country's laws. Best of luck on your recovery, but HAL did fulfill any "responsibilities" they had to you. ~Nancy

I haven't rented a cabana even back when they were way less expensive. Now, if they had a bathroom in them I would have considered it, but not for $700!