jeh10641
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Posts posted by jeh10641
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My experience with HAL goes back to 1959 (Nieuw Amsterdam, 1938 version), 1966, 2012, 2016 and 2021. I have also been on American Export (out of business), Costa and Royal Caribbean. They ALL had pluses and minuses. At my current stage of life, HAL is my first choice. In October (September or November possibilities) 2023 we are planning a trip to Holland with a cruise back. The cruise will depend mostly on price so I am looking at various options including ROTTERDAM again.
Jim
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Thanks Sea42. Good information.
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According to British cruise bloggers I watch daily, UK has dumped all COVID protocols and saw an immediate 48% uptick in cases. I have not seen news reports on this but would be wary of Cunard if true.
Jim
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On cruises longer than 7 days, try the prepaid laundry package. You can use it endlessly and pack less clothing. For our 12/01/21 we did it for $77 only $7/day of unlimited laundry. We used it about every other morning. Best value I have ever had on a cruise!
Jim
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Jack London's Call of the Wild. Good Time Girls of the Alaska Gold Rush by Lael Morgan. Klondike Gold Rush National Historical Park by Julie Johnson.
Jim
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If you go to HAL's website, after you sign in, look for contact us, look under General Reservation Assistance, find the non-800 number.
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My liquid consumption runs to cranberry juice/ wife's coffee with breakfast (free), four ice teas at lunch for the two of us (free), four more ice teas at dinner (free); once every two or three days, a pina colada (shared with wife if in the Caribbean) and free water daily. My wife may have three or four specialty coffees in 12 days. No drink package is worth that. Our travel agent got us two $50 drink packages on our last cruise (12/01/21) and we did not use all of that. Do not take a lot of ship excursions because of our particular interests/noninterest.
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You can also look at your precruise options on your booking for a laundry option. That is what we did. Probably the best deal offered because it affects how much you need to pack!
Jim
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I am not an HIA subscriber. No way can my wife and I drink 15 drinks/person daily. She may have one special coffee (a la carte) every two or three days. We are not soda drinkers. WIFI is an iffy proposition for me since I use my tablet only to read books (downloaded) and to check email. I try to book shore excursions with locals but may buy one or two from HAL. We are generally not specialty dining fans but on our Rotterdam trip we did try all four with great success but I had two freebies so only had to pay for two.
For an 18-day cruise I would heartily recommend looking into a laundry package. On our 11-day trip it was $77.00 for our cabin (inside Main Deck) and we sent out clothes almost every day. That way we could pack less.
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I am used to fixed second sitting dining with the same waiters and table companions. does HAL do that? YES!
How is service in the dining room? On our cruise, the service was friendly, efficient and happy.
Are waiters stressed due to lack of staff? Ours were not. I cannot say that about anyone else.
How is dress code? I do not go :"formal" but I do wear a long sleeve shirt with a nice sweater. I had no problems (Caribbean cruise).
How is the musical entertainment pre-dinner on? We loved Lincoln Center, B.B. Kings and Rolling Stone. The comedians were funny (in B.B. Kings). I saw an acapella group called Cantare in the theater. Very good. I heard mixed reviews about the dancers (did not see) and Billboard (did not see). In the past, we loved Billboard.
Any ballroom dancing? not sure.
Does Volendam still have a 360 promenade deck with steamer chairs? I rthink so but it just got out drydock so check with HAL.
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For our Rotterdam cruise 12/01/21, I booked dinners in specialty venues for my wife, me and my cousins. I used their booking number and ours BUT I DID NOT DO IT ONLINE. I called HAL on their local Seattle number (not the 800 number). It was painless and fast.
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On 3/20/2022 at 3:28 PM, OlsSalt said:
One of our first cruises was the same Alaska cruise leaving from Vancouver and I shall never forget the thrill of seeing their ship, the Zuiderdam, right up close across from the Pan Pacific outdoor terrace, when we were having our breakfast there -I can still taste those delicious hash browns they served that morning. Such excitement.
I'd also recommend reading up on the Yukon Gold Rush, if this is not yet very familiar to you. This makes this area come even more alive, when you take White Pass RR trip - one of the trip highlights as well as visiting the National Parks history headquarters in town.
Be prepared for every possible weather - we needed practically ski-type clothes with waterproof shoes in late June one year - rain, cold on some days, and then one cruise later they said they were in the 70's and shirt sleeves. I was surprised how green and flowering Alaska was this time of the year - I was not prepared for the lushness of Alaska - trees and snow yes, but flowers too? Tree ferns and rhododendrons in peak bloom was all new to me.
Alaska is a cruise many take over and over again - we have taken it four times by now - and we would do it easily again. So if you can't "do it all" on your first pass, you may find yourself joining others who love going back again and again. Different seasons, different thrills.
And as they say, if you don't like the weather in Alaska, just wait a few minutes and it will change. It does!
You should see the size of some vegetables from the Wasilla Valley. 24 hours of sun does wonders.
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On 3/16/2022 at 11:02 AM, farjar said:
We bring zip close bags along. At lunch we might get an extra sandwich, cookies or other dessert, bring them back to the cabin and put them in the refrigerator. At breakfast you can grab a yogurt, a banana or other fruit and do the same thing. They are there when you get the munchies. Nothing says you have to eat them in the cabin. Take them up on deck.
I always ask the room stewards to empty the minibar/refrigerators in my cabin on embarkation day. We are not drinkers of alcohol or soft drinks - remove the temptation. That leaves lots of room for goodies.
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On 3/17/2022 at 12:53 PM, DaveOKC said:
Great cookies there!
Best chocolate chip cookies according to my togue are in the Grand Dutch Cafe. And big (around 7 inches in diameter).
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For our 12/01/21 Rotterdam cruise, I brought on board over a dozen containers of ready-to-drink
protein shakes (part my life style) but I had checked with HAL in advance (directly, even though I had a travel agent).
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On 3/17/2022 at 5:02 AM, Brucefan said:
The stress has been unbelievable. We flew into a perfect storm of bad weather in Florida combined with Canadian Sping Break (we are both teachers) and the fact that border restrictions have been eased somewhat so it is an especially busy time to travel. Finding a rental car was a whole other challenge. Not to mention finding covid tests in order to return home. These tests were also part of HALs worry free guarantee.....
We now feel we would be excellent competitors on The Amazing Race 😉
Perhaps you could avoided all this by booking a Sunday to Saturday cruise.
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21 hours ago, OlsSalt said:
Renamed, redecorated and some re-purposed changes to two of our old favorites:
The former HAL Amsterdam - now Fred Olsen Bolette: https://www.fredolsencruises.com/our-ships/bolette
The former HAL Rotterdam - now Fred Olsen Borealis: https://www.fredolsencruises.com/our-ships/borealis
Oh, the places these two grand ladies took us.
Wow! Unrecognizable.
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On my Rotterdam cruise in Dec. 2021, I brought on board 14 containers of premade protein shakes. I told HAL in advance that I was doing so. I have heard that you can bring aboard refillables from a number of cruise bloggers. They also recommend filling them up on board from the taps or water fountains.
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Boy, you are taking a risk by arriving at FLL only four hours ahead of departure. A pure guess on my part based on Rotterdam port calls, 3:30-4:00.
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4 hours ago, pmjnh said:
How you find one of these? I am still searching!!
I f you watch cruise bloggers, they all have Travel Agents that they tout. Check with friends to see who they use.
Jim
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Most of these answers reflect the individual's choice. I, for one, have never used a cruise line PCC exclusively. I have always used a large travel agency here in WA. I do a lot of research online before I visit my agent (in person if possible) so I know what I am looking for. I have had no opportunity (thank goodness) to use a travel agent in an emergency but I am happy to know that that help is available 24/7.
The agent, while I am there, can call the cruise line and book my cabin with my feedback. When I leave the agency, I know my cabin number and its location. All price changes, if any, are sent to me via the agent or the cruise line.
Most of my trips have been with HAL. On my last trip in December 2021, I spoke to my travel agent AND I spoke to HAL many times. I was able to make all my onboard specialty dining reservations (all four venues, two free from the agent) before I left home. In addition, my travel agent has ALWAYS given me onboard credits either for dining or casino usage. I am not a drinker of alcohol. In addition, the agent facilitated my shareholder onboard credit ($100).
I am now in the planning and research phase for my next trip in October, 2023.
Jim
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This story should serve as a warning to all cruisers, especially in this time of instability in transportation.
1. NEVER, EVER fly in on the day of your cruise.
2. Expect the unexpected and the worst outcome possible.
Most cruise bloggers I watch say the same thing in these uncertain times.
Your tale of woe is probably being told every day by others. I am truly sorry you missed your trip. I would be really unhappy in your shoes.
Jim
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I always call HAL at their Guest Relations 206 number. Never have a problem connecting.
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We cruised in Dec. 202 on Rotterdam with my cousins. She is Gluten Free and had notified HAL in advance. On every menu - MDR, Buffet, all four Specialty venues - there were Gluten Free options. In addition my cousin would ask servers if other items could be made GF. Almost always it was possible. She loved the food (as did we and her husband). Go for it.
Jim
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Rating past shore excursions
in Holland America Line
Posted · Edited by jeh10641
In response to a query.
DITTO.
In my signature (expanded) see my overall review of Rotterdam including excursions. It is available on both Cruise Critic and HAL as well.
Jim