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jeh10641

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Posts posted by jeh10641

  1. 2 hours ago, Alphen said:

    Since yesterday we are getting emails from HAL requesting to rate past shore excursions from our September cruise. Have not received these requests ever before. Anybody else getting these?

    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

  2. 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

    • Like 4
  3. 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.

  4. 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.

    • Thanks 1
  5. 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.

    • Like 1
  6. 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.

    • Like 2
  7. 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.

    • Like 1
  8. 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.

  9. 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.

  10. 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

    • Thanks 1
  11. 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

    • Like 1
  12. 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

    • Like 2
    • Thanks 1


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