sparrc

I’ve always booked over a year in advance for a couple of reasons. We get to choose our favourite cabin and it gives you a chance to save for those extras you like to indulge in while on holidays and it gives me incentive to get through the the working year.  We never go to the main dining room and prefer to use the lido as it’s more casual and we personally prefer it. The food has always been great. Last year we did  a cruise with Oceania. It was our first, last and only time with that line. The atmosphere was no where near as comfortable as HAL. I don’t have youngsters so can’t comment. We are booked on the Rome to Copenhagen and managed to get a better price as we booked early. Good luck and hope you find what you’re looking for.  

I am pretty sure it means it has a sofa that turns into a bed.

The bottom line is there are smokers and non smokers on this forum who choose to sail HA for what ever their reasons, but there are certain smokers who make that group of smokers come across as inconsiderate and obnoxious. I am a smoker, I booked HA three years ago not knowing that they had balcony smoking. I would go to the designated smoking areas on the ship when I wanted to feed my addiction. I wasn't aware that balcony smoking was permitted until halfway through the cruise. But before that I had made my decission that I wouldn't sail with any other line because I enjoyed the ambience of the ship and the size of it. I have since sailed 3 times with HA and not because of balcony smoking. If they were to stop it tomorrow it would not be a big issue with me. I do believe though it should be stopped in the Casino. It stinks and that is coming from a smoker. The allocated area out the back of the Lido stinks. So much so that I find I can't bring myself to go out there and enjoy a cigarette. There should be an allocated area where the smokers can go that don't impede on the enjoyment of on non smokers. I limit my smoking whilst on board so that others don't have to endure the foul smell of cigarettes. If there were someone on my adjoining balcony I wouldn't even consider lighting up.

We are arriving into Venice on Nieuw Amsterdam and would like to know what is the best way to get from the Port, with luggage, to the train station where we will be getting a train to Florence?

We caught the monorail which is about a 5 minute walk from the port to monorail station. It cost about 2 Euro and takes you to the bus stop in Venice, then it's about a 5 minute walk tothe station where you can get your train to Florence. Otherwise you can get a taxi for around 20 Euros and you still have the 5 min walk to the station. Bearing in mind you have to cross the bridge with your luggage. I have tried it both ways and it's a much of a muchness. Hope that helps.

And why do people who are disgusted with HAL's current smoking policy on balconies still book HAL?

I ask the same question.

I know this is a sensitive topic so I'm sorry in advance, Let's not turn this into an argument/debate/flame fest ok? Thanks!! :D Here's my question.

 

I was just looking at my express docs online for my upcoming cruise on the Eurodam. Under Smoking Policy is says "For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and all other indoor areas are designated non-smoking." I'm just wondering, does that include stateroom balconies or not? I really hope not as I love to sit on my balcony and have my coffee and a smoke in the morning. Carnival has taken this away from me, I really hope HAL hasn't!!!! And while we're on the subject, where are the public smoking areas on Eurodam? Sorry, it's been awhile since I've been on that ship. Thanks so much!!!! :D

I have sailed on the Niuew Amsterdam and next year I am sailing on the Zuiderdam in July 2015. I have booked a balcony cabin and yes I am a smoker. I don't sit on my balcony all day smoking but I like one with my morning cup of tea before facing the world and one before I go to bed. I love HAL and wouldn't sail with anyone else but not just because of its smoking policy. The ships have a great atmosphere, having said that though if they ban the smoking on balconies I won't be doing anymore cruises.