Need Help On May 19th Med. Cruise On Rotterdam

[SuzCruise]

Hello all!

 

My DH and I are booked on the Rotterdam on the 19th of this month to cruise the Med. It has been a few years since we cruised on HAL and we have a few questions about HAL policies and practices. We just booked last week and as a result haven't gotten our travel docs yet. So we also have some questions about the specifics of this cruise.

 

1) Are gratuities now added to your account or is it still tipping at your own discretion? I keep reading contradictory info both on the CC boards and on HALS website.

 

2) How many formal/informal/casual evenings are there on this cruise and when are they? Informal means coat w/no tie for DH and nice pantsuit for me - correct?

 

3) This is the first time we have booked a "GUAR" cat. room. Do we not get a cabin assignment until we board? How good are our odds of getting an upgrade?

 

4) What time can we board a cruise which departs at 5PM.

 

5) Anyone know the best way in Venice, Italy to get from the airport to the train station, the train station to the cruise terminal, the cruise terminal to St. Marks Square and back from St. Marks Square to the airport? Not all at the same time or even on the same day. We are doing post and pre cruise trips on our own.

 

6) Any recs of where to eat, see, do and what to not miss doing on the Rotterdam?

 

Any other advice that I am not thinking of?

 

Thanks in advance for all of your help and for your time in responding!

[doone]

The Rotterdam is a great ship. Yes, gratuities are now added to your ship board account, $10 per person/per day.

 

Give the Pinnacle Grill a try, its $10 per person the first night and $20 per person the rest of the cruise. Well worth whatever you pay.

 

If this is a 10 or 12 day cruise, you should be 3 formal evenings.

 

Enjoy your cruise.

[sail7seas]

You didn't say in what city you are embarking. MOST of the ships start boarding at about 11:15 A.M. Depending upon 'logistic' problems at your embarkation port, that would be when you can process your documents and board. If the embarkation port does not have great terminal set up (and many in Europe do no), then the disembarkation may take longer and then you would board later.

 

 

HAL now charges a $10 pp per day gratuities charge to our on-board accounts. This would cover a great deal of your tips but many still choose to put additional tips in envelopes and give them to crew who have made their cruise more special. There are MANY posts/threads on this Board about HAL tipping. A quick search will bring up more info than you ever needed or wanted. :)

I agree with Doone. You didn't say how long your cruise is but if it is 10-12days (as are most European cruise), you will have 3 Formal Nights; probably 2 or 3 Informal and the rest casual.

Rotterdam is a beautiful ship IMO. Hope you have a great time.

[Marie-Claude]

Hi Suzcruise!

 

We will be on the same cruise departing Venice on May 19th! Check out our roll call in the Roll Call HAL section!

 

We have booked this cruise last October with a F guarantee. We received our documents about 3 weeks ago and cabin had not been assigned. We checked HAL website Immigration Form everyday (which you can access with your booking number) and found out last week we were assigned our category E cabin (2 category upgrade).

 

The documents states that embarkation will start at 2:00PM on May 19th which is unusually late... not sure why.

 

As for evening attire, it states 3 formal nights and 2 informal nights and the rest casual.

 

We are arriving 2 days prior, and will stay one day post. Our hotel for pre-cruise is in the Santa Croce area, and I think we'll take either a land bus or taxi to Piazzale Roma and then walk to the Hotel.

For the return, we booked at the Titian Inn, which is real close to the airport since we have a 6:00 am flight in the morning...

 

Hope to see you on the Roll Call!!

[BenBar1]

Hi, we also are going on the May 19th Rotterdam Cruise from Venice. So glad to have another set of cruisecritic cruisers on board. We have been communicating over the past months with Marie-Claude. It should be a great cruise, and we are really looking forward to meeting everyone.

 

Ben and Barbara from California

[ploo]

Hi Suzcruise!

 

We will be on the same cruise departing Venice on May 19th! Check out our roll call in the Roll Call HAL section!

 

We have booked this cruise last October with a F guarantee. We received our documents about 3 weeks ago and cabin had not been assigned. We checked HAL website Immigration Form everyday (which you can access with your booking number) and found out last week we were assigned our category E cabin (2 category upgrade).

 

The documents states that embarkation will start at 2:00PM on May 19th which is unusually late... not sure why.

 

HI Marie Claude

 

I'm on the May 29th Venice to Rome cruise and also received a 2:00 pm boarding. I called my TA about this, and she called HAL. According to my TA boarding starts at 11:00 am and they want everybody on board by 2:00 pm.

 

Please tell me if you hear otherwise!

[SuzCruise]

Nice to know about the boarding time! Thanks for the tip. We'll be coming back to Venice from Florence that day - so we need to make sure we head back early enough - but not so early we don't get to see all we want of Florence.

 

Marie-Claude, where on the Immigration form is your cabin info? We checked the forms and didn't see it. Does it just not show up if they haven't assigned a cabin?

 

Do I recall correctly from our last HAL cruise that informal means coat and tie for my hubby and nice pants or casual dress for me?

 

Anyone know how choppy the seas are supposed to be in the Med? Need to bring my seasickness patches with me and want to make sure I have enough.

 

Anyone know what the weather is going to be like? My last cruise was a Tahitian Radisson Seven Seas cruise and our last HAL was Alaska. Can't even imagine what to pack for this even though we have been to Italy a few times. Rome and Sorrento were warm in May when we were there - but sounds like the forecasts are pretty cool. I need to figure this out and get packing!

 

Has anyone done the pre-purchase of casino chips that HAL offers as a "gift"? We both love to gamble and thought we'd do this to avoid having to carry more cash or travelers checks or get charged for using our shipboard account for it. Seems form the HAL webiste that there is no charge for this service - but there must be a catch.

 

Has anyone been to the casino in Monte Carlo? I hear it is formal attire at night - but what about during the day?

 

Thanks in advance for your answers and patience as my stupid. excited questions flow forth. ;)

[ploo]

Hello all!

 

5) Anyone know the best way in Venice, Italy to get from the airport to the train station, the train station to the cruise terminal, the cruise terminal to St. Marks Square and back from St. Marks Square to the airport? Not all at the same time or even on the same day. We are doing post and pre cruise trips on our own.

 

 

1) to get from the Venice's airport to a train station to go to other cities in Italy (not to Venice itself)...

 

Take the ATVO bus from the airport to the Venice-Mestre train station. This station is NOT on Venice island, but rather is the last station on the mainland. All trains to and from Venice stop here.

 

2) to get from Venice's airport to Venice's train station...

 

You can take the ATVO bus to Piazzale Roma, which is the main bus terminal on Venice. From here you need to walk along the grand canal a few hundred meters, climb the bridge to cross the grand canal, and the train station is right in front of you. Note that this walk is not so easy with lots of luggage.

 

3) To get from the cruise terminal to St Marks...

 

You can take a boat served by Alilaguna from the port to St. Mark's. You can also take the shuttle bus from the port to Piazzale Roma and catch one of the many Vaprettos down the grand canal to St. Marks

 

4) To get from St. Mark's to the airport

 

From St. Mark's you can take the Alilaguna airport boat. It will stop in several points before the airport and will cost 10 Euro.

 

Note that these are all public transportation methods. You can take private taxi-boats for all of these except for the VCE to Mestre trip. I believe that the taxis are about 70-80 Euros to and from the airport to Venice Island. You should agree on all prices before you get in the boat.

 

This link has quite a bit of information

 

http://europeforvisitors.com/venice/articles/marco_polo_airport.htm

 

Have fun!

ploo

[sail7seas]

We've been to the Casino at Monte Carlo a few times. They will not allow anyone in shorts or sneakers to enter. Be sure to wear long pants or skirts and a decent shoes.

 

It's fun to see. If I recall correctly, only part of the Casino is open during the day....not the whole place.

[SuzCruise]

Ploo,

 

Thank you for the detailed treatise on how to get around Venice! You are a lifesaver. I was in Venice 10 years ago - but we arrived by train, stayed a few days and then took a water taxi to the airport. My mom was paying and I was playing guide for my sister, mother and I. I did what was easiest. Now it is my hubby and I and I we won't have half the luggage they did and I would rather save some money and enjoy the local way of doing things. Thanks so much for all of your help!

[ploo]

Ploo,

 

Thank you for the detailed treatise on how to get around Venice! You are a lifesaver. I was in Venice 10 years ago - but we arrived by train, stayed a few days and then took a water taxi to the airport. My mom was paying and I was playing guide for my sister, mother and I. I did what was easiest. Now it is my hubby and I and I we won't have half the luggage they did and I would rather save some money and enjoy the local way of doing things. Thanks so much for all of your help!

 

No problem!

 

A few more tips. When on Piazzale Roma, head to the ticket office by the main road and on the right side of the booth is the path to the Grand Canal. Here is where you can catch vaprettos to basically anywhere on the islands. If you want to go to the train station, take a right at the Grand Canal. You can see the pedestrian bridge crossing the canal from here and the station should also be in view on the other side of the canal.

 

If you plan on using the vaprettos quite a bit you can get a 24 hour pass. These pass are true 24 hr passes in that if you don't start to use it until 5pm they are good until 5pm the next day. Also, remember to time stamp the ticket on the dock in the orange box. (you also cancel any single ride tickets here as well).

 

ploo

[Marie-Claude]

:o

HI Marie Claude- I'm on the May 29th Venice to Rome cruise and also received a 2:00 pm boarding. I called my TA about this, and she called HAL. According to my TA boarding starts at 11:00 am and they want everybody on board by 2:00 pm. - Please tell me if you hear otherwise!

 

Hmmm. I've tried to call HAL, and I was on the line for 23 minutes... and nobody answered... I first got someone, asked my questions, and he transferred me to the 'booked guest' line, where I waited 11 minutes. Thinking they had forgotten about me, I called back and waited online for 23 minutes... that's more than half hour :eek: listening to the promotional loop... I think something must be wrong!

All that to say that I wasn't able to confirm what your TA has found out.

I sure wish we could board earlier than 2pm... especially since we need to check out of the hotel by noon.

 

I will pursue this tomorrow and will keep you posted on my findings!

[Marie-Claude]

Marie-Claude, where on the Immigration form is your cabin info? We checked the forms and didn't see it. Does it just not show up if they haven't assigned a cabin?

 

Do I recall correctly from our last HAL cruise that informal means coat and tie for my hubby and nice pants or casual dress for me?

 

Hi SuzCruise!

If you go on HAL website in the Booked Guest area, you can fill your Immigration Form. To get there, you need your booking number and last name.

For passenger number just enter 001. Then, fill out all information requested.

 

Once you have filled up the form, click on PRINT. On the top line of the form, you will see your Booking # with sailing date etc. The first information on this top line is Stateroon #. If your cabin has not yet been assigned, it will say 000, if it has, there will be the number of you cabin.

 

You can check everyday, sometimes it shows up a week or a few days before departure. But you may have to have filled up your form before.

 

Right before leaving, print the two forms, yours and hour husbands, and bring them to the pier. It will speed up your embarkation process!

 

As for dress code, I think you will be fine with what you have outlined. I know that some men don't like to wear a jacket and tie, but if your husband doesn't mind, that would be appropriate. But everyone is different, and as long as you are comfortable, that's what's most important!!

 

Good luck with finding your cabin assignment!! ;)

MC

[ploo]

:o

 

Hmmm. I've tried to call HAL, and I was on the line for 23 minutes... and nobody answered... I first got someone, asked my questions, and he transferred me to the 'booked guest' line, where I waited 11 minutes. Thinking they had forgotten about me, I called back and waited online for 23 minutes... that's more than half hour :eek: listening to the promotional loop... I think something must be wrong!

All that to say that I wasn't able to confirm what your TA has found out.

I sure wish we could board earlier than 2pm... especially since we need to check out of the hotel by noon.

 

I will pursue this tomorrow and will keep you posted on my findings!

 

I got in touch with HAL (also after about a 20 min. hold). They confirmed that boarding time starts at 11:15 am. The person stated that the rooms may not be cleaned until 2:00 pm but you can stay in the public areas and eat lunch at the lido. If you have some time I wouldn't mind some additional confirmation!

 

Oh well, worst comes to worst, I'll be hanging out with 22 family members at the cruise terminal for a few hours! :)

[Marie-Claude]

If you have some time I wouldn't mind some additional confirmation! Oh well, worst comes to worst, I'll be hanging out with 22 family members at the cruise terminal for a few hours! :)

I talked to a rep at HAL today and she basically told me the same thing:

 

We can board anytime from 12pm-3pm - they really want everyone on board by 3pm to do a roll-call and muster drill at 4pm before departing at 5pm. She did say that rooms may not be ready before 3pm but that we could leave our bags in the room, and then proceed to the lounges or have lunch at the Lido.

 

That is perfect for me... We'll check out of the hotel at 11:30 and then scoot over to the pier!!

 

We'll try to leave the ship in good shape for you Ploo!! ;)

[SuzCruise]

Thanks for the tip Marie Claude - found the info and it looks like we still aren't assigned a cabin. That is good because I will just keep hoping that we'll get a great upgrade. ;)

 

I have a question for you ladies. On formal wear. Do you think I could pull off a raw silk pantsuit on a formal night? We found that one bad side of booking a cruise 2 weeks before it sails is that the airfare is horrendous. Another bad thing is that I don't have time for a pre-cruise diet. I just can't squeeze into most of my formals. I am not exactly ship shape. ;) So - that leaves me with one cocktail dress that I can accessorize a couple of different ways - but that 3rd night... My DH will be in a tux.

 

Also - could I get away with nice pants and tops on the informal nights. On our last HAL cruise (our RSSC was casual all the time) I brought dresses for those nights. But I remember what a pain it is to get around Italy and expecially Venice with a ton of luggage - so I don't want to bring something that I will only wear once and that needs its own shoes, handbag, etc.

 

Thanks for your opinions!

[Marie-Claude]

I hear you SuzCruise!!

 

I'm also struggling with packing light since we'll be lugging our suitcases through Venice. I usually bring several pair of shoes and bags etc. but I'm trying to maximize my mix and match to keep everything to a minimum. My goal is 2 pairs of dress shoes, 1 pair of sneakers and 2 pairs of sandals.... I'm not sure it'll work!! :rolleyes: we'll see! But I have the advantage of travelling with my mom (that's me and my mom on my avatar!!) and we wear the same shoe size! :D

 

I think a raw silk suit is fine - you can always dress it up with some sparkling jewelry and a nice shawl!! As for informal nights, nice pants and tops are absolutely fine... that's what I'll be wearing, and maybe a few skirts with light tops. Again mix and match is of the essence here...

 

As for your cabin assignment I wish you luck... but I have to admit I would be very envious if you had a great upgrade since we booked 8 months in advance and only went from an F to and E... :o

 

Until next time!!

[SuzCruise]

Thanks for the help MC. I am sure no-one will complain about what I wear - but since my date will be in a tux I will definitely look a little underdressed. Oh well. If I really feel uncomfortable we can always do room service. ;)

 

Do I need to call HAL to get thet discount on a booking at the alt. restaurant or will they offer me the $10 deal on board?

 

Thanks for all the tips. I am so excited! We are starting to pack and I am having a heck of a time deciding what to bring. Forecast is calling for mid 70s in most places we'll stop. I live in Texas - we see mid-70's for a few minutes on one day in early May as the temperatures soar to the 90s. I am always warm so my DH is telling me to dress like it is a cool spring day here - that means 80s. I'll bring a jacket just in case. Looks like a lot of rain while we are there also - so we'll bring some raincoats. It can't rain on this parade!

[Marie-Claude]

Hi SuzCruise!

 

I just hope the weather forecast isn't accurate for the rain... but as long as we don't get snow, I'm fine!!

 

I called Hal Ship services to reserve the Pinnacle for the first night about 2 weeks ago. I know you can do it once on board, and they'll give you the discount, but there may not be any availability left. On our last cruise we weren't able to go at all as it was booked solid for the whole week! So I didn't want to risk it this time!

 

Packing is a bit tough... especially since the weather is so changing... we never know what to expect. We were in the Eastern part of the Mediterrean in February, and we froze... scarf, hat and gloves were needed, and we piled on every t-shirt, sweater and coat we had... it even snowed while we were in Athens :confused: So we need to have a bit of everything, just in case!

 

When are you leaving? You're doing a pre-cruise in Florence? I'm sure you'll love it, it is such a lovely city and it's great because our stop in Livorno is on a Monday, therefore all museums will be closed in Florence that day. So you'll have a chance to see the Uffizi or the Accademia then if you want!

 

We're leaving Monday, only 5 more sleeps! :D Can't wait!

[ploo]

I talked to a rep at HAL today and she basically told me the same thing:

 

We can board anytime from 12pm-3pm - they really want everyone on board by 3pm to do a roll-call and muster drill at 4pm before departing at 5pm. She did say that rooms may not be ready before 3pm but that we could leave our bags in the room, and then proceed to the lounges or have lunch at the Lido.

 

That is perfect for me... We'll check out of the hotel at 11:30 and then scoot over to the pier!!

 

We'll try to leave the ship in good shape for you Ploo!! ;)

 

Thanks for the confirmation! It always makes you feel better when you hear the same thing from somebody else. Only two more weeks!!!

[SuzCruise]

I can't believe it snowed on you in Athens! We were in Rome, the Amalfi Coast, Athens and the Greek Isles serveral years ago in May and June and it was HOT! I was in Venice and Florence in May about 10 years ago and the weather was lovely. Not a chill in the air - but cool enough to keep our shoulders covered and wear long pants to go into cathedrals without offending.

 

We plan to do our pre-cruise in Florence for a couple of days and then on the day we dock in Livorno we'll go to Pisa and Lucca. We'll be rushed in Florence - but I really believe the thing to see is the town itself - and we'll spend a lot of time defribbing from the plane trip over by sitting on a piazza with some wine and watching it all go by. One of our favorite things to do on vacations in any part of the world. ;) And I recall how beautiful the train ride is from Florence to Venice this time of year. Hills filled with poppies! I've done Florence - but DH hasn't and I look forward to seeing it with the one I love. Same thing with Venice. I wasn't a big fan when I was there before. But no one can argue that it is a romantic city. I look forward to strolling thru the pidgeons with my DH. ;)

 

Thanks for the tip about the Pinnacle Grill - I'll call today and reserve. Any idea when the formal nights will be? On our last HAL cruise we did a formal night in the alternative restaurant and I wish we hadn't. We seemed to have missed out on something neat in the dining room when we could have done the alt. restaurant another day and it would have been the same. I don't want to make that mistake again. I need to call and pre-order my casino chips - so I'll do it all at the same time.

 

I always learn so much from this board. When I am packing in a frenzy - like now - it is just invaluable!

[Marie-Claude]

Hi SuzCruise!

 

We're planning on doing the same as you for our day in Livorno - Pisa and Lucca!! I have the train schedules, and hopefully it'll work out OK.

 

I'm not sure when the 3 formals will be - I'm guessing the 1st day at sea, and the last day at sea but I couldn't tell you for sure. Maybe when you call HAL for your orders they might be able to tell you.

 

Got to get back to work... will catch up later

Ciao!!

[SuzCruise]

Our return flight is at 6:15 AM and we are staying near St. Marks Square. Does the Alilaguna airport boat run all night? We would be catching it before 4AM. Makes me sleepy just thinking about it!

 

How long does the bus from the airport to the main train station take? Thinking about advance booking our train to Florence.

 

Thanks for the tips!

[FoxyTerrier]

We've been to the Casino at Monte Carlo a few times. They will not allow anyone in shorts or sneakers to enter. Be sure to wear long pants or skirts and a decent shoes.

 

It's fun to see. If I recall correctly, only part of the Casino is open during the day....not the whole place.

 

We didn't have time for the Casinio in Monte Carlo, but my parents have been there several times and father says you need to pay an entrance fee to get to the upstairs section where the tables are. I believe Jacket and Tie are required for men and similar nice dress for women.

[Copper10-8]

Like's been said, the casino security guys in MC are pretty strict, they will enforce the dress code and will also make you turn in any cameras you are holding (you get them back when you leave the casino ;) ) Monaco is a beautiful place to visit

 

Not sure if the Alilaguna boat "buses" run 24 hours but boat taxis will be available

 

Regarding choppy seas or not - we took that Med cruise in 2001 and had great weather and very calm seas but you never know so bring those patches and bands (hope you don't have to use them!)

 

The Rotterdam is a great ship and you picked an outstanding itinerary so have a wonderful time!