New to Holland America? This is for you...AKA "HAL For Dummies"

[ljgordon54]

I don't know which ship you are on, but my memory is that all HAL ships except the Prinsendam have a card room. I know the Prinsendam used to have one, but I can't picture one right now.

 

Do be aware, however, that some cruises have bridge players on board, and the card room(s) are booked by the group.

However, if you're just looking for a table some place so a few people can play, there's always some place to deal.

 

We are on the Neiw Amsterdam, and thanks!

[JimAOk1945]

Of course, that will vary from person to person, but ....

We all need to unpack. I like to unpack my carry-ons as soon as I board, to get it out of the way, and make room on the bed for my suitcase.

 

Other things to do may include:

confirming my specialty restaurant reservations; possibly adding people or confirming that everyone in my party is on the same reservation. making additional reservations as desired.

making salon/spa reservations.

reviewing my shore excursion bookings with the staff, to ensure that they are something I am capable of doing. booking/canceling/changing them as necessary.

eating lunch!

if it's a new ship for me, tour around to find where things are, in relation to each other, and the best routes to get where I want to be.

unpack as soon as my suitcase is delivered.

 

I like to have everything done and out of the way before muster, so that as soon as muster is over I can relax and start the good times.

 

Great information. You mentioned some things I hadn't thought of. Thanks !

[Larry613]

It's the safe that uses the 4 digit code on the Westerdam.

 

Thanks to Kazu for providing this information. I usually bring a couple of old casino slot club cards for those safes which require a magnetic strip; won't have to bother with that for our Westerdam cruise.

[NU/Fan]

On the Prinsendam, S-class (2 ships), and R-class (4 ships) you can do self-service laundry. On the Prinsendam there is no charge; on the other 6 ships the washer is $2.00, and dryer is $1.00. The machines take quarters, available at the Front Desk. Detergent is supplied; bring your own dryer sheets.

 

On all of the ships you can send laundry out. You can pay by the piece (if you have to ask, you can't afford it), send as much as you can stuff in a bag for $20. (higher in Europe), or purchase unlimited.

Unlimited is $7. per day, times the number of days in your cruise. Europe itineraries can be higher at $9. per day.

Ruth,

Again thank you your reply. is it $7/9 @ day per person or per cabin?

Can I assume with the $7/9 @ day, everything comes back folded One more question does that included dry cleaning?

(so many questions)

[kazu]

Ruth,

Again thank you your reply. is it $7/9 @ day per person or per cabin?

Can I assume with the $7/9 @ day, everything comes back folded One more question does that included dry cleaning?

(so many questions)

 

Not Ruth (hope that is ok), but, here's your answers

 

the price is per cabin. Everything comes back folded beautifully in tissue paper & a wicker basket or on a hanger. j No need to request pressing since everything is pressed when you send it out to laundry.

 

The price does not include dry cleaning. It is available but a separate charge.

[dibbitz]

Hi all, this may have been already answered but just signed up and would rather not have to look thru the 66 pages of info, helpful as it is...so here goes,

on other cruise lines we have purchased a bottle of bourbon or rum to be delivered to our cabin and enjoyed in the cabin only. We find this to be a nice luxury as my DH likes to enjoy a sip on the balcony before getting dressed for dinner. Is this available on the HAL ships? We will be on the Amsterdam in Sept. Thanks for any help you can offer.

[RuthC]

...on other cruise lines we have purchased a bottle of bourbon or rum to be delivered to our cabin and enjoyed in the cabin only. We find this to be a nice luxury as my DH likes to enjoy a sip on the balcony before getting dressed for dinner. Is this available on the HAL ships?

Yes. You can order in advance from Ship's Services for delivery when you board, or "at sea". If delivered at sea there isn't any state sales tax charged (I don't know if the port you're sailing from has a sales tax), and is usually there when you board anyway.

You can also order from room service once on board, and continuing through the cruise.

[cambriah]

Hi:

 

Is it customary to leave an "extra" tip when dining in one of the specialty restaurants?

Also, if you have a promotional "Drink Package" can you use it to order wine by the glass at one of these restaurants?

I believe the wine by the glass cannot be more than $8.00?

 

Thank You

 

Cambriah

[mllewis48]

Hi:

 

 

 

Is it customary to leave an "extra" tip when dining in one of the specialty restaurants?

 

Also, if you have a promotional "Drink Package" can you use it to order wine by the glass at one of these restaurants?

 

I believe the wine by the glass cannot be more than $8.00?

 

 

 

Thank You

 

 

 

Cambriah

 

 

 

For us the answer to your 1st question is yes! But customary to some may not be to others.

 

Yes to question 2 also. We usually buy the wine package and use one of our bottles in the Pinnacle on HAL.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Edited August 6, 2016 by mllewis48

[Joannedisfan]

In reading on the HAL website I see they provide power bars for those that request them. Are there limited number of them and only available on a first come, first served basis? Am I better off taking my own?

[RuthC]

In reading on the HAL website I see they provide power bars for those that request them. Are there limited number of them and only available on a first come, first served basis? Am I better off taking my own?

Yes, the HAL power bars are both limited and given out as people ask for them.

You may bring your own so long as it does not have a surge protector in it. It's the use of surge protectors that HAL is trying to avoid when they make the offer.

[BlancaPan]

Hi - thanks for this Sticky post. I am just finishing up reading all the back pages but saw the news about the specialty restaurant price increases. Is the Pinnacle Grill still worth it? Would it be better to go at lunch on a sea day? We are going on our first cruise in March on the Zaandam - around the horn.

 

Thanks to all the regular posters who have been so generous with their knowledge and advice for us cruise "dummies."

[kazu]

Hi - thanks for this Sticky post. I am just finishing up reading all the back pages but saw the news about the specialty restaurant price increases. Is the Pinnacle Grill still worth it? Would it be better to go at lunch on a sea day? We are going on our first cruise in March on the Zaandam - around the horn.

 

Thanks to all the regular posters who have been so generous with their knowledge and advice for us cruise "dummies."

 

 

The Pinnacle Grill is still worth it IMO.

 

Lunch is different than dinner and very nice. I'd recommend doing both, if you can ;). (Lunch is $10 pp)

[bamagirldonna]

I have done a Baltic cruise on the Eurodam, but have booked my first land/sea cruise to Alaska in September on the Noordam I have seen mentions of a meal package for the land portion of the tour. Can anyone tell me any info about this, like cost, what's included and is it worthwhile to do it? I have searched HAL website but have not found any info on it. Thanks!

[jtl513]

Can anyone tell me any info about this, like cost, what's included and is it worthwhile to do it?

There are pros and cons. Some people like the convenience of not having to find a place to eat, and some don't like being restricted in their choices. It does take some of the "sticker shock" out of eating, because you will quickly find that just about everything in AK costs about 50% more than at home. About half the per diem is allocated to dinner, and on our Cruise-Tour we often found that we didn't feel like eating a big dinner after a tiring day, and felt that it was money wasted.

 

Our C-T was 9 years ago, so even if I remembered what we paid it would most likely not be accurate today. It would be best if you called HAL for current info on what is included and prices.

[forwardho]

We went on an Alaskan Cruise and Land Tour August 2015. The only meal that was by HAL was the lunch at the Discovery Riverboat. We found that we ate the breakfast buffet from the hotel and others on our own. We were able to find quirky Alaskan dinners in Fairbanks, Denali and in Anchorage ourselves. It added to the fun.

[bamagirldonna]

Thanks for the info. I am leaning towards the do it ourself version but just looking for input from those who have been.

[ninamari]

I just finished reading this entire (66 pages!) thread and wanted to thank everyone for being so helpful and sharing their knowledge and experiences! I am eagerly awaiting my first HAL cruise this September. It'll be my second cruise overall, but my first one was 8 years ago and can't remember the details (recent college grad that just wanted to celebrate graduating with a couple girlfriends ;)).

 

As I read someone's routine on the first day of unpacking before the drill (I apologize, I can't remember who mentioned it) a question popped in my head. Is there a place to store the suitcases? Both my husband and I will have suitcases plus carry-ons for a 2-week trip.

 

Again, thank you everyone for such great information!

[IRL_Joanie]

I just finished reading this entire (66 pages!) thread and wanted to thank everyone for being so helpful and sharing their knowledge and experiences! I am eagerly awaiting my first HAL cruise this September. It'll be my second cruise overall, but my first one was 8 years ago and can't remember the details (recent college grad that just wanted to celebrate graduating with a couple girlfriends ;)).

 

As I read someone's routine on the first day of unpacking before the drill (I apologize, I can't remember who mentioned it) a question popped in my head. Is there a place to store the suitcases? Both my husband and I will have suitcases plus carry-ons for a 2-week trip.

 

Again, thank you everyone for such great information!

 

Welcome to Cruise Critic:)

 

Store the baggage under the bed:) IF there is not enough room under the bed, ask your room steward and he will store them in a safe place for you (I believe down in Housekeeping).

 

JOanie

Edited August 18, 2016 by IRL_Joanie

[ninamari]

Thanks Joanie!!!

[BlancaPan]

Hi all, I recently booked our first cruise for next March with HAL. I booked with a TA who seemed to have good prices. This is a large, national agency. He offered no amenities and told me that if I was interested in taking advantage of up sells or price reduction/offers that I would have to find them myself and call him. I even told him about my OBC from being a Carnival shareholder.

 

Have I made a mistake? Am I working for this TA instead of vice versa? What are my options? I haven't used a TA for years; this feels like a mistake because I was hoping that he would help me navigate the waters, so to speak.

[kazu]

Hi all, I recently booked our first cruise for next March with HAL. I booked with a TA who seemed to have good prices. This is a large, national agency. He offered no amenities and told me that if I was interested in taking advantage of up sells or price reduction/offers that I would have to find them myself and call him. I even told him about my OBC from being a Carnival shareholder.

 

Have I made a mistake? Am I working for this TA instead of vice versa? What are my options? I haven't used a TA for years; this feels like a mistake because I was hoping that he would help me navigate the waters, so to speak.

 

We are not allowed to talk about specific TA's here, but generallyspeaking...

 

It sounds like whoever this person is they are not taking care fo you.

 

I think I would be looking for a new TA. I could deal deal with no OBC's or discounts but to find the upsells / upgrades yourself? Seriously?

 

there are lots of good TA's out there that will offer something and take care of you.

 

I suggest you start searching and emailing and get ready to cancel this booking if the price hasn't changed. JMO though.

[ninamari]

I was searching the forums for some information regarding ship time vs shore time on HAL and found the following thread, though a bit old (link), so I'm wondering if it's still valid. It indicates that the time in the ship will change to match the shore time.

 

I'll be doing a Mediterranean cruise on the Eurodam (12-Day Mediterranean Tapestry) and I believe some ports will have an hour difference. If anyone has done this cruise, is the information above still valid? I definitely don't want to end up being a pier runner ;)

[RuthC]

I was searching the forums for some information regarding ship time vs shore time on HAL and found the following thread, though a bit old, so I'm wondering if it's still valid. It indicates that the time in the ship will change to match the shore time.

Holland America changes ship time to match local time as it moves through various time zones.

 

I know of only two instances when this does not hold true: a regular stop in Puerto Vallarta, and the one time a ship went to Murmansk, which was two hours ahead of the previous and next days.

 

You will have a card on your bed at turn down reminding you to change your clock/watch. It will also be published in the daily program, and mentioned at the show.

[kazu]

I was searching the forums for some information regarding ship time vs shore time on HAL and found the following thread, though a bit old (link), so I'm wondering if it's still valid. It indicates that the time in the ship will change to match the shore time.

 

I'll be doing a Mediterranean cruise on the Eurodam (12-Day Mediterranean Tapestry) and I believe some ports will have an hour difference. If anyone has done this cruise, is the information above still valid? I definitely don't want to end up being a pier runner ;)

 

 

Yes, it is still valid. The ship usually matches the port time. They will warn you if they have not, but I only encountered that once and it was decades ago. :)

 

Times will change on board (usually at night) to match.

 

Oops - edited to say, sorry looks like Ruth C and I were typing at the same time!

Edited August 19, 2016 by kazu