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

[Mom2boysGA]

I too have read all 70 pages over the last week and what an awesome thread full of lots of great information! I can't thank everyone enough for all the great questions and even better answers :)

 

I do have a few questions myself.

 

My husband, two boys and I are going on HAL for the first time. We will be on a the Nieuw Amsterdam 7 Day Western Caribbean in April in a Neptune Suite. This isn't our first cruise but the others have been on Disney so I know things will be different, and we are hoping in a good way :o

 

With the Disney we were concierge level and they escorted us once on the ship straight to the Lounge. Is this done on the HAL or are we allowed to go to our room or a lunch destination?

 

I think I read that the Main Dining Room is now open for all on Embarkation is that true?

 

And My kids are asking when the pool opens once on board?

 

And last how quickly is luggage usually delivered? Will it be left in the hall in front of our door or will they place it inside?

 

Thanks again for everything! And Happy Cruising :)

[kazu]

I too have read all 70 pages over the last week and what an awesome thread full of lots of great information! I can't thank everyone enough for all the great questions and even better answers :)

 

I do have a few questions myself.

 

My husband, two boys and I are going on HAL for the first time. We will be on a the Nieuw Amsterdam 7 Day Western Caribbean in April in a Neptune Suite. This isn't our first cruise but the others have been on Disney so I know things will be different, and we are hoping in a good way :o

 

With the Disney we were concierge level and they escorted us once on the ship straight to the Lounge. Is this done on the HAL or are we allowed to go to our room or a lunch destination? There is a special line up for Neptune Suite and 4 star mariner and above. In most cases, you will be directed to a special area and after those that need assistance are boarded, you will be invited to board.

 

I think I read that the Main Dining Room is now open for all on Embarkation is that true? In most cases yes unless they are hosting TA's, or others it is open.

 

And My kids are asking when the pool opens once on board? I've always seen the pool open when we board -

 

And last how quickly is luggage usually delivered? Will it be left in the hall in front of our door or will they place it inside? I've seen it both ways, brought into the room if you are there and also left outside. We find the luggage fairly quick but you can wait until around 3 pm (we never have)

 

Thanks again for everything! And Happy Cruising :)

 

tried to help and answer you above in this colour

Edited October 1, 2016 by kazu

[Mom2boysGA]

tried to help and answer you above in this colour

 

Thank you so much for the speedy reply. Once on board are we taken straight to the Neptune Lounge or are we allowed to roam freely?

 

Also Do you know if Kids are allowed in Pinnacle Grill? Our boys are very well behaved and have eaten at fine dining before but don't want to upset any Adults if they are in there (they will be 8 & 10 at the time)

 

Thanks again!

[kazu]

Thank you so much for the speedy reply. Once on board are we taken straight to the Neptune Lounge or are we allowed to roam freely?

 

Also Do you know if Kids are allowed in Pinnacle Grill? Our boys are very well behaved and have eaten at fine dining before but don't want to upset any Adults if they are in there (they will be 8 & 10 at the time)

 

Thanks again!

 

 

Once on board, most times, your rooms will be ready. If they are not, you will be taken to the Neptune Lounge. You are certainly allowed to roam freely on the ship. Usually rooms are ready and you will head there first for carry on and safety deposit box drop off ;)

 

I believe your children will be allowed in if they are part of your booking. I've seen children there before for dinner, lunch and breakfast. Assuming, they are part of your booking and in your suite, I would say yes, but we don't travel with children and just going by what we have seen.

[Mom2boysGA]

Once on board, most times, your rooms will be ready. If they are not, you will be taken to the Neptune Lounge. You are certainly allowed to roam freely on the ship. Usually rooms are ready and you will head there first for carry on and safety deposit box drop off ;)

 

I believe your children will be allowed in if they are part of your booking. I've seen children there before for dinner, lunch and breakfast. Assuming, they are part of your booking and in your suite, I would say yes, but we don't travel with children and just going by what we have seen.

 

Once again my sincerest thanks for the quick reply and information :)

[qak]

I keep reading about Tamarind, what ship/s is that on?

[kazu]

I keep reading about Tamarind, what ship/s is that on?

 

It is on the Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam (the Signature ships).

[RuthC]

I keep reading about Tamarind, what ship/s is that on?

 

It is on the Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam (the Signature ships).

And now the Koningsdam, too. Let's not forget the newest ship in the fleet.

[Happily@Sea]

tried to help and answer you above in this colour

 

 

Since I can't really respond to your 'answer within a quote', I will respond this way. Unless they have a special place for Neptune and Pinnacle Suites in the luggage taking at the dock - the luggage was still being loaded on the ship - along with more supplies, 10 minutes before our late leaving from SD [last April on our voyage to the South Pacific]. Not knowing if there is sorting on take-in - those people didn't get their luggage before early dinner. But of course SD was a mess, I watched the mess from my veranda - having come from FLL with the ship.

 

I have gotten my luggage other times after muster drill - but not usually.

[kazu]

And now the Koningsdam, too. Let's not forget the newest ship in the fleet.

 

thanks Ruth. I did forget about it ;)

[Scared to Death]

I have read that bring a 'power bar' is a good idea because of the limited number of outlets. But I also understand that you aren't suppose to use a power bar with a surge protector on it. So my question is: What Power Bar is recommended, because most of them have a surge protector?

[kazu]

I have read that bring a 'power bar' is a good idea because of the limited number of outlets. But I also understand that you aren't suppose to use a power bar with a surge protector on it. So my question is: What Power Bar is recommended, because most of them have a surge protector?

 

 

You can ask the ship for a power bar. Make the request early though - supplies are limited ;)

 

I don't bring a power bar. Just my adaptor which lets you plug in several things at the same time or my European adaptor which lets me use that plug as well for electronics that are compatible.

[Crew News]

I have read that bring a 'power bar' is a good idea because of the limited number of outlets. But I also understand that you aren't suppose to use a power bar with a surge protector on it. So my question is: What Power Bar is recommended, because most of them have a surge protector?

 

 

This is what I bring and it does not include a surge protection:

 

https://www.amazon.com/Belkin-6-Outlet-5-Foot-Right-Angled-F9P609-05R-DP/dp/B0002AG0IO/ref=sr_1_13?ie=UTF8&qid=1475690232&sr=8-13&keywords=power+strip#Ask

 

For just an adapter, I bring:

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EU4HBO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

Here is a good five-port USB adapter that will charge all of your USB devices:

 

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EU4HBO/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

It must be noted that some ports will confiscate power strips contained in your checked luggage so place them in your carry-on for boarding.

[qak]

I bring a cheapie power bar, available from the supermarket or discount department stores. I need it for medical devices so tape a note to it in case it gets removed for testing (happened on Carnival Spirit, they brought it back to the room) - don't know if HAL looked at it or not, it was still in my bag.

[crunchii]

You can ask the ship for a power bar. Make the request early though - supplies are limited ;)

 

Who do we ask? Is it possible to request it in advance?

[Crew News]

Who do we ask? Is it possible to request it in advance?

 

You ask at the Front Desk on Deck 1 as soon as you board the ship.

[crunchii]

You ask at the Front Desk on Deck 1 as soon as you board the ship.

 

Added to my "things to do on embarkation day" list. Thank you!

[Lizzie68]

Added to my "things to do on embarkation day" list. Thank you!

 

On the few occasions we have forgotten our power bar, we simply asked our room steward and one magically appeared before we got back from Muster drill.:)

[Aloha3]

Many thanks for all the useful information.

 

I am on the Zaandam, sailing for the Antarctica, on 10 January.

Can you tell me the approx. temperature of the public areas for this cruise? I am trying to decide what clothes I will need for "at sea" days.

Also will the pool, with a roof, be warm enough to swim during this cruise?

What is in the area at the stern of the Dolphin Deck? Can anyone access it?

Is the area at the stern of Main Deck open to the outside?

 

I came across this post in my reading of this thread.

Your flight costs aren't HAL's responsibility, though, are they? As to the cabin fare - it can't hurt to ask, but I wouldn't expect anything to come of it.

We too paid a lot more for the cabin fare than is currently being advertised?

Would I approach my TA for a possible OBC or directly to HAL?

Many thanks

[kazu]

Many thanks for all the useful information.

 

I am on the Zaandam, sailing for the Antarctica, on 10 January.

Can you tell me the approx. temperature of the public areas for this cruise? I am trying to decide what clothes I will need for "at sea" days. If you mean the inside public areas, it will be comfortable. I find sometimes the A/C is too low for me in the dining room and a couple of places and always take a shawl or shrug in case. Outside will definitely be cooler especially at night and as you sail south.

Also will the pool, with a roof, be warm enough to swim during this cruise? People were certainly using the pool on our South America cruise.

What is in the area at the stern of the Dolphin Deck? Can anyone access it?

Is the area at the stern of Main Deck open to the outside?

 

I came across this post in my reading of this thread.

 

We too paid a lot more for the cabin fare than is currently being advertised?

Would I approach my TA for a possible OBC or directly to HAL?

Many thanks If you booked with a TA, contact your TA about the lower price and they will see if HAL can do anything for you

 

Tried to help with a few of your questions above in red.

Edited October 7, 2016 by kazu

[Aloha3]

Many thanks for the info.

[petmyr67]

going on my 1st cruise ever on the N Amsterdam to the W carribean on the 13th of November together with my wife.

 

regarding the breakfast: is it possible to only have a coffee in the morning and then later(after an hour in the gym) get breakfast?

[robptaylor]

You can eat whatever, whenever you want. For simplicity, you will probably want to grab a coffee at the Lido buffet, hit the gym, and then return to Lido or the dining room for breakfast but you could also order the coffee from room service. Pretty much anything you want.

 

going on my 1st cruise ever on the N Amsterdam to the W carribean on the 13th of November together with my wife.

 

regarding the breakfast: is it possible to only have a coffee in the morning and then later(after an hour in the gym) get breakfast?

Edited October 10, 2016 by robptaylor

[petmyr67]

Thanks for the quick answer. Still very confusing to understand all the possibilities regarding the eating options

[kazu]

Thanks for the quick answer. Still very confusing to understand all the possibilities regarding the eating options

 

Eating possiblities are pretty much endless. You can dine in all of the venues if you are so inclined. The only thing you can't do is eat in fixed dining and open dining in the MDR in the evening. You have to choose between one or the other. ;)