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

[RuthC]

Thinking about booking a Lanai cabin on the Maasdam.

How do I tell the size - the web site says they're 181 - 256 sq feet. That's a big difference.

Most of the lanai cabins were formerly outsides, which were smaller than the inside cabins (186 sq. ft.). So, most of the lanais would be the 181 sq. ft.

The accessible lanai cabins would be the larger figure.

 

Those lanai cabins that were formerly offices may be slightly over the 181 sq. ft. figure, but I don't think they are. I think it's only the two sizes.

[rnwratchet]

OK, I see the unlimited water/soda, and I see the 1 bottle per passenger for wine, but what are the rules about beer?:confused:

Last cruise I brought on water, soda, beer and liquor. I did not try to hide or anything.

[kazu]

Last cruise I brought on water, soda, beer and liquor. I did not try to hide or anything.

 

good for you ;) I have never been that lucky.

 

Water and soda are certainly permitted but beer is not ;)

[Appalachian Mountain Mama]

Did a search but didn't find much info. What's the rule on juices, cranberry specifically, can you bring your own? I drink juice in place of soda and you can bring your own soda... so...[emoji849]

 

 

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[oakgrove girl]

Hello. Can some tell how much it cost to have a bag of laundry done on this sailing? How much is a thermal spa pass for 13 days and can I buy it before I get on the ship.

[RuthC]

Did a search but didn't find much info. What's the rule on juices, cranberry specifically, can you bring your own?

You can carry on all the non-alcoholic beverages you care to.

There is cranberry juice on board, though. Why not just ask for it?

[RuthC]

Hello. Can some tell how much it cost to have a bag of laundry done on this sailing?

A bag of laundry has cost $20, although I have seen reports of $26. Normally, European cruises charge higher.

[oakgrove girl]

Thank you so much for your very quick response.

[jhsocal]

Will be on Oosterdam this Fall, will we notice much difference from Westerdam that we sailed last Summer?

[kazu]

Will be on Oosterdam this Fall, will we notice much difference from Westerdam that we sailed last Summer?

 

I don't think so. They are both Vista Class ships.

 

I believe the Oosterdam has the new Pizza oven though which the Westerdam does not.

 

I found the Westerdam crew very happy when we were on and I hope the Oosterdam is the same for you.

[Appalachian Mountain Mama]

I had read somewhere in another post that only the bars had cranberry juice, glad to hear I can get it other places.

 

 

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[RuthC]

I had read somewhere in another post that only the bars had cranberry juice, glad to hear I can get it other places.

Bars serve a different formula of cranberry juice than the Lido/dining room do, and there is a charge for what the bars serve. There's no charge for the cranberry juice in the restaurants.

 

However, cranberry juice is normally served only at breakfast; you will find it set out in the Lido. If you want it any other time, you need to ask, and it will be brought out. If you can anticipate a need, perhaps want some for your cabin, then you can ask that a container be put up for you.

 

Remember, the ship is a city, a city filled with people who are there to serve you! If you want something, just ask, and the odds are very, very good that it will happen.

[Copper10-8]

Will be on Oosterdam this Fall, will we notice much difference from Westerdam that we sailed last Summer?

 

Yes, you will. Oosterdam received interior upgrades in dry-dock last year which Westerdam won't receive until April this year. Oosterdam got 25 additional cabins on Observation Deck behind the Crow’s Nest as well as Retreat Cabanas on fwd Sports Deck.

 

She received Lincoln Center Stage in the fwd part of the Explorers Lounge as well as “Billboard Onboard” with live musicians incl. “Dueling pianos” which is now located in what used to be a part of the casino and Sports Bar. A Casino Bar took the place of the Piano Bar; The former Northern Lights night club/disco was converted into the Gallery (Arts) Bar.

 

She received new furnishings and carpet in the Lido restaurant to bring her in line with the “Market Place” concept; There were suite upgrades and improvements, incl. interactive TVs, new furniture, fixtures and new carpeting, Standard staterooms received an upgrade with wall-mounted flat TVs, and finally, the Greenhouse Spa received an upgrade

[Guyfarmgirl]

I will be sailing out on the Eurodam to Alaska and am not much of a coffee drinker BUT LOVE my hot chocolate. Is this a free item or do I need to buy a beverage card?

[RuthC]

I will be sailing out on the Eurodam to Alaska and am not much of a coffee drinker BUT LOVE my hot chocolate. Is this a free item or do I need to buy a beverage card?

There are hot chocolate packets, and hot water, available in the Lido 24/7. I recommend pre-heating your mug with hot water first, then dump it, then put your drink together.

 

On glacier day, whichever glacier that may be on your cruise, hot chocolate will be served out on deck, about the same time the pea soup is served. Look for it!

[Btimmer]

I will be sailing out on the Eurodam to Alaska and am not much of a coffee drinker BUT LOVE my hot chocolate. Is this a free item or do I need to buy a beverage card?

 

There's powdered chocolate in the LIDO available for free in the LIDO 24/7. There are probably 'luxury' hot chocolate options in the Explorations Cafe as well, but we never used them.

 

BTW, we loved sailing the EURODAM in the Caribbean a few years ago.

[Guyfarmgirl]

Thank you soo much RuthC! I will be a happy camper now that I know I won't have to pay for my favorite drink....

[Guyfarmgirl]

Thank you Btimmer! Do you recommend anything on the ship as something I "need to do"? It is going to be my mom and I and I want to make it a special memory for both of us. We like the thought of the hydropool but not sure how much that will be. I can not seem to find it to even make a reservation....

[Guyfarmgirl]

We are leaving out of Seattle for our cruise and have gotten the transfer from plane to ship to be safe. Are there any stores(walgreens, cvs,) or something like that in walking distance to the pier where we board?

[RuthC]

We are leaving out of Seattle for our cruise and have gotten the transfer from plane to ship to be safe. Are there any stores(walgreens, cvs,) or something like that in walking distance to the pier where we board?

There's pretty much nothing within walking distance of the Seattle pier.

You will be greeted at the airport, boarded on the bus, and taken directly to the terminal, giving you no chance to stop and pick things up.

[Guyfarmgirl]

Thanks for the information. One weird question to go with the hot chocolate....is there whip cream on the boat to go with my hot chocolate?:)

[Crew News]

Thanks for the information. One weird question to go with the hot chocolate....is there whip cream on the boat to go with my hot chocolate?:)

 

On the Vista and Signature-class ships that I have sailed, there is whipped cream at the waffle/crepe station in the Lido Market for breakfast. There is also whipped cream in the Explorations Café. The Westerdam will have whipped cream at the Chocolate Seduction Café on Deck 3.

[Btimmer]

Thank you Btimmer! Do you recommend anything on the ship as something I "need to do"? It is going to be my mom and I and I want to make it a special memory for both of us. We like the thought of the hydropool but not sure how much that will be. I can not seem to find it to even make a reservation....

 

 

 

Get the hydro pool and heated bed SPA package. I think they offer it on the first day of the cruise. Both my wife and I loved them. It was super relaxing . We also REALLY like the Tamarind (Asian cuisine)for dinner. We ate there 4 times in 7 days! And don't over book yourself on activities. Live in the moment. And if the dueling pianos are onboard, don't miss them.

 

 

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[jhsocal]

Thank you Cooper, those are significant changes. Wonder if those extra cabins are having an impact?

[backseat flyer]

Hi everyone, I want to thank you all for keeping this thread going. I've been on a few lines and have my first HAL cruise coming up next month on the Koningsdam next month. The help I've found here is wonderful and I appreciate the time and effort you take. Even when the same question comes up for the 100th time, you all are so kind and positive.

 

I have a few questions. I booked an Inside Spa room and I was given the list of amenities in the room. The HAL rep. I spoke to said there will be a discounted spa menu in the room but she had no idea about the discount on spa services and I've searched online to no avail. I'm not expecting much and wondered if anyone had an info about this. The spa room price was actually better than a regular inside room, maybe because I'm traveling solo.

 

Other question is about smoking. I read somewhere, not even sure where now...that smoking was permitted in some cabin areas on the port side of the ship. Can this be right? I'm concerned as a somewhat militant type ex-smoker from 35+ years ago :) I don't want to be near any smoking area, that's for sure. I'm hoping that info was old.

 

I was also told that any bring-on non alcoholic beverages must go through check in with you and not allowed to go through baggage. Is this the practice anyone has experienced? I'd love my bottled water, but not if I have to wheel 35-40 pounds of it through the check in process.