Smoking areas and formal nights Nieuw Amsterdam

[agathasmum]

It's been several years since I last sailed with HAL so I have a couple of questions.

 

I am looking at the summer Alaska itineraries on Nieuw Amsterdam and would like to know where smoking is permitted on the ship. I can't find any info on the HAL website. Also do they still have formal nights?

 

Thanks!

[CruiserBruce]

If you look at the top of the board there is a "Sticky" on smoking. Some reading there would be beneficial. That is also the location for all smoking discussions. 

 

Pre Covid, smoking was allowed at the aft pool bar area, and, on some ships, the casino. Again,  thoroughly discussed on the smoking thread.

[agathasmum]

19 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

If you look at the top of the board there is a "Sticky" on smoking. Some reading there would be beneficial. That is also the location for all smoking discussions. 

 

Pre Covid, smoking was allowed at the aft pool bar area, and, on some ships, the casino. Again,  thoroughly discussed on the smoking thread.

Thank you  🙂

[VMax1700]

Here is a link to the currently published Know Before You Go document.  It is out of date on some matters and will no doubt be updated soon.  (Then again, maybe not as the is the HAL website we are talking about).

Scroll down to 'SHIPBOARD LIFE' and you will get the current information on Smoking.

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq/know-before-you-go.html

[VMax1700]

41 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

Here is a link to the currently published Know Before You Go document.  It is out of date on some matters and will no doubt be updated soon.  (Then again, maybe not as the is the HAL website we are talking about).

Scroll down to 'SHIPBOARD LIFE' and you will get the current information on Smoking.

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq/know-before-you-go.html

Sorry, too late to edit the post, but there is a mention of the 'Gala Night' dress requirements on the same link, under 'CRUISE PREPARATION' 'Clothing'.  On a seven day cruise there is normally one gala night.

[agathasmum]

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

Here is a link to the currently published Know Before You Go document.  It is out of date on some matters and will no doubt be updated soon.  (Then again, maybe not as the is the HAL website we are talking about).

Scroll down to 'SHIPBOARD LIFE' and you will get the current information on Smoking.

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq/know-before-you-go.html

Thank you. That was a very helpful link.

[Crew News]

10 hours ago, agathasmum said:

.....I. Also do they still have formal nights?

 

Thanks!

As a HAL menu collector, I can say that 7-day cruises will have two gala nights.  The gala night menus have not changed in several years.  The first gala night will usually be the first day at sea that you are not in a port during meal times but never on Embarkation Day. 

 

The second gala night is usually the the last evening that you are not in a port during meal times but never on the evening before disembarkation.

 

The second gala night features surf & turf (lobster tail and filet Mignon).  Here is a typical second gala night menu:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/NS-A-MDR-Day-05-Gala-Night.pdf

 

I opt out of the filet and request two lobster tails:

 

[NCTribeFan]

Every line I've sailed has 2 gala/elegant nights on 7-night sailings.

 

I'll be on NA for 12 nights starting 12/11.  It's actually a 7 + 5 night.  I'm solo for 7 nights then have friends joining me on the 5-night leg.  I'm going to assume there will be just 1 gala night on the 5-night leg (so 3 total?).

 

With HAL booking combined itineraries as 1 sailing (as opposed to other lines booking them only as B2B), I wasn't sure what to expect.  HAL rarely has <7 night sailings so I didn't find much info.

 

I use cruisedeckplans dot com to do all my initial research on ships.  I find their "drag decks" function invaluable when deciding what cabin to book.  I want to know just what is above, below, and across from the cabin I'm booking.  They also have a wiki tab that details dry docks and also has a section showing smoking areas.  I just find using this one source to be much better than the different cruise line websites.  And there are load of photos.  I spend a lot of time looking at photos! 😄

[agathasmum]

1 hour ago, NCTribeFan said:

Every line I've sailed has 2 gala/elegant nights on 7-night sailings.

 

I'll be on NA for 12 nights starting 12/11.  It's actually a 7 + 5 night.  I'm solo for 7 nights then have friends joining me on the 5-night leg.  I'm going to assume there will be just 1 gala night on the 5-night leg (so 3 total?).

 

With HAL booking combined itineraries as 1 sailing (as opposed to other lines booking them only as B2B), I wasn't sure what to expect.  HAL rarely has <7 night sailings so I didn't find much info.

 

I use cruisedeckplans dot com to do all my initial research on ships.  I find their "drag decks" function invaluable when deciding what cabin to book.  I want to know just what is above, below, and across from the cabin I'm booking.  They also have a wiki tab that details dry docks and also has a section showing smoking areas.  I just find using this one source to be much better than the different cruise line websites.  And there are load of photos.  I spend a lot of time looking at photos! 😄

Thank you for all your useful info. I have lots to read up on before I book!

 

[T8NCruise]

On 5/25/2021 at 9:15 AM, VMax1700 said:

Sorry, too late to edit the post, but there is a mention of the 'Gala Night' dress requirements on the same link, under 'CRUISE PREPARATION' 'Clothing'.  On a seven day cruise there is normally one gala night.

You are correct about the usual 1 gala night per 7 day cruise.  HAL had in the previous couple of years (prior to Covid) cut back on gala nights, and our experience on several cruises of longer duration was that there were less of them.  Our last one prior to shut down was a 14 night b2b, and each week had 1 gala night.

[Florida_gal_50]

6 minutes ago, T8NCruise said:

You are correct about the usual 1 gala night per 7 day cruise.  HAL had in the previous couple of years (prior to Covid) cut back on gala nights, and our experience on several cruises of longer duration was that there were less of them.  Our last one prior to shut down was a 14 night b2b, and each week had 1 gala night.

That is good to hear they are cutting back.  Every 14 day cruise I've taken (B2B) has had 2 per week.  My last cruise was in November 2019.  These "gala" nights are nothing special any more (to me).

[CruiseMGM]

17 hours ago, Crew News said:

<snip>

 

I opt out of the filet and request two lobster tails:

 

<snip>

 

I've loved your website with the menus and often look them over pre-cruise, so thank you! And THANK YOU for the great idea, I'd never thought of doing that. Two lobster tails for me, thank you very much!

😁

[Crew News]

5 minutes ago, CruiseMGM said:

 

I've loved your website with the menus and often look them over pre-cruise, so thank you! And THANK YOU for the great idea, I'd never thought of doing that. Two lobster tails for me, thank you very much!

😁

Or three??  Once in awhile crab legs will appear as an appetizer in Alaska.  It is actually two legs about the length of my index finger.  At the end of my meal, I commented on the small quantity to my waiter.  With a broad smile, he promised to take care of me on the second week of my B2B.  When I ordered them the second week, he delivered a plate with six orders of crab legs and extra drawn butter.

 

On one occasion, I found myself at a table of seven new cruisers who ordered the surf & turf but did not want their lobster tails.  Not wanting the tails to be trashed, I offered my assistance. 

 

I will post the 7-day Caribbean menus ,both Series A and B, this December.  Alaska 7-day menus second week of May 2022.

[TiogaCruiser]

4 minutes ago, Crew News said:

Or three??  Once in awhile crab legs will appear as an appetizer in Alaska.  It is actually two legs about the length of my index finger.  At the end of my meal, I commented on the small quantity to my waiter.  With a broad smile, he promised to take care of me on the second week of my B2B.  When I ordered them the second week, he delivered a plate with six orders of crab legs and extra drawn butter.

 

On one occasion, I found myself at a table of seven new cruisers who ordered the surf & turf but did not want their lobster tails.  Not wanting the tails to be trashed, I offered my assistance. 

 

I will post the 7-day Caribbean menus ,both Series A and B, this December.  Alaska 7-day menus second week of May 2022.

LOL
You’re a good man, Roger!

😁

[1ANGELCAT]

57 minutes ago, T8NCruise said:

You are correct about the usual 1 gala night per 7 day cruise.  HAL had in the previous couple of years (prior to Covid) cut back on gala nights, and our experience on several cruises of longer duration was that there were less of them.  Our last one prior to shut down was a 14 night b2b, and each week had 1 gala night.

Have to disagree,, my last cruise was Dec 2019 and there definitely was 2 . 

 

[T8NCruise]

50 minutes ago, 1ANGELCAT said:

Have to disagree,, my last cruise was Dec 2019 and there definitely was 2 . 

 

Well good for your cruise!  Past 3 cruises for.me and many others saw less   There was a long thread about it a year or 2 ago but guess we were all wrong lol.

[AncientWanderer]

Isn't there always a Captain's welcome dinner and then a farewell gala toward the end of the cruise?  Not sure which one they could dispense with.  🤔

[Florida_gal_50]

3 hours ago, T8NCruise said:

Well good for your cruise!  Past 3 cruises for.me and many others saw less   There was a long thread about it a year or 2 ago but guess we were all wrong lol.

Were these cruises b2b?  If it’s been a continuous cruise I could see it.  There are less gala nights on a longer cruise.  

 

Edited May 26, 2021 by Florida_gal_50

[T8NCruise]

1 hour ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Were these cruises b2b?  If it’s been a continuous cruise I could see it.  There are less gala nights on a longer cruise.  

 

B2b as noted.   Surprised you were unaware given all the posts about it when the changes were made.  I remember you being around then.

[Florida_gal_50]

9 hours ago, T8NCruise said:

B2b as noted.   Surprised you were unaware given all the posts about it when the changes were made.  I remember you being around then.

What changes?  Funny, you seem to be the only one that has had this experience.   Guess we will see when cruises resume.

Edited May 27, 2021 by Florida_gal_50

[MTAK]

N. Amsterdam in January 2020 most definitely had 2 gala nights on our 7-day Eastern Caribbean. Same as on Eurodam 7-day Alaska in 2018.

[CruiseMGM]

On 5/26/2021 at 12:05 PM, Crew News said:

Or three??  Once in awhile crab legs will appear as an appetizer in Alaska.  It is actually two legs about the length of my index finger.  At the end of my meal, I commented on the small quantity to my waiter.  With a broad smile, he promised to take care of me on the second week of my B2B.  When I ordered them the second week, he delivered a plate with six orders of crab legs and extra drawn butter.

 

On one occasion, I found myself at a table of seven new cruisers who ordered the surf & turf but did not want their lobster tails.  Not wanting the tails to be trashed, I offered my assistance. 

 

I will post the 7-day Caribbean menus ,both Series A and B, this December.  Alaska 7-day menus second week of May 2022.

 

My hero 😁 (my bolding above)!

Thanks so much!

[idiebabe]

1 hour ago, MTAK said:

N. Amsterdam in January 2020 most definitely had 2 gala nights on our 7-day Eastern Caribbean. Same as on Eurodam 7-day Alaska in 2018.

Yes, and the Nieuw Statendam in February, 2020  for a 7 Nite Cruise had 2 Gala Nights.  Our TA in Fall, 2019 had 4 Gala Nights.

[NCTribeFan]

So, I'm guessing that my 12 night (which is also sold as separate 7 and 5 nights) will have 3?  Knowing will help with packing although I'm sure no one would care if I wore the same (nice) dress more than once!

[Crew News]

2 hours ago, NCTribeFan said:

So, I'm guessing that my 12 night (which is also sold as separate 7 and 5 nights) will have 3?  Knowing will help with packing although I'm sure no one would care if I wore the same (nice) dress more than once!

That is my experience.  When I combine a 5-day Pacific Coastal with 7-day Alaska in the past years, I had 3 gala nights (1 + 2).