Raisinette Posted August 11, 2023 #51 Share Posted August 11, 2023 Dobby and Crystalspin - thanks for the info, just what I was hoping for, and am now looking forward to! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted August 13, 2023 Author #52 Share Posted August 13, 2023 (edited) We spent 6 weeks on the Neiuw Amsterdam and our favorite restaurant was the Tamarind . The people were so nice and the service and food were so good ! And even most of the passengers behaved themselves . Edited August 13, 2023 by scubacruiserx2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted August 14, 2023 Author #53 Share Posted August 14, 2023 (edited) We really liked some of the traditional artwork found on the Eurodam which is the ship that we had our first Neptune Suite on . That suite experience spoiled us . This photo is the Return of the Prodigal Son The original Rembrandt which is perhaps his greatest and /or most famous painting , hangs in the Hermitage in Saint Petersburg , Russia . We have seen it several times and stood in front of it by ourselves for an extended time - always in awe of the painting and the story of God's love and patience for us to return to Him . It is my favorite painting of Rembrandt and one of my favorite Biblical stories . A quote from Wikipedia : Depicting the moment of the prodigal son's return to his father in the Biblical parable, it is a renowned work described by art historian Kenneth Clark as "a picture which those who have seen the original in St. Petersburg may be forgiven for claiming as the greatest picture ever painted".[2] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Return_of_the_Prodigal_Son_(Rembrandt) Edited August 14, 2023 by scubacruiserx2 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcrcruiser Posted August 14, 2023 #54 Share Posted August 14, 2023 We love all the comments made here las they are true 😀. WE can add that Holland America has the best handicap staterooms with above & beyond service 😀 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted August 15, 2023 Author #55 Share Posted August 15, 2023 20 hours ago, mcrcruiser said: We love all the comments made here las they are true 😀. WE can add that Holland America has the best handicap staterooms with above & beyond service 😀 We're glad that have had a good experience with HAL . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lenquixote66 Posted August 15, 2023 #56 Share Posted August 15, 2023 Lanai cabins 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LocoLoco1 Posted August 15, 2023 #57 Share Posted August 15, 2023 Still Great itineraries. $Cheap$ way to see the World. Less children methinks, who now flock to the Mega-ships that go round n round in warm water… 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare shipshape sam Posted August 16, 2023 #58 Share Posted August 16, 2023 (edited) For us: The Rotterdam VII The nightly live music The sea view aft deck area (other than the smoking area-sorry) Walking deck on deck 3 The nightly live music Rudi's New York Deli Cornbeef sandwiches The nightly live music the pool deck area Half Moon Bar and staff Oh yeah, the live rock n roll music most nights of our 11 day cruise 🙂 We have tended over the years to not sail HAL, but our TA suggested we try Rotterdam and we did this past January and now are booked again on Rotterdam. Edited August 16, 2023 by shipshape sam 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gogoddess5 Posted August 18, 2023 #59 Share Posted August 18, 2023 Never thought I’d enjoy sailing a HAL cruise. Heard it might be too subdued for my tastes. Took advantage of a drop & go offer on Rotterdam VII…loved it!!! LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT…The ship itself and all public areas were gorgeous. I loved my cabin (especially that huge glass enclosed shower). Best food ever on a cruise ship (great-no matter where you ate); entertainment was awesome (especially for music lovers). The crew were outstanding, especially the captain! I especially enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. Didn’t miss the amusement rides, raucous deck parties or loud & intrusive poolside bands one bit. This was cruising for grown ups and I liked it…can’t wait til my next sailing with HAL. 16 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mcrcruiser Posted August 18, 2023 #60 Share Posted August 18, 2023 On 8/9/2023 at 9:30 AM, OlsSalt said: Sure hope HAL marketing pays attention to this list since there are pretty consistent favorites. HAL has a special niche, well worth protecting and celebrating. And protecting. Yes totally agree , After checking into some other lines we always come back to booking a HAL cruise . We no longer can fly because my DW has a inner ear problem & we are active mis 80s . so we sail only from our home port in San Diego now . There are 3 itineraries we book Hawaii , Mexico & Coastal Calif cruises .We have been all over this world on past cruises ,Hal's koningsdam is our next 3 booked cruises with nothing less than 14 days & 2 with 18 day cruises .We book balcony cabins always ,so we can view the tranquil ocean & oh the sleep is fantastic We don't take the HIA promo as we are not drinkers nor do we need the internet .We get enough OBC for early booking Mariner ,CCL stock benefit & what our TA gives us . We always cover our tips with OBCs & left over for special restaurants We do upgrade right away in booking to Club Orange mainly for the special restaurant & cabin upgrade😀 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted August 18, 2023 Author #61 Share Posted August 18, 2023 4 hours ago, Gogoddess5 said: Never thought I’d enjoy sailing a HAL cruise. Heard it might be too subdued for my tastes. Took advantage of a drop & go offer on Rotterdam VII…loved it!!! LOVED EVERYTHING ABOUT IT…The ship itself and all public areas were gorgeous. I loved my cabin (especially that huge glass enclosed shower). Best food ever on a cruise ship (great-no matter where you ate); entertainment was awesome (especially for music lovers). The crew were outstanding, especially the captain! I especially enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere. Didn’t miss the amusement rides, raucous deck parties or loud & intrusive poolside bands one bit. This was cruising for grown ups and I liked it…can’t wait til my next sailing with HAL. We're glad that you enjoyed your cruise and had many nice things to say about the ship . We haven't sailed that ship but have sailed the Pinnacle Class like it a couple of times . We have sailed HAL a lot and prefer the smaller and older Signature Class like the Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam . We have spent 57 days on 8 different cruises on these 2 ships and hope that you might consider trying one of those 2 ships on your next HAL cruise . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted August 20, 2023 Author #62 Share Posted August 20, 2023 We really loved the Retreat on HAL Especially # 4 . It came with 4 - 1 liter bottles of our favorite spring water sold on the ship - Acqua Panna as part of the deal . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted August 20, 2023 Author #63 Share Posted August 20, 2023 On 8/8/2023 at 2:23 AM, Haljo1935 said: Aft cabins in AK are the best!! Nice pic. Agreed , we love them .Especially the aft corners with a wrap balcony . This is a video tour of the one that we had in Alaska . 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted August 20, 2023 Author #64 Share Posted August 20, 2023 (edited) On 8/8/2023 at 2:23 AM, Haljo1935 said: Aft cabins in AK are the best!! Nice pic. Some special memories of Alaska that we only we able to see by going on the HAL Nieuw Amsterdam : # 1 Was about the last thing that we did in Juneau . We were told by the man operating the tram as we descended from Mt. Roberts was that we were the last group of cruise ship passengers making the descent for the season ( last year ) . He told us a story of a lady teaching some children through a story / song in a hip hop style that had us all singing and clapping along with him . It was very entertaining and we all had a smile on our face . Please listen and use the CC (closed caption ) for hearing so you can see and read the words and please enjoy it ! Edited August 20, 2023 by scubacruiserx2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted August 20, 2023 Author #65 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Whale watching in Juneau Thar she blows ! 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
C 2 C Posted August 20, 2023 #66 Share Posted August 20, 2023 On 8/8/2023 at 11:16 AM, CruzR887 said: Here's why HAL is there cruise line we check first when selecting a cruise: You have been reading my mind. There is not a nicer destination on the 7 seas than the Crow's Nest for cruisers who love to be onboard. And the Dutch cafe for all the foods I loved when I grew up. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Ken the cruiser Posted August 20, 2023 #67 Share Posted August 20, 2023 On 8/7/2023 at 5:16 PM, scubacruiserx2 said: We spent 6 weeks aboard the Nieuw Amsterdam in late September which was the last cruise to Alaska on the NA from Vancouver . We returned to Vancouver and did the repositioning cruise through the Panama Canal and back to our home port of Port Everglades . We mostly loved it and made a number of new friends , some like family . We will be mentioning a number of things as we go along but we would like to also hear from you . 🙂😊 So what are some your favorite things ? Thank you for starting this very important thread as it answered many of our questions as to whether we should book another HAL cruise. 😁 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare lyndarra Posted August 20, 2023 #68 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Itinerary variety. Always seem to include more ports than competitors. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PACD_JG Posted August 20, 2023 #69 Share Posted August 20, 2023 Not to add to Scuba Steve's personal vlog, but my two favorite recent things from the Koningsdam from 2022: the library and the internet speed. I was very pleased with both. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Haljo1935 Posted August 21, 2023 #70 Share Posted August 21, 2023 Grand Dutch Cafe on K'Dam (haven't been to it on the other 2 ships, but I'm sure they're equally fabulous) and true aft balconies on AK itineraries. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare electro Posted August 21, 2023 #71 Share Posted August 21, 2023 21 hours ago, scubacruiserx2 said: Whale watching in Juneau Thar she blows ! These are great photos. Can i ask what type of camera/lens you were using? 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted August 21, 2023 Author #72 Share Posted August 21, 2023 3 hours ago, electro said: These are great photos. Can i ask what type of camera/lens you were using? Thank you . The videos and food close ups will be my Sony RX-100 . The still photos like the whales are a Canon DSLR with a wide angle 17- 40 mm lens . The same camera I switch lens for close ups like the Puffins with a 70-300 mm telephoto . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
YourWorldWithBill Posted August 21, 2023 #73 Share Posted August 21, 2023 On 8/20/2023 at 10:50 AM, scubacruiserx2 said: Whale watching in Juneau Thar she blows ! Amazing pictures! Which whale-watching excursion were you on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted August 21, 2023 Author #74 Share Posted August 21, 2023 It was the Tahku water fountain that we had walked to rather than take HAL's shore excursion . We will show our walk back to the ship and the Tram later . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare scubacruiserx2 Posted August 22, 2023 Author #75 Share Posted August 22, 2023 (edited) On 8/8/2023 at 2:23 AM, Haljo1935 said: Aft cabins in AK are the best!! Nice pic. Another rainbow from an aft balcony . This one was after leaving the Dominican Republic on the Nieuw Amsterdam. The rainbow followed us in our wake ! Edited August 22, 2023 by scubacruiserx2 1 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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