HAL secrets

[superstein61]

Reason: ..."Mommy, why is my middle name 'Sky'?"

.

 

LOL Tom

[Little Feet]

Being at sea during a Meteor Shower.......just fantastic to view from the highest forward deck. It is dark indeed, and the best place to stretch out and count the meteors!

[RevNeal]

No one's mentioned the Java Cafe yet

 

Ah, yes ... coffee and popcorn at the movies! I'd never done that before ... until I went on a HAL cruise. I usually get a coke for the movie -- and, of course, popcorn -- but once they had actually run out of coke but they had coffee ... so ... what the heck!!?? :)

[ore-ee-gun]

Hot cocoa with REAL whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles at the Java Cafe.

 

Watching the ocean from the Explorer's Lounge (tea is served here every afternoon at 3:30).

[RevNeal]

Here's a secret no one has mentioned yet. Access to the bow-deck.

 

On an S-class ship you go forward on the lower promenade deck, to where you can cross over from one side of the ship to the other (port to starboard, or visa versa). There are two closet like chambers, glass walled, with doors facing inward. Open the door on one of them and climb the stairs you'll find inside. Those stairs will lead you up one deck, then turn and -- if the door isn't open -- push the water-tight door open and step through (carefully) and out onto the forward bow deck.

 

Here's a deck plan showing where to access it:

 

 

^^^

 

On an R-class ship you go forward on the lower promenade deck, to where you can cross over from one side of the ship to the other (port to starboard, or visa versa). Facing forward there's a set of double doors on port and starboard. No signs. Open either and climb the stairs you'll find right in front of you. Turn and push open the water tight door and step (carefully) out onto the forward bow deck.

 

 

This deck is one of my favorite places on the ship ... it's especially a great place for Alaska.

[Tatka]

Is there fruit bowl in every cabin now? Nice touch. :)

[Thoth]

The Sky Deck, at night, is a good make-out spot, as there seldom is anyone there -- and, if there is, it's too dark to see what's going on.

 

It gets COLD and windy up there in Alaska after dark. Could cause problems?

[like2cruise]

Hot cocoa with REAL whipped cream and chocolate sprinkles at the Java Cafe.

 

Is the hot chocolate complimentary? I love walking the deck sipping hot cocoa.

[ore-ee-gun]

[quote name=like2cruise

Is the hot chocolate complimentary? I love walking the deck sipping hot cocoa.[/quote]

 

Yes, it is. And very tasty, even though they make it from a powdered mix.

[mattR]

I've heard tote bags in rooms?

 

Someone mentioned flowers is that only in suites or all cabins?

 

Is the bow accessible on the Zuiderdam?

[tomc]

revneal--

 

I used to go out there all the time when the doors were open. But not when they were closed. I never thought to notice if there was a chance that the deckhands could close and lock the doors, thus stranding me out there until the morning. Can those doors be unlocked from the outside, as well?

[RevNeal]

As far as I know, they cannot be locked from the inside in such a way that they cannot be opened from the outside. But, even if they can ... and even if you WERE stranded out there, all you would need to do would be move forward enough to be seen from the bridge.

 

By the way, if those doors are closed shut and a sign is hanging from the dogging leavers warning you not to open them ... DON'T.

 

:)

 

But, then, you'll know not to do that anyway because the ship will be slamming and, at times, you'll be under water. :)

[Kabana]

two words:

Dessert Extravaganza

[Cinder]

Nobody has mentioned the fresh squeezed orange juice in the Lido!

[saltydog28]

tomc-"I don't like sleeping on coils of rope."

Isn't that like getting a free massage? Hhmmm, just wondering.

Pat.

[Lois R]

Hi,:) I am seriously thinking about booking my first HAL cruise on the Zuiderdam in Sept. Have any of you sailed her? Would you give me some input on her? From reading all your replies, I think I would be making a good choice. Sounds like a lot of good food:D

 

After 3 Celebrity cruises...I was going on my 4th one in Sept but due to unforseen circumstances had to cancel.

For those of you who have cruised both lines, do you think I will be pleased with the HAL experience?

I am 46, divorced and I sail solo...shy has never been part of my personality:) ;) And I LOVE to cruise!

[Orcrone]

Lois,

 

I have never sailed either line, but from what I've read the two lines are very similar.

 

Also, people may not see your question here, either because they won't look at this thread and if they do they may not read all the posts. So I'd suggest posting your question in a seperate thread.

 

Marc

[doone]

OF COURSE YOU'D LOVE HAL. You are sailing with the right attitude and also HAL only charges you 1 1/2 times for the single supplement, unlike some of the other lines that charge you double. That would sell me right there, Lois.

[iluvcruzin]

May I throw a question out there?

 

Is it true from what the brochures say about the "white gloved" treatment when you board? Do you get escorted to your cabins or have the hall monitors pointing the way?

[tomc]

I think it depends on how busy the stewards are. Sometimes I get escorted and sometimes I get pointed. When they are loading fast & furious, they try not to hold up the line. For my part, I want to find my cabin and get to the Lido buffet as fast as possible. The "white glove" treatment is a wonderful HAL tradition, but I'd rather not hold up the line if they're really busy.

[jhannah]

Lois, we've sailed the Zuiderdam. She's a good bit bigger than the S class ships, but she still has the HAL style. Although large, we never felt adrift in a mass of bodies. The passenger space is well laid out. Just takes a bit longer to get from bow to stern! Also, the Zuiderdam's decor is a little bolder than earlier HAL ships and is somewhat retro looking. I'm sure this was done since she's assigned full time to the Caribbean and HAL was gearing the vessel to a younger, family oriented crowd. We liked it, and I'm certain you will, too.

[RevNeal]

Sadly, it has been hit-and-miss. I've been taken all the way and into my cabin by the steward -- yes, white gloved -- and, on other occasions, I've been taken to the hall and pointed the way.

 

Dad has a neat method for ensuring that the steward escorts them all the way to, and into, the cabin. When they come aboard and are introduced to the white-gloved steward who is to escort them to their cabin, Dad hands him their carry-on bag. It is more than a bit awkward for the steward to try and hand the bag back to my Dad before they're into the cabin, and so the Steward is -- essentially -- forced to take them all the way to and into the cabin.

 

It's not that Mom and Dad NEED to be escorted -- Dad is a 78 years young and still quite strong. Nevertheless, he hands the steward the bag and expects the lad to do his duty.

 

At the end of the trip, if they Steward takes them all the way to, and into, the cabin, Dad tips. As he says "perhaps that will re-enforce the tradition."

 

It worked for them on the Maasdam this May.

[Calliope]

The spotless decks and shining white superstructure of HAL ships constantly amazes me.

 

The other thing that keeps me in awe about HAL is how they provide such a wonderful product for such a low fare!

[Charlie2na]

one phrase; The rum raisin ice cream is back in the lido... hurry

[cruzincurt]

On the Veendam last November, white gloved steward took us all the way to the room. We study the ship layout for months in anticpation of the cruise so we could find our way in the dark, but still a nice touch worth a tip. Cut flowers were at least in the Vernanda rooms.