A new HAL Blog! (Yes, I'm a HAL employee!)

[DutchByAssociation]

We'll be sailing on the Noordam in June (Roman Empire). This will be our first HAL cruise.

 

1. In Messina, Sicily do we dock in the port in Messina proper or the dock that's closer to Taormina?

 

2. I haven't seen a lot of info on here about the Noordam and I know it just came out of drydock. How does the Noordam compare to the other ships and what did they do in drydock?

 

Thanks for your info!:)

 

 

First question is best posed to a lead or supervisor in reservations. If they don't have the answer readily available to them, they can find out and call you back. (or email)

 

I'm trying to get some info and images from the Noordam myself. Keep looking on the blog. If I get some images from the ship I'll be happy to share! (Trust me... I want to see it too :))

[DutchByAssociation]

We understand that, but our luggage tags have a different room number because we've been upgraded. Our luggage will end up in our old room assignment. Do we get blank tags at the pier and fill them in ourselves? Thanks again for your patience. This is a new experience for us.

Jennie

 

If you're able, I would just cross it out and write the new assignment adjacent to it.

 

In the grand scheme of things, it's not a huge deal since the bags are compared against the manifest before they are delivered. If a certain approach makes you comfortable though, by all means... :)

[leoandhugh]

For Messina, a ship the size of Noordam has to dock in Messina proper. The dock is close to the center of town and the local train stop and bus stops are nearby. There is no dock in Taormina other than for smaller ships.:)

[beamteam]

The Noordam is a great ship. We;ve sailed on her twice, the last time in January. I think she has the best deck plan of all the ships. The crew and the room stewards are the best. The stage shows were the same ones we saw last year but the individual entertainers were good and the string quartet also good. The Pinnacle grill was the best food on board. Beamteam

[DutchByAssociation]

For Messina, a ship the size of Noordam has to dock in Messina proper. The dock is close to the center of town and the local train stop and bus stops are nearby. There is no dock in Taormina other than for smaller ships.:)

 

thanks for the assistance leoandhugh!

[brewster007]

For Messina, a ship the size of Noordam has to dock in Messina proper. The dock is close to the center of town and the local train stop and bus stops are nearby. There is no dock in Taormina other than for smaller ships.:)

 

Taormina is about a 45 to 60 min drive from Messina. By Train it is one hour and by bus can take up to two hours.

 

Brewster

[DutchByAssociation]

Hope everyone had a great Easter!

[UR Cruisin]

Any info on the Noordam drydock as of yet?

Thanks

:)

[DutchByAssociation]

Any info on the Noordam drydock as of yet?

Thanks

:)

 

Looking into this one as we speak. If I hear anything back, I'll be sure to mention it!

[silvercruiser]

Might be a good idea to wait until just before you leave home to write the cabin number on the luggage tags. We've had upgrades just a few days before sailing.

[Go-Get-em]

I'm a little confused as to the docking location of the Noordam in Messina, too. On my printout from my travel agent (Travelocity) it says the port will be "Messina (taormina/naxos)." However, I know that's a tender port, and the port information at the HollandAmerica.com does not indicate that port is a tender.

I hope it is the one in Naxos as that would make diy for our family of 4 much easier.

[GeriatricNurse]

What I am aware of, is:

Canaletto being added

Casino refresh, rearrangement

 

What I assume will also happen:

Volendam had a refresh of its shops with new flooring and lighting, I would assume Amsterdam will get the same treatment

 

And of course:

Any projects on a large enough scale they can't be done during a cruise. (Carpeting of some corridors and public rooms, etc)

 

 

 

And, hopefully, FULLY ENCLOSE it so that the smoke will not drift from it to the shops areas! Would be nice! X M-Class enclosed their casinos! Why not HAL?

[GeriatricNurse]

Dutch, any rumors about HAL going to a cabin televison-based record retrieval system on where you can access your onboard account similar to what some major shore-based hotels use?

 

 

And, as does Celebrity Cruises!

[GeriatricNurse]

Are there any plans to replace all the various drink cards, both alcoholic and non alcoholic, with some sort of universal card?

Do you forsee HAL continuing with the Wine Cards?

[Ya Ya Cruiser]

Hi Dutch,

 

We are on the Rotterdam next March Hawaii/Tahiti - none of the shore excursions are available on the web yet. Any insight as to when they might become available?

 

Many thanks,

YaYa

[honey-bunny]

Hi Dutch I have a question I am planing to sail on NOORDAM in December in SS cabin what are the ? phone concierge ?

 

 

[GeriatricNurse]

Do you have any knowledge that HAL will be relocating to Port Canaveral from Fort Lauderdale?

[brewster007]

Hi Dutch could you please tell me who and how to contact the correct individual that may be able to help with this. We have sent in a gluten free menu request for my wife for our upcoming cruise. With HAL you are required to select the meal you want each day, a day in advance, and then they are prepared for you gluten free for the next day. What we are trying to figure out is if there is any way the we can have dinner on the first night prepared gluten for for my wife.

Thank you

 

Brewster

[kryos]

Poor Dutch. :)

 

Look at all these questions he's gonna have waiting for him when he gets back from his cruise. :)

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

[DutchByAssociation]

Are there any plans to replace all the various drink cards, both alcoholic and non alcoholic, with some sort of universal card?

Do you forsee HAL continuing with the Wine Cards?

 

I've heard a little bit around the office but unfortunately cannot comment at this time.

[DutchByAssociation]

Hi Dutch,

 

We are on the Rotterdam next March Hawaii/Tahiti - none of the shore excursions are available on the web yet. Any insight as to when they might become available?

 

Many thanks,

YaYa

 

Usually 5-6 months in advance

[DutchByAssociation]

Hi Dutch I have a question I am planing to sail on NOORDAM in December in SS cabin what are the ? phone concierge ?

 

 

 

In a nutshell, you will have access to staff in the Front Office dedicated to just guests in the categories that have the telephone conceirge as well as for the Deluxe and Penthouse Suites to call when the Neptune Lounge is closed.

[DutchByAssociation]

Do you have any knowledge that HAL will be relocating to Port Canaveral from Fort Lauderdale?

 

Not through 2010, I can tell you that much.

 

And I would assume not after that point also... Port Canaveral already has a ton of ships going in and out of it. And with the proximity to the pier, I think Ft. lauderdale is much more advantageous. My personal opinion anyway.

[DutchByAssociation]

Hi Dutch could you please tell me who and how to contact the correct individual that may be able to help with this. We have sent in a gluten free menu request for my wife for our upcoming cruise. With HAL you are required to select the meal you want each day, a day in advance, and then they are prepared for you gluten free for the next day. What we are trying to figure out is if there is any way the we can have dinner on the first night prepared gluten for for my wife.

Thank you

 

Brewster

 

The Noordam Coordinator is Jeff Beck. Contact Ship Services at: 800-541-1576

[DutchByAssociation]

Poor Dutch. :)

 

Look at all these questions he's gonna have waiting for him when he gets back from his cruise. :)

 

Blue skies ...

 

--rita

 

 

:) Those were easy! :cool:

 

Pics to come on the blog tonight if my ISP at home stops acting up.