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

[DutchByAssociation]

Isn't this it? http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetails.action?webItineraryIdForAudit=ET1S45&durationCode=4&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=FLL&shipCodeSearch=MA&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=3&voyageCode=M149&destCode=&dateCode=

 

That's the one!

[serendipity1499]

Not the specifics right off hand, but it's roughly October-December on Maasdam

 

Sounds good!..Thank you

[debsjc]

They're on a handful of ships and coming to the rest soon. No set dates I'm aware of but I don't anticipate any/many more delays

 

Thank you, we have just under 4 weeks to go, so I'll keep my fingers crossed!

[Stakeout]

Yeah, that one's a lot trickier. Not a lot of itineraries short of grand world voyage or segments that start on one coast and then explore the other ocean...

 

Unfortunately, I'm thinking best bet would be grand world segments and then just one flight back to Ft. Laud from wherever you choose to go through... or do that couple of week camp out in So Cal

 

the Rotterdam does this one to South America r/t from Ft Laud in April 2011.. so that's why we were holding out hope for similar but to Tahiti from Ft Laud and back

 

thanx:D

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/find-cruise-vacation/CruiseDetails.action?webItineraryIdForAudit=S1S030&durationCode=&noOfFlexibleMonths=1&portCode=&shipCodeSearch=&flexibleMonths=false&pageNumber=1&voyageCode=T122&destCode=S&dateCode=4_2011

[shantihhh]

My husband just received today an email/newsletter from Cruise Critic stating there is a $15 corkage fee for all champagne and wine brought onboard. When did this go into affect? I thought a corkage fee was only for wine brought to public dining areas-not consumption in your rome.

[maxout]

My husband just received today an email/newsletter from Cruise Critic stating there is a $15 corkage fee for all champagne and wine brought onboard. When did this go into affect? I thought a corkage fee was only for wine brought to public dining areas-not consumption in your rome.

 

 

Simply old and badly explained info. The $15 dollar fee was raised to $18 some time ago (so the alcohol info has not been updated for awhile). The way CC has written the sentance it appears that all wine brought on board would have this fee. This is not the case, they just failed to explain it properly and only wine brought to a Dining venue, Public Lounge would be subject to the corkage fee.

 

Link to the CC page http://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=36

[Linda&Vern]

My husband just received today an email/newsletter from Cruise Critic stating there is a $15 corkage fee for all champagne and wine brought onboard. When did this go into affect? I thought a corkage fee was only for wine brought to public dining areas-not consumption in your rome.

That was a very "generic" article ... and "highlighted" the policies on different cruise lines (and had several errors).

From HAL's website: Bringing Alcoholic Beverages Onboard

Except for wine and champagne, alcoholic beverages purchased in the vessel's shops or otherwise brought on the ship cannot be consumed on the ship. Bottles and other containers will be collected for safekeeping and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the voyage.

A corkage fee of US$18.00 applies to wine and champagne brought to the restaurants or bars for consumption.

Room Service offers reduced-price stateroom beverage packages for in-stateroom consumption of alcoholic beverages.

[shantihhh]

I told him to relax!

 

LOL

 

That was a very "generic" article ... and "highlighted" the policies on different cruise lines (and had several errors).

From HAL's website: Bringing Alcoholic Beverages Onboard

Except for wine and champagne, alcoholic beverages purchased in the vessel's shops or otherwise brought on the ship cannot be consumed on the ship. Bottles and other containers will be collected for safekeeping and delivered to your stateroom on the last day of the voyage.

A corkage fee of US$18.00 applies to wine and champagne brought to the restaurants or bars for consumption.

Room Service offers reduced-price stateroom beverage packages for in-stateroom consumption of alcoholic beverages.

[kazu]

Hi DBA or anyone else who can answer ...

 

We are sailing on the Nieuw Amsterdam & my friends have been assigned an SZ stateroom right in the centre of the ship. The outside elevators are right there and if I am correct, those are the glass elevators?

 

I know you can see some stuff on the verandahs from those elevators.

 

Will people be able to see much on the SZ balcony? If I understand correctly, they are quite quiet so i don't think noise should be an issue?

 

Thanks so much. Would really appreciate the input.

[Gunther1]

I posted this on the HAL page, and someone suggested I ask the person in the know: We just got off the Oosterdam last week and I noticed something for the first time: In every single elevator, the second deck (lower promenade) button has a white description next to the button...all other buttons have their description in a darker (less readable) shade.

 

IE, it's much easier to see the button for the 2nd deck.

 

This was in EVERY elevator.

 

My theory: that's where the casino, etc, is....do you know the answer, DBA ? More revenue :).

 

gracias.

[kazu]

DBA, a question if you can help. some of us are confused :eek: HAL has eliminated the wine/cocktail cards and replaced them with beverage cards. :confused:

 

Here's the question, my custom itinerary still shows that I have wine and cocktail cards. If they were ordered before this change, will we still get the cards and will they be honored?

 

we sail shortly so hope to find out for sure. ;) Thanks so much:)

 

I understood they would be previously, but things change :rolleyes:

[canadarocks]

DBA, a question if you can help. some of us are confused :eek: HAL has eliminated the wine/cocktail cards and replaced them with beverage cards. :confused:

 

Here's the question, my custom itinerary still shows that I have wine and cocktail cards. If they were ordered before this change, will we still get the cards and will they be honored?

 

we sail shortly so hope to find out for sure. ;) Thanks so much:)

 

I understood they would be previously, but things change :rolleyes:

 

And just to add on to this question, will the cards be honored regardless of when your cruise occurs? (ie. we don't sail until March 2011, but I have already paid for two cards and they are listed as such on my itinerary).

[DutchByAssociation]

Hi DBA or anyone else who can answer ...

 

We are sailing on the Nieuw Amsterdam & my friends have been assigned an SZ stateroom right in the centre of the ship. The outside elevators are right there and if I am correct, those are the glass elevators?

 

I know you can see some stuff on the verandahs from those elevators.

 

Will people be able to see much on the SZ balcony? If I understand correctly, they are quite quiet so i don't think noise should be an issue?

 

Thanks so much. Would really appreciate the input.

 

Noise will be virtually non-existant and if you hear anything it's likely people talking/laughing/etc while waiting for an elevator which HAL obviously can't control.

 

You can see a bit of the verandah from the elevators but not a whole lot.

[DutchByAssociation]

I posted this on the HAL page, and someone suggested I ask the person in the know: We just got off the Oosterdam last week and I noticed something for the first time: In every single elevator, the second deck (lower promenade) button has a white description next to the button...all other buttons have their description in a darker (less readable) shade.

 

IE, it's much easier to see the button for the 2nd deck.

 

This was in EVERY elevator.

 

My theory: that's where the casino, etc, is....do you know the answer, DBA ? More revenue :).

 

gracias.

 

 

It's pretty rare anyone notices something onboard that I'm not aware of onboard and that is precisely what has happened here. I can almost assure though that it isn't a revenue generator since nothing forces anyone to stop on that deck... Now, if the elevator made a mandatory stop there every time it was summoned, THAT would be a totally different situation ;)

[DutchByAssociation]

DBA, a question if you can help. some of us are confused :eek: HAL has eliminated the wine/cocktail cards and replaced them with beverage cards. :confused:

 

Here's the question, my custom itinerary still shows that I have wine and cocktail cards. If they were ordered before this change, will we still get the cards and will they be honored?

 

we sail shortly so hope to find out for sure. ;) Thanks so much:)

 

I understood they would be previously, but things change :rolleyes:

 

Hey there,

 

Would need to defer to Ship Services as they're at the front lines of this change.

 

Have a WONDERFUL transatlantic sailing!

[DutchByAssociation]

And just to add on to this question, will the cards be honored regardless of when your cruise occurs? (ie. we don't sail until March 2011, but I have already paid for two cards and they are listed as such on my itinerary).

 

Hi, please see my reply to Kazu. Ship Services will have the best knowledge of this situation and how the "cross over" is being handled.

[kazu]

Noise will be virtually non-existant and if you hear anything it's likely people talking/laughing/etc while waiting for an elevator which HAL obviously can't control.

 

You can see a bit of the verandah from the elevators but not a whole lot.

 

thanks DBA, I will share with her. i thought she would be ok but she's never been in that location. Thanks again for your help:)

[kazu]

Hey there,

 

Would need to defer to Ship Services as they're at the front lines of this change.

 

Have a WONDERFUL transatlantic sailing!

 

Thank you. I will contact Ship Services. so looking forward to this marvelous itinerary!!:):)

[Jade13]

That's the one!

 

Interesting. That is the direction Azamara is going (or was supposed to go) with more overnights so more time to explore the ports. I assume one can board in Barcelona for a half trip? I hope to see more itineraries like this with more exotic ports, but earlier in the year.

[tooalto]

I'm positive that I read somewhere on one of the HAL posts that Rudi Sodamin was to be the executive chef for our sailing on the Noordam TA, Oct. 18. Was I dreaming? It ceratinly would be a treat!

[DutchByAssociation]

I'm positive that I read somewhere on one of the HAL posts that Rudi Sodamin was to be the executive chef for our sailing on the Noordam TA, Oct. 18. Was I dreaming? It ceratinly would be a treat!

 

I suppose it's POSSIBLE but I'm not aware of news to that extent. If he will be there though, that's great!

[maha123]

Hi DBA

 

Can you please tell me who will be the Captain on the Noordam in the beginning of January 2011.

 

Thanks and have a great day!

[cathjoll]

We are leaving on a charter of the Zaandam (Legendary Blues Cruise on Sun Oct 17th - Pacific).

We ordered a bottle of Vodka and Rum without any problems, but have not been able to order the wine card. Is it still available, and if not which one should I order to cover wines by the glass? They are not at all explained on the website. Thank you so much for any help you can give us on this one.

Catherine

[kazu]

We are leaving on a charter of the Zaandam (Legendary Blues Cruise on Sun Oct 17th - Pacific).

We ordered a bottle of Vodka and Rum without any problems, but have not been able to order the wine card. Is it still available, and if not which one should I order to cover wines by the glass? They are not at all explained on the website. Thank you so much for any help you can give us on this one.

Catherine

 

I'm not DBA but I have discovered that there is no longer any wine card. It is now a beverage card (alcoholic). Price is simply deducted from the card, sort ot like a debit card. So, if you want to order a card for wine, that is now your only option.

[Aussiemick]

Please let me know anything you are curious about or would like to see covered.

I simply ask that you realize that I am not your travel agent, the Reservations department nor your Personal Cruise Consultant and that I am unable to discuss your personal booking, take payments, provide free upgrades :) and so forth.

 

Perhaps you can answer a question from another thread on this site. Is it possible to have a group tour of the Bridge, Engine Room, Kitchen and/or Crew Quarters on a ship. If so, how would one go about arranging such.