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

[maxout]

thanks , can u please post a link for Joanie's website :) , glad to hear that u enjoyed the ship and that is it still in good shape

 

It's in one of the "Stickies" at the top of the Forum page but here's a link...

 

http://joanjett2000.topcities.com/HAL/

 

Just scroll down and chose a particular ship and then scroll down, chose a deck and look through the pictures of the cabins.

[Krazy Kruizers]

We just booked Zuiderdam for panama canal 10 day for next year in January 2012:) , I had heard form many other posters that Zuiderdam is showing lots of wear and tear in many areas of the ship , my questions is will some of it will be repaired and fixed by the time we sail January 2012 :confused:

Hoping to hear form some of you and DBA regarding cabins and cabin décor , we had booked SA cabin on zuiderdam is there a flat screen TV can anyone please post some photos or links to photos of SA cabins on Zuiderdam

 

we have also been on the zuiderdam's 10 partial panama canal

just for the record -- i checked hal's site and it does not show the zuiderdam going in for either a dry or wet dock any time soon

[madera1]

Last summer we sailed on the Eurodam and had the opportunity to go to classes at the culinary center. We have booked the Eurodam June 15th sailing to the baltic and cannot find information about who the guest chef will be or for that matter if there will be one on board. Anyone know the answer?

[schwabby]

Last summer we sailed on the Eurodam and had the opportunity to go to classes at the culinary center. We have booked the Eurodam June 15th sailing to the baltic and cannot find information about who the guest chef will be or for that matter if there will be one on board. Anyone know the answer?

 

I think I answered this on the roll call, but maybe not. According to HAL's schedule, there is no guest chef scheduled for our sailing on June 15.

 

Schwabby

[DutchByAssociation]

we have also been on the zuiderdam's 10 partial panama canal

 

just for the record -- i checked hal's site and it does not show the zuiderdam going in for either a dry or wet dock any time soon

 

Slated for spring 2013 but that could always be subject to change...

[DutchByAssociation]

I think I answered this on the roll call, but maybe not. According to HAL's schedule, there is no guest chef scheduled for our sailing on June 15.

 

Schwabby

 

Yeah, not seeing one for June 15. But you'll still have demonstrations from folks like the Executive Chef, sometimes the Pinnacle Chef and so on.

[kjw869]

We just booked Zuiderdam for panama canal 10 day for next year in January 2012:) , I had heard form many other posters that Zuiderdam is showing lots of wear and tear in many areas of the ship , my questions is will some of it will be repaired and fixed by the time we sail January 2012 :confused:

Hoping to hear form some of you and DBA regarding cabins and cabin décor , we had booked SA cabin on zuiderdam is there a flat screen TV can anyone please post some photos or links to photos of SA cabins on Zuiderdam

 

 

Hi, We were on the Zuiderdam two months ago in an SA cabin (7062) and absolutely no wear and tear on the ship. In fact, of all the ships we've been on with HAL, this ship and crew was one of our favorites--if not the favorite. Wonderful stewarts, great Neptune staff and the food was fabulous. There is a flat screen tv in the room.

 

Not to worry, it was a wonderful ship that provided a wonderful trip!

[DutchByAssociation]

Hi, We were on the Zuiderdam two months ago in an SA cabin (7062) and absolutely no wear and tear on the ship. In fact, of all the ships we've been on with HAL, this ship and crew was one of our favorites--if not the favorite. Wonderful stewarts, great Neptune staff and the food was fabulous. There is a flat screen tv in the room.

 

Not to worry, it was a wonderful ship that provided a wonderful trip!

 

I'll have lots of photos of her next month when I do the 4 day Pacific coastal

[Krazy Kruizers]

Slated for spring 2013 but that could always be subject to change...

 

okay - hal's site doesn't go that far

[madera1]

I think I answered this on the roll call, but maybe not. According to HAL's schedule, there is no guest chef scheduled for our sailing on June 15.

 

Schwabby

Thanks to you both for the information. We are bringing our two daughters this trip and they are both into cooking. Do you know if ever Holland adds a guest chef closer to embarkation?

[kazu]

Thanks to you both for the information. We are bringing our two daughters this trip and they are both into cooking. Do you know if ever Holland adds a guest chef closer to embarkation?

 

Guest chef or not - there will be lots of cooking demonstrations and if your daughters want to sign up for classes (which can be a lot of fun) for a small fee they can also do that :)

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thanks to you both for the information. We are bringing our two daughters this trip and they are both into cooking. Do you know if ever Holland adds a guest chef closer to embarkation?

 

even if there isn't a guest chef for your cruise -- the cooking classes will still be offered -- either done by the main dining room chef or the pinnacle chef

the classes cost $29 per person

[Himself]

Dutch:

How did you enjoy your cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam last month? I was on her in February and I thought she was an awesome ship. (I have been on all of them except the Noordam and the Princendam.)

[rlbaldy]

Hello Gerd & Anna;

We have missed you two and noticed you have some cruise plans in 2012. Maybe we can join on one of them. Would love to see ya'll again. Email me with your cruise dates and we'll try to work it out. Bob & Linda

[Gerd]

…

 

 

Hello "rlbaldy" dear Linda & Bob

 

As you can see on my footnote, our tentative agenda for 2012 will be finalized during our MS Ryndam cruise.

 

Hope we can meet ones more next year.

 

 

Happy cruising

 

G E R D

 

 

 

Our marvelous cruises : :)

 

MS Ryndam – Wayfarer – March 1997

MS Noordam - Transatlantic Island Hook - April 2001

MS Volendam - Southern Caribbean - April 2002

MS Volendam - Westfarer Caribbean - April 2004

MS Prinsendam - Windmills & Waterford – September 2004

MS Westerdam - Western Caribbean - April 2005

MS Statendam - Hawaii Circle - September 2005

MS Rotterdam - Vikings and Czars – July 2006

MS Veendam - Southern Caribbean – March 2007

MS Volendam – Panama Canal – April 2008

MS Noordam – Mediterranean Enchantment – September 2009

MS Nieuw Amsterdam - Mediterranean Inaugural Cruise - July 2010

MS Nieuw Amsterdam - Mediterranean Empires - July 2010

 

169 days - 39'247 Nm :

 

 

 

Future Cruise : :p

 

14 days MS Ryndam – North Cape Splendors, June 12 ,2011

 

 

7 days MS Volendam – Glacier Bay Inside Passage, July 4, 2012

 

 

14 days MS Amsterdam – Alaskan Adventure, July 13, 2012

 

[indokiwi]

Thanks to you both for the information. We are bringing our two daughters this trip and they are both into cooking. Do you know if ever Holland adds a guest chef closer to embarkation?

 

No, it's pretty set far in advance. Besides, only a small percentage of all HAL sailings even have a guest chef. Most just have the PG chef doing most of the demos (Le Cirque, Pinnacle, etc) and the Executive Chef usually doing one as well. Other Sous Chefs, Bakers, etc fill out the rest of the demos.

[aircowboy]

I'll have lots of photos of her next month when I do the 4 day Pacific coastal

 

I just stumbled onto your site and I look forward to reading more to see what I can learn. I have a question about the port in Venice. The Nieuw Amsterdam will be parked at pier 210 on 26 June 2011. Will Holland America provide a complementry shuttle to the St. Marks area? I was on a H A cruise about 10 years ago and they provided a water taxi to the docks by St. Marks Sq. Do they still do this? If not what are the options for transport?

 

Thanks for your effort.

[Seabreeze8]

Hi Dutch:

I have a big favor to ask. My in-laws will be on their first HAL cruise by themselves on the Statendam May 17, 5-day Pacific NW coastal. They have anytime dining but know very little english, choosing from the menu will be a major problem. Can you check to see if you have any dining room staff that speaks Chinese on that cruise? They really like to eat in the dining room and I hope to hook them up with someone that can help them.

 

Thank you so much!

Suzie

[catl331]

Will Holland America provide a complementry shuttle to the St. Marks area?

I don't recall any private shuttles offered by HAL when we were there last Sep. We just used vaporettos. Even the bus shuttle from Piazzale Roma to/from the ship, when offered, is not free. That's $5/p/direction. so a free water taxi is highly unlikely IMHO. :)

[aircowboy]

Thanks Carol

 

It seems that the cruise lines are doing as the airlines and they have started charging for thing that have been and should be part of the customer service package.

I think a company that made things simple for the passengers would find a lot of satisfied return customers. I am doing 24 days with HAL next month and I will see what they have to offer.

 

Norm

[CalGal2]

We are considering joining our friends on a Veendam cruise this summer. They both have deluxe suites (S), but we will be traveling in something less, either balcony or ocean view. What issues will we encounter when we want to do things together? For example, dine together with AYW dining; tendering to St George, show seating, pool access, tours, etc.

[kazu]

We are considering joining our friends on a Veendam cruise this summer. They both have deluxe suites (S), but we will be traveling in something less, either balcony or ocean view. What issues will we encounter when we want to do things together? For example, dine together with AYW dining; tendering to St George, show seating, pool access, tours, etc.

 

You will not actually have too many issues. The suites are offered the PG for breakfast so, if your friends want to have breakfast there, you will not be together.

 

They will have a special boarding line/location when you embark which means you may be separated until you get on the ship.

 

They will also have access to the neptune lounge and you will not, but that should be no big thing.

 

Tendering - they have priority tendering and do not need a ticket. When we travel with groups who do not have S categories, we just get tender tickets for all of us and go together.

 

show seating, pool access, tours, AYW dining make no difference whatsoever.

 

One nice thing - they will be able to order hors d'hoeuvress in the afternoon and can order enough for all of you. There will be lots of room in their suites and verandahs for all of you :)

 

It's not that big of a deal for the main activities on the ship at all:)

 

so, go ahead and cruise with them - it will be fine :D

[Krazy Kruizers]

kazu summed it up very nice

you should join your friends and have a great time

[sunlover58]

Hello Dutch- We are going to be first time Holland cruisers. We are hoping to do the Westerdam for a 14 night cruise in December. Thinking of doing a cat VE- need a bigger shower area so thought a balcony room would work rather than having to do a suite. Also, is there alot of activity in the evenings after 10? We like to go to lounges to here music and also enjoy the casino. Have done other lines where there is alot of action in all areas until at least midnight. THis is a concern that we have heard that the carper rolls up early on Holland. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Randyk47]

I wouldn't exactly say there are a lot of activities after 10 PM on HAL but there are some. In some ways we actually kind of like that. Nothing is particularly crowded or loud and it sometimes feels like you almost have the ship to yourself. I think people who like say the Las Vegas experience with literally 24/7 action might not like HAL, not the same atmosphere. Vegas is our quick let's-get-out-town-for-a-couple-days release but in no way do we equate it with cruising or particularly HAL. Really can't speak to other cruise lines as we've only had one cruise on Carnival years and years ago and one on Celebrity. Carnival was a lot like Vegas and Celebrity was pretty close to HAL. My thought is that mega ships like Oasis and Allure are probably much more active but I'm only surmising that because of the numerous entertainment venues compared to HAL.