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

[Krazy Kruizers]

Westerdam night life as an example:

Piano Bar opens at 9 PM - music an sing along

Northern Lights opens at 9 PM - dancing and music

Casino opens within minutes of leaving a port

There are shows in the show lounge -- usually at 8 and 10 PM

Dancing and music in the Ocean Bar

Explorer's Lounge -- classical music to listen to by the Adagio strings

Movies on the Westerdam are usually shown in the Queen's Lounge or the Hudson Room -- this ship does not have a screening room

Sometimes there are game shows in the Queen's Lounge

The Crow's Nest will have a guitarist or something similar in the evenings

[DutchByAssociation]

Thanks to all that helped answer questions. There have been numerous "life" events going on lately including a death and an unrelated court issue involving a former friend that took up a lot of my time. I hope to speak with you all more as time goes on, and anyone that has a Q awaiting an answer still, please let me know and I'll do my best to reply quickly.

 

Also a sidenote:

I'll be on Zuiderdam from 5/11-5/14 and no access to the blog or cruise critic during that time

[DizzyDallasDi]

Thanks to all that helped answer questions. There have been numerous "life" events going on lately including a death and an unrelated court issue involving a former friend that took up a lot of my time. I hope to speak with you all more as time goes on, and anyone that has a Q awaiting an answer still, please let me know and I'll do my best to reply quickly.

 

Also a sidenote:

I'll be on Zuiderdam from 5/11-5/14 and no access to the blog or cruise critic during that time

 

I hope you have a very enjoyable time on the Zuiderdam. I'll be boarding her in mid July. :) Relax, kick back and regroup. A cruise can do wondrous things to re-center the psyche. Good Lord I sound like a metaphysical guru.....soooo far from who I really am. :)

 

Sounds like you've been through a lot of life's crap that we all get to experience. Hope you can kick back and enjoy yourself on the Zuiderdam. :D

[kazu]

Thanks to all that helped answer questions. There have been numerous "life" events going on lately including a death and an unrelated court issue involving a former friend that took up a lot of my time. I hope to speak with you all more as time goes on, and anyone that has a Q awaiting an answer still, please let me know and I'll do my best to reply quickly.

 

Also a sidenote:

I'll be on Zuiderdam from 5/11-5/14 and no access to the blog or cruise critic during that time

 

Sorry to hear this Dutch - I do hope that the Zuiderdam cruise gives you time to relax and you enjoy your cruise

[erewhon]

On the HAL website,each cruise itinerary lists the price of the cruise in the various categories, plus Government taxes and fees.

Can you explain what these are?

Are they paid to the USA Government, no matter which part of the world that the ship is cruising?

[ironin]

Thanks to all that helped answer questions. There have been numerous "life" events going on lately including a death and an unrelated court issue involving a former friend that took up a lot of my time. I hope to speak with you all more as time goes on, and anyone that has a Q awaiting an answer still, please let me know and I'll do my best to reply quickly.

 

Also a sidenote:

I'll be on Zuiderdam from 5/11-5/14 and no access to the blog or cruise critic during that time

 

Sorry to read about the problems. As promised, we didn't field an army of spies looking for you aboard the Zuiderdam. Unfortunately, we didn't run into you, either :(. Truth be known, we figured you were probably a tad busy with the 200+ travel agents aboard for the 3-day cruise. Hope all went well with that (and that you had an opportunity to experience the remarkable food and service at what must certainly be one of HAL's highest rated Pinnacle Grills).

 

All the best to you!

[DutchByAssociation]

Sorry to read about the problems. As promised, we didn't field an army of spies looking for you aboard the Zuiderdam. Unfortunately, we didn't run into you, either :(. Truth be known, we figured you were probably a tad busy with the 200+ travel agents aboard for the 3-day cruise. Hope all went well with that (and that you had an opportunity to experience the remarkable food and service at what must certainly be one of HAL's highest rated Pinnacle Grills).

 

All the best to you!

 

Hey there.

 

Funny you mention that as even our sea-based colleagues were asking if we were onboard for the travel agent group/function onboard. We actually weren't and were just on for the 3 days to get away from the office for half a week.

 

Between the food, the trivia, the amazing service, seeing Hunky Dory in the Vista Dining Room (he remembered us by name... and no, not 'DBA' ;) ) and the fabulous staff onboard we had an incredible time, even though the weather didn't 100% cooperate on this one. Hope you've had a chance to share a few minutes with DJ Issa, Travel Guide Danielle, Don the Beverage Manager and some of the many other fantastic crew. Not sure if you were in a suite or not, but if so I hope Grace and Jules in the Neptune were as wonderful for you as they were for us!

[DutchByAssociation]

On the HAL website,each cruise itinerary lists the price of the cruise in the various categories, plus Government taxes and fees.

Can you explain what these are?

Are they paid to the USA Government, no matter which part of the world that the ship is cruising?

 

The taxes and fees are compiled of quite a few things, but are primarily the amounts per guest assessed by the individual ports. Many people confuse this with sales tax and ask questions like "Why is the tax figure the same whether I'm in a suite or an interior room?" but that is not the case

[DutchByAssociation]

Sorry to hear this Dutch - I do hope that the Zuiderdam cruise gives you time to relax and you enjoy your cruise

 

It really did, thanks so much!

[DutchByAssociation]

I hope you have a very enjoyable time on the Zuiderdam. I'll be boarding her in mid July. :) Relax, kick back and regroup. A cruise can do wondrous things to re-center the psyche. Good Lord I sound like a metaphysical guru.....soooo far from who I really am. :)

 

Sounds like you've been through a lot of life's crap that we all get to experience. Hope you can kick back and enjoy yourself on the Zuiderdam. :D

 

Had a wonderful time and a chance to hit a "reset" button of sorts. Thanks so much! Hope you have a wonderful time in July!

[erewhon]

The taxes and fees are compiled of quite a few things, but are primarily the amounts per guest assessed by the individual ports. Many people confuse this with sales tax and ask questions like "Why is the tax figure the same whether I'm in a suite or an interior room?" but that is not the case

 

Thank you for your reply.

Are the taxes paid to the USA government ?or the government of which ever country is being visited on the cruise, e.g. the Volendam visits ports in Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, do these countries recieve any of the taxes?

[vino100]

Glad you enjoyed the Zuiderdam.I will be on her in Sept. and was wondering if they will have the master chef's dinner the last night or will they no longer have that dinner at all.

[ironin]

Hey there.

 

Funny you mention that as even our sea-based colleagues were asking if we were onboard for the travel agent group/function onboard. We actually weren't and were just on for the 3 days to get away from the office for half a week.

 

Between the food, the trivia, the amazing service, seeing Hunky Dory in the Vista Dining Room (he remembered us by name... and no, not 'DBA' ;) ) and the fabulous staff onboard we had an incredible time, even though the weather didn't 100% cooperate on this one. Hope you've had a chance to share a few minutes with DJ Issa, Travel Guide Danielle, Don the Beverage Manager and some of the many other fantastic crew. Not sure if you were in a suite or not, but if so I hope Grace and Jules in the Neptune were as wonderful for you as they were for us!

 

We agree about Grace & Jules: wonderful (and great fun to chat with as well!). We talked to Beverage Manager Don Collins every day. Neat guy with some great stories. Easily the most approachable of the so-called "big-wigs" aboard ship. Raymond Van Hoorn, asst. MDR manager and Lido Supervisor was quite engaging as well. More than a few times, we ran into Executive Chef Tony Tudla while ashore or about the ship, and he started up conversations with us. Chef Shajeev in the Canaletto was equally outgoing.

[DutchByAssociation]

Thank you for your reply.

Are the taxes paid to the USA government ?or the government of which ever country is being visited on the cruise, e.g. the Volendam visits ports in Australia, New Zealand and Pacific Islands, do these countries recieve any of the taxes?

 

Unfortunately this is a question I've already answered about the best I can. The details section in the back of the brochures may go into a little extra detail.

[DutchByAssociation]

Glad you enjoyed the Zuiderdam.I will be on her in Sept. and was wondering if they will have the master chef's dinner the last night or will they no longer have that dinner at all.

 

It is still a part of the Dining Room programming at this time.

[DutchByAssociation]

We agree about Grace & Jules: wonderful (and great fun to chat with as well!). We talked to Beverage Manager Don Collins every day. Neat guy with some great stories. Easily the most approachable of the so-called "big-wigs" aboard ship. Raymond Van Hoorn, asst. MDR manager and Lido Supervisor was quite engaging as well. More than a few times, we ran into Executive Chef Tony Tudla while ashore or about the ship, and he started up conversations with us. Chef Shajeev in the Canaletto was equally outgoing.

 

Never met Tony, Raymond or Shajeev but we got to know Don over the three days pretty well. Since it sounds like you had a suite, who knows... you may have unofficially met me after all... :)

[erewhon]

Unfortunately this is a question I've already answered about the best I can. The details section in the back of the brochures may go into a little extra detail.

 

Thank you for your reply.

[kazu]

DBA - Captain Albert announced on his blog that he would not be on the Prinsendam. It would appear that Captain Roberts will be replacing him from what various posters have heard.

 

If you can, could you confirm if this is the case? And if you want to share any other info about the new captain, please feel free ;) Thanks.

[DutchByAssociation]

DBA - Captain Albert announced on his blog that he would not be on the Prinsendam. It would appear that Captain Roberts will be replacing him from what various posters have heard.

 

If you can, could you confirm if this is the case? And if you want to share any other info about the new captain, please feel free ;) Thanks.

 

I'm not personally familiar with Captain Roberts so I really can't give any information about him as I have none...

 

As far as "is it true or not?" I can't imagine any reason for Captain Schoonderbeek to make a statement that wasn't true

[kazu]

I'm not personally familiar with Captain Roberts so I really can't give any information about him as I have none...

 

As far as "is it true or not?" I can't imagine any reason for Captain Schoonderbeek to make a statement that wasn't true

 

 

Thanks DBA - I didn't realize Captain S made the statement. :o One of the cc'ers had advised they heard on their cruise on another ship where captain Roberts was on. appreciated.

[thepoint]

Is there a benefit to being booked as a"collector's voyage 20day med cruise" verses the 10 day Med and the 10 day Roman Empire cruise. We are currently booked as the back to back verses the 20 day Med cruise. I didn't know if there was something special about being considered a collector's voyage. Thanks for your help.

[RuthC]

Is there a benefit to being booked as a"collector's voyage 20day med cruise" verses the 10 day Med and the 10 day Roman Empire cruise.

Two cruises booked as a Collector's Voyage generally cost less than the sum of the individual cruises. Sometimes there will be a meeting, luncheon, cocktail party, or something special for the Collector's passengers.

 

My last cruise was booked as a back-to-back as I was able to get that at lower cost than as a Collector's Voyage. I still got the Collector's invitations, and I didn't get the disembarkation information/survey for the first segment.

[vino100]

It is still a part of the Dining Room programming at this time.

 

Thank you for the info.I was hoping it was not part of the last night's dinner.

[thepoint]

Thanks Ruth, I am going to keep an eye on the prices. If you did the Med cruises - do you have any recommendations as to port tours? I have read a lot about Romelimo. We are planning on five days before the cruise in Rome. Any recommendations on hotels there? I just love cruise critic. I am learning so much about cruising. I agree with you on chocolate!!

[Krazy Kruizers]

Is there a benefit to being booked as a"collector's voyage 20day med cruise" verses the 10 day Med and the 10 day Roman Empire cruise. We are currently booked as the back to back verses the 20 day Med cruise. I didn't know if there was something special about being considered a collector's voyage. Thanks for your help.

 

I like the idea that HAL is now offering Collector's cruises -- instead of 2 bookings -- now you have just one -- and you do save a little money that way.