Thank you!! Glad I won you over 🤣😁 You may also want to check out my other channel, Cruise Tips with Christina, for more cruise (and mostly Holland America) tips: ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
Thank you, thank you!! I'm SO glad to hear that! I created a whole new RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina, which is full of more Holland America cruise tips: ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
@@paullywalnutz How fun!! I'm uploading videos right now with tips on what to do in DR and Grand Turks. We didn't do it, but I would recommend booking a tour with "Supreme Snorkeling" in Turks & Caicos. We ran into a couple that did it and it sounded AMAZING! They got to snorkel and took home a conch shell that the tour guides cleaned out, cooked, and fed to them. $280 for 2 people. Not through a Holland America cruise and it sounded AMAZING😁If you don't do that, the beach in Turks & Caicos is so nice!
Very good video and explanation of the boarding procedure for Holland America . I’m leaving soon on a transatlantic cruise. I was given a boarding. Time of 3 PM, and the ship sails at 4 PM. Spoke with Holland America representative, and she told me that if I arrive before my scheduled boarding time, I will be turned away! I have taken more than 30 cruises, and have never had an issue with arriving by 11 AM and starting the boarding process. I do not expect to be given access to my cabin until they are ready, but to expect passengers to arrive at the dock at 3 PM when the ship is leaving at 4 PM! Ridiculous! Has anyone had an experience with arriving early with Holland America , the ship is leaving from Fort Lauderdale Florida. Thank you!
Yes!! We always arrive early. We get to board earlier I think because my mom is 4-star mariner, but I believe they begin letting everyone board at 12pm. I think the person you talked to doesn't know what they are talking about!! Usually the muster drill is at 2pm, and they ask everyone to complete that before 2pm.
Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
We went on the Westerdam from Seattle to Sydney in October 2022. We arrived a half hour before our time and it still took us about 2 hours to get through the process. Not sure if it was Seattle or HAL that caused the issue. We have been on HAL at least 15 times and never had a problem until this time. We are going on the NIEW Statidam next month out of Copenhagen and have a 12:20 arrival time. It will be interesting to see if they are as slow.
Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
Take my first one with Holland America March 4th , Fort Lauderdale. Going to St. Thomas US Virgin Island and San Jaun , PR, and Half Moon. Going with some first timers. Can't wait.
You will have so much fun!!! Did you book any shore excursions yet? Here's my guide on St. Thomas if you want to take a look! veryeasymakeup.com/st-thomas-cruise-port/
Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
I'm so glad you found the info helpful!! The boarding process is super easy and smooth with Holland America. I would recommend boarding EARLY vs. late. The lines are much much shorter in the morning. You can usually start getting on the ship a bit after 11am/
Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
It's super easy!! Check out this video: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-uObxiBPdD-Y.html They do ask that you go to a specific floor to check in. I would just go EARLY when they allow you to go and check in. It should be pretty smooth! Holland America is VERY good at accommodating people in wheelchairs and with canes.
when do we find out our boarding time? I am trying to work on our transportation from the city to the port in Rome. We are coming a day early and want to see Rome as much as we can. So any time we can spend in the city instead of waiting around at the port would be better. But we also don't want to be stressed. Would arriving at the port around 12:45 be okay? Thanks!!!!
Usually boarding starts a little bit before noon. Usually (a few days ahead of time) they give you boarding time. I always prefer to board earlier vs. later. Hope that helps!
Thanks so much for the comment!! So, so glad that you found this helpful! No - I don't believe they require COVID records anymore. I guess you are on the cruise RIGHT NOW. Sorry I didn't respond earlier! P.S. You may love to check out (and please subscribe!) to my cruise channel here: ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
Thank you for posting! Going on my first 2 Holland Cruises, an 18n on Volemdam over Thanksgiving and a 16n of Zaandam over Xmas and New Years. Question, you said took 60-90min to get threw everything? At most on Royal I'm onboard in 30min, last couple in 2022 was only 15min. Thanks again, enjoying your Videos
Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
not at all =) You may also want to check out my other channel, Cruise Tips with Christina, for more Holland America tips! ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
Thank you, Christine! My other party members and I will need to take care of pre-paying the gratuities. (We are doing this on-board so that we can use gift cards . . . that payment method is not allowed before hand!) Could you suggest when a good time to do that would be? e.g. right when we get on board or after we find our rooms?
For pre-paying the gratuities, I would actually do it whenever you don't see a line at the service desk! You will probably be busy the first day you get on the ship (unpacking, eating lunch, going to dinner, soaking it all in!)...I would go maybe the 2nd day of the cruise, or just whenever no one is in line. Tip: You can also choose how much you want to pay in gratuities - you can pay more or less than the normal amount.
We had to download VERIFLY (an app) ahead of time onto our phones and fill out the paperwork ahead of time for Holland America. Maybe they changed it though? Things change all the time! I know that Holland America emailed us about 2 weeks ahead of time letting us know about VERIFLY.
Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
I’m very confused!! I see this is a very recently posted video in 2023!! I was under the assumption that Holland America no longer requires vaccines or testing!! Is this a recent boarding experience? Canada did away with vaccine requirements at some point in October of 2022!! I’m freaking out here….We have a booking for 20 family members and some are not vaccinated, and we were not told that it is still a requirement!!
@@2ysur2ysib I think it depends on the cruise. We had to complete the documents via VERIFLY (this was in Jan 2023) and include our vaccine info in that. I know my mom is leaving from Argentina in March and has to get a COVID test ahead of time. I would check your cruise documents and call the cruiseline directly...I think it depends on the ship and where you are going.
Ok, yes, I think some overseas destinations still require proof of vaccination. Our cruise is from Vancouver to Alaska, so it’s not required for late next summer.
When you board the ship around 2pm. It's a MUCH better process now. Here's a video all about the life jacket training/muster drill: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-tEg6SFwXBgo.html
Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
I want to follow you but your hands are very distracting, would be better if you take a breath and relax into your video, make it more enjoyable to watch, good luck 😊
Thank you!! Getting the hang of RU-vid takes time. This is good feedback! I've probably gotten (or at least I hope!) WAY better on my newer videos, which you can see on my Cruise Tips with Christina channel: ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig 😃😄
Yes, they do! I think your best bet would be to carry pure vodka in a water bottle while going through security as a carry on. I've never tried it! Probably better to just buy alcohol on board or bring on the allowed wine amount...
Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
I spoke with Holland America this morning regarding Covid procedures., And boarding one hour before the ship sails! Ridiculous! They would like everyone to be vaccinated, but I don’t think they’re really checking. There’s no testing requirement as of today, but the representative said that could change tomorrow! I believe there is a health check two days prior to sailing. Happy cruising!
@@garyk4576 Yeah it is so so so confusing!!! Really poor communication. They should stick to 1 rule and keep it consistent and prominently displayed on their website.
Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
Thank you for the helpful video! Quick question, do you know what is the latest time to check in/board the ship? I have a friend arriving at 1:30PM at Fort. Lauderdale airport & the ship leaves port at 4PM, an Uber should be around 15-30 min. Again thank you!
That's a good question! Holland America doesn't say on their website how "late" you can arrive before they cut you off. You have to do the safety drill prior to departure, and that usually happens around 2pm or 2:30pm I think. I would highly recommend your friend change to an earlier flight. Flights are so often delayed recently (especially Southwest!) and the line to go past port security gets worse as the day goes on. My mom and I usually take an 8am flight to get into FLL by 11am and no later than 12pm. Another option is for your friend to arrive the night beforehand. I just wouldn't want to be stressed the day of a vacation!
@@TonyNoCeilings You will have a great time! Half Moon Cay is nice!! An insider tip is to go around 1pm, and then you can usually grab one of the chairs with an umbrella for free 😃
No - not like that. The keys are outside everyone's room. Once you board the ship, you grab the keys and they are yours. No one else has your keys. Does that make sense? Your luggage and belongings aren't in the room yet....
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My mom did that cruise with my nephew. It is FUN! Definitely download "VERIFLY" app onto your Android/iPhone ahead of time to complete your vaccination information. You need to do this about a week ahead of time. Otherwise, you will have to wait in a LONG LINE (my mom said it was a HUGE pain). If you download the VERIFLY app and complete the forms ahead of time, it is a smooth process just like every other cruise.
Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
The boarding process is pretty smooth! If you pay for Club Orange you can board right away, and the whole process would probably take 20 minutes or less...especially if you board early. How does the Celebrity boarding process work? I've heard their cruises are AMAZING! 😃😄
Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
Thank you again for the comment!! You may also want to check out my other RU-vid channel, Cruise Tips with Christina (and subscribe!), which is about cruise tips and cruising on Holland America Cruise Line! 😀🛳 ru-vid.com/show-UCh847HNQtEugL2OhGv780ig
