Top 30 Must-Know Tips and Questions for 1st Time Cruisers with Holland America Cruise Line
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 14 ต.ค. 2024
- In this video, I'll share the 30 most important tips for people cruising with Holland America cruise line for the 1st time.
First Time Cruise Tips
1. Don’t Worry! They take care of you - no need to plan anything
2. Ask for fridge to be emptied
3. Buy magnetic books - for decorating door & hats
4. Pack a water bottle that you can refill
5. Onboard credit = onboard only
6. Ziploc bags or Tupperware for food storage
7. No need to pack a power strip with USB - but may be helpful
8. Download Navigator App
9. Pack something Orange for Orange Party
10. Pack something dressy for dinner
11. You will get a room key card - like a credit card (some people use a lanyard, I just put in my pocket or purse)
12. Dinner reservations for specialty restaurants - book ahead of time
13. I prefer assigned seating - better service
14. Get the laundry package
15. Boarding time varies - noon is the time for most (earlier is better)
16. Pack comfortable walking shoes!!
17. If going to ocean - pack shirt with SPF and polarized sunglasses
18. Hydropool is AMAZING
19. If flying with a layover - arrive a day ahead of time
20. Travel insurance - don’t get from HAL
21. No need to pack hair dryer, shampoo, conditioner, body wash, lotion
22. Know that daily tip is $17/person/day
23. Pack cash
24. Know that their website isn’t the best - have your travel agent call HAL for you
25. Don’t overpack!!
26. Book excursions earlier vs. later - better options plus can book with TripAdvisor or Viator
27. Bring a good book or audiobook and playing cards
28. Deck 5 or 6 in middle are the best
29. Pack your medications - and pack with your carry on!!
30. Pack a phone charger - may want an extra battery
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What's the #1 tip you'd give to people new to cruising with Holland America cruise line? 😃
Watch Cruise Tips w/Christina!! :-D
@@cindyking5035 Awww...thank you!!!
Hi Cristina,
We have made our first cruise made to Norway and iceland with the HAL and follows your tips. It was great en we will thank you very much!
Yay!!! You will have such an amazing time!! And please subscribe to be notified of new videos too! youtube.com/@cruisetipswithchristina?sub_confirmation=1
Thanks for the video. Getting excited for our Alaskan cruise next year. It will be our first time cruising with Hal.
Oh yay!!! You will have a great time!!!
Which cruise ship will you be on? 😀
@@cruisetipswithchristina On the Westerndam for a 28 day Alaskan cruise!
@@mattmerchant3543 Wow!!!! That will be amazing!!!
We have been to Nassau several times and would like to enjoy time on the ship while it is less crowded during a port day. What activities are available in port on the Niew Amsterdam?
THANK YOU!!! I watched all the way to the end - everything was so helpful!! I just ordered the magnet hooks.
Question about the ONBOARD CREDIT - You said that it can only be used - on board. Check. Just curious though if you have to say or indicate that you want that used....OR...do you just purchase items (like laundry service) with your room card and the onboard credit is then deducted from your bill at the end. Say for example your bill at the end is $100 and you have $25 in obc...then is your final bill $75? Or do you have to specifically say, "I want to use my obc for...blank."
So glad to hear you watched it to the end!! I was wondering if it was too long...and I didn't add any fun animations or anything this time.
I'm pretty sure you can just spend the $$$ and it automatically applies the onboard credit. But double check on the TV monitors in the room after 3 days to make sure!😀
This was a great video!!! If one finds the beds a little too firm ask your cabin attendant to provide a mattress topper. They will install it for you and you will get good sleeps for the whole cruise.
thank you for sharing!!! And I love the cute emojis!! 🐶🐵
@@cruisetipswithchristina sorry for the two comments...I didn't think the first went thru!
@@wayneunderhill2073 No worries!! Hope you are having a great weekend!!
Can you do a video on Holland American New entertainment. Heard no more step one dance show
Th😅 harvey
So if you get on board and have organized assigned seat dining in the dining room, and one day you decide to go to the Lido buffet instead, do you have to tell the dining room that you won't be dining there that evening? Or can you just bail on your assigned dining without telling them?
You can bail and just go to the Lido buffer. However, it would be nicer to let your waiter know that you'll be skipping dinner the following day (if you know in advance that you won't be there)...just so that they aren't waiting for you.
and please subscribe for more tips too! youtube.com/@cruisetipswithchristina?sub_confirmation=1
What a great video!!! if one finds the bed too firm you can request your room attendant to install a topper. You will then have good sleeps for the rest of the cruise!
Yes!!! Or you can be like my mom and pack your own!! (LOL)
Going to Alaska on HAL soon….do all ships have drinks in mini fridge? We do have drink package
Oh! Forgot to mention…the “Have it all” package offered at a special price is really a good deal. I called up HAL when this first came out and the staff member at the end of the line gave me the exact prices for each of the items included in the package. Turned out that the total price for all items is double the price offered in the “Have it all” package. Really good deal!
Yes!! It is a good deal if you want EVERYTHING that it includes. We personally never buy it because we don't drink alcohol...and even if we did it wouldn't be more than 4 drinks a day! 😃
Will this be your 1st time with Holland America cruise line? 😄
My mother and I are planning on getting the unlimited laundry service for a 14-day Alaska cruise next month. Is the price the same when purchased on the cruise as it is when purchased ahead? It's $119 if I purchase the package now. I'm wondering if I should wait so we can use onboard credit.
I'd get it now just to be safe...and you can use onboard credit for gratuities!
I'm cruising HAL to Alaska in 30 days. Which FB group should I join to make sure I've got all the info I need?
Are there tables available for solo travelers? Right now I signed up for anytime dining. Should I change that to assigned seating?
Yes, there are!!! But you don't need to sign up for it in advance. I'd look at the Daily Itinerary when you board.
I have paid for pre-cruise purchases (drink pkgs., excursions, WiFi, etc.) using On Board Credit (OBC) on other cruise lines. I find it interesting HAL doesn't allow one to do the same.
I agree!! It is strange and makes things very confusing too!!!
So, what can you use it for?....I am a first time crusher going in December.
@@sailingmoore Anything purchased on board. BUT excursions, WiFi, drink packages, etc. are usually more expensive purchased onboard versus purchased pre-cruise
Is there a way to text or message with other people on the ship like there is on princess and carnival?
Yes! Within the Navigator App you can send people messages. Or you can pay for the internet plan, in which case you can send texts if it's iPhone to iPhone.
Hi! Please ask questions to the crew. They will be happy to answer. This is the only way you will learn. If, like me, you used to have a crystal ball, it must still be at the repair shop! My crystal ball is still in repair and has been there for at leat the last 50 years!😊
What kind of questions do you ask the crew? 😃
I am a senior who will be a solo traveler for the first time going to the ABC islands on the Rotterdam 3/28/2025. Will Holland America Rotterdam be offering any special activities or meet and greets to make senior solo travelers feel more comfortable? I am hoping to meet other solo travelers on my cruise next year 3/28/2025.
Yes!!! My mom traveled solo once (well, more than once!!). The first day (or maybe the 2nd) they have a solo travelers meet and greet. They also have lunches for solo travelers. When my mom cruised, they had a dinner table for solo travelers too. I'd also recommend signing up for excursions to meet people, or plan your own and invite other solo travelers to join you!!
Great info. Thanks for making this video. Awaiting patiently for Holland to announce their Greek Isles cruise in 2026. Will be our first cruise!
@@SharessaTackett Oooo!!! That will be so, so much fun!!
Why wait until 2026 to go on a cruise?!
@@cruisetipswithchristina I’m cruising March 2025