View Single Post
  #6  
Old August 5th, 2005, 07:50 PM
D Ball
external usenet poster
 
Posts: n/a
Default

Karen, what a treat to have a new ship in New York for you and Hans to try.
I am sure you will feel very comfortable returning to HAL after your forays
into alternative cruise experiences--kinda like spending time with an old
friend. I understand there is controversy over the loss of certain classic
HAL features in the new builds and secondary to SOE enhancements. No matter
what you and Hans decide on that issue, I think you will find a lot to like
about many of the things that are new to HAL. We certainly appreciated the
graceful blend of old and new on the Rotterdam. As mentioned, we thought
Explorations was a particularly wonderful venue. There are comfy leather
couches and arm chairs, plus repro Eames chairs/ottomans with personal music
stations/listening headphones (ala Celebrity's Notes) looking out to the
ocean; a surprisingly large and varied library of books; a library-style
newspaper and magazine reading table (with current papers stocked each port
day); suede-topped community jigsaw puzzle table and card/game tables (with
separate card and gaming rooms, as well); Internet stations featuring free
access to HAL's website and the Times online; and of course, HAL's teaming
with the Times means the printed news digest with puzzle is delivered daily,
plus there are these tables with puzzles on them and grease pens...a fun
novelty. Oh, yes, and a specialty coffee bar ala Starbucks--but the prices
were better, e.g., my double latte was $2. And here's something to look
forward to: I have never slept so comfortably on a cruise as I did on the
Rotterdam. The new Euro pillow-topped mattresses are wonderful, plus we
asked our steward to add a topping to bridge the gap between the two beds
pushed together...it was absolutely divine!

Enjoy your planning and anticipation,

Diana

"Karen" wrote in message
...

Diana, thanks for your very balanced view of the ROTTERDAM, especially
compared with the cruises you've taken already. I haven't been on an
HAL ship in about seven years, and I'm kinda interested to try them
again, which will probably happen when the new NOORDAM comes to New
York as its home port next year.

Karen