Recommended Ship-Boarding Time? (and a tipping question)

We're leaving on the HAL 10-Day Southern Carib Seafarer cruise on the
Volendam on Nov. 1 -- yippee!! The documents say embarkation time is
3:00 p.m. (with a 5:00 pm. departure time) -- what's a good time to
arrive at Port Everglades to go through security, etc.? Can we get on
the ship earlier than 3:00?

We'll have arrived in Ft. Lauderdale the night before, so in theory we
could arrive any time, but don't want to waste a lot of time just
sitting around looking at the ship from the outside... we'd rather be
boarded early to look at the ship from the INside!

Also, can someone tell me what's the recommended tipping schedule for
the various people who make our stay comfy and fun, like the room
steward, dinner maitre'd, etc.?

Thanks!
Karen
kmchan@linkline.com

>
>We'll have arrived in Ft. Lauderdale the night before, so in theory we
>could arrive any time, but don't want to waste a lot of time just
>sitting around looking at the ship from the outside... we'd rather be
>boarded early to look at the ship from the INside!

My experience has been that if you arrive between 11:00 and 11:30 AM, you
don't have much of a wait to board.

>Also, can someone tell me what's the recommended tipping schedule for
>the various people who make our stay comfy and fun, like the room
>steward, dinner maitre'd, etc.?


Tip the same as you would on any other mass market line. You will need
to carry cash for drink servers because you can't add the tip to your
bill.

I'm glad port security is keeping us safe that way. We all know that
terrorists don't have photo IDs, or if they do, it clearly has terrorist
written on the ID.


>
>FYI, if you have not cruised through Port Everglades recently be sure to have
>your photo ID handy as you enter the port. They stop all vehicles and want
>to
>see ID for everyone.

When we went on the Volendam last Spring we arrived about 11:30 and
had a considerable wait.Plus they didn't have enough seating so we had
to stand. It was long enough that our luggage made it to the room
before we did. I would wait until 1:00 or later if you mind waiting.

Ron

Odysseus <x@x.x> wrote in message news:<NAFkb.832563$uu5.145976@sccrnsc04>...
> >
> >We'll have arrived in Ft. Lauderdale the night before, so in theory we
> >could arrive any time, but don't want to waste a lot of time just
> >sitting around looking at the ship from the outside... we'd rather be
> >boarded early to look at the ship from the INside!
>
> My experience has been that if you arrive between 11:00 and 11:30 AM, you
> don't have much of a wait to board.
>
> >Also, can someone tell me what's the recommended tipping schedule for
> >the various people who make our stay comfy and fun, like the room
> >steward, dinner maitre'd, etc.?
>
>
> Tip the same as you would on any other mass market line. You will need
> to carry cash for drink servers because you can't add the tip to your
> bill.

Karen,

While HAL has a "no tipping required" (different from a no tipping) policy,
you're absolutely correct to feel that good service should be rewarded.
Typical recommendations from other cruise lines are $3.50 per person per day
for the room steward and waiter, with $2.50/person/day for the assistant
waiter. Typical tips for the bar waiters and sommelier if you use their
services.

HAL has been revamping their boarding procedures over the summer. Those
passengers arriving early are being invited to board the ship, though they may
not be able to access their cabin until around 1PM. You are, however, welcome
to go to the Lido Buffet for lunch or wander the ship. Takes the crowds out of
the boarding area and allows you more time onboard.

Enjoy! I'll be on the 2 Volendam cruises after you :)

Amber

I've never been on a cruise where the 15 % tip for drinks was not added
automatically to the total. Do you actually tip cash for each & every
drink? If so, I think your tipping twice for the service.

"Odysseus" <x@x.x> wrote in message
news:NAFkb.832563$uu5.145976@sccrnsc04...

>
> Tip the same as you would on any other mass market line. You will need
> to carry cash for drink servers because you can't add the tip to your
> bill.
>

We are doing the same cruise on Dec. 11. I hope you will post a
detailed review.

Have a great cruise!

Laura

Karen M Chan wrote:
> We're leaving on the HAL 10-Day Southern Carib Seafarer cruise on the
> Volendam on Nov. 1 -- yippee!! The documents say embarkation time is
> 3:00 p.m. (with a 5:00 pm. departure time) -- what's a good time to
> arrive at Port Everglades to go through security, etc.? Can we get on
> the ship earlier than 3:00?
>
> We'll have arrived in Ft. Lauderdale the night before, so in theory we
> could arrive any time, but don't want to waste a lot of time just
> sitting around looking at the ship from the outside... we'd rather be
> boarded early to look at the ship from the INside!
>
> Also, can someone tell me what's the recommended tipping schedule for
> the various people who make our stay comfy and fun, like the room
> steward, dinner maitre'd, etc.?
>
> Thanks!
> Karen
> kmchan@linkline.com

Karen M Chan <kmchan@linkline.com> wrote in message news:<3F930C73.C5AECA57@linkline.com>...
> We're leaving on the HAL 10-Day Southern Carib Seafarer cruise on the
> Volendam on Nov. 1 -- yippee!! The documents say embarkation time is
> 3:00 p.m. (with a 5:00 pm. departure time) -- what's a good time to
> arrive at Port Everglades to go through security, etc.? Can we get on
> the ship earlier than 3:00?
>
> We'll have arrived in Ft. Lauderdale the night before, so in theory we
> could arrive any time, but don't want to waste a lot of time just
> sitting around looking at the ship from the outside... we'd rather be
> boarded early to look at the ship from the INside!
>
> Also, can someone tell me what's the recommended tipping schedule for
> the various people who make our stay comfy and fun, like the room
> steward, dinner maitre'd, etc.?
>
> Thanks!
> Karen
> kmchan@linkline.com

We like getting to the pier early. Most ships board around noon. If
their tickets say 3pm, I would call HAL up to varify the time,
1-800-426-0329. I would still get there early. Holland America has a
no tipping policy, but you can tip whatever you want if you like. The
average tipping on other lines are approximently the following.
Waiter - 3.50 per person per day
Busboy - 1.75 to 2.00 per person per day
Room steward - 3.50 per person per day

Tipping is not required on any line. It's only to show your
appriciation.

Randi

We will be on this cruise ! Yes we are HAL regulars -live near by.
Boarding is never Quite the same each time --mostly because of security.

We will be on DEC 11th cruise