A prototype system was installed on the Statendam in May 1999. The Ryndam and the Volendam are scheduled to be outfitted with the system next, with the rest of the fleet to follow during scheduled dry docks. This would be more than a month sooner than the industry norm. The additional time gives passengers more time to review schedules and make changes if needed. Under the FlightChoice program, passengers who originally selected the Seabird Air program will have an extended period in which to switch to the Seabird Gold program if they would prefer different flights than those assigned.
Some people have a misconception about food on cruises.
With a few notable exceptions, it is very, very good, but not true gourmet dining. The food ranges from nearly gourmet food on a few of the upscale ships to consistently good and even great on occasion on other lines. On most ships, you'll get very high quality hotel banquet food. It isn't true that you have to eat yourself from one end of the ship to the other. Nearly every ships has lighter fare, including vegetarian dishes and those to accommodate special diets.