Tampa Girl

Correction: There are verandah cabins on the Volendam. They are called Vista Suites, and they are somewhat larger than the verandahs on the later classes of Hal ships, such as the Vista class.

We were in a Signature suite on the Zuiderdam (a sister ship) last summer. I am a light sleeper and the rolling carts did bother me. I would not book any cabin under the Lido deck pool or buffer, but that location doesn't bother other people. It is strictly an individual matter.

I don't think that you can accurately compare any line's non-Grand Voyage with their world cruise. If you want a comparison, check CC's World Cruise site to compare the other cruise lines' world cruises and grand voyages. HAL, BTW, does a wonderful job in these sailings. All categories are up several notches: Food, service, lectures, entertainment and, of course, ports that the larger ships cannot get into.

Unless Japan's policy has changed in the last four years, simply carrying the prescription meds in their original container, which gives the date and the physician's name, is sufficient pre-authorization.

I thought that you did state the correct ship.

Sorry, I assume you were familiar with it since we had been talking about cancel for any reason. My bad!

Is Costco CFAR?

However, the Standard Plan (80% refund) is available to everyone regardless of residency, excepting residents of the UK.

You will have no problem getting entrees served without sauces. As long as it is the same meat and cooked by the same procedure, i.e. fried, broiled, baked, etc., there should be problem.

If a balcony is your second choice, why? There is more privacy, more cabin space, and no traffic outside the balcony cabin. I am afraid that I have never seen the value in a lanai.

Neither the '23 nor the '20 WC are fair examples of any ships' WC. The '20 was aborted mid-cruise, and the '23 was the first post-pandemic.I think if you read the blogs from HAL's '24 WC, you will see a considerable change - for the better! 2023 was the first WC since the aborted '20 WC, and it was on a larger ship. It was immediately post-pandemic, and there were made cutbacks. It appears that the '24 WC is back to the pre-pandemic wonderful WC cruises that HAL is known for. The blogs are worth reading.

Luggage direct and air credit are not standard HAL perks.

What is the earliest date of the brokerage statement on which one can apply for the Carnival OBC? As I recall, it had to be no more than two months old.

Looking at Hank's explanation, I understand that you are not locked into a fare until you pay and are ticketed. See #37. Hank, pls. correct if I am misunderstanding.

Hank, thank you so much for taking the time to explain the options. Is there any chance that a flight to New Zealand would include New Zealand Air as one of Flight Ease options? Somewhere I read in this form that even Economy Plus was very comfortable. Regardless, whatever flight we book will be either Business or Economy Plus. Never again will we suffer through 13 hours in standard Economy!