2 old to drive

On 3/4/2024 at 11:24 AM, Host CJSKIDS said:

As the Sun Princess is the first of the Sphere class ships for Princess, here is a thread for everyone to discuss cabins/staterooms and categories as there are new ones we have not seen before.  

 

I'm sure everyone would love to hear feedback  and advice from those who have sailed on her as well as videos or pictures of the various staterooms that you have sailed in.

 

Please, NO links or videos from Travel Agents from their sites, their you tube channels or their Facebook pages.  

I have read that the Sun Princess only  has delux balconies  so why am I paying more for one than I would pay for a balcony that is also listed, are they the same cabin except for the cost ?

On 12/15/2023 at 8:05 PM, MinnesotaMommy said:

We are cruising on HAL and this will be our first time at a private island. If we don’t book any extras, what is the experience at HMC?  Are there loungers on the beach to use for free?  What is available for lunch or drinks?  If I have a drink package on the ship can that be used on the island?  I’m wondering if I should reserve one of the clamshells so we have a place to sit on the beach?

The island is beautiful and the clamshell is a good idea but the cabanas are even better and if you can get another couple to share the cost not all that expensive and come with lots of snacks etc. plus the lunch they serve to every one is pretty good.   Have a wonderful time.

I see that someone said the drinks package did not work but I am pretty sure that ours did so ask on the ship .  

Flew home Nov.30th.  Prepare yourself for problems in any airport and with any airline because you are sure to face them. !

On 10/6/2022 at 12:12 PM, darstamp said:

My daughter and I are scheduled to sail to Hawaii next April on the Koningsdam.  It is an 18 day cruise there and back.  We were on the Koningsdam in June going to Alaska and found the entertainment lacking.  We liked the Lincoln Centre Stage and the Music Walk offerings although we found they got very repetitive.  We went to one lightshow/dance offering in the main theatre but that gets old pretty fast.  This was made even more evident on our recent cruise with Princess where there were several Quizzes, Music Trivia and audience participation games every day.  We loved it and had a great time.  My concern is that those 18 days are going to get really long unless the Koningsdam ups their game.  I would like to hear from anyone who has sailed on Koningsdam recently as to their entertainment level.  Thanks.

Sailed in October round trip to Hawaii, things have certainly changed but I hope you continue to enjoy it. 

They had huge lineups for dinner the first week but they were able to get that under control after so with luck you will no longer see that. 

Entertainment was O. K smoke from the casino was noticeable and it was especially in the evening. I do not smoke and that bothered me. 

Good luck but keep in mind NOTHING is the same after  Covid so grin and bear it.  J

On 3/4/2022 at 2:09 PM, DHLuCruise said:

I notice a couple people have done it, but others say it doesn't work. I'm just curious if that's worked for you. 

We used Switch home test in December 2021 for both the airline and the cruise ship with no problem. J

On 2/28/2022 at 8:22 AM, Mosaic said:

Keep in mind that Club Orange restaurant is just a nice dinor.

To me its not just the restaurant or the other benefits ,  its the fact that they have chosen profit over loyalty.   Saying  your a 5 star means  you have spent thousands of dollars with Holland America and I do remember when the Captain gave my husband his gold medallion my husband said" thank you, this is the most expensive piece of jewellery I have ever owned. "

Oh yes, we get the Military benefit on Princess also and appreciate it, that is something else he has earned.  J

On 1/21/2020 at 12:34 PM, knittinggirl said:

Does anybody know how much the cost of Club Orange?  I'm also looking for copies of their expanded menus. 

 

Personally, I think they should work the club orange amenities into the 4 star and 5 star perks.  I know on Royal Caribbean, the Diamonds or Diamond Plus members got priority seating and specialty coffee in the main dining room for breakfast, as well as a bottle of wine to the stateroom.

As a 5 star mariner on Holland I am a little insulted that my loyalty in sailing with them is now made little better that 2nd class to Club Orange.'  I do not have a special dining room or menus or most of the other perks.

I have a dedicated line to services on Princess as I am elite but not Holland America, makes me wonder why I continue to sail with them when I can just buy all the benefits on the first sailing.

4 hours ago, Riversedge said:

I’m out and about in which seems like a crowded ship.  I can’t imagine what it is like when this ship is actually full.  My exit from quarantine was sure different than the rude way I was treated as they were taking me to my cabin.   Everyone was all smiles and helped me with my luggage. I got no help on the way in.  No hazmat suits this time, no spraying around me as I exited.   I was out at 9:00 a.m. so I had the whole day to enjoy.  Lots of hugs from crew that I had gotten to know before quarantine.  We had dinner with my quarantine neighbor and her husband.  Interesting to compare stories and a few laughs.  
 

Out of curiosity I tested myself with one of the tests we brought aboard.  It was negative.  I really believe they should be testing at 5 and/or 7 days and if a negative response comes back people should be allowed to enjoy their cruise.  I’m feeling much better.  
 

I stopped at the future cruise desk to ask a question about having a deposit refunded.  He said I looked a little frustrated so I said I wasn’t happy with HAL’s worry free promise.  He said “You’re the one!”  He said guest services called him to ask about the promise.  He thot it was only if you were denied boarding, guest services didn’t know about it at all.  Their own employees are clueless?  He said there was a bit of a shake up at headquarters and now they have changed some things.  For better or worse  who knows,  but I must have made some waves.  The cruise consultant here told me to pursue it.  He was shocked to find out what quarantine is like.   There needs to be some education both to public and employees.

 

We are headed to San Diego tomorrow to spend one night.  Of course there’s a big winter storm where we are headed.  It’s one adventure after another!  Thanks for coming along on this part of my adventure and I wish you happy traveling.  Your good wishes have made a huge difference.

Linda

So glad your free and sure that you will "enjoy" the snow.  Keep well please. J

On 1/30/2022 at 7:36 PM, anaco_angler said:

Based on past experience, I would not recommend bringing a knife of any type in your luggage.

That is good advice as the security people will take it for safekeeping until the end of the cruise instead just "liberate" a couple of settings from the LIDO for use if needed and keep your fingers crossed you don't need them. J

A

21 hours ago, Riversedge said:

They asked me if I needed anything.  There were no suggestions as to how to treat myself.  They asked me when they first put me in and 3 days later.  I think if there was something I needed I could have asked.  I had ibuprofen and cough drops with me.  

Hope you are feeling ok and have a good trip home, we found your posts very interesting and have served as a good source of information.

Hopefully you will keep on cruising but with much better experiences on any future trips.  J

D

1 minute ago, Boatdrill said:

Did HAL's elitism start on this cruise, or has it always been that way ? Could you give an example of it please ?  

We are 5 star and get some great perks but in the day to day life on the ship I really do not see that we are treated any better so what elitism are you talking about? 

My best wishes to all. J

10 hours ago, Roaming Rover said:

Konningsdam June 5th Alaska inside passage

Has this cruise been cancelled in the last few days, am unable to get a straight answer from Holland America one way or the other.   J

On 10/5/2020 at 5:37 AM, Tapi said:

Please don’t waste your time on the lumberjack show. It’s awful. Like major tourist trap. About the duck tour; we did it (with small children). It did start a bit corny. Our tour guide was such a goof ball, but her sense of humor gradually grew on us.
 

We started the tour rolling our eyes at the jokes, but ended it laughing along with her. The actual tour was a good way to get a basic glimpse of Ketchikan, and our guide gave us quite a few tidbits of what life is like in Alaska (she was a born and raised Alaskan who had never left the state until she was an adult). Among the things she told us was that she couldn’t understand why visitors were so wowed at bald eagles until she visited other places. She always assumed that bald eagles were as common as they are in Alaska everywhere else.

 

It was a very easy tour for the kids, and for our specific needs it was a good choice. But neither the lumberjack show or the duck tour would be high on my list of activities while in Ketchikan. More like at the bottom of the list. So much more to see and do. 

Granted it's not fantastic but a lot of people have enjoyed it over the years so to each his own. 

The crab feast excursion is well worth attending if you enjoy stuffing yourself with great crab. 

I fully understand that they  are overwhelmed but I h ave gotten a couple of credits with nothing to tell me what they were for and. As I have had four cruises cancelled its very confusing. 

They have my loyalty and I want to cruise with HAL again but is difficult.  J

On ‎4‎/‎26‎/‎2019 at 2:01 PM, kiwicruisers51 said:

 

 

The cherry blossoms look amazing.  Did you do this port as part of a tour or did you do it solo??  Thanks

I have enjoyed the story of your journey and the wonderful pictures so very much.   We will be on the Westerdam next year and while we have toured Japan before there is so much to see and enjoy one could go a dozen times and still enjoy it.

Did you go to Tokyo as some of you pictures looked a little like a tour (Best of Tokyo) we signed up for but are having second thoughts about as the reviews are not good, we will probably take it and hope for the best.

Once again, thank you so much and enjoy your future travels.   Joyce

The info should be out Dec 1st. as that is when you can book. Looks great and we are looking forward to seeing it in person.

Holland America is going to have a new ship but not until early 2016 but I am sure it will be beautiful and can not wait to sail on it, so keep watching.

Very interested in hearing the possible new names but has anyone considered using the "Who gives" You can finish this one at any time.

We sail on both Princess and Holland America and it is difficult to say which we like better but here goes. Princess, bigger ships than we like but we always have a great time, the problems with the lido should be fixed on the Regal that we are booked on next. Food is close and entertainment if fine but there are always too many people and its hard to find a seat. The staff is smiling more, for a while they were so reserved but I suspect it was mentioned to improve this. GOOD SMOKING OR NON SMOKING POLICY.

Holland America: Size of the ships are better for us. crew is wonderful, food is fine and as my husband says, "there are never any surprises". VERY POOR SMOKING POLICY , we no longer book a balcony because of problems with smokers . We complained about the problems we had in this area and was told by the hotel manager to "sail with Princess". O.K. we will. Holland America used to make you as a frequent cruiser very welcome but the last few cruises they do not and at the Mariner's party for the 4 star people the Captain and Officers appear to hate being there.

Anyone who go on Celebrity may be impressed, we were.