mauimacho

I was also on the Viking Passage and much prefer something like the Amsterdam but we choose our cruises based on itineraries.

17 minutes ago, GeezerCouple said:

Very glad I just read this here.

 

We are probably  going to book our first HAL cruise, and we may have waited a couple of days!
Our TA was indeed able to got the free gratuities!  Nice, for 14 nights in a Neptune suite.

(What are the regular pries for gratuities for suites on HAL?  I'm just getting started absorbing the website!)

 

Many thanks!

 

CC is just wonderful!

 

GC

HSC for Neptune Suites is $16 per person per day.

5 hours ago, kazu said:

 

I wouldn’t fret Denise.

 

The new Explore4 is not the standard and it doesn’t appear to appeal to many.

 

I suspect the regular Explore4 will be back.  I thought the current Explore4 was still on, it certainly is for my friend who got the prepaid HSC and already had it with the $800 OBC.

 

Certainly, I know the SBP Explore4 appeals to more people than the current package.  

Heres a vote for the new Explore 4. I never cared about the SBP because we don't drink.

I always ask my PCC to send a copy.

I'm on the Zuiderdam right now and the NL is busy most of the day.

Is there a way to go door to door from the airport to the Olimpia?

We're looking to stay as close to the pier as possible. Any recommendations?

1 minute ago, Hawaiidan said:

I long ago started booking direct with the airlines  using IATA Matrix.com    Fares change daily and sometimes hourly.  The new fare pricing program starting in October will price the flight...each one based on demand for THAT flight.   

When you book via a 3rd party like HAL your upping your chances of problems...Price line and Expedia    all those. I found I could always get better flights and cheaper  booking direct   I book UAL/ Star Alliance.   Be aware..AA/Delta are consistently the most expensive.    Checking Martix.com  will be an eye opener

I check flights on ITA Matrix often and Flight Ease is much cheaper - at least for Business Class.

Danish Viking if you could indulge another question. I have about 4 hours in Copenhagen and staying at the Park Inn. Is there a HOHO bus to take to see what I can see in that time period?

I saved $6000 each for Business Class  PHX to CPH for July.

We used Flight Ease for business class PHX to CPH in July and saved $6000 a person.

Our final payment is next week and I just saved over $600 today.

We'll be looking to take a taxi from Park Inn to the pier. Can we just get one in front of the hotel, or have the front desk get one? And how much approx. for 2 people?

I guess that's why its called On Board Credit.

I'm surprised it took this long. I know people at HAL read this website and there are many threads about transferring bookings.

21 hours ago, daisy-mae said:

 

If you don't mind drinking fountain soda you can pre-purchase a $50 card for $25. Add a bottle of spirits for your stateroom for under $50 and you're good to go.

How many sodas do you get for  $50?

Thanks, our final payment is due next month for July cruise. I will keep an eye on the flights.

I checked for our upcoming Copenhagen stay and HAL price is 3 times the price booking directly. 

This was about 7 years ago but I brought my clubs on with no problem and used them a number of times. I kept them in the closet.

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

One tip that USUALLY works (but not on every ship).

 

I do not like the free bottle of sparkling wine that the Captain "gifts" to you in your cabin when you arrive.   I take it to the Neptune Lounge and exchange it for a bottle of house wine.  Sometimes they will offer you something else instead, like sodas or water.

 

We've always exchanged for  sodas with no problem.

Got the Explore 4 added to our July 2020 Med cruise with no price increase. 

Any advice for a one day rental? We'll be there the end of July.

I thought I read some reports on here that some people who had reservations on FlightEase and later went to check on better prices or flights had the original reservation cancelled.

The 330 day limit applies to the end of the cruise even if you are only using FlightEase for the pre cruise portion.

I always only deal with our PCC. She has pulled a few strings for me more than once. I have never felt a need  to transfer.