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Great information. We are elite so I will first go to Guest Services for free tokens. Thanks all. 

What is the current cost to wash and dry your clothes in the self-service laundry? Do the machines take tokens or coins and do you get them from Guest Services or from a machine in the laundry room? Thanks in advance. for your help.

Thank you Host Kat and Scottca075. Hope I get some more responses.

Looking for information on "Park (for cruise duration) and Stay (1 night) and Parking Garages near Piers (27-39).  Thank you

Are you eligible for the exclusive Club Orange (on all ships by October 19, 2019) if you are in a Signature Suite?

Thanks for the information.

We received an e-mail about progressive cruise check-in time for 4 and 5 Star and by Deck check-in times. Standard has generally been they start boarding about 11:30 based on number you are given. Is boarding still about 11:30 or is it now 1pm?

What is generally the latest time you can disembark from the Port of San Diego? Can you still stay in your cabin until you disembark?

Thank you for the information. 🙂

What like the following information please

Where is the Welcome Onboard Mariner Society Reception held and is it still between 2-3PM?

Is the Mariner Champagne Brunch at noon and is it in the Lower or Upper Dining Room (read it's in the Main Dining Room and if true which is the Main)?

When is the next sale?

Is the gratuity included in the price of specialty dining?

Is the dining room open on embarkation day? 

Please post a Princess Patters (cannot find via search). Thanks.

David/all: Can you take luggage on the escalator during walk-off's and what size luggage is permitted, e.g. can you take large suitcases? We disembarked Celebrity on September 9, 2018 and only saw the carry-on size luggage. Walk-off's were greatly discouraged because of "Port Size and walk-off's were not safe because of escalator width". Those doing walk-off's were to see the Excursion Desk. We saw walk-off's with "carry-on" luggage on the escalator.

Lots of great additional information. Thanks so much

Thanks so much for the information everyone. The link to the step-by-step guide was especially helpful. Are you still required to complete the Customs Declaration Card?

This will be our first time flying into Vancouver BC. Please tell us what to expect (customs, immigration, etc.). Thanks

Thank you Storylady.

Thank you Hlitner and Ruth. I'm going to take Ruth's advice - great suggestion.

I've searched Cruise Critic, online generally and at various cruise lines individually for a summary or overview that would feature the basic pros and cons. Most of what I found is too generic. I would appreciate links or any ideas to help in my search. Our neighbors have never cruised and and want this type of information. A summary I can put together would include Princess, Celebrity, HAL, Royal Caribbean, and Carnival from my viewpoint only (lines we have sailed).

I think the feeling of crowding is all down to how full the cruise is. When I sailed on the Zuiderdam in October 2016 and it never felt crowded. When I sailed on the same ship in December 2017/January 2018 it always felt crowded. The 2016 sailing was not full to capacity, while the 2017/18 cruise was as close to capacity as any cruise I have ever been on.

 

It's my opinion that the facilities on board are designed for a ship sailing at less than capacity and when you get close to one butt per bed capacity, things get tight and crowded.

 

And it's not that the 2017/18 cruise was a holiday cruise, we have taken other cruises on similar itineraries that were not as full to capacity. I know HAL wants to get as much revenue as possible from heads-in-beds, but as a passenger (and stockholder) I prefer sailing on less than capacity cruises. I'm certainly more willing to spend more in the bars/lounges when I can find a place to sit and a table on which to put my drink!

Agree with you on per cabin capacity. This cruise had more children than what we normally see on a HAL Alaska itinerary. During our last 3 HAL cruises we have also noticed a wider age range and overall younger cruisers. It would be interesting to see any HAL data on this.

We were on the Eurodam May 12-19, our sixth cruise on HAL. The Eurodam passenger capacity is about 200-300 more than the Westerdam with a space ratio of 34 vs 35 for the Westerdam. We noticed the overcrowding throughout the ship but especially in the Lido Market area.

Updated Crow's Nest - You still see puzzles out and various nook locations of books but related to destination and travel. Overall we still enjoy this area. Pinnacle Grill service was not up to our usual experience and one dinner complained about waiting at least 15 minutes before a waiter arrived. While service in the Lido has improved since our first HAL cruise, it still is not up to the level we consistently find at the Horizon Court on Princess. Food quality overall we find better on HAL but more dining venues and choices on Princess.

Most new cruisers we spoke to, except one who was very disappointed in entertainment choices and quantity, were very happy overall and eager to sail with HAL again.

We both have the Classic Alcohol Package. One of us wants to upgrade to the Premium Alcohol Package while the other does not. Is that possible?

On a Monday I think you stand a good chance of making it, but the TSA lines at SeaTac seem to be the hang up. I was there one morning at 4:30 am and the lines were already long and backed up.

 

Roz

So true about TSA long lines that back up.

I would choose the earlier flight and not wait 5-6 hours for the next one. Speaking from multiple experiences flying out of Seattle you WILL make it if you line up for Self Assist early and are among the first off (assumes you are off the ship between 7:30-8:00 am). Yes Seattle is a busy airport but the 10:50 am flight is only 10 minutes earlier then the recommended "no flights earlier than 11:00 am". Check to see how many ships are in port, time arriving at port, and any other factors like TSA, etc. It can be stressful.