PACD_JG

Is this the same dinning (sic) room that everybody in a Neptune Suite would have access to without having to pay for Club Orange?

The Koningsdam does open the bow for Glacier Bay. The bigger issue with the Majestic Princess...sails west of Vancouver Island. Essentially, it's pointless to sail from Vancouver if you're going to go the same route as the Seattle ships.

If you haven't been to AK, the scenery is the primary entertainment. I spent so much time on my balcony looking through my binoculars. And if you drink you won't be bored at night. I recommend balconies (verandahs) and recommend each person to bring their own binoculars. The upside to Vancouver is sailing through Johnstone Strait. The downside is flights into YVR and hotels in Vancouver cost $$$. I was on the Koningsdam in June 2022. Liked it so much that I'll be on her again in July 2023.

They look like empty nesters who finally got the last kid to leave their house. That's my dream...so that ad is certainly winning me over!

Given your ages and desires...why not HAL Koningsdam?

Nice...but that would mean HAL would have to charge more to meet that expectation. Do you honestly think HAL would have as many bookings if their fares were 25% higher than they are now? My bet is they'd be even more in the red if they did that.

So much smoke, just to prove financial relevancy. Remember when stores would offer layaway (maybe they still do that)? Probably cost more to employ workers in customer service and more real estate to store all the merchandise...just to have people say nevermind.

I thought the same thing. I'm pretty confident I would have ordered one if I saw it on the menu.

Perhaps more like Firestone-starred. 🤷‍♂️

That pretty much sums up the majority of long-time posters in this forum. And to tie that into the subject of this thread...because they feel entitled to it.

Whoa, that's different from November too. I drink Chianti so I know! I'm booked for this July and I've only been giving HAL side-eye since...not impressed.

Cynical...but I agree. Especially since the folks that want ballroom dancing most likely want early dining too.

I'm just hearing about this now. I'm curious to see if you know more because Holland America still has all of their ships that embark or disembark in Vancouver (Volendam, Koningsdam, Nieuw Amsterdam, and Noordam) going through Johnstone Strait.

Can't stand the word "traveler," but since you're asking which tourist is better - obviously the one that stays the longest (and therefore actually puts more money into the economy). I'll give you a for instance on my Thanksgiving cruise on NS to the Easter Caribbean. First stop, Grand Turk. The wife and I actually bought two drinks from Margaritaville, about $20. San Juan - wife bought a mug from Starbucks. Bought a sticker for NPS passport and a water from a street vendor. (NPS was free for me). Total, about $20. St. Thomas - not a dime. HMC - some beers and soda, but all on my cruise account so not sure how much the Bahamas received. Besides my "port fees", how did I contribute to the economy?

I didn't read through all the thread, but Ketchikan has black bears. Maybe you want to pet one?

One word. Kentucky...

This YouTuber did a video about the exact same question you asked. She goes through the daily activities on a sea day. I found it fair.

Or maybe Norwegians don't need your money? Same with the Mainers and the Conchs? Maybe I'm jaded because I went to middle and high school in Key West...but tourists generally suck, and cruising into a port for an afternoon and saying you've travelled is only a slight notch above landing at an airport and saying you've been there. And this talk of leviathans and five thousand passengers. As if HAL's 2-3 thousand passengers are any better?

Since this topic is back on the charts, I received another one of these offers two days ago. The surprising takeaway - giving away "free" inside staterooms on Pinnacle class ships during Spring Break - business can't be that great.

IMHO, the problem is HAL could really give two damns about their loyal mariners. They'll be back (or die first) regardless of how little HAL's loyalty program rewards.

It's like the 4 and 5 star mariners and/or the suite guests think they deserve the entitlement. Maybe they do, and there are already several cruise lines that provide that ship within a ship benefit. Easier to complain than switch though...

Everybody is a fan of the Grand Dutch Cafe, but is it really a revenue generator? Most are sailing with HIA, and HAL would make the same amount of money whether there are 10 places to get a drink or 3...hence, bigger casino.

Of course you have.

And yet you're still here...