kenphy

Does anyone know how to find out if Maker’s Mark (for example) is included in the HIA package?

Absolutely would do a 20 on her!  We just did a 12 day in the Med and were totally surprised how very much the crew loved this ship.  Yes, it is getting old and needs some maintenance, but the food is fabulous, the crew terrific, the service nearly flawless, just everything about this ship and the cruise was great.

We are booked on the Zuiderdam on a 7 day trial to Quebec to Boston in September in a verandah.   We are also booked on the Koningsdam for the 35 day South Pacific from and to San Diego in February in a veranda.  We don't have to make final payment on the Koningsdam until we return from the 7 day.  Of course, we are so excited, but in the 55 years (yes!) we have been married, I bet we haven't slept in other than a king more than 20 or so days.  That's what initially brought us to the Neptunes.  Hope this helps you all to give any more advice (sorry I didn't include this info when first asking for help)

Thanks again for every comment above.  

Yes, being four star does help, and adding Club Orange on the Koningsdam will help.  We just got off a 12 day Med on the Oosterdam (yes, in a Neptune)

We are in a quandry and would like advice.  Up to now (through 17 cruises)  we have done the last 15 in a Neptune suite (yes - spoiled).  However, we want to start booking longer cruises, which would be out of our price range in Neptune, and want to explore other options.  We are wondering if a veranda cabin (although smaller) would be a choice we should explore.  We are booking a shorter (7 day) cruise in a veranda to try it out.  We would like any comments and advice anyone has.  Thanks in advance to all of you.

Both the Rotterdam and Eurodam are docked at Port Everglades.

We are arriving two days before the cruise early in the morning on a Sunday and staying two nights at AC Hotel Diagonal L'Illa.  Does anyone have any comments on this hotel or how far it is from the cruise port for Tuesday morning.   Thanks in advance!

On 9/30/2022 at 5:39 PM, oakridger said:

I’m on Nieuw Amsterdam now in Ketchikan. I got my mariner tile in my cabin yesterday. (Day 4 of the cruise). I don’t collect them so will return it to the guest services desk. I just wanted people to know that they seem to be up to date getting them now, at least on this ship. 

Thanks!

On 9/22/2022 at 1:56 PM, atexsix said:

So have we.  

 

So do ours.

 

🤣🤣🤣

We have a long sofa table, where they are the top -- still need about 10 -- missing some from our January 2022 cruise, but got the ones from our July 2022 cruise - doesn't make sense!

On 9/20/2022 at 4:00 PM, Yipper said:

We normally receive tiles towards the end of our cruises,  However, we have been waiting for the tiles from a Koningsdam cruise in February.  A note to customer service says it a supply chain issue and they will be mailed to us when they receive them - it now been 7 month!  Is anyone else experiencing long delays in receiving these?

Still waiting for ours from January 2022

2 hours ago, Mary229 said:

I would think the coffee maker in the room has a “tea” setting for dispensing hot water

That is true.  The "keurig" does hot water in the Neptune Suites

2 minutes ago, Roz said:

 

Yes, you are fully vaccinated.  You only needed one booster to meet the requirement.  

Thanks   HAL told us we couldn't go on the July Alaska cruise without the second booster, because our first booster was more than four months before.  We are asking now because we have a May 2023 cruise - but who can possibly predict what they ar going to do by then.   

On 9/3/2022 at 7:50 AM, Roz said:

Has this been discussed?  I saw it on HAL' s website.  If I understand it correctly, essentially testing requirements are gone and unvaxed passengers may sail. Unvaxed passengers still have to present a negative test.

 

Simplified Cruising

We have relaxed our global protocols and travel requirements. *Starting on Sept. 6, 2022, all travelers are invited to cruise with us, regardless of vaccination status.

Vaccinations are not required on most voyages. Vaccinated guests will no longer have to test before boarding and only need to show proof of vaccination. Unvaccinated guests are welcome aboard with a self-administered COVID-19 test taken within 3 days of embarkation.

Some voyages require Enhanced Protocols. Before you cruise, check our  Enhanced Protocols PDF to find out if if your voyage requires additional health regulation requirements.

If your voyage is not included on the Enhanced Protocols PDF, you can learn more about guidelines specific to your destination here. 

So, here is the problem:  we have both had both of the first two shots and then the two boosters.  The CDC doesn't recommend booster #3 and neither does our doctor.  Apparently, there is not even a booster #3 according to the CDC.   We do not want another booster in any case.   So, problem:  are we fully vaccinated?

On 8/22/2022 at 3:25 PM, iancal said:

Yesterday we purchased a travel product in Mexico from a UK travel agent.  We paid 1280 GBP.   

 

Simply by selecting one our credit card with no FX fees saved us $50. over what we would pay on our regular credit card that charges the FX fee.

Great advice    Thanks

6 minutes ago, WVU_Neal said:

I was in London and Amsterdam for 3 weeks last May, not on a cruise. I converted no funds to Pounds or Euros. I have an iPhone set up for Apple Pay, and 2 no foreign transaction fee credit cards. I rarely needed a physical credit card as public transportation, most restaurants, and most shops did contactless transactions. A much better experience than in the US.

 

Note: to use Apple Pay you will need internet access.

Thanks!

On 8/13/2022 at 12:25 PM, zhuangcorp said:

Why would Carnival announce this change but HAL not announce it?

Frankly (and I sure hope I am wrong or we will have to figure out how to get a test next May in Barcelona, as we are going early), I would not be surprised if HAL isn't the last line to announce a change in testing/vac requirements, as more than half of HAL is older people who have lost many friends to COVID and believe that vaccines do prevent COVID, and they expect that HAL will do a good job watching their health.  That said, I could be wrong, and I do know that HAL is allowing some passengers to board with a medical exemption and just a test.  Let's see what happens (and I admit to being a real HAL fan -- going on our 17th next May)

11 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

https://www.bankrate.com/finance/credit-cards/chip-and-pin-credit-cards/

Thanks so much -- I am actually a B of A retiree, but the 9 years since retirement have seen lots and lots of technology changes.  I truly appreciate everyone's help on this question.  And, yes, I do have a Chase card as well.

On 8/12/2022 at 12:20 PM, mom says said:

Excellent advice from Cruisemom 42. If this is your first trip to Europe I highly recommend  gett8ng and reading the Rick Steves Mediterranean  Cruise guidebook. Besides dealing with the usual ports and their attractions, you'll find a wealth of information about the minutiae of money matters, getting around, how to DIY excursions, etc.

 

 

Coming tomorrow -- thanks for the hint.  

16 minutes ago, mom says said:

Excellent advice from Cruisemom 42. If this is your first trip to Europe I highly recommend  gett8ng and reading the Rick Steves Mediterranean  Cruise guidebook. Besides dealing with the usual ports and their attractions, you'll find a wealth of information about the minutiae of money matters, getting around, how to DIY excursions, etc.

 

 

Thanks -- just ordered the book.   We appreciate everyone's help!

We have never been to Europe before.  We are booked on a HAL cruise in the Mediterranean next May, and we are trying to figure out what to do about money.  It is apparent that pretty much only Euros are used, but what does that mean?  Do we have to bring lots of Euros in cash, can we use credit/debit cards anywhere, do we still tip in American dollars on the ship, and how safe is it to have lots of Euros in cash?   

We have been on 17 cruises, but never to Europe, so we are confused.  I imagine lots of people can answer this, but we are in the planning stage.

Thanks to all!

We are on the Oosterdam on May 30, 2023 (I believe with you!)  We will be celebrating our 55th (!!) wedding anniversary.

We are on the Eurodam, July 9, 2022, Alaskan Explorer -- will be out 16th HAL.

6 hours ago, MISTER 67 said:

One week to go until our cruise on the Rotterdam! Looking forward to it as we haven't sailed on a Pinnacle class ship.

You will love it!  We sailed for 10 days in January on the Nieuw Statendam (also a Pinnacle) and absolutely loved it.  It was our 15th HAL cruise, so we were so pleasantly surprised that HAL has made the Pinnacles even better.  If you have Club Orange, take advantage, it really helped to make our cruise.

We are sailing on the Eurodam on July 9 2022 from Seattle round trip.

Three things to do right in Anchorage:  one of the best museums ever, the largest multi-level shopping mall, with many shops not in mainland American malls, and -- walking -- all the way from the water to miles up the main street of Anchorage.  Don't remember being so tired -- it was wonderful

And -- my favorite restaurant in the world  THE GLACIER BREWHOUSE.

Loved Anchorage.

Since we have had three cancelled HAL Alaskan cruises, we missed our favorite place in Skagway -- the glass blowing place.  Unfortunately, our WE ARE GOING cruise in July doesn't stop there.  I keep hearing rumors that Carnival "bought" Skagway -- can that be true?