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kenphy

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Posts posted by kenphy

    Age 70+ cruising

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Yes, we have a cruise to Alaska booked at the end of July (we are on that roll call) but we are wondering if anyone has any information on what HAL is  intending for the over 70 cruisers.  We are 72 and 73, and are in really good shape (husband has an autoimmune disease which has been in remission for over 10 years, and thanks to fantastic medicine, he should remain that way) but we keep hearing that when this is over, us 70 + people won't be able to cruise.

     

    Of course, there are other issues as well (besides the obvious one on the progress of Coronavirus):

     

    1.  Will HAL be cruising?

    2.  Will Vancouver cruise port be open?

    3.  Will flights be happening?

    4.  Will Alaska be open?

     

    But our deposit in due in three weeks and one day, so lots to think about!

     

    Any comments would be appreciated.  Thank you

     

    Ken and Phyllis in SC

    **** Holland America Board's Future Cruise Listing Updated February 28th, 2020 ****

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    On 2/28/2020 at 8:52 AM, kazu said:

    The Bon Voyage threads are derived from this listing.

     

    If you would like to receive a Bon Voyage, I need the following details posted please:

     

    Your EMBARKATION date  

    The SHIP you are on    

    # of days (including if you are on  a Collectors or B2B) & the NAME of  your cruise  

          

     B2B?  If you want Bon Voyages for  them, please give the dates. 

     

    Thank you 😄

     
    •  

    Maasdam July 27, 2020, 14 days Alaska   kenphy  - 16th HAL

    How many pairs of shoes do you bring?

    in Cruise Rituals

    Posted

    On 11/26/2018 at 10:56 PM, angie7911922 said:

    I apparently under pack. 🙂

    Flip Flops for pool (1 pair)

    Sneakers for working out (1 pair)

    Sandals for dinner at night (1 pair) 

     

    I don't spend much time "getting ready" while I'm on a cruise.  There is too much to do.

    You pack just like me -- I discovered many cruises ago that black or white sandals love to go to dinner every night!!

    juneauharborwebcam.com

    in Alaska

    Posted

    On 1/31/2020 at 7:14 PM, gottagoacruzn said:

    Hey, I look at the webcam maybe twice a week, they got snow now.

    I have checked every day for the four years since we first cruised/land toured to Alaska.  We have been able to watch several members of our family and lots of friends arrive and depart in/from Juneau.  I have written a thank you note to the restaurant sponsoring this site -- I love it.

    Does this work? Seward to Anchorage

    in Alaska

    Posted

    4 hours ago, wolfie11 said:

    I did this trip last year and we docked in Anchorage, not Seward. I expect it’s the same this year which would account for the short tour times.

    We are docking in Anchorage on a 14 day cruise this summer. Was the port close to the city? Is it a long walk to say the Museum or the mall (which we learned on our last trip is the ONLY mall in Alaska!) we will have plenty of time to eat at Glacier Brewhouse (my favorite restaurant in the world) but we are trying to determine what else we really have time for. Any help you can provide on the Anchorage port would be really appreciated!  Thanks

    Favorite beverage

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Louis XIII

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

     

     

     

    A drink called Champagne Dream. Wow!! Of course if you ask me what my life’s ambition is: For every bartender on every HAL ship to know I drink Sweet Manhattans on the Rocks. Have a long way to go

     

    That’s really a joke, folks, but I am trying

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Have we cruised too often; do we know too much?

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Totally agree with you. My daughter stated "Mom, some people just like to complain"!

     

    Perhaps it is because I am getting older, and sometimes I don't particularly like the things that were special about HAL going away, but every single time we cruise, I often stand somewhere looking at the ocean (or dinner, or the pool, or the lido or the shops or the ports) and say to myself that there are no doubt millions and millions of people who would give anything to change places with me at that moment, or for the week.

     

    In less than 9 weeks, we are fortunate enough to be taking our two sons, two daughters in law and four grandchildren (the whole family) on a week's cruise to celebrate our 50th anniversary. I plan to smile the whole time. How lucky we are to make it to 50 years, and how lucky we are to be able to spend the kid's inheritance on such a wonderful memory.

     

    Every time we step on board a cruise ship, I say a little prayer for all those who have not had our good fortune.

     

    Phyllis

    Out of all the cut backs over the years, what is the one thing ...

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Capital investment dollars and ability to secure/carry debt is finite.

     

     

     

    I would assume that Carnival Corp. applies capital investment dollars to their subsidiaries based upon their respective financial results and Subsidiary ROI on investments.

     

     

     

    If this is so it would lead me to believe that HAl is not exactly best in class of the competing subsidiaries when it comes to results and ROI.

     

     

     

    HAL could never be best in class of the subsidiaries, because HAL customers don’t spend as much on drinking and onboard activities. Frankly, I loved lots and lots of the things HAL used to do and would be more than willing to pay (obviously more) to have them back.

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Out of all the cut backs over the years, what is the one thing ...

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    #1: The warm/hot hors d'oeuvres served in all of the Lounges during scheduled Happy Hour times as well as during the hours prior to all seating times for Dinner without having to expect the guest requesting such. THIS IS MY BIGGEST MISS -

     

    #2: A Welcome On-Board Program during the first Gala Night where the Captain introduces his Senior Officers. THEY DID THIS LAST TWO CRUISES in 2015 and 2016

     

    #3: The Disembarkation Speech by the Cruise Director can surely be dispensed with. But, the Farewell "show" from the Cruise Staff and the available (maybe assigned) crew has always made an indelible impression on my travelling companions and me. I've seen tears from fellow guests leaving these presentations and I will admit that my eyes have been more than moist as well. LOVED IT, TOO

     

    #4: Holland is noted for its flowers. The reduced public displays of floral creations, as well as the rather unusual (probably very modern, I suppose) flower arrangements is something that I have noticed.

     

    #5: A Pinnacle Grill issue: Grass fed beef, currently served in the PG, is no where near the quality of taste, in my opinion, as the Sterling Silver Beef that previously had been served. The entire PG experience currently does not meet what those specialty restaurants provided (and the name for those restaurants escapes me right now) when they were introduced on the ships. EVEN THOUGH WE ARE GOING TO PINNACLE THIS COMING CRUISE WITH OUR PARTY OF 18 TO CELEBRATE OUR 50th ANNIVERSARY, WE WOULD NOT GO ON ANY FUTURE CRUISE -- NO LONGER WORTH IT,

     

    #6: Upon embarking, there would be a Supervisor from some Department welcoming one aboard. There would be a line of Stewards near. He would then direct one to take my carry-on and escort me to my stateroom. OH - THE GOOD OLD DAYS -- ON OUR FIRST HAL CRUISE in 1983, THEY EVEN TOOK MY PURSE

     

    #7: An unrestricted and no extra cost (other than for alcoholic drinks) for Breakfast items Room Service Menu.

     

    Phyllis and Ken in SC

    How many days until your next cruise??? Part 2

    in Ask a Cruise Question

    Posted

    hi

     

    i am lynn and DH is dave we have 10 days to go for our cruise to the caribbean for 2 weeks. we fly to barbados from manchester airport england. so looking forward to it. the first time to the caribbean, but this will be special for us as it is our 70th birthdays and our GOLDEN WEDDING anniversary while we are on the ship, and also celebrating christmas too.this is only our second cruise, but i love it and god willing we may have a few more.

     

     

     

    Special, special wishes to you both. We both

    celebrated our 70th this year (how did that happen?). And we are taking our family on a cruise at the end of March to celebrate our 50th - so we feel so much joy for you!! Bon voyage, happy birthdays and happy anniversary. It is now 116 days to our sailing

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    I was cruising when...

    in Cruise Rituals

    Posted

    I was cruising during the final four of the world cup for soccer last year

     

     

     

    We were cruising in Australia the day Barack Obama was first elected President. We had already (of course) voted absentee. It was so amazing to be away from America that day, as all of the passengers were talking about what a different USA we would be returning to in a few weeks

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Dry Dock Schedule for HAL Ships

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    We have a dedicated Cruise Critic member who post such things. Basically it’s all we have to go by.

     

     

     

    Here’s her link from a recent thread.

     

     

     

    https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2566646

     

     

     

    Thanks to CJ’s dedicated feature threads most of us would not have a clue about dry docks, charters or sailing groups.

     

     

     

    Hope this helps your inquiry.

     

     

     

    Perfect. Thanks so much!!

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

    Is it better to book direct with HAL?

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    If I booked directly with HAL and got Explore4, can I transfer the booking to an independent TA for a potentially better deal and still keep the Explore4 promo?

     

     

     

    How does this work? I've always booked directly with the cruise line, but am interested in possibly going to a TA after reading some of the comments in this thread.

     

     

     

    Thanks..

     

     

     

    Never thought I would say this, but the TA who just booked our March 18 cruise(for a very large group) has been a disappointment. We booked 5 of the rooms onboard our last cruise (with future cruise) under Explore4, and were very satisfied when the booking was (at my request) transferred to our TA (who handled our last two HAL cruises). Unfortunately, he was offered a “better deal” from HAL which eliminates all 5 rooms free gratuities and free internet. Yes, we are paying $3K less, together for all 5 rooms (yes, we are paying - spending our kids inheritance for a cruise for the whole family). However, he was told by HAL this “better deal” just reduced the cost and everything else was the same. Not true, as now to make everything “the same” we have to pay $410 to each room to make up for the losses. A good TA would have noticed this or questioned what really was different. Our next HAL will be directly with HAL, as our previous 11 were.

     

    I know how to watch this stuff - disappointing that a TA doesn’t

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone using Forums

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