Boatdrill

HAL pays TA commission after final payment, before the sail date.

If you're about pull some shenanigans on HAL consider how it may affect your travel agent, if you used one. HAL may recall the commission already paid out to the agent for the 2nd guest who suddenly didn't sail.

I saw the itinerary change notice for that trip. No more Dublin. Cork (Cohb) instead. It's over a year away...should we assume that more changes be will be made ?

The HAL reps for travel agents are the BDMs - Business Development Manager - and are regionally assigned. They work under the Sales Department.

Has your TA contacted his/her HAL rep ?

Does that include in the casino ?

Years ago I was group escort on a cruise that stopped in Alexandria, Egypt. We had a private tour pre-arranged through A&K. There was an A&K representative (dressed in a jacket and tie), a local guide, and bus driver (also in jacket and tie) who looked like a young Omar Sharif. The rep sat in the back, the guide in front. The bus driver had an ear piece and was in constant communication with someone. Finally I realized he was talking to the driver of the military jeep in front of our bus, which was carrying a few security men with rifles. When we got out of the bus at the first stop, we saw there was a second jeep behind the bus, also with armed security. Both jeeps stayed with us the entire time, even during lunch. A&K was amazing, to put it mildly.

Also in GB, hot toddies from the bar cart on the bow.

It's more than a novelty for many people, it's a luxury. Luxury is a perception, and creates a feeling of indulgence. That's what SB is good at.

I just found this discussion while searching for Seabourn info. FWIW, Seabourn told me this morning that their two twins pushed together create a "European Queen" size bed, which is slightly wider and has extra length compared to U.S. queen size beds.

Thanks. Unfortunately that would be one of the meeting rooms.

Where is the new library on the Eurodam ? Sorry if it was mentioned previously...I missed it.

Any size is ok for me except the Pinnacle/Grandioso size. Too many people, too many gimmicks.

The premium is non-refundable, period. It doesn't matter when you cancel. Once it's paid, there's no going back.

Interesting that your Zaandam trip has been cancelled. Was it a repositioning cruise ? Right now HAL has the Zaandam and the Kdam doing Alaska round trips from Vancouver in 2024. Maybe HAL has another plan for the Zaandam in Alaska.

The prices may be higher, but the all inclusive amenities some of those lines offer often make up for it.

My father was a TA. He owned the business with my mother, and another couple. All four had extensive travel experience. This was before computers, and airline tickets had serial numbers, and were kept in the safe at the office. He had loyal clients, and would personally deliver travel documents to their home or business. I also remember very well that when he came home after a day at the office, he and my mom would have their cocktail hour in the living room. Martinis, of course. He would tell her of clients who would call at the last minute with changes to their travel plans, and expect him to handle it seamlessly. He did the best he could, and somehow it always worked out. After college, he asked me, and my sister, if we would be interested in joining him in the travel business. We loved to travel, yet we told him No, because we had heard all the stories. But after college, I began a long career in the travel business. I can say without hesitation that now I fully understand why he'd come home and make himself a martini.

To the OP, I understand your frustration with HAL's "customer service" department. I've sent three emails since November to Guest Relations regarding a Cancellation Protection Plan reimbursement. The insurance company is requiring a specific document that can come only from HAL. For each request for assistance email I sent to Guest Relations, I received an email confirming they had received my email, with a confirmation of receipt number. And there it stays. No further response, no follow up, and certainly no requested document that's required for a $1000 reimbursement. I passed this on to a corporate manager with ties to HAL. She got a response from them right away: 'Please send a copy of the original request and the confirmation of receipt email". We sent them, as asked, in mid December. Since then, no further communication from HAL. Their silence is deafening, yet speaks volumes about how they view their customers.

I've booked the Retreat Cabanas a few times, and always found the area to be as advertised...quiet with attentive service. So I'm sorry to hear that ship's staff were unresponsive to your, and other's, complaints, and your time in the Retreat was not what you signed up for. I wonder if a direct conversation with the parents would have settled things down ? How do you think they would have reacted ?

The above post sums it up well. The smaller size is a bonus. However for me, the interior layout of the public spaces is a bit claustrophobic. While I like the interior decoration/design (furniture, art, etc.) there just aren't a lot of unobstructed views looking out at the ocean in the public areas, so there's limited natural light coming in. I call it the "indoor ship". For those who have been on Crystal, It's the antithesis to Crystal Symphony and Serenity, which have large picture windows for magnificent ocean views, and let in plenty of natural light in the public areas.

Thank you for your help. Another thread in the Ports forum mentioned a cruise line that has passengers purchasing their city- to-port (not airport-to-port) transfer online for the train. I couldn't imagine HAL doing that for their pre cruise package guests, but one never knows.

The HAL transfer will be from Rome (city) to the ship. Is it safe to say it will be by bus, and not train ?

, Post it on HAL's Facebook page if you can. They definitely read that.

Is it by bus ? By train ? Any info would be appreciated. I checked the port threads...those posts are about going independently by taxi or trains.

Assuming the ship docks on on time....