11 minutes ago, johnlcruise said:

What port?

Boston and Ft. Lauderdale

With a Longshoremen's strike possible on Oct. 1, would cruise ships be affected or only cargo vessels?  We're concerned about what may happen to an upcoming trip.  Thanks

If I have a Holland gift card can I apply it to my account prior to sailing?  Can I do it online through the Holland website?  If I have a TA do I contact them instead and have it added? Is it best to go to guest services and have it added once I'm aboard?   Thanks.

HAL is currently having a Labor Day sale with $25 deposits on selected cruises some with free prepaid Crew Appreciation. Sale ends Sept. 3, 2024.

This is from the Princess website as of today.  Interesting that is has "all other staterooms" paying the same price as suites. Not sure this reflects the price increase or will it be going up next week.

We have cruised on both Carnival and Holland and were allowed to used our Military OBC toward our crew appreciation fee. The Princess website has the following statement. It mentions it can be used for "a wide variety of amenities". Is the crew appreciation fee one of them?

To thank the brave men and women of the American and Canadian militaries for their service, Princess Cruises® offers up to $250 free onboard spending money* for veterans as well as active, retired or disabled military personnel. This special military benefit is eligible on any cruise, any time of the year and can be used to purchase a wide variety of amenities and experiences including Lotus Spa® treatments; dining in our specialty restaurants; gifts, jewelry and clothing in our onboard boutiques; and Princess Cruises shore excursions.

14 hours ago, TryinCruisin said:

I am booked on a Caribbean cruise on the Neiuw Statendam early in the new year. We chose an interior room to save pennies. We have never been in one. I was wondering, do the inside rooms have motion activated floor lights like the Balcony rooms, or should I buy a tiny light? Also what about the ventilation? Will we need a small fan in there? 

Is there anything else we should know about interior rooms? Yes I am worrying about my choice. 

Although we have not been on the Neiuw Statendam we have been on the Eurodam, Oosterdam and Koningsdam always in an interior cabin.  There has never been a problem with cabin temperature even in tropical climates. Because we like the total darkness an interior cabin provides I buy a three pack of the small battery operated LED tea lights (votive candles) for $1.25 at Dollartree and turn one on at night in the bathroom. If you remember to turn it off in the daytime one candle battery lasts for about 7 nights.

1 hour ago, Kaibyrd said:

Sea42 thanks! Can this be applied to an already booked cruise sailing next year? 

We had our AARP, military, shareholders and first responders all applied after we had booked our cruise. As I mentioned previously the AARP was applied in my name while the others were applied for in my husband's name because two of them were not combinable. In another post someone thought it was the AARP and the military that can't be requested by the same person.

So have assigned boarding times been totally eliminated or will they be assigned several days prior based on loyalty level and starting with the upper decks first or do you still pick your preferred boarding time 90 days out?  Thanks.

Portobello mushroom burger with crispy onions at the Dive In. Love them!!!  Called the Freestyle.

17 hours ago, SusieKIslandGirl said:

I'm curious about the AARP portion. Do you each have an AARP account or both names on one account?  Thanks!

I set up just one AARP account in my name but he is on the account as my spouse consequently we both have the same account number. I requested the OBC in my name since the other OBC's are in his name and only one AARP can be used per cabin anyway. Hope that answers your question.  It probably would have worked too if the account had been opened in his name with me as the spouse as long as I was the one requesting the OBC not him. .  

Specifically on the Grand in which MDR are we most likely to get a table that accommodates just 2 people? We prefer an actual table to ourselves, not a long bench seat with a small table and a chair opposite the bench seat.  This could affect which dining option we choose. Thanks.

3 hours ago, chisoxfan said:

Hello. I know AARP offers an OBC with HAL and also understand that it can be combined with CCL stockholder OBC.

We have three HAL cruises booked (one week, 15 days, 14 days) and am asking if it is a simple matter to add AARP to our bookings?

Not an AARP member yet so wanted some feedback before possibly joining. We booked balcony cabins using CO and otherwise have no 'special' pricing.

Thanks in advance.

 

A year's membership at AARP is $12 if you agree to automatic renewal which is easily cancellable.  I joined in my name as main enrollee with my husband as additional family member because I read somewhere on CC that otherwise it would not have been combinable with either his Military, First Responders or Shareholders.  I can't remember which one but they are in his name.  This was all done after the cruise was booked.  

We are receiving Military, First Responders and Shareholders in my husband's name.  The AARP had to be in my name since it was not combinable with one of his (I think shareholders but not positive.)

On 7/18/2024 at 6:10 PM, crystalspin said:

From the ship/HAL. I lined mine up with my PCC pre-boarding. I would recommend requesting one pre-sailing lest they run out.

 

Call Ship Services is 1-800-541-1576 . It's still reportedly $2/day! (Thanks @Alberta Quilter!

This can also be done by sending an email to hal_ship_services@hollandamerica.com.  Just include your confirmation #, ship, and cabin #.  Our request was answered in 24 hours at the $2 per day rate for our upcoming cruise.

On 8/6/2024 at 5:11 PM, memoak said:

I am on the Grand now halfway through a b2b. Ship in great shape, corridors coolish but not a big deal. Lots of hot water is shower.  Captain and crew are amazing best service in years 

Does the Grand Princess have motion detector lights that come on when they sense movement if the cabin is dark? I have read on the Sun Princess, for example, people try covering up the sensors at night to prevent that from happening. Is it an issue on the Grand? Thanks.

We use the Bib Box Store's travel site.  You don't have to be a member to do research only to book through them.  You can see every available cabin type on any deck with the current prices.

On 7/19/2024 at 12:05 PM, crystalspin said:

Only cabins with a balcony come with mini-fridge on Zaandam (or Volendam). But at least the insides are roomy!

Having sailed on the Oosterdam and Koningsdam previously I was totally unaware inside cabins on the Zaandam did not have a mini fridge. I sent an email yesterday to hal_ship_services@hollandamerica.com and today they confirmed we will have a mini frig in our cabin for $2 per day.

I am always so grateful to those who are willing to share their knowledge and insights to benefit their fellow cruisers.  We have saved time, money and many headaches due to the information learned here on CC. Thanks "crystalspin" and everyone else for their helpful expertise. 

54 minutes ago, Wayfairers said:

I see online that HAL pays OBC for AARP membership - Inside/Ocean View $50-$100 per cabin depending upon cruise length and Verandah/Suite $100-$200 per cabin depending upon cruise length.  I am considering joining AARP just for the OBC but have questions for those of you who have gotten the OBC before.  I see online that the OBC request is made using a form on the HAL website. 

 

Can AARP OBC be added if CCL stock ownership OBC is received on the same cruise?

How long does it take to get AARP OBC approval?

Do you ask for approval once and it is added to your account or do you have to get approval every time you book a cruise?

Do you have to prove membership every year like you have to prove stock ownership annually?

Is the OBC refundable or nonrefundable credit?

On our upcoming 11 day cruise we are receiving at total of $400 in non refundable OBC.  My husband is getting $300 ($100 each for Military Veteran, First Responder and Shareholder). I am getting $100 for AARP.  The AARP membership had to be in my name because it was not combinable with one of his.  I don't remember for sure but I think it was his Military Veteran. 

Do the older ships like the Grand have these sensors too?

We are first time Princess cruisers, not fully paid and 6 months out from departure. I made MDR reservations using my desk top computer.  When I look at the phone app, however, it says I can't do it yet.  When I go back and check my reservations on the computer it shows my entire dining choices.  My question is do I really have those times reserved or not? Is there somewhere in my account I can double check?  I've read because we are new to Princess we have to wait until 60 days before sailing to do so.  Will I have to go back at 60 days and redo it?  I'm totally confused.  Help!

 😕

19 hours ago, crystalspin said:

The recent thread on Volendam, made me realize you may not know your outside cabin will not come with a mini-fridge, although you can rent one for a nominal fee.

Do the inside cabins on the Zaandam come with a mini refrigerator or will we have to rent one?

1 hour ago, cruisepest said:

I always use clear packing tape to cover the luggage tags and tape them together. We always pack a small 3M roll and cutter of the tape with us. 

We also cover our tags with clear tape then punch holes in them.  When we get to the pier we use the paper fasteners that you push through the holes then flare out the two prongs. No need to involve porters and we've never lost a bag yet.

16 hours ago, suzyed said:

Not sure about that....I have heard that if you book with the Big Box store you are not eligible for an upgrade bid.  
Can any one confirm that?

We have booked several different cruise lines through the Big Box store and have never received an upgrade offer. The only two times we received offers we had booked directly with Norwegian and Carnival.

5 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

We just booked a way out April 7 ,2026 c Mexican Riviera 11 day cruise . We never sailed on this ship in the past . We booked into a handicap outside cabin on lower Promenade Deck 3  .  in the back of the ship  Are there important areas e should be aware of ?

TIA 

We will be doing this same itinerary on the Zaandam in Dec. 2024.  I'll try to do a review when we return.  Look for something late December.