avian777

1 hour ago, iancal said:

Not a big issue. Passport number is meaningless.  Anyone can get names/addresses from a number of easily available pubic documents including phone directories-on line or otherwise.  As long as no banking or SS numbers are given out there should be no issue.

 

This happens more than one would expect.  Especially in the retail environment.

👍👍👍  Thank you for your very insightful Post.

Just curious why this Thread hasn't been closed/moved to

Single Smoking Thread (Use for all smoking discussions on HAL) )

 👍  Thanks for the very uplifting Post, pstoker, and Godspeed on all of your travels. 😎

On 6/22/2019 at 10:24 AM, SargassoPirate said:

 Exactly why She Who Must Be Obeyed and I always book anytime and request a table for two.  If we end up next to a large table of drunks or feral children, we can easily adjust our time and location for a more pleasant experience...

Great Post, although we have not had the "feral children" experience.  The" large table of drunks" has more than made up for the absence of "feral children".  And that is why She Who Is So Helpful and I only eat at tables for two when we aren't traveling with family and/or friends.

10 hours ago, consmarci said:

It is clearly written, but not often followed. Credit is given all the time to people on reduced rates. Who decides and where is the line drawn to break the "clear" rule? 

Just curious - What do you mean "not often followed" and the SB "is given all the time on reduced rates"? And, where did you get this info?

On 7/27/2019 at 8:30 AM, dockman said:

Is there a problem for US citizen disembarking a ship then flying out of vancouver same day if u have an old police record?  Confusing info on the web.

 

 

FWIW I would not look to strangers on the internet for an answer to such an important question.  Consult a good international criminal law attorney and get the answers you need.  If you can't afford to hire an attorney, I suggest you contact your local Legal Aid Society for assistance.  Good luck!!!

On 7/25/2019 at 4:48 PM, grsnovi said:

For the record, I didn't say that it bothered me or that it wasn't of interest - I was just curious. If there are posts dealing with ships in ports other than Alaska, I don't recall seeing them (which doesn't mean that the next 37 replies need to be links to posts regarding ships in ports other than Alaska).

Spot on, grsnovi ... especially good insight into why many people don't post questions on here ...

I do not think so ... but why not just call HAL Ship Services and ask?

6 hours ago, slidergirl said:

Gluttony is expected at at buffet.  It's uncontrolled eating in a casual environment.  But, the MDR is a supposed "fine dining" venue and I would expect diners to have a bit more "couth" than to order multiple plates of each course.  Just because you can doesn't mean you should...  If you are hungry after your fine dining experience, feel free to join those in the buffet to fill up.

Agree 100%

15 hours ago, TAD2005 said:

If food waste really bothers you and you don't like subsidizing other people's gluttony, you should take a trip to the Lido at dinner time when lobster and filet is served.   THAT is gluttony.   Probably 1/4 of the food taken in the Lido is wasted.   The MDR is nothing compared to the waste in the Lido.   HAL should post the old adage "Take all you want, but eat all you take".

I agree and also object to subsidizing the Lido gluttony.

23 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

On a ship of more than 1,000 souls, isn't it likely that you'll always be subsidizing things used by others that you don't use? And also likely that others may be subsidizing things you like/enjoy/appreciate?  

 

For example, I have not been in a pool on board a cruise ship since probably 1997. I haven't utilized the children's programs on a ship since 2008.  Does that give me the right to say I am "sick and tired" of subsidizing those things just because others choose to cruise with their children or enjoy a dunk in the pool?

 

Moreover, I pay for two people every time I sail solo. Do I enjoy subsidizing the cruise line's model of how revenue onboard is generated? Of course not.  But I accept that "it is what it is" since it is unlikely I can change it.

 

I don't get why this has to devolve into finger-pointing and petty comments. 

Like you, I "don't get why this has to devolve into finger-pointing and petty comments".  However, unlike you, I did not point fingers at anyone - I merely said that I do not like to subsidize other people's extravagances ... just as you do not "enjoy subsidizing the cruise line's model of how revenue onboard is generated".

19 hours ago, slidergirl said:

I would have been astonished and disgusted at the same time.  He would have been a perfect ad for the extra charge!  I was one who was OK with the extra charge for each additional full entree.   I never understood why some people feel the need to "strap on the feed bag" just because they are on a cruise...  Sure, try different things, but do you really need that much food?  ...

Agree 100%.

On 7/20/2019 at 5:36 PM, mexico8 said:

Talk about going overboard!!   I think I would have changed tables and left them to all their food.   I think the staff should not have served it all or at least charged extra.

I agree 100%, mainly because I'm sick and tired of subsidizing other people's gluttony!

1 hour ago, mexico8 said:

I'd rather be at a table for 2 than be subjected to such boorish behavour.  Sitting with a glutton would ruin my appetite.

Ditto here!

1 hour ago, T8NCruise said:

 

... who has time to sit and wait on hold for lengthy periods?  Hearing the same message over and over and over again.... "your call is important to us.....".

  That is always my experience with calling HAL.

Sorry, T8NCruise, you'll have to make that "call" for yourself, as I have no idea what your time is worth ...

6 hours ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

Just call Holland it is  easy .

👍👍👍

Great suggestion - thanks for sharing it.

1 hour ago, Donald said:

I’m thinking of buying a Ferrari. It costs $225,000.

I could just get a used VW for a few thousand dollars.

Is the Ferrari worth it?

 

I’m also looking at a very special Rolex watch. $125,000.

I could buy a Swatch for $10.

Is the Rolex worth it?

 

Financial advice from complete strangers means a lot to me.

Please chime in.

Spot on, Donald - thanks for the clarity you brought to the discussion.  BTW care to share some advice on whether/when to buy/sell CCL stock?  Thanks again!

9 hours ago, Tampa Girl said:

...  Best to simply call HAL.

Spot on, Tampa Girl!👍👌👍

17 hours ago, ON cruiser said:

...i have a cruise booked on HAL, final payment is due January. Will monitor these boards to see if things improve.

Are you seriously suggesting that you will cancel your HAL cruise if Posts to CC indicate that "things" have not improved?

On 7/12/2019 at 11:20 PM, JustinPlusLauren said:

 ...what are your favorite things about HAL? What are some things that set it apart from other cruise lines? ...

As long-time HAL cruisers, there are literally too many "favorite things" to list here, so I'll just give you the one thing that sets HAL apart from ALL other cruise lines:

There are many differences (and also similarities) between HAL and the 3 lines on which you have cruised but IMHO only one significant difference between them - only HAL has a Roman Catholic priest (who celebrates daily Mass) on board every one of its cruises. Since spiritual renewal is an important component of our vacation experience, HAL is and always has been our hands-down choice.

14 hours ago, Diver2014 said:

My online error turned out to be a blessing in disguise -our dog/house sitter is unavailable for the week we originally wanted to book. I called HAL today to upgrade to another cabin category. The phone rep was an absolute pleasure to deal with and we had our new confirmation before I hung up. 

Thanks for your very pleasant Post.  Always good to see upbeat comments when so many on here appear to be looking for reasons to be upset.

11 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

The egg class, which we have taken twice, is actually quite interesting.  Hard boiling by steaming,  mayo, meringues - all good info...

 

Nice to hear that at least one other person enjoyed the egg class and found it informative.  I guess it just wasn't intended for people who know (or claim to know) everything.

8 hours ago, oceanmom said:

We usually tip at the end of a 7 or 14 day cruise. Amount depends on how much we've interacted with them. There are usually two and I give each a note and envelope. I often give the same amount as we give the room stewards which is usually about $20 per week per person--but again it depends on how much they've done for us.

4 hours ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

Same here.  We tip at the end of the cruise -- same amount for each concierge.

 

The amount depends on the length of the cruise and how much we have used the concierges.

55 minutes ago, Djptcp said:

We also tip at the end of the cruise, same amount for both concierges. We try to do it the day before the last morning as both may not be in the Neptune Lounge then.

48 minutes ago, sail7seas said:

we always tip at the end of the first segment of a b-to b and again at   the end of the last segment.  I always   have an envelope for them

Same here, even though we seldom use their services.

We have used the 2 luggage handling services recommended by HAL - Luggage Direct and Luggage Forward - with great success. Although we have never used either one for the exact service you described, I expect that one or both would be happy to customize the service to fit your needs if it is not already provided.

Attached is a copy of the HAL Know Before You Go booklet, which (on page 17) describes both services and gives contact info for each.

Good luck.

KBYG (12-1-18).pdf

1 hour ago, kaiiak said:

Curious why people drive over the border and fly from Seattle? Is the price difference really huge? Or are there not a lot of flights from Canada to the US? I will be on the SD to Vancouver itinerary next April. Have not booked airfare yet as it is still very far away.

Some people do it just because they like SeaTac Airport so much!