Mary229

It did but it got them to the ship. It was a difficult affair for everyone but it happens. A few times in South America we have been warned that the ship may have to sail quickly to escape a natural hazard but that they would find a way to recover the stranded passengers. Things happen, as I recall from this unfortunate situation was the weather made roads impassable. I am sorry you missed your cruise but having sailed Greenland I know that ice can move in and potentially trap the ship. Same in Antartica.

From the deckplan pdf please note the legend

Here is the HAL guarantee Guaranteed best price — find a better price on any tour we offer and we'll refund you 100 percent of the price difference in the form of an onboard credit. More information available when you log in to purchase your shore excursions. Earlier departure off the ship Guaranteed return to the ship Licensed, insured and professional local operators & Guides Full refund if the port is missed Flexibility to cancel up to 24 hours prior Expert advice offered pre-cruise by our dedicated call center and onboard by our shore excursion staff

That was covered here on cruise critic HAL board. Some of the people on the affected excursion weighed in. The reason given was to be able to make their Panama Canal transit reservation. That seemed to me to be a good reason. HAL did pay for every expense. It was a miserable affair all around but HAL did live up to the guarantee which is they will pay to get you back to the ship. This differs if you had been on a private excursion where you would have had to figure out how to get back to the ship or home on your own. There are other reasons a ship must leave a port - high winds, tsunamis, etc…

I am so happy for you. One of cruising’s virtues is limiting surprises

Grant came from the Disney camp. They do an amazing job of training perky people. My tour guide for my Yukon Denali was Disney trained and there was absolutely nothing that could ruin her disposition plus she had amazing logistical skills. They find the “type” and they train them well. If HAL is able to lure them away they are a true asset to the line.

Exactly. The website is fraught with errors. The cruise contract is the only document you can hold them to.

Your TA and her agency are your best advocate in this situation. Make sure they fully understand your husband has mobility issues. I am sorry this happened.

Your HIA doesn’t double your days, it is treated as an expenditure $300 to 1 day. The only way to get points is 1:1 for cruise days, 2:1 for cruise days in a suite and $300:1 day for expenditures. Pre and post hotels and flights are not included. The most you can get as a nonsuite customer is 2x your cruise days

If HAL ever reads our forum I thought it would be fun and interesting to start a thread of those things we forgot to put on our post cruise survey. I will start 1. how about a Grand India Cruise 2. Considering the multiple time and date changes a cruise may take you I wish the app has a large and readable ship clock. Currently ship time is small white letters on a pale blue back - not the best legibility It would be nice if we don’t argue with other posters and treat this as a survey

You are describing 2022 and the first half of 2023. There is now a changing menu for lunch with regional specialties and depending on the ship and itinerary there may be a wide spectrum of lecturers and appropriate cultural entertainment. I say good riddance to dance and production shows.

I find the salmon on HAL is always pretty good much better than most restaurants.

I thought there was an embargo, silly me

I can’t stand Lido movies. During the day the movie watchers can’t hear and the pool loungers are disrupted. During the evening is a better time as the pools are fairly inactive but I still can’t hear the dialog - it is either garbled or painfully loud. I go for the popcorn and leave. i was not impressed by the cruise director on this cruise. The chocolate is always served that way on HAL and is a lousy system. I never go anymore

Not salmon but on a recent cruise chef did pick up tuna at the pier and served it soon thereafter

@Bostonjetset thank you for your comments. I, too, am once again going to sail Princess as they have a transatlantic that fits perfectly into my land travel schedule. HAL is great for their unique itineraries but they certainly aren’t the only quality cruise line out there.

As long as I am “fresh” I keep on the same clothing as long as it is dining room appropriate.

Not metaphysics, just the old fashioned kind 😉

@VMax1700 updates or adds a new thread monthly. Here is the latest I could find. It should be useful to you https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2982749-january-2024-update-hal-dry-docks-charters-and-groups-onboard/

My last cruise in February everyone was assigned noon. I guess they are trying something new

HAL uses that noon boarding time for everyone it seems. Though you can check in early boarding onto the ship will not proceed until at least 11. Priority goes first - Neptune suite guests, 4 and 5 star Mariners and Club Orange guests. By noon everything usually simmers down and the process becomes much quicker.

I agree 100%. For some people like me the Rocky Mountaineer is boring and far too confining. Even if you don’t want to RV a car rental is fairly inexpensive, easy and not that long of a drive . It is only 600 miles from Vancouver to Calgary. The roads are good, the scenery is great. Calgary is an international airport and an interesting western city

Exactly what we do or if no HIA we opt for lunch. We find lunch a much better value, less crowded, better service and excellent food. It is also the right size for us.

The king crab season is still suspended. There is very little production until the population rebounds

There is an automatic 18% gratuity applied whether you purchase outright or with HIA. Anything above that level would only be for exceptional service