Mary229

32 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

A lot of the Spanish beaches (esp in Andalucia) are man made, with the sand being trucked in.

Same world over 😉

12 minutes ago, Suncoastsailors said:

Downtown Vancouver is full of homeless people. I would recommend staying outside of downtown and taking the train or a cab to the ship in the morning.

I have had pleasant stays in downtown on the waterfront.  It is quite safe in that area and the hop on bus is just a step outside your hotel. I have walked extensively in the city and the only area that was crummy was China town.  My last visit was three days with my sister and we felt quite safe. 

Every ship I have been on has a free sauna.  I particularly like the Pinnacle class ship sauna as they have a wonderful view. Happy hour varies location and time. 

For North America do your own.  It is strictly a room and transfer.  Vancouver has a standard taxi rate downtown. for some needing mobility assistance they can be very beneficial 
 

overseas the hotels often include early Checkin (very early so basically two nights for one) , transfers and breakfast.  Some of the breakfasts I have had were well worth $30 per person. 
 

do your math.  

8 hours ago, bigbeergut said:

If you cancelled the day before the cruise, then it sounds like it was less than 24 hours and you are not eligible for cancellation coverage.  It’s unfortunate that your TA may have received incorrect information.  At less than 24 hours you are in the trip interruption category and the insurance company expects you to join the trip in process.  For a 35 day trip, I suspect that you could have caught up somewhere.

She had Platinum coverage and can cancel the day of. She doesn’t even need a reason or excuse.  She would not be expected to do anything but notify

20 minutes ago, a.madruga said:

were they paid by AARP gift cards?

That makes no difference. The procedure is to apply cancel excursion fees to the shipboard account. The ship board account credit goes either to you in cash or credited to the credit card on file 

1 hour ago, chengkp75 said:

Not sure why they would do this, as the stinger is not in the end of the tail, but at the base (where the tail meets the body) of the tail.

It was in Polynesia.  The tails were clearly cut and it was all of the “trained” rays. Who knows, they might not even be stinging rays?  Perhaps it disables them enough to keep them close by. 

19 minutes ago, REOVA said:

You can only share if you log into the account that purchased it. Which means you would logout of your account (if he purchases) and log into his. Check the price on individual or multi to see if it's worth it to have to log out and in. (Technically you don't need to use your account except for chat and messaging/feedback.) 

We bring 4 devices, 2 phones and 2 iPads.  The iPads and one phone are on my account for internet.  His phone maintains his actual account for simple app uses.  Therefore no signing in and out 

44 minutes ago, Lovecruising831. said:

So then my husband and I would have to each buy our own individual package as we can’t share the multi device package? We usually have the HIA package but not for our upcoming cruise.

There is an option for a multi device plan. Both devices would need to be signed into a single account   I do not recall the cost 

I don’t see any either.  I can believe it because the rooms are quite small and likely can’t accommodate the linking door

19 minutes ago, shiner6 said:

Well, I have good news! My TA is out of office, so I called HAL directly and explained my situation. Ava was so courteous and helpful! I was able to rebook to a more desirable room at just a few hundred$$$ more. So pleased with the customer service this time!  I was able to do this because I had originally booked this cruise direct.

A key part of good customer service is the customer taking charge.  Congrats on your upgrade. 

6 hours ago, ldubs said:

I'm not able to come up with a reason I would want to swim with rays or pigs.  Not to say those who find an appeal shouldn't do it I guess.  At least the pigs don't sting you.    

As one who grew up in the water I saw no thrill with swimming with closeup dangerous wildlife.  DH, never having experience the thrill of punching a shark, wanted to do it.  He loved it but he is one of those who likes animals more than people 😉

Just now, FlaMariner said:

 

IMO......

 

@Mary229 stated.....Mediterranean is full of nice beaches.....

 

but....

 

If I wanted beaches and was not interested in the historic areas of Western Civilization....I'd not spend the $$$$ going to Europe (I think the Mediterranean beaches are nice but nothing like beaches in Florida or the Caribbean).

 

Instead, I'd spend my travel money cruising the Caribbean if beaches were my thing....

I agree. I assumed the OP might be from Europe

1 hour ago, shiner6 said:

Thank you everyone for posting your experience. I emailed my TA again today to see what might be done. HAL wanted another $1040 to move to a regular balcony elsewhere on the ship. I thought this was excessive price because right now a new booking is less than what I would pay.  I am not looking for a freebie, just a fair and reasonable accommodation, since I booked this cruise over a year ago.

Did you book a non-refundable fare?  If your deposit is refundable go ahead and rebook. If you are moving rooms there is no reason to stick with the deal you have.  If

The Mediterranean.  Think the Riviera, Spain and the Greek Isles. 

Let me add.  There are so many really great excursions in Alaska - spend your money there 

If you consider the room a hotel room you only need it for grooming and sleeping.  I have taken many cruises and try to book the largest inside cabin I can get and use my budget for excursions and other enrichment.  Or as I say “I buy the cheap room and spend like a drunken sailor once traveling “

I will never again book on the 4th floor of a Pinnacle class ship.  You may go many nights noise free but there are those one or two nights when the party goes late and the sound is particularly loud.  The few dollars saved are not worth it 

Alaskan cruises are about some of the most relaxed dress codes you will find at sea on any ship. No shorts at dinner but it is too cold anyway.  
 

The crew and fellow passengers are a relaxed, quiet, friendly group.  

1 minute ago, bigbeergut said:

 

Are you sure you are eligible for the cancellation coverage?   Most insurance companies treated that Crowdstrike incident as trip interruption and not cancellation.  They expected you to catch up with the cruise somewhere and they would cover the catch up expenses and prorated trip cancellation.

If she notified HAL either 24 hours in advance (standard) or before departure (platinum) she is covered.  You must notify. This the plan page

YOU GET MONEY BACK. Holland America Line refunds 80-90% of eligible amounts paid, for cancellations up to 24 hours prior to departure (or up to departure with the Platinum Plan).

4 hours ago, TRLD said:

As i understand cancel for any reason, that is not for a covered reason, is in the form of a future cruise credit, not a refund.

 

Unless your flights were through HAL i doubt the issue with crowdstrike would be a covered reason for a cash refund.

YOU GET MONEY BACK. Holland America Line refunds 80-90% of eligible amounts paid, for cancellations up to 24 hours prior to departure (or up to departure with the Platinum Plan).

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

I have never had a problem collecting cash dollars from guest services on the last evening for any remaining credit balance of Refundable credit.

Are you able to get Euros or did you have to take USD?

I repeat this often - talk to the personal physician.  That MD might prescribe a medication for the eventuality.  
 

if this is dementia - Also that MD should be allowed a weighty vote in whether the person is fit to travel.  I have seen some terrible situations onboard where a person would very distressed just being out of their routine and overstimulated by all of the cruise ship “buzz”. It can be too much for some people.  The physician will be able to guide you.

If it is not dementia still seek medical advice for a calming prescription.  

12 minutes ago, colin v said:

I’ve never used their insurance but wouldn’t they just be selling the insurance product and the reimbursement would come from the insurance company?  Or perhaps they have to file a claim and the insurance company pays them then they pay you?  

Of course you have to file a claim and notify , not just not show up. I assume @Riversider did both. 

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

I thought if you pre-booked it on a credit card, it went right back to the card, but if you booked it on board, then it went into the OBC account. 

No, once onboard every cancellation or return is delivered to the onboard account. If there is a credit balance at the end of the cruise one can either get it in cash from guest services or wait until it goes back to the card.  The non-US customers likely need to wait until it goes back to card but I am not certain.  The first place to look is at the onboard account statement to see if there is indeed a refund/adjustment and if indeed there is a credit posted at the end of the cruise. If not things get very complex and this is why it is imperative to examine your account before disembarking