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I agree with those that say taking a red eye is o.k. if it gets you to the port city a day or two ahead. Many times the red eye is less expensive so worth the cost of a hotel for a night. We have found the first flights of the day are the most reliable and the last flights of the day are subject to what has happened during the day. I wouldn't chance option #2, but sometimes vacation schedules dictate when we need to travel. If the red eye is a great deal I would leave San Diego on the red eye Thursday and spend Friday enjoying the beautiful city of Boston the day/night before the cruise. Good luck and enjoy your cruise. Cherie

So true about Neptune Suites. We only book a Neptune Suite to get an aft corner cabin. If these were in any other category on the cruise we want we would book that category. Being in a Deck 8, aft corner for 3 weeks was fabulous, no noise issues. There are so many cabins I do not want on a ship, so great that there are cabins for everyone's preferences. JMO. Cherie

Yes, if you are in a Neptune Suite.

Do you like going to the dentist? This scenario sounds so stressful to me that I would rather schedule a dentist appointment. I will say though that when we were in Buenos Aires on the Oosterdam in January and had to depart the ship at 5:00 a.m. it was not a problem. But, we had been overnighting in port. You do not have this advantage for an early departure. Have a great cruise. Cherie

@crystalspin Yes - that is what I have done and the difference between Deck 6 and Deck 8 is $300. Same category cabin but some consider Deck 8 as a negative. We loved Deck 8 on the Oosterdam, but were in an aft cabin. We always choose our cabin and have not done the CO upgrade so I was checking for friends who want to join us and have not cruised before. Just trying to give them options. Thank you, Cherie

Thank you. These are exactly the info needed. When pricing out suites the differences were not noted. They were all priced the same, signature suites, the only difference was $300 more on deck 6. Possibly it is just this cruise. Again, thank you. Not sure why they do not indicate SZ, SY, only SS. Thank you again. Cherie

Thank you, I understand the "category" situation. It does not appear that there are SZ or SY suites on the Noordam. That is why I was asking if there was another cabin category on the Noordam that could be upgraded with CO to a signature suite. Thank you, I don't think it's confusing, I just wanted to know if there was cabin on the Noordam that could be upgraded to a signature suite with CO. From the responses I think the simple answer for the Noordam is "No". Other ships yes, but not on the Noordam. Cherie

Thank you, I understand this. So, basically a signature suite on Noordam can only be booked as a signature suite, it cannot be upgraded to from another cabin with CO. The Noordam may be one of the few HAL ships where this is not possible. I've just been reading so much about it. And, the cabin has not yet been booked. Thank you, Cherie

Thank you I understand the PG breakfast, but I was asking if their is a category that could be booked and then add CO to upgrade to a signature suite. They are not booked yet. I don't know if there is a category that can be upgraded to a signature suite on the Noordam with CO. THank you, Cherie

I'm so happy you posted this thread. I was trying to decide which CO thread to post on. My question to the experts who will hopefully respond to your thread is: If you want to use CO to upgrade to a signature suite on the Noordam, what is the cabin you should book before adding CO? I know that Noordam does not have a separate CO dining room but it would give them some of the benefits that we will receive in a Neptune suite, like tenders, etc. We have our coveted location but friends want to join us. Thanks for any help.

Do you like to eat early or late? We had open seating and loved it on our 22 day cruise. It seemed like the dining room was more full at early dining, we eat late. Also, with open dining you can choose early or late depending on your schedule for the day. We noticed that the MDR usually had a line about 30 minutes after excursions for the day returned. I also suggest skipping apps and/or dessert. Dessert is always available in the Lido. JMO. Cherie

This is true about the balconies in the Tower Wing but there are balconies in some of the ocean view rooms in the Historic Banyan Wing, and balconies in ocean front Diamond Wing rooms. City facing rooms in the Historic Banyan do not have balconies as far as I know, I and do not know if there are balconies in city facing rooms in the Diamond Wing. If you don't stay here it is also fun to sit in the rocking chairs and watch the world go by. JMO. Cherie

If you decide to rent a car, as recommended in post #8, remember that there will be a fee to park at the resort, you will need to return the car with a full tank of gas (unless you pay for a full tank), and rental car companies close at different times. After the luau the line to get a car parked with valet is very long but if you have time it doesn't matter. A rental car would give you the flexibility of doing a lot of fun things like...lunch at Lava Lava, a beach day on Anaeho'omalu Bay, and shopping at the Island Gourmet Market, or Foodland Farms Mauna Lani... all within the area of the Hilton. You'll have such a great time no matter what you decide. Cherie

Sounds like a fun day and evening. You might check to see if you can pre arrange Uber/Lyft or a taxi. There is an extra charge but it could be worth it. After the luau it will be more difficult to get a taxi/Uber. Also, look at what is nearby for getting transportation. And, post on your roll call, there may be others wanting to share transportation. You'll have a great time. So nice that the ship overnights in Kona. Cherie

For me it depended on the port. If it was a port where everyone wanted off as soon as possible we were not able to take anyone with us. We were in a Neptune suite. Just our experience, Cherie

Yikes...what nightmare stories. Hope HAL steps up to the plate and makes things right, but... HAL's treatment of it's guests is shocking and I hope those with future plans for Alaska will make the effort to arrange their non-cruise days privately. JMO. Cherie

@Northwestladybug I too am soooooooooo sorry you are not cruising in Alaska today. From what others have said sometimes the fares can be less expensive than stand-by when booking a cabin, especially with two persons. This stand-by program seems like a disaster to me. Your outlook thru this fiasco has been exemplary!!!! Have a great summer, Cherie

@lazarus1 - Did you get an answer to your question? I also wonder if you can close your account while onboard with Apple Pay or Google Pay. I think everyone knows that your key card is what is charged for purchases but at the end of your cruise can you settle up with AP or GP. Good question. Cherie

Also, if you consider a car rental you might check out Turo car rental. I think that they deliver the car to you and pick it up when you are finished. Our son, who lives on Hawaii, uses Turo when traveling to other islands. Just another suggestion. Cherie

Makawao is amazing. If you want to go to/from try the Uber apps or taxi for roundtrip. Agree with Silver Sweethearts that a rental car would be great. We enjoyed horseback riding there several years ago but I do not think it is currently offered. It doesn't cost anything to check out your transportation options. Also, on the roll call for your cruise you might find others willing to share the cost of a rental car or private transportation. Cherie

@princeton123211 Thank you. Just thought is was worth a try to see if a prearranged Uber is possible, not just trying to arrange when you need it. In Kohala, Big Island, we have this problem and sometimes just arrange a round trip with a taxi. Cherie

Possibly you can arrange an uber or taxi for the round trip. In many locations Uber does let you arrange transportation in advance. There is a small fee but it is worth it to us to not worry about a ride. JMO. Cherie

Yes, at breakfast in the Pinnacle I always ask for a half portion. When ordering in the MDR they were not always able to provide a small or half portion. Happy to hear that you also do this. Cherie

Since your cruise starts in BA I would do the falls at the beginning of your trip. We flew from BA to IGR and stayed on the Argentinian side of the falls at the Gran Melia Iguazu. The hotel was amazing with views of the falls from the property and rooms. We used iguassuprivatetours.com who were recommended on a CC forum. We saw both sides of the falls, Brazil and Argentina. It was a fabulous experience. I hope you decide to make the trip. Cherie

@DCwomThere are several Outrigger properties. So happy that you walked Waikiki beach at night. It's so beautiful and sometimes there is wonderful music coming from the hotels, or you can stop for a beverage. Good post to let others know about the Beachcomber. Cherie