jlnprt

Thanks to all of the suggestions here, I called my "big box" TA today and asked if any upgrades were available. I was offered an upgrade to a Neptune Suite for a mere $2,100 per person. Funny thing .. TA didn't seem shocked when I turned that one down!! LOL! I did accept an upgrade to a higher level deck with a cabin nearer to mid-ship. When dh and I booked the cruise, this cabin was about $700 higher than the one we booked. Current prices are at or slightly above what they were when we booked, so I'm happy about our upgrade. If it wasn't for this board, I wouldn't have known to call. The advice and suggestions on this board have been amazing and well appreciated. What I like most about this board is the helpful spirit and lack of (for the most part!!) snark and nastiness. I am so excited about our third ever cruise (and the first to Alaska). I'm a pretty organized person and I feel like I have my "ducks in a row" and am well prepared for a wonderful vacation! Now all I have to do is pack and enjoy!!!

on Carnival last summer, dh received $25 (I think) off at the spa. I talked him into getting a shave package that included a scalp massage, etc. Dh reported that he had never been shaved so closely before and the straight-edge was rather frightening. He'll probably be thrilled that HAL doesn't offer perks like that! LOL

Keep in mind on most cruises, a huge percentage of guests are ceddlebrating a birthday, wedding anniversary, graduation, retirement and whatever else. While we think our even momentous, so does everyone else who is celebrating,

A very excellent point!! We were surprised at the "perks" the guys received, especially since they weren't on board on their birthday!!

Last year, when we cruised on Carnival, both my dh and my brother-in-law received a few coupons ($ off a bottle of wine, $ credit in the spa, etc.). We cruised during their birthday month, but were not on board during their actual birthday. Does HAL do the same, or must you be cruising on your actual birthday?

Thanks for all of the responses. Good information to know .... but not what I wanted to hear!! LOL

When you purchase a wine package, do you select your wines once you board the ship or can you select in advance?

Have the Royal Dutch Tea and the Indonesian teas been discontinued? I saw the post with the daily schedule for one of the Alaska cruises and saw that tea was served every day at 3pm, but I did not notice either the Royal Dutch or Indonesian teas. We'll be sailing on the Amsterdam next month.

If you order a Cellar Master's package, you are given the option of delivery to the stateroom or dining room. If you select stateroom, does that mean they deliver all of the wine to the stateroom and you then bring it to the dining room with you? Sorry if that's a stupid question.

Thanks for all of your wonderful posts! I'm looking forward to this cruise soon!

Has anyone stayed at the SEA-TAC Hilton Hotel and Conference Center? I found better rates there than at the Hampton Inns nearby. They say there are located right on the light rail line. They have a free shuttle from the airport. When I asked about transportation to the cruise pier, they suggested the bus! Think I'll re-look at the threads about transportation to the pier!! LOL! Anyway, curious if anyone has stayed there and what your thoughts are. Thanks!

There are 2 Hampton Inns near the SeaTac Airport. Have stayed pre-cruise at both several times. Both have free pick-up shuttle at airport, are super clean, offer a free breakfast and have shuttle transportation to the pier in the morning for a nominal fee (last year it was $12 pp). You can't beat it! I just booked the one on 28th Street for a September cruise and paid $145

I've booked a Hilton location precruise that is on the light rail line, but I like the idea of a shuttle to the pier. Are either of those Hampton Inns near the light rail? We are spending a couple of days in Seattle precruise and would like to just use the light rail to get around rather than renting a car/taxi/Uber. Thanks!

Thanks for posting so many details. We'll be on the same cruise in July .... really looking forward to it!

Thanks for posting this! Are the menus pretty much the same from each ship? We are doing a 14-day cruise ... do you know if the menus repeat for the second week? Sure looks like plenty of options!!!

They will begin on the 7/3 cruise. Our daughter will be training a host, and also doing some of the demonstrations. Hope you enjoy!

Thanks for the information! We are sailing in late July, so it looks like I might be able to take advantage of this.

HAL website says that America's Test Kitchen Workshops are available on select ships, but should be fleet wide by the end of September 2017. Anyone know if these workshops are available on the MS Amsterdam?

How far in advance can I "check in" for my cruise? Any advantage to doing it earlier, rather than later? Thanks!

That is bad about the MDR lunch. With lunch in the MDR only on sea days now, you get a couple of opportunities on a 7 day Alaska cruise to enjoy a nice, served lunch there

Is this the case on all HAL ships ... that the MDR only serves lunch on sea days?

I'm booked on the Amsterdam in July for an Alaska cruise. HAL website indicates that there will be a Le Cirque dinner. Is the new dinner option being gradually brought to all the ships? Is the Le Cirque dinner better than the "regular" dinner in the PG (subjective question, I suppose).

Homer is a great little town to spend a couple days in . As far as Kodiak ,was wondering how you plan to get there. Years ago I took the overnight ferry from Homer. The seas were 16' and found out why they call it "The Vomit Comet" !!LOL

We will be cruising on Holland America and Kodiak is one of the stops.

Dh and I are taking HAL's 14 day Alaska cruise. We only have two previous cruises and this is the first to Alaska. We have booked excursions for most of the ports. We haven't booked any excursions for Sitka as it seems to be a pretty walkable port. Any suggestions for Homer and Kodiak? Are they small enough to see a lot just by walking. We are interested in nature, of course, but also history and culture. Suggestion and/or advice?? Thanks!

Sounds about right. Try to get a copy of the wine package list from your ship a month or so before you sail. That way you can look up the ratings before you sail. I usually "run the numbers" against Wine Spectator, Wine Advocate,

 

 

 

What a great idea! Thanks!!!

Decisions, decisions!!! We are looking at the same package. We have no Mariner status (first cruise on HAL), so the package looks pretty interesting. However, I've already booked one dinner at the Pinnacle and, if I buy the package, have to wait till we are on board to book the dinners from the wine package. What are the chances there will be ample choices for dining times once we are on board? Can anyone attend the wine tasting (for a fee, I assume, if you don't have a package "deal"). We will be on a 14 day cruise. I'm not losing sleep over any of these decisions, but I am a planner by nature. LOL

Wow!! You guys are impressive!! Thanks for the information!

Was this on HAL and was it in your room when you got there? Or haven't you sailed yet?

We are sailing on the Amsterdam in July. IIRC, we can't name travel agencies here, but I booked the cruise through a large TA. I booked on-line and the wedge came up as question just like dining time, etc. I have called the TA a few times with questions and each time I call they go over everything I have listed and each time they confirm my request. Will be interesting to see if I get it!

When I booked our cruise (for this summer) on-line with a travel agent, I was asked if I wanted a "bed wedge." It shows up on my reservation form.

Dh and I are taking the 14 day Alaska cruise this summer on the Amsterdam. We only have two other cruises under our belts, so I am finding I have tons of questions. The Cellar Master Package looks like a pretty decent deal. I e-mailed HAL to see if I could book my PG dinners when I purchased the package (i.e., before the cruise). They responded that I had to wait to book the dinners until after boarding and that the wine tasting events wouldn't be known until that time as well. I've already booked one PG dinner. Does anyone know if I could use that one as one of my dinners under the Cellar Master Package and would HAL credit back the $70 I've paid? I like to have things planned out and I want to pay for many of our "extras" before we set foot on the ship.

Also, I asked HAL some questions about the Thermal Suite Pass. It is $299 (or $499 per couple) for the 2 week cruise. They described the Greenhouse retreat as a "communal relaxation center with an ambiance similar to a Turkish bath." I have to say those heated ceramic lounges look pretty nice! Opinions?