crunchii

We'll be on Westerdam (and PV is one our stops) next year, so I read your report with great interest!

By the way, tsuru means crane (bird) in Japanese.

Wow, 10 in 1 tour looks great. And it's almost the same price as the ship-sponsored tour that only includes the river cruise.

Since we're cruise newbie, we were going to stick with the ship-sponsored excursion this time around, but this is very tempting...

Thank you so much for the recommendation!

384 days :eek: but since our cruise is in Jan. 2018, and it's now Jan. 2017, I can finally say it's "a year from now." :D

Can you make a lunch out of the food in Neptune Lounge? I want to avoid Lido on embarkation day and am wondering if Neptune Lounge is a viable option, if MDR is closed.

Has anyone been on Eco Jungle Cruise or Jungle Crocodile Safari? Which do you think is better and why?

I'm particularly interested in hearing:

• Which has nicer boats
  
• Which has nicer facility (restrooms in particular)
  
• I believe they cruise on the same river (Tarcoles), but is it in the same area of the river?
  

Any information is appreciated.

Thanks!

Crunchii

That's good to hear! Thank you for the reassurance!

When they say starboard side of Sea View Bar/Pool, does that include the starboard side of the stern railing area?

We'll be in the starboard side aft-wrap on Deck 7 (on Westerdam), and I'm worried that people might flick ashes and throw cigarette butts down into our balcony 2 decks below...

Deleted, 'cause it was exactly the same as what MrDogDad said. Sorry!

You ask at the Front Desk on Deck 1 as soon as you board the ship.

Added to my "things to do on embarkation day" list. Thank you!

You can ask the ship for a power bar. Make the request early though - supplies are limited ;)

Who do we ask? Is it possible to request it in advance?

Thanks again, Jacqui! I'll try emailing HAL.

Aaand I got their answer!

"The package is refundable should you change your mind. You cannot use it partially, however you can cancel the complete package for a refund."

So if you know you'll be going to PG a couple of times and flexible on date and time, this might be a pretty good deal!

I also asked them if Dining Packages can be purchased onboard, but they didn't give me the answer for that...

The issue (for me) with the package is that your dates and times are done once you are onboard. If the Pinnacle happens to be fairly booked you may have difficulty getting your preferred time slots. Thus, the $6 savings ;)

Yeah, that's one of the reasons I wanted to make sure it's refundable...

Thanks again, Jacqui! I'll try emailing HAL.

sailorgirl,

We'll be on Westerdam, going through Panama Canal. Wish we could go on cruises more often too, but unfortunately my husband doesn't like to travel and it wasn't easy convincing him to go on this trip!

Jacqui,

Thank you for answering my question! We'll be eating at Pinnacle Grill twice for sure. Once on our anniversary (which we'll reserve and pay ahead of time) and another for the Explorer 4 freebie. I thought we'd get the "Evenings in the Pinnacle Package" and eat there a couple more times if we like it. If not, just get refund. But since it sounds like there won't be any refund, I guess we'll just settle for those 2 times or pay regular price.

Thanks :)

Crunchii

Hello,

I’m new here. I’ll be going on my 2nd (1st on HAL) cruise in Jan. 2018. (Yeah, I know. I booked way early, but I wanted to make sure we got our 1st choice cabin!)

I read through all 68 pages of this thread and got most of my newbie questions answered, but I have one question, which I don’t think was covered here.

I understand you get refund on Beverage Cards if you don't use it all up. Is that the case for dining packages (Evenings in the Pinnacle Package and Signature Dining Package) as well? If I buy the package and end up not using it (or using only partially), will I get a refund?

Thank you!

Crunchii