richwmn

I'm cruising mid-September. Should I wait until July to submit my request for OBC? Just wondering because the benefit seems to go from July to July.

My PCC tried to submit my stock for an October cruise about a week ago and was told to wait until after July 31st to do that one.

On the Nordam, there is one USB port on the backsplash of each bedside night table. I think this was done during the last renovation.

 

DD

That is for charging devices only, I believe the OP wanted to display content from his devices on the TV.

I wouldn't count on it. If the new TVs have been installed, they are flush against the wall with a frame around them that makes access to the ports on the side difficult. In addition, the remote doesn't include the capability to change inputs.

You may be able to work a cable into the side ports, and change the input if you take along a universal remote or and app for your phone.

If the new TVs have not been installed, the TVs are mounted such that access to the ports is difficult, and again the remote has no capability to change inputs.

any credits you have do not deduct from the amount used for Mariner Points. Spending is all that counts, it doesn't matter if the money to pay from it came from you, your TA or HAL

Sorry, I wasn't referring to cruise credits (like when they give you $100 OBC), There is a credit back to me on my final-statement, strangely it was for unused laundry and some port charges. I'm not sure why I would get either. Especially the laundry service -- I used that every single day of the cruise!

In my experience, spending is all that counts. Reason for the credit does not matter. In addition, HAL is very generous rounding up.

I was wondering this too. My points were just posted to my account, and they seemed high compared to what I thought I spent pre-cruise and during the cruise. Because the final bill doesn't show any of your pre-cruise purchases, it isn't clear to me what they're including. I also had some credits I wasn't expecting to see, which I thought would reduce my bonus cruise days. Now I am really curious -- I think I'm going to go do the math! Great way to spend my Saturday... :p

any credits you have do not deduct from the amount used for Mariner Points. Spending is all that counts, it doesn't matter if the money to pay from it came from you, your TA or HAL

We have quite a bit of on-board credit and are hoping to use it to pay for the Thermal Suite pass for the entire trip. My concern is there are only a set number of passes available. We are not in a suite, nor are we 4 or 5 star passengers so will not be able to board the ship early. I know we could purchase the passes before leaving, but we would have our credit card charged immediately.

 

If we are unable to get passes once onboard, we will have quite a bit of credit which we will not use. What are the chances we could receive a refund. Some of the credit is from Carnival stock, some from our TA, and some from booking the cruise while aboard another cruise.

Any info?

The credit from Carnival Stock and booking on board is technically non refundable and would be used first. Any received from your TA is refundable and could be in cash the last night of the cruise, or refunded to your card if you so desire. You can also do the "Casino Trick" to make sure all your non-refundable credit is used before the last night.

Our family of 7 was on the Oosterdam at Christmas. We did not opt-in to buy the HAL overly priced cell coverage at sea and all kept our phones on airplane mode while on the ship at sea. When we reached port, we turned our phones on and connected to Mex Telcel. When we got home, we were greeted with a $500 additional cell phone bill.

 

I contacted our cell carrier (ATT) and they said it's an issue with HAL. You can be OFF the ship and in port and their satellite cell system can push you data (email, location service, etc.) if you are in their range. One ATT rep said the range could be 8 miles.

 

I contacted HAL and they tell me it has nothing to do with them, even though this is a company they contract with to supply this service.

 

We all had a great time and were considering dropping another 15k to go next year, but this has left a very bad taste in my mouth. Anyone else have similar problems and how was it resolved?

The devil is in the details. In the bolded info above the OP states that the phone connected to Mex Telcel. That is a Mexican Cell phone provider and is not a contractor to HAL. That is where the charges began.

For my own part, I have been awake early mornings pulling into St Thomas and Fort Lauderdale and turned on my phone 30 to 40 minutes before docking and found that my phone indicated AT&T. As mentioned before, all cruise ships are required to turn off their cell tower ouside the range of local providers.

I just did a test booking for 07 APR 2019 - 10-DAY SOUTHERN CARIBBEAN SEAFARER

. This is the last cruise currently available for booking. There is a $700 - $800 saving for booking the single cabins.

So perhaps if you book them early enough, you do get a discount.

I had one of the solo cabins about a year ago. At the time, I did receive a price reduction for it but have seen that the prices grew to match other cabins with the single supplement. Three of the cabins have pictures and comments

OO1009

OO1012

OO1014

If you have any questions, I would be happy to comment and so would others.

It is a complete mystery to us why anyone would assume that a passport is ot required for international travel.

 

EDL's, military ID,s, Nexus cards are meaningless when it comes to international travel. Not at all certain why someone would assume otherwise.

I totally agree. I cannot understand the no passport travel from the US.

 

I am really sorry that the OP had such a horrendous experience.

Since the relevant agencies have decreed that one may take closed loop cruises using a birth certificate and a proof of identity, the documents listed have meaning in international travel.

Many people are on their first cruise and think that they are never going to do it again, so why bother with a passport when they don't have to. For myself, I had taken 9 cruises before I realized I was hooked and got my passport. Around the Caribbean it didn't matter that much.

It has been a lot easier with a passport and I will be renewing it next year, but I understand why many people wish to cruise without one.

To the OP, I am also glad you started this thread to remind people to check their documents. Don't let a couple of the people posting get you down.

As of 2017, an Enhanced Drivers License is available to U.S. citizens resident in the states of Michigan, Minnesota, New York, Vermont, and Washington. As of 2013, an Enhanced Driver's Licence was available to Canadian citizens resident in British Columbia, Manitoba, Ontario, and Quebec.

Sending that accumulated paper stuff to Mr. Ashford is an excellent idea! It's going to cost you some postage money to do so. But, an accompanying letter explaining why you are doing so may make an impression upon the gentleman. More costly in postage fees, but paying for restricted delivery and and return signature card would help to insure that Mr. Ashford, personally, receives your package and not an Administrative Assistant to the President.

Unfortunately, paying for restricted delivery/signature card is useless in a large organization or even a small one if the postal worker is lazy. I used that method to try to make sure a supervisor saw a letter, it ended up being signed by the person I didn't want to see it. My only recourse was a refund of the extra fees. I asked for an investigation, but never received any results.

Did you (attempt to)/book Delta Comfort?

no, first class to Europe

Booked cruise thru TA and flights direct on the HAL website. No option there for DeltaComfort, so I went to the airline web site and found all seating changes locked out. Called the airline and found out that the res was there,but was not ticketed (therefore no changes). Called HAL and got a combative, uninformed agent who implied , but did not say directly, that I had to go through my TA for any communication whatsoever (even though I booked the air direct with FllightEase). I did determine that FlightEase does not ticket until 60 days out (although they take your money instantly!)After many go rounds, I finally called the TA and got the flights cancelled. The TA came back, and she said HAL wanted to know if I wanted to keep the ticket if they ticketed me immediately!. At that point, I told them where to shove their ticket....

Flights were not excitingly cheap. Went to another airline, and booked in Economy Plus, spent $600 cash less (had to throw in 60k miles).

So next time (next week for another cruise) I now know how to play the game....

Funny about how things can be different from one reservation or agent to another. About 2 months ago I booked a flight, also on Delta, and was able to pick my seat right away. I just confirmed that I still have it. I don't remember if I chose the seat on HAL's site (I think I did) or on Delta's but I do have a seat assignment. I do have a Delta Sky Miles account if that makes a difference

Can anyone confirm what internet packages are currently available on the Koningsdam? The information here seems a bit unclear as to whether the packages are consistent aboard all ships.

Packages currently are NOT consistent aboard all ships. At last report, Koningsdam had the "by minute" packages.

I don't remember them all but examples are $55 for 100 minutes, $100 for 250 minutes and $250 for 1000 minutes, but there are a couple of others.

That is pretty expensive and who needs 1000 min. to keep in touch and say "having a great time, all is well."

for a 38 day cruise such as Voyage of the Vikings that is only 26 minutes per day, which really isn't that much. HAL has many longer voyages

That sounds great.

But if you have to use WiFi -- could that get expensive?

It would just be using the ships IntrAnet, just like the navigator page. There is no cost for that. The only time you have to pay is to access the IntErnat (off the ship).

When I recently booked air via the HAL web site I was asked for my Delta Sky Miles number. I had to open the Delta web site to get it, and the flight was posted to my Delta profile before I closed it.

Enjoy, I did the Prinsendam Holiday Cruise last year and really enjoyed it.

Hope yours is every bit as good as mine was!

Rich

go sooners!

go dawgs!

I’m scheduled to arrive at 5am the day of the cruise.

 

 

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You are setting yourself up for a very long first day. You don't say where you are flying in from, but if you can manage the day before, your first day on the ship will be a lot better.

I used Rome Cabs (http://www.romecabs.com/) for transfer from the Airport to the Hotel, and from Rome to the port.

The cost from Rome to the port was 140 euros, which included pickup and 2 hotels which I think was 10 euros extra.

Just to jump onto this, I was wondering how soon in the cruise can we use the service? We are spending time in Seattle prior to our cruise. It would be great if we can send out a bag on day 1 or possibly day 2. We are in a Neptune Suite so sending multiple times won't be a problem. I just want to know how to plan/pack.

 

Thank you!

On my last cruise I had a bag for laundry on the bed prior to turn down the first night. It was returned the next day.

Carol -

Eurodam :11 March 2018 – 18 March 2018: Caribbean : Gaither Homecoming Gospel group

This cruise is no longer listed on the HAL site. I believe Gaither usually does a charter.

I would suspect that when someone from HAL suggests that ships almost always go out filled to capacity, (s)he is talking about the capacity line on the sheet referenced, ie 2 passengers per cabin. Whatever empty or solo cabins are offset by some cabins which have 3 or 4 passengers in a cabin.

The "Max Pax" line would be the lifeboat capacity, as that is the absolute maximum the ship is legally allowed to carry.