richwmn

... and the smokers who want suites would complain.

And the non smokers that like balconies in that area would complain louder, then book them anyway and complain more.

Another thing to consider, since this is a work computer.

Many times a corporation will have an internal website which is based on the capabilities of a particular version of Internet Explorer. This internal web site may break with newer versions of IE, so the corporate IT department freezes IE at whatever version works properly with the internal site. This older version might not work properly with external web sites, but that is not a concern of the IT department.

I'm using my work computer and don't have admin rights to switch browsers. IE is so widely used, I don't understand why the HAL website doesn't support it. Thanks for all your suggestions.

 

Roz

IE, and now Edge, is not as compliant to the established standards as the other browsers and Microsoft has a history of introducing "features" which break websites. In addition, some companies chose to program their websites to these Microsoft "features" making their sites unusable by people with other browsers, and even other versions of the Microsoft products.

It is easier for companies now to make their sites standard compliant.

Sunday, we just got off our 1st HAL cruise on the Oosterdam. We expected a final statement delivered to our stateroom, as it has been done on the other cruise lines we have sailed with. When we woke up, nothing was outside our cabin in the morning of disembarkation. We did not have time to go ask for one because we were scheduled on an early departure to FCO.

Does anyone know how we can obtain a copy of our statement now?

Does HAL not usually deliver them to the staterooms?

One way to get a copy of your final bill for any cruise is to fill out an email form on the HAL website

http://www.hollandamerica.com/contactUs/Main.action

if the link doesn't work, go to the bottom of the HAL home page and click on "Contact Us", Then on the left click on "Email Us".

When you get to the form, one of the options for the topic line is

"Onboard Bill Questions/Request a copy"

BTW, you can use this for any completed cruise.

For a just completed cruise it will most likely take a few days to load the information to the main computer system

I've read here that HAL no longer provides cash refunds. If that is not the case and it is still possible to get cash for surplus OBC, so much the better.

Not sure where you got that information, but in early May I received cash for my remaining OBC.

Is there a way to send a gift or letter to a crew memeber on board any given ship? I am especially interested in sending something, i.e. letter, to a crew member on the Zaandam. It is on the Alaska run now. Any suggestions?

I can answer that there is a way. Several years ago I sent something to a crew member at his request. He gave me an address at the port to send it to. I believe it was in San Diego. Perhaps Copper John can chime in and give the correct address.

Rich

Just went back and checked:

The format is:

Ship Name

Crew Member Name and Position (ie Barman, Cabin Steward etc)

address of (I believe) port agent

I've been looking for a dining room chart for the Koningsdam. It's not yet available on halfacts and googling it doesn't pull up a chart. Anyone know a source for the K's upper level dining room table numbers? Can it be acquired from HAL itself?

We don't have it yet unfortunately.

 

Ships Services may be able to get it - I haven't tried yet.

I was just told that it is not available yet, but they are working on it.

I called HAL about this today. We are doing a seven day to Alaska in a couple of weeks. I have about $500 in credit that I purchased. I wanted to buy another $500 for a total of $1000 in purchased credit. I still have to register a card. If choosing the cash option, they still want a cash deposit, over and above the OBC. I had thought I was getting that out of The way by purchasing OBC. Apparently, I wasnt.

Maybe the person you spoke with didn't understand that your OBCs would exceed the $60/p/d requirement. Buy enough, and if they ask for a deposit at the pier just tell them you have already made one.

When you check in they will mention that you don't have a card on file. All I do at this point is tell them that I have cash on deposit and that ends it. As I mentioned above, I have not had a card registered in my last 8 or 9 cruises.

Usually I have more OBC available then the $60/day, but on at least one it was slightly less and there was no problem. I have never been asked at check in how much OBC I have. I guess you could have much less and as long as you don't spend near that much, they might allow it.

What is policy in Seattle is not always done on the ships!

Are they open while in port?

The answer to the first question depends on the ship, 7 do and 7 don't.

Yes - Veendam, Maasdam, Zaandam, Amsterdam, Rotterdam, Volendam, Princendam

No - Oosterdam, Noordam, Westerdam, Zuiderdam, Eurodam, Neuw Amsterdam, Konigsdam

Second question - I believe they are open every day 8 am or so to 9 pm or so

even in port

Veendam well on the way to Montreal. I and a few others had been curious about the possibility of high water levels preventing the final leg but all looks well.

 

Roy

We left early to be sure we made it under the bridge - Montreal tomorrow. sorry to get off

Are you certain they will consider OBC the same as a cash account? They may, I don't know myself but I could see where they may not, particularly if it is not shipboard credits that have been purchased by the cruiser. I would be interested if anyone has actually done this in some form or fashion and how HAL treated it.

I have not registered a credit card for the last 8 or 9 cruises, including the one I am now on, and have had a combination of OBC and purchased credit. At check in they mention that I don't have a card registered and I reply that I have a cash account. Then I board the ship - no problems at all.

I have found that even if you load up your onboard account with cash before boarding, HAL will still zap your credit/debit card for the customary $60/$30 per day/per person credit hold. ($30 per day for cruises longer than 25 days). I had enough prepaid OBC on my account on the first day to cover 90% of my anticipated expenses. But HAL still snatched $2500 of my credit card balance and held it for the duration of the cruise, plus about 4 days, then it drops off. It is true that the funds are not actually charged against your card, but they are unavailable for you to use during the cruise. Definitely use a card that has a high available balance, just in case you find that perfect Rolex watch on a shore excursion !!

 

Another item.... Any OBC given by HAL or your TA cannot be used for advance, online purchases, such as shore excursions, PG or Canaletto dinners. You must pay for those with a credit card, and use your OBC for things like HSC, laundry packages, internet, casino, etc.

 

If you do go overboard with OBC, funded by you or your TA, any unused will be refunded at the end of your cruise. Or, find out what you have left over on last night, and throw it all straight up on red 7 on the roulette table. Who knows ??

If you have enough on board credit just tell them you have a cash account and you don't need to register a card and therefore have no hold

Okay Rich, we will be onboard in two days but I'm dying to know if the TV's and DVD players were replaced with the new TV system on the Veendam. Please and thank you. :)

Unfortunately, the old TV and DVD combination is still here, and no indication of any ability to check you statement on a laptop or tablet. The kiosk is present in the lobby, but has not worked yet.

Rich

Can you advise who are the Captain, CD, Location Guide, and Piano Bar player?

 

Have a wonderful cruise. I think that's a great itinerary (and good luck with the temporary terminal in Montreal).

 

Thanks

 

Roy

I am aboard now.

Captain is Noel O'Driscoll

GRM is Rencel Recto

Piano Bar is Jeff the Piano Man

Location Guide is Jeremy

Show Host is Joel

CD is Sarah

Adagio is a Duo

There is a HALCATs with Karen and a Neptunes

any other questions I will try to answer

I will be embarking on the Veendam this Thursday and am very excited. This cruise I'm flying solo (a gift to myself for my 51st birthday on May 3). My family and I did a similar itinerary last August on Maasdam- so I'm familiar with Holland America and the New England/ Canadian ports, but this time it's a 9-day instead of a 7-day with Gaspe and Saguenay Canada thrown into the mix (both new to me).

 

I understand that Veendam was in drydock and I'll let you know how it looks after I board in Boston on 4/28 and download pictures upon my return.

 

I'm booked into room H381 (which is a connecting room unfortunately) and I hope there isn't noise between the staterooms. I was originally booked in an inside guarantee but the price dropped and they upgraded me for free to an outside- so I'm not going to complain.

Please come by the Meet & Greet in the Crows Nest, port side, after your day in Bar Harbour at 4pm

Veendam is currently on her first cruise since drydock - a 15 day Southern Caribbean. No one has replied from the ship, and the cruise doesn't end until Sunday morning the 24th, when I board. Hopefully someone will respond after Sunday.

Quote "I have been told several times by my PCC that she doesn't lose anything by transferring the cruise to a Travel Agent"

 

But what does the TA get out of handling the transfer? Why would you transfer anyway?

We have always used a TA, but recently have had contact with a PCC. I am trying to justify dealing with the PCC and then transferring to a TA. Our TA is just a local travel agent with big ties, so a OBC would not be forthcoming. However she does prepare and agenda for us. Will a PCC do the same?

Since you quoted me without using the quote function, I will also answer.

I make my initial booking with the PCC I have used for several years. In most cases the booking stays with her.

When I do transfer the booking to a TA, the PCC retains the credit she needs for getting the initial booking, the TA gets whatever commission they would normally get for the cruise - they do not have to get the initial booking to get that commission. In return, the TA generally rebates some of their commission in the form of OBC.

On the cruise I am about to take, I transferred the cruise to a friend who is trying to get started. For this cruise I was not offered enough to warrant me transferring the cruise, but I did to help the friend. She still gets the commission.

I had never considered transferring a reservation before this thread. I would like to understand it more.

 

First I understand that this might get you more OBC from another TA. You must do so before final payment is made as well.

 

When you do this do you book online with HAL or use a PCC or other?

Do they lose any commission when you transfer the reservation?

Am I missing anything?

 

Kevin

I have been told several times by my PCC that she doesn't lose anything by transferring the cruise to a Travel Agent

I'm now deeper into my first cup and I agree that fining your friends or the ship makes no sense to me. For one they'd have to go through Immigration and Customs like any other disembarking passenger so it's not like they or their luggage wouldn't be subject to screening. In fact I'm not sure how Immigration and Customs would know or care if they were simply swapping luggage. I certainly have never had an agent ask me if I was getting back on the ship even when I was at the switch over point of a back-to-back.

In order to get off the ship with luggage you would need a customs form containing your name and at least address. Most likely the ship has to submit a list of disembarking passengers, and passengers on a b2b would not be included - therefore a difference that might have to be accounted for, maybe incurring a fine to the ship for filing incorrect documents.

Any idea why? Faxes were around when typewriters were the office mainstay, but most businesses now use email attachments.

I think it was about a year ago, maybe longer, Carnival Corp made the statement that they believed there were security problems sending financial info via email and stopped the practice of emailing statements for Stock Credit. Prior to that it was allowed.

Rich

Congratulations on reaching 4*! I'm sure you will enjoy all the accompanying perks.

I will board our next cruise with 199 days, so I guess technically will be 4* just by stepping on board.

Sorry, but because of the rules of the Star Mariner Program, you won't be a 4* until the cruise following your next cruise.

BTW - Love Ottawa, will be visiting in May!!

Great news - thanks for posting! Best investment I ever made was 100 shares of CCL stock given the nice dividends, on board credits and price appreciation.

Terrific!!..

 

Like Dave, It's the best individual stock investment I've ever made too.. Only wish I had bought more than 100 shares..

 

Thanks Rich for the good news..

It has been a very good investment for me as well. Between dividends and OBC I have recovered around 2/3 of what I paid for the stock, and I bought at a high point in '08.

Carnival Corporation CUK, +0.66% said Thursday that it is increasing its dividend by 17% to $0.35 a share.

read the full story here

Congratulations,

Solo really is the hard way! The only two cruises where I was not solo were before the spending bonus so I didn't get any help.

I am about to go on my second 4* cruise - sure is nice.

I am thinking of getting the Barclay Arrival CC in order to use the rewards for my Alaska cruise in 2017. The credit card website says that travel charges from travel agents and cruise lines are eligible for cash back redemption which I hope to have a good amount by next April to redeem.

 

I got the idea from BlizzardBoy to book directly with HAL and then transfer to his big box TA that gives a 6-8% OBC. So now I was thinking I could use the new credit card to earn and use for cashback but I wanted to confirm that the charge on the credit card would show from a Travel Agent and not just the name of the Big Box / Bulk Store it is a part of.

 

I guess if it doesn't show as a TA on the credit card statement, Would I be able to pay it in full directly with HAL and still be able to switch the reservation to the Big Box TA before final payment date for their OBC?

 

It is possible I am other thinking this.

Once you have the cruise totally paid for, it can't be transferred. however, you can pay the majority of the cruise leaving $100-200 or maybe a little more, then transfer.