richwmn

Do I detect a First Class Yeoman, its a little hard to see.......

Try a crossed quill and lightning bolt

common mistake

Just to add to the confusion.

My mother, sister and I had our first cruise on the Zaandam in 2000. None of us had ever cruised before on any line.

Mother and sister in a suite, me in an oceanview.

Mother's Mariner number starts with 041 (9 digits)

Sister & I start with 037 (also nine digits)

Rich

And to expand today's geography lesson, the official name of the country to our south is

(drum roll)

The United Mexican States

http://www.cnn.com/2012/11/22/world/americas/mexico-name-change/

Ooh! Ooh! Ooh! (Hand raised.) I can answer that one! But, since reading is so 20th century, let's watch a short film, shall we?

 

 

This is completely work safe and contains large, succulent, meaty chunks of learning.

Great video!

I don't understand why such a small number of people who are addicted to an anti-social behavior have HAL so cowered.

 

I have no issues with the smokers, as many have said -- it's HAL :confused:

:confused: What makes you say it is such a small number of non smokers that are so against smoking? How do you know that? I've never seen HAL release such statistics?

 

I can say it just as easily as CRUZBUDS can say that HAL is "cowering" to a small number of smokers. You are correct, HAL has never released such statistics and most likely never will.

At the same time, out of all the people who post on CC in the HAL forum Smoking threads it seems that it is a small number of the same members who constantly post about HAL being more restrictive on their smoking locations.

The answer is quite simple -- their time is more valuable than yours, and you put up with it. Many of us are tired of the tail wagging the dog:)

 

I've always been curious of the actual smoking percentages. The usual number referred to for U.S smokers is 20% ---- by the time income hits $120,000 it drops to about 13%. Smokers hate the fact that education and income are directly tied to smoking levels. What is HAL's average percentage of smokers? I don't think it's the very poor folks who peak at 34% smokers are HAL's demo.

 

I don't understand why such a small number of people who are addicted to an anti-social behavior have HAL so cowered.

 

I have no issues with the smokers, as many have said -- it's HAL :confused:

HAL is not "cowered" by a small number of people, they are just trying to be accommodating to as many people as possible. It is a small number of non smokers that are so against those who smoke that nothing short of a complete ban on smoking will suffice.

NCL years ago had one-side-smoking' date=' one-side-non-smoking cabins. Didn't work. Carnival tried a totally non-smoking ship. Didn't work.[/quote']

I know about the Carnival Ship, there were many reasons it didn't work out. Times have changed, it might just work now.

 

I was not aware of the NCL ship, could you provide a reference to it please?

 

As someone who has never smoked but has been around smokers most of my life, I believe the solution of using one side of the ship for smokers would work. .................

 

Interesting idea which we are sure has been considered. But the concept has a major flaw. With only a small minority being smokers (even among HAL cruisers) HAL might have a difficult time selling any cabins on the smoking side to non-smokers.

 

The result of such a policy could likely be many empty cabins on the smoking side. One can just imagine an HAL Promotion where they would offer 50% discounts to non-smokers willing to book a balcony cabin on the smoking side :)

 

 

Hank

P.S. DW had a thought that the ship might tip over because the non-smoking side would be full and the smoking side near empty.

 

As I mentioned in my earlier post, you (among others) seem to have the opinion that anyone that does not smoke shares your lack of tolerance toward smokers. It is not a black or white issue, there is a tremendous amount of grey involved. I, along with many other non smokers, would not be upset at being on the "smoking" side of the ship.

HAL could consider a policy of all no smoking balconies on one side of the ship. The non-smokers could enjoy their balconies smoke-free, and the smokers enjoy their balconies with wine, cigarettes, cigars, and the view.

 

Yeah, I know. It makes too much sense to be implemented in the real world.

I doubt 50% of HAL's balcony passengers smoke, so there would be nonsmokers having to deal with more concentrated smoke conditions than they have now. I suppose it would be an incentive to book early in order to get a cabin on the smoking/nonsmoking side of your choice.

As someone who has never smoked but has been around smokers most of my life, I believe the solution of using one side of the ship for smokers would work.

Here is why. While those that are extremely anti-smoking constantly bring up that only around 20% of the population (US/Can) smoke, they erroneously assume that everyone who doesn't smoke shares their view. Fact is, with a normal statistical distribution, about 60% really don't care one way or another. So the smokers would be intermingled with those who have a "share and share alike attitude". As to those who insist on a particular cabin on the smoking side do so with the knowledge that they have a choice.

Another point - most smokers are no longer "chain smokers".

One last point, there is not a 100% correlation between cigarettes and cancer. Many things contribute to cancer, including family history. Everyone who smokes, or is around smokers, does not get cancer. At the same time, not everyone who gets cancer ever smoked.

At the risk of being flamed by you all, I fail to see why Cruise Critic Allows the promoting of a web site that detracts from talking with each other here? Pretty soon there will be not much of a reason to visit the Holland Page here when everything you need to know is easily found elsewhere.

We have continued to be in contact with CC to insure that we don't step on their toes, so to speak. CC is about conversations - we are about pictures. We also have things like menus and daily planners which previously were cut and pasted multiple times. This just gives people a place to find them.

Maybe a moderator or Laura will see this and weigh in with their thoughts.

All that being said, HAL Facts is a cute little site to look at photographs. It also seems that there might be some issues regarding the accuracy of the 2nd hand non verified information being presented.

To those who have offered thanks, we all appreciate it. I am happy that most find the site useful.

Rich

On Zuiderdam now- boarded in San Diego. Coastal cruise had normal per-minute internet.

Librarian handed us a flier and said that Corporate changed plans effective yesterday:

 

$9.99 per hour (continuous only)

$34.99 per day (24 hours)

$149.99 Voyage Rate (7 days)

 

No more worrying about lost minutes

WOW! Assuming this will be for all ships, they won't get any more money out of me! By doing email read/write off-line I could usually stretch a 100 min block over a cruise up to 18 days or so. No way will I pay those prices. :(

I usually manage the 100 minute plan with time to spare on a 7 day cruise. No way will I pay almost triple. In addition, the 9.99 for a continuous hour doesn't fit either. I usually manage to do everything in 15 to 25 minutes over two time blocks. I guess no internet for me ... might be a good thing.:)

Hi jdragr, I don't think you can. If you are travelling to another country, you need to have a passport. Different rules apply for domestic (in which case you only need a drivers licence etc, or at least that's how it works in Australia), but I'm positive you will need to get a passport unfortunately. Hope all goes well and I'm wrong!

OP, continue to post here and ask all the questions you want. I think what Flatbush says about incorrect info is right, and primary sources are best: CBP (Customs and Border Protection) website covers the actual legal requirements.

 

You will get some false info, like the poster who claimed that a passport was definitely required. I would suggest that you use the search feature of the boards to look for previous threads covering the topic you want. While the feature is not real user friendly, and not totally useful, it will point you to some previous posts on your topic, and keep you from getting comments about how a subject has been beaten to death, as vast quantities of information, opinion, myth and truth are stored on these boards.

 

While nana's definition of a closed loop cruise is nearly correct, you must add that all ports must be in the western hemisphere , and while I know that doesn't apply to your upcoming cruise, it is an important distinction, because the regulation allowing cruising on your BC and ID is the WHTI (Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative).

Hi chengkp75. I usually think that your responses are well done and correct, however I believe the highlighted portion of your response is overly harsh. The poster you are referring to is Australian and for him, and all non US citizens, the information is correct.

The OP does not mention where he is from, so the information may be correct for him as well.

I've never docked in Montreal, but in most places it's best to have the picker-uppers wait some distance away from the congestion until you have gotten all the way outside and call them ... presuming you and they have cell phones.

 

That would give you more choice of restaurants than what is offered at the airport, and they wouldn't have to park there ... just drop you off after lunch.

The cruise port in Montreal is a bit of a mess for pickups and dropoffs. Perhaps you could take a cab part way (like into nearby Old Montreal) and meet your friends there, then they could take you to the airport. Many great dining options in that area. Hopefully your friends know the area and where to meet and dine.

 

DaveOKC

A couple of years ago I had some friends pick me up in Montreal, and if I had to do it again I wouldn't unless the friends knew the port area very well. The place I was told to wait for them was a bit of a walk from the terminal. It took several calls to get together.

Take a cab as suggested. I would also think that Montreal would have many places to eat and socialize better than the airport.

We have had problems getting bar bills reversed. We've had our own drinks charged at, say, 5:02 pm and then some else's at 5:04 pm and we had a hard time convincing the Front Desk that this was an error. The issue dragged on for 2 days: they had to get the Bev or Bar manager to OK the reversal.

 

We don''t like the hassle and time wasted dealing with this type of thing. When HAL had pax sign, it was very clear cut and easy to deal with.

On a recent cruise when I looked at my receipt it had a different name on it. I pointed it out the the bartender, who then reversed the previous charge and ran my card again. The card reader was having trouble reading my card, and when it couldn't it processed the order to the previous card used (whose holder was sitting right next to me).

We are on the Prinsendam Grand Africa Med. In the past Holland has always done complimentary invitations for the Cruise Critic M & G’s. No longer, at least on the Prinsendam. They charged me $20 for 50 invitations, which I thought was a fair price and paid it, but was surprised there was a charge. The beverage manager insisted that the Prinsendam had never done free invites, but they did it for me on this same cruise in 2010, and in 2012 we were sent invites with no mention of a charge.

 

leslie

I have organized several M&G's and have been quoted that same amount on non "Grand" voyages. Since I had invitations ready, in each case they delivered them free. The cost seemed to only come into play if they prepared the invites and used the standard HAL card plus envelop.

Rich

I just wanted to clarify what happens if you have unused shipboard credit that you have purchased (or had purchased for you as a gift).

 

I've seen that it goes back to you, but is it put to the card on your account? Or to the card that purchased it?

 

Just trying to get it clear in my head.

As long as it's a paid credit, you can get it refunded to the card you have attached to your account. If it's a complimentary credit like a HAL promo credit, it's not refundable.

 

If you think you will be in an excess credit situation, have the concierge or front desk pull a copy of your bill so you know where you stand.

I have never been asked if I wanted it credited back to a card. In each case (more than 6) the front desk has handed me back cash, and I was happy with that. I suppose if you ask, they might be able to credit it back to a card.

OP, you need to definitely call HAL and ask the question as to whether "The Travel Money - Cash Card" is an acceptable form of payment. HAL faqs only state Debit or Credit Card. The swipe access isn't the question.

 

You don't want them denied boarding. If they have to get cash from the card somewhere, it's better to know ahead of time.

If you call HAL and ask the question to three different reps, you will get three different answers and it's possible that none of them will be right.

It is so true that you can get different answers from different people, not only at HAL but at host large corporations.

Two things you might do to ease your way on embarkation day.

1. If you can, use that card to purchase enough onboard credit to cover the hold. Then just specify "cash" on your express docs. When you get to the dock, they might tell you to go by the front office to verify your credit amount.

2. If you can't, or don't want to do #1 - try using the card to purchase something for them under indulgences. If it works for that, there is a better chance it would work when you get to the pier.

As an aside, HAL does not accept prepaid "gift" cards, even if they have a MC / Visa logo, at least they couldn't to pay part of a cruise when I had one about a year ago.

We never have figured out which TV channel to use to hear the announcements, can anyone tell us which one to use?

 

DaveOKC

I can't answer for sure, but it was one of the top 3 or 4 channels. The ones that show the forward and aft facing cameras. I believe it was in the range of 39 - 43 or so

Rich

If she could not figure out how to work with her laptop on it's battery and juggle her charging needs she is a child. Yes it may have been an inconvenience but for someone of her age, education and back ground she is not much of a problem solver.

Even a poor battery condition laptop will last 2hr on a charge. Why not sit on the balcony work on your report and then take a break while you put it on charge or unplug whatever has been charging and continue to work off the outlet while your computer recharges in an hour and then repeat.

 

We use a MacAir 11' when we travel and we can work on that or watch movies while in transit for about 4 hours and it takes about 30 minutes to charge. We use it to make phone calls using the Gmail G phone function when we travel.

 

Our new camera can take about 800 8mg pictures before charging and about 200 with flash and GPS on.

 

Just bought a new phone Samsung Note II for travel it has GPS and wifi so I can access email and call with free wifi or buy a local phone chip while traveling. It's battery can handle 16 hour of continuous phone use. I will be buying a 2nd battery so we can watch movies on it as well and listen to music I have added a 64 gig storage chip. It has a reasonable 8 mg camera on it as well so my DW can use it as the screen is big enough for her to see without glasses.

 

A bit of planning is required.

The bolded red part is just not true. Depending on the age of the laptop and how it has been used, the battery may not last over a couple of minutes. If the laptop has been typically used while plugged in, the battery will deteriorate and over time not hold a charge.

Does anyone know if you get land based cell phone service while transiting the Panama Canal? I assume that the ship system is still turned on because you're moving, but there's quite a difference in rates if you can pick up a terrestrial cellular network.

The ship's cell service is supposed to be turned off when ever the ship is within range of a land based cell tower. When going thru the canal, it should be within range of land based towers so that should be available to the ship's passengers.

Am looking at booking a circle Hawaii cruise next year on the Veendam and I have some questions regarding cabin K500 on Main Deck. It appears that this cabin is much larger than the other inside K cabins. Was wondering about how it is configured and how noisy it is being near the anchor. Does anyone know what the square footage is?

 

Would appreciate any info you might have.

That cabin is listed on the deck plan as:

Modified Accessible Interior Staterooms

Pictures of the same cabin on the Ryndam are on the HALfacts website

Rich

We have booked directly with HAL and never had a problem, but then again, although we have been on many cruises with them, we have never received an upgrade. It seems that the people who use the TA seem to get them.

Sorry, not true. We usually book guarantee cabins and have been upgraded all but one time. And those bookings were all with our PCC. Were your bookings guarantee cabins or just marked that you're willing to be upgraded from your specific cabin?

I agree with Cruising-along. I generally book guarantees, but twice booked specific cabins. I book the lowest category of outside, but always get more. However, HAL's definition of upgrade might not agree with yours. If you are talking only about moving from outside to verandah (for example), that rarely happens.

There is another solution -- as I mentioned in post #27, the conference rooms can be set up for dining and have room for at least 28 people. SilvertoGold mentioned in post #47 specifically the Kings Room and Kazu in post #55 gave the number to the ships co-ordinator (who would need to set it up).

The benefits to this

1. Everyone would dine together in a private setting

2. This solution would bother very few others

3. The dining time could possibly be varied depending on the group's activities.

4. It would be easier for the group to mingle.

5. The group might be able to have input on the menu.

6. Most likely the same servers would be used each evening.

I posted this on your other thread, but since this one seems to be the active one right now, I will put it here as well

Maybe this could be a work around for you.

On my second cruise I was part of a group having seminars on the ship. One of the seminars was a meal (I believe dinner) with some of the speakers. It was set up in one of the meeting rooms.

So why not fill out a form for ships services for a "meeting" each evening at 8pm having dinner in one of the conference rooms. Not only would you all be able to eat together, but it would be private and you might have some input into the menu.

Maybe this could be a work around for you.

On my second cruise I was part of a group having seminars on the ship. One of the seminars was a meal (I believe dinner) with some of the speakers. It was set up in one of the meeting rooms.

So why not fill out a form for ships services for a "meeting" each evening at 8pm having dinner in one of the conference rooms. Not only would you all be able to eat together, but it would be private and you might have some input into the menu.

Rich it has very little to do with commissions.. Cruise lines & Airlines sell blocked space to consortium's at a reduced rate.. Our TA belongs to a consortium of TA's which can book into that blocked space! That's why their prices are better.. There are many on-line TA's which belong to a consortium.. BTW we don't go by the prices listed on their WEB sites, as most of them will advertise the same price that HAL has.. We telephone our TA or e-mail & ask for a quote .. He always responds by phone..

 

Of course, if one books a 7 day cruise he may or may not save enough to make it worthwhile & then a PC makes sense.. 9% to 12% is only $9. to $12 per $100..

 

But for us it doesn't make sense as we book Outside cabins on cruises which are for 14 days & up plus many B2B's which is quite a saving for us..

 

On our last 68 day cruise our TA even gave us a reduction on our Insurance which I took into consideration when booking on the Prinsendam..

 

Have a nice day

 

Betty

Hi Betty -- hope everything is ok. I understand about the blocks of cabins -- I was using the term "commission" as encompassing all discounts the TAs might get.

As I mentioned, I have used the site that lets the TAs send you a quote, and I believe I did that on my 15 day east coast. The price I received that way was very close to what I paid the PCC.

I also know 3 people who are what I would call a TA in name only. They have a website hosted by some group (and I don't remember the name) and have asked me to let them book my cruises just so they get the commission. Two of them have never been on a cruise and I am not sure the third has.

My personal experience with two B&M TAs has been bad, while my experience with the whole PCC department has been extremely good.

You and RandyK have been fortunate to find one or more TAs that can, and do, give discounts. Unfortunately, due to the rules here, we can't discuss them. So until I happen upon one of them, I will continue to use my PCC.