Not Mrs C

On 10/30/2018 at 1:54 AM, grsnovi said:

In a word YES. We have never boarded in Vancouver, BC so I can't begin to imagine how somebody had that experience but we have boarded HAL cruises in Seattle, Copenhagen and Amsterdam. We always arrive early and are always on board in time for lunch. Years ago you often had to wait to access your stateroom however these days the rooms are typically ready when you board. Sometimes your luggage will be there but you may have to wait for it. Enjoy your cruise!

On 10/31/2018 at 7:39 AM, Lindylou08 said:

 Thanks HALover 😉🥂we are very excited

I am told seattle is OK, because if you are from the UK like us you will have already done US customs.  The problem with Vancouver is you are moving from Canada to the States and it is the US border authorities that are causing the problems.

On 10/25/2018 at 5:21 PM, IMDINA1201 said:

Our first cruise is booked for October 2019.  We're very excited but have so many questions.  I received an email today letting me know that the daily gratuity amount will be higher effective 12-1-2018. I'm being given the option to pay it now vs. when the amount goes up.  Anybody have an opinion about this?  

This is one of the reasons I will never go cruising again.  Total rip off.  We went with Holland America, they added a substantial amount to our bills for gratuity. They then proceeded to add 10% to the bill every time we ordered a drink at the bar.  The excursions were over priced.  We were told on a number of occasions by the cruise line if you don't book with them you will not be guaranteed to get back to the ship on time.  Utter rubbish.  On one excursion all the passengers took a rail trip.  Over $100 per head from the cruise line.  If you walked to the station 500yards from the boat, you could get the same train ride for about $25.  Same train same times (only one train ran).  Never book an excursion through the cruise liner every single one we could get cheaper in the local resort. As for gratuity - I would prefer to tip were I have received good service, cruising to me is not exceptional service, its like staying in a floating all inclusive hotel.  I would not except poor service for the price paid.  Everything was added on as extras, wifi! bottled water in the room, over priced drinks packages (with them confiscating or charging corkage if you attempted to bring your own on board, even for consumption in the cabin.

No No No my advice to you is tip where you feel necessary and ask for it to be removed from your bill.

On 10/28/2018 at 2:22 AM, Woodfaerie said:

I am a HAL newbie.  Are we allowed into our stateroom upon boarding?  thank you.

Well if you are going on an Alaskan Cruise you will be lucky to get on board before the sailing time.  We took over 5 hours to get through the wording procedure at Vancouver.  Terrible - 6 cruise ships boring and only 13 US customs officers dealing with the process.  Good Luck

How formal are the formal nights on the Alaskan Cruises? I am getting mixed reports, will my husband be OK in a lounge suit, we are travelling before the cruise and luggage is limited so bringing a dinner jacket/tux could cause us problems

I book all our holidays direct. That is cruising or other trips. We have done a tour of Europe by hire car. We booked flights then booked hire car. Booked first hotel and last hotel then made up the rest as we went along via the internet. Found some fabulous deals. On another trip to Madeira we booked ourselves direct and then compared it with a package via a travel agent it was $500 cheaper for week. With the internet there is no need for a travel agent and you get a better deal. Use sites like trip advisor to see reviews and then take the plunge.

As a new cruiser can someone explain on board credit, what is it and how do you get it??????