Ready2go11

Can someone share the promo code to use to double your future cruise credit on board credit?  I juts returned from my last cruise 2 weeks ago and i know i was able to double my $50 to $100 in the past when i booked within 60 days of the last cruise but cannot locste the promo code.  I think it was 3 letters starting with a “P”

Thanks for the assistance!

I loaded the $100 offer to my platinum card in December and then paid $500 of my upcoming cruise on the card in February. I received an email acknowledging I had used the offer almost immediately. However, 2 weeks later i still have not received the credit to my card. It also still shows on my online account as an active offer. Usually I receive credit within a few days and it will disappear from my active offers once I make the charge. 

Anyone else having problems with redemption and receipt of the credit?

I have used luggage direct twice because of the purported convenienc and had poor experiences both times. The first time I was “randomly selected” for a customs stop as I was leaving the ship. The HAL reps said wasn’t I lucky I didn’t have to wait in the regular customs line but I have global entry so I never have to wait anyway. It took them an hour to clear me and my bags, mostly spent in a small, stuffy waiting room.

The second time was even worse. I was again randomly selected and the review and scan took less time but when I landed at my home city, my bags were not on the plane. I filed a claim with the airline but turns out my bag was never taken from customs area by the luggage transit company to the airport. Three days later HAL called and said they found my luggage and would fedex it to me since it was still at the port. They blamed the transit company. The transit company checked their records and said they had never scanned in my bag and never touched it. That made sense since my bag was still at the port.

When my bag arrived 5 days later, shoes, a bathing suit (brand new for the cruise that fit me perfectly so you know what a loss that was) and a sweater were missing from my bag. I complained to HAL and they said there was nothing they could do. The $25 for the luggage service cost me time, replacement of items that were in my bag that I needed for those 5 days and about $200 in clothing. I would never use the service again and can not recommend it. Both times I used it were at Ft. Lauderdale. Maybe it works better at other locations.

I am heading out soon on the Eurodam in a Neptune and I'm wondering if I can buy the dining package once onboard. It would save $10 to buy but I would like to use the generous on board credit I have. Anyone successfully done this?

My family and I (4 people in 2 cabins) took the Christmas cruise on the Westerdam and it may have been my best HAL experience ever.

First I have to say that the 2017 dry dock makes this seem like a new ship. The colors in grays and mauve were warm and inviting. It has a modern feel and all areas were nicely decorated, clean and comfortable.

The Crowes Nest is more open and they took away seating to put in the ExC boards and learning centers and I miss the separate coffee bar but it also was bright and a great place to hang out and watch the world go by.

There were more families on board as it was a holiday cruise and teens as well. We were told the cruise was sold out but it never felt crowded.

Cabin: we were in a signature suite on the 8th fooor. Very spacious and double sinks in the bathroom are welcome, but they did remove the cabinets so closed storage in the bathroom was limited. The 8th floor was a great location to get to the Crowe's Nest and Lido deck by walking up a flight or two and far enough from the dining room and Pinnacle Grill that I could justify taking the elevator back up!

We had booked adjoining cabinets and were very happy with having our balconies accessible to each other. That we way knew if the other cabin was awake or sleeping (or napping) since closed curtains meant do not disturb. There was also an inner connecting door but that was less desirable since it left us with one less closet.

There was some noise at time she from being directly under the Lido Market, but not so much that is interrupted our sleep.

Food: hands down the food service and taste/quality was the best I've had on any ship. Our dining room main waiter, Nada, was fantastic handling any request with ease. We saw how he remembered special requests for other families with young children that delighted the children and gave the weary parents a break.

The food tasted as good as it looked and there was a very nice variety. We had dinner at Caneletto one night and although the service was SLOW (they never have enough waitstaff) everything we ate was so good. I recommend trying the meatball and gnocchi, as well as the zucchini risotto. The desserts lack excitement and we only had an assortment of gelato.

I did mss the NY pizza from other ships but the Dive In was as consistently good as other ships. I just wish the dice in was open later.

We had breakfast in the dining room on all but one morning as we like a slower pace and not having to search for an open table (and then remember where it is).

Dinner at the Pinnacle Grill was of good quality. I had the shrimp cocktail and the 12 oz Strip steak but my favorites here are the sides. they are served in smaller portions but will bring more of the popular items. Honestly, I think I only ate half of my steak to feel like I got my $35 worth! Dessert of chocolate volcano cake didn't push me over the top but the tray of truffles and candy they bring you did.

Wwe also had lunch at the Pinnacle one day; a first for me. The menu is shorter and contains a few other lunch size items like a sandwich or two. I tried the mushroom ravioli and was very pleased. The big problem was with the service. I asked for the aioli for my fries and was told that was only served at dinner. Disappointing but I understood. However, my brothers steak ordered as medium rare was delivered well done and my sister asked for tea and received a mostly empty teapot with a used tea bag in it. The staff just didn't seem to have it together. Nada in the dining room provided substantially better service than we had in both of the Pinnacle experiences.

A delight was afternoon tea. We only had a chance to go once but the seating was for smaller groups rather than the longer tables we've had on other ships and we were served a three tiered tray of sweet and savory treats. I much preferred this to waiters circulating with large trays and it made things go much smoother since people arrived in waves.

Entertainment was as expected for HAL. Music venues were nice and popular. The shows were lacking and the magician was just plain bad. Over the years the number of available activities has diminished and that continues. I appreciate the BBC shows and Q&As but more enrichment activities beyond Windows computer classes would be nice.

Americas Test Kitchen events were repeats of those on an Alaska trip in September so I did not attend those. I suggested in my HAL review that since you do not get to try the food you watch and smell them prepare, to tie it into menus at the Lido or in the dining room or have special tasting sessions.

Last item I'll mention is the spa. We booked the week long pass on the first day and enjoyed the heated ceramic loungers a lot, as well as the hydro pool. It was very warm but once you were in, it was fabulous. The only issue we had was with most spa staff who seemed less than thrilled to help anyone or didn't know what was going on.

Although I mentioned a few things that could be improved upon, the entire Westerdam experience makes me want to travel on her again!

I booked another their cruise on board my Christmas cruise and was able to use a future cruise credit purchased on a prior trip and did not have to buy a new credit.

I arranged a ROV for my parents fiftieth during a September 2017 family cruise to Alaska. Only my Dad knew about it in advance and he proposed to my Mom just before the ceremony while we were enjoying a drink in my cabin.

We (8 guests besides my parents) received invites the day before to let us know the day. They told me it would not be on a gala night since the captain is busy with other things on these nights.

Everyone told me it would be a group event with other couples but despite 3 other couples renewing, everyone received an individual ceremony. Started with champagne and heavy hors d'eouvres and a private chat with Captain MacBeth (handsome Scottish captain!) and the cruise director, Erin Duffey, for at least 20 minutes. We got to ask them all kinds of questions about ship life, their backgrounds and how they came to be in the cruise business.

Then we went into a private room, the Captain conducted the ceremony, there were lots of pictures taken and even a cake cutting and then hugs all around.

Besides my Mom's complete surprise and delight, it is something we will always remember because Captain MacBeth and the cruise director Erin were welcoming, friendly and we never felt rushed.

Although we may have been extra lucky to get such personal attention and an individual ceremony, this is something HAL did RIGHT!

Thanks for the replies. I like the idea of the premium HAL insurance where I think you get ninety percent back for just about any reason, including if my MD flight is cancelled.

Just booked a trip on the Eurodam for February and since I will be flying from the northeast considering buying insurance in case of weather delays. Can I buy the HAL premium insurance even though I booked through a TA?

Thanks

We are taking a family cruise to Alaska in September celebrating my parents' 50th. A not so subtle hint to my Father would be a great surprise for my Mother. How do you go about signing up or "ordering" this. I have never seen it offered.

Thanks!

No, everyone is over 21. Third guest does not drink (but no medical condition) so it would be hard for her to drink $50 of water a day! Travel agent did not say anything nor has HAL in pre-cruise communications. Just want to make sure they are not going to try and charge me for third person when we check in.

Received the "free" beverage package as part of Explore 4 but it was only applicable to first 2 in cabin and I am bringing my niece and sister in a Neptune Suite. How will that work when HAL requires everyone in cabin to have package? Any info is appreciated