laura1960

We didn't really find a resolution. We opted to leave the scooter at the hotel, and the hotel staff were fine with that. However, once aboard, we saw many people with scooters and electric wheelchairs (with lithium ion batteries...we asked!) and they said it was no problem. So I would plan to bring your scooter, but just have a back-up plan just in case.

Thanks, cantgetin, this is just the kind of info we needed!

Has anyone taken a mobility scooter with lithium ion batteries aboard the ship? I am getting mixed responses on this. People at sailor services have said yes, no problem, website says no. Filled out the special services request form, but have heard nothing back saying definitively yea or nay. I eventually got a form letter, basically stating what's on the website. My husband can walk short distances, but since breaking his neck in 2016, he doesn't have the stamina for long walks or standing in a queue for hours. Most battery-powered mobility devices ARE lithium-ion; it's difficult to find something for rent that doesn't have lithium-ion batteries. There's nothing Virgin-specific on the disabled forum on Cruise Critic. We may just rent a small collapsible wheelchair for the cruise. Also, many of the venues for the shows are primarily standing...are there areas for wheelchairs/seats?

My review of the Noodam (sailed on her on the "cyclone cruise" Jan 2-14). Despite the weather, and the missed ports, and the fact that my husband was sick a good portion of the time (not COVID; we tested negative repeatedly), we still managed to have a good time! The ship was beautiful, clean, and just the right size for us. You never felt as if you were on a massive floating hotel and were walking down endless corridors. Elevators were fast and numerous, and we hardly ever had to wait long. Staff was constantly cleaning and sanitizing public areas. I can't say enough good things about the staff....they were friendly, efficient and charming. From our cabin stewards to the wait staff in the dining room to the people who would write nice notes on your laundry (we opted for the unlimited laundry service), all stellar. I complimented several staff members on the Navigator app; hope they got recognized or praised from management. Entertainment ranged from great (Humanity, Cantare singing group, Rolling Stone Lounge and Billboard on Board performers, BBC Earth presentations, EXC talks, etc) to the so-so (the comics). We especially enjoyed the virtual bridge tour and the talks from the captain and chief mechanic. Activities around the ship during the sea days were a little bland, but that's okay, I brought some good books with me. We were in veranda cabin 6119, and it was a short walk to the elevator and just a few floors down to the main dining room. My husband is partially disabled, and can't walk long distances, so we appreciated this. Choose your cabin wisely. If I had any negatives on this trip, it was two things: a) the main dining room, and the lido buffet struggled at times to serve food hotter than lukewarm. I thought it was a fluke, but after several days of this I commented on the "Let us know" section of the Navigator app. I understand that they are serving over 1,000 people at the same time, and they're probably short-staffed these days, but still, it was odd. Never experienced this on a cruise before. I got a call from the maitre 'd of the dining room (didn't expect that at all!) and he apologized. Servers that night gave us a good table, and offered us free wine, etc (we didn't take it) and that night our food was hot. After that, it was hit-and-miss. Sometimes hot, sometimes lukewarm. Still very tasty, though. It wouldn't stop me from taking another HAL cruise. Curious if others have experienced this. b) We got the premium wi-fi package, which worked great for my husband, but was very dicey for me; Navigator kept signing me out, and wi-fi was spotty. Due to a "bomb cyclone" with 70 mph winds on the North Island of NZ, we missed Picton, Auckland, and Tauranga. Our great captain kept the ship and all passengers and crew safe and took us to Christchurch instead, which we loved. We heard some people grumbling but come on, you're safe and not in danger rocking back and forth in the huge sea swells. There were a few Karens who I suppose wanted to speak to the manager of weather, but the rest of us understood and were grateful. All in all, a good cruise, and I look forward to another HAL cruise (after all, I bought the coffee mug!)

Is it true that I can't use my OBC to prepay the Internet package?

Update: called my TA from AARP, and she said it's been added. I also got confirmation from SHEER ID that I am officially classified as a healthcare worker. I plan to take my confirmation email and xray license just in case!

Hell, it was a global pandemic. Discounts should apply to ALL military, health care, first responders, and teachers, wherever you call home!

Has anyone successfully applied a military/first responder/healthcare worker/educator OBC AFTER their cruise was booked? And does it matter if you didn't book directly through HAL? I just found out about this, and have already applied and been accepted as a healthcare worker. Website says new bookings only, but I've heard people say they received the $100 OBC post-booking.

The checkout is still not working....and final payment is tomorrow! The IT department at AARP (if they even have one) sucks. This has been going on for what, like three weeks now?

I'm still getting the message that cart checkout is currently unavailable. Dang, because final payment is next week. Hope it gets fixed soon. Interestingly enough, I no longer see the HAL $500 value card available, just the $100 one

In early July, I booked a 12-day New Zealand cruise on the Noordam for Jan 2023, using the Celebration Sale. I booked with AARP, largely because of various promotions offering a $600 deposit and $250 in on-board credit. I called HAL about another matter, and asked if they could verify that I had $250 OBC. The HAL consultant could only verify $150, referring me back to AARP. Obviously, I'd rather have $250 (this momma likes her frou-frou coffee drinks, a glass of wine with dinner, and maybe a frou-frou alcoholic drink at the show). Has anyone else had this issue, and how do you get it straightened out...before you leave, or on embarkation day? Also, when does OBC show up on your card?

Thanks for all the helpful advice! Yes, I nearly had a heart attack when I looked at the prices for New Year's Eve. We land in Sydney the afternoon of the 31st, and if previous transpacific/transatlantic flights are any indication, we will be walking zombies/blithering idiots after the long flight and probably will not be up to braving the hordes to see the fireworks. We will likely just watch it on the television, like I suppose the majority of Australians do. I had originally booked a small, refundable place in Chinatown that got mixed reviews, but now I see that it may be permanently closed. It's still available on all the major booking sites, oddly enough, but no recent reviews of the place. It's called Dixon Residences. As back up, I booked a hotel by the airport (Holiday Inn Express). Will probably cancel the Dixon place if I find anything more about it.....seems a bit sketchy. We have one full day (Jan 1) in Sydney before the cruise. We have done the usual sights (city tour, Bondi Beach, Circular Quay, harbour tour, Opera House tour, Blue Mountains visit, aquarium, etc) three years ago. We may do the Taronga Zoo, or possibly another harbour cruise.

Cheap! Or at least not $400 a night like some of the Sydney CBD ones. We did stay at Park Regis last time and enjoyed it.

Thanks all...it does look like it's about a 20 minute cab ride to the port, so you're right, staying in the CBD might be more interesting. We stayed there a few years back and loved it.

Ooh, thanks Jean! It looks like we are cruising out of White Bay! I didn't find this when I was googling earlier.

Hi, booked a cruise from Sydney to New Zealand Jan. 2-14 on Holland America's Noordam. I note there are two cruise ports in Sydney, one in Circular Quay and one in White Bay. We have a couple days in Sydney before our cruise. I am getting an early jump on hotels just because that's how I roll, and hoping to get a hotel relatively close to port. Anyone know which port Holland America uses? I don't see anything about it on the documents.