SuzieQ521

11 hours ago, PSR said:

 

You will get most of it as a cash refund if you cancel now. I just cancelled our June 1 cruise on the Maasdam on Tuesday, the 24th. My wait time on the phone was about a minute (about 4pm PDT). We are getting back a cash refund less the deposit, which will be a FCC. The agent said to allow 14 days for the refund (I suspect it will be a bit longer).

 

Our 50% penalty date was March 31, so we were getting a bit worried. It appears now that if we passed that we would've gotten 50% as a FCC, and 50% as cash, based on what we got pre-penalty. That was not made clear in the email from HAL extending the cancellation special terms to cruises before July 31. We decided to cancel, even though there may be bennies to wait for HAL cancellation. At this point, with all that's going on, we wanted a cash refund rather than a lot of FCC.

 

We really wanted to go on the cruise, but hopefully we will get another chance.🙂

Yes unfortunately we were hoping to get our deposit back as a cash refund too but we cannot wait much longer for HAL to take the initiative.

Us too...this was supposed to be our First big extended family vacation, including my 95 year old grandfather. probably won’t be able to do it again. ☹️

30 minutes ago, ON cruiser said:

It is a little rich for those who have not yet made final payment to urge "patience" to those who already have, and who, like Dave34 above noted, shelled out $12 grand and, understandably, since his cruise is clearly not going, wants it back. The myriad of excuses offered for the cruise-line (they are busy, they have other tasks, etc.) fall flat when a competitor, RCI, no doubt equally busy and having to juggle the same balls in the air, comes out with a policy that is fair, and which will also go a long way to preserve customer good-will. Not only Alaska but RCI has extended their overall cancellation--sensible in the circumstances.

 

Its not whether the Alaska season is at risk of not happening, or at least a large part of it. For those who have made final payment for cruises leaving during the absolute ban, there should be no doubt nor hesitation: offer our money back. If you want to offer whatever incentive you wish to include to get us back another time, that is the decision of the cruise-line. Yet only silence to those who have made their payment, when they now know they cannot go and who, now, may also be facing financial challenges given the stock market, job market, etc. (almost 1 million claims for Employment Insurance in Canada so far this month!) is not treating your customers well.

 

I am by no means a HAL-basher, by the way. I am a five star mariner who also sails Seabourn, and who is awaiting Seabourn's formal cancellation of our Alaska cruise that, because of the Canadian ban and Alaska ban, is not possible. So yes, I have skin in the game, just as does Dave34.

THIS. We have already paid in full for a June 7 cruise and have one more week before we get into the 50% cancellation fee part. If we cancel ourselves now, we just get FCC for what we paid, but we want a full refund at this point. Obviously there are no Alaska cruises at least up until July 1 so HAL needs to make that final decision ASAP imo.

I asked this on Hal’s Facebook re my June cruise booked in January...they said today’s change would cover us. But very confusing wording...let’s hope the rep was right...

14 hours ago, mrmoviezombie said:

For June sailings they have delayed final payment to 60 days before the cruise. That was only updated in the computers in the last few days.

Unfortunately, We have already issued final payment a few weeks ago. We are at least wanting to get our deposit back as FCC if we cancel, but it does not look like they are going to do that at this time for cruises beyond May 31.

2 minutes ago, Boatdrill said:

I answered this question : "Is it true that cancellation fees as a future cruise credit are only for March and April bookings?" And the answer is no. Cruises through May 31, 2020 are included.  

 

Your June booking is under HAL's standard cancellation policy. There is no Future Cruise Credit to be  refunded to you, or applied to another cruise.    

Oh I see now how I worded it...yes. If HAL extends this policy through June, then we would be covered.

Thank you.

1 minute ago, Boatdrill said:

No. The offer includes cruises departing through May 31, 2020.

 

"For guests who booked prior to March 6 and decide to change their vacation plans, we will allow those booked on sailings between now [March 6]  and May 31, 2020 the option of cancelling their bookings (no later than March 31, 2020...)"   

Thank you but our cruise is on June 7th. I am aware that full FCC will apply to cruises through May 31 but my question was that if we want a REFUND (of everything but our deposit since we are in penalty window), then we would not even get a FCC for our DEPOSIT since we booked this cruise in January? (at least, that's what the Costco agent told me after he spoke with a Holland agent).

Thanks for clarifying all this confusing stuff!

Is it true that cancellation fees as a future cruise credit are only for March and April bookings?

We booked our June 7th Alaska cruise in January and right now would be out the deposit...I was hoping at least to get that as a FCC if we did cancel.

Hopefully they will change that to apply to earlier bookings!

Thanks all. I got through to Costco. We in the first cancellation fee phase (90-64 days, less the deposit) so unfortunately too late for Travel Insurance.

And they are only allowing cruise credit for cancellation fees for March and April bookings (we booked in January) which does not seem fair but I am hoping they may change that if we decide to cancel within the next couple weeks.

Hello:

I cannot (understandably) get a hold of anyone at Costco (who we booked our June 7th Alaska cruise with) or obviously Holland America. Trip already paid in full for 13 family members.

This was supposed to a big first time Family trip, which was to include my 95 year old grandfather, parents, mother in-law, my toddler son and other family members. Although my grandfather is in good health, clearly there is concern and we will not want to take this trip without him as the whole point was to do it as a family.

We are beyond the May 31st current cancellation window that Holland currently has for future cruise credit; HOWEVER, even if this extends to our June 7th cruise eventually, FCC won't likely work for my grandfather and we would need a refund.

It appears that we are within the 90-64 day window where we would be out our $750.00 deposit amount. HOWEVER, I am trying to see if it would still be possible to purchase Holland's travel insurance and if the insurance even would cover Corona Virus.

If it is TOO LATE for Travel Insurance, then my inclination would be to wait until April 3 (the 64 day mark where we would "just" be out the deposit) and if nothing has changed in terms of Holland allowing refunds instead of cruise credit, then just cancel at that point.

I guess no one knows at this point whether Holland will allow refunds instead of cruise credit (at least for the most vulnerable like the elderly) but I just don't know how to go about it.

Sorry for the rambling...thanks for any input.

EDIT: Is it true that if we cancel, less our deposit amount, then that deposit would be given to us as future cruise credit?

 

Thank you. Yes, guess the best thing is to get magnets and hang a thick curtain starting at the end of the decorative curtain

Hello; 

First time cruise with baby...he will be 22 months when we sail to Alaska this June on Holland America.

Pic below of our balcony room...only possible space for pack n play is in front of door [would move table).

We definitely need some kind of separator between our bed and our son so we all can sleep better as he is used to sleeping in his own room...any recommendations as to configurations, magnets, curtain etc?  
 

thanks!

4 hours ago, catl331 said:

Can you swing an upgrade to a Signature Suite? You'd get a 50% wider room, with space between the bed and the desk for the crib, not blocking access to the balcony.

 

Thanks. That would be nice...will have to look at pricing! We are traveling with a bunch of family members so had booked all on deck 5.

More concerned with a separator than using the balcony at night...Alaska cruise so might be too cold at night.🤔

16 hours ago, crystalspin said:

The strong magnets and a lightweight dark drape is a workable idea, but there really is not much space that doesn't impede traffic to the balcony somewhat. Is he a sound sleeper? you could tiptoe around the crib and relax on the balcony. Just don't leave the door open because it will muck up not only your room's climate control but your whole sector.

 

One thing about the table is that it is adjustable from coffee table height to eating height. Not sure what difference that would make in your situation, but thought I'd mention it.

Thank you.

We will have a white noise machine on but still don’t want him to see us...sometimes he will wake up really early but then will go back to sleep so some barrier is ideal. Plus, I know my husband may want to try to watch TV at night lol

And we can probably  sneak to the balcony...just need to put up something somehow to separate the space. It’s too bad that the only place that fits the crib is that sitting area in front of the veranda!

Thanks again!
 

Yes, I likely will have to save some space in the luggage for some type of shower curtain as we definitely need a separation. There does not seem to be much space to put the pack and play other than near the couch area.
 

Thanks for the car seat suggestion. I may have more questions as our cruise nears😊.

thanks again!

Thank you. It is one of the regular balcony rooms; deck 5.

13 minutes ago, catl331 said:

I'm not sure what class of cabin you are asking about because HAL does not use the word "deluxe" for any of their cabin classes. They used to use the term Deluxe Veranda Suites in the past but  those are now called Neptune Suites. We've never had one of those on a Vista ship so I can't answer if that's what you are talking about.

 

We have had balcony (VA to VF) rooms on all four Vista class ships and have never had one with a curtain that will pull all the way across the room.  These pics are Oosterdam VE8098. As you can see the track for the mid-cabin curtain is only about 1 foot long.  However there is a curtain that can block off the hallway from the rest of the room. You could put the crib in the hall but it would block off easy access to the bathroom at night.

 

The table in front of the sofa is movable. You could get it out of the way completely by putting it out on the balcony.

 

On 12/10/2019 at 6:50 AM, fatcat04 said:

We will be back on Holland America Nieuw Amsterdam in less than a month with our then 27 month old daughter so if anyone has any questions, feel free to post them and I will do my best to get the answers. 

Thanks so much for all your information. Sailing for the first time with our son, also our first time on Holland, on Oosterdam in June to Alaska. Balcony room. He will be 22 months then.

1,  Not sure about your ship, but the oosterdam has a curtain separating the bed and the sitting area... do you think if we move that little table there , is that sufficient room for the pack and play there as we will definitely need some kind of separator for our son to sleep best.

2, do you need any type of cushion for the pack and play or did they give you something? When I have used it before, I had a mattress but we are not going to travel with a mattress! 

3, My son is already pretty big for the pack and play but I guess that’s our only choice...how did your daughter find it this time?

4, what kind of activities did you guys do with her during the day on Sea days?

5, was is the dining room generally accommodating with a toddler?

6, how did you find embarking and disembarking with the stroller? Did you stand in any special line?

7, did you bring your own cars seat ? Ours is so big, it’s going to be a pain to carry on the plane and then keep it in our room so I’m wondering if I could find a travel version.

Thanks! 

Thank you. 
 

Do you know if the table they have in front of the couch is movable? I am hoping there is enough space for a crib right in front of the couch as I don’t know where else it could be put...

thank you

Hello, first time sailing on Holland America and first time cruising with our son, 

who will be 22 months this summer for our Alaska cruise.

It looks like that on the deluxe veranda\balcony rooms, there is a curtain that divides the bed and the couch area...does anyone know if the curtain actually pulls across to separate the areas, or if it’s just for looks? I’m asking because I’m trying to figure out where to put my son’s crib as we want to give him his own little private area so that he could sleep better. If the curtain does not close all the way, then I will need to look into some magnetic hooks and bring our own cover.

Any other suggestions as to where to put the crib? I was hoping not to put him in front of the sliding glass door but that looks like the only place that makes sense, especially if there would be a curtain dividing him from us.

Also he’s a pretty tall boy but it looks like it’s more like a pack and play rather than a crib?

Thanks!

Highly recommend Payless shuttle. They were ontime, great service and constant text communication.

Let us know how the private shuttle with Payless works out. We will be leaving from that port on the Ruby Princess in March. Glad you asked about getting to theport early and the responses. Looks like there are some things to do along the area.

Hello:

We are sailing out of the Port of Los Angeles this Wednesday on the Star Princess.

Assuming our flight is on time, and allowing for a 45 -60 minute ride to San Pedro, we may get there as early as 9:45 /10:00 a.m....will they allow us to enter the Port that early to check in? (Although we did most of the check in online ).

If not, does the Port have any restaurants or anything we can do while waiting?

Thanks

Thanks all. We decided to go with the private shuttle, Payless, which is a nonstop ride with good reviews.

Assuming our flight is on time, and allowing for a 45 -60 minute ride to San Pedro, we may get there as early as 9:45 /10:00 a.m....will they allow us to enter the Port that early to check in?

If not, does the Port have any restaurants or anything we can do while waiting?

Thanks

Thank you! So all rooms now have the luxury mattresses?

We sail the Star this Wed...last sail before drydock.

Just to add an update for everyone, we came off the Star (10day Pacific Coastal) Oct 18 and found the ship to be in good shape. It could use some TLC in areas and some upgrades, but was far from being in poor shape. They replaced all of the mattresses on the ship during our first port (LA/San Pedro), which was a good thing because the mattress was horrible! Nice and comfy after that though for the remainder of our cruise. The crew was hard at work painting and varnishing at every opportunity. Some electrical work and new light fixtures were also being installed in public spaces during our cruise. This was our first time on Princess and enjoyed the ship and all it had to offer.

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Forums

Never had a problem with SuperShuttle. Shared shuttle is $17 per person. If you go with an exclusive van, it will run you about $70, as will Execucar (which is part of SuperShuttle).

Thank you...may decide to go with them after all. Is it less expensive to book without a reservation? Their website says $39 for a shared ride from LAX to San Pedro for 2 people...

Or is it best to book in advance? Thanks.

Hello:

We leave on a short cruise this Wednesday --arriving LAX to San Pedro on Princess. We arrive around 9 a.m. and need to get to the cruise terminal.

Looking for transportation for less than $60. Was thinking about super Shuttle but they do not have the best reviews and seem unreliable. Lyft at LAX also does not have the best reviews.

I did find a company called LAX Transport that seems to be a private shuttle service with good Yelp reviews for $54...anyone ever use them?

Thanks