jennaja

I want to thank everyone who took the time to respond.  I appreciate it!

1 minute ago, NotLikeBelleRosen,IHope said:

With respect to soda card; if you don’t use it they will reverse $25 charge at end of the cruise. You don’t have to cancel before cruise. We bought two, only used one, and they refunded the other.

Do you know if the same goes for the $100 in beverage cards gifted by HAL?  On the soda card, do they issue partial refunds, or only refund if none of the card was used?    They are $50 cards that we bought for $25 each.

1 minute ago, cruzingnut said:

 

I get color from my salon and bring it on the ship; that way it comes out the way it should.  Be sure to get your "formula" from your stylist at your salon so you can tell the on board person how much to use and how long it sets for.   Been doing this for years without much trouble.

 

Linda R.

Great idea!

9 minutes ago, buzz & woody said:

We booked a cruise abut 5 weeks before sailing and paid in full. We got a good price, but I have noticed that the price has dropped again (we are 9 days out). Will HAL honour the price drop or is it just a matter of booking at the right time? 

We booked our cruise about 5 weeks out also, and the price dropped by $100 pp for our cabin category the next day.  I had our TA call HAL.  They refused to do a price adjustment because it was after final payment was due.  I asked TA to call back and ask if there was anything HAL could do, and they gave us a $50 beverage card per person.

2 minutes ago, Tampa Girl said:

DH and I used them  7 times on our recent 89-day Grand Asia.  1)  It is definitely not like a super cuts salon. 2) I found it quite expensive.  Pedicures were $75; hair cut and color was around $200; and add another $50 for conditioning treatment which I had not o.k.'d. The hair stylist was good, albeit full of himself and rather patronizing; but I was pleased with the cut and color.  DH was pleased with his hair cuts.

 

In summary, because it was a long cruise, I would have followed some of our fellow passengers' decisions to have cuts and color done in the major ports.  I did, in fact, have the last pedicure in a port city.  If it is a short cruise or ports are not feasible, what choice do you have except to subject yourself to the cruise salon.  If I sound negative, and I do, it is solely because of the stylist, whose personality needed some adjustment.  The high prices I expected, but $250 for cut, color conditioning was over the top.  In retrospect, I should have objected to paying it.

Thank you.  This info is really helpful.   Our cruise is a 14 day to Alaska, so there may not be many options in port.  I'll need to make time to get everything done before we leave.

4 hours ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

You can cancel your soda cards up to 3 days before you sail.  I would do it as soon as possible.

Do you know if the beverage cards gifted by HAL can be redeemed for something else, or if they can be converted to cash at the end of the sailing?

We bought two $50 soda fountain cards (bought for $25 each) for our upcoming sailing, before HAL gifted us with 2 beverage cards in lieu of a price adjustment.  I doubt that we would be able to use $200 of soda and coffee in 14 days.  Is the unused  balance on either the soda card and/or the  beverage card refundable?  Or, do you think we could exchange the beverage cards for credit in the Pinnacle Grill?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts and comments.

I would normally get my hair cut and highlighted prior to sailing, but I'm running out of time!  I've never used the hair salon on HAL.  For those of you who have, what was your experience?  Would you consider the quality of the services to be comparable to a good land-based salon, or more like a Super Cut type of experience?  Do you tip the stylist during the visit, or are the gratuities included in the cost of the service?

21 hours ago, qoap24 said:

For those of you that say you prefer PG for lunch than dinner, can I ask why? TIA

Lunch is 3 courses -- dinner in the PG is a heavy meal for us so late in the day.  We really like the appetizers at lunch, and they will allow you to have 2 (ie crab cakes and some kind of delicious shrimp).  They offered lobster twice last year on our 14 day Alaska.  I think the upcharge was an additional $20.

We prefer the Pinnacle Grill lunch over the dinner.  Lunch at the PG, and a very light dinner later.  The crab cakes are fantastic!

7 minutes ago, CuriousC said:

There is a stairway in about the middle of the aft deck so from 2713, you might notice it a little bit to the right of your window frame when looking out from your cabin.  I guess that's what might be referred to as an "obstruction".  We didn't find it bothersome but we tend not to spend very much time in our cabin. If you want to take photos, head outside or up the stairwell to the promenade deck.  There are some mechanical noises outside on that aft deck (not sure what they're related to) but it was quiet inside the cabin.  We did notice a little bit of noise in the morning when docking but by then, it was usually time to get up to start the day.  You are correct - the window is behind the bed so you can't see out while in bed - you have to turn around.  Also, I don't think there is a bathtub in any of those 3 aft cabins - only a shower.   Hope this helps somewhat.  If you go on to the HAL website, you can check out the various ships and deck plans, and there's also photos of the various cabin types (inside, oceanview, veranda, etc.) which will show you the layouts.

CuriousC,

Thank you for all your help.  I appreciate it!  Even the HAL reps don't seem to know much about the individual cabins.

Thank you so much to everyone who took time to offer their thoughts and comments.  I appreciate it!

40 minutes ago, oaktreerb said:

Good for you.  You got HAL to acknowledge the error and got what you paid for.  The Amsterdam is a great ship.  If you are on the Alaska 14 day itinerary in Alaska you have chosen the best itinerary.  Have a wonderful cruise.

Thank you!  The only Alaska itinerary that beats this one is the 21 day Maasdam.  Maybe someday...

33 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

I can’t wrap my head around the fact that they are knowingly selling an obstructed/partially-obstructed room as an unobstructed!  @jennaja, I hope you enjoy your new room!

Looking forward to it.  TA says that HAL supervisor said that it's the only "E" cabin with an obstructed view.  Does seem like it needs to be recategorized.

Just now, JudithLynne said:

1836 looks like it is in a nice location.  We have been in an OV a few times before they changed the smoking rules.  The cabin has a nice sitting area.  It can feel a bit crowded but you get use to that.  I think you made a change for the best.  Enjoy your cruise. 

Thank you!  We're really looking forward to it.

I was happy that HAL acknowledged the mistake, and corrected it.

18 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

Best wishes!  Let us know how it goes.

Duplicate post.

16 minutes ago, FlorenceItaly said:

Best wishes!  Let us know how it goes.

HAL acknowledged to the TA that we were assigned the only "E" cabin that is obstructed.  They were able to move us to an unobstructed "E".  Cabin 1836.  Any thoughts/info on that cabin?

1 minute ago, FlorenceItaly said:

Best wishes!  Let us know how it goes.

Still on hold!

8 hours ago, oaktreerb said:

Hang in there.  I am convinced that HAL has misclassified this cabin.  It should be an ‘H’.

 

I also use the big box TA.  All unobstructed cabins may be filled.  If so they at least owe you OBC to compensate you plus a couple of drink cards or pinnacle dinners.  The theory that this was caused by the “any upgrade” box allowing them to put you in an obstructed cabin is simply wrong and this TA needs some retraining.  Take this issue to a manager if you need to.

HAL continued to sell the unobstructed oceanview guarantee cabins for at least a week after we booked.

I'm on hold with the TA as I type this.

25 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

If you look at it from the perspective of having a verandah where the railing is wooden with a glass and steel partition... you could argue that this was an obstructed or partially-obstructed view also.

 

I booked an FF Unobstructed Guarantee and was upgraded to an E Unobstructed.  I have chosen to be fine with the allocation because I may really like it!  I don’t think you received a lesser allocation.  In fact, I think it will probably turn out to be a really good one.  In the grand scheme of things you’re not going to be spending much time in your room gazing out your window.  You’re going to be out on deck or in the public spaces to properly enjoy the view.  Twisting and turning in the wind over an upgraded allocation is not a nice way to spend your vacation prep.  You’re going on a cruise and it’s going to be awesome!

I also would be ok with an unobstructed oceanview, since that's what our guarantee was for.  But that's not what we received.  HAL's deck plan shows that this is an obstructed view.

13 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

If you look at it from the perspective of having a verandah where the railing is wooden with a glass and steel partition... you could argue that this was an obstructed or partially-obstructed view also.

 

I booked an FF Unobstructed Guarantee and was upgraded to an E Unobstructed.  I have chosen to be fine with the allocation because I may really like it!  I don’t think you received a lesser allocation.  In fact, I think it will probably turn out to be a really good one.  In the grand scheme of things you’re not going to be spending much time in your room gazing out your window.  You’re going to be out on deck or in the public spaces to properly enjoy the view.  Twisting and turning in the wind over an upgraded allocation is not a nice way to spend your vacation prep.  You’re going on a cruise and it’s going to be awesome!

I believe that the type of balcony room you're describing is sold as an obstructed or partially obstructed balcony cabin, at least on the other cruise lines we've sailed.

We booked and paid for an unobstructed balcony guarantee.   HAL's own deck plan shows that the cabin assigned to us is an obstructed cabin.  

We have sailed to Alaska many times, and prefer Princess, Celebrity and Royal because the onboard activities and entertainment, and their modern style, is more to our taste.  Our 2 prior 14 day cruises on HAL were chosen for the itinerary.  The cruise on the Zaandam last year was fantastic.  The first one, on the Amsterdam, not so much.  We had torrential rains for 13 of the 14 days, and the entertainment  was mostly chamber music, which is not our preferred type of music.  The public areas were more crowded than they probably would normally be, and all that I can recall of the entertainment was a lot of chamber music.

I would love to have a day in Fairbanks!  I would contact the Arctic German Shepherd Rescue, and see if they could use a couple of volunteers for the day.  The lady that runs the rescue is an amazing example of the Alaska spirit, and also happens to be a world class photographer!

35 minutes ago, CuriousC said:

Hi Jennaja,

 

Personally, we really liked the cabin and were very happy there.  We found it to be wider than most.  Usually, the bedside tables are right up against the wall but this one had at least a foot and perhaps more extra space on both sides of the bed.  Easy access to the dining room, the promenade deck and great views out the back door from where you've been.  We also found it to be quieter, as these back cabins are a little bit off the main hallway.  The cabin also had a nice sitting area with a loveseat and adjustable table, and lots of closet and drawer space.  I wouldn't hesitate to book it again.

 

Hi CuriousC,

How was the view from the cabin?   What was the obstruction?  When you lie in bed, can you see out the window, or is the window behind the bed?  Was there much noise from either the engines or the anchors?  

We booked an unobstructed outside oceanview guarantee, and from what I've seen posted, it seems like the view is definitely obstructed.

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

It's the risk of guarantees, especially with insides and OV cabins where there is so much variability. HAL decides which cabins are which grade, and you can't limit the upgrade options to only certain cabin grades. I'm not sure there is a "no upgrades" option when you book a guarantee.  I think the only argument you have here is that your cabin is the only E that's marked partial view. 

 

We booked the guarantee because all HAL showed was either inside guarantee, or one of the 4 levels of outside guarantee.   Due to work issues, we always end of booking our cruises at the last minute.

7 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

You booked FF and got E, which is supposedly an upgrade. I understand that it doesn't feel like one. I find it odd that these "partial view" locations aren't a lower category, but they're shown as E.

 

If you booked through a TA, call them to find out what can be done. If you booked directly through HAL, call them. 

 

I just got off the phone with my TA (big box store).  HAL was already closed, so I have to call back tomorrow.  His theory is that, because the original agent checked the "any upgrade" box at her end, HAL felt free to put us in an obstructed cabin.  I asked TA several times at the time of booking to make sure that our guarantee was for an unobstructed oceanview, and she confirmed that it was.  She did not ask us if we would be willing to accept any "upgrade" that might put us in a cabin that obstructed our view.  

I feel like I've been scammed -- not sure if it was by HAL, big box Travel, or both.