sandiego1

Cal King is 72” wide by 84”long. So the HAL beds are smaller in both dimensions (68wide x 76long). And they are wider but shorter than a Queen (60”wide x 80”long). Years ago, DH and I decided to purchase Eastern King vs CA King as it is 80”wide by 76”long. We figured we were more likely to grow wider than taller 😆 For us, we lose 12” in width when on a HAL ship vs home, but the length is the same. We find HAL beds just roomy enough for us, while we bump into each other frequently in a regular Queen.

Also, if you are traveling pre and post cruise, you may have more laundry to do.

It’s the only outdoor bar.

Yes, you still need to fill out the form and itemize everything. On the 2023 World Cruise, our cabin steward gave us forms that had no prices on it since we are 4*. At least twice, we miscounted the number of items on the sheet. Either or cabin steward or someone in the laundry dept contacted us to verify the count. They were right, we were wrong. Also, at the very end of the cruise, we were shorted a few items. Knowing the count and having photos helped them locate the items. I create piles on the floor for each type of item and take a photo of the pile before stuffing the bag. I delete the photo once everything is returned. So I knew my DH red polo shirt was missing. The photo isn’t detailed enough to show brand, etc. But since I know what we packed I was able to give a complete description to guest services. At the end of the WC, everyone sends out all their laundry. They stop accepting it about a week before the end of the cruise so they can get it all completed before we disembark. We received a basket of folded underwear and other items that were definitely not ours. We gave it to guest services.

If you booked early, you could get: WiFi, $500pp flights, and depending on cabin, free luggage shipment. Plus 3% off if paid in full by early June. No drinks are included. WiFi is <$1k (at least that's how much it was in 2019 and 2023WC).

You can buy a bottle of liquor for your room, either in advance on the website or from a bar.

The discount is only on the wine packages, not liquor.

In many countries, there is a basket next to the toilet for the toilet paper. While the hotel plumbing could possibly handle the TP, the city pipes can't. When in doubt, throw it out.

The large J and K insides on deck 1 all have a sofa.

I wanted to prepurchase before the price went up the last time. We're on the Pole to Pole in Jan. Since it's 133 days, the gratuities add up with the small increase.

I wanted to PREPAY as the daily gratuity fee went up recently. If one prepays and the rate goes up, you are still locked into the prior rate. I purchase gift cards for all of our onboard expenses.

I’ve been able to use them to buy excursions online. I haven’t been able to use them to pre-purchase gratuities.

On our 1st trip to New Zealand, we brought sandwiches, snacks, and fruit on the plane in a small insulated bag. We ate everything expect some chocolates. My DH was waiting for the bags to arrive. I was standing nearby with the nearly empty insulated bag on top of a luggage cart. A dog and its handler came right up to me. I was stunned when the handler asked me if I had any fruit or meat. I looked at her, pointed to my stomach and said “I ate it.” Then I realized the dog had smelled the bag, not my digestive tract 🤣 I opened the little bag and showed her the chocolates. We had a laugh together. I was amazed at how far away the dog was when it smelled the odor left in my bag from food we had eaten hours earlier.

1060 will be noisy from Rolling Stone Lounge. The K cabins have more vibration as they are in the aft of the ship. I thought there was more engine/machinery noise back there. Our friends were in K1119 and weren’t bothered by the noise or vibrations.

We were in 1024 for the World Cruise and loved the cabin. Very spacious. We could see the tv from the couch or bed. The foot of our bed faced the closets, not the side of the bed as in the HALfacts photos. It was quiet and we didn’t hear ROlling Stone lounge. Some of the large J cabins are directly underneath and are very noisy. 1063 is under the lounge. Friends were in K113 which is an adjoining cabin. The side of the bed faces the closets. It’s harder to see the TV from bed. I would avoid adjoining cabins if you want or watch tv.

Friends are going to be passengers on Villa Vie. They were told the ship has been delayed until 6/28. They were given a free trip to Tenerife while they wait.

Depends on the Chase card. I have many (gotten into travel hacking) and only some of them even have trip cancellation and interruption coverage.

Oops. Part of my comment is missing. Should have been: I believe only a few cards cover trip cancellation or interruption unless you charge the entire trip cost to the card. So if gift cards are used for part of the trip, the credit card wouldn’t cover you.

Working with Steve at the Trip Insurance Store, I have been able to purchase policies that cover us for the >90 day World Cruises. And I’ve been able to purchase policies that are primary, not secondary, coverage with substantially higher payouts than Chase Sapphire Reserve and AMEX Platinum - especially for medical evacuation.

@BermudaBound2014 most credit cards have low limits for coverage and top out at 60-80 days. They wouldn’t cover a World Cruise or a high cost cruise. I believe only a few cards cover trip cancellation or interruption.

That's a good point. Just because my insurance policy will cover a claim even though I used gift cards to purchase the cruise, doesn't mean all policies will cover it.

I have purchased over 120 of the gift cards (10/month in my name and DH). I used them to pay the majority of the cost for our next world cruise. According to Steve (Trip Insurance Store), the insurance we purchased WOULD cover the cost of the gift cards if we need to cancel for a covered reason after the final cancellation date. If we cancel before then, HAL would credit the gift cards (ie not refund to cash or my credit card). I received all gift cards via email within minutes after purchasing them. My TA did make a mistake and accidentally applied one of our gift cards to another person’s HAL booking. We purchased another card to make the final payment and are waiting for a refund from HAL/TA. I am confident it will be resolved satisfactorily. It is very important to keep detailed records of the gift card numbers and PINs, especially if you need to cancel. I intend to purchase more before the cruise to use for onboard spending and HAL excursions if I decide to book any through them. One caveat, you can not prepay gratuities with gift card, only a credit card. For the 2023 WC, I gave the gift card numbers to guest services when I boarded to pay for gratuities.

I have booked several Neptune Suites that were under the Lido deck. Lots of noise every time. Finally got fed up and swore never again. I’m very careful now to check above and below our selected cabin to ensure a quiet location.

The rumor is that it will leave from the West coast. We are hoping for San Diego (for obvious reasons 😀). I suggest you call the HAL World Cruise desk and submit a FCR. It was only $200 and is fully refundable. Then you will be notified automatically. Don’t call the regular HAL #. They don’t know how to do a FCR. Only the WC desk knows about it.

We heard a rumor that there may be one in Sep/Oct 2026. We have a future cruise request with HAL and paid the deposit.