NotLikeBelleRosen,IHope

On 7/1/2023 at 9:27 AM, Tampa Girl said:

 

Apparently not too significantly.  Take a peek at a very recent posting on the VOV's 2023 roll call re private tours and the M&G..  

I'm part of the VOV 23 roll call. The private tours discussed fall into the categories of already paid to vendors by individuals, or funds due to vendor on day of tour. The sign up sheets are so people know who else will be doing the tours or activities with them. The sign up sheets are not for hawking tours. The subject was specifically addressed on the roll call a few weeks ago.

Thank you for sharing your adventures. I'm glad your solo voyage was a success.

On 5/13/2023 at 8:56 AM, cruising sister said:

 

 

Yes, there are chair hogs even on cold itineraries. My cabin is on deck 10 and there are those comfy loungers that are divided by curtains on deck 10. I would walk by in the morning before 8 AM you would find books, hats and other things saving chairs. One day it was almost 3 hours before someone came and claimed their chair.

 

 

I think those chairs with the dividing curtains are cabanas that people have paid extra for.

I enjoyed following along on your trip. Thanks for sharing!

Thank you for posting each day. It seemed like you met a lot of nice people along the way. I enjoyed hearing about trivia and was impressed to hear your team finished towards the top each game,

Your posts had me smiling every day. I have to think the shipping boxes you began the journey with were actually your vaudeville trunks for all your props. It was evident that you had fun and made the trip fun for others. Thank you for your generosity of spirit.

I'm not sure of the relevance of my observation, but I attended a concert at Lincoln Center NYC this month and they were still promoting their partnership with HAL (via electronic billboard) My guess is that the partnership is changing but not disappearing.

1 hour ago, mcrcruiser said:

We were speaking to HAL today ,With regards to a March 23 ,2024 Mexican Riviera cruise on koningsdam .Shocked to learn that a refundable deposit on a VH cat handicap with Club Orange for upgrade was $2988  for 2 refundable  deposit  cruise fares .The Club Orange added a total of $350 to the over all cost . Port taxes are $135 per pax included in the dare above. No on board credit

 

 In 2019  that cruise would have been about $1700 for 2 people .Taking off Club Orange at $25 per day per person ,the fare comes down to $2638 . $ 938,00 more than we once paid.That is a rather substantial increase in a cruise  fare

The refundable deposit makes me think that this includes  "Have It All" You may be comparing apples to oranges.

On 3/24/2023 at 10:34 AM, FritzG said:

Is it a safe area for seniors to walk around in the daytime?  We're only staying one night pre-cruise.

Brooklynite here, Another hotel you might consider is Brooklyn Hilton. It's a few blocks north of Ace Hotel. If you're planning on walking around, it's closer to Brooklyn Bridge pedestrian entrance (if that's something you might want to do- "Hey, can I sell you a bridge" lol ) also near the Brooklyn Heights promenade which overlooks lower Manhattan. I haven't stayed in either hotel and am basing my comments solely on the locations.

We did not load Navigator onto phone (it's old!).  We used our cruise card for excursions with no issue.

We took an Alaskan cruise tour (on a different line) and we joined the cruise in Seward after the land tour. Maybe that's happening on your cruise?

When I was on Eurodam in the summer, there was table set up with the vases for sale at the floral arranging demonstration.

Had there been a price reduction that OP or their TA took advantage of? Benefits would have changed.

The day of the week has a big impact on traffic in that area. Monday through Friday, at the time you'd be traveling, would be towards the end of rush hour. The Brooklyn Queens Expressway which is the route that goes from Cruise Terminal to LaGuardia is also route that many commuters use to get to work in Manhattan. It would probably take an hour on those days. Weekend days the 30 minute ride is realistic. Pre-booked car for sure!

8 hours from Detroit to Wilkes-Barre PA, 2 hours 15 minutes Wilkes- Barre to Bayonne. Plenty of chain hotels, take your pick from trip advisor.

You might take a look at the Ketchikan Duck Tour. I think it was about 90 minutes long. Typical duck (bus/boat tour) I went by myself, but I could see an 8 month old being relatively content. On the water there's animals to point out.

On 7/21/2022 at 4:33 PM, NannaPop said:

Sent in a e-mail request about 3weeks ago, for a cruise in October.

Yesterday, received an e-mail from HAL stating “the stock ownership form (from my bank, used the form a lot over the last few years) does NOT show that I have owned the stock for more than six months?

is this new? Now have to prove you have held the stock for over 6 months? Never seen this before!

sent an inquiry to HAL, and await their response.

 

confused in Florida.

If you've been using the same statement over the past few years, they may be trying to tell you the statement is over six months old. If you haven't, try sending a current statement.

1 hour ago, AFNavigator said:

As others have speculated, this could be a test market to determine the business case of allowing the upcharge.  I hope it sticks because there are a few wines and spirits in the $12-$15 range I would gladly pay the modest upcharge but am not interested in paying the full price plus 18% gratuity.

I mentioned this specifically in my post cruise survey. I likened it to the up charge in the Pinnacle for dry aged steak. People might give it a try as an up charge but will pass on it otherwise.

On 7/13/2022 at 2:12 PM, bdenn said:

That is disappointing.  It is probably only in the Alaskan Market.  

It was an Alaskan cruise!

If you get shareholder OBC, can you also get military/first responder OBC?

Did not get one on Eurodam 7/2 sailing.

The "and more" was not available last week on the Eurodam. I asked at guest services and was told I'd have to pay full amount for any drink over the $11 threshold. 

Something else to consider, by separately booking into more than 1 leg, you might get more shareholder OBC (assuming you're a shareholder)

Any thoughts on Crowne Plaza Downtown? Good, bad, indifferent? 

@kazu I offer my condolences on your husband's passing. I have been an avid reader (not much of a contributor) of cruise critic. I have always found your posts to be informative and your zest for life shows through in them. Hold on to what makes you, you! RIP, Jose.