Canadaclyde

I got US $ and Euros. I didn't ask about any other currencies. It worked out great for us. We didn't have to travel to Ft Lauderdale with a lot of cash. In addition, we had problems with one of our credit cards, so the ability to get cash easily helped to make up for that issue. At the end of the cruise, we still had money left over in our onboard account, and HAL issued a refund very quickly.

I purchased onboard credit prior to our 2023 world cruise. When I needed some cash, I was able to get it from the front desk. There was no service charge.

We were pretty happy about it too!. Since I had initially been told that I wouldn't receive any compensation, I figured that was that. It left a little bitterness that would crop up now and then. And then HAL surprised us by applying FCC to our already-paid for cruise. We are now even more excited about our 2024 cruise.

While on the 2023 world cruise, I had to quarantine for 6 days due to the gastro issue. Once I was released I asked the Front Desk if I would be receiving FCC for those days, similar to that given to people isolated due to Covid. My reasoning was that the Medical office told me the cause of the sickness was attributed to the fruits and vegetables being served onboard; and that Norovirus has been ruled out. This was told to me three days into my quarantine. I still had to quarantine until I was 24 hours symptom free; hence another 3 days in my cabin. This did not make sense to me because my illness wasn't transmissible, hence I thought I should be released. After checking with Head Office, I was told that I would not get anything. I decided not to make an issue of this while onboard because I just wanted to enjoy the cruise, and not fight a battle. When I completed the survey after the cruise ended, I mentioned that I felt I should receive FCC. I didn't get a response to my survey. However, the good news is that a week ago, I noticed that my HAL account had been credited with a nice amount of unexpected FCC. The bad part was that it had to be used by 31 May 2024. Having paid for our 2024 world cruise due on 1 June, I couldn't apply it to that, and I didn't want to book another cruise just to use up the FCC. I contacted my travel agent and asked her to speak with HAL to see if I could at least get unrefundable OBC or apply it to our flights. The other possibility was that it could be applied to a cruise we've booked for 2025. HAL did even better! HAL applied the FCC to our 2024 world cruise, and I will receive the refund on my credit card. I am impressed that HAL did this. I could find nothing in writing that said HAL would give FCC to people quarantined due to issues other than Covid. Hence, they weren't obligated to give me FCC. However, they made good out of a bad situation, that went beyond the written guarantee. Thank you HAL! And also thanks to my travel agent!

Another good point! We are, however, flying three days before we sail. We are Canadians and our cruise is in winter. We're experienced with the havoc bad weather can create! I'm glad though that you mentioned it because you made me remember how helpful HAL was when we had to rearrange a flight to Vancouver because of a death in the family. We were to fly a week prior to the cruise, and ended up flying the day before. I don't know if the arrangements could have been made so smoothly with an airline. Perhaps FlightEase now has an edge!

Cheaper of course can be a significant benefit; however, if it's only a few dollars difference, then it doesn't really matter to me. Delaying payment makes sense if we want to leave our options open, or if we think we might have to cancel. I have to decide if that's a risk I am willing to take. It seemed like there were quite of few CC people who have had difficulties with Flight Ease -- their bookings were somehow dropped from the system, perhaps because of nonpayment by HAL. But as pointed out there are also horror stories of people who book directly with airlines. I reached out to CC because of the varied opinions and experiences of other cruises. I thought I might be missing something regarding the benefits of Flight Ease versus booking direct. Many thanks for all your responses. Now I just have to decide what we think will work out best for us.

I would like to know if there is any advantage to using Flight Ease, other than the possibility of getting a reduced rate and not having to pay until final payment. From reading previous posts, it sounds like numerous people have experienced lost bookings, so I am questioning how to proceed. If I book directly with an airline for approx the same price, am I missing out on something that Flight Ease offers?

I bought OBC prior to our 2023 Zuiderdam world cruise, approx $5000, to pay for gratuities, tours, onboard purchases, etc. When I needed cash, I just went to the front desk and was given US dollars (no service charge), or local currency (no service charge, just the exchange rate). It worked out great, it allowed us to not have to travel with a lot of cash, as well as we did not have to worry about finding local ATMs. We had some money left at the end of the cruise. It appeared on my credit card within a couple of days.

We stayed at the Palace Hotel in August 2019. It was in a great location, very central, lots of shops and restaurants close by, as well as tourist attractions. Nice buffet breakfast included. We had a package through our travel agency, unfortunately transfers weren't included. It was $60 Cdn for a taxi from airport to hotel, approx 9 km. Apparently it's easy to take a train. Here is the info I collected from 2019; I don't know if things have changed since then. In May, I sent email to Scandic Palace palace@scandichotels.com asking about transport from airport to hotel. Response was that price would be approx 250–350 DKK ($50–70 Cdn) depending on traffic. Taxis will accept credit cards. Also said we could take the regional train to the central station, and then walk to hotel which will take about 5-7 minutes. To take train: From airport, taking the train, with luggage, is easy. Most trains from Copenhagen Airport have low floor wagons with step-free access. Take the train, not the metro. Costs 36 DKK (approx $7.30 Cdn) per person. Tickets for the train can be purchased at machines in the baggage claim area or machines near the DSB ticket sales counter inside Terminal 3. These machines only accept coins, some credit cards, and most debit cards with PIN. Can also purchase tickets at the DSB ticket sales counter inside Terminal 3. Entrance to train station (Københavns Lufthavn, Kastrup Station) at the airport is located near end of Terminal 3 (which is the terminal we will arrive in). From the arrivals exit baggage hall of Terminal 3, walk straight across the terminal. At the end of the terminal, follow the signs towards Track 2 for Copenhagen Central Station, Nørreport, Østerport, Helsingør, Fyn and Jylland. Take the moving walkway down (no steps on walkway) towards train tracks to board next train. Elevator available if preferred. Do not need to validate ticket or pass through any gate; just ensure you have ticket in hand in case asked. During day train runs every 10 minutes; at night runs about 1 to 3 times per hour. Takes about 13 minutes to reach Copenhagen Central Station from CPH Airport.

Just completed a back-to-back-to-back cruise on the Caribbean Princess. We had three booking numbers that were linked. The coffee "card" that I purchased for the first cruise was valid for the three cruises for 15 specialty coffees and unlimited regular coffee, tea and hot chocolate. The only problem was that they miscalculated the number of specialty coffees I ordered (probably because I ordered some when I was in covid quarantine -- the coffees are supposed to be free during that time). I was able to sort out the problem. Until the second last day when I ordered a coffee and was charged, even though I knew I had only ordered 13 specialty coffees in total (not including the ones I got free while in quarantine). My suggestion is to keep track of how many coffees you order.

Thanks for taking the time to tell us all about your cruise. I'm glad you had such a good time. I was fortunate to sail when Gary was our cruise director. He really added to our enjoyment. I'll be sailing on the Caribbean Princess in August. I sure wish he will still be on the ship; but I imagine that would be beyond his current contract. Wishing you safe travels on your way home. I look forward to hearing about your future adventures.