CNSJ

Posting this in the HAL forum as it's specific to HAL embark. I also asked in Canada Forum and the Roll Call. Boarding Zuiderdam on 1 Sep 2023 in Quebec City. Boarding Pass says Quebec City, Ross Gaudreault Cruise Terminal which is by Old City and Piers 22/24. All port schedules show Zuiderdam at Pier 30 which has a separate Cruise Terminal. I will try to get an answer from HAL today, but often recent Cruise Critic members have the more accurate answer. Do we go to Ross Gaudreault terminal to check in and then get moved to ship by shuttle? Do we go to Terminal at Pier 30? I am assuming its Pier 30 as the disembarking passengers will need a terminal and the ship wouldn't want to move the luggage. ???? Appreciate any insight. Don't want to have to Taxi to one, to have to retaxi - It appears Zaandam ties up at 22/24 during our time in port. We don't both fit. Late edit: It will be easy to see which terminal the ship is at on arrival on 1 Sep!

Looking for some assistance. Boarding Holland America Zuiderdam on 01 Sep 2023 in QC. My boarding pass says Quebec City, Ross Gaudreault Cruise Terminal. I understand this is by Old City and Piers 22/24. All the Cruise Schedules show Zuiderdam at Pier/Terminal 30. Do we check in at Ross Gaudreault, and then shuttle to Pier 30? Appreciate anyone with any recent knowledge. Doing want to have to Taxi twice!

I would be more concerned with mercury in tuna or other fish than the discharge of water from Japan's nuclear plant into the ocean. Please note: I am not concerned with mercury in my fish either. The levels of dilution are on a magnitude of a capful of water in Lake Superior.

Agree, I am 4 star, but sometimes will sign up for HIA w/Early Booking Bonus. For me a port intensive itinerary will often push me to say no. Long sea days like a TransOceanic, lends me to take the package. Glad we have choice at HAL. Some cruise lines (NCL for example) tout that drinks are included, then have you pay an astronimical gratuity no matter how many drinks you actually consume.

I did like a late sail, but I am afraid I am in bed before 10.

How many bookings did that entail? If I may ask.

Who was the Captain?

Thinking back to my big "post COVID" trip last year that included a few places well off the beaten path. The places you may prefer not to have the hospital stay, let alone surgery. For those of you reading this topic, many may have recently signed up for AARP to take advantage of the up to $200 OBC. I wanted to point out that Medjet does offer discounts for AARP members. Log into AARP, type "Medjet" into the search block. Use the AARP link to work your way there. If you are under 75, the cost is quite reasonable. Again, it's like any insurance you may buy.....you hope you are just making the company selling it profitable....and never need it.

That depends on a host of things. Where are you and why are you being evacuated. If you are in a major city like Lisbon, Rome, or Athens the answer will differ from if you are in Papua New Guinea or Spitsbergen. It could be tens of thousands of dollars.

Do something really crazy on ship. If crazy enough, The ship's Security Officer may take a mugshot before you are thrown in the brig. It might meet same requirements. Problem solved.

Since we roll clocks at night, the dining time doesn't matter to me. I wake, and eat Breakfast #1 ...two hours later I eat a second breakfast (#2) with DW. ...three hours later we eat lunch ...five hours later we eat dinner. My stomach says, it's been XX Hours since lunch. Feed me. Clocks irrelevant. Its Five O'Clock Somewhere.

I am on a May 2024 Transatlantic that arrives in Ijmuiden on 25 May 2024. The post cruise travel planning section on HALs website says nothing available. I need to get to the Rotterdam to meet my next cruise which leaves from Rotterdam same day...... I am hoping HAL posts a transfer. I suggest you contact HAL main HQ in Seattle. Looking at 2025, it seems HAL has far fewer ships departing from Amsterdam. Rotterdam is the port of choice, or Dover.

Isn't it Dover first, then - Rotterdam ?? I am looking at same cruise.

My guess is they didn't properly allocate cabins for each of those sailings. They can fix that.

Yes Europe 2025 is open for all to see and book. Prices seem about 10% higher than previous release, but then again we are talking about cruises two years from now and the police gets locked in. Itineraries are diverse, and I spotted a 20 SEP 2025 Rome to Athens 14 night sailing with overnight in both Alexandria, Egypt and Istanbul, Turkey. That would support an very solid shore excursion in Egypt. Have not seen an overnight in Egypt for some time. Will book while onboard next moth.

It looks like you still get Mardi Gras, but little else. Thankfully they made this change a year and a half out. No one would have booked flights yet, and there are plenty of opportunities to choose something else. If we donate allow cruise lines some flexibility to adjust to changing business environments, they will stop opening bookings so far out. On the other hand, they will anger some folks who vote with their feet.

When I first started sailing HAL, I was told they have classical music because many of the four/five star mariners went to high school when the classical music was being first released.....😇 Now I enjoy the 1970/80s rock from my early days....Its "Classical" Rock.

Where are you trying to go? I just saw incredible deals (on a major online TA site) for 14 day Transatlantic Westbound Rome to Ft Lauderdale on Nieuw Statendam 26 Nov to 10 Dec for $499 inside, $649 Oceanview, $749 Balcony and $1399 suites (YUP, Vista Suites for under $100 a day. All are double occupancy. Throw in a few OBCs for stuff like Shareholder, AARP, Military and its almost free. I'd add this to my fall schedule if I was not already booked on another trip until the day before far far away from Rome!

Sounds like a cruise you take when you need 1 more cruise day credit to get 5 star mariner etc.

This program died with COVID. Was it successful enough that HAL would want to resurrect it using Volendam or Zaandam? Like many of you, looking at off the beaten path itineraries. Just don't want to pay Expedition ship pricing for bad service.

Just so I understand the rules Kazu (others please chime in as well) we are traveling on the Zuiderdam from FLL-Bermuda-Ireland-UK-France-Belgium-Netherlands I have always cruised from Europe to US on Westbound TAs. This is my first Eastbound trip. Will we have to clear customs in Ireland and the UK? I want to plan my shore excursions with enough time after we moor. Thanks All in advance.

Suggest you take the cruise, then form your own opinion. No two people have the same exact wants and needs. If you like Hal, sail them again, if you don't - go back to X.

Wow! A great deal to unpack and reply to. I'lll toss out a few: HAL ships are all one class of service, with the exception of the Club Orange Add on. You get a few more perks with Neptune Suites (includes club orange) , like a special dining room on Pinnacle class ships. Ships size: HAL will compare to Millennium and Solstice class ships size wise, although Solstice are 25% bigger) Staterooms: I find standard balcony cabins larger on HAL. Laundry: Include for Neptune suites, but the by the bag cost is reasonable and very good. Food: Will be on par with Celebrity, but I find HAL Lido Buffett better by a stretch. Evening Entertainment: Adequate at best on HAL. Not as good as Celebrity, but a British Isles cruise is about ports IMHO. Spa: Both lines have essentially same. You did not ask about service. I find service on HAL much better and consistant! Enjoy your cruise.

Yes, but if you are going to sail with HAL anyway.....why not enjoy the extra OBC? 🙂

Good info in your Post 303. That explains the behavior I was discussing. Manual crediting required. Thank You