FlaMariner

1 hour ago, wdw1972 said:

A couple years later he & his girlfriend booked a 7-day Eurodam cruise, where he proposed at the Pinnacle Grill.

Awesome!

1 hour ago, wdw1972 said:

but on a cruise he could eat whatever he wanted, and that ended up including escargot, jumbo shrimp, lobster, steaks, etc - all the adult stuff.

That was an important part for us too in raising our kids.....Today, they seem to enjoy a wide variety of foods...they really learned to enjoy fish from HAL. Also, they had to order their own food at the MDR and discuss with the waiter....no chicken tenders or ranch dressing....Helped later in life, so we think.

Our kids (28 and 31) grew up cruising with us starting with Carnival and quickly graduating to HAL.

Daughter is 8 points from being 3*.

She just got off her first Royal Caribbean cruise.....Caribbean run out of Miami with friends celebrating a friends upcoming wedding.....

Her phone call to us started with:  "I get it now why you sail HAL". When asked why?....Her response/review of the cruise:

• It was soooo crowded
• the passengers were pushy and some of the passengers were mean to the crew
• the food is so much better on HAL
• the crew seemed happy and were better on HAL
• I just like the HAL cabins better...they seem bigger
• the lido deck area was so loud with "boom/boom/boom" music blasting that we laughed how we had to raise our voices to talk to each other
• there were chair hogs just like HAL
• no free sushi and they charge for everything & too many "charge" restaurants
• ship was so big...I'm sure I never went to many of the areas
• their private island was nice like HMC and it did have a pool which was good

She's looking forward to sailing with her Grandma and cousins on the Nieuw Statendam in a few months. 

Also, the son (31) is getting married next year and he asked me to find him a Holland America Line cruise for the honeymoon. 

My conclusions:  The apple does not fall far from the tree and HAL will be fine with the next generation.

I always thought extension cords and octopus outlets were always off limits on HAL.....no need to pack that stuff, just ask once onboard.

If there is a strike by the longshoreman......

• We always bypass the longshoreman offering to grab our luggage and accept tips.....and carry our "carry on" bags on the ship ourselves...so ok there...
• I've watched them wait around to "drop the lines" and I think I can do that...but would need to jump on the ship fast..that may be difficult
• also, I'd want all the pallets of food, wine (and toilet paper) to be loaded on the ship before I sail

So this is a big deal.......glad our ship leaves from Singapore this fall.....

Good luck to those sailing soon from whatever the impacted ports........I say the ships should all head to Key West and embark/dis-embark....the locals would be so glad to see/welcome us cruisers....LOL.

What a mess....but I bet it gets resolved quickly if it happens......(and I will not bring up politics as that is not allowed)

9 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

I'm surprised that they let you use your 7 days scattered over the 14 days. I've never seen that as an option. 

We were surprised also.....

We were on a 14 night TA cruise....We wanted the pass but really only wanted for the first 7 sea days.....

We went on the "tour" at embarkation and asked the spa lady if we could buy just for the first 7 days.....she said she could not sell us that but she would let us ask the manager....

She took us to the manager and she said yes and she did it.  $149/pp for the first 7 days.

I figure she knew they would not sell out and better to make $149/pp than zero from us.

Disclaimer:  That was not HAL pricing and was probably done as exception so we realize that may never be allowed again.  Please don't go onboard and tell the manager that "FLA Mariner" on cruise critic said you can do this. LOL...

12 minutes ago, uzimmermann said:

This cruise is in about 60 days and it shows limited capacity for both 9 and 12 days pass.

My cruise in April and October 2025 also say "limited capacity"........IMO, that has nothing to do with the number of passes thus sold.....

They are referencing that, IMO, to create a "sense of urgency" so you will buy sooner.

...and also letting you know that the hydro suite does have "limited capacity" in that they only sell so many spots.

4 hours ago, Euby said:

Thermal passes usually sell-out before the cruise departure.

That has never been our experience....

We've bought onboard:

• Oosterdam April 2024 14 days (actually was able to just buy for the 7 sea days of the 14 day TA)
• Westerdam October 2023
• Oosterdam March 2023

Perhaps is the sellout for the 7 night Caribbean/Alaska bus runs?

1 hour ago, julia said:

That's all fine and well, but that's NOT the point. The point is that it should not take WEEKS and CALLS and AGGRAVATION by you or your TA!

But it does take longer than Amazon to resolve stuff w/HAL...Point understood clearly.  That seems certain.  What it "should take" is irrelevant....IMO...

....I just try to focus on the best way to efficiently get stuff done and letting a pro handle it.....in this case, the TA who it is not her "first rodeo" dealing with it....works well for us and thus I wanted to pass along our experience in dealing with mess like the OP is going thru.

Problem resolution is never fun......and can become quite the adventure/time waster. 

Here is what we do....

Anytime we've had OBC issues or inappropriate charges or tour refunds not happening, etc, I send an email to our TA (big, online TA) to track it down.  She handles it and she is better equipped to maneuver thru the HAL weeds....and has much more leverage than little ole 4* me. 

The timing is not fast but it seems to resolve itself in a couple of weeks.  She may ask for me to "let me know in a week if there is not credit" and when there is not, it's another simple update to her. 

I don't do a thing other than lean on my TA....Isn't that what an "agent" is there to do for you...why they earn the "big bucks"?

2 hours ago, kaz828 said:

We are not big on sightseeing or museums/history, what would be a good itinerary for a more beach itinerary? 

IMO......

@Mary229 stated.....Mediterranean is full of nice beaches.....

but....

If I wanted beaches and was not interested in the historic areas of Western Civilization....I'd not spend the $$$$ going to Europe (I think the Mediterranean beaches are nice but nothing like beaches in Florida or the Caribbean).

Instead, I'd spend my travel money cruising the Caribbean if beaches were my thing....

4 hours ago, 2TheSea4Me said:

Are we crazy to skip the balcony in Alaska?  

IMO

Not crazy.  

Luckily, the ship arrives at the ports and the amenities onboard are the same no matter inside or balcony.  You only miss a private place in the room to sit outdoors.  Lots of other nooks onboard to sit outdoors.

We've gone back and forth on balconies over the years....They are nice but if it means staying onboard for an entire additional week, I'd be just fine in the inside cabin.

Spend the money on what gives you value......being onboard for 7 more days is worth more than a balcony.  You will not miss it or regret it....IMO.

...and on the TV in the cabin 

On 6/28/2024 at 5:59 PM, PandaBear62 said:

Are there things you wished you'd packed?

We did a TP last year....

We followed the Aleutian Islands and it was chilly after Juneau (early October).....You will need at least the windbreaker/lite jacket

Also, more books.....we are paper book people and I should have gone by the used bookstore and added two more Grisholm novels.

We only travel with a carry on roller bag and backpack each....So we are not into carrying lots of stuff...less is more.

Enjoy the TP....we enjoyed the sea days, crossing the international date line and arriving in Japan rested and ready to roll.....

2 hours ago, Oceansaway17 said:

that is not a good idea, you should have vacation insurance unless you are saying you get your own.

I do.  I have cancellation, interruption, etc. with our credit card and GeoBlu Trekker for medical.

I'd never travel without it...but not paying the HAL high price insurance......

On 9/10/2024 at 1:03 PM, FlaMariner said:

So our first time at participating in this one buck deposit.....

 

• We'd been eyeing a 50 night cruise in March 2026 but worried that the daughter might throw a wrinkle in our plans with a possible wedding
• Surprised this cruise was included in the buck promo but it was and we booked today
• The fare was the same price we had been tracking...so no hyped up price because of promo
• We are booked....all for an investment of $2. 
• Couple of interesting "strings/disclosures"....$198 is due in June 2025 and is "un-refundable".  Remaining balance due October 2025 (4 months before departure)
• We use a TA (big, internet one) and was glad to know they participate in all HAL promos...this one included!

 

This works out great for us......We think we will be "in the know" as far as conflicts by mid year next year, I can also be attentive to price drops and we can also easily "change our mind". 

 

I owe a big thanks to learning about this promo the day before on cruise critic.

Adding another bullet point to my buck deposit drama:

• checked prices today (two days after booking and investing $2) and the fare is up $232 per person. 

So far, this is working out....Prior to this first time experience with the buck deposit, I really thought HAL jacked up the prices and it was similar to the other "sales" HAL offers where they add amenities but increase the price......not so thus far....all good.

20 minutes ago, Oceansaway17 said:

Aw but find out if you are allowed to later add on vacation protection.

Hal plays games with this. 

never, ever buy that.....so we are good.

On 5/24/2024 at 3:38 PM, Markanddonna said:

Any good, recent experiences?

Some of the best church services we have attended have been the Holland America Line "inter-denominational" services....many times on our TA's (2024) and TP (2023) sailings as well as other "longer" sea day cruises. 

HAL has it listed on the schedule and it is always fascinating to me how us Christians can get together and without any planning, provide a meaningful service.

No "paid" minister onboard but there has always been a retired minister, regular minister or layperson that easily offers up a sermon and a "choir lady" seems to always be present.  

We cruised to Japan and based in Yokohama for 5 days and wore out our Japan rail pass.

One day trip was Kanazawa.  We took the bullet train to/from Kanazawa, visited the Gardens and castles, enjoyed tempura at a department store restaurant (delicious and the folks were most helpful and kind to us).

We bought a city bus pass at the train station and easily got around to those places.

It was a fun and easy DIY day for us in Kanazawa.

I've found some really good YouTube videos of folks taking Premium Economy on Singapore Airlines from JFK to SIN....

I suggest going there if you want to see what it is like....We are pumped.  We depart next month.

16 minutes ago, fungirl28 said:

We just booked a 15 day Cultural Crossing from the Netherlands in October 2026. This will be a first cruise on HAL but the price was less than a 7 day Med Cruise I took on RCCL. It gave me a March 2026 date for an additional deposit and a final payment date in August 2026.

Welcome to Holland America Line.....

Yes, trans Atlantic crossings are a great deal....we've done many and love the price and the ports and the sea days.

So our first time at participating in this one buck deposit.....

• We'd been eyeing a 50 night cruise in March 2026 but worried that the daughter might throw a wrinkle in our plans with a possible wedding
• Surprised this cruise was included in the buck promo but it was and we booked today
• The fare was the same price we had been tracking...so no hyped up price because of promo
• We are booked....all for an investment of $2. 
• Couple of interesting "strings/disclosures"....$198 is due in June 2025 and is "un-refundable".  Remaining balance due October 2025 (4 months before departure)
• We use a TA (big, internet one) and was glad to know they participate in all HAL promos...this one included!

This works out great for us......We think we will be "in the know" as far as conflicts by mid year next year, I can also be attentive to price drops and we can also easily "change our mind". 

I owe a big thanks to learning about this promo the day before on cruise critic.

2 hours ago, Uncle Deane said:

1. Does anyone know how and when HAL assigns the guarantees? 2. Might we get a really good cabin location?

We mostly book guarantees...

When we book a guarantee, the cabin seems to be assigned around 14 days out....But know it can happen anytime...even at the pier. 

We've always been happy with our cabin location....but we are not picky and we think all cabins on a 'dam ship are in a good location.....after all, they are on a 'dam ship!

Be on the lookout for upsells...that's always fun and we sometimes bite on that....Remind your TA that you are interested in upsells and ask her to send them your way and prepare to jump fast if you like the price. 

Enjoy the cruise......

1 hour ago, mljatsea said:

Can I expect that there will be enrichment speakers onboard for the many sea days?

We've been on HAL TA's in 2019, 2021, and 2024....Also, a TP in 2023.

HAL always had a guest speaker/lecturer and also the regular EXC talks.

1 hour ago, mljatsea said:

Also hoping for more classical music opportunities.

On all of our cruises....those above plus other cruises, classical music was available. 

On 9/4/2024 at 6:02 PM, Sherry H said:

If I order on the first day before leaving Fort Lauderdale will I be charged local sales tax? Hoping someone can answer that question. 

So on the Oosterdam TA in April (2024) I ordered the 8 bottle Sommelier wine Package at dinner and we were still in Port Everglades (sail away was not until late, after dinner).

I just checked my statement and there was no sales tax charged for the Sommelier wine package.

Perhaps they waited until in international waters before processing the transaction....LOL.