curtdesilets

We are on the Aug 7th Nieuw Amsterdam Alaska Sailing.  Question: 

Question for those in the know:  Is it imperative to download the HAL Navigator App?

We are not big App people. In fact we sort of like to keep our cell phones off and social media off for  a week and just enjoy the Cruise.  That's our thing.   I sort of feel it might  be more of a COVID tracker in case people test positive.  Any thoughts? 

Question for you folks:  How does the Nieuw Amsterdam compare to the Westerdam and Oosterdam? 

We have been on those two, but not on the Nieuw Amsterdam. I think I read she was refurbished fairly recently.  We will be on her 3rd Alaska Sailing this year, August 7th.  And frankly we CANNOT WAIT!!   Thanks in advance for any insights. 

On 5/25/2021 at 1:20 PM, bobpatj said:

Ooops!  Sorry I meant the August 7th sailing, this year!

So are we!  Should be a good cruise, with fewer people in Alaska.  We have been in Ketchikan and Juneau previously when there were 6 ships in port.  Not this time.  See you on board perhaps. 

On 5/23/2021 at 8:14 AM, atexsix said:

I've noticed more availability than there was a few days ago, I'm assuming not everybody is interested in a different ship and itinerary. 

 

Congrats on having the booking, it's a great feeling isn't it!  14 months was the longest stretch of time in our lives we didn't have a cruise booked, it was the most depressing part of the lockdown for us.

Well for us not quite that depressing, but yes we are JONSING to get back on a cruise ship. 

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

Well, IMO any Neptune is a great deal.  Check with your TA (or PCC) two weeks before sailing, perhaps you can do a paid upgrade to a specific cabin at that time.  I like corner aft-wrap cabins for Alaska trips with second choice being near the Neptune Lounge.

I will check, but given the limited capacity for Alaska this year, I doubt if upgrades will be made available.  Good idea though. 

22 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

$1200 pp for a Neptune, especially on an Alaska cruise in mid-season, is a great deal!  Were you able to pick your cabin (likely would have to pay a bit more)?

 

Just found the paper work,  we got a SC (lowest Neptune Suite category) for $1599 (+ $300 taxes/fees/port expenses) but also a $200pp shipboard credit.  So rate was essentially $1399 pp before taxes.  Again though it was non-refundable fare, paid in full and they chose the cabin, so there was some risk on our part. Even our travel agent was ho hum on our decision citing the risk. We purchased in mid January in the peak of the pandemic. Who knew if Carnival Corp would even survive at that time?  Is it any wonder we got the "Casino" rate i.e. "Gambler" rate?  Ha!   

19 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

$1200 pp for a Neptune, especially on an Alaska cruise in mid-season, is a great deal!  Were you able to pick your cabin (likely would have to pay a bit more)?

 

Nope, and I think it is the Neptune "C" category which may mean one on the deck below.  but still... 

18 hours ago, zelker said:

By any chance, do you mean the trail at the end of Creek Street, the goes to the Cape Fox Lodge?  (I don't believe there's a Canal Street in Ketchikan)

 

That is what I meant,  Creek Street.  At the end you will see a nature trail that goes up a hill.  

3 minutes ago, quack2 said:

No cruises this year.  I am doing a 12 day photography tour in Alaska in July.  Denali to Katmai.

That sounds just as good if not better.  Have fun.  Share some photos on the HAL pages. 

5 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

GREAT DEAL!  You were lucky to be able to keep the same rate.

 

We paid in full many months ago, no refund, so I guess it was on them to make it right.  Something like 1200 per person if I recall, before port taxes of course.  I would have to review the paperwork to see what other perks they gave us. Anyways, regardless of the price, we are on.  On like Donky Kong. 

6 minutes ago, quack2 said:

Just going by the itinerary on Holland website.  Ketchikan is 7am to 1 pm

It's awesome to be the 1st ship in Ketchikan. Last time this happened: I am typically up by 5am and like to be the 1st one off the ship @ 7am.  You can watch the whole town wake up.  I have headed straight to the nature trail just East of the town. You can catch it at the end of Canal Street.   Then when you are done with your hike, you can see all the shops opening up and the hoards of tourists getting off while you get back on the boat to meet your wife for Breakfast. // Give it a shot. 

2 minutes ago, puppycanducruise said:

Enjoy your cruise!

Thank you puppycanducruise!  We intend to have a SPECTACULAR time!! 

On 5/20/2021 at 4:35 PM, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Well, I did it 😃 I just felt we absolutely needed to be on the first Alaska Cruise for July 24th on the Nieuw Amsterdam, we are already booked for September 4th and have that almost paid in full. We are not canceling that cruise but felt we also had to be on this cruise. And why not, our Nieuw Statendam Amsterdam cruise for July 11th got canceled last week.

I even got really emotional booking this,  I booked the air and transfers from HAL, air prices were actually really good.

If anyone is interested I think I will do one of my Live From threads here on CC. I think it should be lots of fun. 

Not crazy at all.  We will be on the August 7th one.  Looking forward to your review.  As the Aussies say: "Good on you mate".  Awesome choice. 

5 hours ago, HappyInVan said:

Sorry, BC isn't keen to join this party (see chart below).

 

Here's an economic perspective. The USA DoT values human live at $9.6 million each.

 

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Value_of_life#United_States

 

The WA death toll per capita is 2.5x higher than BC province (687 deaths per million versus 276). So, a difference of (2.5x1661) – 1661 = 2,492 lives.

 

Suggests that we saved 2,492 lives (compared to the best performing American state) at an economic value of $23.9 billion. Good?

 

I'm quite happy to wait for the 2022 full season. Why fight for the few cabins left in the abbreviated 2021 season?

 

Disclosure: I've a booking departing Vancouver for May 2022 made in December 2020.

 

We are from Orange County California where the 14 day rolling average for death and case numbers are practically zero, plus we are vaccinated. We need to see Alaska, soon, for our mental health. 

We were just notified this past Friday that our July Cruise (originally on Eurodam and then switched to Nieuw Amsterdam) will automatically be reassigned to August 7th. Cannot wait.  We know there will be restrictions, limitations and adaptations, butweI do not care.  We are cruising Alaska this summer and it will be practically empty!   Wahoo!  By the way, the Dutch have a strange way of spelling "New" ;>) 

So happy. Our July 4 2021 cruise which I was sure was going to be cancelled will be rescheduled for August 7th R/T Seattle.  We got a Casino Rate deal with all the perks and a Neptune Suite.  SWEET!   Thank you politicians and cruise advocates for making this happen. 

OP here.  We balked on the deal, but expect more to come from HAL before the potential Alaska sailing Season. Most Alaska cruises just have that one stop in Victoria for a few hours. Wonder if there is any contingency to allow the ship to dock there with no passengers exiting.  Just a thought. 

25 minutes ago, KirkNC said:

There is no such thing as as a sure thing.  That has never been more true then today.

You got that right.   Since we got the "Casino" fare, it points out that we are in fact gamblers.  I may just book this and see what happens.  Neptune Suites are pretty amazing, with that Neptune Lodge and all. 

We got an incredible "Casino Fare" rate for Alaska Cruises in May. Like $899 for a Neptune Suite w/ a $200 credit!

Should I book it? 

I actually got mixed response's from people in the know about perhaps waiting to see.

Carnival Corporation is apparently bleeding through cash and there was talk among some insiders that if they go bankrupt, we may all be holding the bag.

Any thoughts out there from Cruise Critic Holland America lovers, like us? 

Thanks for all the responses.  Still have time to decide. I do hope Cruising returns soon though!   - Curtis 

We were booked on Regatta Sept 22 and just made final payment this week as I was assured by Oceania that the cruise was happening. Sucker punched!  Anyways, it seems reasonable to keep the money in Oceania's hands as they will give us 125% credit.  What do you all think? 

We were booked on Regatta Sept 22 and just made final payment this week as I was assured by Oceania that the cruise was happening. Sucker punched!  Anyways, it seems reasonable to keep the money in Oceania's hands as they will give us 125% credit.  What do you all think? 

5 hours ago, Flatbush Flyer said:

As for the staff: If you start cruising on O regularly, you'll find that crew stay with the line for many many contracts. Along with that, you'll find that O regularly promotes from within. So, one of the best things you can do is mention their exceptional service (by name) on mid/end comment cards (and now on the TV input review system.

 

Will do!  Thanks.  Crystal is similar. 

Thanks for all the responses.  We are on Sirena departing today (Dec 7) and will see a reservation host ASAP. Will not bribe anyone as suggested. If the staff is accommodating, we will reward them at the end of the cruise, as is customary.  -OP

We are sailing today and due to procrastination or forgetfulness, we never booked our specialty restaurants.

What do we do?  Should I meet with a Maitre D as soon as we board?

I read that some people book all of their specialties and then attempt to get extras!

All we want is maybe 1 or 2 nights out of our 7 day cruise.

Does having 3 Oceania's in our past help at all?

Or should it be old school and tip the Maitre D for putting us in?

Any advice would be GREAT!  Thanks!