Denise T

I signed up for American Airlines' frequent flier and got the app. My travel agent was able to get everything changed after sitting on the phone with HAL for hours. Turns out they no longer had a flight to Chicago which is fine. I was more concerned with the return flight as they had me going to a completely different airport. I should have gotten the app immediately as I have the aps for Delta and United. Lesson learned.

I am going on my first Hall cruise in May. Going on the Niew Amsterdam to Alaska with my sister, brother, and sister-in-law. I went to Canada/New England last October on the NCL Pearl. I like the smaller ships that don't have all the slides and go carts and everything else. I take the comments with a grain of salt. Everyone's experience is going to be different. The trip is what you make of it. The fact that I am going with my family is really what matters. Things happen in life that are out of our control. It's how you handle it that makes the difference. I had no problems with my NCL cruise. The first big problem with this cruise was a change in flights by the airline that I booked with Flight Ease. Turned it over to my wonderful travel agent and everything is resolved. Now, I just have to patiently wait until May.

I am going through a very similar situation. Had the flights booked through Flight Ease for my Alaska Trip through American. Seats were picked and everything. This past week, my sister-in-law who is going with me told me that there were flight changes on her booking. So, I checked the HAL site and was getting a message that there was an error and that there were changes to the flights and the system would be updated. As of today, I am still getting that message. I was never notified, and my TA was never notified. I go to American with my confirmation number. Boy did the flights change! Going to Anchorage we were going through Allentown, PA to Chicago to Dallas and then to Anchorage. On the return we would be flying out of Vancouver to Chicago and to Allentown. Now, they have us going from Allentown to Charlotte, to Dallas, to Anchorage. No biggie. I am okay with this. The problem is that they have us flying from Vancouver to Chicago to Philadelphia. Philadelphia is about 2 hours away from Allentown where our car will be parked. My TA is working on it, but the big issue is that neither of us were notified of any changes to the flights. My sister-in-law was using American Express travel to book the trip, so she got notified. So, right now, I don't know if I have flights. I am with you. I will book direct moving forward.

Thank you for your review. I will be on my first HAL cruise on the Nieuw Amsterdam next May to Alaska. I appreciated the pictures.

203

Which responses were rude?

I just got back from sailing Canada/New England, October 14 to October 21. Canada was warm! Charlottetown was almost 70. Luckily had I had thrown a few shorts and short sleeved shirts. Nights were cooler, especially if walking on the outside decks. I had packed a light jacket, a rain jacket, some sweaters and jeans.

Yes, I did see that. I feel so special! I believe they did offer the special and I think it was on Tuesday. I didn't make use of it as I think I overpacked and had more clothes than I needed.

I think that the bathroom might be bigger. The club balcony has a longer sofa and a curtain to separate the sofa area from the beds.

I am fully vaccinated. No, no testing was required for this trip. As of now, Canada relaxed COVID protocols to enter the country and therefore Norwegian no longer requires testing for Canada.

Slowly readjusting to life back on land. The best was picking my cats up from boarding and getting to hug them. I am starting the countdown to my next cruise!

I am going May 28, 2023, on Holland America's Nieuw Amsterdam. I am trying different cruise lines. I will be sailing from Whittier to Vancouver.

More pictures! I am back home, and boy do I miss the sound of the waves, having someone else cook my meals. Well, 217 more days until my Alaska cruise.

Sydney

More Charlottetown.

I kind of had fun walking around the ship as it was rocking and rolling. Tested my balance and made me laugh at times. Never got seasick at all.

Charlottetown PEI

Back in Boston. 🙁Arrived before 7. We had breakfast and waited for our group color to be called. Disembarkation was very smooth. Our color was called, and we were off the ship quickly. Got our bags and easily got a cab to our hotel. Our plan today is to see sights and then fly home tomorrow. Thoughts on my first cruise: 1. I loved it! The Pearl is a great ship. I am not one for the water slides, roller coasters, and racetracks. This is the perfect ship just to relax, eat, drink, and engage in the many activities. I would sail again on the Pearl in a heartbeat. 2. The crew was fabulous. They greeted us every time we saw them. They worked so hard maintaining the ship and making the guests happy. 3. Our room steward, Adi, was wonderful. My sister and I aren't used to being pampered and he got us everything we needed. We tipped him extra because he deserved it. 4. Upselling at the spa is annoying and I get why they do it. The goal of the ship is to make money. I took advantage of a bamboo massage which was great and some acupuncture because I wanted to try it. I did pamper myself here but just be forewarned that they will try and upsell for extra treatments etc. 5. My sister and I DIY'd our shore excursions. Yes, the shore excursions through the ship will guarantee that the ship will wait if you are late. But we found some very nice opportunities not offered through the ship. We wanted short excursions because neither of us can stand to be on a bus for a long period of time. Research the ports to see what deals are there. Do the ship's excursions if you are worried about getting back on time. My sister and I walked about the ports for a few hours and returned to the ship to enjoy the bars and activities. 6. Our room was a balcony club suite which is not really a suite. I was good for two people. We were comfortable and the balcony was great when we were docked on the starboard side. Not a whole lot of storage especially since it can sleep 3 people. 7. We only saw to children on this sailing. Could have been more. Unsure whether the kids' activities were open. We also saw a service dog. very calm and sweet. 8. There are lots of activities on board to suite everyone. We did quizzes and watched some of the game shows. We did not go to the casino as the cigarette smoking aggravating my breathing a little. 9. I believe this sailing was at or near full capacity. We managed to avoid many of the crowded areas. The Atrium filled up quickly each day as people claimed seats and styed most of the day. We were able to get seats at the bar when we were there. Hardly anyone at the pool decks when we got to Portland as the weather went from warm to chilly and breezy. Disappointed with buffet etiquette. I had people reaching over me when I was trying to get my drinks and they were not wanting to wait the few seconds until I finished getting my drink. The buffet has a lot of seating though so we could always get a seat. Much of the time we sat in the Great Outdoors. 10. Be prepared for this sailing to be an older crowd. Very little children. I believe that this is because school is in session for many. 11. Some guests don't wash their hands after using the bathroom. Saw this so many times. I have washed my hands so much and used hand sanitizer so much that my hands are dry. Not so much because of COVID but I believe Norovirus is still a thing. I do love the atmosphere Norwegian provides. My next cruise will be in 2023 to Alaska. We will be going with Holland America because a friend recommended, and I have booked that through a travel agent who knows the itinerary very well. I want to try several cruise lines. I will definitely sail Norwegian but not the bigger ships. Love the Jewel class.

Catching up now as I am in Boston and the Internet is so much better. Day 6 was in Bar Harbor. Very pretty. This is a tender port. Sail in was so pretty because so many islands that we passed. We decided to stay on the ship because we were so exhausted. Our plan is to make a separate trip to Bar Habor in 2024 because we want more time here. Breakfast was in the buffet. We ate our breakfast almost every day in the Great Outdoors, relaxing and taking in the views. We walked the decks, played some basketball (what a sight!) and I hit a few golf balls. We had a drink at several bars. We played some trivia (we were pretty bad at this one). Dinner was at O'Sheehan's which is my favorite. We saw the Legends in Concert in the Stardust Theater. It was Madonna, Michael Jackson and Elvis. I wanted to see the one with Tina Turner. Michael was by far the best of the three. After the show we packed (boooo). We played cards and watched the football game.

Hoping to download photos once in Boston and with steady Internet. I have so many great pictures to share!

Day 5: Portland was fun. We had to do Homeland Security check which was a bit chaotic. It did go quickly though. Once in Portland we headed left to shop for our swag and eat a lobster roll at the Porthole Bar. Yummy! Then we went and walked along the harbor which was very calming. Once back on board, we visited a few bars and just relaxed. I spent time in the spa. Dinner was at La Cucina which was delicious. I had salmon which I love. We went back to the room and relaxed. We got to watch sail away from our balcony. I am so impressed with how these cruise ships turn around and move.

Back again. Internet very sketchy going through Halifax. Day 4: I did not think that there was anything much to do here unless you were on an excursion. I was wrong! There is a beautiful boardwalk area full of shops and restaurants. I found a wonderful kilt and tartan store as I am of Scottish heritage. There were some stores closed for the season. But the walk was beautiful. We were in port with a Regent ship and the Adventure of the Seas. Once back on, we played some trivia and visited several of the bars. So very relaxing. We had breakfast in the Summer Palace (main dining room) and dinner in Indigo (other main dining room). Food was good and staff were awesome. Evening was spent listening to the live music. I don't want to go home!

Teo Radun

I am on the Pearl now and believe it is at capacity for passengers. The first two days (embarkation and sea day) it was a challenge to get around and even get to the bars. By the third day, we are able to see when the bars and restaurants are less crowded.

Day 3: Sydney was fun. I had read that unless you are on an excursion, there is not much to do. We walked the boardwalk and it was beautiful. After that we walked around the port in the neighborhoods. I loved the cute littel houses and dreamt about what it would be like to live there. We were in port with Regen'ts Seven Seas Navigator. After our DIY excursion we were back on the ship. We played Cinemogi Trivia and did quite well. This was held in Magnum's bar. We had lunch at O'Sheehan's-my favorite place. We then spent time at the pool listening to music and drinking at Topsider's. I went to the spa. We then watched sail away. Can I say how nible these cruise ships are. Pushing away from the port and backing up and then turning 180 degrees to sail out. I love watching it. Dinner was at the buffet, Mexican night. Then a walk on the deck to end the night. I will have to post pictures when I get back to the US. Download speeds are very slow but I have taken lots of pictures.