SeaMatesNYC

24 hours on a confirm is a must for us. And we are also getting double digit discounts. If I leave a message saying I’m ready to book, I will expect a return that day, but I can always complete a booking through my agency’s portal and pretty much arrange everything I need, except transfers (rarely take). Choose cabin, dining, rate/promo, refund/no refund, all there, along with all Mariner bonus OBC and any other cruise-line cash. Can’t do Club Orange (don’t use it) but I don’t think any agency can do that electronically.

Under “Manage my Cruise” go to “Beverage Packages.” It should be there, at least it is for me. Some fares it may not be available and it may take some time for it to show, but it is clearly there for me and even on “promo” non-casino cruise bookings it has shown up for us. While it is more than just a beverage package, that’s where they put it. I’ve not seen sales. $55 per day of purchased post booking.

Well perhaps that is the source of the problem. Most people work with a TA or a PCC, but not both, at least on any given booking. They are structurally at odds. Glad you found a solution.

The issue may be that the box on the online itinerary that shows credits (for shorex and dining) may read “Redeemed” although the balance under the $100 (or 2 or 3) may stay in the background and not be “visible.” Good to know it does remain available. Michael

Do they get the CO tote bag?

I know the Effy Alaska cruise this summer is like casino comp in that they were offering a free inside cabin if one spent $2000. I did not bite. Not sure how the Park West event works, but would not be surprised if it were similar.

One variable to note is that if you had benefits attached to the booking from HAL, these will not always transfer to the new refared booking. One example I was faced with recently was a Welcome Back booking OBC bonus, which was for a new booking made by a certain date after return from a HAL cruise. Reservations would not carry this to a refared booking made after the original “book by” date on the Welcome Back offer. Perhaps I could have escalated and gotten a different result, but the refare savings were not really that great.

If it’s like the Effy Jewelry cruise, these may be big “art” spenders who received the cruise “free” based upon past purchases.

Thanks for the heads up (I’m going here next month). Per the port authority, the calls for HAL ships for all of 2024 will be at the cruise pier, Quay 68 (Kai 68). See here: https://trondheimhavn.no/en/all-calls/#anlop-table

It’s about a 30 minute walk. Not sure about taxis but Uber is currently showing about $15 at today’s exchange rates. I imagine taxis would be more expensive but have no data to support this hypothesis other than experience with the two in other European cities (or Bolt instead of Uber in some countries).

Sorry about the delivery failed. I copied it in correct from my past communications, but it is five years old. Maybe also reach out to guestrelations@hollandamerica.com and ask if they can put you in touch with the photography department...good luck! The Black Label product for us turned out awesome! The prices for prints is high and we passed on that, but with the digitals, you can find high quality printing and framing on the internet at discounted prices. You can also buy fewer files and pay less, but it is so hard to choose! Oh, and of course, you can use your OBC to pay.

Also perhaps look into insurance from any affinity organizations you may be a member of such as AAA, USAA, etc. I’ve found policies that suit my needs this way when cruise line coverage may not so well (paying for things I don’t need and not offering things I want).

They have a GUAR fare with no room assignment. I guess they could write their deck and room in by hand later if they print the luggage tag now. Perhaps better to wait and do them both at the same time, unless of course they are using luggage forward which could get complicated without a room assignment. In any case Bon Voysge!

I can tell you reliably that the services of the Professional studio photographer while “free” for the shoot, were about $3000 5 years ago if you want the digital versions of all the images, with one maybe two 8x10s included (along with a set of all the “round the ship” photos). But the suggestion to reach out to the company is a good one as the prices may be different today. And a shoot with a staff photographer (“the round the ship” folks) may be cheaper. try: photography@hagroup.com and/or blacklabel@hollandamerica.com

Here in San Diego they are on TV CBS local affiliate on Sunday mornings. I see it up when I am at gym working out. The Rev sells a lot of books, plans and study guides. Reminds me of “The Righteous Gemstones” on HBO.

They usually have a bunch of them in the first display panel if they are still putting up all the printed photos (which I think is a waste and much prefer the digital displays on for example Rotterdam). Take one of those ship photos up to the cashier and ask for your free photo.

Photo studio.

You will need to visit the photo studio and ask for this. It won’t just show up anywhere. We always forget…

The group in question is evangelical Christian but not LDS. I am not aware of the former’s stance on alcohol but you may well be correct. Certainly at around 8-9pm the lines will be undoubtedly shorter.

The last time I did so it was offered at $55 per day per person. This was in February of this year. I am told that it is not always an available option but I have always seen it show up for us among the add ons through the booking on HAL’s website.

Good. I’m glad it worked for you and you were able to get more benefits.

What? Does this not seem strange to you? He was altering your booking before you even made contact? Did you ask him where this extra OBC came from? And why it was not attached from the get go? (P.S., I am not a travel agent.)

Should not make a difference. This is not about corporate greed, but simply accounting. Although some would correlate the two…I couldn’t possible comment. 🤪

This should be detailed in the HAL booking confirmation and will show entries as follows for the day of the Tundra Tour. If your TA has not passed this detailed Itinerary to you, ask for it. You will also note that bookable “shore excursion” tours during the day of that Tundra Tour will most likely be timed to only start AFTER your return. Of course, if you want, you can schedule outside tours and skip the Tundra tour, if, for example, you’ve done it before. SAT 29JUN24 Am Tundra Wilderness Tour Only Passenger(S) 1,2 Included 6:00am 11:30am SAT 29JUN24 Denali Afternoon At Leisure Only Passenger(S) 1,2 Included SUN 30JUN24 Mckinley Explorer: Denali To Whittier Only Passenger(S) 1,2 Included

When will the shows be, is what I am wondering. Will they adjust those so this huge group will all go at say 7pm? Seating will then be impossible! Ugh! I would be so peeved! The un-Christian thoughts in my head would peel paint!