Lindancer

Thanks - I understand.

Thank you. That is what I saw before, and was looking for again. Then, and now, it seemed like a good idea to get our tests before we get to the ship. We are going to try to get the 35 Euro test at the Venice airport when our plane lands, about 50 hours before we board the ship. Thanks again.

Can you direct me to where on the HAL website it says tests will be available at the pier? All I can find is this: EU-Cruise-Protocols-0614.pdf I do believe you; I think I saw it once myself (where they said a limited number of tests would be available), but now I can't find it. Thanks.

I was kind of wondering the same thing. To be more specific, my question is - if I booked my flight through Holland America and it is cancelled, will Holland America be responsible for rebooking another suitable flight, and will I have to pay more if the new flight costs more? What I like about the "cancel for any reason" policy is if you book your flights through HAL, the insurance automatically covers your flights too (at no extra cost, just the cost of the cruise). But obviously I'm not 100% sure of what my benefit would be. I hope I made sense here.

Yes we had Club Orange on the Eurodam last summer and they did not have a special dining room - just a special area in the MDR. Drink service was so awful (the first night I ordered a Ketel One martini and you should see the ridiculous concoctions they brought me, twice). We learned to stop at the Pinnacle Bar and take our own drink into the dining room!

I don't think so. Last year, we sailed out of Athens and they tested us for free at the port, before we were allowed to board. This year we are sailing out of Venice (Trieste) and we are to provide our own negative tests taken within 72 hours. You can find the protocols for Europe at the HAL website.

We always get free laundry service and priority tendering. Is that a perk of the Neptune Suite and not Club Orange? If by special event, you mean to honor their Mariners, last year on the Eurodam, it was just champagne and snacks in one of the smaller venues. Not even a choice of a cocktail anymore.

I'm with you. Celebrity never "grabbed" me either. HAL just has more panache or something, although I do miss the little guy handing out the after dinner mints outside the MDR. And on my last cruise on Princess, EVERY SINGLE NIGHT, they sat us under a spotlight in the dining room and I had to be asked to be moved.

Your criticisms are undoubted valid. But what I do like about having a Neptune Suite on Konigsdam or Nieuw Statendam, is that Club Orange members have their own private dining room. We get our favorite table every night and the staff knows our likes.

I love mine too. She knows I'm high strung (a worrywart) so always gets back to me asap in one way or another - even if it's a short email telling me she'll call me later. She has already called me way after she should have left for the day. I selfishly don't want to give her name, though. With all the stuff Holland America's got going on (like all those cancelled flights), I think she's busy enough!

Mine says the same thing for debarkation on July 28. I think it will have to end up being earlier, in order to make our 12:50 pm flight (and from what I read about long lines at the airport)

That is exactly what I intend to do. We are staying in Venice before our cruise too. I say - get it done right away at the airport and then it is done. Worth the 35 Euro.

Yes, I got the same letter today. Our cruise is July 16. Our flights have not yet been changed, at least when I go into Delta (out) and American (home) and put in the record locator number. I hope this means I am still good to go. I am already unnerved this morning after reading the post "Back From Med Cruise on Oosterdam"!

That is so irritating and one reason I try not to book too far ahead. I have a PCC with HAL that I've used for years who would probably take care of this for me, but if you don't have one, maybe you could call them up on the phone. Sorry if you've already resolved your issue - I've been off the grid for a week!

Book with locals! I once couldn't get on a flight plane to see bears because the shore excursion from Princess was sold out. So we got off the ship and got a better tour from a local in Ketchikan for $100 less per person. We also found out later the people on the Princess excursion never even saw any bears, while we saw several. Many years later, when I took my grandson, we did it again -there were 3 of us and we saved $500 over the ship's excursion.

Now you've got me confused. I have a cruise pending that was through a casino offer. But I also got another casino offer via email that needs to be booked before June 30. When I go into my online account, I don't see any of these offers. Thanks in advance. Linda

Excellent suggestion! We took a free walking tour in Rome in 2019, but it didn't occur to me to check it out in Venice. Thanks!

Yes, I can find my way around Venice by myself (maybe not without getting lost a few times, ha ha ). But I am looking for someone who can explain some of Venice' interesting history, along with some interesting anecdotes perhaps, and some off-the-beaten path sites. Just looking at the architecture doesn't really say anything.

We will be in Venice for a couple of days before our cruise. My husband and I have been there a couple of times before, even spending a whole week in September of 2016. But now we will be with our 18-year old grandson, and I can't help but think he would enjoy hearing a bit about the city from an expert. Does anyone have any suggestions for local guides or tours? Thanks in advance! Linda

Yup. I have 2 shore excursions booked so far, and they were booked directly with the tour provider. They, of course, are trying to make a living and are extremely responsive to questions and concerns at least via email.

I would call in. I wanted a room upgrade so I had to get a quote on that anyway. If you call, you can get all your questions answered. I have a PCC (Personal Cruise consultant) with HAL that I have been using for years and I just email her.

I got an offer today for OV, Free Play and Free Drinks while playing. Must book between 5-24 and 6-30-2022.

Not sure this is the right place to post. But I have lots of points on Expedia that I might like to use to book shore excursions for my next cruise. I know people have used Viator and Trip Advisor but no one who used Expedia. The shore excursions that I've looked at on their site don't seem to be as comprehensive or even as well-described as those on other sites. I am afraid once I pay, I will be left without anyone responsible to communicate with. Anyone? Thanks, Linda

I recently booked my first cruise with the casino offer. My PCC said I need to print out the email or flyer and bring it along to get my Free Play and Free Drinks.

Delta did notify me of a (one-minute) time change, but it also showed my assigned seats. They did not look like what I requested at time of booking. I have an email into my PCC at Holland America and hope I don't get a runaround from her.