Haljo1935

We're on Venezia in Sept - maybe no more MDR, it's all buffet, all the time!! Those Venezia diners are going to learn how to navigate a buffet line if it kills 'em, lol 😆 😂

We were shown to that parking without asking - we have disabled vet plates, so maybe that is why.

That's been my experience on every HAL cruise I've been on since last Oct. Would be nice if they'd stop the messages to complete VeriFLY.

Yes you can buy thr small "triangle" vases. They are actually designed to represent the bow of the ship, which once you know that and see them, will totally make sense. Except for one pattern (purple flowers w/yellow bees), they're hand painted. You can also buy them onboard during the flower arrangement demo.

Yes - just be sure you're logged in to see the rates offered to you. When not logged in, I get different rates.

Hi @Toad here's another deal I stumbled on this morning; it leavs in Oct.

@Toad just found this great deal when I was searching for something else - Dec 17 Nieuw Statendam out of FLL Inside $100, OV $599, Balcony $899, Vista Suite $1199, Sig Suite $1399, Neptune $2299.

Hey @Toad I am booked on this cruise- when I checked Sun, there were a LOT of balconies available so good cabin choices. And American Airlines dropped prices today on the flight DFW->Rome is $493, Sun it was $1786!! Final payment is 8/28 for this itinerary. There is also Rome round trip also on Nieuw Statendam Oct 29 - Nov 9 that has similar pricing w/availability. Already past final payment, but a good deal.

Every ship I've gotten flowers on have all been equally beautiful and long lasting. If the flower arranging demo is later into your cruise (it used to be 1st sea day, but last few cruises it's been closer to end) you can take your flowers & they'll freshen them up for you. We've given some of the napkin birds & napkin flowers to guest services who have helped us - they love them!

It includes the pool.

Update - spent a while on hold trying to get AARP OBC added to these new bookings. Nope - not combinable w/my rate (just like the blooming HIA I can't seem to get added). Screenshot I did when booking says AARP OBC was added, but HAL says no it is not & no they won't add it. And the $200 OBC showing is only $100 since solo.

Aligned. The issue I am having is the last letter of my first name is not displayed on the screen and booking, so it technically doesn't match my passport. Never had an issue, but very recently HAL & FE are canceling my flights due to names not matching. So just a heads-up to anyone that notices their names change and can no longer see their flights.

I just did 2 new bookings online. During that process, there was an acknowledgment that AARP credit had been applied to the booking. However, it did not show on the invoice. I'm sure a call or email will fix it, but since they got the system to recognize the AARP membership they need to get it to automatically add the OBC w/o requiring any follow-up. So close...

Once onboard, there is a book at Pax Services desk you can look through to order flowers. You can also buy the vases that you see throughout the ship. The flower arranging demonstration is very popular - suggest arriving early for a seat. Many times, there will be a give away for the arrangements that are done during the show. I won a beautiful bouquet on my birthday!!🥀🌷 All my cruise photos include pictures of the arrangements on the ship - they're definitely one of the things we enjoy about HAL. They smell really good, too 😊

Also be sure to check flights if you use Flight Ease. The HAL system cannot display my full name (cuts off the last letter) and if their agents don't look at the notes in the system they will book flights without the last letter. This is currently causing major issues for a couple of my flights - someone at HAL saw the names didn't match on FE booking vs HAL system (the one missing last letter) so flights were canceled. I called to find out why they had disappeared from my AA bookings and learned what happened. Hours of calls with FE & FE still not resolved. FE adds them back, some how they get canceled again and we go through the process again. Meanwhile, prices directly with AA have gone up... So just be sure if you have your name corrected anywhere, you check everywhere.

@Saint Greglive review visited the museum - he posted great pictures. It was a diff cruiseline, but perhaps he'd share some with this group.

Did you have an international drivers license to use?

Where was the car rental pickup/drop off? Was it convenient to the port so walking distance? Who did you use? So may questions and I appreciate your insights.

Yes I know Princess uses medallions. It was in response to getting casino offers for free cruises from a 3rd party company. They want you to send them a copy of your casino players card then they will send free cruise offers.

Congrats on the Milestone - early happy birthday!!

Welcome to HAL - the K'dam is a lovely ship and should help create a nice cruising experience for you & your mom. You've gotten spot on answers to your questions, so I'll just add the Grand Dutch Cafe has great coffees plus "local" Dutch beers and terrific snacks not available on many other ships, so you might want to explore those. You'll only pay the difference on higher drinks (if you have the regular drink pkg) at GDC just like at the bars. Also, if your mom enjoys the spa, you might consider getting her a Thermalpass; it will be $149 for the full week on 7 day cruise, unlimited use. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

I called the regular Pax Services number; they transferred me to a Pricing Specialist. IMO I thought bringing in a PS was strange, but maybe that's who was helping process the great number of requests.

It's showing as available to purchase on my Mar 10-17 2024 Nw Statendam Caribbean cruise. I just randomly selected one of bookings, I didn't check to see if it's available on the other ships.

Can't provide insight on the Anniversary Package, but we did the Vow Renewal a couple years ago. It was VERY nice. We got a cake 🎂 , chocolate covered strawberries, flowers, pictures, printed copy of vows the captain read. The place where it was done (Crow's Nest) was very nicely decorated. It did not include our cabin being decorated but think the Vow Renewal Package should include the Anniversary Package (or similar). Oh, we did get a special swan / red rose towel animal arrangement on our bed.

And I guess looking at it can be helpful reminders of other things - apparently there's something in a shopping cart somewhere that wants $$ and a missed alarm. Guess I have business to tend to. Thanks, Carnival!!