Haljo1935

Thanks @Heartgrove Doesn't seem like it should be so difficult to change something one never asked for to begin with (I was assigned my current PCC), but it's been challenging. And when you ask for one that doesn't work out, you should be able to get that changed w/o an investigation. Glad it's worked for you and definitely appreciate the insight.

https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/recent-articles/whats-new/candied-maple-bacon-recipe/ Here's the "real deal" it does not have the heat @dobiemom recipe has.

Hope it works out for you. Definitely have to watch them regarding or changing the rate code as that could cause you to lose OBC and/or be required to pay additional deposit even though all you should be doing is upgrading. Have them send your updated invoice while you're still on the call so you can review before they hang up. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

Last cruise on Carnival was right at the restart, Christmas cruise. We did not watch anything on our phones or have anything scanned on our phones. We went to our muster station and they scanned our key card. Sounds like that's changed? We will be on Carnival again in Sept and want to be prepared for whatever the current process is. BTW - HAL has you watch a safety video on the cabin TV then go to your station to get your key card scanned. The TV will not change channels until the safety video is played. And pre-Covid, they had everyone go to their assigned station and line up packed like sardines at their lifeboat so you knew where it was. Got a tutorial on how to put on flotation gear while there. They didn't start until everyone assigned to that muster station was there and had their card scanned - it was brutal but we did learn where our lifeboat was. Now whether you remembered it if needed is entirely another thing.

Haven't used laundry service on Carnival, but planned on it during an upcoming B2B so this is good to know.

Welcome back to HAL!! Should be interesting to see how it's changed in 10 years. I was also offered a free cruise on the SA Antarctica cruise, but just couldn't make it work - I work FT and think there are too many sea days to get a consistent, reliable internet connection. Huge congrats for being able to take advantage of that deal!! I will definitely be following along and look forward to your pictures. We're on Venezia B2B in Sept, so I thoroughly enjoyed your live review of the TA. Thanks for taking us along...

Going for wedding/honeymoon, aren't your days of worrying about dates behind you? 🤭 I had to say it... Congrats!! Hope you find the cruise you're looking for.

Yes, please!! Surely, a good CD could plan something fun.

But my heart does ache for those left to navigate the s**t show they left behind. 😪

1) Aligned that all 4, and not even 3, ships will be at HMC on same day. If indeed Princess Cays doesn't have a ship scheduled, Magic and Sunrise will go there and likely at least 1, probably more, of the HAL itineraries will change. 2) No I have never been at HMC same time as another ship. 3) HAL definitely could be there on 7th & again 9th since 8th is a turnaround day, so 7th is last stop of an itinerary and 9th is first stop of another itinerary. But all those ships won't be there. 4) A year out is too early to know Who's on First...

Can anyone confirm if I move my paid reservation for Steakhouse to the first night that I will still receive the free bottle of wine or do I need to cancel and rebook? AND if I'm on B2B w/2 separate booking numbers in different cabins will receive the free bottle of wine 1st night of the 2nd week for Steakhouse? We are contemplating swapping our Steakhouse & Il Viaggio reservations to get the free wine.

Thanks - I am not on FB but I'll get DH to look. 🙂

Unfortunately for same reason everyone w/same booking rate codes cannot add HIA - there is a lack of consistency with HAL adding/modifying bookings. Just saying...

I have seen noticeable changes to the website when I access it from my phone (website, not app) but not when I access it from computer. So, maybe they started with the mobile version. Most changes I've seen are on the excursion pages, but I haven't gone through the entire site.

See, A good PCC is worth their weight in gold. In this case, worth over $700 of gold!! I sure wish someone would find a way for me to learn the name of one of those good PCCs 🙄🤔🤫 to help me resolve my ongoing HIA debacle.

Here's info about the hurricane; for some reason, it would sort me attach to my post. The family we visited was in Mahahual, which was just wiped out.

Awe - this warms my heart. We always try to "buy local" to contribute directly to the local economy; it's refreshing to NOT see Senor Frogs and Diamond International. I would bring a backpack of supplies to leave with them, for sure!! While now recovered and completely different situation, this reminds me of going to Costa Maya several years ago as they struggled to recover from a hurricane. Everything had been wiped out and so the cruise ships were not stopping there. We did stop; although, the excursions offered were very limited. I think there were maybe 2 offered; we did sign up for one of them. Definitely no local independent tours offered and many chose not to get off the ship. We rode a bus for quite a while doing a "tour" of the area; it really just reinforced the level of devastation and highlighted how little help they were receiving in their efforts to recover. We ended up at one time had been a small village, but was now just a couple of dirt floor huts. The family cooked for us and allowed us to tour their home. The food (Pibil Chicken cooked in banana leaves in the ground) was amazing! The people so humble, proud and generous to share their lives and open their home made a lasting memory. It both broke and warmed my heart to see how they were finding their way while seemingly forgotten by the rest of the world. Had I known about their situation, I would have brought things to leave for them, similar to donating backpacks mentioned at start of this thread. I believe those of us who are blessed to cruise have a duty to leave the places we visit better than we find them and feel blessed to be able to do that. I learned to be more aware, do better research before getting on a ship.

Yes deck 3.

Eesh - I usually see it acting winky like that overnight, in the wee hours like 2am when they're doing maintenance (assume that's way it is), then next day during "normal" hours it's back to normal. I would call in to make the payment.

Hot

The flyer we got with the email offer has UYW, but she clearly said DE something. Maybe I'll call and ask exactly what that code is and what it means.

Thanks for a very "unboring" post. We LOVE AK and never tire of the pictures, so thanks for sharing. Hope your knee issue is resolved soon. One note, we LOVED breakfast in the PG, one of favorite memories of being in a Neptune Suite. Perhaps next time, you'll consider it vs in-room breakfast.

Welcome to HAL, @DenverSeaDog! Do the math deducting the cost of the items you listed above: internet, excursion credit and dining credit from the cost of the HIA package. The amount left over is your remaining drink budget. If you think that's sufficient (remember you get coffee & other drinks, not just alcohol), then getting HIA would not benefit you. But if you'll spend more on drinks than the $$ figure you got, HIA is likely a good deal for you. The 15 drinks (@$11 ea) includes more than just alcohol, so you need to factor that in when "doing the math." If you want a higher priced drink (above the $11) you'll only be charged the difference +18%.

Last month on the Eurodam we got to enjoy the new library on the Eurodam and noticed titles had multiple copies. It reminded us of Blockbuster Video - remember how some cases faced forward so the graphic and title were easily visible with multiple copies turned sideways?

Now, if we're ordering garlic bread instead of snails swimming in garlic and butter, I'm keeping mine. Only giving up the snails...and the butter.🥴