Haljo1935

Congrats on your selection, we enjoyed the extra space in the SS. Nieuw Statendam is one of my favorite ships due to Grand Dutch Cafe - it's great for quick, different food options and has the best coffee on the ship! Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

Definitely call Shore Excursions as @Vandelay Inc suggested. I have done that many times. They're also great at answering questions about specific excursions if the little blurbs on the website don't provide enough info. Alaska is wonderful with a lot of options whether booked independently or through the ship. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

We've moved reservations once onboard with no penalty. We've also canceled once on board, but not same day; same day we've only moved, not sure about penalty. You can move the reservation to a couple days later then cancel it at least 24 hours in advance if you want/need to. Welcome to HAL. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

I also don't know of a way to see the amounts broken out prior to getting onboard. It's very easy to see it once you access the TV statement as the very bottom will show a "non refundable" line if any portion is non refundable. If there's not a non refundable line, it's all refundable. Perhaps you could call before boarding to see if HAL can send you an invoice with the breakout. Please update us as this has me curious. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

Welcome to HAL and CC! Sounds like you experienced all an AK cruise has to offer - from amazing wildlife to queasy seas. Hope the queasy seas don't prevent you from returning to AK as there is so much to enjoy. We find something new each time and, of course, the views never disappoint. Optimistically looking forward to another review.

I've never heard of FE not being able to book seats on AA until 24 hours before departure. I've used FE and have been able to select my seats on the AA app. On flights I got through FE, I've also checked into AA flights 24 hours before departure and they've had seats assigned. I'm confused?

@ACorgan looks like you had beautiful weather. Nice pictures- thanks for sharing.

@MeganGC1983 did you notice any random charges from the FreeNow app? Reviews mention canceled trips and erroneous charges. Looking to use it during an upcoming European cruise. Thanks!

We're not 70 and that's a lot of stairs!!

Welcome to HAL!! Cabin service is now once/day, but you can still get turn down and evening ice service if you want. Being in a NS, your cabin steward will likely accommodate your requests, so probably not to worry about 1x day service. Room service is included and being in a NS, you will also be able to enjoy breakfast in the PG (Pinnacle Grill). Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

Good to hear you're getting some concrete answers from your PCC. Correct, the "traditional" paper boarding pass will not have the barcode until closer to sail date, just keep checking back.

Thank you @TravelBluebird for the posts, pictures and quick responses to seemingly random asks that came your way. All your "pioneering" will surely help those of us with upcoming cruises on Venezia make the most of our time and have a better experience. We are doing a B2B in Sept and booked on a different ship, so moving to this one was quite a surprise with nowhere to get answers. So, thank you, thank you, thank you!! Will be viewing your remaining YT videos and look forward to more. Safe travels!!

Every cruise I say I'm going to try the Dutch pancake and every cruise I return having not done so. How was it?

Crud auto correct - this was supposed to say "embarkation" experience...

Yes I've read they were all being converted to Starlink, but don't know the schedule for that and none of the ships I've been on recently have it, so checking for updates from recent passengers.

@ACorgan welcome aboard! Glad you made it on without issue. Seems as though your evacuation experience in Seattle was a bit less hectic than Vancouver 🙂 We'll be following along looming for great pictures - safe travels, enjoy your cruise!

I really enjoyed the HOHO in Cape Town. Ticket came with separate tickets for a harbour tour that we thoroughly enjoyed and a trip up to Signal Hill to watch the sunset - that was amazing! I did not buy the HOHO ticket through the ship - I got it directly from the bus at one of the stops. I felt completely comfortable and safe riding the HOHO by myself and with another person. Since you choose which stops to get off, I think I felt better when by myself knowing if I didn't "feel right" I could just stay on. BTW, I never got that feeling and would have gotten off at every stop if I'd had time. https://wandercapetown.com/adventures/signal-hill/

Hey @rubyclaret the V&A Waterfront was really pretty; I quite enjoyed my time there. Very "touristy" but The Cape Wheel (ferris wheel) at dusk was amazing - the views were stunning. Highly recommend if you will be there at that time of day. https://secretcapetown.co.za/va-waterfronts-big-wheel/

Thanks @erdufylla I used both Chrome and Silk w/same results. I'll try again today - fingers crossed for better results.

We have not and are thinking we may just see what's available once at port or start looking at Expedia. Curious what others say. Would definitely be open to participating in a group deal if somebody finds one (or more) for any of the ports.

Agree the binoculars in SS may not be high quality, but having them available is a nice perk and a disappointment when they're missing. We also take our own, but find a second pair is nice to have.

@Hlitner We selected one of usual favorite large ba!conies on deck 4 portside, but your comment about the waves reminded me that I've read many people find they aren't able to make much use of their balconies. So I'm thinking maybe I should move to an Ocean view while there's still availability. Thoughts?

Not following what you're saying - what do you mean by "open aft wrap" and what food are you looking to put something in? We're booked in an aft wrap, so I'm concerned about potential noise, but cannot understand what you're trying to say. Thanks!

Eurodam had both binoculars and umbrellas 🌂 in Signature Suite last month. Agree with @oakridger that your cabin steward was mistaken. Hope you were able to enjoy your cruise.

Probably late on Seattle boarding tips given today is your day!! But I just found this thread, so I'm jumping in. Seattle is MUCH smoother than Vancouver. You'll find things go quicker and are more organized in Seattle than Vancouver. Did I say Seattle is MUCH smoother than Vancouver? Lol. 🤔 With priority boarding, no your check in time really doesn't matter. April 29 Eurodam to AK from Seattle, we had a 1:20 check-in time, but since our flight arrived so early (830am), we were in the terminal on the first shuttle and with priority boarding, we got on ship at 1126am, dropped bags in cabin (which was not yet ready) at 1133am, were reviewing menu in MDR 12:05pm, eaten and enjoying wine & lovely views on our balcony before our 120pm check in time had arrived! Did I say Seattle is smoother than Victoria?! 🤭 I'll be following along as you enjoy your cruise. So excited to see awesome pictures - safe travels, welcome to AK!!