AbsolutSki

Is it possible to find out if CO is available for a sailing before booking? If you use a TA, does it have to go through them to purchase CO or can you call HAL directly?

Is this the premium package? Has anyone tried using their cell phone hot spot feature to tether a second device?

It will not. You can click on Change Flight, select which leg of the flight you want to change, and look at the current choices. If there’s nothing better and you don’t want to change, just back arrow to the beginning or close the browser window. Either way works.

I’m surprised the lobster dish on Gala Night has a surcharge. When did this start? I’ve cruised HAL before and I don’t remember that being the case. My last cruise was in October 2019.

When I read the description, it says CO is limited for each sailing. Does anyone know what the limit is? Is it perhaps a percentage of eligible staterooms?

That last bit is concerning. I know you said it’s just a feeling. I wonder if there’s any credible worry in that respect, even just anecdotes?

Next question! I think I know the answer to this, but want to confirm. Now that I’m booked, I can’t see the list of available flights and their prices anymore. Do I do a mock Change Flights to see them? It wouldn’t release my booking by doing that, right?

Is it better to book the departure and return flights separately vs a round trip? I’m thinking of how it works if I only wish to rebook one leg of the trip.

I started looking at flights from IAD (Dulles) to AMS (Amsterdam). There is a direct flight by KLM listed. The same flight is also listed under Delta (operated by KLM in the fine print). It’s the exact same flight - same departure, duration, arrival, KLM flight number, plane model, etc. The two listings are at difference prices, however, with Delta cheaper by about $20. What is the difference between selecting Delta for a flight operated by KLM and selecting the same flight with KLM? Are there bennies with KLM (like maybe a free checked bag)? Is one airline preferred over the other, in terms of its ability to get you to AMS if there are delays?

In my mind there are several scenarios: 1. Fly into the day of departure and use HAL airport transfer. Late Arrival Protection should apply fully. That is, if the flight is delayed and you risk missing or actually missed the ship, HAL will do what it can to get you boarded on time or meet the ship in the next available port. This is how I understand FlightEase’s Late Arrival Protection works. 2. Fly into some days before the day of departure but still use HAL airport transfer on the day of embarkation. That is, you return to the airport on the day of embarkation to meet HAL transfer. Specifically, I’d return to the Amsterdam airport. If there is a flight delay: 2a. If the flight is delayed but you still get to the departure city before the departure date, Late Arrival Protection doesn’t apply because you aren’t late. 2b. If the flight is delayed to such an extent that you DO miss the departure, would Late Arrival Protection work in this case? I think it should but don’t know. 3. Same as 2, but you use private transfer to the port and not use HAL’s transfer. Then, I don’t know how Late Arrival Protection works under scenario 2b. By flying into the departure city 2 days ahead, I hope the chances of 2b happening is minimized.

@terrydtx Thanks for the quick reply and specific information. That is what I hoped to hear. And yes, we will be getting trip insurance.

I’m booked on a May, 2024 cruise to the British Isles and it will be my first European cruise. I’ve used FlightEase for domestic cruises before for its Late Arrival Protection. However, I’ve been told I should arrive at least a day before embarkation. I’m actually thinking of arriving 2 days ahead to do some sightseeing in Amsterdam. Does the Late Arrival Protection not apply if you are not arriving the day of embarkation? I suppose I’d still use FlightEase for the no-fee change and cancellation before final cruise payment. Any thoughts or real-life experience?