Dietemann

On the HAL website click on Destinations and then select Hotel & Tour Packages. There you can select where you want to cruise (Australia has a tab) and which port you will leave from. It shows pre and post cruise hotel and also tour packages. I saw a 3 day trip to Blue Mountains and a 5 day trip to Cairns and other locations. Check it out.

 

Also, when do they put up Christmas decorations? Should we expect to see some up already on our cruise or will they probably wait until the cruise after to put them up?

 

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You should have Christmas decorations. They normally put them up at the end of the Thanksgiving cruise.

Yah - who knows - we hit a nice sized storm on the Grand to Hawaii last March. But we'll only be a day or so out and the same back in Cali coastal waters.

 

April 2018 will be Fall in Samoa and Tahiti.

 

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AVERAGE WEATHER IN APIA, SAMOA

 

What's the best time to travel to Apia in Samoa? Here are some facts:

On average, the temperatures are always high.

A lot of rain (rainy season) falls in the months: January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November and December.

On average, the warmest month is January.

On average, the coolest month is August.

January is the wettest month.

July is the driest month.

Thanks, it's like they say for stocks - past performance is no guarantee for the future. We went ahead and booked for March, October 2017 is already committed to a TA. We'll just go with the flow.

I wonder if there would be much difference in the weather between the 2 sailing dates? It seems there are more coastal California storms in the spring time.

Depending on the sail date I get both of those messages...and from past experience I would say Princess is tinkering with the last sailing dates from the Caribbean in Spring of 2017 and is getting ready to release the itineraries for the 2017/2018 season. Happens every year.

I think you got it! That was my first thought when I read the question.

On our last cruise on the Amsterdam (sister ship to the Rotterdam) I found the "funky" wall-attached dryer in the bathroom worked better than my previous experiences with them - but I also have shorter hair now too.

 

Heat and power were both adequate. I used it exclusively though Ruth is right - there is also a regular hair dryer at the desk in the cabin itself which is more than adequate for most hair. I believe it also fits into the 220 EU type socket outlet next to the regular US type socket outlet..

Thank you OlsSalt and RuthC, that's what I was hoping to hear.

Can someone tell me if the hairdryer on this ship is a regular hand held or the funky nozzle type fixed to the bathroom wall?

I'll be cruising the British Isles on Caribbean Princess in May. Can I go to Guest Services and get change for large bills I have for euros or British pounds? I'm not talking about converting USD to foreign currency, I'm talking about getting smaller bills in the same currency for onboard tips or whatever. For some reason, I can't seem to find this answered anywhere.

On board currency is US$, so perfectly fine to tip in $.

To exchange large euro or GBP bills to smaller, your best bet would be a bank on shore.

Thank you for your quick reply, I'll be prepared.

Yes European costs more than Caribbean. But we paid $7/day when we prepaid, onboard they were charging $9/day.

So, if you prepay, how do you fill out your laundry ticket? And how does the ship know you have prepaid?

I have a new booking. It's so far in advance I have not looked at flights yet. If I send it to a TA can I still opt for HAL's flights if I decide those are my best option when the time comes? Would the TA have to be an intermediary on flight questions or can HAL's air people help me directly?

I asked that question of a HAL reservationist. Unless your booking is direct with HAL your TA will have to be the intermediary to book HAL air. You could, however, book your air through HAL first if it's already available and then transfer everything to your TA. And then all contact with HAL would be through your TA.

Also, be aware that some travel agents will charge a fee for any changes. I only use an agent who will not charge me for rate adjustments or cancellation.

Lisa, so sorry for your delay. There is a silver lining - you were not trying to fly TO the cruise.

To transfer call HAL @ 1-800-522-3399 Option 4.

You'll need your booking #, your agent's name and company and their local (not 800) phone #.

I have done it several times (before final payment), very easy. After I initiate the transfer I let my agent know and give her the booking # as well.

Wow, doesn't sound too good about cabins and ship, especially since we are booked for 42 days in October. Laundry would be manageable, air more of a problem. Of course ours would be more of a cool weather cruise. Thanks for adding your comments.

Thanks everyone, good information. We cruise more on Princess, so are spoiled by having laundry rooms available on their ships.

 

Looking ahead to a Fall cruise I would be happy to just sign into the website and do it all on my own but I do want to use HAL's FlightEase service. I played around a bit online yesterday but it doesn't seem that I can even access flight information and prices without talking to a PCC. Is this correct? Are you able to book the cruise now and then just phone a PCC closer to the travel date to arrange flights through FlightEase. Depending on work/school schedules we may be able to add more extra nights before/after cruise but we won't know this until 6 - 8 weeks before the cruise leaves.

I just asked a HAL reservationist that question. You will have to talk to someone at HAL to book your flight, or if you have a travel agent they will have to talk to HAL for you. Check with airline websites for flights that will work for you and then see if HAL has them in their system.

Not as convenient as Princess where you can do it all yourself. Maybe HAL will change in the future to make it easier for folks who like the do-it-yourself approach.

Thank you, Ruth!

Just finished research on this and the last post was from 2010. Can someone please tell me if there is a laundry room on the Rotterdam and does HAL still supply detergent? Is there a charge for using washers/dryers?

Those with experience on TA , can you please tell me how the money machines will work on these cruises?

 

Told we will incur a $4.50 transaction fee and that is OK.

 

Do they work like ATM in Europe? funds from your personal bank or do you need cash to feed machine to get EURO's ? or does it charge to your onboard account.

 

Thanks !

Never used them myself, but have seen people feed $'s into slot to get foreign currency. I believe it's a cash only transaction, not tied to your bank account or onboard account.

Are there Laundry rooms where you can do your own wash?

 

Pax et bonum,

Kevin Westley T.M.R.F.

Yes, on Deck 7.

Every time I go on a cruise, I think, "Should have brought a nightlight." But I know the bathrooms have the shavers only outlet. Any ideas for what I can use (short of leaving the light on in the bathroom.)?

I use a nightlight, they don't draw much current. And I always unplug it in the morning when it's no longer needed. Have done this on lots of different ships without any problems.

Thank you for confirming that for a certain time period after your cruise ZPM codes will still be available to use in conjunction with your FCD.

I just tried to do this and what my TA got from HAL is that if you book on board and get the double OBC you can't use the ZPM to get the additional OBC. I don't see that written anywhere but that is what HAL is telling my TA.:mad:

I can understand that. The question remains, will HAL still offer ZPM/ZPN to double your OBC if you only purchase a FCD on board and then book a cruise within the allowed time after returning home? Or will they totally do away with this promo?

If you don't have a top sheet all there is a very warm (for me) duvet.

That's right, duvet is too hot, especially in the Caribbean.