DrFUN

Thanks so much for your wonderful response! RE: Priority early embarkation at Seattle: We are in HOLLAND AMERICA (HAL).

On 4/6/2024 at 7:45 AM, Ferry_Watcher said:

Welcome to NCL Bliss.

This morning, just before 7 AM, my spouse asks, 'why is there a cruise ship sailing by?'  I quickly looked at the Port of Seattle Cruise Schedule (which is sitting next to my desk), and I realized it was the Bliss.  I grabbed my phone and took this photo from my deck.

 

Looking forward to the Cruise Season (and getting back to work at Pier 91).

Great photo!! 🩷Would be grateful for your expert advice about Pier 91 for HAL's Westerdam this May:

(1) Can private limo companies drop us off right where the Stevedores can get our luggage right from the vehicle? (We can't lug the larger bags.)

(2) Is it true that Priority boarding pass pax have a separate line and can come earlier (10:45 am) than the posted 12 noon embarkation time?

(3) On disembarkation can private limo service also pick us up near where the porters assist us through the terminal to outside?

Many thanks!!! 
 

3 hours ago, Suzanne123 said:

Arrived at San Pedro at 11:10 on Sunday.  Dropped off luggage and we were on the ship in less than 10 minutes. No lines at all. My

4 hours ago, Baynanno1 said:

I definitely wouldn't arrive any earlier than 10.30.

We don't usually arrive until around 11.30, as we keep in mind the previous cruisers do not have to be off the ship until 09.00 and the ship is (presumably) thoroughly cleaned before opening up to board the new cruisers.

My room was ready.

3 hours ago, Suzanne123 said:

Arrived at San Pedro at 11:10 on Sunday.  Dropped off luggage and we were on the ship in less than 10 minutes. No lines at all. My room was ready.

Thanks a million, Suzanne123 & Baynanno1!! Really appreciate you quick, helpful responses. 😍

Is the 10:30 am arrival the earliest you would suggest for suite guests at Los Angeles/San Pedro world cruise port?  (We haven't sailed out of that port for ages...) THANKS!!! 

4 minutes ago, scottca075 said:

The DoubleTree is just fine. We were there a few months ago for a celebration of life weekend. Crowne Plaza is fine too.

Thanks so much for responding. 😀

15 minutes ago, DrFUN said:

Has anyone stayed recently at the Doubletree Hilton/San Pedro prior to embarkation? Pros & cons?

 

Thanks for any insights!

OOPS!

I forgot to mention that we're staying several days pre-cruise to visit with local friends prior to our Celebrity cruise--so sight-seeing is NOT a concern. We're mainly concerned about the general condition of the Doubletree Hilton/San Pedro (an alarming number of bad reviews for it AND for Crowne Plaza, where we stayed ages ago)--and want to know if the Doubletree dining facility is pleasant for get-togethers with friends.

ALSO: Any problems/delays getting their port shuttle--or an Uber or taxi to the port?

THANKS again for any details!

Mary-Lou

(DrFUN)

Has anyone stayed recently at the Doubletree Hilton/San Pedro prior to embarkation? Pros & cons?

Thanks for any insights!

18 minutes ago, REOVA said:

As Hank says, it's subjective and depends on what you are looking for. We will be on the "new" r/t Voyage next year to Japan as its the itinerary we look for first. 

Like you, DH Dave and I also place high value on itinerary--as well as accommodations--so I would be grateful for info about the "new" r/t Voyage you mentioned (cruiseline, ship, dates). 
 

Many thanks,

Mart-Lou

("Dr. FUN")

On 8/10/2022 at 4:05 PM, broberts said:

Where do you see "Follow anonymously"?

And now it has mysteriously disappeared from my profile (not that I wanted to use that function, but I WAS curious)....

Hi, "Neighbor" Bob! (DH Dave and I live in Chandler.)

Would be very grateful if you'd post a review of your K-dam Pinnacle Suite experience--plus any tips or concerns.

Many thanks,

Mary-Lou

PS: Would also love any new comments from others who have experienced this suite.

On 8/10/2022 at 5:53 PM, Host Kat said:

 

Thanks, Kat! Your helpful advice is always greaty appreciated. 

Just checked my profile--and in my nearly 2 decades on these boards I never noticed that.... Thanks for any clarification.

4 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

Not at all.  It is Geoblue.  We were looking forward to  meeting you on the Westy.  We did book that same cruise next year on the Noordam.  We did like this year's itinerary somewhat better then the Noordam's, but can live with the changes.

 

Hank

Thanks, Hank! We’ve been using RoamRight: good medical coverage, but the policy excludes pandemics. Good to compare. 😉

David and I also were so looking forward to finally getting to sail with both of you! Glad we had 2 fabulous weeks in Japan prior to the Volendam’s super 17-day Kobe-Vancouver crossing in Spring 2015.... Not sure about the Noordam’s Spring 2021 TP as we’re booked on the Maasdam’s March-April Mexican Riviera & Sea of Cortez. Still a year to go to decide.

Do let us know if you are ever in the Phoenix area,

Mary-Lou

5 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

 I did take a look at my own coverage, which is an annual travel medical policy, and it does not exclude pandemics. 

 

Hank

Hi, Hank!
 

Do you mind listing the name of your travel insurance company?

Thanks,

Mary-Lou

THANKS TO ALL who shared the letter and/or a link! 😍 As others have noted above, those of us who have bookings beyond May 2020 did not receive an email.

3 hours ago, ski ww said:

Hopefully with the letter just published from HAL, ref. cancelling cruises by Orlando Ashford this should all be put to rest.

Can’t find the “letter just published.” Please post it and/or provide a direct link. Thanks. 

7 hours ago, syesmar said:

I would imagine HAL will reimburse you for those fees.  If you used a credit card to book the FF awards, you may also be able to file a claim with your card’s insurance.  Some (especially my FF-associated cards) have coverage for change fees on award travel.

Thanks! Hadn’t thought of that – as so much else is going on. Appreciate the advice. 😃 Will report results.

2 hours ago, kazu said:

 

Absolutely correct.  I checked today with both my medical and trip cancellation/interruption insurance.  fully covered 🙂 

I bought it before my final payment which was 2 days before the covid 19 was shared by China. 😞 

 

The insurance companies are right.  It’s no longer sudden nor unexpected.  It’s an established fact.

 

Those of us that bought earlier are fully covered under the conditions of your policy but do check with your insurance company and be grateful if they have call back.  They are swamped.  they recorded my call and I recorded theirs 😉 

 

Sadly, not in USA.... Our travel insurance company (with expensive policy purchased a year ago at initial booking for 4/25-5/10 Westerdam cruise) refused to reimburse us for AA’s fees to cancel and return our miles for our Japan flights to our FF accounts. 👎 Will submit to HAL and hope we get reimbursed.... (Anyone get that fee back from HAL, per their offer re: change fees?)

Would someone please post who is serving as Hotel Manager? Thanks—and hope you all get home soon. 

20 minutes ago, Host Kat said:

Just like we used to do before there was a Roll Call Finder Tool which is for upcoming Roll Call sail dates only. It is not for past Roll Call sail dates.

 

Go to the Roll Call forum for your cruise line and ship. ROLL CALLS

 

Scroll through the thread titles for the sail date you want to find. Click the title and you are on the first page of the Roll Call thread.

 

Edited to add: If it is one of your old Roll Calls where you posted before, just look up your old posts. See the following:

 

 

 

THANKS, Kat!

Please see my above response. 
 

Appreciatively,

Mary-Lou

18 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

As long as you are not trying to use the roll call finder tool, just paging back...and back...and back...  within the roll calls for your ship should help you to find it.  They don't disappear, just fall back in the pages.  It might help to read this post:

 

THANKS for responding so quickly!

I was clicking on the (Star)FIND YOUR ROLL CALL link (which brings you to a menu of non-yet-sailed roll calls ONLY) instead of the ship name link right above that. 
 

Appreciatively,

Mary-Lou

I’ve been a poster here for many years, and the old system allowed you to easily find roll calls with sail dates previous to the current date. Any advice appreciated. 😉

Thanks for posting! Happy to hear that you are managing to enjoy the cruise, and hope passengers and crew stay healthy.
 

Are you fortunate to have the wonderful and truly caring Colin Jacob your Hotel Director on this leg?

Best wishes to all,

Mary-Lou

5 hours ago, h20skibum said:

In Apple’s App Store.  It is called desktop browser, so just search for that.  Not sure if they make the same for Android devices, but try searching for that name in the google play store. 

Wow! The free app (a bit wonky, as you cautioned) DOES work on my iPhone8! THANKS!!

7 minutes ago, h20skibum said:

It is kind of wonky, but if you download the desktop browser app on iPhone, it will display the desktop versions with signature links.  
 

it works in portrait and landscape mode, and I am using it on an iPhone 6S

Sounds great!  Where do you get that app?