richrhon1

@bdd123for most cruises we do, however, we had specific date that we needed to go due to a number of different factors so it didn't afford us the option to really shop around for the best value.  

@Blackduck59definitely did not make or break us going on the cruise as we were going with my best friend of almost 60 years and his DW, but it did factor into our decision as to how to spend our money on the cruise.  

@mfandersosorry to hear you are going through a similar issue but happy that you're TA is stepping up to cover the difference.  Thank you to your husband for his service.  

@Blackduck59This is from my Final Payment invoice from my agent.

"Notes to Customer

·       Your booking has an instant discount compliments of CNM, and Holland's $350 on board credit. Please note, this booking is under a Non Refundable Deposit Program. CNM never charges any fees. Thank you for your business!"

No changes were ever made to our booking at all.  In all our cruises that we have booked with CNM, all OBC's were honored.  Obviously HA knew they were somewhat in the wrong since they did issue another $150 after CNM consulted with them.  We are still waiting for the additional $50 based on what was agreed upon when the booking was made.  Not sure what more I should have watched for when getting the Final payment invoice

@0106This definitely was not the way the invoice was written.  There was no "up to" on the invoice.  Clearly stated CruiseLine Promotion $350 OBC. 

I personally did not see much for the kids to do on the boat.  We definitely felt that there was a lack of entertainment on our recent cruise on the NS.  My youngest liked Club HAL when we went on the Westerdam, but that was in 2008 so I'm not sure what it's like now.  

@albingirlthe $200 did make us question how we were going to spend our money on the ship as it is a substantial amount, as you said, for us as well.

@Crazy For CatsI wouldn't say it caused us any "angst" as you put it but it did make us question how HA does business, especially for someone who has been on 3 cruises with them now along with the other couple we were with who have also been on 3 cruises with them.  They lost our business along with the other couple.  

For sure didn't ruin my cruise but $200 is $200.  Wasn't like we spent hours dealing with it for sure but had emails going back and forth. Still had a good time.  Love our balcony in Stateroom 7107.  Huge balcony and great location on ship.    Weather was great.  

We had everything documented and yet HA would not live up to their commitment even after presenting them with original documents.  I hope your resolution works in your favor

We booked our Nieuw Statendam cruise for 1/7/2023 on 5/31/2022.  At the time we booked there was a $350 OBC applied to our invoice(Cruise Line Promotion Offer Onboard Credit $350.00 USD).  We checked our statement that evening and noticed that there was only a $150.00 credit applied and immediately went down to Guest Services to question this.  Sent the Guest Services department our email showing our booking who forwarded it to the Accounting department at HA headquarters.  We received a call from GS that they were not going to honor the OBC as the deal had changed in 7/22 and they were not obligated to honor the original OBC.  Got in touch with my Cruise agent(CNM) who went to bat for us with HA.  Subsequently, HA added another $150 to our OBC, which still did not meet the original OBC on my invoice.  Our agent said that they have exhausted all avenues with HA and they were going to issue us a check for the $50 difference.  We hope to have that soon.

This went on the whole week and was still not resolved by the time we left the ship on the 14th.  Along with other issues, such as food quality, etc., we will not be sailing with HA in the near future.  

Just got off a 7 day Nieuw Statendam cruise on the 14th and based on what was served in the MDR, we will not go on another HA cruise anytime soon.  Food quality was terrible, portions were very small, laughable almost.  Went with another couple, who absolutely felt the same way.  Had dinner in Rudi's one night and Pinnacle another night and those meals were superb.  Rudi's was actually an amazing dining experience, while Pinnacle is what you've come to expect from a steak house and what I felt MDR service used to be like, or at least close.  Went on the Konigsdam in Jan 2019 and the food was phenomenal and the reason we booked this cruise on HA again.

I don't think it's just RC that's having sub-par food issues.  

Five ships in port that day. 😳

We arrive into Port Everglades. We have CLEAR so getting through security shouldn’t be an issue. We’ll be checking a suitcase each. Going to book the flight so we can get home that afternoon. 

There’s one non stop flight home on 1/14 after our Nieuw Statendam cruise. Is noon too early for a flight or is it ok to book that flight to go home? Thanks 

Got off the GOTS on Thursday, Oct 3 after a great cruise to Bermuda in spite of the terrible quality of the food in both the main dining room and especially the WJ.  Lack of choices and flavor were our biggest complaints.  We did have an AMAZING dinner in Giovanni's one evening that almost made up for it.  

The entertainment on this ship was one of the best of any of the cruises we were on so that helped to make it overall a great cruise.  Weather could have been a little more cooperative. 

Overall still feel blessed to have the opportunity to cruise as we always do.  Will be on Oasis in December so hopefully we will find better food quality and choices as this is our first time on an Oasis class.  

Curious as to when your credit card is actually charged for your on board purchases?  Is it the day of disembarkation, day before, etc?  I like playing the cut off date game.  

We are on the 1/13 sailing on the Konigsdam.  We booked 2 cabins, VH-Balcony Guarantee.  We have still not received our cabin assignments.  Hope this works in our favor.  Got an amazing fare back in June.  Called TA asking what it would cost to upgrade.    We're sticking with the VH. 

Thinking of booking the Paradise for a 5 day in November. Would really like to know some opinions of the ship post-dry dock. Haven't been able to find any reviews since the first cruise after it came out of dry dock.

Thanks for any opinions you can offer.

Thinking of booking the 11/10 cruise on Paradise. Looking forward to seeing what you think. Have never been on a small ship like this. Excited to see the new upgrades.

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Can't imagine what they are going through and went through. Heart goes out to the people of Saint Maarten. So sad:loudcry:

Hopefully FEMA won't be bringing in mold infested trailers to house those displaced like they did in NOLA

Any thoughts as to if Carnival might utilize the Freedom/Breeze/Valor as temporary housing for those displaced by Harvey? It's happened in the past.

:):):)This is so getting me ready to leave on the Freedom in a little over 3 weeks. Our first Cruise without any of the kiddos. Looks like you really enjoyed. Thanks for the review

Thanks for the great review. Heading onto the Freedom in 32 days. Waiting for more of your review.

See you in the 16th of September

Hey everyone!

My name is Mark. I go by Marky Mark on the ships and I shall be starting back on the Freedom September 2nd!

I am one of the Entertainment Hosts!

Just wanted to give a shout out to anyone who is cruising later this year on the Freedom to say hello to me =D