azalice

Earlier this month, after disembarkation, we picked up our large suitcase in the luggage area of the Amsterdam port. We then started looking for an agent for Luggage Forward/ Luggage Free. We saw no one and kept waiting for about 15 minutes. Finally asked another young man working there who said “oh you need the port agent in the next building.” And he went to get the port agent who took our bag, telling us to photograph it to indicate it was in good shape before it was shipped to our home. It works, but sometimes you do not know exactly where the correct agent might be and the agent may not be looking for you.

In addition, when shipping directly to the ship, we found that we had to inquire at guest relations about our luggage because it was not delivered to our cabin. Turned out that guest relations had it behind their desk. 
 

Another comment: When Azamara docked for disembarkation in Bordeaux France last year, the area for our luggage was set up in tents along a river; there was no port building and no port agent. Azamara tried, as we did, to find a contact for us, but no one showed up or was available. So we had to take the bag ourselves until we reached our next vacation stop in a Paris hotel. Then pickup of the luggage was easy to arrange.

We would still do it again but are aware of possible issues that can arise.

I was sent an offer last week, the 50 dollar per day per person. 

Very good point, Hank. We often have to take care of our own needs that cannot be handled by cruise line. 

I agree that knowing about shuttles would help greatly in planning. Thank you for responses. 

Thanks for info about docking in Copenhagen and Stockholm. I am always looking for info about how far I might have to walk. 

Does HAL use shuttles for their passengers on Baltic cruises in Copenhagen and Stockholm ports? I want to have transportation in those cities to then visit them independently.

Does anyone know if HAL is offering shuttles at their Baltic cruise ports of Stockholm and Copenhagen? Going in September this year on 14 Day HAL Jewels of the Baltic and would like to just get transportation into those cities and then do our own touring/ visiting.

Thanks. We were just going for a taxi from airport to downtown. Hoping to make a 6:30 pm dinner at Andalusia. 

Thanks for response. We have previously visited the main sites of wonderful Copenhagen, so we may just ride into town and choose a lunch restaurant. I will definitely be looking up your restaurant suggestions.

I meant to type that the ship likely docks at Oceankaj. I think technology changed  it to Oceania.

We want to make a reservation for a nice lunch with some gluten free options in Copenhagen. The Holland Rotterdam docks, I assume, at Oceania on a Monday in September 2023. Is there someplace in a nice area for a lunch (not concerned about price at this time) that has beef, fish, poultry choices. And that is in an area we might enjoy walking around after lunch. We might be taking a taxi rather than bus or rail to get to the restaurant.

Yes, as stated, call special services at HAL and let dining manager know as soon as you arrive. It has worked well for me during many cruises.

Thank you all. I will GF snack. And I made a reservation at Andalusia for 6:30 pm. Not ideal for me but hopefully we will make the 6:30 pm reservation. 

Thanks for info. I thought we could pick up our bags and then go back into the terminal..Maybe we will have to eat in the terminal and then go get our bags.

What if we pick up our bags at baggage, go back to restaurants in the terminal? Are there some in the terminal you might suggest? We are willing to take our bags with us. 

We will be arriving on Alaska Airlines about 5 pm and want to eat an early dinner before a taxi ride to our pre-cruise hotel night at Mayflower Park hotel. We know dining will be better in downtown Seattle, but by the time we get our bags and find food, we will need to eat. I would appreciate some suggestions for eating a dinner type meal at SeaTac terminal, a restaurant with general chicken, fish, beef meals which would include gluten free eating. Price not an issue right now.

I was hoping not to have to purchase internet, but if phone calls have intermittent coverage, I may have to add it to my costs. Thanks for response. 

Will I be able to make and receive phone calls easily during the Alaska Explorer Seattle roundtrip cruise? I need contact with my home during the 7 days. I would appreciate information and/or advice.

I may still be wearing a medical electronic device going thru TSA at airports. It is attached to my foot with electrodes and I have a small device controlling it. I plan to travel with it actively working. What suggestions do you have for dealing with TSA so that I can get to my cruise?

Yes, please change font. I need a magnifier to read your reporting. I would love to see your impressions.

Yes, we used Blackberry several times before the pandemic. If they are still in business, we would recommend them..

We used Luggage Free internationally and it worked. You can just look it up yourself. Same for Luggage Forward.

I have found the HAL information about excursions to be straightforward most of the time. So when I checked on their shore excursions for my cruise, it clearly said that one was a 2 hour bus ride, another one was a one hour bus ride, etc, etc. It was clear enough to make my choices more easily.

My husband will have on a shirt with a collar and a decent pair of slacks. I will wear a nicer than usual top with black slacks. That is all we do anymore, no matter where the cruise is going. I am personally very happy not to have to pack or wear “formal wear” any longer.

We did Luggage Free to an Azamara cruise last fall. Only one hiccup. But the luggage went from Arizona to the cruise ship in Amsterdam just fine. The hiccup was the return. But the change of plans worked with our luggage going from a hotel in Paris to our home in Arizona. We would consider doing it again as needed.