sunviking90

Agree. This is helpful info for those who are not comfortable using the app, but much harder. We blacked out personal info when submitting our original docs on the app, and found the process much easier than the old way.

We had our upcoming cruise refared a couple of times and most recently after final payment! Our CVP is great. We were able to keep the hefty OBC attached when we booked last year too. Of course now it’s on the Drop and Go even cheaper but it can’t be refared to that special she says. We are still about even with our OBC though. We have decided now that unless it’s a real bucket list cruise to wait until 2 months before sailing to book. I know most on here would disagree, but there are about 3 itineraries we are eying for 2025 and all of them went for about 40% less a couple of months before this year's sailing.

Same. I have tried audio books when my library only had that option of a particular book I wanted, but I find the reader’s voice a distraction, for fiction anyway. So much of the enjoyment of a good book to me is how you picture and hear things in your own mind while reading. I know many enjoy audio books though by choice or necessity, so they’re a great option to have.

I would not sail this itinerary without a balcony. Keep in mind it is almost a whole day transiting as you go through the first locks, into Gatun Lake, then through the second set of locks. In between it is beautiful and tropical and you can hear the birds, etc. Yes, it is nice to be out in the decks, but it is also nice to have your own private area to enjoy it. I actually ended up with Covid on our Panama Canal cruise last August and was confined to the room on the transit day. I was able to fully enjoy it from our balcony. I sat out there for hours.

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/ca/cruise-deals/top-ten-cruises?camp=CME:20240404_HEP2418MP2_CAD&rmid=20240404_HEP2418MP2_CAD&rrid=11102582922&lid=primarycta&XID=EXTHEM202404044RD3MS63SQ Log in too. There are some amazing private fares that also come up.

This! We drove the Cabot trail as far as Cape Breton National Park. A beautiful drive. The rental car agency was a short taxi ride away from the port. People there are SO friendly too! Some agencies used to pick people up at the port but I’m not sure if they still do.

We usually show up around 10:15 and we’re on board for lunch. The main backlog at Canada Place is the US customs processing for Alaska cruises. Fortunately they now have a Nexus line.

We have had balconies aft on Baja deck and thought they were just fine. We are not overly picky, but do prefer aft cabins. You’re right that in your ship the “premium” will be the same, but likely larger balcony (Caribe deck I think, or full aft) Personally, I wouldn’t bother changing unless it was for a mini suite which will give you lots more space and a sofa in the cabin itself. If you’re not choosy about the location you could try to bid for a mini suite, but contact Princess first and ask how much to upgrade your cabin first.

There will also be enrichment lectures in the main theatre on most days. Usually Alaska themed. We really enjoyed the one given by Libby Riddles (first woman to win the Iditarod).

I’m guessing it is a standby program like the one HAL has rolled out.

Exactly. You couldn’t pay me to take a 7 day cruise during spring break weeks. The Pinnacle Class ships are also more popular with families and younger cruisers. I’m hardly a HAL cheerleader, but this is not a situation unique to HAL. All mass market lines will be full of kids and families during spring break. The kids sail free thing is hardly new either. We started sailing HAL when our son was a young teen (16-17 years ago) because they frequently had kids sail free or 3rd and 4th in the cabin free. We used to joke that they obviously had no idea how much teenage boys eat, or they wouldn’t have allowed him on for free, lol.

Thank you to all for taking us along on this cruise! Safe travels home. @canadianbear, yes no rush to the airport if you’re on AC. They will NOT let you drop your bags early. We had to wait an hour to do so last time. @BermudaBound2014 Give my regards to Kapalua! One of my favourite places.

This is another reason why we like the Queen set up. I like to do yoga, etc and it’s pretty tight when they are twins. I really noticed this when I cruised with my sister instead of DH once.

Lately I’ve had no problems with the website on my new Ipad just using Safari. In fact it’s working much better than before. It was very clunky on my old IPad though. I have had to “whitelisted” the website with my content blocker and enable pop ups.

Yes, us too. Not a deal for Vancouverites for sure. And we could apply our CCL stock credit, and get OBC with the current 50% off last minute sale. Now, if a Vancouver to Hawaii itinerary showed up on the list, we would sign up for sure.

Concerto on deck 6 has reserve class, but that’s not a reason to avoid it. We have an upcoming B2B and are 14 days in Concerto and 7 in Allegro, so we can compare again, lol. Allegro “seems” a little less hectic to me because fewer people seem to find it for walk ups, but I could be wrong.

I have found it easier to Google search my topic with “cruisecritic” at the end. Forum search engines are pretty clunky imho. Love your CC handle by the way!

Good Luck. If you don’t have your call back in a day or 2 call again.

It’s working for me now too. Finally!

Bon Voyage to all!

@pryce_tag Do you have the option to bid on a regular mini suite? It doesn’t sound like you are interested in the “reserve” benefits, but more the extra space, etc. It may be a lot less.

No problem. Thank you for the correction. We have been on 14 and 11 only.

While it would be nice to have the extra room (and a tub) with a child, I would not pay $4000 for it. I don’t consider that a sensible price, but I don’t know how long your cruise is. Remember that you’ll have a very, very large balcony with your aft deluxe stateroom which you may loose in your upsell. I personally also have issue with Princess “counterbidding”. I would not play that game. I also think you’ve answered your own question when you say you’re not sure it’s “worth it”.

I feel like this would have been the best option in the “olden days” ie pre Covid, when they had knowledgeable staff. These days, you could probably get 5 different answers, none of which will be accurate. Probably why OP came here.

Gosh Noordam isn’t feeling any love!