dcsam

Viking May have spoiled us for life. We were able cruise Viking and Azamara at reasonable costs. But it seems their rates have gone up and I simply refuse to pay so much. So, I’m afraid the Koningsdam may be too crowded for us. I checked their space ratio per passenger, and it’s not conducive for elbow room. I’ll continue to search for a smaller ship aboard HAL.

Thank you.

Just checked the date. It's February 3, not the 6th. :-0

This is a 10 night cruise.

We enjoy HALs smaller ships. They seem more spacious and less kid friendly. We cruised aboard the Oosterdam, and didn't like the enclosed feel of the ship. I like the looks of the Koningsdam 2/6 itinerary, but am reluctant to book due to crowds and kids overtaking the pools. Most recently, our cruises have been with Azamara and Viking Oceans (which we loved, loved).

We do enjoy lounging by the pools. What will the pool experience be like aboard the Koningsdam for a February cruise: quiet and restful or crowded and noisy?

Thank you.

Caroline

Just considering taking a cruise aboard the Koningsdam. There are only a few ADA cabins left. Which would you choose: 4107, 4146 or 4167?

Also, for those who have cruised the Koningsdam, did you find it crowded? Looks like there are stairs into the pools (not ladders). Is that correct? This would certainly help getting in and out of the pools.

Thank you.

Caroline

I don’t think you need to pay what the total cost WILL be when you get your pre-existing coverage, but only for the amount you’ve deposited. Once you’re locked in with the pre-existing coverage, I think you can add to it as your payments occur. Hope that makes sense. Also, I don’t usually cover for things that can be rebooked for a later date - even if it means paying a change fee - like air fare. If you want total piece of mind and total coverage, it will cost you. Hopefully someone else will chime in.

That sounds about right. I believe if you want to cover ‘pre-existing’ conditions (the buy-insurance-shortly-after-you-put-any-money-down-on-cruise sort of thing), you need to cover the total amount of the cruise and all other costs (i.e., air, non-refundable accommodations...).

Update:

I called HAL’s after hours number late last night, after returning home from the hospital. They noted it, but advised me to contact HAL this morning. I did. They advised me to contact my TA. The TA will work things out with HAL. Of course, our TA isn’t open today, but I sent her an email letting her know what happened.

We really didn’t invest a huge amount into this cruise. I booked an outside category (though I debated quite a bit about a splurge into a balcony or Neptune - glad I didn’t). This isn’t one of those huge trips that one looks forward to and plans for many months in advance. It was a relatively last minute booking for a little getaway. Regardless of how everything works out (or not), the loss of any money isn’t too big of a deal. Just nice to be home all safe and sound.

We are home now. Looks like it could have been dehydration that caused him to fall. I swear... he hates to drink water - too much effort for what’s it causes! :-( Lesson learned, I hope. His wrist and back are quite sore, but nothing broken. He had a serious stroke 6 years ago; he’s of a ‘riper’age, so it was just good to get him checked out. He’s still quite unsteady on his feet, so I’m relieved we’re not going. I know the ship is full, but I certainly would not expect HAL to refund us any amount. But we’re long time customers, but cancelling day of isn’t on us. I’ll try, but I’m not expecting anything. I’ll call them tonight (10:30 Pacific Time), and see if anybody answers. Then I’ll get to the other calls tomorrow. Lesson learned people: get insurance. And don’t try to save a few bucks by covering only half unless you’re a lil bit of a gambler like me. Half is better than nuttn though. We’ll see how/what they cover later. I do have a ‘doctors’ note and all the paperwork. We’ve been on many cruises, but this is the first we’ve had to cancel. Thanks so much for all your suggestions and advice.

Do you think the calls can be made tomorrow? Or should I call when we get back home tonight?

Thank you. Thank goodness no flights are involved. I’m just sitting here with nothing to do but wait until they let us go home. Its all good.

Another question: We paid for the trip with our Alaska Airline’s Bank of America card. Do you know if they offer any coverage? I knew the risks of not insuring for the total amount. Just glad I insured it for half. Thanks again!

We are booked for the Amsterdam departing Seattle tomorrow. My husband fell last night, and experienced some other issues. So we’ve been in the ER for 8 hours now. Looks like we can go home soon, but the doctor wrote a note advising us not to go on the cruise. I bought insurance about a week ago through Insuremytrip. But I only insured it for half. I know, I know. I was willing to gamble a little on the trip cost. And that’s okay. It was the coverage I wanted should something happen on the cruise. I didn’t anticipate anything happening before we left. Where do I go from here? Is there a process? Call our TA? Insuremytrip? HAL? Thanks much!

We board the Amsterdam next Sunday. In the past, we’ve had dinner at the Pinnacle Grill, but I always come away unimpressed. It’s nice, but I’d like to try the lunch there instead. What days would it be open and are reservations needed?

Thank you

Even though I booked through a TA, I called HAL and they emailed me pdf files to print from. Thanks y’all.

I attempted to print our boarding pass and luggage tags. But no matter what I tried, it would only display in encrypted format. So I called HAL, and they will email the info to me and I can print from that. Just curious is anybody else has been unable to print from the HAL website?

Thank you for the information!

I received an email regarding an upgrade. That was a couple weeks ago. On it, was the HAL phone number to call. I don’t have that info any more. Anybody have the phone number to call regarding upgrades? Thank you!

Breakfast of Swedish pancakes via room service. That would be nice.

We’re booked in an outside category. Can we order room service from the main dining room menu (dinner)? Or is that only for the Neptune Suite guests?

Thank you!

Thank you for the information. Sounds like we’ll keep our plans as scheduled and arrive earlier than the time given.

Also, we didn’t book directly with HAL. Our TA received it and she forwarded it on to us.

We just received the following from Holland America. We are booked for the Amsterdam, Alaska cruise coming up in just a couple weeks (June 24). Anybody else receive a notice such as this? This would have us boarding at a later time than we have planned on.

Thank you!

We would like to provide you with important information regarding your sailing.

To enhance the check-in and boarding experience, we ask that guests arrive at the terminal based on the following times. Guests who have booked a transfer or hotel package with Holland America will be provided a check-in time at the

airport or hotel.

1:00 PM - Deck 6 & Deck 7 (Verandah & Navigation)

1:30 PM - Deck 3 (Lower Promenade)

2:00 PM - Deck 2 (Main)

2:30 PM - Deck 1 (Dolphin)

We invite our 4 and 5 Star Mariners, Pinnacle and Neptune Suite guests to

arrive anytime between 12:30 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. Boarding will commence shortly after check in. All guests must be onboard 1 hour prior to sailing. We

appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and look forward to welcoming you onboard.

We’re on the June 24 cruise.

We just received the following from Holland America. We are booked for the Amsterdam, Alaska cruise coming up in just a couple weeks. Anybody else receive a notice such as this? This would have us boarding at a later time than we have planned on.

Thank you!

We would like to provide you with important information regarding your sailing.

To enhance the check-in and boarding experience, we ask that guests arrive at the terminal based on the following times. Guests who have booked a transfer or hotel package with Holland America will be provided a check-in time at the

airport or hotel.

1:00 PM - Deck 6 & Deck 7 (Verandah & Navigation)

1:30 PM - Deck 3 (Lower Promenade)

2:00 PM - Deck 2 (Main)

2:30 PM - Deck 1 (Dolphin)

We invite our 4 and 5 Star Mariners, Pinnacle and Neptune Suite guests to

arrive anytime between 12:30 P.M. and 3:00 P.M. Boarding will commence shortly after check in. All guests must be onboard 1 hour prior to sailing. We

appreciate your understanding and cooperation, and look forward to welcoming you onboard.

Does Holland America still keep a fresh fruit basket in the cabin and refill as needed or requested?

Thank you