dcsam

We booked a Signature Suite for an Alaska Cruise about a week ago. I see today (on HALs website) that the price dropped ~1400 + for 2. We booked what the agent is calling a 'flash sale'. Can I expect anything by calling tomorrow? Shipboard credit? Upgrade? Or do we just 'eat it'? Thank you. It would truly help to know what is typical in these scenarios. I'll be calling tomorrow (they're closed right now).

Caroline

I was just hoping there might be recent pictures of the Oosterdam Signature Suites. The ones I've found seem outdated or are from HALs advertising. Anybody have some recent pics? Thank you.

Caroline

Have you checked with HAL to see if they have some way of holding it? I seem to recall my brother paid for some extra service (through HAL) to take it to the airport???. Might be worth a call. If you can free yourselves of the luggage, I'd suggest spending a bit of time at Pike Place Market.

Caroline

The train sounds wonderful, but we're trying to 'keep it simple'. Also, there's a great place we keep our car at SeaTac for $5.50/day, with fast service to and from the airport. It's kept at the Doubletree, but we book the parking through an outside website. We've done this nearly a dozen times now. Don't know what we'd do with it in downtown. For simplicity, peace-of-mind and ease, I'm sure we'll be happy we're taking their bus.

Bonaire for amazing snorkeling!!! Also, have to stop at Half Moon Caye. It's a great day to just enjoy a beautiful, white sand beach and clear blue water. Those are my top 2 pics.

No need for us to fly into Vancouver as we live in Washington State. Otherwise, I'd be flying there. And a flight to Seattle to Vancouver is not a good option.

There's a lounge for those waiting at SeaTac? The timing of this transfer just seems so vague and I guess I'll call HAL tomorrow to find out what the scoop is. Our TA mentioned arriving around 8:30 am. But this is a TA from a shopping/travel warehouse, so I'm wondering if they really know the reality of it all. People on here, on CruiseCritic, generally know more.

Our TA mentioned to just meet at baggage claim at SeaTac. I'm not sure if they do hotel pickups or not. Hopefully others will respond.

In the past, we've eaten our meal on the back deck. Depending on the weather, you could curl up with a blanket; fix yourselves a plate of appetizers from the lido (taking turns keeping it replenished); and don't forget the wine. And enjoy the beautiful scenery. Not days we like to be indoors.

Hoping you might give me an idea of what to expect using HAls bus transfer from SeaTac airport to Vancouver and back. We have always driven to Vancouver; stayed overnight and left the car. This time, however, i booked their transfer. It's around $150 pp, RT. Seems like a lot, but by the time we pay for a hotel in Vanc., parking gas, extra night for our dog sitter - it probably works out similar, and with less stress. We will drive to SeaTac the morning of. Our TA just mentioned that we could show up anytime after 8:30, and HAL just keeps the busses moving as they fill up. Rather vague directions. Just wondering how it worked for those who have 'been there and done that.'

Thank you!

We just booked the Oosterdam for the June 7, 14 night Alaska cruise. Is it possible to book the Greenhouse spa now (thermal suite, soaking pool) or must we do it onboard? Idea what the cost will be and whether or not 3 star mariners get a discount?

Thank you.

Im booking the Oosterdam today. :-)

A few years back, we would have been thrilled with just about any ol' cabin as long as it was on a smaller ships. But now my husband has a 'disability' due to a stroke, and we spend much more time in the cabin. Accommodations are now just as important as the destination - maybe a tad more. So signature suite it is. Thank you for the suggestions. They really helped.

Is it within 'the rules' to bring 2 more bottles of wine on the second part of our back-to-back cruise? We'll bring on our allotted 2 at the beginning, but would like to purchase 2 more while in port at the beginning of the next 7 day cruise.

We haven't received any Flash Sale emails in quite some time. Anybody else getting them?

We've cruised both. At one time, we were booked on a HAL cruise to Mexico, but then after just a bit of research, we discovered Azamara and they did the same itinerary for less $. They are now our favorite line, but HAL is right behind. And Azamara prices seem to have increased since that cruise. We also cruised Azamara to Norway this past summer. It was excellent! Azamara shines in their service. Their crew seem genuinely happy to be there. Many would say the food is better on Azamara, but I don't think so. We did enjoy their specialty restaurants, and felt the food was excellent there. Definitely, Azamara is a couple notches above HAL, but it depends on what you're looking for and price. More nickel and diming with HAL, but we know what to expect, so that's not an issue. With Azamara's small ships come a much more intimate, personal feel of cruising. On our Norwegian cruise, there were lots of 'little things' that made our trip special, and less 'canned' than the major cruiselines. The captain made stops along the way that were not on the itinerary. Stops for goat cheese, mail, strawberries. If you've cruised with HAL, you'll be 'wowed' with Azamara. But either line is great.

For about the same price, we can cruise aboard the Oosterdam in a Signature Suite or aboard the Zaandam in a standard balcony. We love the smaller ships, but it's tempting to try the Oosterdam. This is for a May/June 14 night cruise to Alaska. Thoughts? What would you pick and why?

Thank you.

We love the smaller HAL ships (Maasdam, Zaandam...), but I'm tempted to try the Oosterdam. There's a 'screamin deal' on the Zaandam, but it's an outside guarantee, and balconies have spoiled me - now that we spend much more time in them due to my husband's disability. I could spend more money, and get a suite on Oosterdam. But I'm concerned about the size of this ship. We were on the Star Princess a few months back, and well... it was just too crowded and too big. LOTS of lines. We had a very large balcony cabin and that helped a lot. How will the Oosterdam compare? How does the space/guest ratio compare? This would be for a May or June Alaska cruise.

Thank you.

The posting I read mentioned they had gone to the 'my account' section, but found very little, if anything available. Still debating. I enjoy the MDR, while my husband really enjoys the specialty restaurants. The 'included' specialty restaurants is one of the reasons I'm considering this cruise, but if we can't get in we might reconsider.

We just booked (tentatively) a Regatta Alaska cruise. Lowest balcony guarantee. I'm ready to make final payment, but have a couple concerns. Hopefully, some of you can respond. I read the roll call (for the May 29 cruise) about someone trying to make specialty dining reservations and were having difficulty. The specialty restaurants are important to us, and I'm wondering if we will have problems getting in. We like to eat early (5-7) and prefer a table for 2. On a 10 night cruise, I can see us eating at the specialty restaurants about half the time. Thoughts?

Thank you.

Caroline

And I imagine the 'major changes' will mean adding more passengers???

What Princess ships have the most space per passenger? Most open and airy; less crowded and less confined 'feel'? We're just back from the Star, and although we had a great time, just too many people. Too crowded. Other suggestions? Thank you.

In my dreams! A PG cruise! I cruised French Polynesia 3 times (1 with Renaissance and 2 with Princess). I also did a land vacation to Moorea. Love it!

My sister-in-law is a former travel agency owner. She told me that the PG cruise was one of the best she'd ever taken. Expensive, however. But I'd love to give it a try.

Looking at May 30th for the 11 nighter. Now that this cruise includes air, is this a good time to 'take the plunge' and 'just do it'?

Thoughts? Suggestions?

Thank you.

Caroline

WA state

Great info. And if I need to meet with the Maitre D, is a tip expected?

We requested 5:30 assigned dining, table for 2. We've moved from ~35 on the waitlist, and we're now at #7. This is for Tuesday's Star cruise. The way it's moving, I'm fairly certain we'll get that 5:30 request, but will it be for the table for 2, or do they put you in any size table?

Also, how does the first night dining go? Same as all the other nights, or do they have open seating for all?

Thanks much!

We're taking off next week for our 10 night Star cruise. Just wondering if anybody knows what sort of wine package they offer for 10-nighters. A 4-5 bottle package would be just right.