QueenofEverything

Thank you so much!

Thanks so much for responding. I was hoping you would as I have read many of your very informative previous posts. Can you tell me what would be the best kind for this purpose? I am happy to purchase the correct type of cord for this trip.

Right - the CPAP is dual voltage. My concern is the extension cord.

We will be on an Avalon river cruise next month. The ship only has 220 power and no plugs next to the bed. Will we need a special extension cord for a dual voltage cpap machine? I see the ones we have are only rated for 125v.

Thanks everyone!

Are the pools on the Rotterdam heated? I have searched, but can't seem to find the answer. TIA

I found a website for the Amsterdam Port Authority that shows all riverboat docking locations for the year. I was under the impression that these were flexible and aren't assigned until 24 hours or so before. Anyone know if these are accurate? https://river.cruiseportamsterdam.com/

RJE23

Not necessarily true. We had to cancel an August Alaska cruise two weeks prior due to unexpected hospitalization of DH. Even though the airline gave us a future flight credit good thru 12/23, we had the option of receiving cash for the cancelled flight from our trip insurance. On the claim form there was a box to check that said we did not have use for the airline credit (which we don't). We received the refund, no problem.

We were on the SS France in 1964 across the north atlantic. I remember it being very cold and rough. Before the age of stabilizers! Almost drowned in the pool, the water was sloshing so much from side to side, caught me off guard and under I went!

How do you check to see if the fare has dropped?

Having never used Flight Ease, I'm not sure how locked in I am until ticketed. Having paid, I assumed it was ticketed and just realized it is probably not.

Is it a good idea to go ahead and ask HAL to issue the tickets? Our cruise is fully paid for due to a cancellation credit from another cruise. When I made the flight reservations, it charged my credit card even though technically final payment is not until January. I assumed it was because the cruise was already paid for.

If we have our tickets issued now will we have the same problems?

We were on the 16th to 23rd as well. This was our 4th MSC cruise, 3rd in the Yacht Club. The staff was amazing, there just weren't enough of them. Where it was very noticeable to us was in the Top Sail lounge. In prior Yacht Club experiences (pre covid), there were always 2 bartenders and several butlers in the lounge all of the time. This trip, there was one bartender and usually only one butler. The only time there was plenty of staff was the Captain's visit. Coincidence? Doubtful. On prior cruises, they insisted on serving you and discouraged you from troubling yourself by going to the bar. This trip, most of the time you had to order at the bar if you wanted your drink anytime soon. As I said, the staff was phenomenal, just overworked. They were definitely trying their best. I can't imagine a full ship with this level of staffing.

Not to hijack the op's question, but are HAL pools heated? Specifically the Rotterdam. TIA

I realize this is probably too late since you are already onboard, but the cruise director said only 1500 this week. This was at the show on Saturday night.

Dinner on Royal Caribbean, I couldn't count the number of people in shorts in the MDR. My favorite was the guy in the tank top with holes in it, grungy shorts and flip flops. Not a word was said. I really prefer not so see some guy's armpit hair while dining! Very disappointing.

No, it is a regular booking. The only thing I can think of is even though it is far from final payment date, it is fully paid for. We had to cancel an August cruise and much to my surprise, HA offered to credit the fare to another cruise. We had outside insurance and I assumed I would have to file a claim on that. I guess I will call and find out, just dread the wait time on hold.

I booked flights thru Flight Ease for our cruise in April. Even though i booked flexible fare and it clearly states you won't be charged until final payment, it charged my card. Anyone else have this happen?

also insuremytrip dot com. Lots of policies from many companies. You basically can build the coverage you want and it will show you policies available that fit your requirements.

Take some bubble wrap and tape with you. Really helps when packing all those treasures from the markets, including your new collection of Gluhwein cups!

I know this has been asked before, just looking for an update. Going Yacht Club on the Meraviglia next month and our docs show an embarkation time of 3 pm. I think that is pretty ridiculous, especially for YC. Do they really ignore these assigned times?

We used them before a recent Disney cruise. Technically they are not what what Holland America requires, as you have probably seen the discussions on these boards. As far as their service, it worked for Disney but I have to say I was not impressed with the quality of their work. At that time you could use one appointment for up to 4 people. I noticed they have changed that to one. My husband and I did it at the same appointment. The proctor had us hold our tests up to the camera and then told us to proceed. She did give us step by step instructions and was able to see us swabbing, she never asked us to angle the camera so she could see our hands while we were completing the test. As soon as we could see the control line, she wanted us to hold them up to the camera. That was less than 5 minutes into the 15 minute timer and we were done. Sent PDF certificates shortly thereafter. No QR codes, but worked fine.

I believe so. It depends on what the policy was at the time you booked this cruise. If you don't see it on your confirmation, just call and ask. It is listed as a separate pdf document on your confirmation. "Risk Free Guarantee"