wesport

I always fax it in in the am. Later the same day I receive an email telling me the benefit has been added and to have a nice cruise. I always include my email in the letter. Have never had a problem. Its almost too easy. I hope they continue this for many years.

After much reading and searching. Here is what we scheduled.

Juneau- Pilots Choice Helicopter with 2 landings.

Sitka- Volcano Coast on Ocean Raft.

Ketchikan-Mist Fiords by float plane

Victoria- The Gardens.

Why not see as much as you can.

Just curious to find out what was the closest upsell you have ever received before you sailing date. 6 days before was my closest.

I' ve noticed that when I use several travel agency sites, they always show more than that HAL shows on their website. Not a huge difference, but normally 3 to 5 more. I once had an upsell one week before a cruise on the Prinsendam, where the category of upsell I got was sold out in both places. No one knows for sure.

Thanks to all for your suggestions. Having been to Europe on many cruises, its time to go to Alaska. I kind of get the feeling this will be one of many cruises we will be taking to Alaska. Do want to do the Denali land and sea, but that might come next year. The flights from and to Northern Alaska don't seem like much fun when you are coming from South Florida.

Having been to Hawaii, and taking the helicopter ride across Hawaii's grand canyon, I can see us doing the helicopter that lands on the glacier. Appreciate the suggestions!!

Just booked a last minute cruise round trip from Seattle 6/18 on the Westerdam. Airfare was challenging, but found direct flights from MIA to SEA. Standard 7 day Juneau, Sitka, Ketchikan, Glacier Bay, and Victoria BC. Having never been to Alaska is there one thing that anyone would consider a must do when in Alaska. I've ruled out fishing as I am not a fan. I figure if we really like it we can do a longer cruise next year.

Can anyone tell me what the price of a vista suite for the 20 day Prinsendam Scotland, Iceland, Greenland on 8/17 is?

Every picture I look at, they seem to be at a different level. I guess we will have to take HAL's word they are directly below. Would be nice to hear from someone who has stayed in one!!!

I had a the credit card for my cruise compromised the day before I got on the ship. When I got on the ship, the front desk was calling and leaving notes on our door. Impossible to take a cruise with a stolen CC.

Just curious is anyone has seen or been in a vh category on the Koningsdam. How obstructed are they? Each photo I see the tender ships seem to be at a different level. Some show the lifeboats at the bottom of the balcony, and some seem to obstruct at least 50% of the view. Seems also that the larger lifeboats on the aft location of the ship are somewhat more obstructing. Want to book, will need some info to determine level of balcony!!

Thanks!!

I sent the Mariner Society and email. Will post when I get a reply. In the regular hal cruise critic posts, people do say you get the discounts on a charter, but don't know if rsvp is a different kind of charter.

I know we get credit towards mariner status on HAL from previous RSVP cruises, but does anyone know if you get the 3 or 4 star mariner discounts on the rsvp cruise. These are at the specialty restaurants, wine packages, explorations café, etc. Now that we have 4 stars, it would make it easier to make a decision on the cruise next February.

Has anyone been on the Veendam recently. Does the gym have elliptical machines? On HAL's website, I don't see any, but sometimes those pictures are old.

If you are inclined to do the signature suite, I wouldn't wait too long. Seems like a reasonable price. When I get the call, I decide while I'm still on the phone with my TA!!

The website halfacts.com will have pictures of the vista suite as well as other cabins on the Prinsendam and other ships with HAL.

The only one you might consider staying on the ship is Livorno. However, if you haven't been to Florence, definitely take the bus(provided by the ship) to Florence. You can take the train if you like to be adventurous.

Funchal. Several HOHO buses. Also take the cable car to the top of the mountain.

Cadiz. A beautiful waking city. The city has several color coded walking trails. We took the purple which takes you to the old part of town. Great restaurants to have lunch in the Bario district.

Gibraltar. Don't miss the cable car to the top. A must see.

I'm not sure what's in Lehavre, but we did a ships tour to Rouen. It was a fabulous tour. Gorgeous architecture.

Most of the ports I would at least have a morning walk.

Just some suggestions.

You can not use the coupon for unlimited laundry. Already tried that. The only one I ever used is the extra minutes for an internet package.

Don't miss the Terrace Houses if available. There are numerous steps involved.

HAL offers a tour Miletus and the temple of Apollo. On our second trip to Kusadasi, we did this tour as we did an all day in ephasus the previous time there. Very enjoyable tour!!

From what I have read, the VEENDAM is in drydock two weeks prior to the 15 day Caribbean cruise on April 9,2016. Not sure what is being done. Another post said they are flipping out the dvd players for on on demand system. Did a 15 day Hawaiian cruise in an Oceanview cabin. The only problem we had was with the AC, but it was fixed within hours. The rest of the cruise was great.

I have taken 13 cruises on HAL, and here is my history

cruise #7 Upsell offer that we declined. Ship was the Eurodam

cruise #9 Purchased Signature suite. Received complimentary Neptune upgrade the day before we left. Ship was the Noordam. Really enjoyed that cruise!!

#13 on the third round of upsells, we bit the bullet and went from vista suite to Signature suite on the Prinsendam. Worth every penny.

The other 10 no upsell or upgrade.

4 stars prior to cruise number #13

So, if I understand Lisa correctly, if there is going to be an upsell offer lets say for instance verandah(100 left), the offer will got to all ov and inside, or just ov if your reservation isn't linked to another cabin?

Someone on this earth knows the algorithm. I'm just sharing conversations. Don't shoot the messenger. Sending fairy dust to all!!!!!

I guess it's best not to try to figure it out. Just do the happy dance when your number comes up. It would be nice to find out one of these days how its done.