wesport

Three days after booking a 5 day on the Constellation, I received the $125 credit on my amex card. I wish they would give more offers like this!!!

Just booked a five day cruise on the Constellation using the AMEX offer. I have several questions about this ship in particular.

How is the internet speed??? don't really need it for five days, but have OBC to spend.

Can you book the 3 specialty restaurant package on board? I got an email from X , but would rather wait until onboard the ship.

Booked a guarantee and have a cabin already. #8040. Thoughts!

Richard from Fort Lauderdale

If you are interested in internet, you get free internet on Princess after 4 sailings. With HAL, you get 50% off a 100 minutes program after 500, yes 500 days. When I sent an email to HAL's mariner society about this, their reply was they give the benefits that HAL's members are requesting, such as a picture of the ship, a collectible gift, and discounts on HAL merchandise online. I think they need to update the internet for Mariners. Other benefits such as free laundry and 50% off wine packages and free laundry are nice at the four star level.

When is the best time to book a transatlantic on Seabourn? Far out, or wait closer until the sail date. Have been looking at several in 2016 and 2017. Do they normally lower the price after final payment? Thanks

I was on the Prinsendam in May and did ask him if he was on my cruise on the Prinsendam 10/26/15. He said he was on vacation, but will be back on the Prinsendam on 9/29/15. He does make the trip special.

Does anyone know how many ships they have rolled this out to? Previous internet was a total waste of money. We opted to not even bother, so this will definitely increase revenue and customer satisfaction.

I am a lap swimmer, and have done laps on the Eurodam. I would wait at 7am for the pool attendant to take the net off so I would be the first in. I would swim diagonally and get 5 strokes. Once people started to get into the pool, they seem oblivious to the fact that someone does laps and meandered all around the pool. Ended up getting a so so morning swim. Water was cold also!!!

I got in late bought 100 shares at 39 dollars a share and so far have received $650 in OBC plus dividends and increase in share price. But, they make money giving you less and less on board. Just completed a 28 day cruise, and got a letter stating that because you are on a collectors voyage, you will get 20% off two bottles of wine and an extra shot of coffee in your coffee drinks for the remainder of your cruise. An extra shop is worth 50 cents. Just my opinion.

Just a few thoughts on my recent cruise. After reading so many mixed reviews about the Prinsendam, I was apprehensive about the ship. Added to my fears was the fact that I was in one of the dreaded cabins added to the back of the ship during dry dock. So here is my brief synopsis.

The Ship

Although she is on older ship, the maintenance was impeccable. Many people polishing and constantly cleaning the ship. Sometimes, I thought they were going to wear the brass off the fixutres.

Captain Tim Roberts

He really made the cruise. His dry sense of humor and friendly charm is something I never experienced on any ship. Once, our tour bus from a HAL tour arrived after the ship had sailed due to the tides on the Shannon river. We were tendered back to the ship. Captain Roberts was at the gangway to welcome us all onboard.

Crew

Exceptional. Everyone at from the front desk to MDR to cabin stewards were all excellent.

Cabin 202 Aft

After worrying about the dreaded aft cabin, it worked out fine. No Vibration. Huge deck. No worries.

MDR

Slightly better than a regular HAL cruise. IMO. Had Lobster several times during the 28 days. Not one did we ever have to wait for a table for 2. Back dining area surrounded by wonderful windows with great views. Salads selections were varied and delicious. Wait staff were all great.

Entertainment

Standard ship entertainment. No better. No worse.

I have to say I was pleasantly surprised at how nice the ship is. So nice we will be doing 29 days on her from Athens to Fort Lauderdale in October.

I guess I'm hooked.

Luckily, we spent three nights in Amsterdam before coming to ijmuiden,so we did get to enjoy the city. Will be staying in Ams for one more night before heading back to Miami. At least the hotel is cheap and you get free breakfast! Live and learn.

got to Ijmuiden today after a 100 dollar cab ride from Amsterdam. thought I would get here a day early. needles to say, there is nothing here. Should have spent another eve in Amsterdam. I have read Hal leaves from here to save money on the locks. Walked the town this afternoon for awhile. Didn't see one person on the street. If I had it to do over would not stay in Ijmuiden. Just my opinion.

Just curious if anyone out there has sailed the Prinsendam. If so, did they do the LGBT get together. Wasn't sure since its a much smaller ship. Will be on her May 20th and wanted to know.

My partner and I have been on 16 mainstream cruises, and have never had a second thought about being on a mainstream cruise. Having cruised on HAL, Princess, Celebrity, passengers and crew have been nothing but cordial. We did have a member of the Tea Party on one cruise who snuck into the bar where the LGBT get together was happening just to overhear our conversations. He opened up his book and just listened to us chatting. After several drinks and a lot of laughing, he left. I guess he figured out we are just like everyone else and wanted to have a good time.

Will be leaving for a 28 day Baltic and Celtic cruise May 20th on the Prinsendam. Friends swear by this ship, so we shall see since this is our first time on this ship. People seem to have a love hate relationship with the Prinsendam. Just curious if since its a smaller ship if they still have happy hours on her. 33 days to go!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Don,

We will be on the Prinsendam from Athens to Fort Lauderdale, so will be with you on the second leg of our trip. We are Richard and Theo from Fort Lauderdale. Hopefully there will be more as we get closer to the cruise.

On some ships, every inside and outside cabins are greyed out until 2016. When I called HAL, the rep told me they are sold out. This doesn't make sense. When I go the the American Express cruise website I can book any of these categories with plenty of availability. They are losing business, but don't seem to care. I glad I am not the only one seeing this problem.

Am looking at several cruises this year. The price has gone up between $200 and $500 to take advantage of the anniversary sale. Its a wash as far as I'm concerned. You get the value added package by paying a higher price. I guess business must be good for HAL.

I find the current anniversary sale somewhat weak. The $70 will get you to the Pinnacle once since its $29pp. 100 minutes of internet. $55 The shore excursion credit if I read it right, can only be used for excursions once on the ship. Sometimes the popular excursions are sold out. I also noticed that the price of the cruises this is offered on have all been raised $200 to $500. In essence your are paying for the promotion. Doubt this will be a successful promo to those of us who are watching certain itineraries. Just my thoughts!!!!!!!!!!!

Just discovered that most of the inside and outside cabins on the Prinsendam are greyed out until Nov 2016. Chatted with two hal agents and they say they are sold out. Every prinsendam cruise from now until nov 2016. doesn't make sense. Inquiring minds want to know whats going on.

Just chatted with a HAL rep. Seems like all inside and oceanview cabins on the prinsendam are sold out on all cruises through Nov 2016. Not sure what's going on.

I find it interesting that the cabins that are greyed out on HAL's website are available on American expresses website. any ideas. chatted with HAL rep, and she said they could be sold out, but I doubt all inside and outside cabins 8 and 9 months out are sold out.

I have noticed this on cruises that are 8 and 9 months out also. Could the same circumstances apply or is it just a web site problem??

My partner and I were on the Eurodam the week of Thanksgiving. I am 58 and my partner is 72. Very few children. Gym was very nice and not that crowded. We did do most of the shows, and found them very enjoyable. Food at all venues was very good. MDR, Pinnacle, and the Tamarind. Holland did have a LGBT get together every night of the cruise. I recommend the Eurodam.

I had it happen the night before a 17 day Hawaiian cruise on the veendam. Just called chase from the front desk of the ship. they authorized any HAL charges to go through. Wasn't really a problem.

I thought it was beautifully done. Took some creative genius to come up with that idea, but it did work.