Kamfish642

We are on an upcoming cruise in June 2023 on the Niew Statendam. I see that one of the specialty dining options offered is "HAL Culinary Cruise Dinner with Rudi Sodamin." I've never seen this option on prior HAL cruises. Has anyone attended this dining experience and willing to provide me your opinion? Thank you.

Venice (Fusina) is merely a port call on our cruise. As such, will Seabourn still provide transportation to/from Venice?

We are booked next year on a cruise around Australia and have already booked several excursions to various wine regions. We will be looking to purchases several bottles (not cases) to bring home with us but not to drink on ship. Do we have to pay a corkage fee to bring on the ship or can we just check the bottles in when we return to ship and pick them up at the end of cruise?

We are an upcoming Seabourn cruise with a port call in Venice. However, it is my understanding looking at other posts that the ship will dock in the commercial port of Fusina, on the mainland across the lagoon from Venice. We have been to Venice, and Italy in general, several times so we are not interested in any of the Seabourn tours listed. I was not able to get any answer via the Seabourn chat feature on whether Seabourn will provide complementary transportation to/from Fusina to Venice proper.

Does Seabourn provide complementary transportation into Venice?

Just read online that WHO is looking to end COVID public health emergency declaration will end in 2023. Hopefully, this will end testing requirements.

I don't think many young adults would care for an etiquette course, even though they could use one too.

For various unplanned reasons I had a significant amount of refundable credit from a recent Princess cruise from/returning to Sydney, Australia. Can anyone tell me how long it usually takes to get refund? Is it refunded to credit card used or via check?

In July 2022, we took a cruise on the new Rotterdam out of Amsterdam. Line attendant in terminal did not recognize Club Orange for priority boarding and merely directed us to standard boarding line. She had no idea what Club Orange was. Club Orange Concierge Desk on ship was great. While there tended to be a long line for standard Conceierge Desk, we just walked up to the Club Orange Desk.

We have always wanted to cruise around Japan. Based on reading this post, I visited HAL website and subsequently booked the "14-Dat Circle Japan" in April 2025 on the Noordam!

Looking into the future at an April 2025 cruise on the Noordam around Japan; however, I'm somewhat concerned over the material condition of the vessel built in 2006 and last refurbished in 2017 (I believe). Does anyone know where I can find if the Noordam is scheduled for a further refurbishment prior to April 2025.

I've heard a lot in regard to authorities limiting the number and size of cruise ships actually docking in Venice. Do Seabourn ships actual dock in Venice?

Initial HAL representative contacted stated that e-ticket is issued to airline 45 days in advance but when I spoke to travel department representative about a separate issued, she stated that e-ticket is issued 30 days in advance?

How long before cruise does HAL issue e-ticket to air carrier? I called HAL and was told both 45 and 30 days prior by twl separate HAL representatives. Looks like middle seats on an overseas flight!

Laundry package is definitely worth it for a cruise greater than 7 days. Allows us to pack a smaller suitcase.

Booked Flight Ease and pre-cruise hotel package for an upcoming cruise in June 2023 out of Copenhagen. My flights to Copenhagen mysteriously disappeared, with HAL website stating that flights had changed and HAL was in the process of rebooking. Well, two months later, HAL still has not rebooked and final payment is due March 31.

On the Majestic Princess out of Sydney on February 11. I believe that I saw a post on Facebook that in addition to the pre-cruise COVID test requirement for cruises on Majestic Princess out of Sydney that they are now conducting a COVID test the 2nd day of cruise. Is this correct?

I was able to reserve MDR for cruise using medallion app, but I've tried to go on and look at booking a specialty restaurant. However, I get a response that simply says check bac closer to our cruise (which is on February 11). Do I have to cancel MDR reservation first, and if so, will this cancel MDR for entire cruise?

Scary part is that the younger generation is probably in 50s, which has different tastes in entertainment. HAL needs to evolve business model to look at upcoming generations to be successful in the future due to intense competition.

For those that have sailed out of Sydney, Australia recently, are the RAT COVID tests purchased in Australia the same as those purchased in the USA? We have numerous RATs in our bathroom cabinet that I would prefer to bring with us from US for pre-cruise COVID test. Also are AUS RATs nasal swabs like in USA or oral swaps like some we took in Europe on a Viking river cruise?

We have a February 11, 2023, cruise out of Sydney, but we are leaving the USA on February 1 for some pre-cruise time in Brisbane. What do we do upon arrival at Sydney terminal if we do not receive our medallions prior to leaving the USA?

Not sure why I cannot book a specialty restaurant for February 11 cruise. App keeps telling me to "check back closer to Journey date to use this feature;" however, I was able to book seating time in the Symphony Dining Room?

Design specifications for any structure or vessel involving public safety need to be periodically evaluated and updated as needed. This may involve retiring or modifying older vessels and impact specifications for new vessels. Of course, you cannot design for every contingency, but design based on event probability in order to economically stay viable.

How close to cruise are you notified of cabin upgrade?

When does Viking normally start decorating ships for upcoming holidays? Just interested since we are on December 8-22 TA voyage from Barcelona to FLL.