jabcruiser

I attended a pay cooking class on previous HAL cruise and really enjoyed it. Lunch after in Pinnacle Grill. On last sea day . Have to remember to sign up if they offer this on Konigsdam 12/10 cruise. Lunch was same dishes we had prepared in class but cooked by Pinnacle chefs. Was fun.

You are not "safe" if you mean possible port or even cruise region(i.e. Eastern to Western) changes. You are safe if you mean actual bodily safety. They will, and often do, change itineraries when hurricanes or even tropical storms approach. For your safety as well as for your comfort and enjoyment. October one of worst months for hurricanes. So if you really want to go to all of the ports as originally scheduled, you are not "safe".

If you don't mind a little unknown factor involved, and just want to cruise to wherever the wind takes you, then you are safe.

Jane

That's what it is for isn't it? We never cruise without it. Just for the emergency evacuation coverage if nothing else. Don't want to be stuck with $25,000+ bill if something were to happen requiring evacuation back to states. It should cover missed connections and additional airline fees due to late return to port. At least that is my understanding. You should certainly file a claim with them.

Look at Victor Bodden Tours for Roatan., We did private tour this past Feb. for $40 each for two of us. I can't recall guides name, possibly Anna, but she was very knowledgeable and informative . Anyway, they pick you up at dock and you tell them where you want to go so it is a totally private tour. Our guide was excellent and we thought the price was excellent also for all day tour. You set the pace. Victor Bodden is very responsive to emails and also will send you suggestions as to what is offered on the island and then you just tell them where you want to go and what you want to do. We had her drive around a bit just to see some of the island, then went to West Bay and had lunch and snorkeled there. But there are a plethora of places to go and things to do depending on your interest. I highly recommend and for the price can't be beat. You pay cash at end of tour. No prepay involved. Hope this helps.

Jane

Thanks for info. Kind of what I expected. Already considering whale watching tour so think I will go ahead and research those and book one for our Dec sailing.

Jane

Website totally useless from what I can tell. But it does apparently work better with Firefox than some other browsers (Chrome specifically). At least that my experience after being directed to Firefox by a kind CC member on another thread. Try firefox or another browser see if that helps. AND - call HAL and complain, or your TA. If they receive enough complaints maybe, just maybe, they will find a new company to redesign their new and improved (NOT) website. Obviously a total failure from what I can tell.

Jane

I understand Fascination went to Dominica on July 10 cruise. Did this actually happen? If so would love it if someone on that cruise would post info on island recovery and any excursions they might have done. We are scheduled to go in December and just trying get some up to date info. Most info in Ports of Call and Caribbean boards pre hurricane. Thanks to anyone who has recently been there.

Jane

2nd this. I think Carnival just sailed to Dominica earlier in July. Hopefully someone on that cruise will post updated info.

Jane

You might look at HAL. Our favorite. They have several southern Caribbean itineraries plus a Panama Canal partial which also goes to some of the southern islands. We love HAL and are your age group. But haven't done Princess or RCCL so really can't compare for you.

Who buys that stuff? Wouldn't allow any of it in my home. Free champagne not worth it to me to have to look at that art(?) for even 10 minutes.

Jane

We did a snorkel excursion in Aruba and very disappointed. Too many people. Every boat on the island seemed to be there. Luckily our boat broke down just as we got there so we had to (slowly) return to the dock and all money refunded. We were glad as didn't want to snorkel with the hoards of people there. Possibly other excursions are different but this was our experience.

Take it if it won't break the bank. You will love signature suite especially for a 14 day voyage. Would do it now as they tend to go quickly.

Jane

Be careful of deck 4 forward unless you don't mind solid rail balcony and also you will be above music venues I believe. That is the area we got really bad veranda. Also I wouldn't do 8 as right under Lido and they do wash decks, move chairs and tables, etc pretty early. Wouldn't suggest 10 anyway as those verandas very small I believe. Not sure if this is the case with 9 or not but could be. I suggest 5 thru 7 for quietest room without worry of early or late noise. We like aft ourselves. Like I said haven't been on Eurodam but looks similar to the ships we have been on. Hope this helps.

Jane

Haven't been on Eurodam but unless really large difference in rate between guarantee and getting assigned cabin, I would go with assigned. We did guarantee veranda couple of times. First one was fine, second not so much. Right over showroom and very loud until about midnite. We generally in bed by 11 or so and was really loud even with earplugs. Also had solid railing so couldn't see water without standing. Decided never again. I now pick my cabin. The $100 or so extra worth it to us.

Jane

Real ice cream every day, not those soft serve machines. Bread pudding at lunch in Lido. YUMMY. We also prefer Pinnacle Grill for lunch and way cheaper than dinner. Just haven't been impressed with dinners there. We almost always order Gala nite into our room. Always served hot and you can call around 4:30 or 5 generally and have delivered whenever you want. No trays in hallway. Yay. You call and they come pick up your tray after finishing. And actually what really sets HAL apart for us is the BB King Blues Club. Some ships have better bands than others, but this is our kind of music so we enjoy tremendously. As mentioned previously happy hour is a favorite also. Oh and did anyone mention, you can stay in your cabin disembarkation day until ready to leave. Many other things that set HAL apart in our opinion. Have fun.

Jane

My last cruise(on Carnival) was in Feb at height of flu season. And I always get sick on Carnival, either stomach or cold. Never HAL. They now make Big Wet Ones in packs of 20 or so. Carried pack with me at all times and used them constantly. Even to clean table tops prior to sitting. Cleaned hands constantly of course and always after using elevator, railing, etc. Never got sick so was happy camper. I will always carry these with on cruises from now on. I even cleaned handles and surfaces in stateroom on arrival. Sorry to hear HAL had this outbreak. Usually Princess it seems lately. I do love that HAL serves in buffet. Gave me creeps on Carnival thinking of the hundreds of hands that had touched serving utensils. Ick.

Jane

Guess we just lucked out then. Good. Also, we did the old canal.

Don't know if HAL doing new one or still using the old one. When we sailed 12/16 believe only Princess was using the new one. Thanks for clarifying.

Jane

Book starboard side. We had perfect Signature suite 8095. Faces inward to canal both directions. But don't just stay there. Be sure to go all around the ship and different levels. Crows nest, aft Lido deck, they open a normally closed front deck, on 4 or 5 I believe. See great views of raising/lowering locks front and back but you have to move around. Fun watching the other ships pass going other direction. Crews and any passengers out waving and stuff. Mostly cargo ships so they enjoy seeing the cruise ships I guess.

Wonderful cruise. You will enjoy it am sure.

Jane

We have done eastern, western, and southern several times each. Love southern but also like western. Don't know what cruise line you normally sail, but HAL generally stops in Key West on western itineraries. Just did western on Carnival this past Feb. and snorkeled about every port. Don't know your interests, but if you like snorkeling the western or southern would be good for that. Also no hurricane damage in western. You will probably find a lot of damage still on eastern and southern cruises of course depending on itinerary.

Have fun wherever you decide to go.

Jane

Hello,

 

My parents are taking a long overdue Bahamas cruise to celebrate my mom's recent retirement. This is their first cruise being on Medicare. They are looking for reasonable cruise insurance on one of the popular sites and are a little overwhelmed by all of the options. My mom spoke with someone at Medicare and it sounds like if anything were to happen while they were away, they would be covered at 80 percent. Does anyone know if travel insurance would pick up any of the remaining portion?

Definitely do not travel anywhere abroad without travel insurance. Medicare provides no coverage at all(certain very limited coverage very close to borders with specific rules). Also most policies provide emergency evacuation back to states with can run into tens of thousands of dollars. If anyone in USAA try going through them. That is what we always use. NEVER the cruise company coverage which is way more restrictive and way more expensive.

There is no "control" over number of snorkelers. We did Calabaza couple years ago and although it was a good boat tour I guess(just up the coast a bit), and food and drink was good the snorkeling was very disappointing. Too many other snorkelers, nothing much to see as compared to many other snorkeling tours we have done. Did see turtles but really no big deal. If you want great snorkeling, with turtles, go to Bonaire and use Woodwind. By far the best snorkeling and tour operator EVER, EVER, EVER. Wouldn't waste my money doing any snorkel excursion in Barbados. IMHO. Am sure others feel different. I have snorkeled all over the Caribbean. We are doing a southern caribbean cruise in Dec and still trying to decide what to do in Barbados, but won't be snorkeling that for sure. Too bad this cruise doesn't go to Bonaire.

Jane

Problem solved. Tried Firefox and worked perfect. Downloaded pdf no problem. Thanks for all the input. But also came across another strange thing. When trying book cruise couple weeks ago I tried signing in using my Samsung tablet and never was successful. Kept getting wrong username or password. So used laptop and sign in fine using my email and password and have been using that to access my booking. Wanted try download the e brochure to the tablet so tried signing in again and still error message. So after several tries decided to use my mariner number instead of email. It worked. Downloaded e-brochure first try also. Just thought kind of strange that email ok on PC but tablet would only take mariner number.

Anyway, all set now. Thanks again. CC community comes through again.

Jane

Thanks to all. Problem solved using Firefox! I still hate the new website.

Jane

Thanks. Will try Firefox and see what happens.

Jane

I know I am not the most computer savvy person in the world but I generally figure it out after awhile and, if not, my DH always comes to the rescue . But we can't figure this one out so am looking for help. No derogatory comments please as am looking for information relative to the new HAL website and yes I do hate it. Thank you.

Well, the problem I have encountered is that I like to download a copy of the Shore Excursions (EXC ) brochure for my particular cruise then I print out pages I want (I know, so 20th century) , or use it on tablet for quick referencing. Much quicker than signing into website each time I want to reference it and going thru steps on HAL site to get to it. So on new website go to EXC tours and click "download personalized e-brochure" and absolutely nothing downloads, or if it does sure can't seem to find it anywhere in my download files. Any info much appreciated.

Thanks,

Jane