TiogaCruiser

Welcome to Cruise Critic. 
 

As Mary said, you might want to start another thread. It’s been a while since we’ve had one on this topic (so ignore the person who tells everyone that it’s frequently discussed here. 😉😇)

4 hours ago, aliaschief said:

I did let security know our background that I still could shoot accurately.😁

And how about The Colonel?

(I bet she’s a good shot😇)

Good morning all,

We’ve got Spring here- lots of birds chirping ( I got up to listen) ( @Seasick Sailor thanks for Merlin) and warm days. We’ve hit the low 80s ( and because of the cold weather (for us) that we’ve had this year, 80 has been quite toasty.🫤 Summer is coming.🥴

Today’s corn salad sounds great so am adding to my file to try. We’re sending “thanks” to whoever introduced us to “Freakshow” and “Apothec” Cabernet Sauvignons. We love both and they will be enjoyed many more times.

(I’ve been screenshotting wines and downloading recipes to try and we’ve added many now favorite foods and wines to our repertoire- so thank you to Rich @richwmn, @cat shepard @dfish and the rest of the F & B team!)

Have a great day everyone!

Actually, I believe you must purchase 24 hours or more before final payment. Check the wording.

….”The CPP Platinum Plan is optional and available for purchase prior to the date on which cancellation fees begin to accrue. ”

When we first started cruising, I would say it was exceptional: now we say “ it’s a steak house.” Our last cruise we didn’t even go. ( our standards have not really changed….)

2 minutes ago, Alberta Quilter said:

No, I don't believe you will be sent a policy unless you ask for it.  Did you check on the HAL website?  I know they have a summary but there may be a link to the full policy.  If not, ask whomever you booked with to get you a copy.

 

Can I ask, why did you purchase it so far in advance of your cruise?  I usually purchase just before final payment.  That way, if something comes up that I need to cancel, I'm not out the cost of the insurance.

Every time I have purchased it I printed a copy from HAL’s website and taken it with me “IN CASE ”

18 minutes ago, Archipelago said:

I have purchased the HAL protection travel plan . Will I be sent a policy ? I have the confirmation but not sure how it works . It is quite a ways from my voyage .  Anyone else had experience with the HAL insurance ? Thank You !

You can get it via this page:

https://affinitytravelcert.com/document/pdfs/HAL_LandingPage.html
 

The link to this page is on HAL’s website here:

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/plan-a-cruise/pre-post-travel-cruise/cancellation-protection-plan

1 hour ago, bundtkate said:

This bit is oddly worded. It doesn't say that your booking is fully refundable if you do not sail because you didn't clear. It just says that your booking is fully refundable if you do not sail, full stop. I'd read that as you could literally just not show up after clearing and you'd be eligible for a refund, but surely HAL wouldn't put themselves in that position, right?

I think that is spelled out in context in the previous and next sentences:

snip 

”Once a guest puts themselves on the standby list for a Cruise, they cannot be removed from it, and if such guest clears it, their full charge will remain (regardless of whether the guest actually sails on Cruise). If HAL does not confirm guest on the Cruise’s standby list at two (2) days prior to the Cruise’s depart have two options.  They can choose to have their reservation cancelled and will be refunded the full amount of the cruise fare that they were charged at the time they were placed on the standby list or they will have the option to remain on the Cruise’s standby list until 90 minutes prior to departure and their booking will be fully refundable if they do not sail.  Guests wanting the ability to remove themselves/not be charged for the Cruise if they elect not to sail should instead opt to go on a cruise waitlist (and pay at prevailing rates), not this non-refundable Program“

Good morning all,

It’s looking like we get sunshine today- the past 3 have been drizzly and cloudy all day.

Aren’t those Whoppy Pies?

@Gail & Marty sailing away  Pete shared a video about the Project Linus blankets. You have all done such a great job. It’s really nice to see the pictures and video and hear the back story. I’ve heard references to it from world cruiser’s blogs over the years and it’s inspiring to see. (The references to that project inspired me to crochet for our veterans in hospice here, now in year #2)

Have a great day everyone!

1 hour ago, HELENPSL said:

@kazu…all of your posts have made my heart happy.  I’m so glad that you’re having a great time.  BUT…I haven’t heard you mention the casino.  Maybe I shouldn’t ask!

Love ya,

Helen 😍

What happens in the casino stays in the casino.😉

Driving in Boston:

Many years ago my family visited grandparents in MA. (Grandmas family has long roots in the area). On entering Boston, and the airport specifically, my Dad- a normally cautious and polite driver -told us to hold on and suddenly became quite aggressive with lane changes and horn honking. You could almost see the horns sprout! 😈😈

We still laugh at that to this day.

Back to normally scheduled programming…

1 hour ago, superoma said:

@kazua couple of restaurants here in Windsor have starting doing the same thing, not seating a party until everyone is there. There might be more but we don’t go out enough to make a definitive statement.

That’s pretty common here (and has been) for years, especially in popular restaurants.

1 hour ago, kazu said:

Sorry busy day today - I will catch up tomorrow.  All.I will say is  I could never drive in Boston.  what a zoo.  But our chauffeur did a great job and we got back to the ship.in plenty of time.

Beautiful sail a way even if it was pitch black.  Unfortunately I was charging my  phone so I only had my Ipad but…

 

 

I don’t think traffic was crazy due to the full moon 😉 

It’s not the full moon- Boston drivers are their own class.

1 hour ago, jlawrence01 said:

I have never seen one that is more than L or XL and my stewards have not been able to get a larger one 

I’ve yet to see one that is less than a very large (man’s).🫤

14 hours ago, TRLD said:

This was probably one of Park Wests special cruises where they invite some of their best customers to "special" showings and often have one of the artists whose paintings they carry on board.

 

Most do not realize that many of the paintings they sell are giclee prints that they can print on demand and ship out. Not exactly unique, high value original art.

11 hours ago, SeaMatesNYC said:

If it’s like the Effy Jewelry cruise, these may be big “art” spenders who received the cruise “free” based upon past purchases. 

So these cruises are similar to casino comps, or do the “buyers” pay for the cruise?

I had no idea these types of cruises existed- only that there were “events” onboard for anyone to attend and get fleeced.

5 hours ago, Mary229 said:

There have been examples of HAL responding quickly because of Cruise Critic threads.  The one that I recall most recently was the introduction of the AARP OBC.  The language changed two or three times in one day in response to comments on these boards 

6 hours ago, Mary229 said:

I think HAL does read this forum. I also think we need to speak up. Many businesses go happily along because no one speaks up. it is not because we work for HAL which saying so is just plain snarky.  It is because I meet so many people who have been manhandled by agencies, tour companies or cruise lines and sit quietly stewing.  If you speak up effectively you might be surprised.  Sitting back and saying nothing gets you absolutely nothing 

Maybe, maybe not. HAL has its own private forum that several CC posters haunt (some even using the same screen name) also. Topics and discussions are identical to similar CC, but HAL knows who is who.  

On the other hand, some 10 years ago a poster came on CC HAL board and asked a question concerning a family member set to cruise with them who had limited capacities, and within a few hours they had received an email from HAL addressing their concerns and what would/could happen if that person had an issue on a ship.

Thanks for this.

 guessing it’s a coincidence but I turned it off for our LAN, and so far i haven’t gotten the “wrong PW” and other assorted errors that iOS Mail has been throwing when it tries to retrieve Outlook mail.  This has been going on for a couple of months. It throws the error typically 4 times then delivers my mail (with me simply closing the Alert). And the crazier thing is I’m now running around the community on 5g and so far, it’s stopped that nonsense.

Probably a coincidence??

Thoughts?

3 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

Large groups taking over dining times happened fairly often in the Before Time. Not so much since the break, but the groups and charters are starting up again. Mostly, it happens on 1-week cruises because those sell well for the people in the group. It's why I won't book a 7-day or a 14-day that's two 7s back-to-back. I don't trust HAL to not load a large group onto one of the weeks, or even charter it after lots of people have already booked. 

Exactly.

And that’s why there have been threads keeping up ( or trying to) with the large group bookings.

On 4/19/2024 at 11:53 PM, crystalspin said:

I don't recall the food, but the servers were all in wonderful tunics like guayabera Mexican wedding shirts but patterned satin-like.

Barong:

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barong_tagalog

The barong tagalog, more commonly known simply as barong (and occasionally baro), is an embroideredlong-sleeved formal shirt for men and a national dress of the Philippines. Barong tagalog combines elements from both the precolonial native Filipinoand colonial Spanish clothing styles. It is traditionally made with sheer textiles (nipis) woven from piña or abacá; although in modern times, cheaper materials like organza silk, ramie or polyester are also used. 

22 hours ago, crystalspin said:

I think you are on to it. We had only one longer (16-day) cruise as 3* Mariners, and only one Luncheon invite. We almost didn't wait -- the line was so long. I think it must have been the Indonesian one mentioned above. I don't recall the food, but the servers were all in wonderful tunics like guayabera Mexican wedding shirts but patterned satin-like.

Barong?

Most of the upgrade offers I have received have been rack rate or more than I paid- for the first round. When subsequent offers have come, they have decreased until either I accepted or they stopped ( probably someone else accepted.)

5 hours ago, Mary229 said:

.

HAL has its own programs.  They do have spa passes, they do have a dining pass and so on.  Always pick the cruise line that has the amenities you are seeking.  I am glad you found out before booking 

Same here. 
 

It’s good you realized your experience wouldn’t meet your expectations and you can instead stick with what you like and enjoy your vacation.

Welcome to Cruise Critic.

It’s good you researched and didn’t just assume things are the same on HAL as they are on other lines. Each line is different.
 

Hopefully you have chosen a different cabin to your liking, and you will enjoy some of the other things that make HAL special.

I too would recommend asking your TA or HAL for the best way to do this. Perhaps move one of the guys first  ( trade) then cancel you ladies. 
 

Whose name are the reservations under?

HAL platinum doesn’t cover the increase in fare for a single. So it will be interesting to see what the best way is/ what they are willing to offer 

50 minutes ago, Ninato8 said:

Are the medical facilities equipped with cardio version equipment. 

They have AEDs