SilvertoGold

OP: great idea, thanks so much. A great cruise that should make for some excellent reading! Have a wonderful time!

2 hours ago, Iamthesea said:

I am with cruising sister.  I almost always face the hallway when in OC.   Rarely does anyone look our way as they trudge to/from the dining room.  I love the people watching!   Looking out upon the ocean is also a bonus.  Had OC been walled in, it would have felt quite claustrophobic in the long narrow room.  

Having the ocean view is definitely a plus! We went to a wine tasting in CO once, sitting at a hallway side table. We had at least one third of pax walking along looking into the room, at the tables. Didn't feel very comfortable.

10 minutes ago, ChinaShrek said:

How can they be overbooking and offering a Standby fare option at the same time? Unless both initiatives are designed to boost profit, which I concede is a possibility, they would seem to cancel each other out. Either cruises are booked full or overbooked or they are not not (and hence the need for standby passengers). 

Belt and suspenders approach to making profit. One or the other should work so win-win.

Maybe try 1-888-663-5384 Reservations billing and onboard accounting, or they can possibley give you a different number to call for just the right department

2 hours ago, albi said:

We always ask for the duvet to be removed and replaced by a blanket topped with a sheet!  A nice alternative!

We ask for a fleece blanket (and get a king size one) and the guys put it in the light duvet cover. Looks nice on the bed and is the perfect weight for us. 

1 hour ago, Wayward Son said:

 

I would prefer to believe this is the correct scenario, rather than believe HAL intentionally overbooks CO.

 

Regardless, HAL needs to make OP whole.

 

HAL overbooked a Japan Westerdam Japan by 50+ cabins, resulting in expensive compensation to pay out. HAL knows from their past cruises that pax cancel and have a good idea how many on average. so some overbooking makes sense if the occasion arises. Would this be what they do with CO, as well?

Ask and see what they can do. They do have nice blankets that are very lightweight.

2 hours ago, Alberta Quilter said:

If the customer cancelled CO, I agree they should either pay for the upgraded cabin or lose it.  But in this case, it was HAL's error to overbook.  I think the customer should get to keep the upgraded cabin AND the OBC, AND get a full refund for the cost of CO.  Or, at least, increase the OBC amount to cover the cost of the upgrade and give a full refund of the CO cost.

Probably right. I wonder how often HAL overbooks. The Westerdam in Japan overbooked 50+ cabins and had to buy pax out. Very generous compensation with a choice of which buy-out to take. Possibly in the current case HAL might have asked the pax if he wanted to keep the upgrade or go back to the original and get full refund of the CO but with more OBC. There are many ways for HAL to deal with this allowing the pax to soem chocie in the matter.

Fantastic photos and excellent commentary! Have a GREAT cruise and enjoy this lovely ship!

23 minutes ago, NCTribeFan said:

This is very concerning.  I always add CO when I book, and I typically book very early (just booked Nov 2025 and Jan 2026 cruises).  I booked my 17 nights on K'dam for next January in Dec 2023, and included CO, but changed my booking to 24 nights.

 

I noticed about a week ago that the balance due for that sailing on HAL's website was more than I had on my spreadsheet (I'm a CPA and I keep EVERYTHING on spreadsheets).  When I called my PCC to book the two new sailings for 2025 & 2026, I told her I thought when I'd changed my booking, they charged me for my CO cabin upgrade.  She put me on hold, got a supervisor, and came back to tell me I was exactly right, and it had been corrected.  I did not receive a new invoice, but the correct balance due now shows in my account.

 

I would be very unhappy to lose CO on a 24-night Pinnacle-class sailing.  I got very spoiled having the separate CO dining room last spring when on Rotterdam for 26 nights.  

 

I would try talking to Guest Services once on board and ask for the Hotel Manager. You absolutely should be refunded the entire CO fare.  I hate when people automatically tell anyone with any sort of problem to contest it on their credit card, but I would consider it in this case, if you can't get resolution.  

The question is: if HAL refunds the whole CO fare, does the customer want to lose the ungraded cabin along with it as well?

We have seen both groups and really do not think there is a huge difference between the BBKings and Rolling Stone groups. There is crossover between the two of performers: we have seen at least one guitarist and one singer in both bands on different ships. The Ocean Bar group is very good and attracts a large audience.

BTW: Lincoln Center was on the Legendary part of the Noordam cruise in April from NZ to Vancouver and was outstanding.  

23 minutes ago, jlawrence01 said:

On my last cruise on the Eurodam, we reserved an inside cabin.  We received an unobstructed Oceanview cabin on the 1st deck,

23 minutes ago, jlawrence01 said:

On my last cruise on the Eurodam, we reserved an inside cabin.  We received an unobstructed Oceanview cabin on the 1st deck,

That is great! What category inside did you book? Was it a Guar?  Thanks

6 hours ago, rodndonna said:

We book the lowest inside GTY - so no downward options available! Everthing is an upgrade from that "N' category inside (don't think anyone is actually ever assigned those cabins) 😊

I do know of someone who did actually get an N! However, anytime we have booked an N Guar we get at minimum a K.

None in Noordam inside cabin this spring.We have had them in the past few years in same insides. Seems to depend on the ship?

57 minutes ago, albingirl said:

I hate to be like the police, but wouldn't it be nice if people would limit themselves to one or two books to borrow rather than four or five?  It's like anything else, the more you take, the less for others.

There was a sign in the Noordam Library that noted one book at a time could be taken out. Without any kind of public-library-style check-out system pax will do what they please. I was overjoyed to see this fantastic library (what an improvement!)  and could always find two books, one for each of us.

13 hours ago, WESTEAST said:

Do believe the Canadian Government site is accurate in the wording - see screen shots below. We went online for AU & NZ ETAs and it was very easy process and received our confirmation minutes later.  FYI, advice we received for entering AU was to ensure that prescribed medications are in original bottles/packages and we had our Dr. provide paper listing meds with signature just in case - no one ever asked but best to be prepared.  NZ is very rigid about carrying fruit, vegetables etc. into their country (even visiting ports of call) and departing NZ for Canada, very strict on questions if you travelled to a farm, etc.  We found reading this CC AU & NZ site very useful: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/48-australia-amp-new-zealand/ We really enjoyed both countries.

Twice to Australia/ NZ in two years and no one had the slightest interest in what we were carrying through customs. We declared a couple of things (one med, one bag of OTC cough drops which contained the restricted  honey) and the customs guy looked totally uninterested. He wasn't even interested in looking at my list of meds. Just fill out the form and don't look like smugglers or drug dealers!

On 5/24/2024 at 7:40 AM, POA1 said:

While I appreciate Dutch High Tea, I really long for Dutch Low Lunch with all the deep fried Holland Health Foods.

 

And mayo for my fries, of course.

"Of course" and I agree. And then, a nap, please.

7 hours ago, QuattroRomeo said:

The rave review stops at dessert. I ordered the creme brule. It was not good. The custard was broken, and the sugar topping was wet. Definitely not worth the calories!!

 

Creme Brule is something we save for the Pinnacle! I am glad to hear you said no to a bad table.  There are quite a few of those on the Noordam.  Good for you!!

3 hours ago, CDNPolar said:

 

Interesting... The TA we use certainly does not do this as we book direct and then pass to the TA.  We have the invoice from the cruise line first and the TA invoice is always to the penny the same as the cruise line invoice.  

 

Good to know that this is happening as it sounds like a sort of hidden fee.

This is the only agency that I have seen do this (I have only 4 or 5  agencies I view) but it is an easy way for them to make a bit extra if people do not do their homework.  Having customers who book with cruise line and transfer to a TA is the easiest way for them to make a profit: commision for much less work. I am sure they love it! 

What do you get for transferring your booking to a TA? OBC?, etc?

Do you use the cruiseline regualr booking line or do you go through a personal cruise consultant at the cruise line (example: HAL PCC)?

26 minutes ago, QuattroRomeo said:

Yes scallops can vary widely! The waiter recommended the halibut over the scallops, and DH wasn't impressed with the halibut. So you never know!

I have had rather mushy halibut as well. The Pinnacle can be good, great or so- so.

26 minutes ago, WriterOnDeck said:

The Solstice cruise the OP refers to has 14 sea says, so we should have some opportunities to read!

Surprisingly, we were on the Koningsdam for a month of 7 day Alaska cruises and found little time to read - we were amazed at how intensive the days were and how quickly the time went past!! The 7 day cruises do have their drawbacks! Have a great time!!

9 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

I don't believe so, not as a regular item anyway.

Fries at the Dive In are sometimes OK

 Pannekoek were on a Brunch menu on the Noordam a while ago. But otherwise, no.

3 minutes ago, Crew News said:

I posted this information for my Nieuw Amsterdam May 5 roll call.  After two Vancouver Embarkation Days in the last 30 days, I observed the additional luggage drop off option. 

 

Skip the underground luggage porters and walk down the left side of the Convention Center where you will see guides holding signs (Just past the Harbour Cafe entrance).  You may also just enter the Convention Center from the street entrance, keep left to the cruise ship hallway, and proceed down the hallway with your luggage.  Holland America is hallway Entrance C.

 

As you enter the Holland America doorway, to the right will be a well-marked luggage collection point with the check-in lines on the left.

 

Canada Convention Center

 

 

 

Entrances on left side of the Convention Center

We were there taking a look at the ships in port last weekend around 9;30 am and saw the guys with the signs, exactly as you say. This is a big improvement! We saw a few passengers around having a coffee at the Harbour Cafe so assumed check-in had not started. 

Is it going to be a hassle to keep our two medium-sized wheeled carry-ons with us, as we usually do? We really prefer to unpack immediately on the ship and not have to wait and wait for delivery.

Thanks, Roger, for your input! Great info as usual 🙂

Be aware of the cruise line pricing. Buyer beware.   Be sure you know what the cruise line charges on their website, both fare and taxes. 

One travel agency here just adds extra on to the cruise line tax amount, So it the cruise line website notes, for example, $100 taxes and fees, this agency on their own website quotes a fare price and adds on an extra amount to the tax. What I have seen quoted is anywhere from $30 to 80 pp above the cruise line tax amount.

1 hour ago, everbeentoseabilly said:

We have embarked 3 times in Vancouver and had to drop bags in the parking area down the ramp. There are elevators as well. 

Thanks for this info: I was wondering myself.  However, at one time in the past you had to go down another level to the parking garage (smelly!) in the one sole elevator and drop off the bags there, then go back up, so this year's method is better than that was!!

To OP:  the Zaandam is scheduled to be in port with only one other ship: this will help your embarkation move along more quickly. Canada Place is a pain, but think about the cruise, get through it and enjoy!