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I tried a dummy booking but it did not show a free inside cabin.  Last time we contacted our PCC and she did the booking for us.

4 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

Its been awhile sine we got a free cruise offer from HAL, but we just got one.  However, when I try to find/book it online it does not show up (just the normal fare).  Is this normal?  How long should I wait for it?

 

I just received a free cruise offer email 30 minutes ago.  It was from the Players Club and said to call your PCC for availability and to make the booking.

try a different browser.  I can't access my account via Chrome or Firefox but can if I use Edge.

21 minutes ago, Tampa Girl said:

Unless Japan's policy has changed in the last four years, simply carrying the prescription meds in their original container, which gives the date and the physician's name, is sufficient pre-authorization.

That's what I am doing.  I think it may become an issue if you are staying more than 30 days, then you need to submit the form for approval prior to arrival.

We are on the Westerdam next week for the 14 day Japan Explorer cruise.  I just received an email from HAL at 10:53 PM with some new to me requirements.  Has anyone had a similar experience?  Is this a requirement for Japan?  We have surrendered our passports to HAL on other itineraries before.  Here is the text from the email:

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION
In order to streamline our embarkation process, all guests must bring two photocopies of their passports which will be collected at check-in for your cruise. While color copies are preferred, black and white photocopies will be accepted. In addition, guests should also keep a photo of the passport photo page on their personal device to ensure a digital backup is available. Copies should be clear, good quality images on letter-sized or A4 paper.

As a reminder, all guests on this voyage are required to present a passport book that is valid for six months after the completion of travel at cruise check-in. Please ensure the name on your passport matches your name as it appears on your booking. Your passport must contain at least three blank pages for entry and exit endorsements and any required visas; guests with insufficient blank passport pages may be fined by shoreside authorities. To expedite your embarkation, please register your passport via Online Check-In or in the Navigator app.
Ships'

First prize in the Spin and Sail Slot Tournament on the N. Statendam in December 2023 was $100k.  I placed 15th for $1,700.  We had lots of fun.

Also witnessed a $15k win on Buffalo while on the British Isles cruise in August 2023 on the N. Statendam.

My history was updated as well today from December 17th disembarkation.

We visited Devil's Island on March 9, 2023 while on a Viking cruise of the Amazon.  Great place to explore but very hot.  There wasn't any vaccine requirement for the trip.

I received this yesterday:

Thank you for your recent correspondence with Holland America Line.  Upon completing your cruise, it should take approximately 7-10 days after the sailing ends for your Mariner profile to reflect the cruise and any onboard spending bonus or suite bonus you may be entitled to.  That said, there has been a known delay on the Dec 2023 sailings being processed. It Is being worked on and you would get the details once it has finished being processed.

romecabs.com

Title needs a date change to December 10th or I missed the ship today.

WhatsApp worked fine while cruising Antarctica.

Here is the apology letter we received the following morning.

Picture was taken on January 22, 2019.  

Here is a picture from our HAL shore excursion. The local police/military escorted us around town with shotgun toting officers on dirt bikes.  Very reassuring.  😲

We were avoiding a storm about 4 years ago and HAL used Samana as a substitution.  Absolutely the worst port we have visited.  HAL refunded most of the fee for the "Cultural Tour of Samana" excursion.  Don't leave the ship.

Thanks for posting this.  I check my Amex offers periodically for this discount and have used it in the past.  Will apply to the balance for Japan cruise in April.

FWIW, We have stayed at the Hotel Kolbe twice before different cruises.  It is located right along side of the forum and is a short walk to many attractions.  We have also used Rome Cabs and found them to be extremely reliable and reasonably priced.

https://www.kolbehotelrome.com/

PS: The hotel has an excellent garden restaurant for dinner

4 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

It was not operational in early August.

I've been on the Nieuw Statendam four times since 2019 and I've never seen the taps in that picture work.  I've only seen the soda machine working once or twice too.  There is tap beer (Heineken and something else) available at the Dutch Cafe and Heineken on tap at the Lido Bar

27 minutes ago, SueMo said:

We booked two tattoo tickets and a hotel room independently for yesterday’s (Aug 18th) 9:30 pm performance, and had a great time.  We got the first tender off the ship at 1:45 (thank you, Club Orange) and walked 10 minutes to the Dalmeny train station.  The walk entails 135 steps, so this option isn’t for everyone.  The train trip is 12-13 minutes to Haymarket station, which was a 5 minute walk to our hotel.  We were checked into our hotel by 2:30 pm.  We have been to Edinburgh twice before, so instead of going to the Royal Mile we walked to Dean Village and the Royal Botanic Garden (beautiful, and free!). We ate a leisurely dinner at 7 pm, then headed to the Tattoo—great show.  It was an easy downhill walk to our hotel afterwards.  Today we boarded a returning train after breakfast and leisurely touring as we didn’t have to be back to South Queensferry until 6:30 pm.

The ship’s excursions all left yesterday at 3 pm and they saw the 6 pm show.  I can’t help but think it would have been a lesser experience as the lighting and fireworks displays on and over the castle would not be as effective in daylight.  They left immediately afterwards to go back to the ship to board tenders in the dark.  They paid about $350 pp for the seats and bus transportation (and this was the cheapest option!).  We paid 65 GBP per tattoo ticket by booking early, train tickets were about 7 GBP pp each way, and 305 GBP for a hotel that included breakfast.  For a couple, the cost is $700 vs 463 GBP (about $590.)

I know going on your own isn’t for everybody, but we thought we had the better deal and experience.

We did the Tattoo last night and the HAL excursion for side stand seating was $269.95 pp.  Had a great time.

PS.  The winds picked up on our return tender ride giving us an added thrilling experience without additional cost.

Once a day.  They ask if you prefer morning or evening

32 minutes ago, houstonheels said:

@Gail & Marty sailing away we will be on NS in October.  I have read some conflicting posts - is NS back to twice daily housekeeping?  Or is it just once per day?

Check in was well organized and very quick this morning.  

Thanks!  Looking forward to our flights to CPH on Monday and meeting our fellow CC members at the Meet and Great Thursday.

I emailed my info to the new address today and received confirmation of credit posted to an August 2023 and January 2024 cruise in thirteen minutes!  Outstanding!

skeet shooting off the stern in 1979