VermeulT

They do not need to be onboard. I just got off Nieuw Statendam and bought FCD for myself and husband who wasn't on this cruise. They are connected to your mariner number and I don't think transferable. If they are not used in 4 years, they are refunded. So besides giving HAL $100 to hold on to for that time - it doesn't cost you anything. I did a booking this past week while on board. Regular OBC for my length cruise and cabin category would have been $25 I think for the FCD but since I booked on board it will be $125, if I keep the booking. If not, I cancel that booking, my FCD goes back on my mariner account and when I do book - I get the $25 OBC.

Nothing worse than walking through a store and hearing about someone's gossip. You do not need to use speaker phone while in a public place. Put the phone up to your ear or wait until you're alone.

Which if they're smart - will in the long run mean revenue. It is or should be an expression of the brand identity.

I've played music on my balcony plenty. Never super loud, and if I hear people in an adjacent balcony I ask if it's too loud. No one has ever had an issue. I would have no problem if someone asked me to turn it down. No, you don't know how far it carries. I say stick your neck around the balcony divider or wave a hand or something and politely ask. If they give you a hard time - then go to guest services.

from the FAQ on your link.. The Quench and Signature packages have a daily limit of 15 beverages per day. The signature package counts Zero-Proof beverage towards the daily limit. The Elite Package has unlimited zero proof beverages and a daily limit of 15 alcoholic beverages.

Beyond underwhelming. Disappointing. Pathetic. Weak. Sad. NG! (no good). Why those stupid boats at the bottom. Why not the current HAL logo? Glad my tile area in my kitchen is done already and I didn't wait for this tile to be included.

We used our tiles in our new kitchen. I'll keep collecting. Never know what else will need tilework in the future. 😁 (note the smaller KLM tiles that run around the entire kitchen. HAL tiles are over the cooktop.)

Also try halfacts dot com

Yes it's one 28 day Ultimate Alaska Stolstice. The off ship laundry is an idea I hadn't considered but I'm probably going to do either the unlimited or per bag onboard. Check out the itinerary. It's amazing! https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/find-a-cruise/A4L28A/W438.html

so the fact that we're on the same booking is [one of] the issue[s]?

Perhaps it's the "eligible HAL Voyage" part... and I'm not quite sure I understand "while booking, must enter the referrer’s first name, last name, and email into the webform" part. We are in the same cabin and in the same booking with my mariner number so that part was set. Of course she's no longer eligible since she now has a mariner number. Sucky indeed. I promote HAL to everyone I know... never expecting more than that they have a wonderful vacation. I finally have a new to cruising friend that I know is ready to book and the terms are too complicated.

Anyone know the best department at HAL to contact regarding the Referral program? I referred my nephew's girlfriend before booking our March cruise. I booked us. But I'm not showing the referral or the $50 OBC credit for either of us. I'd like to find out what went "wrong" with our process. Thanks.

That would be fabulous!

My expectations went down 10 years ago. We had a horrible experience in the MDR on the Eurodam... so bad we met with the Hotel Director the next day. Traditional Dining is long gone. He claimed much of it was due to being in port past early dining times. Cruisers felt they needed to cut short their day in port or skip an excursion that would come back late or miss dinner. The biggest problem with anytime dining is that instead of the galley being prepared to serve say 1000 appetizers at 545p and entrees at 615p etc and again at 7p and 730p or whatever - they now have to be able to serve a couple hundred at any given time. This has greatly reduced the quality and consistency of the food. I have barely set food in MDR since. I do not for the life of me understand why they dedicate so much space and technology in the World Stage for a handful of talks. I don't need full blown Broadway shows but do SOMETHING with that space daily. Get a comedian or variety show. My husband doesn't want to cruise anymore. HAL doesn't provide the experience anymore that he enjoyed so much. I still enjoy cruising, and now often go with my sister. We do specialty restaurants a few nights and the lido the others. One our last cruise we had Club Orange and really enjoyed the food, atmosphere and attentive staff. I go understanding what HAL is now and enjoy my journey.

That March 19th Nieuw Amsterdam trip is the one with 2 x Half Moon Cay stops. It's currently showing $315 special price (no HIA) for me for an inside. That's very tempting as is. You tell me I can go for less than that and there would be no hesitation. None.

Me too! Are these offers linked to your mariner number?

I hope they add Grand Dutch Cafe before 2024.

For the 28 day Alaska 2024 it's $1540 right now to get HIA. It includes - 3 specialty dinners, top wifi, 3 x $100 shore excursions, gratuities, and upgraded drink package, plus mariners get $400 per cabin OBC. We don't drink much. Wifi typically not needed but with 14 sea days, wouldn't be bad to have. In 28 days - having the specialty dinners will be a nice change of pace. But if you do the math - $448 based on current non suite fee for gratuities, $300 shore excursions. $100 in dinners, wifi they say is a $420 value... I'll put $50 on it as I could do without. This leaves HIA cost to about $650 or $23 per day. I'm willing to do that. it's three "drinks"... it's having a soda if I feel like it... grab a water before going ashore... juice or specialty coffee outside of breakfast... And that value doesn't even include the $400 OBC. For the Caribbean in March 2023 which I'm considering... it's $400. You get wifi, $100 shore excursion, 1 specialty dinner and drinks. For a 7 day cruise - I can do without wifi. I'd be forcing myself to use the excursion credit. The dinner would be nice. For me, the drinks would cost $35/day and I'd be forcing myself to drink 5 a day to break even. SO in sum - It depends on the package and if you find the amenities of value to you. To each their own.

That was the idea - pack less. Even better! Thanks! As soon as I confirm my hold - I'll call and add it to lock in the price.

Can anyone give me a rough guess on laundry prices for a 28 day cruise (I'll be doing Alaska Jun 2024)? And if you have the info also - Thermo Suite pass? Trying to get an idea on overall trip cost and my budget.

it's their port... ok so maybe not NO charge. But this 7 day trip has $208 in port charges. The 2024 28 day Alaska itinerary has $645 in port charges... just seems off.

Interesting that the port charges for this cruise are $208 per person. Considering HMC has none, so it's only Grand Turk and Amber Cove... $100 pp each? seems high, no?

Perfect indeed

I had already started seeing this. Very few 7 day cruises this fall and next spring vs 10 and 14 days. I'm looking forward to the choices. I LOVED the 14 day Alaska itinerary I did in 2015 and have looked at the new version. this 28 day is a MUST DO. like MUST MUST MUST.

The biggest value of adding CO to your booking is the upgrade. For $70, the OP got a room upgrade worth possibly hundreds. The separate dining on the newer ships is gold to me too. Quiet. Quick. Hot food. The priority lines at boarding and the front desk came in handy too.