VermeulT

We've used this site several times.  I'm not seeing huge savings for my April cruise but sometimes it can be significant.

http://valuetrips.com/AMS/FL/F17.htm#Today's Super Value rates

1 minute ago, leerathje said:

I'm unsure about what happens after March 1.....

 

that's the $25,000 question, right?

Can anyone clarify what this designation means on the website?  It only shows for cruises that start in February ... cruises with a March start do not show it.  What's the difference?

Thanks

4 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

Ya know, sometimes stairwells go down, too.  They gotta start somewhere, and end somewhere.  I suspect it starts on deck 4, and goes down, which is into a galley area on deck 3.

On the Eurodam the one closer to the midship is next to a crew area to stage room service dishes and I think the ice maker was there. The room closer to Aft had the staircase mentioned that is used for muster.

@ger_77 is correct.

You end up with a double wide balcony.  4154 has it also (*on Pinnacle class).  See photos here. https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/4154-koningsdam/

Similar situation on Signature Class 4166/ 4168  and Vista Class 4164/ 4166.

Pinnacle Class are even better as the 4th deck balconies are double deep also.  It's HUGE!

I believe these are all now VB's.

You get a Signature Suite sized balcony with a regular Verandah cabin.

On 1/22/2022 at 10:55 AM, mikebsxm said:

My biggest concern cruising now is the disaster that happened on the NCL Gem 10 day cruise from New York to the Caribbean on Jan 9.  The only port that would allow them to dock was St. Maarten.  All other ports denied the ship's entry.  They had an overnight in St. Maarten and a slow cruise back to NY.  That would be my concern cruising now.  Yes, they got their money back, probably as future credits, but not a great way to blow a 10 day vacation.

Depends... do you cruise for the destinations or for the cruising?  As far as Caribbean goes, there are few ports I'd be crushed if I missed. I would certainly not feel I BLEW a 10 day vacation.

On 1/17/2022 at 5:28 PM, hallorot said:

The website is www.tonrijppaert.nl

You  have a very nice website!

Interesting.  Not my favorite at first glance.  Thanks for sharing.

This is amazing.  I'm looking up my mother's trips now.

I saw this discount between Christmas and New Year for my April 3rd cruise.  I tried calling any PCC (mine was on vacation) but after 3 hour wait didn't get through.  When I did talk to my PCC on Jan 3rd, she said it would be an option as a cancel rebook (that day final payment was due)... however, the cruise was almost completely FCC that would have expired on 12/31.  So she couldn't cancel without loosing my FCC.

I am disappointed that HAL wouldn't compensate at least a little something since they had such limited customer service in place leading up to the end of the year.  But no.  😞

8 hours ago, amanda219 said:

Help me on Tortola! New port & zero research. Advice??

I was in Tortola in Jan 2019.  We took a group shuttle from the port to Cane Bay.  It was maybe $15 or $20pp round trip.  Return vans left every half hour so we could stay as long as we wanted to.

Antigua we did a Canoe Hike and Snorkel tour (this was through HAL).  It was a great excursion. The ride to our departure area was beautiful, a motor boat ride to the canoe launch. Then a boat ride to an island where we hiked to the top for some incredible views. You could relax on the beach or take the boat out a bit to a great snorkel reef. A great excursion for a decent price, especially with it being through the cruise line.

The cruise lines have their own area in the port of Amber Cove.  You really don't need to do an excursion.  There are pools, water slides, zip line (for a fee), bars, food.

Whatever you do, whatever ports you end up at, I hope you enjoy your cruise.

On 1/22/2020 at 10:03 PM, arijsky said:

We just accepted an offer for Club Orange on Nieuw Statendam at $25/pp per day on her February 16 sailing.  The clincher was an upgrade from a VH obstructed verandah to a VB cabin on the Sun Deck.  Looking forward to a unique experience!

I just made final payment for my April 3rd on the the Rotterdam.  I booked with a PCC and was using FCC.  The fare for Verandah was too low to use up all the FCC. So the lady suggested I book the lowest Vista Suite room and add Club Orange at $25/day.  I'm now in an Aft Vista and the cruise will cost me $50 plus port charges out of pocket.

I felt it was a great way to not let FCC go to waste.  The category upgrade is the clincher.

@arijsky got a great deal too

11 hours ago, Andi Land said:

I would ask. Maybe they can offer some onboard credit instead of a rebook. 

A token gesture would be enough for me.

I'm sailing on the Rotterdam April 3rd Caribbean sailing.  I have periodically started a dummy book order to see if rates had dropped &/or cabin availability changed.

Some point last week I noticed that with my Private Sale rate, my rate did not change but my guest #2 was now 50%.  I tried to call HAL during the limited hours last week, I stayed on hold for over 3 hours. 

I finally got in touch with my PCC today.  She said to take advantage of the rate change it would require a cancel and rebook, but because we had applied FCC which had a use by date of 12/31, we would loose our FCC's if we rebooked.  I went ahead and made final payment while I had PCC on the phone.

Do I try to speak to someone else to see if we can get any consideration for the fact that I couldn't reach anyone at HAL last week to make the change while the FCC's were still able to be rebooked?

I love what is included.  Totally worth the extra price for the cabin.

On HAL, as far as I have been able to research, the thermospa and stone loungers are not included. Best you get is a discount on "a selection" of spa services.

When I sail Carnival, Spa balcony it will be!!

How is service in the dining room?  Are dinner's over 2 hours? 

I'm enjoying your posts.  Thank you for sharing.

I have been on hold with the PCC number for going on 3 hours.  I know they have limited hours this week due to the holidays... this is a little redic.

18 hours ago, djefferis said:

Those factors are going to draw a slightly different crowd - a less experienced cruiser and more of the “party” atmosphere you might expect on Carnival. At the same time - I kind of LIKE that this presents more options to experienced cruisers. Yes - casinos and bars will be packed - but pulling more people into these areas means less in other public spaces and more spots to relax and enjoy the ship. specialty dining reservations may not be as difficult as people are inclined to take the “free” buffet or MDR and not pay additional for specialty.

 

I’ve done both buffet and MDR many times and overall - all major lines feel the same. Food is good to great - service always professional and sometimes the best entertainment offered on the ship - but I’ve never found X/Holland/Princess any better in the food quality. Of course opt for a specialty and the quality in general takes a medium to large step up - again depending on venue/ship. Some specialty steak places have felt like going to an Outback at home - others like a true high end experience.

 

Best way to find out if it’s for you- try it once. We understand a short Caribbean is not going to feel like a 10 day wine country coastal - and that’s actually part of the appeal. No ship shutting down at 9p and only a few brave soles and crew going to a 11p show - with these cruises it’s more like a 72 hour party.

 I totally agree especially to the points I bolded.  We shall see. Fall 2022!! 

My first cruise ever was on the Norway in August 1985. I cam across this beach ball while going through boxes in my attic. I can’t find anything on google. Not even a photo. Would it be worth anything to an NCL aficionado? Or is it just a souvenir of little value except for the memories it holds? 

1 hour ago, wgeddings said:

HAL was my favorite cruise line.  Lately though, the prices of Carnival cruises have pulled me in and I am really enjoying them.  Some HAL touches (like tablecloths) are missed but by and large there is less difference now.  

 

WELCOME to South Carolina!  We live in Manning (about 90 minutes above Charleston, right on I-95).  We have cruised out of Charleston and on the Sunshine and enjoyed it.  I like a longer cruise but had no problems with the Sunshine and the Charleston port is very easy to get in and out of since there is only 1 ship..  We are close enough to cruise out of Jacksonville (but have not yet) and often cruise from Port Canaveral or Tampa.  Even Miami and Fort Lauderdale are doable in a single day's drive but because of the inevitable traffic snarl on I-95, we always go a day ahead and spend the night next to the port when not going to Charleston.   

 

TONS to do in Charleston though and if you have never been, let me know and I would be glad to make some suggestions.  What part of South Carolina is going to be lucky enough to have you?

 

 

Thank you.  I'll be just outside of Columbia.  We have family in Charleston and have been there several times this year in our quests to move south.

1 hour ago, xDisconnections said:

 

I agree.

 

If the OP enjoys HAL that much, I’m not sure the OP would be a good fit with Carnival. They target entirely different markets and clientele and the experience is very different. It’s like staying at a La Quinta vs a JW Marriott. One cruise line is targeting the budget minded traveler while the other is providing a premium, sophisticated experience. 
 

I’d try other brands sooner like Royal Caribbean and just fly to the port.

 

OP: if you have to ask, you already know the answer.

HAL used to be sophisticated.  It's really not anymore.
To use your comparison... I'm a Courtyard type of person... in between both experiences. It all depends on setting the right expectations. 

On 11/23/2021 at 11:06 PM, Colorado Beach Bum said:

I’ve done both and it usually comes out way better to have a drink package.  Have just paid as I went a couple of times cause the wife doesn’t get her monies worth with cheers. If both drink in the 7-10 drinks a day then cheers is the way to go. 

On 11/28/2021 at 11:30 PM, MeganGC1983 said:

All of this. Before Cheers! I would try to talk myself out of drinks and I don’t want to do that on vacation. Once it’s paid for, I never look back. 

On 11/24/2021 at 5:56 AM, sanger727 said:

Whether or not it’s a ‘deal’ entirely depends on you. We have cruised with or without drink packages and having them does change how we cruise.

1. Without drink package - always bring on the two bottles of wine, bring a refillable water bottle to refill at buffet, drink very little soda, drink more in ports, have regular coffee, drink less on ship - bill will be under $200

 

2. with drink package - don’t bother bringing wine or refillable bottle, grab bottles of water as we go, get more sodas when out and about on ship, drink less in ports, have cappuccinos and lattes more, have more day drinking afternoons and drinks around dinner time 

I think the above sums it up:

• If both of you are drinkers - it's not worth it.
• The "hassle" of bringing wine/soda/water with you while boarding.
• The freedom to not obsess about how much you are spending once on board.

13 hours ago, jsglow said:

We very much enjoyed Sunshine as a ship.  Generally speaking, Carnival has done a good job with these major retro-fits.

 

While I have not sailed on HAL so cannot make a direct comparison, I'd anticipate there being a bit of a difference in your cruise experience.  The two brands are definitely targeting different markets.  As long as you are aware and comfortable with that, you'll have a good time. 

I know the experience will be different.  But the proximity is a huge plus.  I like older ships so that's ok.  A 4-5 day cruise to Half Moon Cay and back... who can complain?

Thank you for your feedback.

I've been on 11 or so Holland America cruises. I love them.  But I'll be moving to South Carolina next summer and love that Charleston is a home port and less than 2 hours from "home".  Amy input, especially about sailing these shorter cruises out of Charleston &/or Carnival Sunshine would be appreciated.

Thank you.

19 hours ago, Megamixer said:

It's a big beef of mine with all the cruise lines now.  Generic "cruise line" mugs, shirts, caps, etc.  Nothing with the specific ship's name on it.  In years past (starting in 1992 with Sovereign Of The Seas) I had a mug from each ship I've been on. 

YES!  I'm drinking from my Dam mug with a W now.  Would love to have had one from each ship since.  But alas, it was the last of it's kind and on the next ship the same type mug had all the ships on it. Blech.