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They rope the area off and have servers cut and serve whatever cake that you want. You can ask for different sizes or different samples of each.

You may be able to bring a universal remote and try to change the source if it's an active port.

This was last month. The ports are accessible on the side but deactivates.

On same cruise

Don't remember any announcement but last month just happened to walk by it. I didn't think the cakes were all that (or many of the desserts) ... didn't taste fresh. We asked for thin slices just to taste a few. I imagine it's hard to bake much fresh in bulk (besides bread).

FLL is easy embarkation. Get through security (usually line is longer earlier but not always). Depending on priority level you either wait seated downstairs or go upstairs and sit until boarding is started (usually 11:30 ish). As Ruth stated, you may get bumped up as crew as well.

HAL says that your AARP credit can only be used on new bookings. Today I received an email stating sorry but my booking was made before the program started and they are denying me obc for a particular cruise. That cruise was last month and I previously got an email stating they will give me the obc as a one time gesture for being 5 star. They did and cruise is over. 🤪 Like every cruise, every ship and every phone call, we get different answers. (There's no HAL in CONSISTENCY)😁. Who has received AARP OBC for bookings made before the program started, what is your Mariner status and did you have a PCC, TA or call direct to get it? (Only those that have successfully received please reply). Trying to see how this is allocated.

No immigration unless you are disembarking the ship, which I will assume you are continuing on the cruise after visiting St Thomas.

Got mine today (Friday) off Eurodam Wednesday.

Yes the smell on deck 2 and 3 near the bars and restaurants was bad. Our cabin ran cold most of the time which worked in the hot Carribean. There were many other misses from the crew. I was told by officer the largest number of new crew members was in the kitchen and Lido department and they had trouble training and it showed. But we went with such expectations (except the smell) and did enjoy for the most part.

Pros: usually find cheaper, less crowded and more in depth tours when done on your own (do a lot of research on vendor) or join with a few other passengers (your roll call is a good place to look). Cons: port delays or cancellations are common so book with someone that offers refund or no charge until tour complete. Make sure your time is no earlier than an hour after expected ship arrival and return no later than 2 hours before ship all aboard depending on itinerary. Many places have traffic issues getting back to ship and if you don't get back in time, ship will leave you doing a private tour.

They show on your booking email you get from your TA or HAL. If you get CCL stock credit bring that email with you just in case but ask for a revised booking email to see it now. You have to prepay excursions (if no HIA left) as OBC is for "on board" bookings. So once you board, go to EXC desk (not guest services) and have them switch the prepaid charges to OBC and you will have (refundable) credit back on your statement, which you can spend or get back in cash on the last day of cruise (if not too large).

We found the Neptune Suite amenities declined after reopening cruising. Don't know about Princess Suites as we haven't sailed them post shutdown but paying extra for a so called "suite" amenity would require extraordinary amenities for us and also would depend on itinerary as well. Not to throw a wrench in your choices, but after trying MSC Yacht Club (the price was about 75% of Neptune) and what comes with it, we probably won't pay for a Neptune again as the cost is not worth the experience. (We do prefer the ship sizes. cabins and passengers on HAL not MSC, fwiw).

Currently on that cruise right now. It's sold out and ship is full, no upgrades so expect as you get closer no more offers. We tend to book balcony cabins as my wife has gotten sick multiple times (flu, covid, etc) and having fresh air is nice. We spend alot of time on the balcony sitting and watching the water, especially morning and evening, catching sunrise or sunsets. We book port or starboard depending on direction the ship travels. This time was port to see the islands. But not really important. Be careful of deck 8 unless under spa (not under fitness center or Lido pool or buffet). Deck 10 may have more sway to it. There is a scuba excursion but it sounds basic. Plan private excursions with enough time to get there, scuba and return to ship at least an hour before all aboard. Traffic sometimes can be slow on the islands and ship will leave you if late. Bring your own paddle. There are alot of players so not sure how many paddles they have or how many players at a time are playing.

HAL ships do not meet Polar specs to do excursions or get close to the continent like other excursion ships can (i.e. Viking). The weather can change but even in rain, clouds, sun or whatever, it's a nice experience. We had 1 full day of rain, fog, clouds and sun and all were spectacular and unique. Just to see a contrast between here, Alaska, Greenland (landscape and fauna) is worthy.

You can bring your own reusable plastic bottle. I bring 2 single use plastic bottles with me now and refill those in Lido (use a glass to refill not directly) for the same reason as I don't want to lose my bottles. I've never had my bottles confiscated but do need to keep them hidden in the cabin or the steward will think they are trash. When off the ship I throw then away in appropriate recycle container but not dispose them on the ship. The cruise lines are trying to limit disposing of plastics.

Although there isn't a separate dining room, as Neptune Suite you can enter to the right where Club Orange members enter to expedite seating. You also have access to all CO amenities which include priority boarding and tendering. You can ask to be seated by the windows which are usually reserved for CO members (but can be anywhere) and also get an extra option choice for main entree. If you eat with non CO passengers and you don't want the extra entree you can offer them that option as long as the number of CO entrees match the number at the table. (Not a policy but some of the wait staff will honor).

Yes HAL had notice of closed ports and multiple changes but we didnt have any "reported" cases on the Amsterdam. But Princess Diamond previously had over 600 cases in February 2020 in Japan. So they knew there were problems.

If you are talking about excursion tickets they will load once on-board. But I screenshot everything so I have the ticket when disembarking as I could not log on in port and 1 vendor required the ticket bar code scanned. Others mostly scan your key card which have excursions loaded but I don't want to chance it again.

You can also book both (assuming not on same day) if you have OBC to use. You will need to prepay by credit card and them go to exc desk to have them switch the payment. Make sure they do it and not lose the booking since it's waitlisted.

Your PCC (or TA) also has the price for every add on in their system so you can ask about base fare and add premium wifi or whatever you want to compare prices. Messing with the add ons is different than repricing and will require a new booking with potential to lose your cabin choice (rarely but depends on bookings). You may find something that works better by asking then a lot of questions. Hopefully they have good answers that work out.

What is your camera set up?

Our daughter (3 star) who cruised with us (5 star) many times when she was younger gets many cruise deals to an email I control. We get zilch offers, so I just don't tell her about them. 🙂 Besides she has to work and has a young child so probably wouldn't go anyway. 🙄 It's is a marketing ploy with added fees (taxes/port) or upsell to higher category. Smart on HALs part.

And only 1 sea day coming back (after 6 ports) But we do get an extra hour at sea. 😅

Used to be in Ocean Bar or Crows Nest (before conversion of EXC). You may want to speak with the CD when you board to see if they might arrange it if enough interest. Definitely not Rolling Stones Lounge unless during daytime if requested and arranged by activity staff. Doesn't hurt to ask.