REOVA

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.

Correct. Use the website on laptops. Apps are for mobile devices.

We would choose MSC Yacht Club for Carribean (but they are working on their private island so check itinerary as they may not include it next year, which is a treat). HAL would not be our first choice but not our bottom either. They offer a generic cruise and we are not Pinnacle Class preferred cruisers but that would be your best bet if you choose Carribean with HAL. We prefer the smaller ships, longer itineraries that go to more exotic islands and yes we like more sedate cruising with more port intensive visits.

Yes. Sadly not so on the Pinnacle ships. I agree that they look more like a bookstore than library with just a few chairs to sit in and not a place that lends itself to stay long.

The chat feature is good for finding cruise friends and meeting up when yiu are not together on the ship. You do have to adjust your notifications as there can be a delay in getting notified.

Try to call again and see if they will give OBC or other benefit by not rebooking. Some people have been lucky.

The beer "cans" on the pool deck are a nice touch. Would be nice if they brought back barbecues on deck (I know it's no longer allowed) as the smell of grilled brats and pretzels would be a nice touch with the beer.

It's not an upgrade to a different category. You only get upgrade within the Meta category you booked. Many people do it to pay the lower rate and try for a better cabin but some keep their cabin as a "better" cabin in HALs view is not always better in the passenger view.

Your statement can be broken down into refundable (which balances will returned to your credit card at end) and non refundable (which you must use or lose it). But I doubt you will have trouble using the $200 OBC. Also, you didn't ask but excursion credits (like with HIA) ARE passenger specific so each person has to use their specific amount as they are not combined to cabin statement like OBC. Just FYI.