REOVA

HAL can't please everyone but it got expensive paying "royalty" fees from prior contracts. Change is good, especially if you've seen the same shows 3 years in a row. I doubt these will be great starting out, but give them time to adjust the "channels" and also give them feedback in the surveys.

We've had rough seas on short cruises and my DW used to have nausea (she brings ginger chews). Much of it was anxiety/anticipation. The worst seas we've done on World Cruise was 27' swells in Southern Australia (as Pete mentioned). DW was standing in our cabin looking out from our balcony taking photos of the seas, oblivious to the motion. If she can get used to it, anyone can. 😁

Yes people sit there during breakfast and lunch (depends on the ship). We try to book cabins there and don't usually have an issue. The Lido pool and buffet area will have noise at night and in morning as crew move chairs around and clean the floors but Canaletto is minimal noise.

Be careful. Once you do a World Cruise you will be spoiled. The bigger ships can't compare to being on the smaller ones on World Cruises. (Except maybe lack of Dutch Cafe). 😉

Agree about YC value. No one can touch it. They are 75% the price of Neptune and offers so much more. However, we would never sail MSC in non YC from what we see walking around. Plus the ships are too big for us.

We used to travel with 3 in Neptune when our daughter traveled with us. Neptune would be better than Signature but neither have a third bed, just fold out couch. My friends (3 individual Septuagenarian ladies) just sailed in a Neptune on Eurodam and had no complaints.

You would need a universal remote that works with the TV in the room. The remote provided only allows channel surfing and volume, per se. There are ports on the back but access to them is not easy to get to and most likely have been disabled. I have cast to tvs on other lines but HAL doesn't want us to.

Many of our Sept 2024 excursions weren't posted until last month. They were added around 6-8 months (still a few missing). You should start checking in the next 2 months. In the meantime research what you want to see in each port. Many places can be done yourself with Japan's excellent transportation system as well as local tours. And check your Roll Call as others may be planning to visit the same places.

If you book HIA it's required for both passengers 1 & 2. If you have a special or reduced fare (or free for 3rd, 4th passenger) you can purchase a beverage package for the kids. They still pay for taxes and port fees. Your TA should call HAL and get the answers to clarify what the kids charges will be.

We've done Neptune Suites on both R class and Pinnacle Ships. The new bathrooms are much better than the older ships but the rooms are slightly smaller. We find the "value" is not there for us. (We got spoiled on another line's suite experience). Yes you do get a small lounge and concierge but for us there are not any other benefits that justify full rate. If you get an upsell, maybe. But then again if you haven't tried a Neptune (or been on Pinnacle), experience another cabin.

Where does the tour meet prior to tendering (if tendering direct from the ship). If they meet as a group, they won't want you in line. CO doesn't get you in front of the line if 4 and 5 star are waiting in line. And of course others like to crowd the tender line even if they don't have priority, which HAL handles with futility. They all will act negatively toward you jumping ahead. The greatest benefit of CO is upgrade ability within a Meta category, priority check in, separate restaurant and service lines. Tendering gets lost in the benefits sometimes.

This appears to be a drink credit or onboard credit. Your statement will show a beginning credit that charges will be applied (deducted) as you order. Keep in mind that charges will add 18% gratuity to the cost of the drink. Even if you order in dining room, the charge on your statement will be deducted from that credit. So it appears to be a wash. You can also order at the bar and bring to dinner, but it shows on your statement the same way.

Generally when you BUY wine onboard, it can be used in the dining room and they will store it for you as well (or you can take it to your cabin.) Sounds like it's a specific bottle that applies to the reward as Silverado is not in the usual Cellar Packages so it could be onboard single purchase. However HAL does run out of specific wines at times and there is probably a disclaimer that substitutions can be made. I wouldn't count on HAL having a specific wine. It's more of a chance to hope it works out.

They could program everyone's key card that booked a tour to not leave ship (security scan flag) until the tour is called and then reactivate upon exiting the theater. Wouldn't be difficult technology as they already have this flag for quarantine passengers, but then again HAL is not known for technology modifications. 🙃

Maybe they reiterated it in a recent training script for PCCs so they don't forget it. Probably had a few passenger complaints from being moved. Definitely something to think about when booking. Don't book a fold out couch. 😉

I don't think this is new. Even prior to the shut down we were told if we booked a quad cabin, there would be a chance we would have to move if a family needed it. And it's also done on accessible cabins if you don't need the accessible cabin. Although most people don't book accessible cabins if they don't need it (unless it's the only one left).

Yes and such low prices...not🤣 "Sale" and "Upgrade" are 2 words HAL uses that may not align with expectations.

On Zaandam try to stay in cabin 7027-7029. We find it less noisy from pool deck shuffling chairs early morning or at night when they clean. Also not directly under Lido market as same for chair moving. It's a bit more isolated under Canaletto. We prefer Neptune Suite on smaller ships as they are slightly bigger. We do miss the Dutch Cafe and BB King that are on Pinnacle ships but not enough to choose over an R Class sailing in Alaska.

HAL'S marketing program may include "40% off" or $1 deposit, but the prices don't necessarily equate to a "sale" price and they may be limited to specific itineraries. Prices reflect demand so if it's a popular itinerary, you won't see a sale. And price drops are not usually announced, you (or a good TA) have to keep track of prices and check. I booked a cruise last March for Fall of 2024. It has had 2 price drops since (and various HIA versions) which I was able to take advantage of (before final payment). Where does the cruise that you want go?

Agree 💯 Kathi.they've made the cabins and storage tighter (as well as the promenade walking deck) to cram more into the ships. Still hoping they acquire some smaller ships since they won't build anymore when the R class retires.

What specific information are you looking for? You will probably get more wind on the balcony being up and forward. VF will have a small love seat (too small to lay across). You can see photos and videos of similar cabin/location on Koningsdam (Cruisedeckplans dot com).

Better to use website before boarding. Navigator is glichy (well so is website but at least you know it connects to the server...sometimes). I haven't seen excursions go on sale but have seen them increase in price after boarding. Especially if popular. Tours are priced through the vendor and if not enough prople sign up they don't drop the price but will cancel the tour. Best to book what you want as soon as possible and read the cancelation rules (they vary). You can always cancel the excursion later (subject to rules, usually 24-36 hours before the tour except specialty or overnight tours).

Usually they will price upgrades factoring in various amenities that you have but definitely ask. I suggest you look at what the current offer is for SA and SB and price in crew appreciation (if current price does not reflect it). Then you can see if it's a deal you want. Also check deck plan and which current cabins may be available, although a guarantee may not allow cabin selection you may still know value. Prices do go down from when you booked so potentially they could offer an upgrade but having your own data helps to prepare your decision. Also HAL may find selling your SC as an upgrade to someone in a lower Meta easier than an SA, giving them 2 upgrade revenues.

Or a young pro (refurbished cruiser). 😉

We usually bring our own when traveling on land but not flying/cruising. First thing in cabin we test the pillow and if needing a change (we usually do as they can be too soft) we ask the cabin steward for a different pillow. They always find what we need.