REOVA

1 hour ago, richwmn said:

The multiple time changes over the last few days have messed with my timing, so I was up extra early this morning.

But at least on HALs GWC you head West and gain time. Enjoyed that much better than Eastbound cruises and losing hours. 😁

Just now, Florida_gal_50 said:

I’m working with an “experienced” ta as we speak.  She’s a cruise specialist according to her card.  She came highly recommended.  I did screenshots of absolutely everything I wanted. Had everything in the email she could want or need.  She ignored 90 percent of what I said and did the booking in usd?  There is no way I could have made it easier.  I’m just better off using a pcc warts and all.

Yeah, some of them think they know best and just "trying to help" 🙄 My TA now is just a ticket taker, so much easier and less hassle. Repeats what I ask for, reads the booking back and sends email detail. Done. 💯

The Spotlight shows were great when they had the HAL world stage band. 

And I agree, the movie fillers for World Stage entertainment is not expected on GWC. Know it is on regular itineraries but sad to hear this. 

3 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

We lost power on our street for about 7 hours last Saturday.    Before the cruise I bought a wifi freezer sensor that broadcasts my freezer temp every 5 minutes or so.   If it loses connectivity, like it did when we lost power and wifi at home, I get a text message after 60 minutes of no contact.    This alerted me to the fact that something was amiss back home.   After the power was restored and wifi was back online,  the freezer (which is empty) went from 5 degrees to 23 degrees and is now back to normal temps.    So - this device works well and if the power was out longer or If my freezer failed I would have plenty of time to notify someone to take action back home.

 

HERE is the Amazon Link

 

I also use the Govee water sensor which will also notify you via email if it detects a water leak - Amazon Link HERE

 

 

Good info. 👍 

Of course they'll need to purchase wifi on ship to get notified during the long sea days....😁

On 1/15/2023 at 2:09 PM, electricguy said:

On the Oosterdam and watching Buffalo/Miami game in my room.  All six games are scheduled.  3 for 3 so far.  
 

Missed the first ten minutes of todays game. Maybe satalite issues in the fjord????

You may be able to watch the first ten minutes on demand. 

43 minutes ago, oakridger said:

There was a very good band in the Ocean Bar for most nights on the Nieuw Amsterdam Panama Canal cruise in October 2022.  They played 2-3 sets from late afternoon until 10-ish.  Quite a few dancers and listeners enjoyed it.

 

~Nancy

Same on Zaandam August 2022. Some of them also performed on World Stage with Step One. 

6 minutes ago, culpeppd said:

Thank you for the information! I'm going to check with an agency that I used professionaly several years ago and see how it goes. We are planning on a seven day Carribbean cruise in February but are also interested in an European cruise later this year. The European cruise is what we really need help with since it will be our first trip to Europe.   

Make sure they are experienced in cruises (and better if familiar with HAL) not just a generic travel agent. They should be your advocate in getting upgrades, benefits and even price reductions as they occur. I do all my own research on itinerary and cabin and then have a TA book to get additional credits/benefits. But our first GWC I did this and used a large national travel agency that had no clue about the cruise I was booking. What should have been a short visit to have them book my cabin and cruise took 3 hours to undo what they messed up. I no longer care about upgrades or having TA track anything (I can do that) so I go with best deal (price/rebate/credit). 

43 minutes ago, oakridger said:

On the Nieuw Amsterdam Panama Canal cruise in October 2022 in addition to what others have mentioned there was a quite good band in the Ocean Bar playing 3 sets most nights from late afternoon (exact times varied) to I believe about 10pm-ish. There were always some people dancing.

 

I hope they keep this kind of music offering on all ships.

 

~Nancy

Maybe on the older ships (we had them on Zaandam which was nice) but not likely on Pinnacle Class ships. 

2 hours ago, RMLincoln said:

Wow!  We were on Eurodam 11 nights in Dec. Not much on Main Stage- Step One did 3 shows. No Cantare. A very good movie one night- Maverick!  The HAL history presentation embarkation night….  maybe also the last night too. BBC nature films were shown 3 nights while the classical musicians played but were drowned out by the soundtrack, hardly could hear them. 

On the music walk there was a comedian aboard who did a few evening shows in BB King lounge. when they weren’t playing; The dual pianos; Lincoln Center Stage 6 of 11 nights - 2 nights off, 3 playing with BBC.   
 

We’ll be on Rotterdam late February. Hoping for better, not expecting it. m—

Rotterdam won't be much different, except movie in the Lido pool area, LCS in BB King stage and addition of Rolling Stone Lounge next to Bilboard piano lounge and the 3 (BB King band, Rock Band and Pianos) will alternate 45 minute sets most nights. 

Sometimes it's embossed on the card and sometimes there is a little sticker (whatever letters they use). If it's a sticker, keep in mind it can rub off, especially if gets wet. But you are flagged in the system anyway if there is a question. (Just check your onboard statement every night to review any stray charges). 

Loved the Brunches and yes very filling, even though small. 

Glad Tina made it back to PG. 

Do you know if Joe Oakes and his wife are on board this year? 

Check up in Crows nest (EXC). 

16 minutes ago, _CruiseLover said:

We are looking at a 14 day Norway cruise on Rotterdam during July 2024. It has been a couple years since we have done a cruise on Holland and I have heard about Club Orange. We would be sailing in an inside cabin. To my knowledge I can pay to eat at Club Orange for the duration of the cruise. Is that true? Is it worth it? Does it book up in advance fast? How would I book it?

 

I have really enjoyed the Blu restaurant in Aqua Class on Celebrity so I was wondering if it is that same kind of upgraded dining. I thought it would be a nice way to jazz up our accommodation in our inside cabin for 14 days. Thanks in advance.

On Pinnacle class ships, I recommend CO (especially if you are not 4 or 5*). The separate restaurant is not different in menu, except 1 different added entree each night) but the service and ambiance is much better than the large, noisy and sometimes chaotic MDR (IMO). You pay for CO when booking and choose your cabin (upgrade within same meta category unless you pay extra (may be discounted) for different category. 

The CO restaurant is not a reservation type, just walk in (or tell the host on the first night what time you want and they will look for you, although they cannot reserve a particular table...wink wink)

24 minutes ago, Damcruiser said:

Any update for this thread?  We are looking for info for three potential itineraries including Iceland

What specific info are you looking for? 

If you got an email confirmation with your booking number, it will show in the email. Otherwise on the website click "already booked" with booking number or login. It will show what credits are included with the booking. You can also try to book a restaurant and it will list any dining credits available. 

Usually a hole punch is done when your card is deactivated so be careful what you wish for. 😁  As mentioned there is a small slit in the cards if you looking for lanyard clasp or thread. 

Depends on what ship you are on. You will have Step One dancers, Cantare singers (as opposed to the old HAL dancers and singers), BBC movie on mostly all ships. You may have 1 or 2 piano players (differs on ships) and possibly various dance floors (also depends on ship and itinerary). 

4 hours ago, Charlene1985 said:

 I like how the Promenade Deck allow you to experience the water and the cruise for what it is: a ship.... I still love the nautical aspect the most. 

 Totally agree. One of the reasons we love the old HAL ships with the loungers on the wide teak decks and feeling of a real Ocean Liner instead of a hotel at sea. Being in the middle of the open Pacific (Pacifying) on sea days is still a favorite. 

4 hours ago, Charlene1985 said:

 

I saw seats get wiped down with a cleaning rag and then the same rag used to wipe down tabletops.  That is gross to me. 

BINGO. We see this on every ship and have mentioned it multiple times in surveys. Even asked a crew member if they consider washing below and then their face with same cloth. "Top to bottom" means just that.

Thank you for your review and time, especially with the news from home. 

3 minutes ago, BobbiSox said:

I was updraded from inside to lovely midship balcony. The PCC suggested it. I had forgetten that Club Orange includes an upgrade. 

CO usually upgrades within a meta category. What was the cost of CO for you? 

4 hours ago, BobbiSox said:

I just yesterday booked a Casino Offer, 20 days, $99.00 for inside guarentee. By upgrading to Club Orange, I was able to selct my own room, and I chose a mid-ship balcony (which is one of the best categories). I like CO anyhow, and that was a fabulous deal.

So you got a balcony upgrade from an inside cabin by paying for CO? Was that during the free balcony promo? What was the cost of CO or upgrade? 

25 minutes ago, retird said:

On HLA and Royal and Celebrity my bags of laundry have always come back un ironed. Thats what I paid for   It clearly states wash  and fold .   There is a different service for dry cleaning , and pressing/ ironing 

I believe the OP was the referring to the clean clothes being put in a bag as opposed to folded neatly in a basket (with tissue paper) or hung up and covered like the 2 options on HAL. Does X provide option for hanging upon return? 

11 hours ago, Charlene1985 said:

Quick update.  We live very remote, like down a gravel road to a dirt road to a long driveway.  Many trees down but someone was able to walk to our house. The house was spared.  The debris and the intact roof that was found in the lake was from our dock.  That is in a million pieces.   We lost a big beautiful loblolly pine and most of our yard is a mess but spared.  
 

The power is off and my parents are heading there now to take a closer look.  We have very old trees that are gorgeous and thankfully most of them survived.   For both the sake of our house below them and for their beauty.  
 

We are fortunate. Our neighbors are too.  One eyewitness across our lake says a small tornado came between my house and another house and that’s the line of trees down.  
 

Thank you for the well wishes.  

Great news. Time to winterize 🥶 🧊 

10 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Crew news had the same situation as I did.  I book the cruise, air and club orange all at once and always have to pay for club orange.  I always book refundable fares. Trying to make sense of anything hal does consistently is a losing proposition.  

So you didn't have to pay for Club Orange in full when you booked it as it was rolled into final total payment for cruise? It looks like one paid a deposit until final payment due (with TA) and the other had to do full payment of CO when booked (with HAL direct) even before final cruise payment was due. I think it's getting clearer 🤪.

30 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Looks like since they clearly did it.

Yes. Looks like it but was curious as HAL never let's me book or pay direct (other than excursions and food) as they tell me payments have to go through TA.  So this was probably  considered as an add on which might explain having to pay in full as opposed to  @Crew News which was rolled into the total price. Just trying to find the difference in procedure.  Thanks for answering.