REOVA

6 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

At least 2 people turned away due to expired passports.    Hard to believe 

Wouldn't that have been caught while at home entering info to get boarding passes and luggage tags? 

13 hours ago, oakridger said:

  I prefer to cruise on a ship without a class distinction where all passengers get equal (and great!) service.  I'm looking for that elusive experience (that I can afford)!! 😉

It may take a few years to find it, if it does exist. 😄 Currently cruise lines are just trying to get out of the red so revenue generation and cost cutting is the current model. I doubt Corp is sitting back and saying "let them eat cake or pay us more for brioche", but after 3 years on Pinnacle ships, one would think best laid plans. And the MDR excuse that "it's always crazy at the start of a new cruise" wears thin. 

6 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

 

11:54 - arrive Terminal 26 - join line.  - we learned later that there was a priority line for wheel chairs and 4/5 stars etc.   But we later learned that line moved slower than standard line.   They only had one person working priority line and 6 working standard line.  Plus people in this line seemed to take longer.   VeriFLY helped at this point.  If you had VeriFLY - you were done in 30 seconds.   Otherwise 5 minutes as people had to dig thru and "find" all their paperwork.    Keep in mind this was my limited observations from afar.  What you experienced may be different. 
12:28 inside terminal 26

12:30 we were offered chance to movie to priority line - we declined.   Good call based on our continued observation.   
 

My DW used to say "stay in the non priority line, it will be faster since 80% of the passengers are 4&5*" (I then started listening to her 😁)

2 hours ago, bdd123 said:

I do not think this is true, I can send texts over Wifi, no problem.  Can also call over Wifi. I have no problems sending texts in airplane mode with WIFI on. 

Done it from home and from 35,000' Altitude.

Android and Samsung Galaxy S21+ Ultra.

There could be some reason that this does not work on the ship, won't know until Feb 19.

It may be specific carrier and you do have a newer phone. Or like you say difference in ship satellite and InFlight service.  I was told SMS (cell texting) is not available when airplane mode is on but could use MMS data. I couldn't get texts to go through until in port.  Also I don't remember if wifi calling was turned on when I tried. When you get on, see if there is a difference in texting with wifi calling turned off and on. 

36 minutes ago, petuniaflower said:

Sorry more questions..is there an arcade?  We often will stop in for half hour and play air hockey etc as a family.

 

And is there a list of movies currently playing?

And where can I find a recent daily?

How many times is the comedian on for a week cruise, assuming the under 18s can go?

No arcade but I hear maybe video games in kids club but they wouldn't let me in to verify.  🙂 There is ping pong table at Lido pool and basketball or pickle ball. 

Movies are in the room on demand TV. There is a big screen at Lido pool that will have movie night once or twice depending on cruise days or a sports game. No theater on the Pinnacle Ships. 

Comedians can do 1 show or a set of shows for 2 nights depending on how well they are received, if another act gets sick, etc. Sometimes an over 18 show will perform at 10 pm. 

I would check back about 90 days prior but in the meantime research the ports and see what you may want to see. You may be able to book private excursion (refundable deposit, pay as you go,etc) until HAL posts their excursions. And then if HAL doesn't post something you want to see, you are already covered. Many of the island ports might be small and not have many excursions and in those cases you may find a driver in port that will take you around. Just be aware that port changes and delays will affect private excursions so find options where you don't lose money up front. CC has forums with different destinations where posts are made about what cruisers have done. Also join roll call to see if anyone is coordinating tours. 

17 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

My brother just off the K with CLub Orange and said no priority in boarding, just checking in.  Anyone else experience this?

 

I think someone previously posted that the port crew did not necessarily know about CO and they had to "remind" them. Not sure how often it happens or which port. Also same with boarding times which some follow strict, no matter status. You check in, get a boarding card and they call the letter/number on card. 

4 hours ago, Ozkarnak said:

So on the Noordam now and confused how  we use the library?. The books seem to have a number, just no method to log them in or out?.

Probably a carryover from when they had a sign out sheet. It's now honor system checkout. 

You can do it onboard if needed. Waitlist shouldn't automatically assign you a spot when it becomes available. You should get a notice that it had become available and you have X time to confirm booking. At least that what it did for us. Hopefully HAL hasn't changed that process in a few months but never know. 

1 minute ago, AFNavigator said:

The priority embarkation and priority tender access are nice time savers too.

Yes, since OP is not yet 4* or 5*

8 hours ago, JerryinBWB said:

We have decided to try the new Rotterdam to see if there is a better product.  Otherwise, we will switch to another line.  We had a good, not great time.  Cruising, at least on Holland America does not appear to be what it was just a few years ago.  

We tried Rotterdam in November. Just like KDam in 2019 we felt HAL couldn't handle the larger size. We've booked Eurodam for later this year and looking forward to getting back on her. The biggest difference with Pinnacle ship is the Dutch Cafe (yum), an extra restaurant (if you like Rudy's) and an extra music venue. If you want "better" service you can pay for Club Orange and eat at CO restaurant (which is recommended) instead of the larger MDR, . The food is the same, the shows are the same but service is worse (in general) and there are no loungers on the lower prominade deck 3 as it's too narrow on Pinnacle ships. Look forward to your experience onboard.

How many cases of wine in the Home Depot boxes? I remember 2018 the discussions of how much wine people bought. Of course now at $20 a bottle, it may be less amounts. 

And I remember the passenger that brought 25 suitcases onboard. Thank goodness for Luggage Forward. (Except waiting 8 months to get them home in 2020, but we'll forget that year). 

Hopefully there will be a tribute to Dolly this year. 

Fair winds and following seas Pete. 

I would think if you have a good deal, you havent sailed HALand 2 ports that you haven't been too, then book it. We cruise for the ports. (We've even cruised CCL which we hate 🤪) The Pinnacle Class ships are larger and offer more dining and music venues (even if you don't drink) and are the newest ships for HAL. For that reason, I would say book it, try something different and enjoy yourselves. 

That being said, we call HAL the "geriatric" cruise line (we fall in that demographic) and we love the older ships and crusing the oceans and visiting ports. We like to relax onboard and going to shows. Unfortunately the shows and entertainment repeat across HAL ships so if you've seen them once, there isnt much else to watch. We used to travel with a teenager and she never had a problem finding something to do (and probably would book HAL on her own). But if it wasn't a Pinnacle Class ship, I would say not a good fit for you. 

So enjoy a new ship, the ports you haven't been to and the short cruise. Then you can compare your experience since you will never know what it will actually be based on the varied opinions that you will get here. Many of us have been crusing HAL for years and don't like the changes (some do) so to have a fresh perspective may be nice. Then you can come back and opine on your pros and cons so others will know. 😁

20 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

That is scary.  Perhaps the HD is telling the truth and "fully staffed" now means 795?  Is a 20% crew reduction part of the new HAL?

Might be.... and they save overhead. Until the reduction in service causes revenue reduction as well.  

12 hours ago, boeckli said:

This is what was available on Noordam back in Nov 2018 - I also wish they would bring back that level of detail (not necessarily the info it contained at the time 😨) Air temperature was shown below the map in alternating screens. 

 

PS: It was still like that on Noordam in April 2019

 

One of our cruises this year had water temp (not sure why) on it and some one asked if they would put air temp and they did. So they definitely have the ability to change the info. 

1 hour ago, cabinluvn said:

I just mean for texting. I know there is no internet with Navigator. I would replace internet texting with the Navigator texting if it has improved since the last time I used it for texting. 

Navigator chat has greatly improved over the years. In November an icon and/or "ding" was received (Android phone) when a message was received Intra-app. There were still times where messages were delayed but not as much as in July (or years ago). However it may also depend on your itinerary. 

Google search will bring multiple (old) pages with dated info. You will be charged $20 corkage per bottle of (reasonable amount of) wine brought onboard, no matter where you drink it. That is if you get "flagged" at security (or in luggage) and must proceed directly to the alcohol patrol table. 

They could put this info in place of FOX and MSNBC channels. Would be much more informative on a cruise than those channels. 🤞🤞 🤪

3 hours ago, LMaxwell said:

Unlimited apps, 1 entree. They'll let you rack desserts if you want to.  Additional entree is another $10.  

Pinnacle Grill charges for more than 1 appetizer as of November (at least on RDam), unless you want 2 apps and skip entree which DW has done. 

51 minutes ago, kazu said:

Some things are nice on the ship but service in a number of areas is lacking IMO.

Yes and as stated before, we noticed it in 2019 so it's not really a "Covid" reason - for us. Our memories with HAL have always been smaller ships with the best crew whom you actually can have time to talk with and get to know (and then see on other ships) and they were happy and relaxed. On the new ships you can feel the stress from the crew (yes many are new) and their tension carrys over to the passenger experience. (We've witness managers tell servers not to spend too much time at the table and also had extended wait times, even getting water in Lido after initial sitting for a while. Many of the experienced crew will tell you they like the other ships better.) Obviously not everyone will notice this and we try to make the crew feel better with their hard work and their attempt to do the impossible, but for some reason the coordination on Pinnacle ships hasn't been there for HAL. We do hope it will get better for everyone's sake. 

1 hour ago, CruiserBruce said:

 

Too soon to be jumping to conclusions.

You're no fun 🤣  

Correct. Initially it looks like none of the Hawaii or South Pacific cruises are listed yet after April.  But odd that it's not showing the ship at all.It doesn't return to West Coast from Port Everglades so maybe dry dock or sold. 

On 12/31/2022 at 12:14 AM, kazu said:

 

 

Yes, I call the accounting stupid and i have no time for stupid or patience to trust them to give it back 😉 

We must check our statement daily and get things fixed asap before end of cruise. Once off....crickets from HAL. We've been charged for excursions we didn't take, drinks already paid for w/HIA, not refunded for prepaid 5* Mariner dinners or cancelled excursions (and that was all just the past 6 months). It's amazing they are still sailing. 

On 12/31/2022 at 12:14 AM, kazu said:

 

 

For what my word is worth - I WOULD NOT give up CO. MDR is a mess.  CO is civilized as dining should be.   I was happy with the MDR on the Oosterdam but would not be happy here every night based only on 2 experiences and line ups at both. 

Yes. But unfortunately HAL will become known as "pay for service" cruise line. If you want nice dining and quick service on Pinnacle ships....pay for CO  (even if you are 5*) sadly 😥.  And it's not a COVID issue. Our KDam cruise in 2019 was the same. We never do MDR on the newer ships now. 

On 12/31/2022 at 12:14 AM, kazu said:

 

I sent a messenger on the app on the 2nd segment about the same shore excursion issue.  It was never acknowledged nor fixed so I ended up in a line up to get it fixed.  Front desk couldn’t do it.

I didn’t waste time with it this time and just dealt with it.
 

 

Was this in the "Let Us know" section of the app? They are usually responsive there but going to the EXC desk is quicker ( and of course paying extra for CO makes service quicker). 🙄

Fair winds and following seas for the GWC. We are sitting it out due to "new" ship, "new" HAL and many "new" kinks yet to be worked out but envy everyone who are venturing back after our last GWC "adventure". We would really enjoy finishing 2020 ports if they put those together again (Maldives were a bucket list.) Look forward to hearing about your cruise. 

10 hours ago, oaktreerb said:

  The CO priority line at the service desk is nice to have if you have issues.

Yes that may be worth the $70 right there. 😁 Also priority lane at the EXC desk. Time is money.