REOVA

We paid $50 last year to upgrade from HIA to Premium (this was before Starlink) on 11 day cruise because we kept getting dropped call/FaceTime with our Grandson. Actually we paid less because of Mariner discount. We still had issues with buffering on some sites mostly due to our cabin location. Being closer to router or booster makes a difference on the ship as well.

They do...it's called on demand in your cabin. 😉 I like the idea that Carnival states wait time on the app (similar to ERs in our area that show it as you drive by) but it's just another thing that CCL has not consistently implemented across all brands for some reason. HAL has data as to how many passengers are on board, how many specialty reservations on a given night and probably historical data of what time many of the passengers eat (and what they order) since many are regulars and for 7, 10, 14 days they are sequestered. Back in the day that I cooked in a hotel restaurant, we could estimate the number of people eating and what they may order off the menu (even with them never being there before) just based on occupancy. We may be off or "86" of inventory a few times, but service was always on point.

They've always exchanged it for me. Tell them you are allergic to bubbles.

One of these Legendary staff member will be gone after next year. The other is already just a passenger.

So that's why your hair is not blowing like Judy's. 😉😁

If they see it in security, you will be directed to a table where they will note your cabin # and charge your account $20 per bottle. No problem. We've seen people stopping at the table but hear others don't declare. We haven't brought wine onboard since the change of corkage fee on ALL wine bottles.

Yes but with cruising, some people like the ability to "sample" different ports to see if they want to go back. But then the cruise misses that port and they become disappointed. It is a fact and function of cruising. A few fellow passengers have been to Falklands and missed Easter Island multiple times. We were able to tender to Easter Island but missed Falklands, neither of which we would book a flight and stay there, but experiencing them for a day would be nice. Fortunately on longer cruises you have more ports but we've recently seen 7 day cruises that missed a few ports (or changed ports) which upset many. And of course last year a Caribbean cruise (all shorts and shirts packed) diverted to Canada which caused media eruption, but cruising is about being safe than sorry.

Understood. Some people see icebergs all the same in Alaska, Greenland, Antarctica, etc, but each has its own beauty and mystery. You will love the SoAm cruise as there are many ports with history and its civilizations. Of course currently the World is a mess with politics and protests so hard to know which ports you'll actually get to to plan (and always depends on weather). We got lucky for the most part in 2020 (until mid way) as we've heard from crew and passengers over the years about the storms and damage crossing the Drake, so DW (who shares your view) is one and done (why chance it again 🤣) while I'm an explorer (and gambler) so ...why not. 😁 But as Pete said, Cruising for a particular port can be disappointing has many times you will miss one or two.

Is there still a shortage of chips for IC cards (other than tourist Welcome Sucia)?

We've met many people from down under that walked clockwise around the ship. 😉😁 It's a pet peeve of DW, but I go with the flow. Just like on trails, people walk in different directions. Yes courtesy is most important, especially on the Pinnacle ships where the Promenade Deck is single file (and obstructed view) in many places.

Assuming it's a Pinnacle Ship, yes, I would suggest it, just for comparison. And try to tell us details (time of day, sea day, etc). 🙂

It was a good cruise in 2020 but we couldn't get to the Falklands due to weather. Drake passage was calm and we also were able to tender to Easter Island, which is hit or miss as well. Depending on what you want to do in Antarctica, maybe another cruiseline/Polar class ship would be better. Much more expensive but probably worth the experience (and to claim you walked on the driest, coldest, windiest, highest Continent, even if you were only able to set foot on the frozen edge 😁). There are always cancellations on the GWC and always segments to book. Many people sail every year or a few different years so you should be able to get onboard.

Yes if it takes the place of Adult Coloring, I will be upset. 😉

I find the service on the Pinnacle ships more chaotic than the smaller ships. Even before the shut down it seemed the size of the MDR rattled the crew (along with the noisy acoustics). Most of the crew we talk with prefer the smaller more intimate ships. During down time it's not as bad but having more passengers onboard, all coming at a set time (or a bulk at same time during open seating) frazzles the kitchen and servers. Unfortunately paying for Club Orange while less chaotic, limits who you can meet and sit with if that is a goal.

Search 2026 in Holland America

HAL used to only do 1 GWV and did it on smaller ships and did segments then as well. I'm sure they feel that two pulls passengers away but there's always a market for segments and its more profitable for HAL.

Nice. Clear skies too.

You won't find HAL in "consistently". Just an L, so 2/3's of the time you won't know what to expect. 🤣. This is across the board when dealing with Customer Service, emails, Mariner amenities, supply, etc. I get different answers to the same questions. Unfortunately it's been this way for 3 years now but appears they are trying to get better. We just need to help them along (and they appreciate that). Some have posted that they let the servers know ahead that they want to be somewhere by xx:xx and the crew oblige. Not saying we should have to do that, but we are all on the same ship for a while so we have to communicate and make the best of our time. They will remember you. We still keep in touch will many crew that no longer sail. Many of the crew now are new and sharpening their skills (especially when faced with inevitable slip ups). Crew is one of the reasons we sail HAL (and of course itinerary which you said) and it does crimp a smooth cruise when problems arise, but doesn't sway us to leave. We sail other lines that may have better food and service (and entertainment) but not better crew, small ships and itineraries of HAL unless we want to spend much more.

Yes it's cheaper to by 47 day segment than 128 day whole. 🤔

It may also depend on time of dinner for open seating. We try to eat (if in MDR) before or after the rush of fixed times or "anytime" bottleneck and usually try to get the same section if available. We no longer do fixed as we are not reliable MDR eaters and don't want to leave open seats at a table causing others eating alone if we decide we are not up to or can't make dinner on time. But both can have issues if the kitchen is trying to handle a rush. The key is to nicely respond to someone or Navigator so they can review and try better. Usually doesn't happen every night, especially if they flag you 😉.

Segments are priced more than the whole, especially if you count the incentives of booking the complete cruise. Plus having to fly mid cruise internally.

Yes but not on Amsterdam and due to restrictions in Antarctica, they didn't have them on the GWC. Maasdam used them for its EXC itineraries.

We thought yours was. 😉😁

I've look at the cabins people get with free offers and they are not what we want. Many times HAL knows which cabins they need to fill and having someone onboard to spend money in other venues is better than empty cabin. And if picky people like me book, HAL knows they will upgrade and spend money so that cabin is again available. Some people don't care what cabin they get and these people pay less than we do also. The markup on onboard non cabin purchases helps HALs kitty and the Casino "department" also helps subsidize. My guess is if they didn't fill these cabins, the rest of us would be paying more for our cabins and other things. Marketing works for everyone.