REOVA

Make the reservation now and apply the credit online when you book. Unless you have drinks (without a drink package or extra order) you shouldn't have extra charges. We usually have issues with our Mariner credit unless we remind them at dinner.

You may have luck with guest services on the ship. At least they may give you $11 OBC since it won't need to go through accounting to credit card. But you will probably need to use it or lose it (non refundable). I had to get them to call Seattle on a different issue and they resolved it.

We ran into some problems - One time the vendor off the ship said he couldn't scan my cabin card and needed the code on the digital ticket (?l) so we always screenshot the ticket and save to phone. One time we tried to embark the ship with a screenshot of the boarding pass and it didn't work and the attendant said sometimes the scanner needs the actual pass from Navigator for initial boarding. You may be able to have ship print out tickets (or your copies) if you need to. Rarely clitches happen but having multiple options can prepare for tech issues. Also our phones are always in airplane mode on ship but Navigator allows for communicating amongst our party when separated and check times of events we want to do (you can create a specific schedule of selected events you want). In port our phone plan works like at home for internet, email and texting so we can communicate with tour guides or others on land if we need to change or plan meet ups before going back to ship.

Might I also suggest each bringing some type of hanging storage bags (like shoe bags or collapsible shelves, for various storage needs) as well as strong magnetic hooks (more than 5 lbs) as many of the ships have magnetic walls. For those that don't the trim/frame usually are and hanging a small bungee cord on the hooks helps as a hanging line. May not be the prettiest but provides more storage. Some people bring a retractable curtain rod and hang things up. We usually fill up closets with just 2 people. Signature Suite should be cheapest for the size with 3rd guest "free".

MSC Yacht Club has the best value for butler service (and suite amenities). The HAL ships are not as large as some of the other lines with Butlers (MSC, NCL, Celebrity) which is the best part of HAL but you won't find that same service on HAL. The concierge in Neptune are very helpful but again not the same experience of other suite experience.

There usually is a difference each year. Africa used to only come up every few years and that is what we waited for (2018, 2020) and even those varied the routes to Africa (of course 2020 went without passengers 🤪). 2025 heads to Africa again (kind of a mix of 2018 and 2020) but then cuts back up to Suez (unless things change by then). Fare winds Pete and Judy. Look forward to your always level headed review of 2024 and its comparison to 2023 and prior.

Last November a couple got married on HMC. Not technically on ship but HAL coordinated it.

But being further away adds more steps on a cruise that you may find yourself eating alot more than you usually do at home. 😉

We ask the cabin steward to remove everything from the fridge and get our own drinks through HIA and put in. That way we don't worry about charges for what was taken. Plus it's stocked with what we choose.

We weren't asked and they used a prior TA on a new booking and we didn't know until we got an email from the TA. Had to use the form to transfer from the old TA to new TA afterwards. I would think PCC would be treated the same to new TA as long as it's within the time frame and will probably lose and "amenities" that received with PCC.

You can and if you walk past the chairs and clam shells (and cabanas) you have a very large area to yourself and even good snorkeling right off the beach. We get the clamshells since we spend most of the day there and go to the buffet and then back to our clamshell.

We do the same with pizza on Pinnacle ships. Have made to order so it's fresher. Also we ask for no salt on fries at fast food at home so we know they have to cook a fresh batch. But I digress....

The GWC is a winter home for many every year. (Some only do alternate years or specific itinerary- Africa or Europe- ) A few have been known to stay on the ship for most of the year. Prior to shutdown most of the cabins were sold so segments were used for fill ins. Segments are more available now it seems.

There might be 10% change in passengers on the segments but for the most part its a big family reunion and bonded friendships that will last a lifetime.

The NY pizza on the other (Pinnacle/Signature) ships is much better than pizza in the Lido on Westy. Something about having it freshly made to order makes a difference. It's not very good in Westy Lido in our opinion. Try to get it when they first put it out.

You may find many from South Africa in the spa as well.

Not what we found on HAL. We find the best crew on smallest ship and not as hurried or stressed. Most of the crew that we've known for years are on the smaller ships still and prefer them to the bigger ships. But every cruise is different, as is everyone's experience.

Yes I got fresh squeezed last year on Rotterdam for breakfast and had to send it back. It was a thick glass of pulp, very little juice. They asked if I wanted concentrate and I said no, but juice would be appreciated.🤦‍♂️

Did someone tell you it wasnt included? Did you bring it up to guest services to have it removed from your bill? They make errors on many drinks that we have to get corrected but we've always had fresh OJ included in the package. The server in Lido brings it (not from the pitcher on the counter).

We find temperature is also affected by where you are in the world and which side of the ship the sun is while sailing. We haven't sailed Volendam but have on sister ships and love the smaller ships. You will find many "problems" on the older ships if you focus on them. And 2 cabins will have totally different experiences on the same ship (heat, plumbing, etc) as will 2 passengers have subjective opinions on the same cruise. We always sail with an expectation that it won't be perfect and if we don't like something, we make a comment, or try another item. The crew will try to help you enjoy your cruise. If you communicate (nicely 😉).

If you look you will find many areas that need work.caulking, night stand damage, teak deck rotted at some doors causing issue pushing open, etc. But it's an old ship and none of these detracted from our cruise. Just noted. We'd sail on Eurodam any day over the newer ships if given same itineraries.

The Grand World offered different packages for wifi and/or drinks. Most passengers are 4 and 5 star so maybe HAL probably didn't think it would sell for other items. And when you are sailing 120+ days, the per day package needs to be enticing.

We've had problems depending on where in the world and where on the ship, but that was before Starlink. I had to upgrade to Premium in October as signal was dropped. The premium package is (used to be) discounted if you buy a few days before embarkation but prices probably went up now with Starlink.

CO usually get a table by the window or a "preferred" area which can be anywhere really. You enter on right of entrance (separate line) and they seat you on that side, for the most part.

I like the SS suites on the older ships. Pinnacle SS cabins seem smaller. The upgrade benefit shines better on the lower priced cabins as opposed to SS (and no benefit in Neptune since CO is "included"). Club Orange on Pinnacle ships has its own dining room (same food as MDR but better service) so that is better on Pinnacle ships.