vinonme2

One of our cruising friends said he missed the Spellbound, too, on Rotterdam. He asked his wine steward why it wasn't in the package and the wine steward let him include it in the package he had purchased.

Our cruise companions were able to get Spellbound upon request as part of their package (Zaandam January 2018). Hope you will be as lucky!

That's great news! Thank you both!

Don't see my absolute favorite, Spellbound Cabernet. That's been in the 2nd. package for years and was all we ordered.

Guess this means I'll have to do multiple wine tastings at home before my next cruise.

I have not been impressed with the hal stores for years, so I didn't have high hopes for the new stuff.

Most of it, is probably made in china anyway.

Sandra

Take a look at your clothes tags. Hardly any clothing is made in the USA anymore, no matter where you purchased it.

My only other concern with the world cruise on Pacific Princess, other than size, mentioned above is that it didn’t go where I wanted some of the time so last year I took two 50 day cruises that did. Mike

 

Your logic makes an awful lot of sense. What cruises did you take?

 

I'm doing Hal's 89 night Grand Asia this September and quite a few of the ports were also going to be on their 2020 world cruise. It just wasn't appealing to do a repeat of the same area so quickly.

 

I've decided to forego a world cruise in 2020 and will see what comes out for 2021. Next year may take me on a T/A to Europe followed by a few weeks of living like a local in Italy and Greece. No problems with returning to those areas!

 

Thank you for your responses.

Have you considered Oceania? Basic cruisefare costs more than Princess, but includes so many of the things you'll have to pay for separately if you go on Princess.....(first class) airfare, choice of 36 shore excursions (private ones for a world cruise can be expensive) or $3,600 OBC or an alcohol beverage package, prepaid gratuities, unlimited onboard medical care, unlimited internet, unlimited laundry, 5 shoreside events, free visa package (we need 5 of them), precruise hotel night, roundtrip transfers, roundtrip luggage delivery, spa credit, and onboard credit. Our travel agent gave alot of OBC too. Plus, Oceania's world cruise is on the same type of small ship as Princess uses. Also, all specialty restaurants are no charge, all non-alcoholic/coffee/espresso drinks are no charge and 60% port days/40% sea days. Not sure about the 2020 itineraries since we're going on the 2019 one.

 

We researched 10 cruiselines before deciding which world cruise to take in 2019. We felt Oceania gave us the best value for our hard earned money. Even though we're almost Elite on Princess, the O perks won. Apples-to-apples cost is nearly the same for both cruiselines.

Thank you for your response, I greatly appreciated it.

Yes, I looked at Oceania but each segment was too long for me, and again, had quite a few ports I had no interest in returning to. You are right, when you add all that Oceania provides in their price, they are really on par with Princess and Hal.

I have not sailed Oceania but have friends who sail her frequently and speak very highly of the line.

I looked at your itinerary and it is really a nice one, great ports! Enjoy every moment of your cruise!

Thank you all for your responses. Between those and the RoundTheWorldWriter blog, I'm getting a good idea of a world cruise on Princess.

I've eliminate Viking from the 2020 world cruises possibilities. Choosing between Princess and Hal is going to be difficult as they both have favorable and eh factors.

I am considering the 2020 Pacific Princess world cruise and would very much appreciate input from those who have sailed her very recently as to condition of ship, etc. and also those who have sailed her for a world cruise.

This will be my first (and probably only!) world cruise and I understand that on other cruise lines for a world cruise the dining room menu is more extensive, there are more on board activities, and there are multiple gifts given to the passengers.

If it matters, I am Elite with Princess, 4 star mariner with Hal, and have also sailed Celebrity and Royal Caribbean. I am also considering the world cruise on Hal and Viking.

Thank you.

Go to the site which cannot be named that starts with "Hal" and gives "facts" about the ships. Click on R class and scroll through your class of cabins to look for pictures of the bathrooms.

 

If the showers are anything like those on the K, they are wonderful.

DaveOKC-

Do above steps (Hal and facts.)

Then go to Pinnacle Class heading.

Then Koningsdam (2016) underneath Pinnacle Class heading.

Then scroll down to Deck 5 - Gershwin cabin 5009

Although there are other cabin listings showing the upgrade, this one gives the best pictures of the upgraded bathrooms.

Gosh, you guys don't waste any time. I was inquiring for a friend of mine who may be joining you and bringing two other couples along. She has decided to go ahead and put down the refundable deposit.

You're right about not wasting any time. This will be my first world cruise but from various posts I've seen, there are several posters who have done several and are booking this one also.

Please tell your friend to join our roll call; it's low key now but will have a lot of posts soon enough.

My TA just called to tell me that she had an email from HAL advising that all the new Lanai cabins would have the new showers and no tub.

Great news!

The tubs are too hard to get in and out of and are more narrow than a regular tub. If the showers are anything like the ones on the Koningsdam I will be thrilled!

Thank you so much for all of the information!!!!!!! Appreciate it!!

Glad to be able to help!

By the way, a roll call has already been started for this cruise.

Whos is Steve and where do we find him?

Steve is Steve Dasseos. His agency is tripinsurancestoredotcom. He is extremely knowledgeable about travel insurance, as are his staff.

His office is in Lees Summit, MO.

I've been dealing with him for over 10 years and for each trip that I've booked, he has always been very helpful and given me excellent insurance advice.

Does anyone know when the cruise can be booked?

I called Hal world cruise dept. and am pre-registered for the cruise. They will ask you your cabin preference and also require a $100. refundable deposit, per person.

According to the Hal rep. I spoke to, the itinerary is being fine tuned and will be released approximately end of May or in June. A few days before it is released, they will notify all those who have pre-registered, give them the finalized itinerary and cost. You'll have a few days to decide if you wish to do the cruise or not.

Thank you for that great tip, I'll certainly do it.

Steve really does an excellent job of covering all of the bases when it comes to us cruisers.

I'd like to think Prince Charming is going to knock on my door, and we'll live happily every after.

Odds are about the same for both of us that we get what we want.

Funny but so appropriate!!

Yes I received the email but haven't watched the video. It's disappointing to see the email can't even be accurate..... "You are a four star mariner with total cruise days"..... really?

Hi Jacqui,

Slight change in my 82 night Sept. 29, 2018 Amsterdam Grand Asia cruise - it is now 89 nights Sept. 22, 2018 Amsterdam Grand Asia cruise.

Thank you again!

Gloria

My Husband and I booked it for the Zui, April 24th date. It does sound interesting! It's called an "Exclusive Dinner with Master Mixologist Dale Degroff". The info I received from Ship Services was a Cocktail Reception in the Gallery Bar followed by a Q&A Session with Mr. Degroff, a Cocktail Mixing Demo in ATK and the 5 Course Dinner with Wine Pairing.

 

Should be a fun Evening with good Food and Wine! :cool:

Eileen, would love to hear your experience with this dinner; it sounds like something I'd really enjoy!

Gloria

Thank you for your very interesting review. Their longer times in ports especially interests me and I have also heard only positive comments about them from others who have sailed them.

I too travel solo so the solo supplement is a consideration; great that you got such a reasonable up charge.

Glad you enjoyed your cruise!

I just (two weeks ago) had my TA book Delta Economy Comfort with Flight Ease and it went through with no problems and a big savings over booking directly with Delta.

That's great! Just goes to prove that the only thing consistent about Holland America is their inconsistency!

Last Sept. I flew to Amsterdam and purchased my Delta Comfort seats thru Hal, as I had done for 2 previous trips to Europe. Each trip I made my reservation - including my seat selection - months and months before the trip. I paid for the ticket with my final cruise payment. The price was excellent, much less than booking directly with Delta.

Last month I dealt with Hal and my travel agent, trying to get Delta Comfort seats for my R/T flight to the west coast (I live in the east). Only economy seats were being offered, and interestingly, at a few dollars more than the same flight on the Delta web site.

I ended up booking my flight directly with Delta and got the Comfort seating I wanted.

Seems that, like so much else, things keep changing, and often that depends on who you talk to at Hal. Have you checked directly with Delta for pricing? The way these planes are packed and often oversold, I wouldn't hold much hope of getting an upgrade at the gate.

Update - this afternoon I was able to change my reservation to a flight leaving at 1 PM.

I feel a lot better with this departure time but still plan on getting to the airport as early as possible.

Thank you all for your feedback, it was greatly appreciated.

Gloria

Forgot to add one other important fact.. if you sign up to use the cruise line shuttle to the airport, your acceptance is determined by the airline. If they feel the shuttle can get you there in time for your flight, then you are accepted.

I tried to use the shuttle in Dec. 2016 and was turned down because my flight was leaving at 11:26 AM. Last November my flight was departing at 11:45 AM and I was able to use the shuttle. Both incidents were at the Fort Lauderdale airport - much smaller than LAX.

The distance from the pier to Los Angeles International Airport is 30 miles. Normal transit time for taxi, shuttle, Uber, etc. is 45-50 minutes.

 

Holland America transfers are obligated to get you to the airport ...with no guarantee of when. Normally 56-seat coaches are used, and it is common for them to carry at least 1/2 of that number for efficiency. They also will make multiple stops at LAX which as 7 different terminals.

 

Had you purchased your flight and transfers through HAL, then the cruise line would be picking up additional fees if you missed your flight. That is not the case with an airport transfer only.

 

David

P.S. I would be very comfortable with a flight at noon.

Thank you David.

I used Holland America's airport transfer last November for the first time and was impressed with how smoothly it went. Within 5 minutes of boarding the bus at the port, the bus (half full) left for the airport. Unfortunately a friend who was on the same ship got on the next transfer bus and waited about 40 minutes before the bus departed. So it seems there is no assurance of how long a wait till the bus departs and then there is the additional time spent with the bus stopping at various airport terminals till you get to yours. Unfortunately with this trip I don't have the luxury of a lot of time on the day I get back.

It's apparent that reserving a taxi or private shuttle is going to be my best option.

Wish me luck!

Gloria

HAL is using that same flight?

 

If HAL will sell you a transfer after you tell them the flight and it's clear you're

talking about debarkation day, I'd buy a transfer and make It HAL's problem.

 

(And wonder how they'll pull it off, and where they'll put you up if they don't)

Yes, at the time I booked my flight (Dec.), Hal was using that flight. I wanted to book with them but they were only offering economy seating and that was not going to work for me.

Unfortunately if I did not book the air thru them, using their airport transfer only gives me a ride to the airport with no guarantee or help if I miss my flight.