Linaeve

So excited seeing the Eurodam come in. I'll be on there next week. I'll make sure to wave!

Tip is included so you don't need to tip additionally (unless you simply want to but it's not needed). My understanding is they do open up more spots for on board reservations. However, I would consider making a reservation to secure a second choice spot. Then once you are on the ship you can go right away to see if there is a different day and/or time you would prefer and they can move your reservation to that other slot. 

Am I seeing it right? It looks like Carnival ended up taking the CT berth. This is the second week in a row that the berth was taken from the Eurodam. What's the point in the schedule if they just keep changing it? 

That first menu posted was unique for that day. The ones that RSWBADGER are posting and that are on the Roger Jett menu are the accurate ones. Any big MDR menu changes and final menus for the following year are typically completed July-September each year. Implemented for the seasons following. 🙂

You really can't judge HAL cruises based off a single night which is at the very end of their sailing season. It's really not a fair assessment. You would absolutely need a 3+ day cruise before you can judge them. Try a cruise during it's season that goes into international waters during it's sailing season. You'll get an idea of what a HAL cruise is actually like then. I venture you would have the same or worse experiene with other cruises for tha same 1 night cruise. 

What everyone is sharing doesn't even just apply to suites. I have stayed in just a verandah and have always gotten it twice a day. This is standard for all rooms on their ships. As others have said some have started asking if you want it once or twice. Also, if for some reason you don't receive turn down service just ask your room steward and they will make sure it happens. 

You aren't required but can. 

We booked a cruise for June 2024 for 4 of us. The HIA was included for 1 and 2 and we just added it for $50/day for 3 and 4 without issue at the time of booking. We got the elite one that includes the elite beverage package, the specialty dining night, $100 each for excursion as well as pre-paid gratuties. 

If you reach out to HAL's accessibility department they can make sure there is a gallon of distilled water in your room for you for a small fee, I don't recall how much but this is different than the drinking water purchase.

Guest Accessibility Department

Phone: 1-800-547-8493 (locally at 1-206-626-7044)

TTY: 1-800-254-8669

Email: GuestAccessibility@HollandAmerica.com

Note that you can also bring some aboard but it has to be stored with the CPAP machine. 

As for the outlet, I believe there should be one close enough to the bed. I know my brother brought his on his last cruise with HAL and had no issues at all. 

Enjoy your cruise!

40 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

Depends on length of cruise. 7 day is $100. 14 day is $200 etc.

Thanks! That makes sense. 

Also, if you are in a Neptune or Pinnacle suite it's also included. 

I don't know how much Wifi is but yours shows $300 pp for excursions. That's much higher than the $100 pp I typically see. Still seems like an excellent HIA to me. 

6 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

My memory can be short but I believe it was about 2 months ago?  There was a thread on the HAL boards with the pricing and changes.

 

I believe the menu stayed the same for the Pinnacle minus the surcharge.  It was to take effect in September, I believe.  

Thanks! I didn't see it when searching but I'll try again. I appreciate the info and your response! 🙂 

5 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

Thank you!

 

Our TA just forwarded us an upsell offer for our cruise...Pinnacle Suite for $1500pp!

 

Said no thanks!

Wow! What a steal in price though! Totally understand if you aren't wanting to pay it. We are staying in the PS next year. Definitely wish we could have just gotten an upsell offer like that though!

3 hours ago, kazu said:

 

This is outdated now.  No longer in place.  PG pricing was amended and there is no charge for a 2nd appetizer now.

When did this take place? The PG menu in my Navigator for my cruise next year is still listing the fee. Do you know if someone posted an updated menu I could take a look at? 

On 8/26/2023 at 8:14 PM, CruiserBruce said:

Nope. One cruise booked in Aug 22 is 2 weeks FROM now, one is in March 2024. The one that is two weeks from now includes crew appreciation.  The one that is in March 2024 doesn't include crew appreciation. All 3 cruises were booked within a month of the schedule being released. 

Ehh, I'm with the other commenter on this one. I've monitored HAL deals for a while, along with my folks. In my observation at least, the HIA that does NOT include the gratuties is offered more often than with them included. I think for most using the term "standard" as the most available and lowest level prevents misunderstanding, with the term "Upgraded" being with the better drink package and the gratuities included. Setting expectations is important and it would be better for new cruisers who might be reading these that if they have the HIA they should assume the lower level unless they know for sure or verify they have the upgraded package. "Standard" will tend to be what everyone assumes they have without needing to verify. Which leaves people upset when they don't check to see which HIA package they actually have. Just my two cents on the matter. 

On 8/13/2023 at 3:37 AM, NaughtyNanna said:

Well maybe I misunderstood your post.  I took it that you were telling and showing me all the things you did on your expedition to Antarctica, that made it different than a cruise to Alaska.  All of which, and more, I had also experienced, and that was exactly what I had said in the first part of my post!  It seemed to me you had just picked up on what I said in my last sentence - that I thought cruising Antarctica is the same as Alaska.  Maybe I need to be more specific.  I had thought that cruising around Antactica on a large cruise ship (without the opportunity to go ashore, see the wildlife up close and personal, have full access to the bridge, sail around the icebergs in the zodiacs, etc) would be the same as cruising through Glacier Bay, for example.

If that was not the intent of your post, then I apologise for the misunderstanding!

Unlike others, I understood what you were saying and was thinking something similar. It's one reason I have really only considered smaller ships if I were to do Antarctica. Thank you for sharing your perspective given your own personal experience! ❤️ 

Mine is simply missing classical music in a place where people can dance. 

I feel concerned for the OP if they require drinking and eating food made with spring water. The ship isn't cooking with spring water and even the bottled water you purchase may or may not be spring water. It's far more likely to be purified water and the water that is available for free is also purified. Perhaps check with your doctors and see if they are ok with you having the filtered water provided by the ship drunk from your own reusable water bottle. 

9 hours ago, Despegue said:

One irritating thing is the complete confusion regarding the Signature Drink Package and its 15 drinks limit.

it has always heem 15 ALCOHOLIC drinks and unlimited non-alcoholic, but it seems that recently, Corporate has decided that it is 15 drinks total, which is completely ridiculous. ESPECIALLY knowing that Parent Carnival has the same package, Cheers!, onboard their Carnival ships, where for  around the same price, you have a limit of indeed 15 alcoholic drinks but UNLIMITED non-alcoholic, just as originally designed.

 

 

This isn't true. When I cruised in 2009 it was 15 drinks total (alcoholic and non included in the total). Was the same in 2017. It's a big reason when my folks went in 2010 and 2017 they took a ton of soda with them (was allowed at the time) in addition to the drink package so they knew they had enough. Perhaps prior to 2009? Which doesn't feel like recent to me. 

31 minutes ago, chengkp75 said:

While the batteries would be considered essential, not sure the charger and wall unit (not sure what this is needed for) would be.  Best bet would be to notify medical about your equipment soon upon embarking, and they may tag it, or at least note it on muster lists.  Do you request to use the "special needs" muster station?  There is always a nurse there.

Next year will be my first cruise since having the pump installed. I have 4 sets of batteries, 1 set wearing, 1 set in an emergency pack that is always on me and then 2 additional sets left charging. Each set has a charge of about 17 hours. The wall unit is how I plug into power at night. The chargers are of course for charging the batteries. 

I am submitting all information through our HAL TA. I didn't even realize there was a "special needs" muster station, thanks! I'll reach out and I definitely plan to talk to someone on embarking to ensure they have all the information needed. Thank you so much!
 

I'm curious about space for lift support items. I have a pump connected to my heart. In case of an evacuation (given there would be time) I would have extra batteries, wall unit and charging unit. This takes up the room of a small suitcase. However, without those items I won't live longer than 20-30 hours. I mostly do Alaskan cruises and the closest hospital that can support my devise is Seattle. So if we are evacuating somewhere in Canada I will need those batteries in order to survive until I can be brought to a hospital. 

I know there is always a risk going on a ship,m especially for my own circumstances and I need to make that decision personally. But will I be in an arguing match with someone if I show up to a life boat with a small emergency bag telling them my life depends on it? I would have documentation of course as well. 

21 hours ago, alwaysfrantic said:

I am allergic to one ingredient in Old Bay. While I didn’t do this tour I asked at every seafood place I ate.  Seems they never use it in AK. Luckily.  

Thank goodness! I am not a fan of Old Bay seasoning but I know it can be pretty common for seafood boils in some places. 

On 6/16/2023 at 4:13 PM, Mary229 said:

You can write or call them and ask

 

https://www.silverkingalaska.com

Thanks, I actually had and they didn't know. Said they were going to check for me and haven't heard back yet (although they have been super kind with some other questions as well). 

Thank you all so much! I appreciate the responses!

Thanks everyone. Sounds like it may or may not be available. I will definitely talk to the concierges on arrival to see if it's an option and tip lots if it is. Thanks everyone!

Is room service available on embarkation day? Not sure if it matters but I'll be in the Pinnacle suite. 

Hi All!

I'm wondering if anyone has done the "wilderness Cruise & SIlverking Lodge Seafood Feast" in Ketchikan, Alaska. It has what looks like a fantastic seafood boil at the Silverking Lodge. However, I know a lot of places use Old Bay seasoning in their seafood boils and I am not a fan. Anyone know if they use Old Bay in their feast?

Thanks!