Funsun60

Thank you for this info. One further question (from someone who may be not smarter than a sack full of hammers). Does one go to guest services to specify/request this or is the OBC automatically deducted for your on board account?

We are embarking with HAL and boarding pass indicates noon as boarding time. HAL no longer provides a check-in time at the terminal. My question is what time does the terminal open for security clearance etc and cruise check in? Thank you.

Previously, Canadians were able to access medical transdermal patches to alleviate/minimize motion sickness. I understand these patches remain available in the USA. I am not sure if they are available in Europe without RX.  This option is no longer available in Canada. My question: are transdermal patches (not herbal)  available for purchase on board?

Thank you

Thanks to everyone who answered my question. This is what I like about this site..always helpful responses and good  information. So glad we found "cruise critic". 

We will be in Europe with a single time zone and then cruising to UK time zone (one hour different) and then back to the Europe time zone. Does the ship have a central clock to confirm what time the ship is using and does the ship change ship time when there is only a one hour difference? Not a problem to change our watches if required.

Thank you

So sorry to hear about the fire at the Borsen. We had hoped to see this historic structure and the spire on our visit to Copenhagen next month.  I hope the damage is not so extensive that restoration can take place. I wonder if the spire can be reconstructed or if this is a loss to the country. 

I have been following this discussion and wonder how many dogs are we talking about and how often have the contributors to this site been on cruises where dogs (or a dog) have been present?  I have also followed other threads where it has been noted that some of our fellow human cruisers have manners and behaviors that could potentially outweigh some of the objectional behavior being discussed here. A dog eating off a dirty plate left in the hallway..whose fault or responsibility is that? People in bare feet in the Lido  or a fellow cruiser resting bare feet on the chairs in a bar or theatre. Fellow cruisers leaving dirty dishes on stairs, elevators, etc. Fellow cruisers using their hands in the buffet rather than using designated utensils to serve themselves. I am not condoning behavior of cruisers who may take advantage of rules/regulations, but as the saying goes "if you have a stick you will find a dog to beat". If I had a certified service dog and was reading this thread, I would feel somewhat intimidated about going on a cruise as I would feel I was being watched and judged. 

This has been a terrible experience for the passengers and I suspect even more so for the captain and crew who knew the persons who perished.. I am not conversed on official investigations, but I wonder how the safety inspectors can properly determine the cause when the ship sailed from the place of the incident and I presume (possibly in error) that the room where the incident occurred  has been cleared. What procedures would be used to investigate after the fact and if, in fact, evidence may not be in the same place as when the accident took place. Maybe someone more familiar with maritime critical incidents can explain. Thank you

.We are travelling to Europe in May (Norway, Lerwick, Kirkwall, Scotland, England). I presume from previous comments that HAL does not require 2 copies of our passports for these ports. Am I correct? We always carry one copy for ourselves, just in case it may be required. 

I notice from previous posts that the ships (e.g. Nieuw Statendam) have computers available for passenger use. One post indicated you need to pay for internet access. How does that work for these computers? Is it by day or by hour or do you need to purchase a wifi package? What would you use the computer for without internet access.. the Navigator app only? Thank you in advance for clarifying.

Thank you for answering so quickly. Info is appreciated.

We are stopping in Harstad and note that the port authority indicates either a pier in town or else south of Harstad served by shuttle to town centre .Has anyone been on this ship  or other Pinnacle ship and visited Harstad? Which pier was used?  Thank you for your help.

I'm confused. HAL indicates Lido is a dining venue, albeit a buffet style. At home, we have been to buffet restaurants as well as dining restaurants that host occasional buffets. I have never seen anyone at these venues stay on after their meal to play cards, read a book, etc.  Does this mean the Lido is really a mixed venue where you can eat or do whatever social activity you want? It seems cruise expectations in this regard do not reflect how we mange our dining experiences on land. I have never been to a restaurant where I have been advised to fix a plate and then take it somewhere else to eat. Do social  norms disappear once on board? or are my social norms now outdated?

Just a question: if the card is inside a plastic cover, does this allow a tap to open the cabin door or pay for drinks? Or do you just use the card alone attached to the lanyard? What happens if there is no hole punched on the card and you use a plastic cover for the card on your lanyard?

Thank you very much for all replies. It is so nice to have such helpful and knowledgeable cruisers on this forum

I have a couple of questions:

1. My spouse and I each have a $100 OBC. Are these credits automatically applied to our account? Does it matter that the credits are listed for each of us separately? The cruise is registered under my spouse's name. I have read on other  topics that people want to apply their credits for specific expenditures. Do we need to tell the front desk where we want to apply the credits or can it just be automatically taken off the total bill?

2. Final financial statement. Do we get a final paper bill that shows all our expenses ? If not, how do we obtain a permanent record to review the account to make sure it is accurate and then follow up if we have questions/concerns.

Thanks for your patience in helping us understand how all this works

I notice on the cabin pictures, the TV is located at the foot of the bed. Is the TV on swivels so it can be directed towards the couch or do we have to sit or lay on the bed to view the TV? Very awkward if in fact you always need to watch from the bed.  Not a big complaint, but just curious.

Thank you for this excellent and extensive reply. Hope you had a great time on your recent cruise, although no cruise can be a bad cruise.

Thanks to everyone for your help. I will go forward with the belief our phone app will work, but know if we have problems, that any updated  info about our previously booked excursions can be obtained via other resources on the ship. We plan to do most ports on our own so only have a couple of excursions through HAL. Happy cruising to all

We plan to download HAL Navigator app as recommended. However, on reading some comments, there are some instances when the app may not work or there are problems with the phone when on board. As shore excursion info is updated on the app re: change of place to meet or change in time of the excursion, is there another method to obtain this info outside the app if we run into this issue? Will the shore ex staff be able to help, is the info available on the TV, etc. Thanks for any info you can provide.

We have not cruised with HAL for some years, but will be on board in May 2024. The spirit packages offered do not include my husband's preferred alcohol. Can we order a specific brand/bottle once on board. I apologize if this is answered elsewhere but I could not find a recent response.

Hello: I would appreciate any info you may have re: these type of balconies, i.e. pros and cons. Thanks for your help

Hope you have a great cruise. If you happen to run into a couple, Frank and Evelyn (from Alberta, Canada) say hi to them from their sister. This is a cruise my brother has waited for..he has always had the Amazon on his bucket list.

These discussions centre around the air pollution/health risks/unpleasant smells etc associated with smoking. My question, if all cruisers who feel having smokers on board will have such a negative effect on their health and enjoyment, why do they cruise in the first place as studies have documented the negative health and environment impacts of ships in general. See the attached link for a report sanctioned by the American Lung Association among others. I would think anyone concerned about their health as well as the health of others, would be against cruising not just against smokers in designated areas.

Part of the report is copied below.

http://www.edf.org/sites/default/files/9466_ECA_report_March2009_0.pdf

On our Med Cruise, we went throught ToursbyLocals for 3 different countries. Although the bookings were coordinated through their office in Vancouver, BC, all our correspondence via email was with the tour guide directly. We had wonderful tours. Unfortunarely, we had to cancel the tour for Tunisia as the ship skipped this port due to civil unrest. We emailed the company/guide from the ship and within 48 hours our credit card was refunded for the entire cost..no questions asked. The change in itinerary meant we arrived earlier in Malta. Again, we contacted our guide and she rearranged her schedule to accommodate us. We are taking another cruise to the Black Sea next year, and will certainly look at Toursbylocals again. Their prices are equal to or less than many other options, and the tours were wonderful. Our fellow cruisers were quite jealous when we compared what we had done/seen on the port days.