DocJohnB

I will be leaving on Veendam out of FLL on 4/21 enroute to Boston. Leaving San Diego next Thursday 4/6 for Panama Canal transit.

Awesome Doc! Yes, and green and white represent the city of Rotterdam

I either read this or heard this when I was onboard the Z last fall.

Underway, shift colors!!

Pop quiz while we're waiting;

What were the colors of the first HAL flag (as NASM) and what was their significance? (taken from where/what)

Green and white. No idea why, but possibly geographical or political.

16:32 - there go the aft lines.

16:30, still triced up.

Checking in. Late, but still on time for the dance.;p

As a solo cruiser, I feel your pain 42CruiseCrazy. I also agree with your assertion that if I am paying double (person) rate for the cabin I absolutely should be entitled to either the per cabin OBC or 2X p/p OBC - either way makes no difference to me. ;p (RDC1's number crunching aside).

While I understand RDC1's crunching, IMHO, it equates to Bean Counter's BS and for the exact reason he states it is based on "AVERAGE" spending.

All that aside 42 as others have said check to see if the OBC is p/p or p/c. AND, either way complain (in writing if time permits), but ensure that you get a response from supervisory or management level and in writing.

A couple of personal items:

1) As a solo, I always look for single supplement "deals". On my upcoming (next week :D) Panama Canal (HAL) cruise, between a single supplement and Mariner status (supplement) I ended up paying about 165% of the p/p rate. (No incentives though).

2) On my last 3 solo cruises on Celebrity the OBC I received was always a per cabin credit. I sailed with my brother and his then fiance', their OBC was given as a cabin, but each received $150. I received the full $300.

What would I do ?

 

I would call the agent back and say...." Having given this matter further thought I find I am not in a position to lose $1200.00 nor am I prepared to do so.

I am sure you can appreciate this decision is not unreasonable.

Please contact me as soon as this matter has been rectified.

That is a very reasonable response. However, I would never leave the last sentence open-ended. Perhaps something like, "please notify me within 48 hours how this matter has been rectified".

I agree with the "not tipping" in speciality restaurants.

When the speciality restaurants first came about with their extra fee (above MDR), it was stated/implied that the fee INCLUDED the gratuity.

One is already (in reality) paying for the meal in the MDR as part of the price of admission. Additionally gratuities are automatically generated on a daily basis. In reality, when I dine in a speciality restaurant, I am paying for my MDR food, extra for the speciality dining "experience, and my gratuity is being charged to my bill already. Enough! YMMV

I am not adverse to tipping and in fact consider myself a generous tipper.

He was a "tooting" fool.

Booked a guarantee outside (Cat G) on Veendam's 4/5/17 Panama Canal itinerary.

Received my cabin assignment today (19 days from sailing). I am in a DD on deck 5.

The ship "sold out" earlier this week. So, it appears to me, that once a ship "sells out", HAL starts assigning "guarantees". However, if the ship does not "sell out", they wait as long as possible (even, as some have mentioned, to sail away day).

John,

Can you supply the info for the Veendam for the 6 Apr 17 Panama Canal.

Are you headed back out any time soon?

Thanks for the helpful info. I will be departing at Boston on 4/25.

I discovered this thread earlier in the week and have spent the past 3 afternoons, off and on, thoroughly enjoying myself.

I have taken 5 T/A's (all on "X"). (Century, Equinox x2, Solstice and Silhouette). This wonderful review of yours was 'almost' like taking my 6th. I cannot think of any other review (with or without photos) I have enjoyed as much.

Thank you for taking so much of your time sharing your experiences and photos with the rest of us.

BTW, have you uploaded any videos to YouTube? If so, could you provide a link?

Daughter and son-in-law will be on the Oasis in May. I want to get them a gift of an OBC so they can enjoy a nice night out at one of the "restaurants".

How do I go about doing this, i.e., getting an OBC gift credited to their account.

TIA

OP: we got back a month ago from our first transit of the Canal (it was a full transit). My advice for the locks (besides all the great advice above about using sunscreen, staying hydrated, charging your camera batteries -- to which I would add: wear a hat) is to see the locks from different perspectives. High, low, fore, aft, along the sides. Don't stay in one place the entire time.

 

In the event it may be helpful, my review thread, with lots of photos, is here:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2456255

 

The Canal is amazing; have a great trip!

I did not think to do this. I am doing a full transit starting 4/5 on Veendam. Want to guess what I will be doing?

Oh yeah, if you have a verandah cabin, and depending how you go through the locks, you might even think about staying in the cabin, so you can get out of the heat. (i.e., If your cabin is facing the inside of the lock as opposed to the outside). Hope that makes sense.

I did the 11 night on the Zuiderdam last November that did the partial transit.

If memory serves me, we were indeed at the approach to the locks that early (between 5 - 5:30), but it was a while before we were actually in the 1st lock.

After it goes through the locks, the ship maneuvers into Gatun Lake, discharges those folks on tours, then sits around doing nothing for a few hours, then heads back out of the locks. Interesting evolution to say the least.

If you are going to observe from the bow make sure you dress for the day (it will be hot), make sure you apply/re-apply sunscreen, have water AND drink it. One last thing. Unlike the dummy writing this post, make sure your cameras are ready to film, AND that includes charging and extra batteries. I, unfortunately, did not get all the video I wanted.:loudcry:

Technically, the harbor pilot almost ran over the jet skiers. Why is the headline about Carnival and not the government mandated "Brevard Pilot o' Death?"

Perhaps of review of the situation (below) will help you with your thoughts POA1. The pilot you refer to actually was able to do some maneuvering of the ship - enough so that the deputy had a few extra seconds. And it appears those extra few seconds were needed.

Bravo to both the Pilot and the Deputy.

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-carnival-cruise-ship-rescue-jet-ski20170312-story.html

Here is a second (TV) report of the incident that actually talks with a person on the jet ski shown at the beginning of the incident with 3 folks on board.

http://www.wtsp.com/news/nation-now/carnival-cruise-ship-comes-within-feet-of-jet-skiers/421937047

Since they are OK, do they still qualify for the Darwin Awards?

Nope, but they do qualify for an "Honorable Mention".;)

I believe there was only ONE officer (LEO) in that boat. The ship's pilot was also credited in news reports with slightly altering course - which gave the LEO a few extra seconds. But that LEO, without a doubt saved those women's lives.

News account here:

http://www.orlandosentinel.com/news/breaking-news/os-carnival-cruise-ship-rescue-jet-ski20170312-story.html

Didn't notice.

Thanks for pointing it out.

I'm not sure what I think but I LOVE the colors! (GO BLUE!!!)

 

Ah, thanks.

 

Please get off the website everyone, I want to get on:D

Great response!

Do you honestly think the HAL reps would use the term "cry baby" ?

Absolutely! Or similar words/phrases!