oakridger

Mariner Society (hollandamerica.com) For 4 and 5 star only: 3 Star discount: No discount for anyone at Morimoto. ~Nancy

I had always dreamed of going to Tahiti and finally went on my "Once in a Lifetime" cruise there in 2012. Next May I'm going for the fourth time!! You never know!! 😉 Have wonderful time! ~Nancy

We have to stop meeting this way!! Ha ha. 😁 If your HIA includes crew appreciation (it doesn't always, depends on the offer at the time) then all your gratuities are included, and you don't need to pay more unless you want to. Sometimes it shows up on your folio as a charge then credit but some people said it didn't show on the folio at all. My last cruises in fall 2022 it showed up as a charge then credit so zero sum. ~Nancy

I haven't taken any tours or had valet parking, I guess! 😉 I have read that in Norway anyway, the street buskers/musicians have card readers to take tips! Smart on their part! Norway and other Scandinavian countries don't have a tipping culture in general so tipping for tours and taxis isn't expected. I don't give money to panhandlers in any country. At home I donate to shelters and organizations that care for homeless which provide services besides just a meal. ~Nancy

Hi, it's me again! The gratuity is included in the charge for the meal, whether from the HIA or paid separately. ($46 X 0.18 = $8.28 per meal at Pinnacle Grill) I personally have only given extra gratuity when something super special was provided by my waiter. (coming from a former waitress/bartender) Only happened twice so far. But do what feels right to you in the moment. ~Nancy

The wind is cold in Norway. Even in May.

@LAX Hi again! Did you already book through the Big Box TA? They should take care of everything for you from now on! If you booked nonrefundable then it doesn't have the Early Booking Bonus. As long as your cruise is offering EBB, if you booked refundable it is offered whether booked through a TA or online. Bottom line is that the TA needs to do the work to earn that commission! HAL will only discuss most parts of your booking with them now. I "think" the "refer a friend" will also be taken care of by the TA, but no experience personally. Good luck! ~Nancy

Here are the terms and conditions for the AARP OBC. It says it's for new bookings only, but my TA actually got it added to my existing booking. Can't hurt to ask! Exclusive AARP Member Offer | Holland America Line

Do any of you internet savvy folks know why one ship's Starlink would have such higher speeds than another? Do cruise lines pay Starlink for different performance/speed levels? Thanks, I'm clueless! ~Nancy

The same for me! Even here in the good ol' USofA I haven't used cash since before the pandemic started in 2020. I've been carrying around the same $20 bills in my wallet for four years! Also, as I mentioned on another thread about Norway, a couple of the hotels I'm going to stay at in Norway this summer even have posted on their website that they don't accept cash nor have any cash on the premises. I have my credit cards polished and ready to go!! ~Nancy

P.S. Why not just book with the TA from the beginning? You will get all HAL has to offer as well as the TA perks! ~Nancy

Yes to all! I have done this a few times. Easy! Have a great cruise! ~Nancy

It is! Nice larger balcony. Yeah, the VS category should mean Vista Suite to me, but hey, no one at HAL asked me! ~Nancy

Please read the other comment I gave you on the other thread. It's best if you start your own thread with questions you have specific to you. You are posting on another person's thread that doesn't really pertain to your questions. Thanks, ~Nancy

@malony33 Club Orange is purchased on a cruise-by-cruise basis. Many verandah cabins have showers, you don't need to get a more costly vista suite to have a shower! I suggest you read the other threads here on the HAL forums and many of your questions will be answered. You have posted in a thread that is discussing suite category perks. After checking the other threads then go ahead and start a new thread that is specifically for the remaining questions you may have. Have fun reading and I'm sure you will like HAL. ~Nancy

@crystalspin It's confusing, but on Konningsdam the aft VS5202 is actually a veranda suite on the HAL deck plan pdf and cruisemapper.com. The Vista Suites are called A****. ~Nancy

I was waiting for Roger @Crew News to chime in and help the OP! Roger is obviously a huge fan of the aft cabins, and his comments are all very welcome! @Bepster00 What a wonderful surprise for your wife! You will have a great visit to Alaska and on HAL! ~Nancy

I agree especially about HMC. I've barely gotten over there by 2pm! ~Nancy

Specialty restaurant reservations aren't available until a few months before your cruise. Check back occasionally and see when they open up. ~Nancy

My TA sends me both the HAL Booking Confirmation and their agency booking confirmation letters. I always want to see both so I can check for accuracy and have everything in writing. ~Nancy

Yep, with the humidity there it sure looks HOT!! 🥵 Drink your water everyone!

@Hogladyrider I'm so happy to hear that your crew on Konningsdam was how HAL staff usually are in my experience! Thanks for letting us know. ~Nancy

@FlorenceItaly Thanks for all the info but just to clarify, the gratuity for drinks, specialty restaurants and spa services is actually 18% on HAL for all room categories. ~Nancy

This comment made me chuckle.....most authentic looking China Town... Of Course! You were in China! 😁 You two always cover so much territory in your port walks which I aspire to be able to do soon! I have a new knee like Mary Ann and if she can do it, so can I!! ~Nancy

Is it a hotel or Bar Management problem do you think? Unhappy crew seems like a moral problem. For example, my last cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam in October 2022 the bar crew were having a ball with the passengers and amongst themselves too! It was so fun to hear them laughing and joking with each other while they were hard at work. Their moral was great! I'll be on Konningsdam for the first time next December so for everyone's sake I sure hope they can improve the situation on board! ~Nancy