oakridger

From what I can tell from reports here on CC, all but the Pinnacle ships have the Ocean Bar band, called "Third Avenue West". Please anyone let us know if that isn't entirely correct. I'm enjoying the report! Thank you! ~Nancy

Also, I just thought about the Club Orange program where you can get a higher-level cabin in the category that you pay for by purchasing Club Orange. There are many threads on CC describing the process. I will let others here answer questions about that. Club Orange Program Benefits (hollandamerica.com) OP @TomBeckCruise sorry for the thread hijack. I get sidetracked easily! ~Nancy

HAL doesn't have a bidding for upgrades program. They do random "upsell" (paid, not free) offers by email or your TA can call closer to sailing and ask if any upsells are available.

Sad, but true. ~Nancy

HAL does prime rib so well I cannot figure why they always put the gravy on it! I have asked to have it and the "Mustard Mouse" left off, but it still was served with it! Next cruise I will insist and return the plate if necessary. Why "ruin" good prime rib with all that stuff on it?? 🤷‍♀️ Keep on enjoying the trip! ~Nancy

That sure looked like a fun party and HAL did a great job! Too bad the 49ers lost though! ☹️ ~Nancy

@WCB it's too bad the 49ers didn't win the super bowl tonight. It's always so fun to get the community spirit even though I'm not really a big football fan. I'm looking forward to the Guam pictures! ~Nancy

It did look like a large turnout for the game. That makes it really fun.....except for the end! Sigh. ~Nancy

I'm glad the game was shown and what a turn out at the World Stage! Unfortunately, after that stress inducing overtime, the 49ers didn't win. Boo! Congrats to the Chiefs and now I guess I'll just have to "Shake it Off". Sorry....😉

I'm glad they showed the game.....unfortunately, after quite a nail biter in overtime the wonderful 49ers didn't win. Boo 😔 ~Nancy

Does the beverage package included water 12 oz metal bottle have a screw top? Or pop top? (the one on my 2022 Rotterdam had a pop top) Thanks! ~Nancy

You will get the SURF package. It's email, and web surfing with on the ship access only. Each person has one device at a time access. I'll have to defer to others about the texting because I texted using my cell phone plan when I was last onboard. WiFi calling may work too, but again I'll let more recent cruisers answer that @POA1 or any of the other tech savvy folks can you help with the question? ~Nancy

@mhurdle127 This thread is two years old so it would have been best to start a new thread so you will get the most up to date info. Since you are asking now in 2024 there is new information. All ships now have Starlink for internet, and reports are that internet is usually much better than years past. Cruise Wi-Fi Plans & Internet Packages (hollandamerica.com) If anyone in the cabin has HIA then all guests in the cabin will have HIA and each has one internet device account for their HIA plan. The internet plan works on the ship, not in port. The above link doesn't mention the new "Stream" plan that is mentioned in the thread below. Here is a thread that appears to have the most up to date information and also a new plan called Streaming. You could go to this thread for new information. Good Luck and have fun!

Maybe people think I'm a big grump, but I've never been a fan of the dining room parades and waving napkins especially! Don't even get me started on the poor waiters on Carnival ships that have to dance on tables during dinner! 🙄

I love the castle and fireworks picture!! Your excitement comes across the internet!! So happy to hear you had a fantastic time. ~Nancy

Thanks. I guess I was just thinking about it in the same way but saying it differently! Example: I rent a cabana from HAL and the charge is $500 then they will add 10% and charge me the extra $50. Bottom line is the cost of things on the island for the guests will go up!! That's what I was saying. ~Nancy

@dockman Okay, that's it. On Princess you have free mini bar, not on HAL. Yes, it's 50% off mini bar for 4 star on HAL. ~Nancy

I have a mini bar set up in my cabins as everyone else does (except some on Volendam and Zaandam I believe). It's not free though, is yours?? ~Nancy

I'm not quite following. The purchases I make on HMC for drinks, chair rentals, etc. are paid to HAL and taxes to HAL will not be increased? Is the article only referring to purchase of items at the vendor stalls directly from non-HAL shop sellers which will be taxed directly to the guest buying the souvenir? ~Nancy

@trishbk I really appreciate you following up for us! I can only guess how the current dog in the stroller got "the right paperwork" but it must be pretty frustrating to cruise lines to deal with rude people who manage to get "the right paperwork" when their pets are clearly not trained to service dog standards! Eating food from a bowl on the floor of the Lido Cafe or sitting on chairs or eating anywhere other than the cabin must certainly be against the rules for even real service animals! Does anyone with a real service animal know about the rules/training for the animal to eat its meals on ships? Thanks! ~Nancy

Half Moon Cay is already way too expensive to rent chairs/clam shells/umbrellas and especially the hugely overpriced "Cabanas"!!! I can't imagine that cruise lines would just eat the cost of any increased taxes and not pass that along to the passengers. Apparently, people are still paying for these rentals, so the prices won't go down until they stop. ~Nancy

@The-Inside-Cabin I liked the Glamp Out idea a lot, but having a band play sounds so much more fun than a movie at a party! I loved the book "A Walk in The Woods" by Bill Bryson but the movie was sadly a big disappointment and actually boring compared to the book. I hope everyone had a good time anyway! I'm still loving the blog and video clips! ~Nancy

The Elite Package included unlimited non alcoholic drinks on my last cruise on Rotterdam and they had better be included on my next cruise in May! 😉 The screenshot I just posted is on the website right now, today!! If the bartender doesn't count your drinks correctly, then just produce the website screenshot to get it corrected. I know, it shouldn't need to be done, but........ You should be fine! ~Nancy

@Crew News I was looking for this laundry list on your website a few minutes ago to share with @Pboyd but couldn't find it. Is it somewhere on your website? Can you point me to it as I want to share it with a friend too. Thanks Roger, ~Nancy

Welcome to Cruise Critic @Famgel1956! Unfortunately CC does not have a Private Message function. Have a great trip to Alaska! ~Nancy