HUNKY

If you look like this a ball cap and t-shirt are appropriate EVERYWHERE!

In my best Dowager Countess of Grantham voice...

"What is this walk you speak of?"

YES!

Had two glasses with my omelette this morning on Rotterdam VI. 

Juices and milks are complimentary at breakfast. 

First-night dinner is often a bit of a mess, regardless of the ship.

HAL guests skew to early dining, thus 6 PM can be a difficult time to book.

TX Tillie - take a look at Gary Bembridge's Tips for Travellers on YouTube.  He's pretty balanced and his content often has good tips and advice.  He certainly has more impact on new cruisers than most CC posters.

Over 355 thousand subscribers, along with over 120 MILLION views on his channel.

Keith1010 - ask your grandkids about TikTok, they know what it is.

Did anyone notice that the new Director of Communications will be working with influencers?

Can't say I know of any influencers who specialized in original Crystal.  Maybe the CC lurkers know.

JoanandJoe - Under certain circumstances the "latest" full payment date is 180 days prior to the cruise departure.  As a first-time Viking Ocean cruiser that is not a possibility.

Please be sure to let your travel agent & Viking know why you are canceling your booking.

Beware!  Your deposit may not be refundable.

I found that the  pricing IS reasonable compared to other luxury vacations.

Four Seasons Orlando (yes at Disney) is over $1,200 a night for a basic room and of course, does not include food or entertainment.  Likewise Ritz-Carlton Tokyo is also over $1,200 a night.  Dinner at NOBU Tokyo will set you back at least $150 per person.

Crystal is competing with not only other cruise lines, but every other luxury "vacation".

Great to see that the pricing is reasonable!

I neither saw nor experienced any anti-cruise, or anti-tourist activity during my Norway or Northern European cruises.

Many tourist destinations, such as, Amsterdam, Bar Harbor, and Key West have those residents which are against any and all tourists.  However, I've found the majority of locals welcome tourists, especially those who respect the areas they visit.

FYI - I have a home in a tourist town.

Can I use OBC bought with a gift card to pay my daily service charge?

I know I can't prepay the service charge online in advance using gift cards.

"Travel Planning items are purchased in the currency of your original booking. Gift cards cannot be applied towards Travel Planning items."

FYI You can buy 10% discounted gift cards at AARP.org under Rewards.

Foolish me.

I thought Lincoln Center, Rolling Stone and BB Kings PAID Holland America to sponsor these venues and performances.  To help build their brands, and gain new advocates, not HAL's.

Time for HAL to partner with businesses that want to SPONSOR and pay HAL for the advantage of a locked in demographic.  (Those consumers who have money to spend.)

Shh...don't tell Viking.

My Holland America beverage package next month is $58 per person per day, and my Royal Caribbean cruise in October is $86!

I won't be buying either of those.

I wonder if Disney will market this as their "Value" level ship?

An Art of Animation or All-Star at sea?

..."the addition of this ship will make a Disney Cruise Line vacation accessible to more families than ever before,” said Josh D’Amaro.

Disney is cutting passenger capacity from 9K to 6K.

I received my first free obstructed balcony offer on June 9, 2022.  Booked and loved a 7 day Alaska out of Vancouver.  Received a complimentary double upgrade to an extended balcony.  Returned home October 8, 2022.

The week of Halloween I received a second offer for a free interior cabin.  Cruises ranged from a 5 day West Coast up to a 16 day transatlantic.  Could not take any due to my other halves schedule.

On November 3, 2022 I received a third offer.  Several 11 day southern caribbean cruises on the Rotterdam, along with many others.  Booked it today.  $190 in port charges/taxes/fees per person.  Had to "buy" $200 OBC per person.  $780 all in.  Will apply the OBC to service charges, a few drinks, etc.

Using discounted AARP Holland America gift cards, paid $702 all in.  Hopefully, AARP will use a travel or entertainment merchant category so I can get an additional 2% back from my credit card.   😀

No casino spending, very low onboard purchases, 2 star Mariner, last cruise 2017.

Does anyone know the merchant category code AARP uses for buying HAL gift cards?

I'm trying to maximize my credit card cash back/rewards.

Recently off Koningsdam out of Vancouver.  We had turn down service along with chocolates!  Don't remember having to ask or opt in for that service.

It was nice having a cabin steward with an assistant.  (Didn't have that on Royal in an owner's suite.)

Tasty lunch!  As usual, the Lido buffet is served by crew, very few self selections (drinks mostly).

Internet connection is not straightforward.  Put device in airplane mode, use Navigator app and then go to the access website.

Speedtest.net shows, uh nothing...the spinning wheel of nothingness.

SUCCESS!  Download 10.29Mbps

FAIL! Upload 0.00 Mbps

Sky Train to Waterfront station.  Easy tap on tap off.  Car is full after a few stops along the way.  Some seats still available.  Takes twenty six minutes.  $9 CAD

Boarding Group Alpha.   1000AM!

Mariner 2*

Scott here, Clay’s travel friend.  Later flight into Vancouver.  Stayed at the Airport Fairmont - Chase points.   No breakfast just in-room Tim’s 

"NOTICE: Cart checkout is currently unavailable and purchases have been temporarily disabled.  We are working to remedy the issue & apologize for the inconvenience."  Our team is made up entirely of a diverse group of twenty-somethings, and are performing at near average levels.

Maybe AARP should hire some senior, well seasoned and high performing employees?

No plastic bottles, but there are several reports here on CC of 12 pack cans going thru without a problem.  Soda is made with water!

I'm trying in October out of Vancouver, but if they stop/toss/confiscate them at security no big loss!  On Princess I usually slap on a luggage tag, and they've always made it to the cabin.

We bring chips and popcorn onboard too...

But...you can't buy them right now.  And haven't been able to for at least a week.