crystalspin

Kay, you may want to post to the Celebrity board, as the lines' plans are so different.

HalFacts is great, but for whatever reason, there are a number of 'galleries' (entries) that are assigned wrong categories, specifically Vista Suites on deck 4 on the K'dam that are labelled "V" verandahs. If the bed is by the balcony, it is a Vista Suite!

We are 65 and 77, and we really only look at Holland America Line anymore. No physical limitations in particular, but I have never stood in line for an hour (not sure I could and no cane!). Can't think of any "line" that long where seating was not provided. HAL is prominent (with Princess 😮) in Alaska; we have sailed there with them three times! But have never had a bad time on HAL. (You can see our cruise history in my signature.) Our cruise with NCL was one-and-done. We sailed a TransAtlantic on RCCL and it was fine, a bit more/younger activities on board, but lacking the forward-facing Crows Nest observation lounge that we love. Also way into favoring their loyalty program members! Our favorite cabins have varied by the ship. We do not much use a balcony, but since the pandemic, have been loathe to sail without one!

"Aggressively Helpful"!

That's just for internal bookkeeping. I actually never noticed it. There is a line for extra tipping, as well -- I add a dollar every few drinks, esp. with repeat servers -- saves me having to bring five dollar bills and trying to find the good ones on the last day!

Yes, I was booked on that cruise and started the Roll Call with that observation!

Neither the stability nor the speed is Plan dependent. Streaming only unblocks streaming sites. If you need WiFi for the duration of the cruise, I would buy pre-cruise for the 20% savings. I have no trouble spending OBC, though!

I have not sailed since Starlink, but the description highlights that audio/video aspects of messaging being the main thing. Hank did say the same thing, about speed vs restricted sites. ETA:About the speed tests I plead ignorance, but may be it fluctuates while finding and switching between the Starlink satellites? I apologize for giving you the price for Premium as the price to upgrade in my initial reply! May have stopped your heart -- I had scrolled down to 21-25 days and cut the column titles off...

It's not the speed, but what applications are not blocked. 😕

Not on the HAL website; you have to backtrack and see each category's available cabins... oh and ALL may not be shown! just to throw in a wrench. If a cruise is sold by itself and also as a combined "collectors" cruise, certain cabins will be designated for each Voyage. But can be reassigned by the Inventory Department. But my PCC (personal cruise consultant) at HAL doesn't even see them as available -- I have to badger the info out of the website and THEN request she go to Inventory for me. There may be travel agency sites out there that show the whole deck, but (1) I don't shop that way, and (2) we couldn't tell you about them on Cruise Critic -- against the rules.

Not being the terminology police! Just trying to help Riley out. They're in new territory and possibly struggling with the jargon.

HalFacts is a great resource, but be aware of some category mis-labelling in the Pinnacle Class gallery. If a photo has the bed near the balcony door, it is a Vista Suite even if labelled V. Also check cabins labelled MS (for mini-suite) against the HAL deckplans; I'm not sure whether those are Vista Suites or Signature Suites.

Balcony is the thing outside the door. Verandah (with an H) is Holland Americas name for a non-Suite cabin with a balcony.

It is Deck 3 Promenade!

Called "connecting cabins" bc any cabin next door is adjoining!

Welcome to Cruise Critic! They mean nothing other than a vague "desirability". And HAL has a history of changing the second letter so that they can give guarantees a room that is obviously less desirable, but has a lower alphabet designation. In fact the "Q" second letter for "Spa" designation rooms, used to be the lowest and last filled cabins! Marketing!!!

Surely stackable. Both our AARP and our stocks are held in both of our names, and the combined total appears under MY name as I am Primary with HAL. (DNK if that is because alphabetically first or because I do all the arranging.) Ask to speak to a pricing specialist.

I think you do the upgrade once you are logged in to the Surf, which obviously can't happen until you are onboard.

This question is asked every so often in the "Ask a Cruise Question" forum. The answer is usually "Ask your cruising friends." I have never heard of a list of OBC-giving agencies. If I was hellbent on finding OBC, I would ask my friend Google.

The gratuity-service-charge is included. You will be given a "bill" or receipt, to which you can add more but you do not have to.

The wifi that comes with 'regular' HIA is Surf level which claims to block audio/video components. If you have HIA-Early Booking Bonus, then the level is Premium. I don't use WhatsApp, but seem to remember people flying under the radar with it. Did you read this whole thread?

I thought the title was clear that it would be a list of complaints...

Join CruiseDeckPlans.com and look at enough cabins on your deck to determine your particular ship's pattern. Often the direction alternates every other cabin, for instance. Then count out the "repeats" from a known cabin to yours. You might even get lucky and find your very cabin having photos!

We haven't flown since the shutdown (well my husband did fly to Oregon for a weekend, without tests). But if and when we do fly, I suppose -- now that you've made me think of it! -- I would put the vials in my 3-1-1 baggie and the other parts of the tests in their own zippy bag. With one page of the instructions since different brands do have slight differences.