crystalspin

Thanks for the warning; will bring repellant wipes!

I don't remember in particular, but going back to our Panama Canal transit in 2013, I just remember at that time that both I and dr'spin were over the limit.

Oh yeah, they are all about appointments. You might even say, consumed with their own importance...

PS Derbie, if you are ready to buy now, HAL has a limited time deal on Gift Cards, $250-$2000 and get a 10% bonus card. Until the 11th of October only. Scan this board to find discussion. I have posted the tricks for those cards to that discussion.

The cards are always available (not counting last month when the Check Out was not working for at least three weeks!). Go to AARP.org -- log in (may have to set up your login if you have not used it before). Click on AARP Rewards (next to the star in top banner). Scroll down to where you see the first cards-for-points; click See All Rewards> at the right edge. Scroll. It may say "Featured Rewards" -- if so click V Skip to All Rewards on the right edge. Scroll down until you see the Princess and HAL cards! You can buy 5 cards per calendar month. Any combination of $100 cards for $90 or $500 cards for $450. There are also Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity cards which are marked Members Only; the Princess and HAL cards are not so marked. There is a long discussion of buying Carnival stock at this time, on-going on this Board.

We are booked to 'trek' the Fossil Canyon in early January on a HAL ship tour. I am too heavy for the Mexican horses!

This mini-review mentions ship-noises: https://halfacts.com/vista-class/7151-zuiderdam-s/ Looking at other aft-wrap suite photos from Vista ships, it seems the head of the bed is along the narrower part of your balcony? Have you made sure there is no furniture out there that could hit the wall?

This FAQ (answer) implies that just the initial 2 (1 for J&J) doses are sufficient FOR HAL. With the last one being at least 14 days before sailing. However what you need to do is check your specific cruise (by booking number and your name, or by the cruise's Voyage Number (such as K288, for my cruise leaving 29 Dec 22). Because the protocol(s) are determined by the port country(ies). Cruises in 2023 are not published yet. (Even 7 Jan 23 is not coming up for me.) https://book2.hollandamerica.com/protocols/

I am curious (as I have a reservation for the two of us at Rudi's) -- Sel de Mer is NOT included in any of the Mariner benefits listed on line. Not the 4* and 5* 50%, not the 5* free, and not the 3* 25% off. Has there been a change that didn't get updated on the website?

As nwcruiselover mentioned, your scooter MUST fit in your cabin. Be very sure it will as not compensation will be made. Here is the FAQ if you have not read it. "Due to safety considerations, devices cannot be stored in corridors or public areas. In order to purchase a standard stateroom, devices must be able to fit in its 22" (55.9 cm) wide entry doorway, and when stored, must allow for safe exit from the stateroom. Guests, who bring scooters that are larger than 21" (53.34 cm) wide, or travel with multiple scooters in the same stateroom, must purchase a fully accessible stateroom with a wider doorway (32”, 81.3 cm), or rent a smaller scooter appropriately suited for their stateroom. Guests may be required to have their scooters sized at the time of check-in to ensure it fits in the stateroom. Scooters that do not fit in the stateroom will not be allowed on board. Should a guest be unable to make alternate arrangements to rent a smaller scooter or travel without it, he/she will be denied boarding and no compensation will be provided."

Possibly under Gifts and Indulgences (if you were going to buy one as a gift to a passenger)? I found them all once I am logged with my booking number under Cruise Activities/Beverages. However, the easy way we all have must be credited to @Crew News who makes photos available for many menus and other valuable info (for HAL in specific)! Here you go: https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/09/Sommelier-Suite-2023.pdf

Our @Crew News has a wonderful website with photos of beverage (and other) menus. https://rogerjett-photography.com/specialty-2/hal-regular-and-specialty-restaurants/hal-beverage-menus/ A cocktail is priced by the liquor that is in it: Martini costs what the gin in it costs, etc. ETA: If you browse those menus and determine you want the Elite, you should be able to upgrade from the Signature to the Elite, once on board, for $10+18% ($11.80) per person per day. You need to do it before you use the SBP even once! Approach a bartender (not server) with the request and if told NO, either go to another bar or ask him (or rarely her) to call their manager.

I've tended to think that the corkage is an all-right fee if you like either low-value or high-end wines. Even before the fee went up from $15 to $20 -- if you can drink Two-Buck Chuck*, you get by with now $23/bottle. If you like expensive wine, the corkage will be a fraction of the value by bringing it on yourself. But if you are a middle-class drinker, $15 to even $30 a bottle, the corkage is not worth the hassle of bringing your own, because it's going to ~double the cost and a similar quality wine will be available on the ship. * No shame there, my DH likes the White Zinfandel

Bora Bora was on the Zuidy's itinerary originally (after the down-size rule). I was booked on that cruise but had to cancel.

AFAIK, The price is the same. Some people wait to buy on the ship for a few reasons: -- you can use OBC (if you have some) -- you can confirm what wines are onboard for each "Cellar" (level of quality) as substitutions occur -- you can make a bar server or bartender very happy to purchase through them (they get credit)

Oh yes, I forgot that detail: the Sommelier Packages may be drunk in "restaurants" including MDR, or you may request one (or more) be fetched to have in your cabin. Not to be drunk in bars or lounges.

Signature: 15 beverages up to $11 each (menu price, service charge paid with the package or included with HIA). Elite: : 15 beverages up to $15 each (menu price, service charge paid with the package or included with HIA). -- you will see people say that Elite is 15 alcoholic/unlimited non-alcoholic but this is no longer true -- I just read it on my Already Booked page. You cannot "pay outright" for your non-alcohol drinks, because the ship is cashless; you have to give the server a card! But you can buy Beverage Cards in $50/$100/$250 denominations. There are also three "Cellars" (qualities) of wine packages available in 4/6/8 bottles each. To see prices (and the Beverage Cards, and the conditions of the Beverage Packages -- log on to your booking number and choose Beverages under the drop-down for CRUISE ACTIVITIES. As others have said, whichever package you have, if the drink is more, you pay the full price+18%. Welcome to HAL! The 14-day Alaska trips are great experiences!

Most of us would jump at an investment that delivered 10%. I have saved $500 buying AARP 10% less cards and paid off the second leg of our upcoming B2B on the HAL promotion -- with $149 bonus cards for OBC. I wish were flush enough to pay down the $15,000 outstanding on our 2024 cruise! But will hope for another gift-card promotion and/or go back to AARP now that they seem to have the process smoothed out.

Wow you out-shown my $1490! Our bonus cards will go to wine packages and maybe Rudi's Sel de Mer.

Pressing service as this list (first list in second column). I believe I got this list from Roger Jett @Crew News but can't find it to link so this is my screen shot: The other options are Febreze or other wrinkle-releaser spray. Or the old "hang it in the bathroom and run the shower". Or packing things that don't show creases.

https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/09/Beverage-Packages-2021.pdf Although the price difference is only $5/day bought independently, if you have Have-It-All with the included SBP, to upgrade to EBP will be $10+18% (11.80) per person per day. You must do the upgrade before either person has accepted/ordered a drink on ship. Talk to a bartender (not server) and that person may have to call their manager. However, since any beverage over $11 (pre-service) on the SBP has to be paid for in total (not just the difference) the $11.80 is paid for by one drink/day/person.

I think it's mostly your familiarity to the [Princess] website. Each one has its flaws. The most annoying for HAL is that when it decides to log you out (for inactivity) you have to LOGOUT two to three times to get the LOGIN drop-down to come up. Carnival is having to answer OVER AND OVER again, your age, state, and if you are military/veteran. Really, is that not what cookies are for???

Click "AARP Rewards" on the homepage banner. Scroll a little to Featured Rewards; in the top right corner of that box, it will say Skip To All Rewards with a down-arrow. Carnival Cards are almost always on the top row of All Rewards for me! Carnival, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity are for AARP Members only, but oddly, Princess and HAL are available to anyone. (Although I was already a member.)

I thought the specialty restaurants were Smart Casual any day, but I bow to RuthC's expertise! But also what she and FlaMariner said. You don't have to bring a tux or gowns! I see they have changed up the FAQs when they edited out the Gala to "Dressy". It used to specify a "collared shirt" for men, even for Gala nights. It now says: "Evening dress falls into two distinct categories: Dressy attire or smart casual. Most evenings, smart casual is appropriate and can be defined as slacks and sports shirts or sweater for men and a skirt or trousers and sweater or blouse for women. Shorts, flip-flops, swimwear, distressed jeans and men's tank tops are best left to daytime and the poolside. "Dressy Nights evoke the grand traditions of cruising as guests dress to impress for special events on board, including a five-course gourmet dinner in the Dining Room. Jacket and tie are appropriate for gentlemen, while ladies wear a cocktail dress or gown. On Grand Voyages, many gentlemen choose formal attire. " But don't let that alarm you. My husband will have a guayabera and I may have a sparkly top, both with dark-colored slacks or leggings. We have no one to impress after all!

Hmm. Seems like (pre-covid?) there were bars where you would get cans not dispenser Cokes. So then it's like the beer answer above...