FlorenceItaly

I believe it is this thread where people have shared this. You would have to go back to page 1 and read through. The standby program states you are guaranteed an inside room. What HAL assigns is outside ones control. One always has the option to participate in the standby program.

Several have received Vista Suites.

We love the San Diego port. We embarked and disembarked TWICE in December/Jan 2023-2024. It was easy and flawless. Report at your assigned time and you will be fine. Flying in and out of SD is also very easy. We typically stay at a hotel waterfront and walk to the port. Also, the port workers are wonderful.

On the same sailing and I agree!

It opened on Friday morning.

I was just on the website and think $1 deposit starts tomorrow. I didn't read the terms, just posting it.

Thank you so much for sharing! What category of cabin did you receive? Have a wonderful cruise.

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/onboard-experiences/suites-staterooms

Bon Voyage!

You are charged for the items you consume.

It is anyones guess. I cruised on the Koningsdam Dec 5-16. I booked an OV for $298, and in the end took an upsell to an obstructed balcony for $99pp. Later I was offered a free interior on the 16 night Hawaii December 21-January 6 and ultimately took an upsell to an obstructed balcony for $99pp. There is no rhyme or reason.

Not that I am aware of. You can always put a cruise on hold which will generate a booking confirmation number. You go through the booking process online and when it gets to payment it gives you the option to hold. OR, another possibility is go on the Princess cruise site and find a similar date/itinerary and use their search engine. This used to be possible but not sure if it still is. Your best bet is put the HAL cruise on hold. It cost no monies.

Print all the pages of your offer. You may not need it but if so, you have it. I just sailed on the Koningsdam on December 5-16 and again on Dec 21 - January 6. Absolutely no problems. In fact, on the second sailing my dh was also included in the free drinks and some free play. A happy surprise. This was a first.

On page 2 under the Cancellation terms you will see something that says Special Services. Under this it should state Casino drinks. Also, print the pages of your offer showing the free play and drinks in case there is any question. I've had no problem but still carry paperwork. Once on ship, when casino opens go and they will put a sticker on your card indicating the free drinks. I typically tip the server $2 each drink.

HAL handled the situation poorly and they know it. These domestic animals should have never been on this cruise.

I am not convinced these are true service animals by ADA definition.

I received mine yesterday at 4:38 EST. I have not filled it out yet. I do plan on mentioning these "domestic animals" even though I have no first hand experience other than witnessing them in the LIDO RESTAURANT.

Hi Jacqui - We have cancelled our Feb 17 2024 28 day Amazon Explorer cruise on the Zaandam. We just finished 27 wonderful days on the Koningsdam but not ready to go again. I know this is hard for some to believe 😆. Thank you for deleting this from the list.

I haven't read your blog yet but if you had problems with dogs barking I would have been livid. This is unacceptable as they should have never been onboard. Emotional support animals are not recognized by the ADA. The cruise lines are not required to accept emotional support animals. Period. The cruise line is at fault. All this to say I am assuming this was your situation.

We are off the cruise and settled in at the Intercontinental. We have a 1:30pm whale watching tour scheduled. We had a wonderful cruise, no complaints but we are happy to be returning home tomorrow. I am sorry we didn't run into one another more. We didn't have Internet so look forward to reading your blog once home. I saw those dogs in the lido on Ensenada day!!!! Yes, in lido restaurant.

Still waiting after disembarking on December 16.

See you onboard!!

Thanks, ALL. We are currently on the Koningsdam but disembarking on Saturday to fly to Las Vegas for a few days. We will be visiting friends who recently moved there. On the 19th we will fly back to SD to board Koningsdam on the 21st. Marie

Unless the $$$ makes sense for upgraded cabin I am inclined to use monies toward specialty restaurants especially with 50 percent discount. Thoughts? We are currently on the Koningsdam and had one breakfast and one lunch in DR. On sea days we are having lunch in the Pinnacle. The rest of the days NY deli or similar. We have not been having dinner. The exception is Tamarind on first evening and have Caneletto booked for tomorrow evening. I understand skipping dinner doesn't work for all. It is our attempt at TRYING not to gain too much weight. Lisa, I am wondering if the majority of future cruises will be on another line? Enjoying your live report. Thanks for posting.