PSR

http://cruiseassist.assist-card.com/

I looked at the site and tried to get a quote but I couldn't find "United States" on the list of "country departing from" to get a quote. Am I doing something wrong, or is it not available to US residents?

Penny:confused:

Did a search and did not find that anyone posted this yet. We just got back from the Veendam Hawaiian cruise via San Diego and near the front desk there is one kiosk to print out your account records with a swipe of your card. I have never seen this on HAL before.

Have used them on Princess and it is very handy. The first time I used it on Veendam it worked fine. Several days later it was "out of service", so I had to go to the front desk. The third and final time it looked ok to use, but when I tried to use it, nothing came out; noticed a front desk worker coming toward it and open the front. There was a computer inside and it appeared maybe the paper had become stuck. Anyway, she was able to get it to work and my sheets appeared.

So, it appears to be a learning process for them, but at least it's a step forward.:)

Penny

What is the "Gallery Bar" enhancement? Couldn't find it in any of the HAL threads...

The shore excursions listed on the home page for HAL for a given port are not available for every single cruise going to that port. The one you saw may have been available for another cruise stopping in Rome. You have to check your specific booking for which cruises are available. For example, Hawaii ports will show "whale watching" as a general shorex. If your cruise does not go there during whale watch season, that excursion will not be listed.

Can you still order the steak, chicken or salmon "everyday" items in the restaurant on Gala Night? The choices on the menus you've posted don't show those items like the daily menus do. I know some people that wouldn't have an item to choose on the Gala menus, such as DH. Even the soups and salads seem "fancy". Not a problem for me, but.....

Thanks for any info,

Penny

Monday, October 12, at sea (Cont.)

 

We have had a relaxing day, otherwise. I also took a set of shots of the new wine menu, which I will show in this and the next post. My camera may do OK on landscapes, but I’ve not mastered files of texts in the mostly artificial light on board. These are not great, but are passably readable. And, hey, at least they aren’t blue

 

Dave

Thank you so much for the new wine list. They have added some wines we haven't seen on the list before. Looking forward to having them and trying some new ones on the Veendam next month!

Penny:)

I usually don't put in our Mariner numbers just to get a price, since it doesn't seem to make a difference....:rolleyes:

We have used the unlimited laundry several times without problems. However, we have never had polyester/cotton slacks/pants washed. They appear to iron jeans and knitted slacks/pants flat, from inside seam to outside seam on the legs, which is ok for those items, but what about regular dressy slacks that have a crease in the front (like officer's pants). Can/must you specify an ironed crease on those items? Has anyone had a problem with the crease being ironed out? If so, were they able to re-press the crease back in?

Appreciate any info (hope my description is clear!)

Penny

Most people enjoy the Tamarind, but it is only on 2 ships, so you may not find many reviews. I would recommend it.

You do have to charge any pre cruise bookings to your credit card. You can cancel once onboard if necessary.

Penny

Thank you.

 

EDIT: Just looked up Carnival stock - $52.80 a share. So I'd have to spend $5000+ in order to get (maybe) $500 in OBC? I doubt that's going to happen.

Well, that's true the first time you get OBC, but you can request OBC for EVERY Carnival Cruise brand ship you sail. We bought the stock in 2010 for $43/share and it went DOWN, after that. Just in the last year have we been in positive territory.

Just calculated our OBC since 2010, and it's at $1700 total so far. You also get dividends yearly. Probably not the best investment in a portfolio, but the OBC makes it fun to own if you travel on Carnival Company ships a lot!

Penny

Not sure if this attachment will work, but here is a picture I found of the single bed made up:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/attac...1&d=1438730519

Guess it didn't, oh well....

Tried one more time:

Thanks, everyone!!:D

Can you buy soft drinks in cans from HAL bars, or do they only sell them as fountain drinks in a glass? Also, for those with a minibar, is there a lemon-lime choice (7UP or Sprite)? Looking for a mixer to use if we purchase a bottle of liquor for in-room use.

Thanks for any info,

Penny

I book all my cruises through my PCC. HAL provides the courtesy hotel stay for NS guests at selected departure ports. I would assume TA's know about it and can request, but as I said I deal with my PCC.

 

Dennis

Thanks for the information. I have a PCC, I think, but have not used him in the past, just booked online.

Just got it today for the same 19 Sept cruise on Noordam. I wasn't really concerned about arrival time in Vancouver as we are arriving on the 18th and spending the night on HAL, so I kinda ignored it. :) This will be the first time we have taken advantage of the free hotel night for NS guests...

 

Dennis

Who offers that perk, HAL or a travel agent?

:(:(:(

Unsuccessful deleting the useless map....sorry, couldn't make it large enough.

Not sure about the transfer bus time, but last year we were on a B2B from Vancouver to Seward and there is a free shuttle bus into town that runs about every 15-20 min for those that are already on the ship. It may run until late afternoon (not sure about the exact length). I mention this in case you would like to see some of the town after you board the ship.

Penny

We have not been to the new Pier 27, but are departing and arriving there this June. We may have to wait awhile for pickup after disembarkation. We know there is a waiting area outside the terminal, but is there somewhere nearby to use a restroom if necessary? At the older pier 39, I seem to remember some public restrooms once you were off the ship, but still inside the enclosed terminal area.

Thanks for any info,

Penny

I think you will really enjoy the wrap around Promenade Deck, which I don't think Celebrity has. One of the big perks of HAL and Princess ships (most of the Princess ships, not sure about the newest).

The elevator down from the Pan Pacific is a farther walk to the entrance for checkin than the taxi drop point, probably about 50-60 yards.Then, from the taxi drop to the security check is at least about another 50 yards.

The Pan Pacific is handy, and a beautiful hotel, but the elevator landing for dock access is not that close to the checkin area for the mobility challenged, compared to the taxi drop off. A wheelchair would be helpful.

Penny

Thank you!

Penny

How do you get notification of the comped dinner? Is there a notice in your cabin, or do you have to schedule it pre-cruise?

If you don't have a TA, when you book online, choose the higher rated cabin (ocean view rather than inside, or veranda rather than ocean view), and you should get the price for the lesser cabin. This is only as long as the promotion lasts.

I ran into a couple of vague mentions that some of the Veranda staterooms on Eurodam have "standing room only" balconies. I cannot find any clear explanation of the different classes of staterooms on the HAL web site. I assume most of the 'V' classes are on different decks, but some classes span multiple decks. Further, they're all mentioned as 213-379 sq. ft. That's a HUGE variation.

 

Where can I find which class of stateroom is which size, with which size balcony?

Check out the deck plans. I think the "SRO" cabins referred to may be the cabins on forward deck 11. They are called "Juliet balconies" and are supposedly only about one chair wide (have not seen them in person).

Penny

P.S. There is a picture of a cabin veranda on the "halfacts.com" website. Check out the cabin on Eurodam starting with 11----

You need to log on to the hal website to see your booking (need to register if you haven't yet). Not sure you can see your booking if you used a TA. It may be too soon to see the exact excursions available for your particular cruise. Our September ones are not available yet. The ones you can see on the HAL website without logging in are just excursions that have been done in the past, not ones for your exact cruise date, that's why there are no prices. On HAL, if you prebook, you pay immediately, with a credit card.

Hope this helps.

Penny