drsel Posted February 27, 2021 #4726 Share Posted February 27, 2021 5 hours ago, T8NCruise said: That has been our experience aa well. A price drop after final payment date has almost always gotten us a perk of more OBC. Can you use all OBC in the casino and try to win it back? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted February 28, 2021 #4727 Share Posted February 28, 2021 14 hours ago, drsel said: Can you use all OBC in the casino and try to win it back? You can’t use OBC given by HAL in the casino. Only OBC you purchase or given to you by other means (like a TA). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkdb Posted March 1, 2021 #4728 Share Posted March 1, 2021 Hi, We are going on our first HAL cruise. Eight family members have decided to join us. None of us have cruised on HAL. My question is about the dining. If we choose the anytime option would we be able to get a table for 10 or 12? Would we be better off with one of the set times? Thank you! DB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted March 1, 2021 #4729 Share Posted March 1, 2021 11 minutes ago, dkdb said: Hi, We are going on our first HAL cruise. Eight family members have decided to join us. None of us have cruised on HAL. My question is about the dining. If we choose the anytime option would we be able to get a table for 10 or 12? Would we be better off with one of the set times? Thank you! DB I don’t think you will be able to find a table for 12 on board or even a 10. And, it would be hard to hear everyone with a table that large. I would be tempted to go with a side by side 6 and 4 or 6 and 6 (depending on your group size) and alternate seats. That might be tougher on anytime dining. I would be tempted to do one of the set dining times and make your request clear for dining. JMO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ljgordon54 Posted March 1, 2021 #4730 Share Posted March 1, 2021 1 hour ago, dkdb said: Hi, We are going on our first HAL cruise. Eight family members have decided to join us. None of us have cruised on HAL. My question is about the dining. If we choose the anytime option would we be able to get a table for 10 or 12? Would we be better off with one of the set times? Thank you! DB We were on a cruise with a group of 13 on a HAL and we had anytime dining. We sat at the same table together every night. We did have to call for the reservation and we generally ate at the same time. We had the same wait staff. It worked out great! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terrydtx Posted March 1, 2021 #4731 Share Posted March 1, 2021 (edited) 11 hours ago, ljgordon54 said: We were on a cruise with a group of 13 on a HAL and we had anytime dining. We sat at the same table together every night. We did have to call for the reservation and we generally ate at the same time. We had the same wait staff. It worked out great! This has been my experience as well with large groups and anytime dining. I just do not like set dining, early is too early and late is too late for me. I prefer to enter the MDR between 6:30 and 7:00 and never had to wait more than a few minutes to be seated. Edited March 1, 2021 by terrydtx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dkdb Posted March 2, 2021 #4732 Share Posted March 2, 2021 Thank you @terrydtx, @ljgordon54, @kazufor responding. I will give our group your input and let them decide. DB Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenF Posted March 3, 2021 #4733 Share Posted March 3, 2021 I tried to search this but had no luck and if it is in the 190 pages of this HAL for dummies once again I did not go thru 190 pages: 1. Does HAL offer the self assist debarkation where you carry your own luggage off so you can get off the ship as soon as allowed. This would be for the port of Amsterdam when we cruised Royal it was allowed and we were able to catch a 1055am flight out of AMS. Looking at doing Midnight Sun for Norway in 2022. 2. Has anyone used the service where they take your luggage and you do not see it until you arrive at your home airport once again this will be for Amsterdam. Also I have status with my preferred airline and do not have to pay for baggage I understand I need to pay for the service so does HAL take that into account so you do not get charged for Baggage fees. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted March 4, 2021 #4734 Share Posted March 4, 2021 On 3/3/2021 at 6:36 PM, AllenF said: I tried to search this but had no luck and if it is in the 190 pages of this HAL for dummies once again I did not go thru 190 pages: 1. Does HAL offer the self assist debarkation where you carry your own luggage off so you can get off the ship as soon as allowed. This would be for the port of Amsterdam when we cruised Royal it was allowed and we were able to catch a 1055am flight out of AMS. Looking at doing Midnight Sun for Norway in 2022. Yes, HAL has that. First ones off the ships. You MUST manage all your own luggage, of course. 😉 On 3/3/2021 at 6:36 PM, AllenF said: 2. Has anyone used the service where they take your luggage and you do not see it until you arrive at your home airport once again this will be for Amsterdam. Also I have status with my preferred airline and do not have to pay for baggage I understand I need to pay for the service so does HAL take that into account so you do not get charged for Baggage fees. Thanks Haven’t used the service but lots have and it works well. I know it is offered out of Port Everglades but not sure about Amsterdam. And it’s only available with certain airlines - which is why we haven’t used it. Not available on the airline we have to use to get home. I don’t think the service shows on the HAL’s website for “my bookings”. You may need to contact HAL or your TA to check if it’s available for Amsterdam. We flew home from Amsterdam a few years ago and I honestly don’t remember the service offered. Checked my When and Where and I don’t see it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AllenF Posted March 5, 2021 #4735 Share Posted March 5, 2021 Thanks....no issues with carrying our own luggage. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
drsel Posted March 6, 2021 #4736 Share Posted March 6, 2021 (edited) On 2/27/2021 at 8:58 PM, T8NCruise said: That has been our experience aa well. A price drop after final payment date has almost always gotten us a perk of more OBC. If I book HAL with a non refundable deposit and there is a price drop prior to final payment, will I get the benefit of the price drop and a lower price? If the price drop is after final payment, can I get the difference in refundable or non refundable OBC ? Thanks Edited March 6, 2021 by drsel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted March 6, 2021 #4737 Share Posted March 6, 2021 47 minutes ago, drsel said: If I book HAL with a non refundable deposit and there is a price drop prior to final payment, will I get the benefit of the price drop and a lower price? If the price drop is after final payment, can I get the difference in refundable or non refundable OBC ? Thanks Best advice - If you want the benefit of price drops, don’t book with a non refundable deposit. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ichiban Nekko Posted March 25, 2021 #4738 Share Posted March 25, 2021 On 3/3/2021 at 5:36 PM, AllenF said: I tried to search this but had no luck and if it is in the 190 pages of this HAL for dummies once again I did not go thru 190 pages: 1. Does HAL offer the self assist debarkation where you carry your own luggage off so you can get off the ship as soon as allowed. This would be for the port of Amsterdam when we cruised Royal it was allowed and we were able to catch a 1055am flight out of AMS. Looking at doing Midnight Sun for Norway in 2022. 2. Has anyone used the service where they take your luggage and you do not see it until you arrive at your home airport once again this will be for Amsterdam. Also I have status with my preferred airline and do not have to pay for baggage I understand I need to pay for the service so does HAL take that into account so you do not get charged for Baggage fees. Thanks In the past, we have done self debarkation a few times. It can get dicey if there is any slowdown with the receiving country authorities giving the ship permission to let passengers disembark. When that happens, the hallways clog up and people get very tetchy. It’s not pretty. Also, no one knows what will be allowed when cruising resumes. Many procedures we were used to in previous travels could very well go the way of the dodo bird. JMHO 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
livelifelove Posted March 25, 2021 #4739 Share Posted March 25, 2021 I'm thinking about booking a cruise on Zaandam. Have ALL the bathrooms been refurbished or are some still the old tiled bathrooms? And if so, how do you know which cabins have refurbished bathrooms? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
batoryfirst Posted April 11, 2021 #4740 Share Posted April 11, 2021 Do all HAL ships have tub/shower combo in the balcony cabins? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare kazu Posted April 11, 2021 #4741 Share Posted April 11, 2021 4 hours ago, batoryfirst said: Do all HAL ships have tub/shower combo in the balcony cabins? No. They don’t. Most do but any of the Pinnacle Class ships (Koningsdam, N Statendam and soon to arrive Rotterdam) are shower only. The rest of the ships have the combo except HC cabins. They are shower only. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IPB4IGO Posted April 12, 2021 #4742 Share Posted April 12, 2021 On some ships (e.g., the Zuiderdam) the Signature Suites have tub/shower combo plus a separate shower stall. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MTAK Posted April 13, 2021 #4743 Share Posted April 13, 2021 On the Signature ships (Eurodam, N. Amsterdam) some of the aft verandah cabins are shower only, and they are not handicap-accessible rooms. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajuntraveler Posted April 21, 2021 #4744 Share Posted April 21, 2021 A question for those who have had a 2021 cruises cancelled. Our August 2021 Alaska cruise on HAL has not been cancelled yet. Final payment is due in a couple of weeks and I am undecided whether to go ahead and pay even thou I expect the cruise to be cancelled. The same cruise in 2022 is priced about 30% higher than my current price, so the opportunity to have the cruise rebooked in 2022 at the 2021 is attractive. I'd appreciate any info you can offer about your rebooking experience. If you bought the trip cancellation insurance through HAL was it transferred to your 2022 booking? Were you able to select a stateroom that was comparable to your 2021 selection? Thanks for any info you can share. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mary229 Posted April 21, 2021 #4745 Share Posted April 21, 2021 (edited) I have had three cancelled, the first was cancelled about three days before final payment date. I would recommend waiting until the final minute to cancel if you want to cancel. They will likely honor your current price and automatically move you to a like sailing in 2022 and may spice it up with a small OBC. Yes prices have gone up and the price protection is worth considering. Now of it gets to a day or two you will need to rethink this. I did not buy the insurance. Edited April 21, 2021 by Mary229 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cajuntraveler Posted April 24, 2021 #4746 Share Posted April 24, 2021 On 4/21/2021 at 6:24 PM, Mary229 said: I have had three cancelled, the first was cancelled about three days before final payment date. I would recommend waiting until the final minute to cancel if you want to cancel. They will likely honor your current price and automatically move you to a like sailing in 2022 and may spice it up with a small OBC. Yes prices have gone up and the price protection is worth considering. Now of it gets to a day or two you will need to rethink this. I did not buy the insurance. Thank you, so much, for sharing your experience. We will wait till the last minute to make the final payment. I checked with HAL on what happens if we purchase the cancellation insurance prior to final payment. The rep said she "thinks" the funds will be refunded if HAL cancels the cruise. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omilona Posted April 25, 2021 #4747 Share Posted April 25, 2021 (edited) Hi All, It's been 30 years since we cruised. We are booked on the 24 day June 1, 2022 sailing on the Westerdam. For the purposes of planning excursions, what is the all on board time requirement before departing port? For example we are in Kotor from 7 am - 2 pm.Do we have time to have lunch on shore or do I have to be back on board 2 hours in advance? Thanks, Stephanie Edited April 25, 2021 by Omilona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
KroozNut Posted April 25, 2021 #4748 Share Posted April 25, 2021 (edited) 5 minutes ago, Omilona said: Hi All, It's been 30 years since we cruised. We are booked on the 24 day June 1, 2022 sailing on the Westerdam. For the purposes of planning excursions, what is the all on board time requirement before departing port? For example we are in Kotor from 7 am - 2 pm.Do we have time to have lunch on shore or do I have to be back on board 2 hours in advance? Thanks, Stephanie Your all aboard time is when the ship wants all passengers back onboard from shore prior to setting sail. It is typically anywhere from 30 mins to an hour (occasionally longer) prior to sail. The time will be announced on the ship prior to folks going ashore, and it is usually posted in that day's activity schedule. Edited April 25, 2021 by KroozNut Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Darjeeling Posted April 25, 2021 #4749 Share Posted April 25, 2021 1 hour ago, Omilona said: Hi All, It's been 30 years since we cruised. We are booked on the 24 day June 1, 2022 sailing on the Westerdam. For the purposes of planning excursions, what is the all on board time requirement before departing port? For example we are in Kotor from 7 am - 2 pm.Do we have time to have lunch on shore or do I have to be back on board 2 hours in advance? Thanks, Stephanie KroozNut is correct. I would remind you to also be sure to factor in the time it takes to return to the ship. For example, when we were in Kotor on the Celebrity Silhouette, our ship was as close to the Old Town as was possible. You may want to find out where the Westerdam will dock and see if you need to add travel time back to your ship. (BTW, we prefer to cruise with Holland America and Disney now).😊 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Omilona Posted April 25, 2021 #4750 Share Posted April 25, 2021 (edited) Thanks, guys. For a ship the size of Westerdam, how much time should I allow for wait time for the tender to get back on the boat for departure? Dare I assume if there are dozens of people still waiting for a tender that the ship does not depart? As a related question, if the ship embarks from Barcelona at 5 pm, what is the window of time between check in starting and the ship embarking? We are flying overnight from NYC, so realistically landing between 9:30 and 11:30 am. so could we go straight to the ship? Edited April 25, 2021 by Omilona Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Please sign in to comment
You will be able to leave a comment after signing in
Sign In Now