New to Holland America? This is for you...AKA "HAL For Dummies"

[KroozNut]

6 minutes ago, richstowe said:

Cruise Critic still informs that you can bring one "free" bottle on . Not good .

https://www.cruisecritic.com/articles.cfm?ID=36

 

The article you reference is noted as 'updated 12/8/19'. Their policy has changed since then; no more 'free' bottles.. 😏

[0106]

The most up to date information about bring beverages on board can be found on the Holland America frequently ask questions site. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/faq/know-before-you-go.html

[Toastman]

Hello everyone,

Coming up to a Nov cruise on Nieuw Statendam and had a question about the TV. Can't seem to find info when searching.

Is there access to the back? Can you plug in a USB stick? Can you screencast?

Thanks!

[Mary229]

44 minutes ago, Toastman said:

Hello everyone,

Coming up to a Nov cruise on Nieuw Statendam and had a question about the TV. Can't seem to find info when searching.

Is there access to the back? Can you plug in a USB stick? Can you screencast?

Thanks!

The USB port is disabled

Edited August 22, 2022 by Mary229

[IPB4IGO]

3 hours ago, Toastman said:

Hello everyone,

Coming up to a Nov cruise on Nieuw Statendam and had a question about the TV. Can't seem to find info when searching.

Is there access to the back? Can you plug in a USB stick? Can you screencast?

Thanks!

We had an Oceanview cabin on one cruise this year. The back of the TV was accessible, but the remote they give you has no provision for changing input. See the pic below. All HAL TVs seem to have this same remote.

In all the other cabins we have had for years now, the TVs have been attached to the wall, with no room to get your hand in there, let alone a USB device. There are no ports on the sides. On one cruise I was able to loosen the TV mount enough to slip my hand back there and use the headphone jack for my wife's wireless headset transmitter, but on subsequent cruises they have been too tightly mounted.

 

[dropframe]

Can you change your travel partner? For example; John and Sally sign up for a cruise and pay for it in full.  Later Sally changes her mind. Can Robert take her place? If so, what's the cutoff for making a change? Can John take the cruise by himself? (With no refund for Sally of course)

[Mary229]

34 minutes ago, dropframe said:

Can you change your travel partner? For example; John and Sally sign up for a cruise and pay for it in full.  Later Sally changes her mind. Can Robert take her place? If so, what's the cutoff for making a change? Can John take the cruise by himself? (With no refund for Sally of course)

Yes, if you make the change 2 weeks out it is easy.  I almost needed to change one 24 hours ahead and they said I could do so with a $50 fee.  Yes, John should just show up and not mention anything.  The port fees and taxes will be refunded. 

[ski ww]

11 hours ago, dropframe said:

Can you change your travel partner? For example; John and Sally sign up for a cruise and pay for it in full.  Later Sally changes her mind. Can Robert take her place? If so, what's the cutoff for making a change? Can John take the cruise by himself? (With no refund for Sally of course)

John can cruise by himself, Robert can replace her, but I would call HAL to find out what has to be done, that takes a bit of time as I have done it.

[KroozNut]

I got a chuckle out of the whole dialogue about John, Robert and Sally. Reminded me of those grade school word 'problems' we used to have to try to solve. You remember them, right?

"Robert had 2 gallons of lemonade to sell. Sally bought 1 pint of lemonade and gave 1 cup to John. Robert then sold another 2 pints to Peter.

How much lemonade does Robert have now?" 😂

[richstowe]

I booked Open Seating for my upcoming cruise . I don't know how to make a reservation for a specific time . Can this only be done on board with HAL ? 

Edited August 27, 2022 by richstowe

[Cruise Suzy]

3 minutes ago, richstowe said:

I booked Open Seating for my upcoming cruise . I don't know for to make reservation for a specific time . Can this only be done on board with HAL ?

 

When HAL restarted in 2021, booking times for the MDR was available under Specialty Dining. However, it disappeared sometime in May/June.  I was able to book times for cruises in 11/21, 2/22, 7/22 and 11/22. The ones I booked for the upcoming cruise still show in "My Itinerary" but additional MDR reservations can't be made. It was nice while it lasted.

[richstowe]

1 minute ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

When HAL restarted in 2021, booking times for the MDR was available under Specialty Dining. However, it disappeared sometime in May/June.  I was able to book times for cruises in 11/21, 2/22, 7/22 and 11/22. The ones I booked for the upcoming cruise still show in "My Itinerary" but additional MDR reservations can't be made. It was nice while it lasted.

Thanks

Wow ! Can reservations be made by calling customer service ?

[Cruise Suzy]

30 minutes ago, richstowe said:

Can reservations be made by calling customer service ?

 

I don't know, never tried. Pre-COVID MDR reservations could only be made onboard, up to 3 days in advance on most ships.

[SuzWillCruise]

A few questions as we compare past Carnival sailings to our planned cruise on the Eurodam next summer:
 

 1 - On Carnival, if you dine in their steakhouse on the first night, you get a free bottle of house wine, or half off something nicer.  Does HAL have a similar offer?

 

2- we have signed up for the chef’s table on Carnival cruises multiple times. Does HAL have a similar special dining event?
 

3- our planned Eurodam cruise will be in Juneau from1:00 pm to 10:30pm, but right now all of the shore excursions start by 2:30, eliminating the ability to do more than one shore excursion. Is this something that typically broadens closer to sailing?

 

4- are you able to specify water temp when you pay for a bag of laundry? We got free laundry on Carnival, but still paid to use the machines for items that needed cool or cold water. It seems that self use machines are not available, so I’m wondering if we can make choose temperature by the bag. (I’d rather not do much in the sink if possible, but I don’t want my clothes ruined either.)

 

5- does HAL have gala nights/ formal nights? When are they typically?
 

6. how is the coffee? I’m picky and prefer light roasts. Since there’s 24 hour room service, I guess I can order hot water and bring the aero press and some ground coffee.

 

7. Is it difficult to get reservations for specialty dining on the boat? If yes, how early should we try to nail things down?
 

8. How quickly do excursions sell out on Alaska cruises?

 

9. Does housekeeping service the rooms twice daily, or just once?
 

10. Has anyone used the luggage direct to cabin service, and then from cabin to home airport? Did everything go smoothly? (I’m not asking about the home pickup/delivery … sounded nice but then I priced it out.)

 

Thank you! We’ll probably come up with more questions later.

[Cruise Suzy]

@SuzWillCruise Welcome to the HAL board. Will answer what I can

 

 

A few questions as we compare past Carnival sailings to our planned cruise on the Eurodam next summer:
 

 1 - On Carnival, if you dine in their steakhouse on the first night, you get a free bottle of house wine, or half off something nicer.  Does HAL have a similar offer? No

 

3- our planned Eurodam cruise will be in Juneau from1:00 pm to 10:30pm, but right now all of the shore excursions start by 2:30, eliminating the ability to do more than one shore excursion. Is this something that typically broadens closer to sailing? All are normally listed from the start

 

4- are you able to specify water temp when you pay for a bag of laundry? We got free laundry on Carnival, but still paid to use the machines for items that needed cool or cold water. It seems that self use machines are not available, so I’m wondering if we can make choose temperature by the bag. (I’d rather not do much in the sink if possible, but I don’t want my clothes ruined either.) Yes you can ask for cold water wash and/or cool dry

 

5- does HAL have gala nights/ formal nights? When are they typically? They are now called "dressy" nights, Usually the first sea day and the next to last night - never the last night
 

7. Is it difficult to get reservations for specialty dining on the boat? If yes, how early should we try to nail things down? Do it as soon as possible on embarkation day if you haven't pre-booked
 

8. How quickly do excursions sell out on Alaska cruises? Depends on the excursion. Online HAL normally indicates when only a few places are left and always when an excursion is waitlisted

 

9. Does housekeeping service the rooms twice daily, or just once? Since COVID the default has varied, but you can ask for twice, just morning,  or just evening
 

Thank you! We’ll probably come up with more questions later. You can always start a thread rather than putting all your questions in this one. It may get more notice.

Edited August 28, 2022 by Cruise Suzy

[Euby]

On 8/27/2022 at 9:23 PM, SuzWillCruise said:

A few questions as we compare past Carnival sailings to our planned cruise on the Eurodam next summer:
 

10. Has anyone used the luggage direct to cabin service, and then from cabin to home airport? Did everything go smoothly? (I’m not asking about the home pickup/delivery … sounded nice but then I priced it out.)

 

Thank you! We’ll probably come up with more questions later.

 

I can answer part of #10.  I used the luggage direct on a cruise last December.  I had a pre-cruise overnight in Fort Lauderdale, so I had a carry-on with me.  My cruise suitcase I booked (via phone) with luggage direct.  It arrived at my cabin without any problems even though I flew in a day early.  I can't answer the part about cabin to home airport as I didn't book that.

[regnig]

3 hours ago, Euby said:

 

I can answer part of #10.  I used the luggage direct on a cruise last December.  I had a pre-cruise overnight in Fort Lauderdale, so I had a carry-on with me.  My cruise suitcase I booked (via phone) with luggage direct.  It arrived at my cabin without any problems even though I flew in a day early.  I can't answer the part about cabin to home airport as I didn't book that.

I've used luggage direct from the ship to my final airport several times and it is wonderful. The airlines provide your boarding pass(s) and luggage tags. Bags get placed outside your stateroom and you don't have to deal with them until you pick them up at your arrival airport. There is a charge for the service but it is well worth it. I believe it is $25 but by the time you eliminate a tip for the terminal porter, the driver to the airport, and the baggage handler at the airport it almost pays for itself. Prior to this spring I've always arranged for the service in advance but for some reason this year I had to wait until I was onboard to secure the service with HAL provided paperwork.

[secondchance]

OK, Guys  Probably a stupid question BUT.......

I have booked Flight Ease on my upcoming cruise.  Do I go to airlines for E-Pass?  Do I have to check in with airline?  on and on and on   

Someone please give me the lowdown

[Gray Lady]

2 minutes ago, secondchance said:

OK, Guys  Probably a stupid question BUT.......

I have booked Flight Ease on my upcoming cruise.  Do I go to airlines for E-Pass?  Do I have to check in with airline?  on and on and on   

Someone please give me the lowdown

You check in with the airlines the same as if you had made the reservation yourself. Just use the confirmation number Flight Ease gave you. I always go on-line and check that the reservation is there with the airline itself. We print out our boarding pass at home, and pre-pay for our luggage. It is very easy-peasy. Hope this helps.

[CA Oceanfront]

I would also recommend downloading your airline’s app to your phone. I find it facilitates staying on top of your flight’s administration.

[Euby]

6 hours ago, regnig said:

I've used luggage direct from the ship to my final airport several times and it is wonderful. 

Have you ever used it when you had a post-cruise stay for a day or 2?  How did that work?

[klocke12]

On 4/6/2022 at 5:15 AM, *Miss G* said:

 

Yes they use cards and there is a space to attach a lanyard.  In the rare chance there isn’t (had one once) I went to Guest Services and they punched a hole for me.

We were on the Nieuw Statendam in December 2021 and they wouldn't punch another hole for us. Told us this would make the card not work. It had a horizontal slit already punched out, but the lanyard we were using needed a circular hole. 

 

I've been on 15 Holland cruises before and this was the only one where they wouldn't punch a hole for me.

[*Miss G*]

1 hour ago, klocke12 said:

We were on the Nieuw Statendam in December 2021 and they wouldn't punch another hole for us. Told us this would make the card not work. It had a horizontal slit already punched out, but the lanyard we were using needed a circular hole. 

 

I've been on 15 Holland cruises before and this was the only one where they wouldn't punch a hole for me.

 

Yes, the person who punched the hole did say that she had to place it precisely or it would disable the card.  She was very careful when she did it.  

[regnig]

4 hours ago, Euby said:

Have you ever used it when you had a post-cruise stay for a day or 2?  How did that work?

No, sorry I can't help with that. 

[Euby]

On 8/30/2022 at 3:13 PM, klocke12 said:

We were on the Nieuw Statendam in December 2021 and they wouldn't punch another hole for us. Told us this would make the card not work. It had a horizontal slit already punched out, but the lanyard we were using needed a circular hole. 

 

I've been on 15 Holland cruises before and this was the only one where they wouldn't punch a hole for me.

I use one of these at the end of my lanyard.  I like that it can hold both my beverage card and cabin card.

 

Rigid Open-Faced Black 2 Card Holder (P/N AH-150) and more Rigid Plastic Holders at SpecialistID.com