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

[Sea Hag]

24 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

 

Thanks!

[crystalspin]

27 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

2. If I book with the HIA "fully refundable" pricing, what exactly does that mean? Deposit is fully refundable before final payment? 

Yes, refundable refers to the deposit. 

@Sea HagI remembered I hadn't put this info in:

There is a third fare, called Advantage fare, that has refundable deposit but not all the perks of the HIA. Your PCC can tell you what it is.

[Sea Hag]

Just now, crystalspin said:

@Sea HagI remembered I hadn't put this info in:

There is a third fare, called Advantage fare, that has refundable deposit but not all the perks of the HIA. Your PCC can tell you what it is.

I actually knew about that one. Since I'll be adding club orange, I have to call in anyway. So, I'll ask for that fare then. I won't be going through my current PCC. I really need to get around to getting a new one, along with all the other things I really need to get around to doing. 🤣

[d9704011]

17 minutes ago, Sea Hag said:

I actually knew about that one. Since I'll be adding club orange, I have to call in anyway. So, I'll ask for that fare then. I won't be going through my current PCC. I really need to get around to getting a new one, along with all the other things I really need to get around to doing. 🤣

Looks like you're in the market for one of these:

[rwethereyet1969]

First time cruiser. First time poster. I have read through 75% of this thread but have not seen the answer to a few questions.

 

DH and I are booked on the Koningsdam to Alaska 05/31/25 - 06/07/2025 in a Signature Suite with the early booking bonus HIA package.

 

!.  If DH and I both want a drink, can DH go alone to a bar/cafe to get an alcoholic drink or specialty coffee for both of us?  Would 2 drinks be deducted from his account or does he take both of our keycards or is this not allowed??

 

2.  Is there a headphone jack on the stateroom TV for wired headphones?

 

3.  If we want to have room service meals, can the small table between the sofa and window be moved around the room or is it fixed in place?  Can the small balcony table be moved inside the stateroom or is this frowned upon?  I am hoping to eat on the balcony but would like a plan B if weather is too cold or rainy.

 

Thank you in advance!  

 

-Amanda

[richstowe]

On 3/6/2024 at 6:40 AM, BaldiePete said:

Thanks everyone. I’m just trying to get it straight in my head so I don’t make unnecessarily expensive decisions. 

A true Scotsman. 😁

[Sea Hag]

3 hours ago, d9704011 said:

Looks like you're in the market for one of these:

I used to have a potholder that was that. No idea what went with it. I should probably look for it but ....

[0106]

@rwethereyet1969

!.  I have never had a problem getting a drink for myself and my DH at the same time.  .  They would both be deducted from the card.  FYI- a “key card” needs to remain in the slot by the cabin door in order for the lights to work.  Some people bring an old hotel room key or something similar but we find it convenient to store our actual key card there.

 

2.  Is there a headphone jack on the stateroom TV for wired headphones?  Never really looked but I don’t think so.

 

3.  The small coffee table between the sofa and window be moved around the room.   I see no reason why the small balcony table couldn’t be moved inside the stateroom.  We often had food placed on the desk but ate at the coffee table although it is a bit low.  
 

I hope you enjoy your balcony.  Bring a warm jacket and rain coat. Have a wonderful cruise!

[YourWorldWithBill]

On 3/17/2024 at 2:41 PM, Sea Hag said:

4. Who can I contact to get a different cruise person (forget what it's called on HAL)? The one I was assigned is hard to work with and doesn't seem all that sure of what she's doing. Part of my confusion on things is due to her vagueness. I'd like to try a different agent and see if I can find one I can work with better.

 

Thanks in advance for any guidance you all can offer.

Follow @crystalspin's suggestion about calling the PCC line; but if they ask you to let them take a message and pass it on to the supervisor, tell them you're willing to hold. I'm adding this because I've done both: when I left a message, no response, but when I waited on the line for a long time, I got a great response from the supervisor and a good PCC.

[Sea Hag]

10 hours ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

Follow @crystalspin's suggestion about calling the PCC line; but if they ask you to let them take a message and pass it on to the supervisor, tell them you're willing to hold. I'm adding this because I've done both: when I left a message, no response, but when I waited on the line for a long time, I got a great response from the supervisor and a good PCC.

Good advice. Thanks!

[deeeeeeem]

Hi all! We’re first-time cruisers on HAL and are currently on the first part of our B2B cruise. Is there any chance that we receive our one star mariner status after the first leg of our B2B (we booked it as a 14-day cruise under one booking reference)? We would love to get a HAL tile as well, seems like we’re one of the very few people not getting them at the moment 😂

[Blackduck59]

35 minutes ago, deeeeeeem said:

Hi all! We’re first-time cruisers on HAL and are currently on the first part of our B2B cruise. Is there any chance that we receive our one star mariner status after the first leg of our B2B (we booked it as a 14-day cruise under one booking reference)? We would love to get a HAL tile as well, seems like we’re one of the very few people not getting them at the moment 😂

It doesn't hurt to ask at customers service, after the first leg is over.

[IPB4IGO]

On 3/18/2024 at 3:51 PM, rwethereyet1969 said:

First time cruiser. First time poster. I have read through 75% of this thread but have not seen the answer to a few questions.

 

DH and I are booked on the Koningsdam to Alaska 05/31/25 - 06/07/2025 in a Signature Suite with the early booking bonus HIA package.

 

!.  If DH and I both want a drink, can DH go alone to a bar/cafe to get an alcoholic drink or specialty coffee for both of us?  Would 2 drinks be deducted from his account or does he take both of our keycards or is this not allowed??

As long as you aren't using a beverage package to buy drinks, you can put both of your drinks on either card. Since you have the HIA package, you must each put your drinks on your own card. No sharing.

On 3/18/2024 at 3:51 PM, rwethereyet1969 said:

 

2.  Is there a headphone jack on the stateroom TV for wired headphones?

No. On cruises years ago I was able to plug our wireless headset transmitter into headphone jacks on the back of the TVs in the cabins, with difficulty. Now they are mounted so tight to the wall that you can't get to them, even if they are still there. They are never on the sides of the TV. In my experience in hotels, more recent TVs don't even have a headphone jack, although they do have a digital audio (fiber optic) outlet plug.

On 3/18/2024 at 3:51 PM, rwethereyet1969 said:

3.  If we want to have room service meals, can the small table between the sofa and window be moved around the room or is it fixed in place?  Can the small balcony table be moved inside the stateroom or is this frowned upon?  I am hoping to eat on the balcony but would like a plan B if weather is too cold or rainy.

In general, those tables can be moved, although we have had cabins in which the "coffee table" was affixed to the floor, er, deck.

On 3/18/2024 at 3:51 PM, rwethereyet1969 said:

 

 

Edited March 21 by IPB4IGO

[bfury]

 

Will be sailing on HAL Eurodam next Feb 8.   This will be the first time on HAL but will be the 15 cruise with others on Carnival and Celebrity. I have a couple of questions.

 

1. Can someone tell me what the muster drill is like on HAL.  On Carnival you go to the muster station check in with your stateroom card and get a short demo on putting on the life vest.  Takes about 5 minutes.  Does HAL do the same.

2. We purchased Club Orange.  I have read all the documentation provided but was wonder if anyone had more insight to Club Orange.

3. Eurodam.  I have seen pictures of Eurodam and it looks like a nice ship.  Is there anyone that, has sailed her recently,  can give me a perspective of what the ship is really like and their opinion of where the best place is to eat on the ship.  As an example, we were on Carnival Glory for a 14 day cruise this past December.  The best places to eat, for me, was the stake house, the pizza place, the Blue Iguana (Mexican) and the Deli.  The MDR and Lido were bland if not bad( I was served raw chicken in the MDR).  Room service was decent but Carnival Cruise line now charges for every item on the room service menu.  Any info would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance for any info.

[0106]

On 3/10/2024 at 4:24 PM, Grandmaanne7 said:

I had promised my granddaughter all the milkshakes she wants on our next cruise.

I just disembarked from the Nieuw Statendam, milkshakes were included in my HIA package.  Current LIVE threads from the Koningsdam and Oosterdam state that milkshakes are included in HIA too.  I hope your granddaughter enjoys the cruise!

[rwethereyet1969]

1 hour ago, IPB4IGO said:

As long as you aren't using a beverage package to buy drinks, you can put both of your drinks on either card. Since you have the HIA package, you must each put your drinks on your own card. No sharing.

 

 

 

Thank you for the detailed reply.  To clarify, could my DH take both of our cards and have one drink applied to each card without me being physically present?

[Fouremco]

4 minutes ago, rwethereyet1969 said:

 

 

Thank you for the detailed reply.  To clarify, could my DH take both of our cards and have one drink applied to each card without me being physically present?

Yes, that has always worked for us.

[rwethereyet1969]

Thank you @Fouremco.  That is what I was hoping to hear! 

[Sea42]

2 hours ago, IPB4IGO said:

Since you have the HIA package, you must each put your drinks on your own card. No sharing.

That has not been our experience.Many times we have gotten each other a drink using one card or the other.

[crystalspin]

On 3/19/2024 at 7:49 AM, Sea Hag said:

Good advice. Thanks!

I called in to see how the menu is changed and you will want to key in 2, then 3, for a PCC operator.

[Haljo1935]

1 hour ago, bfury said:

 

Will be sailing on HAL Eurodam next Feb 8.   This will be the first time on HAL but will be the 15 cruise with others on Carnival and Celebrity. I have a couple of questions.

 

1. Can someone tell me what the muster drill is like on HAL.  On Carnival you go to the muster station check in with your stateroom card and get a short demo on putting on the life vest.  Takes about 5 minutes.  Does HAL do the same.

2. We purchased Club Orange.  I have read all the documentation provided but was wonder if anyone had more insight to Club Orange.

3. Eurodam.  I have seen pictures of Eurodam and it looks like a nice ship.  Is there anyone that, has sailed her recently,  can give me a perspective of what the ship is really like and their opinion of where the best place is to eat on the ship.  As an example, we were on Carnival Glory for a 14 day cruise this past December.  The best places to eat, for me, was the stake house, the pizza place, the Blue Iguana (Mexican) and the Deli.  The MDR and Lido were bland if not bad( I was served raw chicken in the MDR).  Room service was decent but Carnival Cruise line now charges for every item on the room service menu.  Any info would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance for any info.

Welcome to HAL! Our most recent sailing Eurodam was 2023 April 29 - May 6 for opening season of Alaska. I may not hit all your points, but here's what I do know:

1) Turn your TV on as soon as you enter your cabin so it can muster ( it will play a safety video that must be watched before the TV will turn to any channel). You will have your card scanned at your muster station, no demonstration given and you do not need to take your life vest w/you, but each person in the cabin does have to get their card scanned.

2) Eurodam does not have a separate CO dining room: you will have additional entree choices on dinner menu, a separate line at GS and priority embarkation & tendering

3) We were on the 2nd cruise coming out of dry dock and found the ship to be in pretty good condition. We like the Eurodam because it is mid-size (for HAL) and easy to learn. Food is subjective, but we didn't have issues with anything we ordered (usually never do). Eurodam does not have Grand Dutch Cafe, so that limits your options a bit. That's one of my favorite food stops, so it hurts, lol. We love the candied bacon at Pinnacle Grill, but lunch there is a great bargain and nice treat. I think there are pictures in my review. HAL doesn't charge extra for Room Service like Carnival does, but there are a couple (seriously only a handful) items that have a surcharge; the chocolate chips cookies, which do not have a charge, are really good. There's nothing comparable to Teppanyaki, which we do miss as that's our favorite on Carnival. The art collection on the ship is very nice - take different routes so you can see more of it.

 

Happy to answer any other questions or send pictures if I have something you want to see. Safe travels- enjoy your cruise!

 

You can read the Live review I did here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2934932-live-review-eurodam-alaska-april-29-may-6-2023-seattle-roundtrip/?do=findComment&comment=65313568

 

[islandwoman]

Can I order a pitcher of mimosas from room service?

[Crew News]

3 hours ago, bfury said:

 

Will be sailing on HAL Eurodam next Feb 8.   This will be the first time on HAL but will be the 15 cruise with others on Carnival and Celebrity. I have a couple of questions.

 

1. Can someone tell me what the muster drill is like on HAL.  On Carnival you go to the muster station check in with your stateroom card and get a short demo on putting on the life vest.  Takes about 5 minutes.  Does HAL do the same.

2. We purchased Club Orange.  I have read all the documentation provided but was wonder if anyone had more insight to Club Orange.

3. Eurodam.   Any info would be appreciated.

 

Thanks in advance for any info.

I was aboard the Eurodam last month so just a few thought in addition to what has been provided above:

1.  No programming will appear on your stateroom TV until the safety video has been played.  There is approximately a two hour window, ending 30 minutes before sailing, for all passengers to report to their muster stations for small group briefings.  If you visit your muster station before the fluorescent vest-wearing guides are in place, there will be nobody to scan your stateroom keycard to validate your mandatory attendance. 

2.  Club Orange (CO) - CO guest will be escorted to "better" tables which could be in any location of the dining room.

3.  Dining - Free made-to-order pizza is a big plus as is the free Dive-in burgers.  My favorite dining venue is the Tamarind Restaurant.  i was not impressed with the Morimoto pop-up.

[Crew News]

26 minutes ago, islandwoman said:

Can I order a pitcher of mimosas from room service?

You can order a single serving, or more, Mimosa from Room Service for $10 each. 

 

Room Service Menu

Edited March 21 by Crew News

[tatabea]

On 3/18/2024 at 4:48 PM, 0106 said:

@rwethereyet1969

!.  I have never had a problem getting a drink for myself and my DH at the same time.  .  They would both be deducted from the card.  FYI- a “key card” needs to remain in the slot by the cabin door in order for the lights to work.  Some people bring an old hotel room key or something similar but we find it convenient to store our actual key card there.

 

2.  Is there a headphone jack on the stateroom TV for wired headphones?  Never really looked but I don’t think so.

 

3.  The small coffee table between the sofa and window be moved around the room.   I see no reason why the small balcony table couldn’t be moved inside the stateroom.  We often had food placed on the desk but ate at the coffee table although it is a bit low.  
 

I hope you enjoy your balcony.  Bring a warm jacket and rain coat. Have a wonderful cruise!

Re: number 3-

the coffee table has a lever beneath so you can raise the table