Live From Nieuw Amsterdam Through the Panama Canal Followed by One Week in the Caribbean

[Crew News]

28 minutes ago, Brentt_M said:

Not sure about that as I have a suite.

I have a verandah.

[Crew News]

I received an email from HAL with the $250 OBC announcement but the $450 has already been posted.  I would not refuse the additional $250.  As noted before, this is a day shift condition to be resolved.

Edited October 18, 2023 by Crew News

[Georgeny]

10 hours ago, Crew News said:

Those boarding in FLL getting $450 non-refundable OBC p/p plus 25% of fare in FCC.

 

We are boarding in FLL Saturday. My TA texted me this morning and emailed us notice from HA.

"We wish to advise you of some changes to our scheduled itinerary. During our current voyage we experienced a technical issue with our portside Azipod propulsion system. While this in no way affects the safety of our guests or team members, which is our highest priority, it must be repaired before we can begin our next cruise. As a result, we will delay our departure from Fort Lauderdale to complete repair work until 8:00 AM on Monday, October 23.

 

We have revised our itinerary to reschedule our call to Grand Turk and maintain our visit to Half Moon Cay. We will no longer visit San Juan, Puerto Rico on Tuesday, October 24 or St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. on Wednesday, October 25, and have added a call to Nassau, Bahamas on Tuesday. Our revised itinerary will be as follows:

 

Date

Destination

Arrive

Depart

Saturday, October 21

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.

 

Overnight

Sunday, October 22

Fort Lauderdale, Florida, U.S.

 

Overnight

Monday, October 23

At Sea

8:00 AM

 

Tuesday, October 24

Nassau, Bahamas

8:00 AM

5:00 PM

Wednesday, October 25

At Sea

 

 

Thursday, October 26

Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands

7:00 AM

1:00 PM

Friday, October 27

Half Moon Cay, Bahamas

8:00 AM

2:00 PM

Saturday, October 28

 

As a gesture of concern for their experience and gratitude for your understanding, each guest will receive $250.00 USD as a non-refundable onboard credit applied to their shipboard account. The onboard credit cannot be redeemed for cash or used in the casino but may be used toward all purchases in the bars, boutiques, and photo gallery, as well as spa treatments, specialty dining and shore excursions. 

 

Additionally, each guest will receive a Bonus Future Cruise Credit equivalent to 25% of the cruise fare paid on this voyage. The terms and conditions appear at the end of this letter."

 

 

 

[Georgeny]

8 hours ago, Cyberhwk said:

 

Here too.  Probably based on cabin class would be my guess.

 

That makes sense!

[Georgeny]

If someone finds out what the discrepancy is between $250 pp and $450 pp is please post. I an thinking that those onboard getting $450 based on cruise length with and additional $250 for back to back pax based on 7 day.

 

I would suggest that a nice touch would be an open bar while in FLL overnights. Especially since you probably have to pay tax on drinks while in port, Or FREE wifi or something days at sea? Me I would rather the free wi-fi days at sea myself.

 

George in NY 

[jtbruno]

Hello,

 

We are on board for the 15 day portion of the cruise only, staying in a Veranda,  and are receiving $200 per person for the disruption.     So, with that, perhaps the $450 offered to others is $200 for the 15 day cruise and $250 for the larger changes to the 7 day cruise?

Edited October 18, 2023 by jtbruno
Correction

[Crew News]

1 hour ago, jtbruno said:

Hello,

 

We are on board for the 15 day portion of the cruise only, staying in a Veranda,  and are receiving $200 per person for the disruption.     So, with that, perhaps the $450 offered to others is $200 for the 15 day cruise and $250 for the larger changes to the 7 day cruise?

This appears to be the case.  The original letter from the Captain left questions and I will be standing in line at the Front Desk today seeking answers.  Stay tuned.

[sdc67]

We are doing the 7-day Caribbean trip starting Saturday, and were pretty frustrated with this changed itinerary, since this is our first cruise.  Was quite looking forward to St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I had been wondering whether the extra onboard credit they're giving us would apply to specialty dining, because that phrase was missing from the e-mail I received (mine says just "may be used toward all purchases in the bars, boutiques, and photo gallery, as well as spa treatments and shore excursions"), but I noticed the e-mail text somebody else posted above also included "specialty dining", so that's good news.

We're losing a "shore" excursion (snorkeling) in St. Thomas that we were really excited about... will have to see what becomes available for the Nassau stop.  I'm guessing those will book up very quickly.

 

Anyhow, I found this thread while googling for more info about the issues with the ship... thanks for the narration of the journey so far, it's been interesting to read along!

 

--sdc

[Crew News]

1 hour ago, sdc67 said:

We are doing the 7-day Caribbean trip starting Saturday, and were pretty frustrated with this changed itinerary, since this is our first cruise.  Was quite looking forward to St. Thomas and San Juan, Puerto Rico.

I had been wondering whether the extra onboard credit they're giving us would apply to specialty dining, because that phrase was missing from the e-mail I received (mine says just "may be used toward all purchases in the bars, boutiques, and photo gallery, as well as spa treatments and shore excursions"), but I noticed the e-mail text somebody else posted above also included "specialty dining", so that's good news.

We're losing a "shore" excursion (snorkeling) in St. Thomas that we were really excited about... will have to see what becomes available for the Nassau stop.  I'm guessing those will book up very quickly.

 

Anyhow, I found this thread while googling for more info about the issues with the ship... thanks for the narration of the journey so far, it's been interesting to read along!

 

--sdc

Welcome to Cruise Critic.  Please join our roll call for your upcoming cruise for lots of into and a Meet & Greet on the 22d..  Here is the link:  Oct 21-28 NA Roll Call

 

All of your shore excursions will be refunded to your credit card used to book.  Once onboard, you can purchase gifts in the Shops, surcharges for lobster tails at almost every meal, purchase Specialty Restaurant, lunches and dinners, specialty coffees in the Explorations Cafe, cruise photos or a GoPro camera from the Photo Gallery, book shore excursions, etc.

[canadarocks]

@Crew News, how much was the Cellar Master dinner and was it held in the Pinnacle Grill?

[Crew News]

19 minutes ago, canadarocks said:

@Crew News, how much was the Cellar Master dinner and was it held in the Pinnacle Grill?

In the PG but I don't remember the price because I did not go.

[Crew News]

The Front Desk line was only 11 long when I arrived and was moving fas.  The biggest complaint was how to spend the increased OBC in just a few days if one had the HIA package.  I can only imagine the line at Shore Excursions on Embarkation Day and to make Specialty Restaurant reservations.

 

Those currently on board will have OBC rolled over to the next week and not get an additional $250 as my HAL email stated. 

[sdc67]

Was there any word about when shore excursions for Nassau will open up?  I'm sure they'll book quickly, so I want to be ready 😁

 

I guess the basic options for the extra OBC are:
* shore excursions (will fill up quickly)
* premium dining (will fill up quickly)
* onboard shopping (blah, by my personal opinion... but I haven't been there yet so maybe something interesting)
 

[canadarocks]

We just had Key West cut from our Eurodam sailing in March and it was replaced with Nassau. Only 4 excursions offered so far, but here they are to give you an idea - 

 

[Crew News]

2 minutes ago, sdc67 said:

Was there any word about when shore excursions for Nassau will open up?  I'm sure they'll book quickly, so I want to be ready 😁

 

I guess the basic options for the extra OBC are:
* shore excursions (will fill up quickly)
* premium dining (will fill up quickly)
* onboard shopping (blah, by my personal opinion... but I haven't been there yet so maybe something interesting)
 

Lobster tails are $18-20 and available in the dining room as well as Specialty Restaurants.  Louis Vitton bags start at $1200 and they have a scarf for $500.  More expensive wines are available.  GoPro camera.  Cruise Photos taken by the Photo Gallery staff. You can always add extra tips to Specialty Restaurant bills to make the crew really happy.

[sdc67]

2 minutes ago, canadarocks said:

We just had Key West cut from our Eurodam sailing in March and it was replaced with Nassau. Only 4 excursions offered so far, but here they are to give you an idea - 

 

Thanks!  Sad to see no snorkeling excursions listed there, but the dolphin thing might be fun.

Pretty luke-warm ratings, though!  If anybody here has personal experience with those trips, I'd be interested to hear...

[billbunger]

STUFF TO KNOW

 

The $450.00 per person onboard credit is for passengers like us who booked the 28 day cruise starting in Vancouver on October 1, 2023, for the person that asked if their OBC can be used in specialty restaurants, the answer is yes. Sorry if that question has been answered. 
 

I went and talked to one of the Future Cruise Consultants regarding the 25% Future Cruise Credit and what the actual value is as we booked the whole 28 day cruise and not a seven day cruise. We had also booked the 2025 35 day Hawaii Tahiti cruise when we got on board this cruise that we had canceled on us in 2020 due to covid. The terms of this credit stated it had to be used within a year of the letter to us dated yesterday. We are unable to cruise in 2024 and could not book the 2024 H and T voyage so had to book the 2025 date. We want the offer extended the extra four months to cover our cruise. She was not able to give an answer to either question but promised to email her bosses in Seattle and would have an answer within 2 days. She was optimistic that the answer would be positive as she claimed HAL was generally generous with this sort of situation. 
 

We shall see, update to follow when we hear back. 
 

 

[sdc67]

1 hour ago, billbunger said:

STUFF TO KNOW

 

The $450.00 per person onboard credit is for passengers like us who booked the 28 day cruise starting in Vancouver on October 1, 2023, for the person that asked if their OBC can be used in specialty restaurants, the answer is yes. Sorry if that question has been answered. 
 

I went and talked to one of the Future Cruise Consultants regarding the 25% Future Cruise Credit and what the actual value is as we booked the whole 28 day cruise and not a seven day cruise. We had also booked the 2025 35 day Hawaii Tahiti cruise when we got on board this cruise that we had canceled on us in 2020 due to covid. The terms of this credit stated it had to be used within a year of the letter to us dated yesterday. We are unable to cruise in 2024 and could not book the 2024 H and T voyage so had to book the 2025 date. We want the offer extended the extra four months to cover our cruise. She was not able to give an answer to either question but promised to email her bosses in Seattle and would have an answer within 2 days. She was optimistic that the answer would be positive as she claimed HAL was generally generous with this sort of situation. 
 

We shall see, update to follow when we hear back. 
 

 

Very much hoping we can negotiate a longer timeline on the FCC... I'd theoretically love to use it, but I've been saving for next week's cruise for literally years... I probably can't make a cruise work in 2024.  If they'd extend it to 2 years, I could possibly make use of it.

[regan3]

What is across from #6083, #6085, #6078 and #6080? Area is blank on the HAL deck plan. 

 

Crew area, stairway, housekeeping, machinery, major power, water, AC, etc.?

[Crew News]

3 minutes ago, regan3 said:

What is across from #6083, #6085, #6078 and #6080? Area is blank on the HAL deck plan. 

 

Crew area, stairway, housekeeping, machinery, major power, water, AC, etc.?

I will look on my way to dinner tonight.

 

[Crew News]

2 hours ago, regan3 said:

What is across from #6083, #6085, #6078 and #6080? Area is blank on the HAL deck plan. 

 

Crew area, stairway, housekeeping, machinery, major power, water, AC, etc.?

Electrical panel and housekeeping room.

[WetterWashington]

2 hours ago, regan3 said:

What is across from #6083, #6085, #6078 and #6080? Area is blank on the HAL deck plan. 

 

Crew area, stairway, housekeeping, machinery, major power, water, AC, etc.?

CruiseMapper has more details than any other site I've see. Check their deck plans. There is also a crew stairs and (maybe?) a crew upper decks elevator.

[billbunger]

THERE’S NO JOY IN MUDVILLE

 

We heard back from the Future Cruise Consultant regard our FCC and this is what we were told. 
 

 To use the 25% Future Cruise Credit towards the February 2025 cruise, we would have to rebook the cruise, ( we booked it onboard on October 2, 2023) if we rebook we would loose the HIA upgrade with premium internet, elite beverage package and crew appreciation. We would loose the upgrade because that offer expired on September 30, 2023. Note above,

the date we booked the cruise. 

 

We still have no idea what our cruise credit would be as it has not been posted to our account on the HAL website. If we don’t rebook we will have an FCC on our account for a year. HAL’s logic makes no sense to us on this one. Making us rebook a new booking to loose the perks so we can rebook the new cruise with a likely FCC of a few hundred dollars is just plain silly. 
 

We will wait for a few more days to see what dollar amount gets added to our online account before we pursue it any farther. 

Edited October 19, 2023 by billbunger

[Georgeny]

Not unusual, been in this situation myself through the years. Have to do the math and see whether the deal you received booking early is better or worse than dollars saved using FCC. Pretty much standard practice. The only difference that I note in practice is that FCC only good for year. Every time we had one it was for two years but those were pre-pandemic.

[billbunger]

3 hours ago, Georgeny said:

Not unusual, been in this situation myself through the years. Have to do the math and see whether the deal you received booking early is better or worse than dollars saved using FCC. Pretty much standard practice. The only difference that I note in practice is that FCC only good for year. Every time we had one it was for two years but those were pre-pandemic.

The HIA package with the cruise is a much better deal than the FCC HAL is giving us. We made the request regarding the FCC based on having booked the cruise a few days before the FCC was offered. 

 

It was a way to try to salvage the use of the FCC.  Easy come easy go.