Boarding a HAL ship

[Luvs2trvl]

When I last sailed on HAL, everyone was escorted to their cabins by one of the ships staff. It was such a wonderful treat!! Do they still do that? I just came off of a Princess cruise and it was nothing like that - just stand and wait, wait, wait for the elevator, crowd yourself in and find your floor/room. Granted I do understand that trying to have 3000+ people vs 1500 pax does make a difference.

[jhannah]

If you board early (before 1:30 or so) you'll need to show yourself to your cabin. All stewards are busy changing the cabins. After everything's ready, the stewards can go line up to escort pax. You could go back down and get in the line ... but it would be quicker to just find your own way.

[RuthC]

Just to elaborate a bit on what Jim posted---

If you board early (before the cabins have been cleared) you won't be allowed to go to your cabin. You may go to the Lido for lunch (just follow the crowd), or wait in any public area. Then, when the cabins are available, you can follow Jim's advice if you want an escort.

If you board later (usually after 1:30-ish) you may go directly to your cabin, and be escorted on your walk.

[RuthC]

Jim, my bad. The first time I read your post it didn't make sense to me---hence my "elaboration". But when I finished posting I reread yours and it made perfect sense afterall. :rolleyes:

Sorry. I should have known better.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Many times they will have escorts between 11:30 and 1:30 who will take you to the elevator, get in the elevator with you and then take you to the Lido for lunch. After that you are on your own.

 

As said - if you arrive after 1:30 -- then you should be escorted to your cabin.

[jhannah]

Jim, my bad.

Nah. (Well, you may be "bad," but that's another matter!) ;) I could have been clearer about what you do when you board early.

[Krazy Kruizers]

I didn't have any trouble figuring put what you were saying Jim.

[Mindy97]

If you can't go to your cabin till 1:30 PM, what do you do with your carryon bag while you are at lunch? Can you drop it in the cabin if you don't stay?

 

TIA.

[eh2zed]

If you can't go to your cabin till 1:30 PM, what do you do with your carryon bag while you are at lunch? Can you drop it in the cabin if you don't stay?

 

TIA.

They do not want you in the cabin area at that time. You keep your carryons with you. It is a hassle but shortlived.

[Krazy Kruizers]

If your carry has a lock on it, there is a designated place on all ships where you can drop off your carry-on bags. They will put your name and cabin number on it. Once the announcement is made that you can go to the cabins, your carry-ons will be delivered to you.

[tomc]

RuthC said:

Jim, my bad.

I'm disappointed; I thought *I* was Ruth's bad.

 

Anyway, I never ask for an escort because I check the deck plan and know where the Penthouse Suite is. My cabin is another thing, but I can usually find it with no problem.

[newmexicoNita]

We didn't carry much on. It seems to me we just went to lunch, but I remember there was an announcement about storing your carry ons someplace while waiting to enter your cabin. we have never been escoted to our cabin, always board really early.

 

Nita

[RuthC]

If your carry has a lock on it, there is a designated place on all ships where you can drop off your carry-on bags.

Are they still doing this on any of the ships, KK?

It had been the practice right up through my 10/06 Zaandam cruise. But on my last two cruises (Jan. '07 Noordam and 7/07 Prinsendam) that service wasn't available.

[OHCruiser]

We just returned from the Noordam to Alaska. We were among the first 100 to board at about 11:30 am.

 

We were pleasantly surprised to be offered a sit down lunch in the Vista dining room! Our small carry on backpack for the laptop was settled on a large ledge right next to our table. We chatted with other early arrivals and had a marvelous lunch of shrimp cocktail, rockfish, iced tea, and dessert. There were many other menu selections, too.

 

I don't know if this is "usual", but it was very nice. By the time we finished our leisurely lunch--without a herd of trays, noise, etc., it was near 1pm and we were permitted to go to our cabins. We'd looked at the ship map included with our documents, so we know right where to go. We met our cabin steward in the hallway outside of our room.

 

All of our luggage was delivered by 5pm.