Time for a little help from my friends...

[Jackjenson]

Hi everyone. After much lurking and learning, I need your help. I got my documents today for our Westerdam cruise on February 6, 2005, and they have left me with a few questions.

First, should my table size be listed on the documents? We had asked for the 8pm seating at a table for 4, (we are 2 couples traveling together) but after reading so many of your reviews about the wonderful people you meet at larger tables, we decided to change our request to a table for 8. Our ta indicated that she had made the change, but it just says "main dining-upper" on my paperwork. Should I be concerned?

Also, remember that code 7031 from a few months back that gave lots of us $50 in shipboard credit when we called our ta's about it? Well, mine had promised that it would be applicable to our sailing and I thought it was supposed to appear on the paperwork somewhere, but I don't see it. Can anyone tell me what I am looking for, or where it might be listed in the documents?

Any help is appreciated.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Hi, Jen ... what an exciting time for you!!! You have to do the old "Doc Dance":) . This is a very important part of cruising;) .

I can't help you with your question about the shipboard credit but I'm sure someone else will. However, the number of people at your table will not be listed on your docs ... just the info you got. You will get your table number onboard. I got it at check-in. You can then go to the lounge specified and they have a seating chart so that you can see where the table is located. If you absolutely hate the location, or the number of people, you can wait your turn and talk to the Maitre d'.

On our recent cruise we had asked for a table for 8 and got 6. We were a group of 4 and had met another couple on Roll Call who we'd asked to join us. We were very happy with our 6 and didn't bother to try for more.

Have a great time!!!

[sail7seas]

Main Upper Dining is 8 P.M. so you have been assigned the time you requested. You would never be informed of your table number or table size until you board the ship. You will find an envelope on the bureau in your cabin when you board giving the table number and size. You can go to the dining room and look at the seating chart to determine exactly where it is. The indication on the envelope would look something like 2/8 if you were the two of you seated at a table for 8.


As to the shipboard credit. Look through each page of the document booklet that contains your cruise 'ticket'. Toward the back of it, there should be a coupon for $50 Shipboard Credit. IF it is there, be certain to make a copy of it. When you board the ship, turn in the coupon at the front office and they will apply it to your shipboard bill at the end of the cruise. If it does not show on your preliminary bill (you will receive it the day before you disembark). Go to the office with the copy you have and point out the error. NEVER GIVE UP YOUR ONLY/LAST COPY OF THAT COUPON. It is the only thing that will get you the credit. Have the office make a copy of your copy or make a few yourself before you leave....just in case.

IF the coupon is not in your booklet, contact your TA ASAP and have them follow up with Seattle to get it for you.

Have a wonderful Time. Enjoy your short 'countdown'.

[the2ofus]

All the info you've been given is correct, except that your table assignment will be in the folder you are given at check-in. You will have to check the seating chart to find out the size of the table, however. Or, just wait to be surprised when you go to dinner.

On our Westerdam 12/12 cruise there was quite a line waiting to see the maitre d' that first night. Might be more fun to use the time exploring the ship. Then, after the first dinner in the dining room, if you're not happy, ask for a change.

She's a beautiful ship! I just know you'll have a fabulous time.

[PEFER33]

The first thing you should do is check with your friends and make sure they are assigned the same time/table that you are. This happened to us on the Rotterdam. We met with the staff and got it straightened out right away.

Phil

[gizmo]

All the info you've been given is correct, except that your table assignment will be in the folder you are given at check-in. You will have to check the seating chart to find out the size of the table, however. Or, just wait to be surprised when you go to dinner.


Maybe this is something new. I have never been given my table number at check in. It was always in an envelope in the cabin.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Until Oct we never got a folder or our table number enclosed in it. This is something new HAL is doing. In the folder is a regular card with your name, time, and table number on it.

[HeatherInFlorida]

As I said earlier, and I know this is not as it has always been done, but you are told your table number upon check-in. They hand you a very nice little folder with all sorts of information along with your table number. However, I do not think it makes note of how many are at the table. So we simply confirmed with our tablemates that we all had the same number and went to the lounge specified to look at the diagram to see where the table was located.

I truly do not believe they do the envelope on the dresser anymore. However, we were on the Oosterdam 11/7/04, not the Westerdam, so I don't want to say for sure.

[Jackjenson]

Wow, thanks guys, you are always there with the answers. I am off to check for the credit coupons as we speak.

Jen

[Jackjenson]

Hi guys, I was able to find the onboard credit without too much trouble, I think I was so excited to have the papers in hand, I breezed past it!

I also just found out that a dear friend of mine who is a longtime HAL cruiser, has booked the 4 of us for dinner in the Pinnacle for the first night of the cruise, so I hope that our table mates at our expected table for 8 won't feel too abandoned. I wonder if I can tell someone so they might tell our tablemates that we will be there with bells on at dinner on day 2? We are both excited to be cruising with friends and to make new friends cruising!

Thanks for all of your help.

[CaptData]

Hi. You can tell the Mait'd by phoning him from your room or when you check on your table you can tell him then.

[DFD1]

Our table assignment on recent Volendam cruise was included in an attractive folder of information given to us shoreside as we checked it.

Have a great time. Check in when you return....with all the details.

[HeatherInFlorida]

Jack, what many people I know recommend is to stop by your regular table the first night (if it works with your dining time in the Pinnacle) just to introduce yourselves, say "hi" and tell them you're looking forward to seeing everyone the next night. I think that's a real nice way to handle it.