Confused...

[qwerty90]

Hello,
This is our first cruise and we are very confused about the documentation... We have received the "electronic travel documents" and the contract from the HAL. Our TA is on vacation and we are very disappointed with the TA's help... We can't get any information on the room #, dinner time, etc. We would really appreciate your help:
1. Are there any tickets to be presented at the check-in?
2. What if we do not have all the documentation during the check-in?(we have the booking number).
Thank you for your time...
Happy holidays!

[jhannah]

Since you have your booking number, go to the Holland America website and click on 'For Booked Guests.' There you can enter the needed information onto your immigration form and print out an express boarding pass. You can also find your cabin number. (If you purchased a guarantee, your cabin number may not show yet, depending on when your cruise is.)

Your requested dining time should show on your booking receipt. The actual time will be confirmed once you board the ship. The dining assignment card will be in your welcome packet at check-in.

If worse comes to worse, you can show up at the pier with your passports and booking ID and fill out the needed paperwork there.

[jtl513]

If you fill out the immigration form on-line at http://www.hollandamerica.com/guests/guests.do and periodically check it, you will find out your room number as soon as it is assigned. (I'm assuming you have a guarantee booking.) Print that form and bring it along with your HAL "coupon book" and passports to check in and you should be all set. Oh, and your "credit card authorization form" if you have it, but if not you can get one at check-in.

You won't find out your dining table and time for certain until you open the envelope in your cabin. Go down to the dining room and check out your table, and if it's not satisfactory get in line to see the Dining Room Manager! :)

[Copper10-8]

Hello,
This is our first cruise and we are very confused about the documentation... We have received the "electronic travel documents" and the contract from the HAL. Our TA is on vacation and we are very disappointed with the TA's help... We can't get any information on the room #, dinner time, etc. We would really appreciate your help:
1. Are there any tickets to be presented at the check-in?
2. What if we do not have all the documentation during the check-in?(we have the booking number).
Thank you for your time...
Happy holidays!

Hi Gwerty90

You normally get a little booklet entitled "Your travel documents" which include Arrival advice, your itinerary, contract and cancellation information. Not sure what "Electronic travel documents" are but regardless, the most important piece of information in there would be your booking number. Since you already have that info, you're on a roll!:)

If you don't see a cabin assignment, no worries! You will receive a "Welcome aboard" folder at check-in which will have your cabin assignment and dinner reservation. You will also receive your I.D./Room key card and will have your identification picture taken. They will probably also ask you to fill out/register a credit card for your onboard account (that forms is usually also send to you by your TA)

If you didn't get your Immigration Questionnare, go on-line to HAL's website and access the "for booked guests" tab. You will need your booking number and you can then fill out your Immigration forms on line. Don't forget to print them out and take them with you. Don't forget to take your passports with you!!

At the port, you will more than likely need to fill out a Health questionaire which does not take very long. After that, you're "good to go". Enjoy your first cruise on HAL, have a Wang Wang on us and, after you get home, be on the look-out for a new TA! ;)

[qwerty90]

Thank you all very much. Have a wonderful New Year:D .

[the2ofus]

Since you are new to cruising, you might also like to have one of the fabric or 'pleather' document wallets that HAL usually supplies. They are a better document holder than most other cruise lines provide, if they provide anything at all. Most land-based TA's deliver your cruise docs in them. An on-line TA may or may not provide them, but it is worth asking for one. They are sturdy enough to hold up over several years of cruising and are compartmented to conveniently organize your cruise docs, airline tickets, etc.

Enjoy your cruise and let us know how things go for you. Other questions? Don't hesitate to ask. We may not have all the answers, but we sure do have lots of information and opinions:) :D :eek: ;)

[SWeaster]

For our previous cruises on HAL we received a pouch containing our contract, flight schedule, etc. Although they include an immigration form, you should fill out the online versions and print them out. Unless you still have a cabin guarantee (cabin #000) instead of an actual cabin number, the cabin number assignment will be on this form as well.

The packet also included our vouchers for the bus ride to the dock. Unless things have changed since we sailed out of Fort Lauderdale in April 2006 or you have other surface transportation arranged those vouchers may be pretty important.

How could your travel agent leave town and not make arrangements for you to receive your travel documents? We deal with the local AAA Travel office where there are plenty of people to fill in when any particular agent is gone.