Newbie to HAL - Please Help w/Questions

[GottoCruise]

Hi! - I hope someone will answer some questions :p (lots)
I have never sailed HAL :( - but have sailed other lines -:D lately, mostly Princess - It's hard to give up my "Elite" perks on Princess (ie. Free Laundry, Internet) and the On-Board booking credits - but I cannot find an Itinerary for Summer 2005 that I really like.
However, I do like the TransAtlantic Crossing Itinerary on the Maasdam - Aug. 2 - 18 days. :D
1. Can you point me in the direction of a good TA that specializes in HAL (moss1renee@aol.com)
2. What can you tell me about the Maasdam - looks like an older ship w/few balconies (and those seem to be at high premium)
3. Are complimentary upgrades possible/probable for a first time HAL cruiser? Any special "ins & outs" for upgrade??
4. Will HAL adjust your rate if/when rates drop closer to sailing? - after final payment??
5. Comments about HAL insurance? or is it preferable to take out privately?
6. Anyway to avoid a "high" deposit?
7. Any perks at all for "Princess Capt. Ciricle members with "status"??
I will appreciate any/all informed answers with any other pertinent comments.....
Thanks ---Renee (aka GotToCruise)

[Jacqueline]

Renee, I am also a Princess refugee ! Same issues. The itineraries are not as varied as HAL's, at least in the summer months. So many ships in Alaska !
Good questions. We sail in 11 days

[OCruisers]

GottoCruise & Jaquline .... Probably not LOTS of help BUT ....

We have been on LOTS of Princess Cruises but only on two other HAL cruises (now booked on HAL again for 1/05 on Veendam).

Our TA seemed to make a "big deal" of listing our Princess ID NUMBERS with HAL (even though we had been on HAL before ... but on 25+ Princess) .... :confused:

Whatever.... She seemed to think it was important ... so we shall see! :rolleyes:

Bottom Line: You might want to make sure your TA has your Princess ID Numbers. (Can't hurt! :D )

Hopefully, someone else can help MORE!

Happy Sailing! OCruisers :)

[grannynurse]

Hi,
First of all, you can get discounts on HAL since carnival now owns princess.
You can check the VIP website for all the associated lines.
The Maasdam is an "S" class ship, slightly smaller that the Rotterdam, Volendam, Amsterdam and Zaandam. She's 720 feet long and without the midship elevators that above ships have.

She has a whole deck and a third of Veranda cabins, (B cabins on the Veranda deck, and A cabins on the navigation Deck with the suites) but if you're looking at her for next summer's transatlantic, hurry, because it is selling out fast. While we were on the Rotterdam (6/6-7/10) alot of people booked the Maasdam for next July.

The layout is similiar to the other "S" class as far as public rooms go, but having not sailed on her, I can't say how she is aging, but she's not that old!
The itinerary is a combined melage of ports from last summer's and this summer's Rotterdam cruises, both of which we were on. It is not a shopping cruise. It has more out-of-the-ordinary scenic, rustic, ports and alot of at-sea days.

Order a brochure from the HAL website, or download one for the Rotterdam for this summer to get more port info.

I'm sure you can find deals on HAL. Our New Year's cruise just had a major fare reduction. Check the on-line cruise consolidators then if you like, I can email you info about my TA who's a true miracle worker with HAL, Cunard, and Celebrity. Just remember to ask for the alumni discount for previous princess cruisers.
GN

[GottoCruise]

GRANNYNURSE - Thank you I would appreciate it if you would e-mail me with T/A's contact number. (number...@ GotToCruise@aol.com)

GotToCruise@aol.com