Got 'Em and Didn't Request 'Em

[DizzyDallasDi]

Hold on Nellie...it's another travel document thread. :D

After all the hoopla on this board awhile back about HAL discontinuing their old fashioned travel documents, I was surprised when I got home from work tonight to discover that UPS had delivered (gasp !!) the old fashioned travel documents. :eek: I really didn't want them as the only useful things in this packet (to me) are the luggage tags. So, for all of you out there who are fretting about the discontinuation of the blue poly-something cases containing the usual miscellaneous papers and booklets...don't fear, HAL is still sending them.

Diane

[kryos]

I think it all depends on when you booked as to whether you will get the printed documents. And even if you just booked recently, I think at least for now, your travel agent can still request them at no additional cost.

But I believe at some point, electronic documents are gonna be the default, and there could be a charge if you wanted printed ones. At least that's what I seem to recall having heard.

Blue skies ...

--rita

[DesertDogs]

What??? Your not Doc Dancing with your pretty blue folders?? :p

[sail7seas]

I'd be happy if they send the luggage tags only and make their site more user friendly so one can count on being able to EASILY find and print appropriate docs.

I know I'm not the most techno briliiant but I have a lot of trouble with the HAL site.

[DizzyDallasDi]

What??? Your not Doc Dancing with your pretty blue folders?? :p

I've been dancing since I booked the cruise and got my cabin-of-choice. :D Docs....don't need 'em and won't pay for 'em. Got 'em anyway. All I want is to board the ship and enjoy the trip. Isn't that what it's all about? :)

Diane

[RuthC]

I'd be happy if they send the luggage tags only and make their site more user friendly
I pretty much agree. I want the luggage tags sent, along with the tear-off phone number cards. I have a deck drawer full of HAL folders in various incarnations (going back to the last time they were cloth).
Then, reset the site so that I don't have to keep clicking that I'm still there. Let me log in and be done with it until I close out.

[DizzyDallasDi]

I'd be happy if they send the luggage tags only and make their site more user friendly so one can count on being able to EASILY find and print appropriate docs.

I know I'm not the most techno briliiant but I have a lot of trouble with the HAL site.


I couldn't agree with you more! I like getting the luggage tags but have sailed without them and my luggage found its way to my cabin without a hitch. HAL's website is a mess and needs a major overhaul. Luckily, I'm pretty techo-savvy. I totally understand how many would be frustrated.

Diane

[sail7seas]

I had trouble doing our on line check in for our Eurodam cruises. What I printed was not accepted at the check in and we had to complete the paper forms.

It should have defaulted if my completion on line was deficient in some way.
Should not have continued forward if unacceptable IMO

[DizzyDallasDi]

Then, reset the site so that I don't have to keep clicking that I'm still there. Let me log in and be done with it until I close out.

OMG !! I hate that so much, too, Ruth. :mad: I've been researching my shore excursions and keep getting that annoying message over and over while I'm reading about one. Why would I want to end my session while I'm actively doing research?

Diane

[fridayeyes]

I miss the older, sturdier blue folders that were made of cloth. And I'll miss the brightly colored luggage tags with the ship's name on them and goshdarnit, I want my HAL button!

[DizzyDallasDi]

I miss the older, sturdier blue folders that were made of cloth. And I'll miss the brightly colored luggage tags with the ship's name on them and goshdarnit, I want my HAL button!

Stop the presses !! There was no button included in my docs. :eek: Should I request an OBC?

Diane

[COLLEYBERRY]

Happy Dancing Diane:):) I assume you are sailing in an aft(wakeview) cabin once again:) ?? Have the best time.
Regards Colleen

[CaledonHockley]

I printed the "boarding pass", but it did not give me a copy of the immigration form, is that ok? Or is it something I need to have?

I agree, HAL's website is a nightmare. I use other online travel sites to monitor prices, view deckplans, etc.

[KAYEF]

My TA told me they're all electronic beginning with May 9th sailings.
I learned on CC that you can request paper docs; I wanted them this time cuz it's my s-i-ls first cruise and it's exciting when they arrive. I called him and said I knew I could get paper docs; he gave in.:D
BUT, I agree with those of you who say, "all I want is the luggage tags."
Paper just doesn't do the trick; I like those sturdy ones with the ship's name, etc.:o

[dandro]

Speaking of luggage tags, when do you put them on your luggage? At the airport you depart from or at the airport in the city of embarkation?

Sorry for the mini-hijack of the thread.

[debshomespun]

I like the old fashioned docs too. Always nice to read all the good stuff about the cruise.

Regarding the luggage tags, I put them on after we arrive at the embarkment city. Usually, we fly in a day or 2 before the cruise, so when we are at the hotel, I put the luggage tags on then. A good tip is to be sure to have your itinerary of what ship you are on just inside your luggage, so if the luggage should get lost, and TSA looks inside, they will know where you are at to get your luggage to, rather than try to get it to your home address which is usually listed on the outside of the luggage. I list my cell phone on the outside of my luggage, just in case it is lost, so they can call that number.

[rubytue]

My TA told me they're all electronic beginning with May 9th sailings.

Sailing 22 May, got my blue folder about a week ago. I did not request to have paper documents sent. Booked direct through HAL. Maybe that was the difference?

[scottjeanne]

I booked through online travel agent. Leaving May 1, I received two sets of identical blue folders and docs two weeks apart. Travel agent said to ignore second set. Anyone want my extra blue folder?????

[DizzyDallasDi]

Happy Dancing Diane:):) I assume you are sailing in an aft(wakeview) cabin once again:) ?? Have the best time.
Regards Colleen

Hi Colleen - Yep, I'm smack dab in the middle! :D
Diane

[DizzyDallasDi]

My TA told me they're all electronic beginning with May 9th sailings.

I'm not sailing until May 23 and my docs magically appeared.

Diane

[COLLEYBERRY]

Hi Colleen - Yep, I'm smack dab in the middle! :D
Diane


You lucky gal !! Sunsetting, drink in hand ,raise a glass to the wake for me ,will ya ???

[Palmetto Lady]

I've been wondering when the cruise lines would start discontinuing the nice fabric or fake leather document holders. After you have collected more than two or three, you start throwing them away. I always feel guilty about throwing them out. It just seems wasteful. My current cruise is on a different line and they sent the documents in a high quality paper folder.

[DesertDogs]

I'd be happy if they send the luggage tags only and make their site more user friendly so one can count on being able to EASILY find and print appropriate docs.

I know I'm not the most techno briliiant but I have a lot of trouble with the HAL site.


I am hoping we can call HAL and request luggage tags like we have in the past when we needed more than was sent with our docs.

[mamadot]

We got our blue packets several weeks ago for our May cruises. I am happy to get luggage tags but use my leather folder which is also blue! I was really surprised as we fall in the spring cruises which were to be with NO mailed documents. I can take them or leave them but it was exciting to see them!!

[scoochy12]

We are sailing May 31 and docs arrived today in a very nice cloth folder. 4 luggage tags with Ship name but still NO cabin # assigned.

[FloridaAdGuy]

This is our first time sailing with HAL. I see that several folks boarding weeks after us have received already received their documents. Is there a typical period (six weeks out, four weeks prior, etc.) when documents are sent?

[chip1969]

This is our first time sailing with HAL. I see that several folks boarding weeks after us have received already received their documents. Is there a typical period (six weeks out, four weeks prior, etc.) when documents are sent?

I leave on 5/16/09 on the Zuiderdam out of Vancouver and received my docs quite unexpectedly 2 days ago. I had already printed all my online check-in docs and was ready to go and the package showed up. I'm guessing you should receive yours anytime.

This was my first time booking with an outside agency so it isn't a booking directly with HAL thing. I'm excited they came just for my Mom as this is her first cruise. I am treating her and my step-dad to the cruise for her 60th birthday. Additionally I have booked all of us in aft suites for a first as well.

I think your docs should come anytime now.

[dandro]

This is our first time sailing with HAL. I see that several folks boarding weeks after us have received already received their documents. Is there a typical period (six weeks out, four weeks prior, etc.) when documents are sent?

We were told 50 days, and they came a bit sooner. Did you ask for paper docs or e-docs?

[FloridaAdGuy]

We were told 50 days, and they came a bit sooner. Did you ask for paper docs or e-docs?


We didn't specify though I thought all cruises after May 9 defaulted to the electronic documents. It does appear, however, that passengers after that date are still receiving the paper docs.

[DizzyDallasDi]

You lucky gal !! Sunsetting, drink in hand ,raise a glass to the wake for me ,will ya ???

You betcha! In fact, I'll raise several for you...that way I can rationalize those extra drinks because those will be yours and not mine. ;)

I understand the sun doesn't set until 10ish in Alaska in May so I may have to raise a glass a few hours before sunset, if that's okay with you. :)

[LAFFNVEGAS]

I am hoping we can call HAL and request luggage tags like we have in the past when we needed more than was sent with our docs.

It is my understanding that if you have the e-docs that you will pick up these luggage tags at the pier, All they need is the cabin number and your name. But I have to agree I would much prefer them in advance myself :o Between making sure you have all the correct documentation out, getting in line and filling out the health questionnaire. I really do not want to worry about finding these tags and filling them out prior to giving my luggage to the stevedores:( It is already crazy at check in why add something else.
http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_gwAButW42xk/ScRzHFKl0fI/AAAAAAAAAq4/tOgY2x3OfOU/s400/IMG00074.jpg

We didn't specify though I thought all cruises after May 9 defaulted to the electronic documents. It does appear, however, that passengers after that date are still receiving the paper docs.

I recently booked a last minute cruise on the Panama Canal for April 17th and I was given the choice of regular docs or e-docs. I chose the e-docs. I believe that it is possible if you did not specify that yes they are e-docs and if you requested docs you got regular docs which is why several leaving after are getting those docs.

[DizzyDallasDi]

I believe that it is possible if you did not specify that yes they are e-docs and if you requested docs you got regular docs which is why several leaving after are getting those docs.

Lisa - Like my thread title says...I got regular docs even though I didn't request them. I used a TA and she didn't request them either. It's a mystery to me why I got them. I'm not alone...there are several others who have weighed in here that said they received them too. Who knows when the "real" cut off date is for these docs. Maybe HAL is using up the remaining poly-something pouches they have in stock and will institute the edocs-only policy when they run out?

Diane

[COLLEYBERRY]

You betcha! In fact, I'll raise several for you...that way I can rationalize those extra drinks because those will be yours and not mine. ;)

I understand the sun doesn't set until 10ish in Alaska in May so I may have to raise a glass a few hours before sunset, if that's okay with you. :)


Oh very well .... just be sure you behave myself okay.:D:D Have a wonderful time.:)