crystalspin

Hi again Jenni! The cruise I mentioned booking for January 2026 is actually a B2B (back-to-back) combination of two cruises, both R/T (round-trip) out of FLL (Fort Lauderdale) on HAL. I think HAL will be a good fit for you by the criteria you mentioned. Our cruise is comprised of a 12-day cruise plus a 9-day 'leg', first is partial transit of Panama Canal, second visits the ABC islands (Aruba, Bonaire, Curacao) AKA "southern Caribbean". Those destinations may not be what you are thinking of for a Caribbean cruise, but I would suggest you do look for something at least 7-days and preferably longer, and not during Spring Break times. The shorter later spring cruises sometimes attract a party-crowd, commonly called Booze Cruises.

Third-party travel agents lose commission $$ if your fare decreases, PCCs do not. Just saying. I mentioned above my PCC getting me a lower fare when I upgraded to a Vista Suite; I did not mention that it was Launch Fare, months after launch, when the price had gone up significantly. And she did it without me asking -- I was expecting to pay the full and current fare.

Seems like that would qualify as "full-service" that OP doesn't want.

US$55 pppd for all days that have a night, i.e. the stated length of your cruise.

"A reasonable amount". Haha!

Complimentary for use, not to take home, although you can purchase a brand new one for US$49 each, with three-initial embroidery included. When I log in to a booking and go to Extras/Collector Gifts -- there is no sizing choice. One might ask on the ship.

There is a fare option you have to call HAL (or use a PCC) to book with. It is called Advantage and has a refundable deposit, but none of the perks of HIA. Then you can purchase just the perks you want. ETA: do expand my quoted selection of your post, above. I've answered individual questions in RED!

(1) It is working for me; maybe they just had a glitch today? (2) It's now found under the DEALS menu in the top blue banner; in the first column (also Deals), second from the bottom.

Ya I know, rite? And yet they do apply it -- maybe the confirmation is easier/automatic once it is done the first time?

Why not deal with and phone the PCC that has been assigned to you? You should have been emailed a Booking Confirmation. It has more information than you can see online. I don't think it shows the source of OBC -- but it will show OBC totals and one person's will be more than the other by the amount of the AARP (and any other Community Appreciation OBC offers applied).

Note, just in case you end up looking at eBags backpacks, such as the "Professional Slim" line, they are NOT lightweight! We own both sizes and never use them. They are bomb-proof for protection, but weigh about half as much empty as full! (Well, maybe 1/3, but way too much.) https://www.ebags.com/backpacks/travel/pro-slim-weekender/117783XXXX.html?dwvar_117783XXXX_color=Black&cgid=travel-backpacks

I stand corrected, PLANNED DRY DOCKS Noordam 24 November 2024 – 08 December 2024 Understand that drydocks are for scheduled maintenance like hull-scraping etc; interior refurbs are almost incidental although planned just as well to happen like clockwork.

Yes, I am the big girl in the middle! The taller companion (camera left) is my mom, the other her sister, my aunt! Obviously we were having a great time!

My PCC does the same, on the phone or in e-mail. I usually have worked it all out, but sometimes she can see details I can't -- like one time I wanted to upgrade from Verandah to Vista Suite and (because it was an upgrade not a lower category) she was able to give me a previous lower fare!

@TorontoTL SeaMates is correct, Mary and I should have mentioned that you will essentially be re-booking (without risk of losing your cabin), and any original promo will be replaced by the current one if any. Always do the math!