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Boatdrill's Achievements
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Yes, it's "a website blurb". Not from a travel website, but from Holland America Line, in an attempt to provide guidance to their guests who want to know what to pack, and what is acceptable attire onboard. It's provided by HAL out of respect and as a courtesy for their guests, so their guests will not find themselves in an awkward situation. As the saying goes, your mileage may vary (YMMV). Your reality is one thing, mine is another. I have never seen "plenty of jeans" in the MDR on dressy night. Perhaps the seating has something to do with it ? We're late seating, at 8pm.
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From HAL website FAQ's: Q: Are jeans allowed? A: Jeans without holes, tears or embroidery are welcome on most evenings in all restaurants, but on Dressy Nights jeans are only allowed in the casual dining restaurants. Casual dining restaurant(s) are the Lido, Dive In, Pizza, etc. The MDR is not.
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Koningsdam in Juneau on April 29, 2024
Boatdrill replied to leerathje's topic in Holland America Line
They seem to start earlier every year. -
I often ordered these to be delivered to the room on embark day, and found them to be very good. The photo is accurate - they're similar to pate or mousse. However, the price has increased substantially, and unless they've done something spectacular with them, it's no longer a good value for me. Just MHO.
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Contact/e-mail to resolve billing error.
Boatdrill replied to NotLikeBelleRosen,IHope's topic in Holland America Line
Don't give up. Write them again, and copy Shore Excursions, and Reservations Accounting on your email: HAL_Shore_Excursions@hollandamerica.com and reservation_accounting@hollandamerica.com -
If it was originally a travel agent booking, why isn't the TA calling HAL on your behalf ? (just curious)
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Am I asking too much from my travel agent?
Boatdrill replied to CafeBruno's topic in Holland America Line
Absolutely not. After your reservation is deposited or paid in full, HAL's confirmation comes to the agent within an hour or two, max. -
Am I asking too much from my travel agent?
Boatdrill replied to CafeBruno's topic in Holland America Line
Not quite. The booking belongs to the agent, so any changes or payments still have to made by him/her only. And you will have to contact him/her for that . He/she will have paperwork to do for your booking, and often will not collect the commission for months after she/he completes your booking. It depends on the sail date: book a cruise today for next April, and the commission from HAL will come in February. But the agency is paid first, and after they take their share, the agent is paid. So he/she will have waited nearly a year to receive the commission on your booking. Travel agents are the first to be solicited for business by cruise lines, hotels, etc., and the last to be paid. If you cancel your reservation, the agent gets nothing from you, unless he/she charged you a non-refundable planning fee, which many do to protect themselves. If the agent has been paid the commission, and you have to cancel, the cruise line recalls the commission and takes it back from the agent. I can understand why you've been through so many agents. If you just want an order taker, consider joining an agency as an independent contractor, book your own cruises, and earn your own commission.- 46 replies
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NEWS FLASH: HAL to favor Triples and Quads
Boatdrill replied to crystalspin's topic in Holland America Line
I don't know if this "counts", but on April 18 I checked HAL's travel agent booking portal for availability on two 7 day Alaska cruises on the Eurodam this summer. The itineraries were the same. One cruise was in mid June, the other in early September. All rooms/categories, on both cruises, were available by guarantee only. For the September cruise, this was not the case just a few months ago. On both cruises, I entered specific room numbers - triples, quads, double, single occ. - to test the system, and as a attempt to find a room to assign. Not one was available. All suites on the June cruise were waitlisted. Everything else, top to bottom, was guarantee only. It didn't matter if it was with or without Have It All, group fares, or any promotion; HAL was not going to show me their hand, not even for a cruise 5 months from now. -
It's where the money is. People on the east coast and midwest tend to vacation in the Caribbean. Tens of thousands of travelers choose ships to get there instead of planes (better value) . With Explora's 7 day itineraries + the Caribbean, Explora should do well. West coasters go to Hawaii or Mexican Riviera But most people fly to Hawaii, so that cruise route isn't lucrative, and can't be done in 7 days. And Mexican Riviera cruises don't attract the same numbers as the Caribbean.
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Actually this was a very traditional way to cruise in the 1960's. Children's tables were set in a room off of the main dining room. My sister and I were initially assigned to the children's dining room during a TA crossing on Italian Line (SS Cristoforo Columbo). My father came got us, and from then on we sat with our parents.
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Not sure if upscale and Explora is right for me
Boatdrill replied to If_this_is_tuesday's topic in Explora Journeys
With respect I ask why do you cruise ? Everything you like to do, you can do at home. -
Here we go again - Explora 2 itinerary changes
Boatdrill replied to uktog's topic in Explora Journeys
Just curious as to how much notice they gave you about the itinerary change ? -
Yes, or strangers he was partying with. Reportedly he was only 20. It's good that the crew knew exactly when/where he went overboard. I hope the CG finds him.
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Dawn passengers left “stranded” on African island
Boatdrill replied to WonderMan3's topic in Norwegian Cruise Line
By the way, high praise and many thanks to the captain for his commitment to the safety of his ship, crew and passengers. There is no doubt he was in touch with NCL Marine Operations back in the US and they made the decisions together. If I was in his shoes, there would be no way I would allow an unfamiliar foreign vessel to pull up next to mine to return late passengers in a part of the world known for piracy. I would have no way of knowing who else is on that boat. Unless it was SEAL Team Six, no one could change my mind.- 737 replies
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