HELENPSL

Hi Jacqui - can you please add us to your list above:

HELENPSL - Zuiderdam - Nov. 10, 2021 - 17 Day Spanish Farewell - first transatlantic for Helen & Angelo

Thanks so much!!

Of all the cruises we’ve done I would say our SE Asia cruise was the most fascinating. We went from Singapore to Yokohama. It was unlike any other trip we’ve taken. Fabulous!


Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thanks everyone for the good wishes. Jacqui...wish you and Jose were joining us. Wouldn’t that be fun!


Sent from my iPad using Forums

1 hour ago, Tom47 said:

I have never cruised on HAL, but 8 times on X,   4 times on Azamara and once on RCI.  I'm considering HAL,  but don't like their smoking policies.

You could go on one of HAL’s 5 ships where they do not allow smoking in the casino.

30 minutes ago, kootz said:

Smoking area question. We have not sailed Holland for many years. I am seeing talk of Seaview area’s.  Are they inside?  Outside? If outside, are they covered areas?   Don’t bash me. Yes I occasionally still have a cigarette but prefer to do it outside out of the sun. No interest in smoking in the casino.

The outside smoking area is located at the area out back of the lido and is a covered area with tables.

Helen

1 hour ago, Alberta Quilter said:

Update. We ate at Canaletto last night. Today when I checked our account, we received the loyalty discounts for both our Canaletto and PG dinners for all three of us. We’ll be at the PG tomorrow night. 

Thanks for the updated information.  

Helen

I think I know the answer to this question but just want to know for sure.  We will be a group of 8 people and my SO and I are the only 4* mariners.  If I charge the entire bill on my ship card will we all benefit from the 50% discount or will they charge the other people full price?  Never done this before.  Thanks!

Helen

I'm assuming that your trip includes St. Petersburg, Russia.  You need to have a visa for Russia but if you book thru HAL or any of the major tour companies you will go in under their visa and you will not need to get one on your own.  We booked many of our tours thru one tour company.  Can't remember if I'm allowed to mention the name of the company on here but, with a little bit of research, it will not take you long to notice that the are 3 companies that are mentioned often.  Our Baltic's cruise was one of our very best.  Enjoy!!

Just another thought...we are stopping in Boston on May 29.  I am planning on booking the Boston Whale Watching Cruise thru Viator.  It's received very good reviews and just something different than the normal museums and history.  I used to live in the Boston area so I think we'll give this a try.

Helen

Hi Jacqui,

Me again with another booking.  OK - I'm out of control!!

HELENPSL - May 26, 2020 - MS Amsterdam - 11 day The Atlantic Coast - Angelo and I are surprising my brother and sister-in-law who have already booked this cruise!!

Thanks honey!!

Just be sure to wear really good shoes.  Lisbon, especially the Alfama area, is very hilly.  We were on a walking tour and it was drizzling.  But it was worth every moment.  It's a beautiful city.

Helen

1 hour ago, sailingdutchy said:

 

Thank you very much for your good wishes Jacqui  @kazu, and all others ! We are looking forward to boarding the Westerdam  (first time for us ) who is in dry dock at the moment getting all ready for us .

 

Also a belated Happy , Healthy and Prosperous New Year to you and Jose and hopefully some good cruising in 2020 ! 

 

Martha and Tony 

Wishing you both a fabulous cruise and wishing that we were going with you!!  

Helen and Angelo in Florida

On 12/30/2019 at 5:29 PM, emckeeve said:

Thanks Bill.  But we're not flying.  We're driving down from Vero Beach that morning.

We drive down from Port St. Lucie and always park at the Parkngo...www.bookparkngo.com.  If you book online and prepay you will get a discount.  They have a lot of shuttle buses so there is usually a bus waiting when you disembark.  When you get off I-95 just head towards the port.  First light is Eller.  Make a left and the parking is right there.  Very, very easy.

Helen

Hi Jacqui,

Whenever you have a moment can you add us to your list?  Love to Jose and stay warm!!

HELENPSL - Nieuw Statendam - March 1, 2020 - 7 day Western Caribbean - Just me and Angelo running away!

Thanks my friend!!

Hi Jacqui,

Whenever you have time can you add us to your list?  Thanks so much and love to Jose!!

HELENPSL - Nieuw Statendam - March 1, 2020 - 7 day Western Caribbean - Angelo and I just running away!

12 hours ago, I like vacation said:

 

I guess the next question is how many "designated" smoking nights does the Veendam have?  Every night??

 

 

On a 7 day cruise there are usually 2 gala nights and those are the non-smoking nights.

Thank you Jacqui and everyone else for the warm Bon Voyage.  The suitcases are out but not packed.  Probably won't be done until Friday!!

Jacqui - please give Jose a hug from us and try to stay warm!!

Love ya!!

And I will be on her next Sunday the 24th.  Can't wait!!

Bon Voyage one and all.  Have a fabulous cruise!

Helen

23 minutes ago, Pierlesscruisers said:

 

I don't believe you are correct. I just went to the Carnival website to check and found nothing there about on-board credit for veterans. I did find a bit of information on reduced fares for some Carnival cruises for military active-duty and retired military (both US and Canadian) and for veterans also but no mention at all of on-board credit. A search for "military cruise deals" gave me  page that showed what cruises were available for the reduced fare but there it said only that active & retired US & Canadian military were eligible and made no mention of veterans who were not active or retired. When I clicked on a link entitled "Terms & Conditions" it just led me to a page that stated "The web page you are looking for could not be found. Sometimes these things happen. Please check the address and try again."

 

If you have any information that does show that Carnival actually does provide OBC to any veterans I'd be glad to see it. Otherwise, I stand by my original statement that Princess, Cunard & P&O are the only 3. As far as reduced fares, Holland America does offer some price reductions on some cruises I believe.

 

Tom

 

 

 

I may be confused now that you mention it.  I know that I had to send Carnival his DD-214 and they may have given him a discount on the fare.  It's been a while.  I may be confusing it with shareholder credit for the stock.  As for HAL, my understanding is that they only give a discount for active duty military.  My partner is retired military and he gets nothing from them.  Sorry for the confusion.

Helen

Helen

On 8/5/2019 at 7:11 PM, Pierlesscruisers said:

 

If you are referring to discounts for military, the only cruiselines that offer on-board credit for any former military person (whether active duty, retired, or only veteran (with 2 yrs serv. or 6 mos. in a combat zone)) then the only lines that offer that are Princess, P&O and Cunard.

 

Tom

Carnival also offers OBC for military.

1 hour ago, RealityChick said:

Helen, I would like to get contact info from you!    I didn't get to see you and Angelo on our last day of cruising in Mayl

 

Hugs to you both!

QVC  

vickycantrell@gmail.com. 

YEAH - so good to hear from you.  I'm sending you a private email in just a minute!!

2 hours ago, rafinmd said:

As I read it all the Vista and Signature ships except Noordam (Westerdam, Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Eurodam, and Nieuw Amsterdam.  I wonder what's different about the Noordam.

 

Roy

Part II - I just googled this and found out that there is a room called the Oak Room which is their smoking room.  According to the deck plan it is right next to the Crow's Nest and not near the casino.

Helen

1 hour ago, rafinmd said:

As I read it all the Vista and Signature ships except Noordam (Westerdam, Oosterdam, Zuiderdam, Eurodam, and Nieuw Amsterdam.  I wonder what's different about the Noordam.

 

Roy

I have never been on the Noordam but I had heard that there was a "cigar smoking room" near the casino.  I just looked at the deck plan and don't see anything that would imply such a room.  I'm sure someone who's been on the Noordam recently will be able to solve this mystery.

Helen

34 minutes ago, GEEKMA92 said:

Smoking in the casino is reason enough for us to stay away from HAL. Simply cannot stomach cigarette smoke.

There are several ships where the casino is totally smoke free.