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Helpful answers; but what if one also paid for Celebrity's insurance?  It that also either refunded or included in the 125% FCC?

Earllier postings on Cruise Critic said that HAL's Explore 4 promotion would begin today (July 18). Where is it? I know it is now not quite 6:00 am in Seattle (HAL headquarters), but I really expected their web site to bally-hoo Explore 4 this morning.

Anybody know whether this was just a hoax, misinformation, or what?

Do any of the hotels in Fort Lauderdale provide free shuttle to the cuirse pier? Just curious; on previous cruises here we have paid $8 per person for shuttle to pier.

Very irritated at HAL. Researched a Caribbean cruise on Nieuw Amsterdam, made notes of prices, cabins, etc. Called my travel agent about one week later and the price for our suite had jumped $360 (for two)! I checked HAL site and sure enough, they had jacked up the price. Really ticked me off (we did not book, just out of spite!).

Does anyone know: do HAL prices adjust frequently? Always up or sometimes down? When?

Thanks.

I have been curious about Holland America's promotions (e.g., Explore4, Ready, Set, Sail, etc.). I have read posts on Cruise Critic that say it is better to book "no frills" than promotional deals. But how does one book a "no frills" cruise on HAL? Everywhere I look on their website seems to be the Ready, Set, Sail deal.

We are considering booking one of the aft Neptune Suites on the Nieuw Amsterdam, hoping that it will give us a semi-panoramic view of Inside Passage and other Alaska sights.

Are these aft Neptune Suites (category SB) the same size as the other Neptune Suites (SA)?

Does the balcony actually "wrap-around" the corner?

And (finally), does one actually get a more panoramic view than one of the Neptune Suites that is on either the port or starboard side?

Any other comments about these aft Neptune Suites?

Thanks!

We are considering booking a Horizon View Suite on the Mariner. They are aft on decks 7,8,9,and 10. We are wondering what advantages/disadvantages there might be to the various decks. We had a bad experience years ago on Princess; we had a balcony on a certain level (e.g., deck 7), and because of the staggered design of the ship, the people on levels above us could look right down onto our deck.

So... are decks 7,8,9,and 10 on Mariner situated so that one has privacy on the aft balconies? Thanks for any suggestions you might have.

When I looked at the new Chops menu, I did not see crab cakes---one of our favorite things. Does Chops still offer crab cakes? We were really unhappy when they cut the Vidalia onion tart frOm the MDR menu. If we lose the Chops crab cakes, we will be suicidal!

Do you recall how the Navigator docked in Cozumel? Did it enter the pier forward or did it go in backwards? Makes a difference in booking a room on starboard or port (creates a view to Cozumel or another cruise ship 20 feet away!). Thanks.

Do you happen to recall how the Navigator approached the pier in Cozumel? Did it back into the pier or go in forward? It makes a difference when booking a cabin; if one is on the "wrong" side, instead of seeing Cozumel, one simply sees the side of another ship parked adjacent. Thanks for any onto.