TriGirl

We were also on this cruise. It didn't ruin the cruise for us, but we were disappointed. We ended up with a lot of sea days, which apparently some passengers like. My husband and I prefer port days, so it was disappointing.

In my opinion, and I understand I'm going to upset some with this opinion, if both ports are difficult in high winds or inclement weather it might make more sense to only include one during windy/weather months. I completely understand why the ports had to be skipped but that doesn't change the fact that passengers were disappointed or angry or whatever. If missing both ports seems to happen often, maybe HAL should consider an itinerary change.

We didn't have trouble finding things to do, but we wanted beach & snorkeling time. Just to be clear, this did not ruin our trip but it's not the cruise we had hoped for. We weren't that sad it was ending, we were ready and that never happens. I talked to several other passengers who were also ready. It was an odd cruise, at least for us it was. I'm sure we will cruise with HAL again, but I'm going to look at the itinerary more closely

We booked a guarantee balcony, I have been checking the luggage tags obsessively because i read here that they get updated first. Our cabin # appeared there first and several hours later I got an email saying our booking had been updated. When I checked the cabin number appeared on the booking as well. We are sailing on Oct 23rd and we were assigned our cabin yesterday.

Is someone really "disgusted" over bad tea, or just going with the current trend to overstate anything out of proportion?

I think it's all relative. At home I drink tea and water. The only tea I drink at home is loose leaf Teavana tea and I brew a 64 oz carafe of ice tea with it and a cup of hot tea at night. I also go Starbucks pretty regularly for a hot tea, sometimes iced tea. To me Bigelow tea has no flavor, I would likely need more than one tea bag. Disgusted? Maybe a strong word, but I wouldn't be happy with it. Sure I could drink water or HAL's ice tea but when you're used to something it's just not the same. Will it ruin my trip? No, just something to be aware of.

Teavana recently started making sachets, they aren't the same as loose leaf but I may get a couple of boxes to take with me.

I really like Teavana's Emperor's Mist Green Tea and my husband always asks me how I can drink something that smells like feet!

Thank you for all the replies. I prefer coconut milk, but soy will do just fine, as long as it's dairy free I'll be happy.

Does HAL offer, or can you ask for, coconut milk or soy milk? At home I use coconut milk creamer in my coffee. I wouldn't expect to find that, but I was hoping for either coconut milk or soy milk. The menus I looked at say "your choice of milk" but none list the actual milk options, which I assume are non-fat, 2% and whole milk.

Thank you for the replies. It's good to know that we may be able to get a price adjustment if the price drops. I have a feeling the cruise we're looking at will fill up since it's the only HAL Caribbean cruise in October.

I apologize if this has already been discussed (I did a quick search and found some old threads but I'm curious of any new HAL experiences). If you book a cruise well in advance and the price drops, before final payment, does HAL offer any type of onboard credit for the difference?

Hubby and I are looking at October on the Eurodam. I keep getting sale emails from HAL but they are for dates in March & April. That makes me think that if the ship isn't sold out as the date gets closer they start offering discounts. I understand the desire to fill the ship, but it seems like they'd be punishing passengers who planned in advance if they don't offer any type of price adjustment.

Anyway, if we book I'd like to know ahead of time what to expect.

Not sure if this will help since it's slightly different than what you are describing. But my husband did not have a passport, we just got back from the Westerdam yesterday.

We had no problems boarding, they looked at his birth certificate and picture ID. you can't do any shore excursions to St John because you have to go through customs and they require a passport. Coming home I filled out the customs form because I have a passport, they asked to see his birth certificate and picture ID.

Maybe call the state department and ask what they suggest. I called them after we tried to get husbands passport and they were very helpful.

Has anyone stayed in this cabin, or one with a similar location? We are on Deck 5 near the elevator and stairs. I booked us a guarantee balcony and I know that means you take what you get. I'm just curious what the noise level is like at night. We're pretty far forward, but I would imagine there will still be some foot traffic.

Thanks

Hi, in my opinion? I like the Renassiance location the best of them.:)

The hotel was fine........it is located in what is called "QUAY"....it

is a small shopping center with restaurants very close by.

 

The Hilton? I am guessing you are talking about the Hilton Marina....

I didn't like the shower.....it comes down from the ceiling AND

both doors do not close....weird....and not my choice.

 

Pier 66? I know ALOT of people LOVE IT.....I had a bad experience

so it has left a bad taste in my mouth from them.

Thank you so much. I was leaning towards the Renassiance, my husband said something about how he's always liked the Hyatt chain and never had a bad experience. But that's not true, we had a bad experience where they gave us a smoking room and swore up and down they were booked solid and couldn't give us another room. When my husband made the reservation he asked for NO SMOKING. It was disgusting, we were able to open the window but it doesn't matter. I also left my Apple charger in the bathroom, I realized about 10 minutes after we had left. I called the front desk and they had the maid check. The maid said there was no charger.

Anyway, I appreciate your feedback.

Stephanie

For those who received an upgrade and/or upsell, did you book directly through Holland America or a travel agent?

Many years ago I took my mom on the Westerdam when she was new. I booked through Holland America (after we had toured her when she was in SF). We got upgraded to a suite but didn't know it until we were checking in. My mom had NO idea what was happening, but I saw the cabin number and started doing the happy dance. I tried to explain but it wasn't until she saw the cabin that she fully understood why I was so excited.

Anyway, that's never happened again but I haven't been booking through HAL.

Hi Stephanie.....I have stayed at all 3 of them over the years.

The prices can vary depending on time of year and who you book

through. Priceline/Hotwire usually has The Renaissance on their list

to get at a more resonable rate.

Yes, all 3 are near restaurants:).

Lois,

I priced them all out and on Trivago they range from $119 to $148 for October 24th. Out of the three, which did you like best? Was there one you just wouldn't stay at again? I know it's only one night, but we have had some bad luck in the past.

Thanks

Stephanie

I read through a lot if the other thread and I didn't really see a lot on the hotels I'm considering. I have it narrowed down to the following three:

Hyatt pier 66

Renaissance

Hilton

Has anyone stayed at any of these hotels? Our budget is approximately $150.

And am I correct that all of these hotels are near restaurants? We won't be there that long so I'm not concerned with things to do, just dinner and breakfast the next morning before we head off to the port.

Stephanie