Nola26

Just off the Eurodam. HAL has all the equipment you need to play, I wouldn't pack anything, just ask for how you can get access for free play time. It is played on the sports court and I think it was always set up for play; there was only one basketball hoop, not full court.

Pickleball is also an activity on the schedule so maybe you can join those. Sometimes they're instructional but there were playing/tournaments too.

On 5/20/2023 at 3:00 PM, zgscl said:

Side note - has anyone seen Major Fourth? I skipped both shows and my mom is dying to know what type of music they do. 

 

Yes, I saw both shows. I left the first one about half way through; I wanted to catch the trio playing on Ocean Bar on 3. They were doing some Pop music, not all of which I recognized. After I left they did a rendition of Purple Rain. The Friday show was early, 5pm and that one was better than the first show, different music, better costumes and songs suited voices well. Not the best Major Fourth group (staffer told me this) but still pretty good.

I was on the May 20th sailing, just home today.

11 minutes ago, MisterMatthew said:

ZGSC..

 

Thank you for your post... I am going to be on the same ship for the May 20 sailing.  I can't wait!

 

May I ask, did you have an assigned boarding "time"?  Just wondering.  By the way, your cabin looks especially nice!  I'm "inside", but have done the inside before.

 

Love the EXACT same burger at Dive In.  Yum!  Is the orange smoothie a drink available there?  Or, from a bar, etc... Alcohol?

 

Thanks again for the post.

 

---misterMatthew

Not the OP but I'll be on the same sailing as you, we have completed online check-in and have our boarding passes that show time and group assignment. They are located under the Check-In option "Docs" tab. I also have our boarding passes via the app. Boarding Pass is shown as soon as I open the app, just tap to see them. Boarding Pass and group are shown at the top of the pass. In the app they may also be in your Wallet under the Account tab.

We are booked on a comp casino offer. I had the HIA offer pop in the app and online, did research but did not book. I went back and the offer wasn't there. I called later and was able to add it no problem. After adding it the online offer showed up again. 

My guess is it's a technical issue. Keep checking then ultimately call if needed. My comp has to be less than a casino rate so I wouldn't think that's the limiter.

We board on the 20th and now I can plan my afternoon and evening on my first HAL cruise, thanks! We will eat differently as we'll frequent the MDR, but great to have choices. So grateful for your posts, thank you for sharing.

1 hour ago, MisterMatthew said:

Really nice posting! 

 

I will be on Eurodam (may 20 to 27).  Cannot wait!!!

     -misterMatthew

We will be on the same sailing, just finalized our excursions tonight. Our first HAL and first Alaska trip, excited!

Hopefully more things will appear open for our visit.

Just now, Coral said:

Empty as in no flowers. They said they saw soil with plants and no flowers/blossoms.

Thanks, that was my concern. There are other options, we'll switch things up but still go to the Glacier.

On 4/13/2023 at 7:53 AM, Coral said:

It depends on the time of year you are going. I know several who have gone in May and they say it is empty then.

Empty as in not crowded? Did they comment on things to see there in May? We booked the Glacier and Gardens through HAL and had some concern that the Gardens may not be particularly spectacular due to the time of year.

20 hours ago, sallywallygal said:

We will be on Nieuw Statendam in July. If the price for the 14-day cruise for unlimited laundry is $119, may I assume the price for a 7-day cruise would be roughly half that?   

The price is for $59.50 for a 7 Day Alaska cruise on the Eurodam. It might be worth it just to send Mom home with clean clothes. This cruise a Mother's day gift for her.

We will be sailing on the Eurodam next month. How quickly is the laundry returned? I am considering the Unlimited option. I didn't even know the fill the bag was an option. Does HAL run a special for the bag?

We are considering the soda package, but it's not clear how it works. I am expecting to be able to order a soft drink at dinner, at a bar or lounge even in the casino and get a beverage. However, the fine print indicates that: Guests will be issued one specialty cup to be used in connection with this promotion. The cup is not replaceable. Do I need to this cup to get a drink? I know it stipulates that it only includes fountain drinks, but is this a self-service program such that I need to have a cup on my hand whilst on the ship?

We have also booked this, we are on the May 20th cruise. I really want to visit Nugget Falls. Is 90 minutes enough time for this and time in the visitor center? I will have my mother with me who is absolutely capable of doing the walk, but I don't want to feel like I'm rushing her. She loves horticulture so she's interested in visiting the gardens too. TIA

Interesting what people pay on HAL, all about what you're used to. Good information to have for our first HAL cruise to Alaska in May.

We sail NCL and they typically offer a half price deal on one day of the 7-day cruise. With that deal we pay about $10/bag. At Latitudes Gold level you can get that half price any day once per cruise. Now that I've reached Platinum we get one complimentary bag of laundry per cruise. Turnaround time is similar to HAL.

I have sensitive hearing so I wear a set of headphones around my neck and put them in to muffle sound when I'm in a loud place like a concert or casino. Sometimes I even play one of my Audible books. I love live music and this helps me enjoy it more.

HAL has to try to attract younger travelers who will sail with them for decades as you have done. Otherwise the line will phase out as those traditional customers phase out.

In any event I'm looking forward to my first HAL cruise this spring, Eurodam to Alaska. I'm used to sailing on NCL so I'll miss some things but sure I'll really appreciate some of the differences (starting with a retractable roof over the pool in Alaska).

On 1/4/2023 at 6:27 PM, doone said:

I have never received a casino offer but know several folks who have “won”a free cruise on HAL, NCL and Carnival from land based casinos.  Free makes me laugh, they always spend almost as much money with upgraded inside cabins, flights and spending onboard than I do just booking an inside cabin on a HAL ship…..to each their own……

The Free cruise certificates are a wonderful deal. Basically pay taxes and svc charges and you're all set. Any other spending is your choice (travel protection, Wifi, casino play, upcharge dining, excursions, etc.). The deals are really awesome if you sail solo as you only pay taxes for one, no single supplement. NCL let's you have to promos too. I haven't booked with HAL yet, so not sure if current promotions are also available for certificate users. HAL is also offering me a balcony, usually NCL offers me an inside and I have to pay to upgrade to balcony, ouch, but still less than if I outright booked paid the full rate for the cabin.

I have not sailed on HAL yet, but in researching for a likely Alaskan cruise on the Eurodam I noticed Morningstar Frams Veggie links on the dining room breakfast menu. Not something we've ever seen while cruising.  Feeling even better about booking this trip now!

Thanks for the tip about the Indian menus, I never would have even thought to request that. Is there much Indian food on the buffet? Honestly that station usually my go to on cruise ship buffets. Typically tasty and always has vegetarian options.

On 1/2/2023 at 7:05 PM, Coral said:

I would then stick with NCL. You know exactly what you are getting. They have decent itineraries.

 

I cruise solo also and just don't think it would be a good fit for me. I agree all the lines are cutting costs, etc...

 

On the other hand - I tried all the main stream lines (except for NCL) when I started cruising to see what the others offer. I am not tied to any line but also go with the one I am familiar with most. Though would definitely jump on a different line for the right itinerary, etc...

I sail on NCL and have been really pleased with them. I sail solo as well as a 3 generation family, we all find our niche. Main Dining room meals are good, on occasion if I didn't like my first choice and made a swap, but that's probably been once or twice in 11 cruises. Solo meet up has been nightly and the host will even make a dinner reservation for the group so you can choose to do your own thing for dinner or join the group. I have cruise buddies from each of those experiences.

I recently sailed on Celebrity, lovely cabin but ship not as well kept, crew not as friendly as with NCL. Food was good, but I would give NCL the nod for both variety and quality in MDR and buffet. Only specialty meal was Sushi, outstanding food and experience. Overall I thought NCL had better entertainment, especially the musical talent. The string duo was different than I experienced on NCL and they were quite good. I also appreciated the Solarium: indoor and all adult was quite a treat!

I am looking for an Alaska cruise: RT Seattle so NCL is Bliss, Princess is Discovery and HAL is Westerdam or Eurodam, so quite a range. Probably targeting late May. Happy to listen to any advice on those three ships, timing, etc.

Finally sailing this itinerary on Sunday, August 28th. Took my COVID test today and bags are packed. Heading to airport in the morning as we have a one-day deviation. Hoping for smooth travels and a great cruise. We haven't sailed since March 2020.

I used Viator to book transportation from airport to hotel then to pier. We also have an Athens tour booked for Sunday prior to heading to the port. 

NCL excursions for all ports except Mykonos and we'll find something to book once we are onboard.

Specialty meals will be LaCucina and LeBistro.

On 5/16/2022 at 9:29 AM, Daniel A said:

I have a couple of somewhat related issues relating to NCL Air 2 for 1 package + 2 night pre cruise and 1 night post cruise.  We are sailing Breakaway in October 2023 R/T from Rome.  I have been told that we cannot upgrade to Business Class nor can we request seating together or we would forfeit the 2 for 1 promo.  I was told that after we are actually booked for our flights, whatever special arrangements we make directly with the airline is not a concern to NCL.  I was also told that ticketing occurs anywhere from 45 to 60 days before embarkation.  My question for experienced NCL Air travelers is how likely do you think it is that we would be able to upgrade to Business Class and/or make sure we are seated together on our flight after being ticketed?

 

The second question is we are booked at Golden Tulip Piram for the post cruise night, but they said I need to be waitlisted at Golden Tulip Piram for rooms for the two day pre-cruise extension.

Seat selection is between you and the airline, not NCL. If the airline allows you to upgrade to Business Class you can do that. We booked in Premium Economy on United due to my status with the airline at that time, no fee just selected the seats we wanted. 

You will select seats with the airlines so being seated together should not be an issue. We chose aisle seats. Across from each other outbound and one in front of the other for the return. Neither of us wanted a middle seat but we were still together and that was fine for us.

We Left on Friday night, arrived in Barcelona Saturday morning and sailed Sunday evening. We had a one-day deviation pre cruise.

We have another 1-day deviation for our upcoming trip to Athens. Too early for flights to have been issued but I would expect similar travel arrangements: depart Friday for a Sunday sailing.

Barcelona was nonstop from Newark on a Friday, arrived Saturday morning. Sailed Sunday afternoon.

Athens was a combination of SAS and Air Canada. We cancelled the cruise so never used the flights. Honestly those are budget carriers so not too excited to fly them to Europe. I have flown SAS in business class years ago. Fine experience, but definitely budget compared to United & Delta.

Hoping for nonstop again from Newark or at worse a hop to another US Gateway then a full-service carrier to Athens: one stop in the US.

I think Norwegian Air may also be an option with NCL.

16 hours ago, KnATL said:

@ 30 days or less, but beware, our "guaranteed travel" with did not link, and now we have to pay to pick seats, whereas our other friends do not...ncl is quite a mess and it shows.

I'm not clear on your travel situation. Are you and friends on the same or different flights?

Seat selection is not part of the NCL deal. The terms clearly indicate that you select seats via the airline and pay any associated fees for those seat selections directly to the airline. NCL may have some issues but it isn't with regard to seat selection on promotional airfare.

If you are on different flights sorry you didn't get linked. You can definitely call and ask them to change that, worse answer you can get is no which is where you are today.

I didn't pay fees to upgrade to Premium Economy, but that was due to my status with the airline. Our friends paid or chose not to pay for the same upgrade as it wasn't a perk of their status. Neither had anything to do with NCL, totally between us and the airline.

I canceled another NCL cruise and the airlines didn't refund my payment for seat selection. That was my loss due to airline policy, not NCL. Only thing I could be upset with NCL about was booking me on said flights, but I agreed to that potential selection since I took the deal, so ultimately it's on me. 

We are more than 3 months out for Greek Isles cruise so no clue what flights we'll be offered. With current airfare prices I am so happy to have the NCL deal! 

Sometimes the 3% is a better choice than the ATM fee. If you only want to pull $100 then the $3 is less than the $5.99 ATM fee plus any fees your bank may charge for the ATM transaction. I typically bring cash to use in the casino. However, onboard I don't always have cash or my ATM card with me. I always have my room key and that can be used at a slot machine to pull cash from my onboard account. So if we are out and want to play a little I can pull $20 pay $0.60 and have some fun. If over the course of the week if I pull $100 this way it's worth the $3 for the flexibility while on vacation.

Whatever you do consider these fees as part of your gaming budget and stay in your lane! 

On 2/18/2022 at 7:43 AM, bigrednole said:

We just received our flights from NCL. I have no complaints and am pleased. They got us on Delta something at 5:45PM. The flight they have is on is about 75% full right now. I looked on Delta's site and found a flight 3 hours earlier, only about 40% full, and it is about $100 less per person. Not that I am looking for the discount, but wondering if calling they may switch to that flight to save them money 

 

Anyone ever have success? I tried on Delta's site, but it says to contact the TA. 

You're assuming NCL is paying the rates you see; they're not. They have negotiated rates/rules with the airlines so what you think is a savings isn't likely a benefit for NCL. I agree that if you can and want to take the earlier flight on your travel day check with Delta, they may or may not be able to switch you due to restrictions on your ticket based on the rate/fare NCL or their vendor is paying.

Good luck and have a wonderful cruise!

17 hours ago, OUgal said:

When you received your flights, were your seats already chosen or did you go and pick your seat for each flight?

You can work directly with the airline to select/upgrade seats. NCL clearly indicates that the Free at Sea promotion does not manage any upgrades. If you booked directly with NCL Air, contact them directly regarding your options for upgrades and seat selection; I've only used the promotion for my included airfare.

My experience with the program has been positive. My one negative was we were booked on Air Canada and SAS, both charged for our seat selection. When we canceled the trip we didn't get those fees back from the airlines. Hopefully we'll be back on a US carrier for the next trip.

3 minutes ago, casofilia said:

@SkierRobUMN

 

@Nola26 actually gave you what is probably a better out.   Cancel now and get back everything.   Then add if the person finds they can then go.

Yes, that is my recommendation, thanks for clarifying.