Boatdrill

In reply to the OP, I'm with you 100%. Yes it can be said the cruise industry is "in transition" and therefore ships don't want to annoy dress code ignorers who are paying guests, when the cruise line needs their money. However, a cruise line that repeatedly allows casual dress which goes against their published dress codes, is forgetting one of the reasons that cruise line became successful over the years: an expectation that the onboard experience will be as advertised. NCL doesn't advertise as a upscale cruise line. Neither does Carnival, and no one would expect them to be. But Regent and Oceania do. Cunard as well. Guests who choose to travel on those lines have a reasonable expectation that their onboard experience will be upscale, as advertised. And when it isn't that way, especially when it's done on purpose by the ship's staff, guests are right to inquire and express their displeasure.

My hand is raised.

And how long would the ship have to hold in the lock before the bus and vehicles show up, a small gangway is put in place, everyone gets off the bus, boards the ship, and the gangway is brought back on board ? All this while other ships are waiting in line to go through. 😞

Also ask if it's still possible to order flowers from the ship's florist to have in your room.

Go to the HAL website, click on Cruise Deals, and scroll way down to "Military, Healthcare, First Responder, Teacher And Educator Cruise Offer". The healthcare worker form was completed and submitted directly from the HAL website, to HAL.

Go to Cruise Deals, and scroll way down to "Military, Healthcare, First Responder, Teacher And Educator Cruise Offer". Have your booking # handy, and complete the form.

Perhaps the form is different for military identification. I helped a health worker friend complete the form and she only needed to included her position (doctor, nurse, EMT, etc) and her place of employment. After the form was submitted to HAL, the $100 OBC appeared on her booking in about 10 days.

That sounds like a great idea. According to their HAL's Sales Department, HAL has more overnights than other cruise lines. But tying up a ship (literally) in port for two days is expensive, and at the same time, there's less onboard revenue being generated.

Does he say what his main complaints are ? Other than being left behind in Costa Rica...

How unfortunate those left behind won't be aboard to transit the canal (unless they can join the ship in Panama City). On the other hand, their unexpected layover may turn out well, and become quite a memorable adventure.

This may answer a few questions about future itineraries. https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/28368-here-are-holland-america-line-s-homeports-for-2023.html

Welllll.....I was hoping that since the Platinum Plan was chosen and paid for, that would help to speed up the reimbursement. Just wishful thinking. 🙂

The cruise was in June 2022. The last day before disembarkation, HAL's chosen airline went on strike, stranding hundreds of passengers in the disembarkation port. HAL arranged hotels, a per diem for food, and alternate flights. Many waited for days, while others were able to fly home after a day or two. Some missed their connecting flights because of the altered schedule, and had to stay overnight in an airport hotel, and pay out of pocket. A claim was made in July with the insurance company, and a claim number received. Since then, no resolution, and now the insurance company says it will take another 30 days for the claim to be reviewed. "Reviewed", not "resolved". Is it worth contacting HAL directly about the lengthy delay ? Or best to wait it out.

Good point, and it goes the other way as well. West Coasters vacation in Hawaii and Mexico (Cabo, Puerto Vallarta). Most have little interest in going to the Caribbean.

The question is asked on the post-cruise surveys. Something like "Which ports do you want to go to ?"

I previously posted this: Meanwhile I'm still waiting to receive my 4 star Mariner pin earned on a cruise in April 2022. Since nothing was said onboard in April, I thought surely I'd receive it on the subsequent cruise in June. Nope. So I emailed Mariner Society and asked. On July 21, they wrote, "We have placed a pin in the mail for you. You should receive it within the next 4-6 weeks." My home address was confirmed. As of today October 1, nothing has come. It's been 10 weeks. Here's the update. I emailed Mariner Society again, and let them know the pin hadn't come. Their response: "Thank you for your continued correspondence with Holland America Line concerning your missing loyalty pins. Unfortunately, we are unable to postal mail the missing 4-Star pin. You will need to request your missing 4-Star pin the next time you are onboard ship. Please feel free to contact us if we may be of additional assistance or visit us online. We look forward to welcoming you onboard in the near future!" Very cheerful, I thought. Unfortunately it will be a very long time before I can afford to cruise again. But it begs the question: if the pins are onboard, why didn't I receive one, either during the April cruise, or in June ? 🙂

I don't blame you. The negligent attitude is quite something. But I still bring my medallion though, just in case. Meanwhile I'm still waiting to receive my 4 star Mariner pin earned on a cruise in April 2022. Since nothing was said onboard in April, I thought surely I'd receive it on the subsequent cruise in June. Nope. So I emailed Mariner Society and asked. On July 21, they wrote, "We have placed a pin in the mail for you. You should receive it within the next 4-6 weeks." My home address was confirmed. As of today October 1, nothing has come. It's been 10 weeks. Question: How much, or how often, are we, as repeat and loyal customers, expected to chase Holland America for amenities that they provide, but we don't receive ?

Here's an idea for HAL. When a HAL ship is in/near Amsterdam, and is due to come trans-Atlantic, put the tiles from Royal Goedewaagen onboard, and let HAL bring them all back to the U.S. to be mailed out to their customers. Supply chain problem solved.

Meanwhile, San Diego had this good news... https://www.cruiseindustrynews.com/cruise-news/28249-port-of-san-diego-to-begin-its-busiest-cruise-season-since-2010.html

I Thanks for asking. I'd like one 5 star Mariner pin, please.

What's this about a magazine for 4 and 5 star Mariners ? I never knew. Became a 5 star in April, no recognition what so ever, sailed again in July, still no comment from HAL or the ship. I emailed Mariner Society, and was told a pin would be put in the mail. Address checked and confirmed. Welcome to September...still no pin, and now I find out there have been magazines. Who's running this outfit ?? 🙂

Thank you mentioning this. It's a crime that someone decided to install the nautical screens front and center, blocking a fantastic view ! It's as if they put a flat screen tv in the middle of a car's windshield.

Or Vancouver.

You left out the part that your cruise is 94 days. 🙂

Please don't stress about this. Drive to the first address -84 Dalhousie -and if the ship isn't there, drive to the new terminal. The ship will be at one, or the other.