Boatdrill

I hope your wife has a speedy and full recovery. Although she caught the virus on the ship, there's no telling how and when it came aboard. If you can verify that HAL was negligent about hygiene, you may have a case to ask for a discounted medical bill. Has anyone else onboard been affected ?

Sometimes you see the HM walking around, as well as the Food & Bev manager. Sightings have occurred in the Lido, BB Kings Bar for a few minutes, and Mariner Luncheons.

When you mentioned your concerns to the Hotel Manager, what was his response ?

Interesting article from Travel Weekly about cruise booking trends. https://www.travelweekly.com/Cruise-Travel/Cruising-booking-curve-still-unpredictable?utm_source=eNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=eltrdb&oly_enc_id=0784C2292756F9E

When deciding if the Have It All perks are a good deal, you can figure that you'd need to drink 6-14 alcohol beverages a day to make economic sense. If the itinerary is port-intensive, you may not have time to drink that much onboard. Also, the total fare of $3198 divided by 7 days = $456 per day, or $228 per person. Does the per day price equal the value you'll receive ? Only you can answer that.

I was curious about the deposit requirement you were quoted by HAL, so I looked up the March 23, 2024 Koningsdam cruise on HAL's res system. These fares are for the VH's and include $135 tax. Club Orange not included. No extra charge for handicap room. Refundable deposit. $1669 per person with Have It All $1319 per person without Have It All Deposit: $700 total ($350 per person) Why was your deposit nearly $3000 ? .

Interesting. That could be a story to help them save time from having to re-arrange the beds as requested. No matter what it says on the booking, they don't change the beds unless personally asked. If guests don't say anything, they saved some time. The stewards have to know what linens will be needed on embark day, so it's odd that he says they don't get a list of bed requests.

No feathers in the pillows. or comforters. You can bring your own bedding - sheets and pillows - if you'd be more comfortable.

IMHO, HAL focuses on affluent travelers as a demographic, rather than seniors. Affluent travelers have the money, the time, and desire to cruise. They tend to be experienced and knowledgeable travelers, and have reasonable expectations because of it. They appreciate personal service and recognition, and look for quality and value for the price they pay. Sound familiar ? If you need an age, that demographic generally starts at 45 yrs old.

It's not. Adults and children bring their at home habits and personalities on a ship.

Or it could have been a message from the afterlilfe....their partners were sending a message to get back on Crystal and start cruising again. 🙂

HAL pays TA commission after final payment, before the sail date.

If you're about pull some shenanigans on HAL consider how it may affect your travel agent, if you used one. HAL may recall the commission already paid out to the agent for the 2nd guest who suddenly didn't sail.

I saw the itinerary change notice for that trip. No more Dublin. Cork (Cohb) instead. It's over a year away...should we assume that more changes be will be made ?

The HAL reps for travel agents are the BDMs - Business Development Manager - and are regionally assigned. They work under the Sales Department.

Has your TA contacted his/her HAL rep ?

Does that include in the casino ?

Years ago I was group escort on a cruise that stopped in Alexandria, Egypt. We had a private tour pre-arranged through A&K. There was an A&K representative (dressed in a jacket and tie), a local guide, and bus driver (also in jacket and tie) who looked like a young Omar Sharif. The rep sat in the back, the guide in front. The bus driver had an ear piece and was in constant communication with someone. Finally I realized he was talking to the driver of the military jeep in front of our bus, which was carrying a few security men with rifles. When we got out of the bus at the first stop, we saw there was a second jeep behind the bus, also with armed security. Both jeeps stayed with us the entire time, even during lunch. A&K was amazing, to put it mildly.

Also in GB, hot toddies from the bar cart on the bow.

It's more than a novelty for many people, it's a luxury. Luxury is a perception, and creates a feeling of indulgence. That's what SB is good at.

I just found this discussion while searching for Seabourn info. FWIW, Seabourn told me this morning that their two twins pushed together create a "European Queen" size bed, which is slightly wider and has extra length compared to U.S. queen size beds.

Thanks. Unfortunately that would be one of the meeting rooms.

Where is the new library on the Eurodam ? Sorry if it was mentioned previously...I missed it.

Any size is ok for me except the Pinnacle/Grandioso size. Too many people, too many gimmicks.

The premium is non-refundable, period. It doesn't matter when you cancel. Once it's paid, there's no going back.