Mary229

8 minutes ago, SbbquilterUT said:

We have not needed heavy winter coats or puffers at the Glaciers or even Iceland as long as we used thermal undershirt, wool long sleeve shirt, fleece then our waterproof/wind jacket.  Add a wool hat and we were happy.

A scarf is nice too. We rarely wear coats at home and quite often get down into the Fahrenheit teens.  The only caveat is rain and it does rain in Alaska. 

24 minutes ago, oakridger said:

Trivia is at 1:00pm and 4:00 and 6:30pm. So the 4:00pm trivia starts right at the end of HH

Then that is incredibly early.  Most cruises early HH is at or after trivia. Where are you sailing

18 minutes ago, cccole said:

Absolutely not, if you read the U.S. government rules, many apply to foreign airlines flying in or out of a U.S. airport, this includes delays, changes, and cancellations.  I have personally experienced and used the U.S. Department of Transportation rules with 3 foreign airlines flying to/from the U.S., with no  problems.  You and I will not agree on this so let's just let people enjoy their cruise and air travel and do the best research they can on what to do if something happens.  If you are not booking directly with an airline, which has published policies, ask your TA for written details of how they will help you.  Happy cruising, Cherie

What problem did they have that they couldn’t resolve.

49 minutes ago, cccole said:

It's always good to familiarize yourself with FlightsRights.gov, and the US Department of Transportation Aviation Protection Rights.  They are good sources of info as to what is and is not required by government of airlines and travel agents.  What is not required of an airline or travel agent can always be asked for and requests may or may not be accommodated.  Cherie   

Well you must also pick a US airline to get the coverage.  If not and you fly overseas you are on your own.  But again what were they trying to accomplish. 

3 minutes ago, oakridger said:

The first HH here on Zuiderdam is at 3:00pm. Seems too early I think but others may like it ?? 🤷‍♀️

Does it coincide with Trivia?

16 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Please do - I've been seeing 50% as well, so maybe one of the recent changes?

I have seen a lot of different happy hour pricing schemes recently like they are testing the waters.  I am still a big fan of BOGO even though I only drink Diet Coke. 

1 hour ago, wetterthanwater said:

Maybe I'm being unduly critical but I thought the seminars in the World Stage on Koningsdam were a bit weird. They were given by the cruise director who wad reading off an autocue. Kinda wondered what the point was..

Those canned productions bore me to tears but they have avid supporters.  People tell me they love 💗 them 🤷‍♀️.  I don’t get it, I could watch a YouTube video or read a book. I like the lectures of old where people had hands on experience and special knowledge 

Just now, BadgerRedux said:

I don't have reason to believe FE is any worse than other third parties, but in general, once things go wrong with a booking, the fact that it was booked through a 3rd party seems to slow down getting problems resolved.  I guess we've all had an experience where the airline sends us back to the third party when there's an urgent problem. When I was using a credit card rewards portal to book our post-cruise flight, I almost went with the discount airline Westjet, but found it was impossible to get a question answered as Westjet's phone tree kept telling me they wouldn't deal with me if I was booking through a third party (and I was sure the credit card portal would not know the answer).  I ended up going with a Delta flight for a few more points.  Maybe some airlines cope with 3rd party booking better than others.

I understand about upgrades and optional tasks but if a flight is substantially changed or cancelled on a booked ticket you have the same consumer rights as anyone else.  You go to the counter and get rerouted on their dime.  Or you accept or decline the change, if you decline you are then given options At No Additional Cost.  

On 5/13/2024 at 10:28 AM, ricka47 said:

We've never been on anything bigger than the Signature class but are booked on the Koningsdam this coming January. But reports like this and others reporting poor service and long lines are not encouraging. Are the problems due to the design of this class itself or something else?

There are some design flaws on the K which were corrected on the other two ships. My theory is the dining room issues are related to a flow problem.  My least favorite ship in the fleet is the K but one of my very favorites is the NStatendam 

2 hours ago, semibeater said:

Thanks for the response. I do not have a booked cruise yet but enjoy this perk. Glad it's still available.

Roger has the price list on his website 

https://rogerjett-photography.com

I am sailing the Rotterdam for the first time this year but I have been on quite a few HAL ships and all had happy hours. Usually 2, one in late afternoon and one in the evening 

1 minute ago, jeh10641 said:

To Peajay,

HAL sails in Europe so you can use the future cruise there. You did not say how much your FCC was. I see HAL cruises in Europe for US$500 or 600 so a hypothetical credit  of US$100 amounts to a pretty good discount.

 

To all responders, why do you not sign your names to comments? I always do.

Jim

Besides my obvious first name some of us want to protect our privacy. If I post my full name someone could easily find me and know when I am away 

24 minutes ago, Heartgrove said:

Most likely not the Captain's fault as someone in the Corporate office in Seattle actually plotted and made arrangements (pilots, ports, etc.) for the route. It was explained at a "Captain's Talk" onetime after the Costa Concordia disaster. Any deviation and the captain is sent a message. If they don't immediately respond they receive a phone call! The Captain was gracious for accepting responsibility. Fault onboard would fall to the Navigation Officer not recognizing the mistake sooner.

Absolutely, by the tenor of multiple posts you would think some junior officer turned left when he was supposed to turn right as if ship’s crew are allowed to run amok .  The letter clearly though briefly says this was Seattle.  Someone should have caught it absolutely but it is not a dereliction of duty. 

9 hours ago, mawvkysc said:

Dinner service is getting better but we do see that the other serving teams are more efficient. 
 

Clam chowder had a nice amount of tender clams in it. Not too rich either.
 

The arugula  farro salad was tasty but just has a few leafs of arugula. If you’re wanting greens go

for the Caesar salad. 

 

The cod was delicious. Mild, flaky yet moist. 
 

Hubby had his favorite Red Velvet Cake ever. The no sugar added almond cake was very good too. You wouldn’t know it was nsa. It’s very moist and has a nice texture. 
 

 

 

 

 

You could do as I do and order double salad.  They bring it on a single plate. 

24 minutes ago, Loreto said:

I agree completely!  We were on a Hawaii/Mexico cruise...Hawaii part was upstairs, which was fine,  then for the 7day Mexico itinerary we were moved downstairs and the acoustics indeed were terrible!  also ate there for lunch once where we were seated behind a pillar and ignored.  I had to find a manager. We were on the Koningsdam again last December for 11 days and never went to the MDR.  We ate in the Grand Dutch Cafe, specialty dining or the Lido ( which was actually enjoyable!)  DH said he is done with Pinnacle Class ships🙁. 

I have sailed the NS and never had a single problem, this isn’t a Pinnacle issue, it is a Koningsdam issue. I hope you get him to try another pinnacle class ship.  I was hesitant after my first Koningsdam experience and was pleasantly surprised with the NStatendam.  I then went back on the K thinking maybe it was better now- Not.  

The Koningsdam MDR manager needs to move on.  I don’t know if it is the kitchen to MDR layout or just poor training but both times I sailed on the K I had bad MDR experiences. The last cruise we left our table after an hour of no service.  I was followed by the manager to the lido and we had a nice long talk while I ate at the lido.  The next night I had a superior table and wait staff for the remainder of the cruise.  A customer shouldn’t have to put up with this. 
 

that said the manager of the Pinnacle is excellent and runs a well trained team   Others have said the lido is very good, just not my cup of tea. 
 

every other aspect of my cruise was great 

1 hour ago, cbr663 said:

This incident was mentioned on another social site several days ago.  The Captain did indeed screw it up and the ship was off course.  The ship went around in circles for a while and when the Captain finally addressed the ship they admitted to the mistake and was told by Corporate that to readjust and sail the inside passage would make them late for Victoria.  That any ship Captain would make such a mistake is, for me anyway, beyond comprehension.

 

I think whenever compensation is offered by the cruise lines it should be offered as either an immediate, refundable OBC or a FCC.  Sometimes the incidents can be so off putting that a passenger will never sail again and to offer a FCC to those passengers is to effectively deny any real compensation.

 

Read the letter on page 1.  

27 minutes ago, Itchy&Scratchy said:

that's if you are not experiencing a medical emergency or are otherwise incapacitated and can't fend for yourself.

Not everywhere is near an embassy either. 

6 minutes ago, peajay said:

Yes we spoke to two people that missed the inside passage last year for weather reasons, so imagine how disappointed they were to miss it again.

Because the weather had been poor for several days and it was predicted to be fine for the inside passage (it was finally a beautiful sunny day) they were building up the scenic vistas of the inside passage, and chances of seeing marine wildlife, for several days. This mafe it even more odd that they got it wrong 

The weather can be sunny it was the sea ice that affected last year by all reports.  This year who knows?  It is very odd that Seattle programmed the wrong route

Please note the cruise was not an inside passage cruise, it was a transpacific focusing on Japan

"Westerdam transpacific cruise from Tokyo via Alaska to Seattle."  This cruise often misses the inside passage due to how early in the season it is in Alaska.  A simple search of reviews would show last year's same cruise missed the inside passage.    I know it is disappointing but we all are often disappointed by missed ports and at least HAL refunds the port fees.  As I said they are fortunate to be offered any compensation besides port fees

I am curious why the navigation error was not discovered until the cruise was underway.  

I did not take your tour but for an afternoon in Denali I hiked the trails near the visitor center then attended the sled dog presentation via the park shuttle .  In the evening we took the wagon ride and bbq dinner excursion.  I enjoyed the laid back evening others were equally thrilled with the evening ATV Adventure 

38 minutes ago, cccole said:

Mary229, That has not been my recent experience and unfortunately I have been at the airport when those who booked with a 3rd party were last to be helped or told to contact their 3rd party. I have had good friends experience this also. I am happy that you were able to work things out for your sister.  What I am saying has been true for me and others I personally know.   Cherie

What were they trying to do?  Consumer law kicks in for most urgent cases.  

6 minutes ago, Sir PMP said:

Right, I don't believe a captain will announce that they made a big mistake, that's a no no.

I have serious doubts that was said. A copy of said letter would be helpful

46 minutes ago, peajay said:

I don't consider we were lucky to miss one of the best parts of the cruise.

I didn’t say you were lucky to have missed i said you were lucky to be offered compensation 

You are lucky you are offered any compensation.  If you read your cruise contract they can change course at any time.  If you delved even deeper into your cruise documents you will note special qualifiers for inside passage cruising