ChinaShrek

To be honest, I think that is only fair. Why should someone on an earlier cruise be able to book stuff on a cruise that they are not on yet? Why should they have preference over people only taking a single one-week cruise? All cruisers should be treated the same until Day One arrives.

So, do you think HAL is just incompetent and attracting the wrong people? That's possible I suppose but again people are looking at HAL financials. I think they are using the free casino cruises to attract new or infrequent customers to HAL.

Some of these people spend a lot of money in the spa or elsewhere on the ship. Also, a lot of people who received a free inside or ocean view cabin paid for an upgrade to a better one or bought HIA. This is all revenue for HAL. HAL will see what works to attract profitable cruisers over time.

The real issue, for some ,is that the HIA promo participants will fill up the specialty restaurants on the ship and the 4* and 5* Mariners will be unable to book their discounted or free meals. I suspect HAL has done this on purpose.

With HIA and the crowded ships, it is probably necessary to book everything in advance: all specialty dinners, shore excursions, spa appointments, etc. I'm sure some people have done this for years but this doesn't allow for things that come up during the cruise.

The toilets in the cabins are far better on the Rotterdam.

Can CCL simply erase this debt for filing for Chapter 11 and starting over? It seems that the airlines have done this in the past (some more than once).

Oh, I think I need to look at a map.

You can easily use the app once you are on board. No need to interact with anyone in person.

Easter Island is also a possibility.

or just go back an hour later

Or for this those getting free or discounted casino cruises.

On the Koningsdam, we were in and out in of the Pinnacle Grill in one hour. Food was great. The MDR averaged two hours each night.

This happened to a number of people last year. If I am happy with my flight arrangements, I pay for it and have it ticketed immediately. I assume that I am unlikely to cancel the cruise, however.

I think is what they are going to use the Lincoln Center Stage area for when they expand. Not a bad idea but will attract different clientele I suspect.

Private companies also wish to make a profit. Why be against HAL but support others? Profit is profit.

I always tell people to ticket as soon as possible. Prices can go up and Flight Ease can even forget to ticket your flights if you don't ask them!

HAL will match the price of any independent tour operator for an identical itinerary.

Just buy the $500 gift cards.

I like LCS but I do not like the venue. There are often too few seats unless I get there got there very early and I do not like people walking by me all the time during the performance. A larger, more private venue is sorely needed. The main stage seems ideal.

I am excited about these changes! They will continue to make HAL different from other cruise lines.

I took three HAL cruises in 2022 and these were my first since 2018. Two of the cruises were on the Rotterdam and one on the Koningsdam. I thought the food and service were excellent on the Rotterdam. The Koningsdam cruise was over Christmas out of San Diego and was very crowded. Service at dinner was slow (two hour dinners) and chaotic (forgetting second appetizers and trying to match drinks with those who ordered them). I thought the food was very good to excellent, although the portions were smaller.

You should also request immediate ticketing if you want to guarantee that you have a ticket.

As long as their prices stay low, I'm okay with that.

I also think that if I am going to on a port intensive cruise with daily excursions from 8-4 or 9-5, I really do need to get a good night's sleep in. On these cruises, I will be up at 6am to shower and hunt for acceptable coffee. The previous night's entertainment is not a consideration. I think HALs most important feature is as a ferry service. Just feed me and let me have adventures in port.