coffee drinker

To Silver and Gold poster: We checked listed prices for this cruise, found lowest price at around $200 more than our base price of $49 without the tax / port fee charge which doubled the amount. I don't know if the list price on HAL site or Vacations to Go includes those tax etc charges or not. Then, within a few days, 'our' cruise was no longer listed on the HAL site. True, there's lots about this 'stand-by deal' we don't know about, and questioning HAL reservations didn't provide any answers. We think we saved some at this time of year. Later in the season, when better weather is more a sure thing and fares are higher, travelers would save more. If a specific cabin is desired, this is probably not a good deal for those travelers.

Others may be interested in our recent standby experience on a seven day cruise to southern Alaska on the Eurodam. Alerted to this new-to-us standby category through a Seattle Times article on May 2, 2024, we booked on May 24 for Seattle round trip June 8 - 15. Incidentally, Vacations to Go showed this cruise sold out, and soon HAL no longer listed it on its website. We asked the reservations agent our position on the standby list, but, no, that info is not given. Per person, per day charges: ~ Cabin charge = $49 = $343 ~ Port fees, taxes etc = $ 359 = $1404 for husband and me, charged to credit card immediately. ~ Was gratuity charge ( $17 = $238 ) mentioned? Can't recall, but think so. Final total = $1642. Our late reservation, cruise not listed as available -- we figured we had little chance of getting on. But we're three star Mariners with 150 points accumulated over 30 years. Would that tip in our favor? We'll never know! Five days ahead on June 3, HAL emailed that we were accepted for travel leaving Seattle's Port 91 mid-day June 8. Initially, our cabin listed an N inside on an upper deck. A later change gave a Main Deck inside, a handicapped cabin which we didn't need and hadn't requested. Fine with us, we're in the Crow's Nest or pool-side or at a lecture so cabin location is unimportant. So, for us, living within easy access to Seattle, this worked well. We've cruised to Alaska previously, were not concerned about possible sold out excursions. And the Eurodam's crew, entertainment, meal service, and lectures were all top notch, as we expect from HAL.

It's always reassuring to hear positive reports from on-the-spot travelers. Excellent dining, interesting excursions, superior entertainment-- can't ask for more! Except maybe an ironing board, which you confirm the existence of in a previous conversation. Bravo all around!

Thanks so much for your reply about the ironing issue --- beginning to think through what to pack, and an iron will grease those wheels nicely. Appreciate your taking time to answer. We're counting the days until end-September, are so looking forward to this adventure.

We'll be on the Countess from MN to LA this fall. I wonder if there are ironing facilities on board ? An iron and board n the cabin closet? Or both available to use? As an alternative, send-out laundry available? Thanks in advance for any info ! Coffee Drinker