Khlela

For as much as people may judge and keep it internal I hope no one says anything to the individual. While I agree, there is ZERO reason for a true service dog to be in a stroller. That is clearly a violation but it's still no one elses business except for HAL. Be upset with them. There is NO required paperwork or "registration" for a service dog. This doesn't exisit. Which means there are no "official" service dog vests. Even individuals with true working service dogs tend to just purchase their own unless the trainers provided it for them. Service dogs must be trained for a specific task to assist with a disability or need for the individual and be well trained and well minded in order to qualify as as service dog. As someone else said legally you can only ask if it is a service animal and what task it performs. It's illegal to ask or demand anything else. Only dogs can be service animals at this time. Anything outside of a dog can be an emotional support animal but NOT a service animal. So we don't need silly statements as though horses are suddenly going to be ones as well. Service animals can go every, including locations with food. Someone disability doesn't suddenly disappear. Yes, this is unfortunate for those with allergies, but this is true for EVERYWHERE. If you go to a local restaurant, if you are in the US, you have a risk of a service animal being in there. The most anyone can and should do is report any concerns to the staff. Don't expect anything to change. People do abuse it and the ability for companies to "verify" a service dog is limited so it will never be easy to do without creating barriers for disabled individuals to get the service animals they need.

You will have at least one FRESH Alaskan salmon option every day of your alaska cruise such as a salmon bowl, broiled salmon, miso glazed salmon, etc. For Alaskan cruises specifically it is all fresh and all Alaskan (NOT Atlantic).

The excursion goes directly into your cart. So you go back to excursions, then just hit your cart to check out and it should be there. There isn't a separate waitlist section. You have 72 hours from when you received the email to complete the transaction. If you are on a HAL cruise I bet you could go to the excursion desk for them to assist too.

You are too sweet. Thank you so much!

Sorry if I came off wrong or as though I was bragging or something, wasn't my intent. I was just curious. I will absolutely love the cruise even if I didn't get a tote bag. We are only able to do the PS as we are splitting it (and the cost) with my folks as a grand hurrah as I'm about to start the process for a heart transplant and just finished recovery of major open heart surgery where a pump was attached to my heart. So we are going big just in case this is the last criuse I'll ever be able to take. Really worked hard and saved a LOT to be able to take this once in a lifetime trip. Just excited and was curious about the small little things that we might get along the way. ❤️

I’m going to be in a PS. Would I possibly or likely get the OC one?

Thanks everyone!

I see people mention and show the bags and totes they have gotten in their suites for their cruises. Are these given on Alaskan cruises as well or just warm weather destinations?

I honestly think there will be a high chance of rain in April as well as October. HAL didn't even used to sail to Alaska then. I remember when I first went back in 2009 the earliest sailing was in May and the latest in September. In 2017 we went in April, it was the first time they had a sailing so early. The weather was TERRIBLE! We couldn't enjoy the balcony. Sitka was cancelled and we had to take the inside passage back. We found out later that it's common for April and October to have weather like that. I live in the PNW and it's not about the weather in Seattle, it's about how it is up in Alaska. So I would just go into it expecting rain everyday and then just be happy if there is sun. If you are wanting higher chances of sun I would look into mid to end of May beginning of June or August/Sept. They have a NP Ranger get on board along with nature experts for talks and discussions in Glacer Bay especially. HAL received a reward for best Alaskan cruises too. https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/whats-new/holland-america-line-receives-best-alaska-cruise-award/?fbclid=IwAR30xLuyPxCoqj9NiyXmwQ4B2uqpBx3C0-ozruixNW93sa8FAYcWvEMHNSY

I can just say I’ve been on the Eurodam for Alaska and both times we were in around 8139 and 8127 I think they were (or right next to them) and loved it both times. I felt it was great placement, saw a ton, no loud noise, close to food and bars. I'm going on another in June but we’ll be on 7 Forward and will see how it is there.

I informed HAL for my mom coming up in June. They put it in her information but told me it's not required to inform them. When you arrive at the port find the first port employee you see and ask them where Accessibility Assistance is and they will point you in the right direction for assitance. For disembarking reach out to guest services and they will send someone up with a wheelchair to assist.

I personally disagree with this. I LOVE Sitka and you can only get there with the Explorer. My last cruise had to skip it due to a big storm and took the lower inside passage. It was most definitely NOT superior in my opinion. Everyone has different tastes but I wouldn't make such a blanket statement like that and assume people are only doing so because it's easier. I'm doing the Explorer out of Seattle again this year because I loved it so much. Everyone is different.

Same for us! Went on a HAL cruise for my honeymoon at 21 years old. LOVED it! Has kept bringing me back. Going again in June after my 39th birthday. I feel like it reallly isn't about age, just about the individual. If you want late night party/activities with a screen by the pool blaring music or movies, then HAL isn't for you. I'll go to RC if that is what I want. I go on HAL for the laid back and more calm atmosphere.

On the Eurodam the Tamarind and Nami Sushi are in the same general area. I was wondering, can you sit together for both? For instance, if two of us are wanting to enjoy the sushi only but a third person wants the Tamarind meal but no sushi can we all sit together with out the two wanting sushi needing to pay for the Tamarind?

Alaska in early May will not be busy at all. Alaskan cruise already don’t feel as crowded and busy as warm weather cruises. HAL is also not a party ship and Alaska is a far more laid back cruise. Most people are on their balconies, lounging in the spa, enjoying the crows nest. And being earlier in the season and during the school year helps reduce the chaos as well. i think you will find it beautiful, peaceful and calm. Which ship will you be on? I’m doing my third Alaskan cruise with HAL this June. Previously went in mid May and once late April.

Thanks everyone!

This is probably a silly question. But can you get cream cheese on the side from the Lido? I was hoping I might be able to grab a bagel with cream cheese on the side so that I can have it as a snack in my cabin later in the day. I’ve watched a bunch of videos but it’s been unclear to me. I appreciate any thoughts! I’ll be headed to Alaska on the Eurodam come June. ❤️

I'll have my fingers crossed for you! I was needing my by next week too so I understand that nervous feeling! I really hope you manage to get them today or tomorrow. ❤️

Yes, it was the AARP that caused me problems as well, not HAL. I was worried because I could see my credit card charged but wasn't seeing anything in my email. That's when I called and they said they escalated it to the dedicated web team. They were the ones that ended up calling me telling me that it got fixed and that they emailed the gift cards. So frustrating that you still can't log in! It seems to be on and off for me. I can sometimes on my computer, never on my phone, so frustrating. Hope it's resolved for you soon!

A few years back we did Alaska on the first sailing in the end of April... NEVER again! I know weather can vary but it was terrible. So cold, so much rain, we got hit by a storm and had to skip Sitka and take the inside passage back. Did another one in mid May and that was so much better, weather was absolutely perfect as was all the viewing. We are going again this year but in June. More expensive but I want to do what I can to increase the chance of decent weather.

This JUST happened ot me last week. Same exact thing, errors, phone call, resolution. I received my gift cards via email just 1 business day after my call. So hopefully you will get them in the email today! I just sent them to my HAL TA and they are applying them all for me.

Thanks! I was able to see my own but I wasn't sure how they differ compared to other rooms which is why I was wondering.

I'm curious about different luggage tags. Anyone willing to share examples of their own? Does it look different depending on your room? Like a different one for Pinnacle Suite, Neptune Suites, standard rooms, club orange? Just curious! 🙂

I know some people feel this way but I absolutely disagree. I would NEVER take an alaskan cruise without a balcony. I spend so much time out there. I love being on my balcony in my robe with some coffee watching glaciers go by in my private area. Some people feel a need to keep moving and never stop. For me, a cold water cruise is about slowing down and enjoying the view and nature. You miss so much when you keep moving too fast. My first cruise to Alaska I spent at LEAST 50% of my time out on our balcony. The upper decks outside get so crowded, espeically in places like glacier bay. Having your own private space is soooo worth it.

Thank you!