CNSJ

Is there a way to know which Captains are on which ships? When picking cruise A or B, that might be the deal breaker!

We had great service and enjoyed the ACT Bug Bus Anchorage to the ship. They picked dup at the Captain Cook Hotel and dropped us off at the ship. Easy!

We said with Captain van Hoogdalem transpacific in the Fall of 2022. (In our opinion) He was by far the best of more than a dozen HAL Captains we have sailed with. He handled the tail end of COVID like a master, and was the most open and candid we could hope for. We often found him enjoying meals in the Lido and seemed to love his job!

You need to (1) Join AARP - Its cheap. (2) Log into ARRP website. (3) Go to AARP Rewards section of their site. (3) Scroll down to the gift card area, select "See all rewards"

My understanding: The max onboard spend mariner points for a 28 day cruise is 56, one for each day of cruise (28) and a max onboard spend of 28. If you book a suite (not an upsell) you get double cabin points for 56, but are still limited to one per day for onboard spend. If you had HIA, you get usually get the max points based on the cost of the packages.

I believe I did the same cruise Fort Lauderdale to Bahamas. About the same time, the SS Emerald Seas again to Nassau. I was 15, and they rented me a Honda motor scooter.

There is something to be said for having some cash USD$ and widely accepted credit cards whenever you go ashore. Depending on the port, I also take my passport.

Reading the stories today about the NCL Passengers who missed last tender at an African port visit. It seems they had to chase the ship to catch up. Sometime I book HAL tours when the ramifications of missing the boat are extreme. Having to get from Zeebruge to Rotterdam, or Crete to Santorini is easy.....but remote parts of Africa.....I'll take the HAL Guarantee. From the Guardian: In a statement, a spokesperson (from NCL) said: “On the afternoon of March 27, 2024, while the ship was in São Tomé and Príncipe, an African island nation, eight guests who were on the island on a private tour not organized through us missed the last tender back to the vessel, therefore not meeting the all aboard time of 3pm local time. While this is a very unfortunate situation, guests are responsible for ensuring they return to the ship at the published time, which is communicated broadly over the ship’s intercom, in the daily print communication and posted just before exiting the vessel. “When the guests did not return to the vessel at the all aboard time, their passports were delivered to the local port agents to retrieve when they returned to the port, as per the regular protocol. Our team has been working closely with the local authorities to understand the requirements and necessary visas needed for the guests to rejoin the ship at the next available port of call. Given that these guests were on a private tour and did not return to the ship at the communicated all aboard time, they are responsible for any necessary travel arrangements to rejoin the ship at the next available port of call, per our protocol.

Recently had to cancel a cruise where cruise fare payments were made with gift cards. Her sure to keep the gift cards (e-gift card emails) - as you will need the gift card numbers and PINs to reuse them. Saving 10% is a very nice deal. Plus you can earn (with some credit cards) another 1-2% in cc points. Be savvy, cruise more.

I look forward to trying the King Crab of the Southern Hemisphere!

It is my understanding that the small amount of King Crab available is from Russia. Enough said.

Thank you for all you do and help with Cruise Critic. Enjoy your cruise and an early Bon Voyage to you!

Thank You BermudaBound2014 for a simply wonderful live blog. Truly appreciate the detail and opinions. Helps all of us cruise smarter. Look forward to a similar itinerary in 2026.

As with most cost-based travel decisions, "Is a suite worth it" depends on what you could do with the cost difference between a Verandah (or in this case a Vista Suite) and a Signature or Neptune Suite. Sure, an upsell is nice and is usually a bargain, but even then.... it depends on your financial situation. For some folks, thousands of extra dollars for business class airfare and a Neptune suite mean much less cruising. Then again of you only get two weeks vacation a year, and want to have a great time, maybe its worth spending the money.... No clear cut answer unless you are wealthy and cost is no object. In those cases....why not a Pinnacle Suite?

Very familiar with San Diego from my time in Navy and afterwards.....1 am, solo woman.....you should take a taxi. Since it's Amtrak, you'll be late....at 3 am, still need a taxi or Uber.

Very short walk on flat sidewalks. Area is safe.

I am not sure what Dutch tea is. Isn't most tea imported from Asia?

Perhaps the most rational post ever on CruiseCritic.

Yes, they have been serving Espresso and Cappuccino (and of course derivatives of each) in the mornings! There can be a line at the Grand Dutch Cafe and/or Crows Nest Explorations Cafe..... Great coffee is one key to good cruise! Best Coffee on ship in my opinion is Lunch/Dinner Coffee at Pinnacle Grill.

Talk to your fellow travelers (face to face on ship) about who they use. Unlike the "old days" your TA doesn't need to be geographically nearby you (but keep in mind timezone differences). Just the same country in most cases. If you are referred to them by someone, mention that person's name. TAs live on repeat business. Try a TA, if you don't like their service, switch. Easy.

Drcody - Welcome to Cruise Critic, you should post and find others who have similar tour ideas in the Roll Call for your cruise. Look under Roll Calls - Holland America Line - Oosterdam - April. Enjoy your Transatlantic Cruise,

So basically, the price really is about the same. You just had a better selection of cabins.

I agree with Kazu that demand seems strong, and that even with higher prices cruises are a relative bargain. Hotel prices are up, food and drink prices have skyrocketed. A cruise presents some good value plus a journey. I think the rate of price increase may slow, but doubt you s=will see large decreases. Much of HAL's demographic I would think are reasonably well to do retirees - mostly baby boomers that didn't suck up a great deal of COVID funds.

I vote for the one that ends in "dam"

The island is just that, a beach and amazing snorkeling. No tours that I know of, just bliss. There is a floating dock for tenders and the island. Unspoiled,