FlaMariner

We do this but with Uber/Lyft lately...We do have to wait for the Uber/Lyft but it is never long. (we've had a couple of extended rides over the years with Fort Lauderdale taxis and we have learned to love Uber/Lyft) Either way (taxi or uber/lyft) is a much better price and experience than the HAL bus to/from Port Everglades)

Good question. I do not know.....'cause I only patronized the NY Deli for "movie night" snacks when we were there for movie night.....Perhaps others will answer.

Looking at that cruise from my TA and there is no covid requirement so if that remains the case, then there would be no purpose for Veifly. Right? I'm thinking Verifly is a Covid doc verifier....Here is what I see: Covid-19 Requirements: There are no vaccine or testing requirements for this sailing.

I'll try to be nice but we are 3 star HAL Mariners and cruised Princess (Sky, TA) for the first time last March and we are not going back.....some of the differences we noticed: no fixed dining (we had to beg every evening to be seated at our preferred table/servers at the same time every evening) no retractable roof over lido (so this area is of no use in inclement weather) loud lido pool deck with gambling on the TV screen and other loud events/annoyances atrium/decor was more like being at the mall food court than on a ship no furniture to sit on in the balcony cabin/closet is open like motel 6 pizza restaurant required 11am line up on sea days or long wait (no reservations taken) lido was difficult for us to figure out....salad bar was hidden in an alcove area, orange juice glasses were shot glass size, lots of going "here and there" to fill the plate...difficult to get a cup of "free" coffee. wait in line for them to serve or perhaps someone may come by after finished with eggs. reliance on the medallion thing (size of quarter, lost in day 2) but it did not work for fetching drinks or whatever. no reasonable "wine package" at dinner not much live music....jazz club was more like "brunch jazz" nothing like Music Walk choices. no reasonable laundry package....did clothes dorm room style down the hall. Thermal suite hidden in inside windowless area of ship....not as nice as HAL no shaded walking area around the ship Food was fine. Staff was great. But Holland America Line has spoiled us w/the way they roll and it more fits us. Disclaimers: These bullet points are my personal views and experiences and I understand others see things much differently. I am open to other cruise lines as we have sailed Carnival, Celebrity, NCL other the years (with a Carnival cruise booked next year) but we are not interested in cruising Princess again. And I understand YMMV.

Wouldn't that be stealing? It's sold as access for that person. Plus as stated above, the ship card is surrendered at the desk and they do call you by name......So Karen's card may not pass for Jim's when it's time to pick up your keycard.

We always book with a request for First Sitting, table for two and it has always been honored.

We love the Dutch Cafe also....even the pea soup is excellent!....but for us, it is usually a lunch stop.....Never think of it for an evening activity.

Movie night snacks = good wings...and other fun stuff at the NY Pizza....A good one I forgot to mention!

I use Shipmate to keep track of past/future cruises.

Great list....some things to add Billboard Onboard.....we enjoy getting a piano "front row" seat Thermal Suite.....we get the pass and enjoy going during the off peak evening time....you will many times have it to yourself Upper deck outside walk......great view of the sky...where the running track is

I'd ask my TA for how to handle......Hotel airport shuttle perhaps?

Can set a budget for lunch specials all over the world.....Just checked out the incredible itineraries. https://victoria.cruises/destinations/

So we frequent the HAL gym and we've never heard of this....We were last onboard in November 2022.

So this is a copy from the HAL website.....And it is wrong? Should be $25? I'm sending an email to HAL now. (I'm here to serve. LOL)

I've got a few more years before this becomes even an option to consider......So hoping the folks onboard (who are the pioneers) post on cruise critic and we can all learn. I do think it is a logical alternative to "independent living" places.

I've got no experience with this type of cabin request.......but..... Sounds like you will be fine as long as you follow their instructions and get the note. Right? I'd confirm as to when the note is due and have my TA work thru all that...Including what the "note" needs to say. I would think/hope that a handicap person (defined by HAL as one with a Dr's note, sounds like) would be prioritized & have priority for a handicap cabin. So yes, I would think that "no note" means possibly "no handicap cabin" for you.....And I'd certainly understand if I was moved to another cabin because a handicap person needed it. Get the note and enjoy the cruise! Or don't get the note and enjoy the cruise in possibly another cabin! Either way you are good!

Is this the price and everything else you mentioned are just deposits and time line commitments that have nothing to do with what you pay for the cruise? If so, it's a good deal, IMO...and you wanted to sail for 6 months.

So just dropped my wine budget off this list.....another good thing.

I'm liking this much better than the independent living community.........Cruising into my sunset works for us.....not there yet but fast approaching so hope all this works out and more ships are used this way....I could easily see Her Majesty and I doing this later.

HAL world cruise 2024: Inside = $23,599 / 128 days = $184 per person per day (not including tips). Victoria Inside = $7,999 for two people / 30 days = $133 per person per day (including tips). Victoria has a much better price point that HAL and all the HAL folks that love the smaller, older ships could still sail on them! What am I missing?

PRICE/MONTH (2 PERSON): $7,999 For an inside cabin...from the website

Agree. And tips are included....And I think so was self service laundry. Besides medical care, what other "bills" would you have? Thinking cell phone, wine expense, haircut money and I'm good to go? At $8,000 a month / 30 days = $267 a day for two people.

From the HAL website FAQ's 2. Luggage Direct Luggage Direct offers you the opportunity to receive your airline boarding passes and check your luggage in to your flight while still onboard your Holland America Line ship. Our TSA-approved partners will take your luggage directly from the ship and deliver it to your outbound aircraft. You will claim your luggage when you arrive at your final airport destination. If you want to make your trip home even easier, sign up for Bags VIP luggage delivery and eliminate having to deal with your luggage completely.* (See section for Bags VIP Luggage Delivery below for details.) Luggage Direct offers: Ability to enjoy your final hours in port at your leisure without having to stand in line at the airport. Avoid lines at disembarkation as you are invited to be the first to disembark No need to locate your luggage or wait for a porters assistance in the terminal Avoid lines at the airport — with boarding pass in hand and no luggage to check you can proceed directly to Security. Luggage Direct is available on most of our vessels when sailing domestically in and out of the following ports: Anchorage Fort Lauderdale Seattle Copenhagen — NEW — our first international option (available for Lufthansa and SAS Airlines only) For more information, or to sign up go to www.maketraveleasier.com/Holland or call 1‐877‐847‐0045 to speak to one of our customer service representatives. Please note the following general information about Luggage Direct: Cost is $19.95 per person / $29.95 for Copenhagen Airline-assessed baggage fees will be applied to guest’s onboard account when applicable as per your airlines rules. Guests may check no more than 3 pieces of luggage per person. Upgrade requests, seat assignment changes, and flight changes cannot be accommodated onboard. Restrictions for each homeport city include participating airlines, earliest and latest flight times, and citizenship requirements.

Was hoping this topic would come up..... Our first cruise was on the first Carnival ship back in the day....the Mardi Gras....and we enjoyed many a Carnival fun ship for many years (especially when our children were young) until we discovered Holland America Line and then there was no going back...... until now....... We just booked a 25 night October 2024 Singapore to LA repositioning cruise (seems as though Carnival is sending the Panorama over and back to Asia for dry dock). We booked it because...... awesome itinerary (Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, Philippines, Guam, Hawaii, etc) price was outstanding ($87 a night pp for a balcony) because of the itinerary and the length, I do not believe we will be traveling with the usual Carnival party crowd (however you choose to define that). So far.........We think we are good.....We shall see....We cheated on Holland America Line only once w/Princess and that was a disaster......But we always remain open to new adventures w/an open mind. Join us? So far, the roll call reads like a typical HAL crowd.......but we shall see. And any intel from Mariners going on long Carnival cruises would be appreciated.

Shipping costs (plus aggravation) can quickly exceed the value of the item......so I'd make sure I could confirm the cost to return if the items are located.