shadow 123

1 minute ago, shadow 123 said:

HAL_Ship_Services@HollandAmerica.com

I did contact this department, requested the table and they did email me back. My trip is in October I'll let you know then if I got my table.

18 minutes ago, ghstudio said:

$20 the first night to whoever is assigning tables when you enter goes a long way.....just a thought.  If you like the table you get, maybe a handshake with that $20 .....

Sounds like Las Vegas

47 minutes ago, Windsailer said:

Do you have the email to contact Ship Services? Would really appreciate it. TIA. 

HAL_Ship_Services@HollandAmerica.com

14 hours ago, titodewy said:

Hello all,

Is it best to buy America Holland's Insurance if you want full coverage?

Are there other insurances out there that may be better?

We are new to cruising.

 

I wouldn't use the ship's insurance. I had a horrible time with it. You have to do all the work . It's a secondary policy not a primary. Find someone else

22 hours ago, riverrat said:

I called Saturday and tried to add it to a cruise in November and HAL said I would lose my $600 deposit as it was nonrefundable.

They wouldn't add it for me either. My travel agent called a second  time and that agent told her it was only for new bookings which is not true

17 minutes ago, pghflyer said:

every time I read these posts, I become less convinced these are worth the (now) 8% discount relative the time and risk

I agree

I can't do it. I have the bed separated into twin beds

2 hours ago, FOPMan said:

The ability to go ashore is always at the captain's discretion. Concerns include safety, not only in getting off the ship, but also in returning.

 

If the excursion is using a tour bus, often (but not always, and you won't likely know until you are at the bus) the bus driver can store mobility equipment where the luggage usually goes. Your husband would still need to be able to ascend/descend the bus stairs.

 

Additionally, you will need to consider the nature of each excursion and whether there is an accessible path/route. Sometimes, when lunch is included in the tour, the facility used may not be wheelchair accessible unless so noted in the description. The excursion desk aboard ship is unlikely to have significant derails.

 

Safe travels!

Good advice. You can also call the ship's excursion department and they will gladly give you all the information. They'll tell you which tours will take the mobility equipment. They'll tell you if there are stairs or/and  if the path is rocky.  I do this all the time. @FOPMan is correct, he will have to be able to get on the bus in most cases. I was on an excursion once where a person was able to drive right up a ramp on to the back of the minivan with their scooter. I only saw that once and it was in Bermuda.

12 minutes ago, Govols9506 said:

Update: I'm trying to find guidance to getting HAL to provide an ASL interpreter for this cruise.. 

They are providing the accommodations you are providing the interpreter.

7 hours ago, putty27 said:

I book with big box store so called them and they called HAL and had it added on. I did loose $25 of my OBC but gained pre paid gratuities. 

My travel agent call today And they told her they would not add them. They wanted to take away all my onboard credits and I said no

17 hours ago, Ray4Fun said:

Better, Do I reach out to ? Now? Our trip is a year out. 

I rented a fridge last year it was only $2 a day. So hopefully it's still the same.

19 hours ago, durangoscots said:

..... and for me the worst part is I know all of them!!

 

Me too!

If it were me I would look for the cruise that I wanted and then call the cruise line and see what they have to say about accessibility. I hope you go and have a wonderful time.

1 hour ago, darstamp said:

I have been to Alaska 3 times so I am not an expert. But I read that sometimes they have to tender in in Ketchikan which would not work for you I don't believe.  Ketchikan is wonderful and you don't want to miss it so I would recommend that you check with the Health desk of your chosen cruise line before booking.  Also, make sure you book a stateroom that can accommodate you - i.e. they have wider doors and storage room.  It may be helpful to contact the cruise line and ask for a Personal Cruise Consultant who has experience with accommodations for the disabled.   Good luck and have a wonderful cruise.

On 7/11/2024 at 3:35 PM, Sea42 said:

We were able to move a nonrefundable deposit to another cruise. I was told it would be allowed once. This was 2 years ago so that policy may have changed. It wouldn't hurt to ask.

They moved it for me as well but I was told the last time they no longer do that.

On 7/11/2024 at 3:22 PM, atexsix said:

I was going to cancel a booking and move the deposit to another sailing but to my surprise I was told it's nonrefundable.  So I went back and looked at the booking confirmation and yes I misunderstood, I did not notice the cancellation fee "begin date" was the date I booked.  Going to have to pay closer attention from now on.  Had I known this or had the website been more clear and up front, I would have never put down that large a deposit that was nonrefundable.  I'm still not sure I will be going on this sailing, I told her to keep it booked for now, either way I'm now out $875.

 

So pay close attention folks.  Because I could have sworn back in the day the nonrefundable deposit information was more clearly stated, now it's worded in a way that could very easily be overlooked by anyone new to cruising, I've been on dozens of cruises and I even overlooked it. 

It's happened to me

1 hour ago, Tampa Girl said:

It has been my experience that on the few occasions that I have used a HAL PCC, I received a confirmation email, giving all the booking details.

 You are right but I get better perks with my travel agent. Especially the OBC that  I was mentioning.

20 hours ago, CruiserBruce said:

I think you can only see that on line if you booked direct through HAL.

I believe this to be true. As I mentioned in an earlier thread regarding obc that my travel agent is giving me, Holland America is not able to see them. They can only see the credits that they give you not your traveling agent. That's been my experience anyway.

20 hours ago, Dutchman48 said:

That lets me manage my cruise, book and order things, print passes and luggage tags, but does not show my booking confirmation (deposit, obc, etc.). The only way I have been able to see that is requesting a copy from TA.

But it's been my experience that the travel agent sends you their copy not one from Holland America. I'd love to see it from Holland America.

I have been sailing with Holland America since 2017. There have been issues but they were always resolved. I can't ever remember being treated rudely or unkindly by any representative whether it was on the ship or on the phone. I am so-so sorry you had to experience that. And yes,, thank you very much for your service to this country.

There certainly have been a lot of concerns and issues in the last year or so since the pandemic. I agree with that and it can be very frustrating. But it usually gets resolved.

Don't let this experience change you.

18 minutes ago, SeaMatesNYC said:

Again, Main dining is fixed 7:30 seating, every night same table, same waiters, in (usually) the 3 deck aft dining room. This is chosen before the embarkation, usually at booking, but can also be requested (space permitting) later on after booking. We’ve even switched to it once on board. It is fixed, traditional dining and Holland calls it MAIN. As opposed to EARLY fixed seating at 5:00pm. This is not so much dining room reservations as it is the selection of a default dining choice.
 

Dining room reservations are what “Anytime” diners can attempt to make upon boarding for the deck 2 dining room (or any reservations one makes for speciality restaurants).  This will not (usually) be the same table or same waiters (except possibly if you are requesting table at opening [5:00pm] in which case they may be able to accommodate that).  

I don't know how what you're responding to is under my handle. I never wrote that. Look at #13 that's what I wrote.

21 hours ago, shiner6 said:

Ok, I admit that I am flustered. I am not a newbie and I should know this!  I have spent a fair amount of time looking for answers, but could not find them. How do I make Main dining reservations for a set time every night? I am not a fan of anytime dining. 

I did it with my travel agent at the time of booking. If you don't have a travel agent call Holland directly. I always get reserved seating. It's more comfortable for me.

11 hours ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Yes, it is always a refundable deposit with no perks, although often it could offer reduced deposit and possible ship board credit but not always. Although it will not be the lowest per person rate, that will be the Non-refundable deposit.

I booked with a travel agent decently and got the advantage fare and I got perks. I even got the  have it all packaged. I'm just sorry that I'm just recently finding out about the advantage fare. My original travel agent never mentioned it. 

19 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

when we have phoned HAL for new bookings we do not hear that we can book advantage fares which  guarantees  our deposit . although ususlly $1200  it it far betterv than oosing  $500 in cancellation fees  .We also always hear about the Have It All  plan  .since we are non drinkers we always pass on the Have it All  ;but , in the past this tactic of not teling us about advantage fares has cost us $500 in loss when we had to cancel a cruise . i do vnot consider this up front handling .Their personnel should give us the option but mwe never hear it .The last cruise i had to ask for the advantage fare , Thus mtheis question now coes into play ,"Wht isn't holland america personnel telling us about there is ca advantage fare for a complete refund 

 

How many tomes has this happened to you when you ask the price ie ?

You are totally correct. They never ever mention the advantage fair. The only 1 that has ever told me about it is my travel agent.

This is definitely a concern for me and I was thinking about how I should go about it. I got some great ideas here. thank you all . @bcd2010 Thanks for addressing this.