cjb0717

2 hours ago, dog said:

I saw it last night in my list of dining options but today Spellbound has disappeared.

I saw it last night too but the times were all in 20 minute increments, which I know wasn't right. Today Spellbound is not showing on my app. I sail on March 29.

I'm doing exactly this for our cruise next March. We are arriving the day before and staying at an airport hotel. These are the instructions in our travel summary. 

If you plan to be in Rome prior to embarkation day and wish to return to the airport for your transfer to the pier, please meet at the airport location below and locate a Princess Representative to confirm your transfer time to the pier.   Location 1: Terminal 3, Arrival Area Meeting times: 8:00AM - 11:00AM   In case of flight delays, please call the Princess Enroute: 1-800-545-0008   If you cannot locate a Princess Representative at the airport, please call locally at +39-06-42881472, +39-06-42881642 , +39-348-8105-245       Unused transfers are non-refundable

2 hours ago, Jaymuxman said:

We are also booked on this cruise. What type of cabin have you booked?

 

We're in an oceanview.

We're booked March 29, 2024 for 19 nights. Very excited for this new ship and enjoy any pictures we can find.

I used Verizon while we were in Tokyo last March. I didn't make any calls but did use an app for the subway while out and google maps. No issues.

4 hours ago, cjb0717 said:

My husband's status has been showing in process since they received it on April 20. Yesterday it says supporting documents were mailed July 25. We haven't received the new passport yet and no status updates about it. No emails were received about any status either. 

Spoke too soon, new passport was delivered today. Although the status never did reflect that, I was checking it every day.

My husband's status has been showing in process since they received it on April 20. Yesterday it says supporting documents were mailed July 25. We haven't received the new passport yet and no status updates about it. No emails were received about any status either. 

Last February we stayed at Hotel Century Southern Tower in the heart of Shinjuku. It was about a 3-minute walk to Shinjuku Station. There are lots of restaurants around the area. We took the limousine bus from Haneda airport and the hotel is one that they stop at - door-to-door service. We just bought the ticket at the airport upon arrival. I wouldn't hesitate to stay there again if we ever go back to Tokyo.

I was also on the Sapphire cruise that ended early in Singapore on Feb. 13. I submitted our air change fee reimbursement on Feb. 20. Received the check on May 4.

I booked with Smiths for our cruise in June - LHR to Southampton. I was concerned about the timing also and asked for clarification, this is the response I received.

we will monitor the fight and allow time forbaggage collection etc. The driver will meet you inside the arrivals hall witha board with your name on. You can pay cash to the driver or by card, creditcards will carry a £3 per trip charge.

I just had recent experience with the San Francisco consulate for our Brazil visas. I used Visa Central and sent our docs to them on August 10, got notice that our appointment was scheduled for October 22, received our passports back on October 30. Other than the long wait the service was great. If I hadn't read up on the rules before hand I might have missed the boat (literally). San Francisco seems to have the longest wait time of all the consulates. It pays to plan ahead.

I just arranged a M & G for our upcoming cruise on the Prinsendam and my confirmation states no meeting with onboard staff. It took over a month to finally get confirmation for the M & G with lots of phone calls made to HAL.

Holland America does also.

We were on the Nieuw Amsterdam last April in an aft balcony on deck 5 - 5192right in the center. We loved our cabin, sitting out on sea days watching and listening to the wake. We did notice some vibration, not any noise though. In fact there was noticeable vibration all over the ship, it was especially bad the night we ate in Tamarind. Also on our last morning in the Lido our coffee was sloshing out of the cups on our table.

I booked a tour with Godfrey for our cruise last April. I got a confirmation email from him within a few days confirming our tour. However on the day we arrived in St. Thomas he was not there. As we were about to give up on him he showed up late and told us it was his day off so he was going to take us into town to meet up with another tour guide. Since we were the only ship in port that day I suspect we were his only customers and he felt it wasn't worth his time. On the way out of the port someone stopped us and asked if he could drop someone off at a nearby resort. He agreed so we had to ride along for that. After we got into town we sat in his vehicle while he made lots of phone calls - finally after much confusion he took us to another driver and we joined their group. The tour turned out fine and we paid the same price but I wasn't impressed with the service we received from Godfrey.

Not True! Hal's pricing and a TA can be different.

This is so true. I just booked the Amazon cruise through an online travel agency and am paying over $2,000.00 less than Holland America's price.

Does HAL have a time limit to when you can transfer the booking to a TA? Like only within 60 days after the original booking?

Thanks for all the great insight. It's great to get advice from people who have actually stayed in the recommended cabins. I'm seriously considering E329.

Connie

I'm looking into the Amazon Explorer cruise on the Prinsendam for Nov. 2015 (on our bucket list to see the Amazon). Looking at the OV cabins on deck 7 - Lower Promenade there appears to be a walkway all around. How does this effect the view from these cabins? Some show a partial sea view while others do not? Any input on OV cabins anywhere on Prinsendam is appreciated. This will be our longest and most expensive cruise yet so I'm in heavy duty research mode.

Thanks,

Connie

That's great news! Thanks for all your responses.

I'm considering booking a HAL cruise for Nov. 2015. They are offering OBC if booked by July 31. If I go ahead and book with HAL and then later transfer the booking to a TA will I lose the OBC from HAL?

We just stayed at this hotel for 2 nights post cruise on April 6 & 7. I got it through Priceline - we were given a room around the pool on the first floor. It was a long walk from the lobby and parking lot. I would say the room was OK for what we paid. The hotel does seem a bit dated. We are not too picky and the room was clean, the air con was quiet, bed was comfortable. Bathroom was large with good water pressure in the shower. We didn't use any of the hotel facilities and we were out most of the day. I heard you can upgrade to the tower rooms if available for extra money, but it was not offered to us at check in and I didn't ask. We liked the location and if you have a good rate I think it is OK, but I don't think it's a 5 star as stated on Priceline.

FYI - Parking is $25/day for Valet and $21/day for Self Park.

We stayed at the Hyatt Pier Sixty Six a few weeks ago for two nights pre cruise. We are not fussy people and absolutely loved our stay there.

 

We got a very reasonably priced upgrade at check-in to a 9th floor king junior suite that faced the ocean and the port. Was an outstanding view, and the room was nice.

 

The water taxi stops right there at the hotel marina.

 

They have a nice casual restaurant called Pelicans Landing right on the ICW at the end of one of the piers (right next to the water taxi stop). Beautiful yachts docked there too.

 

With that said, the food and drinks are not cheap (but what hotel restaurant is?), parts of the property and marina are under construction (with the biggest inconvenience being a couple elevators down), and there is nothing free (like breakfast) except the WiFi.

 

Any specific questions, just ask.

 

Dan

 

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Hello Dan,

I got this hotel through a Priceline bid for 2 nights post cruise in April. After reading some of the reviews I was a little disappointed, but we are not that picky either. Were you offered the upgrade at check-in or did you have to ask for it?

Thanks,

Connie

I just pre-booked a clam shell for my upcoming cruise with Holland America. Did it on their website - $15.95 for the clam shell & 2 loungers for the day.

GH - This is also a big thank you for your postings. We are first time Celebrity cruisers on the Feb. 17 HK to Singapore cruise so I am very interested to read your insights on your next 2 weeks. Especially about Bangkok and Vietnam passport and Visa issues and timeliness in getting off the ship in these ports. Thank you so much!