Dobby36

I find plenty to stay busy between grabbing a drink in one of the many bars, partaking in the trivia or hosted games (of which there are usually 1-2 at least/night) and testing the fates at the casino. I also find there are others willing to join in and work on a puzzle or board game, people are always around after dinner. Just precious few after 11 or so in the music venues.

I called the main HAL line a week ago to add it to our South American cruise (see you there!) and said we didn't want any change to the cabin choice, as we love the mini-hallway on deck 10 in the VB category, which we always book. They took the payment easy-peasy, sent me an updated booking confirmation in minutes. If we live CO enough we will try to booking into a lower category trick - but honestly the price per day when you are on a 14+ day trip seems worth it IMO for the shorter lines and expanded room service alone - with the cabin change it'd be even sweeter.

Yes, HAL does this - i believe the site is here: https://oceanplayersclub.com/hollandamericamatch/ or just google "Holland America Casino Status Match". Looks like it is outsourced to a third party. I tried to submit my status from a land-based casino chain to see what would happen and they told me "thanks but you already cruise with us, so no addt'l offers" (in many more polite words) SO- it may be perf for the OP or others with casino history on non-HAL lines hoping to give HAL a try! Cheers.

When you get on, go to the main dining room and ask for reservations for each day (or the ones you want) at the specific time you prefer. They can still make you reservations at the "anytime" dining room floor, and you will likely get the same table and staff, at least we have the last two times. When /if you prefer to go elsewhere you can always just call down and cancel or adjust your party size if you make friends, etc.

There is tons of shopping and dining in nearby Seaport Village which is a joy to walk to/through, and there is a nice walking/scooter trail that runs along the harbor, as well as plenty of harbor cruises and museums and other activities depending on your budget. The New Childrens museum is also a short walk away and lovely. A quick uber could get you to the amazing SD Zoo and Balboa Park which has days worth of things to see and do!

a number of the private airport parking lots have a shuttle that will go to the cruise port too. most are located east of the airport and north of the downtown proper.

We were on one booking number together every cruise- I will have to call HAL. thanks all!

we've shared the same cabin over 5 cruises on HAL together...odd!

thanks for those responding! I was wondering the same thing 🙂 no wonder i'm a 3-star and my companion who has been on all the same itineraries is only two!

when aboard the wonder in October we found everything "sold out" ahead of time. But by stopping at guest services right upon boarding we were able to get all we wanted booked(tequila tasting, makeover for the little one, and whisky tasting, etc) as it seems there are some phantom spaces available that would not appear on the app somehow.

I've walked downhill from my place (1 mile) to SAN once - and that was before the current construction on T1) and I will never do it again. It is not set up well for walking, despite the close distance. Take an Uber or Taxi, both will loop into the pick-up area at the pier and grab you with ease. Worth it.

some of the airport parking lots will take you to the pier too. sdap.net or just google san diego airport parking and make sure their site has a shuttle to the port too.

I was recently looking into doing the same thing - found two work-arounds: 1- go to e-gift cards and buy however many gift cards you can spend your points with and bring them to guest services-should be able to turn into OBC 2- under "onboard gifts" use the $50 casino chips option to have those waiting for you on board. play them as cash, or redeem at cage for cash to then use as you wish

HAL sadly was affected in 2021, I was on the Eurodam is September, one of the first HAL sailings after the Venice ban was fully in effect. We were first told Marghera would be where we were bussed after processing at Venice terminal. It ended up not being ready in time and off to Trieste we went. Took the better part of a day with the processes being new to all involved and the COVID precautions etc - quite a nightmare really. BUT on the upside the few days we tacked on independently in Venice before and after found very light crowds everywhere and perfect weather!

There are plenty of spots to eat in Seaport Village or further into Downtown, if you are open to walking 10 mins or so - area is all very flat and pretty safe. Enjoy!

The train north is disrupted due to some cliffs collapsing recently - they have a bus service completing that portion of the route, but will cause delays. https://www.amtrak.com/pacific-surfliner-train I got off the wonder in San Diego last month and it was a nightmare - low communication, long lines and mass lines. We were hours later than we expected, but the ship arrived basically on time. I wouldn't hold much hope for getting to LAX by noon, unless you have a hired car waiting for you at the port. I live in San Diego, FYSA.

Holland America lets you pre-order full size liquor bottles to your room too. Not sure if there is a limit.