AbsolutSki
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Everything posted by AbsolutSki
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Swissotel Amsterdam. Centrally located, right off the Dam Square. Grocery store close by with many packaged meals for snacks and quick bites.
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I can recommend Swissotel Amsterdam. Right off the Dam Square, close to restaurants, shopping, and city center.
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We started waking up progressively earlier about 3 days before our non-stop flight to Amsterdam which arrived at 7am local time (1am home time). The day of the flight we woke up at 3:30am. Boarded the flight ~6pm and slept 2-hour stretches on the way over. We were able to check into our hotel early ~10am and took a quick nap. We were up by 1pm and started sightseeing around Amsterdam and even took a canal cruise. By the next day we were fully on local time. Minimal to no jet lag.
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Club orange thoughts What’s to like about it
AbsolutSki replied to Notalotofinfo's topic in Holland America Line
Is it possible to find out if CO is available for a sailing before booking? If you use a TA, does it have to go through them to purchase CO or can you call HAL directly? -
Live from the Rotterdam, 14 day Jewels of the Baltic
AbsolutSki replied to VMax1700's topic in Holland America Line
Is this the premium package? Has anyone tried using their cell phone hot spot feature to tether a second device? -
It will not. You can click on Change Flight, select which leg of the flight you want to change, and look at the current choices. If there’s nothing better and you don’t want to change, just back arrow to the beginning or close the browser window. Either way works.
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Live from the Rotterdam, 14 day Jewels of the Baltic
AbsolutSki replied to VMax1700's topic in Holland America Line
I’m surprised the lobster dish on Gala Night has a surcharge. When did this start? I’ve cruised HAL before and I don’t remember that being the case. My last cruise was in October 2019. -
When I read the description, it says CO is limited for each sailing. Does anyone know what the limit is? Is it perhaps a percentage of eligible staterooms?
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FlightEase - KLM vs Delta operated by KLM
AbsolutSki replied to AbsolutSki's topic in Holland America Line
That last bit is concerning. I know you said it’s just a feeling. I wonder if there’s any credible worry in that respect, even just anecdotes? -
FlightEase - KLM vs Delta operated by KLM
AbsolutSki replied to AbsolutSki's topic in Holland America Line
Next question! I think I know the answer to this, but want to confirm. Now that I’m booked, I can’t see the list of available flights and their prices anymore. Do I do a mock Change Flights to see them? It wouldn’t release my booking by doing that, right? -
FlightEase - KLM vs Delta operated by KLM
AbsolutSki replied to AbsolutSki's topic in Holland America Line
Is it better to book the departure and return flights separately vs a round trip? I’m thinking of how it works if I only wish to rebook one leg of the trip. -
I started looking at flights from IAD (Dulles) to AMS (Amsterdam). There is a direct flight by KLM listed. The same flight is also listed under Delta (operated by KLM in the fine print). It’s the exact same flight - same departure, duration, arrival, KLM flight number, plane model, etc. The two listings are at difference prices, however, with Delta cheaper by about $20. What is the difference between selecting Delta for a flight operated by KLM and selecting the same flight with KLM? Are there bennies with KLM (like maybe a free checked bag)? Is one airline preferred over the other, in terms of its ability to get you to AMS if there are delays?
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In my mind there are several scenarios: 1. Fly into the day of departure and use HAL airport transfer. Late Arrival Protection should apply fully. That is, if the flight is delayed and you risk missing or actually missed the ship, HAL will do what it can to get you boarded on time or meet the ship in the next available port. This is how I understand FlightEase’s Late Arrival Protection works. 2. Fly into some days before the day of departure but still use HAL airport transfer on the day of embarkation. That is, you return to the airport on the day of embarkation to meet HAL transfer. Specifically, I’d return to the Amsterdam airport. If there is a flight delay: 2a. If the flight is delayed but you still get to the departure city before the departure date, Late Arrival Protection doesn’t apply because you aren’t late. 2b. If the flight is delayed to such an extent that you DO miss the departure, would Late Arrival Protection work in this case? I think it should but don’t know. 3. Same as 2, but you use private transfer to the port and not use HAL’s transfer. Then, I don’t know how Late Arrival Protection works under scenario 2b. By flying into the departure city 2 days ahead, I hope the chances of 2b happening is minimized.
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If I understand correctly, trip insurance must be purchased within a number of days (usually 14) from first deposit to get the pre-existing conditions waiver. I put down a refundable deposit of $200 for a cruise that is $10,000 when final payment is due in a few months. I can cancel the cruise and get my deposit of $200 back before the final payment date. What is the amount of the trip cost I should enter for the trip insurance? Do I enter $200 (the deposit), then add the other $9,800 when final payment is made? Or do I enter the full $10,000, but then what happens if I end up canceling and get my $200 deposit back?
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I’m booked on a May, 2024 cruise to the British Isles and it will be my first European cruise. I’ve used FlightEase for domestic cruises before for its Late Arrival Protection. However, I’ve been told I should arrive at least a day before embarkation. I’m actually thinking of arriving 2 days ahead to do some sightseeing in Amsterdam. Does the Late Arrival Protection not apply if you are not arriving the day of embarkation? I suppose I’d still use FlightEase for the no-fee change and cancellation before final cruise payment. Any thoughts or real-life experience?