Suncoastsailors
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Posts posted by Suncoastsailors
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28 minutes ago, richwmn said:
you can change devices as you please. When you try to log into a device it will allow you to bump the other device if it is still logged in.
Thank you Rich. Exactly what I wanted to know.
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If you purchase the Premium internet plan for one person are you able to use that on your phone and tablet. I realize you can't be logged in to two different devices at one time. We have never used HAL internet. Could someone who has used recently please explain.
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On 1/13/2022 at 9:21 PM, Mooregre said:
I just had a Covid Test cancelled with CVS. Leaving tomorrow morning for Fort Lauderdale. I’m wondering what options are available?
I am very frustrated because I booked this ten days ago.
I would appreciate any thoughts or recommendations you might have for me.Walgreens in FT Lauderdale if you arrive the day before and before 4:30 pm
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1 minute ago, DaveOKC said:
Just FYI - I have to log in with my DW's number as she is the gambler (obvious since she married me!). I do not see the $200 fares but hers do.
Yes same with us. No $200 fares for me, only for my wife. However I needed to call an agent to get the details of this offer. Such as does it include OBC or free drinks in the casino. This does not show up when attempting to book this $200 offer online. I assume the details are explained in emails to the gambler. We don't get these emails.
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14 hours ago, blueexpedition29 said:
According to HAL Rep and my interpretation : if you see a "$200 Private Fare" when logged into your account, it means that there is a Casino Offer available for that cruise; however, two important facts :
- you cannot book true casino fares on line ( if you try, you will get a message to call HAL)
- even though you see the fare, you MAY NOT be eligible for it. The only way to know is to call, (although in theory you would have received notification of the offer via email ).
Hope that helps
Actually we are on a cruise the next two weeks that we booked online. A $200 deal found on searching cruises while logged into our account. The $200 OBC pp did show up while booking the reservation. Lately the $OBC has not been showing while booking online and we have needed to call to book.
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17 hours ago, rodndonna said:
This is our limited experience on the Casino "offers" and Casino "Private rates"
We have sailed once with HAL in December and played the Casino (not big players).
On return, we received an emailed "Casino offer" offering Free rooms for Alaska 2022 sailings (had attached pdf file with the available sailings and required booking Code)
We could also see the same sailings offered on-line for us as discounted (not free) "Private rate" prices.
A week or so ago, other Casino players received an additional offer of Free rooms on additional sailings in the Caribbean and Europe. This time - we didn't received an emailed offer of "Free" rooms, but have those cruises now showing as discounted "Private Fare", typically $200 or $250.
We booked an Alaska "free' cruise, and not sure if we were not offered the 'free" rooms for Caribbean and Europe because of that, or because we are not big enough players (which I believe is the case)
If you call HAL to book this $200 deal they will be should able to tell you what is included such as OBC.
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Just now, Suncoastsailors said:33 minutes ago, blueexpedition29 said:
I have only received Casino offers via email and booked them by calling HAL directly. Do these show up in your account when you log in?
When i log in , i do see "private fares" for some sailings; but, nothing about Casino Offers.
THX for any insights!
Another twist. We never receive emails of casino offers. However when logged into our account we see the "private fare" prices most of which are $200pp. We have tried to correct this through multiple HAL sources to no avail. We also have booked several at one time in the past. Leaving on one this week.
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33 minutes ago, blueexpedition29 said:
I have only received Casino offers via email and booked them by calling HAL directly. Do these show up in your account when you log in?
When i log in , i do see "private fares" for some sailings; but, nothing about Casino Offers.
THX for any insights!
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1 hour ago, May1cruiser said:
Which port if any has been recently substituted for Grand Cayman? Our itinerary already includes both ports in Mexico. (Western from Tampa)
Amber Cove
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We have been on several HAL cruises since the restart and many port changes were not announced until after boarding or even later in the cruise. Some were announced prior to the sailing date by e-mail.
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2 hours ago, LadyBerard said:
I was supposed to be on the 1/2/22 sailing of the Rotterdam, but switched it to the 3/20/22 sailing on the Rotterdam due to my husband having surgery recently. Glad you enjoyed your cruise!!! Do you know what the capacity of the ship was for passengers?
Not sure what you are asking. We were at approx. 50% capacity. The ships seemed empty most of the time.
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We are just now home from one week on the Rotterdam. We were able to make all of our rescheduled port. Although we were late into Half Moon Cay because of some new Covid restrictions. Although we were not informed of any Covid outbreak on the ship, I did see a team of crew dressed in HazMat suites later in the week. I suspect like all recent cruises we had our share of infections. Passengers were pretty good with mask wearing except when they were at the lounges sitting. As for a quick review of my experience. In my opinion the food and service were excellent. The Billboard was great. The band at Rolling Stone was probably the best I have seen on a cruise ship. We did not attend any of the shows in the main theatre since we have seen them all recently. The Lincoln Center group was very good and the BB King band was good . The ship is new and very nice. Comedian named Hall was not great but worth watching.
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3 hours ago, sherryf said:
I guess we got lucky! We were just in Puerto Rico last week on Nieuw Statendam.
Cruise Lines Begin to Suspend Visits to San Juan Due to New Requirements
Cruise Lines have started to suspend calls to San Juan, Puerto Rico due to new testing requirements implemented by local authorities.
Modified Date: Dec 28, 2021
Photo Credit: refrina / Shutterstock.com
The implementation of new testing requirements for debarking cruise ship passengers is having a significant effect on the tourism industry in Puerto Rico. According to local news outlets, at least 11 calls from cruise lines sailing under the Royal Caribbean Group and Azamara Cruises have been cancelled.
The calls account for a revenue stream of at least 5.5 million dollars which has gone up in smoke for local residents; however, this number could climb to as much as $12 million or more as more cruise lines look at their options.
Multiple Cruise Lines to Avoid Puerto Rico
It is starting to look as if more and more cruise lines are choosing to avoid sailing to Puerto Rico, at least in the near future. According to local news, several cruise lines have now decided to skip San Juan in their itineraries. These include Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, and Azamara Cruises.
The reason is that the local department of Health introduced a new requirement for all cruise ship visitors on December 26. The new protocols state that all guests must pass a COVID-19 test taken no more than 48 hours before arrival in the port. This makes it near impossible for any cruise line to comply.
Cruise Ships in San Juan (Photo Credit: fitzcrittle / Shutterstock)
Guests are required to test 48 hours before embarking on any cruise ship in the United States, the logistics to enable testing of thousands of people in the terminal or on board the ships would need some time to organize. Several locals have protested the measures from the government in Puerto Rico, which will have a considerable impact on the economy.
The Puerto Rico Shipping Association: “The cruise industry has made a monumental effort to prevent COVID-19 infections aboard its ships by making adjustments and outline strategies to keep the industry running. All cruise lines sailing from the United States are obliged to submit to strict controls and rules such as complete vaccination at least 14 days before boarding and negative COVID tests within 72 hours before the journey.”
“Cases identified on board cruises are intended to track and curb infections on board, not to alarm citizens as it has been happening. The main focus has always been to monitor and detect cases in order to respond to spread on board. There is no need to reach the point of hysteria and fear of COVID variants.”
Celebrity Edge in San Juan (Photo Credit: Pamela Brick / Shutterstock)
This week there are visits scheduled for Celebrity Edge, Odyssey Of The Seas, Celebrity Reflection, Celebrity Millennium, Regent Seven Seas Splendor, and Carnival Magic. Whether these ship visits will happen depends on whether the cruise lines can provide enough testing for guests onboard. In January 2022, 49 visits to San Juan are scheduled from all major cruise lines.
Cruise Hive has reached out to Royal Caribbean and will update this post once a response with further details is received.
Puerto Rico Tourism Industry Faces More Financial Losses
While the requirements from the Department of Health in Puerto Rico are a loss for the cruise industry, at least they will be able to spend the day at sea or find an alternative port of call that will accept the ships. The same does not count for the thousands of residents involved in the tourism trade in one way or another.
San Juan Cruise Port (Photo Credit: Gemma Fletcher / Shutterstock)
Juan Fernández, a local business owner, stated to Telemundo: “We were beginning to see the light and a good sign in the recovery of the cruise sector in the country after more than 20 months of absence of this. There is no doubt that we were beginning to feel the increase in sales, not only for merchants in Old San Juan, but also for tour operators, transporters, artisans, travel agents, museums, hotels, in short, the entire component of products and services. The government’s wrong, arbitrary and unilateral decisions are unjust and inappropriate.”
Also Read: Ideal Hotels Near San Juan Cruise Port
Puerto Rico stands to lose millions of dollars through cruise ship cancellations. The 11 calls from Azamara, Royal Caribbean, and Celebrity Cruises alone account for a massive $5.5 million in lost revenue, a number that could go up to $12 million, or much more, if the restrictions remain in place through January.
The question is what agreements between the cruise lines and the local government mean. The restrictions do not mean that no cruise ships can visit Puerto Rico. However, whether cruise lines and guests are willing to put up with various destinations instating random, arbitrary rules, which go against those same agreements, remains to be seen.
Feel free to discuss this topic and all things cruise at our new boards. A place where readers can ask questions, help their fellow cruisers and general cruise discussions on cruise lines and ports.
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9 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:
So, if as you say, it changed yesterday, you are upset at HAL for not changing things in less than 24 hours?
I am not upset at all. Just reporting what I read. I really don't care what ports we visit. Just thought it would be of interest to people on this site.
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6 hours ago, BSinPNS said:
THe requirement applies to all arriving by air are required to present a test. Noting about arrival by sea.
Sorry, but it does apply to cruise ships as of yesterday. I read the article, but was unable to figure out how to attach it to my posting. Google search Puerto Rice cruise port under News.
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We are scheduled to dock in Puerto Rico next week on the Rotterdam. Looks like this will not happen with this new 48 hour rule. Holland America has yet to change itinerary. But, unless things change it probably will not happen. Testing everyone on the ships has happened in the past but is expensive and may produce more positive test than expected. Another sea day or change of ports is most likely.
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1 hour ago, rodndonna said:
OK thanks,
I think my approach to date with regards to spending(losiing) money in the casino in hopes of cheaper cruises is suboptimal. I would be better off just making friends in the Casino on my next cruise !!! 😜
Go around the last day of the cruise and glance over the slot players shoulders. You should be able to read the accumulated points for that cruise on their machine. When you find one up around 20,000 points, make a new friend. Done. By the way it won't be me because I don't play or my wife only gets around 1000 points.
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23 hours ago, rodndonna said:
I wish!
We just finished our first HAL cruise last week, left our 'donation' at the casino and now anxiously waiting for our first casino offer 😎
Hope get some offers. We never receive offers by e-mail. Most offers for us are found by searching all HAL cruises on their website and finding cruises with very reduced rates. Another way a to do a mock booking on a cruise you like, when you get to the third or forth page of the booking you will find the price drops. This is of course after you log in under the gamblers name.
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Friend or family for $99 plus port charges for inside cabin. Only on the cruise we have already booked.
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We just received an email casino offer for friends and family on our next seven day cruise. Has anyone else ever received such an offer?
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1 minute ago, beckyjohns said:
Thanks so much. That's what I needed to know! Apparently the rapid antigen test isn't offered by Walgreens in our area and this is the only test they offer with results in time!
Right now you can schedule online up to 7 days in advance. They are also open on Holidays.
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1 minute ago, crewsweeper said:
If it's not proctored via on line it's not eligible for the cruising test. So look at the box and see.
Most of the store purchased tests aren't proctored.
This test is done my Walgreens Pharmacy staff at the drive -up window by appt..
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1 minute ago, beckyjohns said:
This is the rapid test that Walgreens is offering in our area. It doesn't look like it's PCR or Antigen (I'm no expert). Does anyone know if this test result would be valid for RCCL?
I have used this test on two Carnival, Two HAL and One Royal Caribbean cruise over the last 5 months. Yes it will work. We usually get our results back with-in a few hours.
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Just off the Carnival Magic and compliance with mask wearing rules was poor at best. Although they announced mask must be worn, very few complied.
HAL internet plan one person can you change devices
in Holland America Line
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Can you steam TV with this Premium internet. I know this is a difficult question because depends on where you are on the ship and how many are using the internet.