lcand1923

I was on the Jan 2013 Val to BA cruise on the Veendam. I had booked a cabin in September 2011, but changed it to a more preferred one in August 2012, moving from starboard to port.

 

Talking with folks on the cruise, HAL offered upsells before assigning the guarantees. I had a Lanai. I was offered an upsell to a verandah for something in the neighborhood of $1500. I didn't take it. Other folks were in insides and were offered upsells to outside cabins.

 

(I was part of a small group put together by a local travel agent. This is where I got some of the above information. I got some, too, from the Roll Call for my cruise and by talking to various people on the plane.)

 

We missed a few ports due to rough seas (the local port authority would not allow tenders), but had a very smooth passage through the Drake Passage.

 

If you don't have refundable air and hotel reservations, I would book now.

One thought ---

 

NCL will now have the "stepping stone" concept that has been mentioned many times on this board.

 

Get folks hooked on cruising with NCL. They can move from the low priced cabins to the suites to expand their experience.

 

As they get older with more disposable income, they can move to Oceania.

 

The final stage would be Regent Seven Seas with their more interesting/longer/more inclusive cruises.

 

It's a concept that many of us have said that HAL should consider.

Folks get hooked with Carnival.

HAL could cover the more interesting/longer/more inclusive cruises.

I know this isn't about HAL, but there has been some discussion on these boards about Oceania and NCL. I just found this in my email INBOX.

 

 

 

OCEANIA CRUISES UPDATE

 

Dear Guests,

 

We have some exciting news to share. The parent company of Oceania Cruises, Prestige Cruises International, has agreed to be acquired by Norwegian Cruise Line Holdings, Ltd., parent company of Norwegian Cruise Line.

 

Our loyal guests can rest assured that the Oceania Cruises experience they've come to love will remain unchanged. When we launched the business in 2003, we believed guests deserved more from their cruise vacation. It drove us to deliver a cruise experience that appealed to discerning travelers by offering the finest cuisine at sea, impeccable personal service, and itineraries that explore many of the world's iconic destinations. It was a formula for success, and along the way we developed a strong and loyal customer base, for which we are grateful.

 

With Norwegian Cruise Line, we've found a partner that shares a similar passion for going above-and-beyond to deliver exceptional guest experiences and we're excited about starting this new chapter for our company.

 

When the transaction is complete later this year, it will bring three great brands together as part of one family. The combination will create a diversified cruise operator with a full spectrum of offerings that range from family cruising on Norwegian's innovative Freestyle Cruising ships, to the country-club casual experience on Oceania's fleet, to the all-inclusive, more intimate experience afforded by Regent Seven Seas Cruises' luxury offering.

 

For the Oceania Cruises brand, our mission will be to preserve the distinct offerings, guest experiences and unique onboard culture our guests cherish onboard our ships while always exploring ways to further enhance our upper premium experience.

 

Thank you for choosing Oceania Cruises for your dream cruise vacation. We look forward to welcoming you onboard in the near future and for many years to come.

 

Frank Del Rio Kevin Sheehan

I don't read this board every day, so I probably missed whatever was happening that caused the OP to feel this pledge was needed. I won't take it because I don't feel it is necessary.

 

The HAL forum is probably the nicest, most polite board on CC. Yes, you have posters who seem to hate everything about HAL and posters who seem to like everything about HAL, but most people state their opinions and that is what the board is -- a forum for opinions.

 

All of us have a tendency to forget that all you have with a forum is typed (sometimes with spelling errors, too large font, emoticons, etc.). We can't see the poster's body language, facial expression and eyes. We can't tell if the poster is serious, joking, angry or happy. If you don't like something that is posted, ignore it.

My three star pin was on my bed with my copy of the Cruise Log the final night of my most recent cruise, so the benefits were not available. I was surprised to get the pin because I had read that you had to complete the cruise before your status changed. I figured HAL wanted to save the cost of the postage.

When we first sailed HAL in the late 90's early 2000's, it was a premium line.

It is now in its own unique niche.

It isn't premium because of the reduced number of crew to passenger ratio. The service has definitely suffered in many areas. However, it isn't mainstream because of the unique itineraries offered and the "little touches" that make it stand apart; i.e. wrap around promenade deck, art work displayed throughout, unbelievable crew. (I'm sure there are other things, but they are the ones that mean the most to me).

I only sailed on the Marco Polo one time. It couldn't be "lumped" into any category either because it was such a different vessel.

If you know, what is the current "turn around" time? Last time we used their laundry they wanted the dirty laundry (piece work, not the unlimited deal or the stuff a bag) by 8:30am and promised delivery back to the room by 6:00pm the next afternoon.

 

The daily deal is a great idea because it really cuts down on luggage and is much nicer than washing your stuff in the bathroom sink.

 

I used the "stuff a bag" on one cruise and the "unlimited" on another. The shortest turn around was same day with "turn down" service. The longest was two days (out on Monday morning, back on Wednesday with "turn down" service). I say "turn down" service because the laundry came back very late in the afternoon while I was out to dinner.

I think it would be a wise move to do your first solo cruise with friends AND on a vessel/line that doesn't have memories in every corner.

 

Everything will be new to you, which will be a good thing since sailing solo will also be new.

 

Take a very deep breath and do it!

We eat in the PG just about every night of our cruises. We like late sittings after 8:00 and never have a problem getting reservations. The place is not very busy later in the evening. So, if you like to dine late, by all means, take advantage of the price break if it's important to you. If you prefer earlier dining, then you should definitely book well in advance and pay the slightly higher price.

 

If you dine early (6:00pm), you shouldn't have any problem either. Once you move to the 6:30 - 7:30pm dining times, you may run into a problem with both. (I purchased the package mentioned by the OP and had to go with a 6:00pm dining time in both venues.)

I tried to use the FCC that I bought in February 2013 to book my 2014 Alaska cruise. I had to call HAL. There wasn't any field to enter it on the booking screen.

I am so sorry this happened to you.

 

When we were in Buenos Aires in 2013, a young man threw diluted ink on a couple and myself as we walked near the cemetery. Another young man and his female companion rushed to us with a bottle of water and tissues to help clean us up. I got that "feeling" and told my friends to "Walk Quickly" and get away. We had some ruined clothing, but kept everything else.

 

The previous day, while on a shore excursion, a "homeless" man made a ruckus as our group walked by to create a distraction. One of the men in the group had his pocket picked.

 

I think you have to be careful ANYWHERE!

I bought this Belkin because of recommendations from others here on CC. Used it on MANY cruises and was planning on taking it on the Amsterdam in March. You say it doesn't fit?

 

The case (outside) was too wide for the space where the plug was located on the unit I purchased from Amazon.com earlier this year. Sometimes the newer iterations of a product are not the same as the earlier versions.

 

If yours fit in the past, I am sure it will fit again.

 

I just wanted to Caution folks that it may not work for them.

Or you can get one of these to expand the ship's US outlet:

http://www.amazon.com/3-Outlet-Charger-Protector-Charging-Outlets/dp/B0015DYMVO/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1406427832&sr=8-3&keywords=power+strip+with+usb

 

Note that the plug is at the top (not the middle as in the one you showed), so this is more likely to work in the ship's outlet. It includes 3 110V plus 1 USB, so you can charge a whole suitcase full of stuff.

 

Someone had suggested this on a previous thread where there was a discussion about power strips being confiscated. (I've brought non-surge protected power strips for years on cruises.)

 

I bought it and brought it for my Alaska cruise just to be safe. The outlet space was too tight on the Amsterdam and it didn't fit.

 

I am expecting a lot of "Why are you taking an Alaskan cruise -- you live in Alaska?" on our sailing in two weeks. Especially since Juneau (my hometown) is our first port of call. ...

 

You could always use the famous line, "If I told you I would have to shoot you!"

 

(My former boss picked that up from someone whose brother - in - law worked for NSA. I use it a lot when I don't want to answer a nosy question.)

This didn't happen on HAL. Dad and I were having breakfast in the Lido at a 2 top on the first morning of our cruise.

 

This gentleman sat down next to us at another 2 top and started to tell us that he was a producer of films in LA. He then handed Dad his business card to prove it. He talked about his important job non-stop. The whole time he is talking he is chewing his eggs, sausage, toast, etc WITH HIS MOUTH OPEN!!

 

We tried the MDR for breakfast the next morning and were seated at a 4 top.

Guess who was seated with us! He enjoyed himself so much the day before that he wanted to join us again. Yes, the mouth was open as he chewed. Yes, he talked non-stop.

 

The gentleman asked us what time we ate lunch, which seating we had at dinner, etc. He wanted to make certain his wife and son met us since we were so nice.

 

The following morning, Dad and I got up extra early, found a 2 top in the middle of larger tables in the Lido and ate extra fast. We never returned to the MDR for breakfast and used that 2 top for the rest of the cruise for breakfast. We found other people to make crowded tables for lunch. Luckily, dinner was at a 2 top.

 

(Yes, the gentleman hunted us down in the MDR and introduced us to his wife and son one evening at dinner.)

Dad and I had taken two HAL cruises put together by our local TA. We did all of our research at the library because there was no home or office PC. We fell in love with cruising. This same TA put together a cruise on the Marco Polo. We booked it.

 

I bought a home PC which came with a modem because my job was going to require my gaining some computer skills quickly. I started reading. Dad meanwhile took a PC course at the local Senior Center. He came home telling me all about the Internet and how you could find stuff. The local library system had a way that you could dial them and they would patch you through to the Internet. Dad tried it and found Cruise Critic.

 

I couldn't figure out how the Internet could be useful, but Dad kept talking about Cruise Critic and the information he was finding on the Ports we would be visiting. I looked at it several times, but wasn't overly interested.

 

We got the confirmation for the Marco Polo Cruise. Dad had mobility issues and used a cane. We had been assigned to a six top. According to the TA all of the tables were six tops and we would be close to the entrance of the dining room.

 

I checked the Marco Polo Forum and found out that the six tops were a good distance from the entrance. There were four tops and two tops that would be nearer the dining room door. I wrote a letter to the Cruise Line, explaining the mobility issue. We were moved to a two top right inside the Dining Room door.

 

I cannot tell you how many people asked Dad how he managed to get that great table.

 

My User Name has changed several times through the years for various and sundry reasons but I was hooked when that table got changed!

Every cruise, there is a Walk. Look for sign up sheet to be delivered to your cabin a few days in advance.

 

 

There was no sign-up sheet on the June 22 Amsterdam Cruise. The Walk was mentioned in the daily newspaper and you went to the Front Desk to sign up.

This is the sort of information that could spoil the good time for someone.

(I have a dear friend who is a MAJOR bargain hunter. Any time she hears that someone has gotten a better deal than her, she actually gets sick -- upset stomach or headache.)

 

If folks are interested, you could have someone collect the data and then put it together to email to those who are interested AFTER the cruise.

Sorry to voice a slight qualification to KAZU's comment, but I must.

 

I've found that it is the people on the Cruise Critic HAL board who are considerate, kind and helpful. There are a few exceptions, just like in real life, but the exceptions are few and far between.

 

I've cruised on other lines and been on their related forums. They are not like HAL's.

 

Maybe it is because the crew of HAL vessels is so considerate, kind and helpful that the spirit just follows?

I only went to the Lido once for lunch on the 06-22 Amsterdam cruise and got the regular bread pudding with vanilla sauce. If memory serves, they had Peanut Butter Bread Pudding and Chocolate Bread Pudding, too.

 

Where did I eat lunch the other days? The Dive-In. Their burgers reminded me of the messy ones that a local bar served many years ago. The local bar decided to tidy up their burgers and they just weren't as good.

 

As much as I like the Bread Pudding I got my calories eating those lovely messy burgers!

Thanks for the information, that is why we did not recognize this event. Do you remember which night this was. We ate at the Pinnacle Grill on the Anchorage night and Hubbard Glacier night.

 

This dinner was held on Monday, 06-30-14, Homer night.

Loved your review.

 

Do you know if there was a sommelier or Cellar Master dinner?

 

I ate in The Pinnacle Grill one night when the back room was closed off. I asked what was going on and found out that they were having a Sommelier/Cellar Master dinner. If memory serves correctly, they had 22 or 24 attendees.

 

It was not announced in the On Location newspaper. It was not mentioned on the special paper that they put out for Wine/Beer Tastings. I don't know how the folks who attended found out about it. If I had known about it, I would have signed up as this is something I've always wanted to attend.

 

If you are interested, I would stop at The Pinnacle Grill one of the first days you are onboard and talk with the Maitre D (Chris) to find out if they are offering it. You could also question the Sommelier (Matt) if you attend one of the early Wine Tastings.

I print a copy of my confirmation email for any purchase that I have made prior to boarding. I also print a copy of confirmations from my TA re OBC. Several times I have needed to provide these onboard to work out an issue with the Shore Excursion Office and the Front Office.

I did this cruise eastbound in 2013. Argentina and Chile were having some political conflicts. Several ports were cancelled. (The reason given was weather. This was obviously valid for one port but not so much for the others. We did not call at the Falklands. The cruises that went westbound that year included the Falklands and all ports.)

 

Either direction would be good, but you may want to consider westbound for this reason in case Argentina and Chile are arguing again.

I was on this cruise, also. Mary nailed it. I enjoyed myself, BUT ...

 

The boys were pretty much out of control. On several days they decided that "fun" was to throw each other down the steps. They started out running from the back of the elevator lobby to the steps, then they would throw each other down them. I never saw adults with these boys.

 

The "canned music" was LOUD, too. I kept thinking of the thread that had been on cruise critic discussing the recorded music. I kept looking for a quiet spot, but couldn't find one.

 

I had never done a 14 Day Alaska cruise, so don't know if this is standard scheduling, but I found some things unusual. Here are some examples.

I signed up for the paid cooking class because it was on a Sea Day. It was changed to a Port Day. I cancelled.

The On Deck for a Cause was scheduled for a Port Day. It wasn't advertised much, so did not have much participation. It had very little involvement from the ship's staff. The Cruise Director thanked us for participating, had one photo taken and then disappeared. No one from the ship's staff kept track of the number of laps or cheered the participants. The walkers that I spoke with were doing it because they always did. They all commented that it was the most poorly supported On Deck that they had ever seen. The ship did have a cake, lemonade and cookies.

The Chef's Table Dinner and several Wine Tastings were not advertised. If you happened to hear about them and signed up for them, you did not get any Reminder cards. You didn't get charged, but the little slips did not include the date and time of the event, so I forgot about them.

 

I hope you don't mind my piggy-backing on your report, Mary. I was going to do something similar as I organized my thoughts.