HAL (or perhaps the individual ships) would do well to address this issue - an aging population (and HAL draws them), a wider acceptance of people with disabilities getting "out there", a limited number of accessible cabins - all create an increasing issue. Blocking the hallways, even temporarily, with scooters, wheel chairs, etc., (and food trays and strollers, too), create a safety issue, not only for able bodied people but for others needing to move down the hallways using mobility devices (including walkers, rollaters, canes and crutches). On my last cruise there was a disabled vets group, and many scooters and wheel chairs - some were parked near the elevators but my understanding is that that's not allowed or safe. I hope it doesn't take a lawsuit (injury or even death from a fall) to get their attention (I'm sure they've received comments/complaints about obstructed hallways).

2 hours ago, pengu1n said:

Unlimited depends on length of the cruise. For our 21 day trip, it is 178.50. You can check for your cruise were you order the extras on the website (beverages, shore excursions, etc.)

Thank you. Our cruise is for one week. Will check the website.

1 hour ago, Rubyfisch said:

Unlimited was $73.50. we were able to fit an absurd amount in the bag for $35.

Thank you for getting back to me. We've been paying for this since it first came out. I don't know how, but we have a full bag almost daily 😯. BTW we'll be on this ship/itinerary Oct 5 - it's great reading your posts in preparation!

On 8/28/2024 at 1:52 PM, Rubyfisch said:

We sent out one of the $35 laundry bags, mostly due to a series of unfortunate clothing mishaps ....

 

We sent it off yesterday evening and they brought it back to the cabin around 2 pm:

 

Is that $35 per single bag? Do you know what "unlimited laundry" costs? (I know this question is asked a lot but I can't figure out how to ask for HAL only - I keep getting replies for all lines - apologies and many thank yous).

Thank you all for such good info. 

I didn't know there were such things. I found some on Amazon - 6" x 9" so I'd have to use 3-4 at once - that's doable. I'll check them out. Thank you for helping 

I need to ice my back daily. I use 2 large (10" x 14") sealed flat packs (filled with some kind of substance). I know in-cabin coolers don't have freezers, and am trying to figure out how to freeze them between uses. Has anyone had to deal with anything like this?

I've read here about people needing to refrigerate medications - suggestions include the cooler or the medical center. I'm wondering if the medical center can freeze my packs. The cabin stewards usually come through (are helpful) on special requests, so I will ask them, too. I'd feel better knowing in advance if there's a way - each ice pack weighs 5 pounds and if there's no hope, I don't want to add that weight to my luggage.

(I cannot use packs with ice cubes as they hurt my back when I lay on them.)

I'm getting ready to buy some of these cards. On the AARP website they are priced at $460 for a $500 card. I thought they were $450 - does anyone know if the price has changed or if it has a history of fluctuating?

DS has a smart phone, I don't (and don't want one). Can he download needed info for both of us to his phone?

Thanks for the answers. I didn't see it online and now it looks like it's just gone away. Darn!

I used to be able to buy a card for $25 that was good for $50 worth of soda onboard - if you bought it in advance. It was $50 if you bought it onboard. Does anyone know if it's still available?

43 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

You could use a battery powered blanket.   Here is one.   

Cozee Battery Powered Heating Blanket with Surge Technology

 

 

Read 2 Reviews  | Write a Review

Item #:

860000383905

 

Price:

$349.99

 

 

 

Amazon has some for less than 1/2 the price - battery operated and/or usb charged Also shawls &  socks.

I, too, miss KK and send my regards.

11 minutes ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

I broke down in tears when I saw her in the channel -- safely home.

Me, too. I didn't know I was so caught up in this.

Come on over to the roll call - hopefully it will become more active as the cruise gets closer: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2700185-november-17-2020-zaandam-32-days-south-pacific/

Yes, Rowsby, it looks like it - Thank you very much!

I think it was in the last year or so that there was a thread about people being denied entry to Canada with a record (even misdemeanors, DUI). I'm not having any luck with the Search function. Anyone able to help? I don't need a repeat of the thread just want to find it,

This is from my blog for our 2012 transit (prices are probably higher now - this is to show how the cost is calculated):

... a reservation to go through the canal... costs $25,000... In addition to the reservation fee, the ship/line pays $134 per occupied berth (bed), $108 per unoccupied berth. That’s for everyone, passengers, crew, officers, staff. For this ship, that’s more than a quarter million dollars if every berth is occupied: 1260 passengers + 580 crew= 1840 * 138 = 253,920 + 25,000 reservation fee = $278,920. This amount is divided among the passengers.

We sailed with The Nation group on board last December (Odam). Barely knew they were there, only by their IDs hanging around their necks. Not a large number, obviously intelligent, not militant. They were friendly and courteous whenever I talked to them. Their activities were not posted and they met in out-of the way rooms during the day. Don't know how they affected dining - we had early fixed. I'd have no problem sailing with them again.

The thing is, there used to be many activities catering to a variety of interests, moods, demographics, etc. When my (adult) sons and I started cruising (on HAL) they would find activities that interested them while I went off to something else. Often each of us had to choose between things we wanted to do, always something interesting to do or see. Mix and mingle with others who enjoyed the same things we each did. But so many of these activities were not revenue producing which targeted them for elimination in favor of things that do bring in the bucks. I find I do not look forward to cruising anymore - the "specialness" is gone and I think the only way to (perhaps) find it again is to try other lines.

Although it's 5 years old, my PC transit journal is still up on the inet. There are detailed entries for Puerto Vallarta, Puerto Quetzal, and Cartagena of what we did. http://www.bcdenterprises.net/PCcruise/

We have taken to buying OBC to avoid giving them a credit card to which they can charge things we never used/did (mini bar, etc.) after we leave the ship. We buy an amount that when added to any "gifted" OBC is sufficient to cover the hold amount. ("Gifted" is used up first.) On the last day, they refund any unused OBC we bought.

On the Eurodam in November 2015, we received a notice that we needed to give them a credit card number anyway. We explained, they insisted, but we never gave a cc#, and, as planned, got back a big chunk of money on the last day.

On the Oosterdam in December 2016, when we went to get our refunds, the person we talked to walked away then came out of the office and waited on someone else - several people in fact. We kept asking about our refunds and were ignored. Finally we got our money at which point they told us they had to get approval to refund our money. Don't know if it was because it was a large (? - only $400) amount or what.

... contained custom-made Lego models of the MS Amsterdam. No kidding. Puzzles, so to speak. Somethingthat has to be constructed with careful reading of the instructions. Our kidsgrew up with Legos, but this must be an adult hobby as well. We will have to ask Aart, our Dutch buddy,who is an expert on everything Lego, as this is up his alley. A unique gift for sure, it did get a chucklefrom both of us.

Legos, an adult activity? Oh, yes! My dear son has been a Lego aficionado for more than 40 years. He sells his own creations on Etsy - mostly Lego jewelry (more than 100) and spherical ornaments (more than 50)! He would "die for" a Lego model of a HAL ship (we've done about 7-8 cruises) - would be great if they sold these in the ship's shops (or online).

There's usually an anniversary sale in April.

In the past few years there's been an anniversary sale in April. Last year we got free HSC and a $100 beverage card. The year before that we got $100 OBC each and free dinners in the PG.