The O Mariners

I have a question about the AARP credit. Does the credit only apply to new bookings?  I have a transatlantic cruise scheduled on the Rotterdam next month. The credit doesn't apply to this cruise because it already purchased or does it? Thanks for your replies, Morgan

6 hours ago, ski ww said:

Thanks, unfortunately our TA hasn't been very helpful. We'll check when we get on board,

6 hours ago, ski ww said:

 

We're about a month away from our first HAL cruise on the Rotterdam. Do we need to make reservations for early seating in the Main Dining Room?  Can we do this now or wait until we board? Would we do this online or with the phone app. Thanks for any suggestions.

Morgan

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

We never found it on our HAL account (pre cruise).  What we did (for years) is e-mail or fax the request and ask for a return e-mail verification.  Sometimes, we actually did get an e-mail verifying the credit, but most times we got nothing.  We always print our a hard copy of our shareholder request (including the back-up documentation of owning the stock) and take it along on the cruise.  If you do not see the credit in your onboard account, you then pay a visit to Guest Relations (bring along your hard copy) and they will usually deal with the issue (it can take them a few days).

 

Hank

Thanks Hank, that was our experience with Princess Cruises. We'd take hard copies too. Sometimes on board, they would lose it and have no record of it. I don't think they were trying to cheat us, but it's happened a couple of times. Good reminder.

Morgan 

We're new to Holland America and I'm not sure where to find the OBC on the web site. On Princess I could always find it under my account. I applied for the Stockholders credit a couple of weeks ago.

Thanks for help.

New to Holland America and will be on the Rotterdam for a Trans-Atlantic cruise in October.  I'm trying to figure out internet options for two cell phones and a laptop. Suggestions or advice please.  Thanks

On 7/8/2023 at 6:04 PM, mi-oh-tx said:

We requested early dining and table for 2, but our print out says open seating table for 6.  I was just on the phone with HAL yesterday and they said to wait and change it on board.  This is our first time with HAL

if it is important, go to the Maitre'D as soon as they open, slip a $10 or $20 quietly as you give your request. They almost always some through. smile and say thank you...they wil know you every time. I don't always do this, but have if it is important that cruise. My husband can be a stickler for table for two. 

Thanks for the note. We're looking forward to the laundry service. Self service on Princess can be a hassle and take way too much time. HAL's laundry service will be a nice luxury.

Thanks for the quick reply. The weekly package sounds perfect - I'm going to order today.

2 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Welcome to HAL @The O Mariners! There is no self service laundry like you've used on Princess. There is laundry by the bag or unlimited for the length of your cruise. Depending on your itinerary, bag will be about $20-$30 ea for however much you can fit in. The price for unlimited laundry is under "packages" in your booking. For an 11 day non-European, it's $93.50. On a recent 7 day it was $59.50. There is also pressing service; it's included in laundry, so you only need to use it if you're not having items laundered. 

2 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Welcome to HAL @The O Mariners! There is no self service laundry like you've used on Princess. There is laundry by the bag or unlimited for the length of your cruise. Depending on your itinerary, bag will be about $20-$30 ea for however much you can fit in. The price for unlimited laundry is under "packages" in your booking. For an 11 day non-European, it's $93.50. On a recent 7 day it was $59.50. There is also pressing service; it's included in laundry, so you only need to use it if you're not having items laundered. 

My wife and I are new to Holland American and aren't sure how to arrange laundry service on our upcoming transatlantic cruise. Is there a $99.00 per week ,per cabin option? We've usually cruise on Princess and used the self-service laundry. Thanks for your help.

DH and I decided to check out the Regal while it was in Brooklyn. This not going to be a review, just some photos and comments from our lovely day yesterday. For more of a review, check out this thread:

 

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?p=51384180&highlight=BVE#post51384180

 

THANK YOU so much for posting this. What a neat idea. I learned a lot from your posts. This is a great example about how Cruise Critic really helps people who enjoy cruising. We leave this Wednesday on the Regal. This gave us a nice preview as well as we know know about BVE!!!!:cool:

Honest opinion doing the Regal Princess on 10/27/16

10 day from New to Ft Lauderdale.. Just curious the average age of the passengers will be, I figure all different ages but larger % of 60-70

any help be appreciatted..

Thanks

Might I suggest you go sign up on the roll call for that particular cruise??? It is one of the most ACTIVE roll calls I have ever seen with people wanting to do fun things and lots of sharing info.

We are going on that cruise and very impressed with "The Repeaters". A number of people have taken that cruise numerous times (it is our first and I think blckspy's 6th or 7th). I can tell you they hail from all over including Canada.

Anyone who goes has to be in for the long flight either back to NYC or their own home.;)

It's the vitality not the age. I work two separate licensed professional jobs running all day long(or all night long).

I have no idea your age but when I was 38 and I saw the crazy Carnival people drunk across the port, (on RCCL) I realized Princess (or ANY other line but that)was for me.

What an interesting thread! I am happy they decided this strategy. We have been loyal to Princess for many years. The blend of quiet but not geriatric works for us. Their ships are graceful and not like some weird mega hotel adrift. When I wanted to give our Alaskan daughter and Granddaughter a final infusion of sun and warmth before their long winter, my dream was to combine meeting them in Florida, seeing family on land, with a finale of a short cruise. My DH did not think I could pull this off within our budget (we both work long hours at an age I thought we would be retired-me w two careers). I started watching prices in the spring seeing when the final drop occurred time-wise. Initial plan- balcony and an inside across the hall. Imagine everyone's surprise that I could book two adjoining Caribe balconies for my budget! (love those Caribe balconies :D) Then when the price dropped one last time, after we final paid- the Princess rep still honored that drop (was not yet "new bookings only") and the additional cruise credit. Now, can I afford bring some extra cash to reward the staff that serves us? Yes. Might we eat in a specialty restaurant that we otherwise would not have? maybe. Will my husband buy an extra coffee card? Sure. Does Princess have our loyalty? YES! :)

I'm planning to buy a Coffee Card. Are cards discounted, if I order before of the cruise? If so, how do I do this? Looking forward to a good cup of coffee in the morning and another one in the afternoon. Thanks in advance for any advice.

Amen!

 

At some time in the past 10 years I realized that I had stopped trying to convince anyone to do anything they didn't want to do. Maybe it was about the time that I realized i resented others doing that to me. Life is so much happier since then. I just accept that everyone is living their lives in the way that's best for them, or they would be making changes themselves. They don't need me instructing them how to do it.

You ALL just made me feel both thankful(which I am) and very happy for my decision to "spring" for the cruise we are going on October 18th. We are meeting our daughter and granddaughter from Alaska we only get to see once each year. My husband was initially convinced it was not in our price range. I just watched week by week. With a Caribe balcony, combining OBC, FCC, more OBC with one more price drop, we are now down so low we can afford to "spread the good fortune" with the staff. I am keeping the auto gratuity charge and carrying extra cash for the hardworking staff. (I thought I would be able to retire but the recession changed that- now I work two different careers- one as a hospice RN with 13+ hour shifts never stopping- So I feel for them.)

In that new career- I now know for CERTAIN- people remember the good times- they always want MORE time with their family, MORE memories- they NEVER say they wish they had worked more....or worried about silly things... or had less "good times" with the ones they cherish.

Thanks :)

Thanks so much for your informative replies!! VERY helpful! Loved the suggestions about the balcony and dining rooms. My husband is an excellent cook. One of his specialties is making Eggs Benedict on some Sunday mornings-- But it would be so nice for him to be able to enjoy without all the preparation and washing the many dishes afterward!

We will be on the CB for the 5 day leaving October 18th.

For anyone who has never had Eggs Benedict---- it IS a luxurious dish to start the day!:D

I love Eggs Benedict. Does Princess serve this for breakfast in their dinning rooms. Any reviews? We'll be cruising on the Caribbean Princess next month.

Thanks.