*Miss G*

5 hours ago, pghflyer said:

 

Now when I look in my profile (described above), my AARP discount indicator shows but not my Healthcare discount indicator. When I look in my wife's profile, her AARP discount indicator disappeared for a few days (after submitting the Healthcare), but now today her Healthcare indicator appeared (but AARP still gone). Not sure what any of that means ha ha.

Only one AARP discount and one Healthcare discount is allowed per booking.  That may be why you only see one of each.

Also, your TA will receive the HAL Booking Confirmation that @oakridger has posted an example of.  You can request from your TA that they forward a copy to you, if you wish.  I can’t recall who on this board does this, but maybe they will see your post and respond.  I use a PCC so I receive the same as @oakridger.

2 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

I saw a similar thing in Ocean bar on Zaandam last month. Two young women were sitting at a table next to mine. We all had a nice view of the band but, of course, they could be heard all through the bar. A couple came in--I'd seen him before at guest services and he was being a jerk about something. I forget what, but very entitled. This couple sat for at least five minutes, then they walked over to the table next to mine and asked the two women if they would switch because they like this table. "You can hear the music just fine over there," he said, pointing to the table they had left. Like he had some kind of right to their table. And the women moved!!!! I'd have told him, "If you can hear the music just fine over there, I hope you enjoy it." 

You just reminded me of the time we were on Oosterdam!  October 2022.  We were in the World Stage and had found great seats.  An older couple came in just before the performance and asked if they could have our seats!!  I looked about and saw plenty of other seats they could choose, then turned to them and said “No.”  They were in shock and I don’t know why!  😂

31 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

@Haljo1935  I have to say after 3 weeks on the Koningsdam I can still say it is my least favorite ship in the fleet. There is just something intangible that is off about this ship and crew.  I don’t want to point any fingers but it is just a little off.  It is not the ship that is going to convert any sailors from other lines to sail Holland frequently.  

I have to agree with you on this.  It used to be my favourite ship until our last sailing on it.  While we enjoyed our cruise (how can you not love the Alaska itinerary!), the service and food just weren’t up to par.  It has also dropped to my least favourite ship, and I love the Pinnacle class.  As a result, I hesitate to recommend this ship to anyone.  

And, yes, I do realize that a change in management and crew will affect performance but I agree with @Mary229.  There is something about this ship that is just “off”.

6 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

A couple of years ago and UK was probably still in EU at that time, so the procedures would have been different.

No, it had definitely Brexited.  lol 

21 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

Not only is UK non Schengen, it is non EU!  The immigration at Rotterdam will be a breeze compared with the immigration procedures for Dover 🙄.  UK Boder Force insists on face to face interviews with all pax onboard, whether disembarking in port or not.  It can take hours. The procedure will probably be carried out onboard and after arrival to the port. 

Our only experience with Rotterdam was not related to a TA so I don't know if it would be handled differently.  We did not show passports and there were no formalities.  Perhaps a TA would be different but there are many on the HAL board who do Eastbound TA's regularily.  Maybe a note in the 'daily' to Ann (Vict0riann) or Tony (Sailingdutchy) could give you their past experiences. 

Well, this should be fun.  We’re doing France, England, France, England first.  🙄

We did an eastbound TA a couple of years ago, but disembarked in Southampton; last port Lisbon.  I don’t recall an immigration procedure but, then, we’re all British so maybe they weren’t interested in us.  I won’t make big plans!  lol

Edited to add:  ^^That’s not to say that the immigration procedure did not happen!  It’s just that I don’t recall.  😂

On HAL, they sell only guarantees if you are booking a partial segment of a longer itinerary.  Once cabins are assigned to the full voyage passengers, they open up the rooms to others.  At this point you will be assigned, offered a paid upgrade, or will be able to choose from what’s available.

6 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

I wanted to miss the rush and also had a late afternoon flight from Schiphol so we booked for 9.45 am.  He arrived slightly before then.  

p.s. your comment about 'herding cats' reminded me of my thoughts on exiting the terminal that morning.......like a cattle drive!

Sorry.  Another question for you, @VMax1700.  Do you know how they handle immigration at Rotterdam?  Our last port stop, coming from a TA, will be Dover, England, so a non-Schengen country.

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

I wanted to miss the rush and also had a late afternoon flight from Schiphol so we booked for 9.45 am.  He arrived slightly before then.  

p.s. your comment about 'herding cats' reminded me of my thoughts on exiting the terminal that morning.......like a cattle drive!

Yikes!  Thanks for the heads up!  😂

That’s great info and very helpful, @VMax1700.  Thank you.  I will book for 10:00am and if they’re early, that will work too.  👍

1 hour ago, Cruisetrekker said:

I am wondering where they consider city center because I have a destination in mind when I get off the shuttle and I need to figure out how to get there

- Go to google maps and enter “Newcastle Central Station”.  It should give you the one in the UK as first pick.  

- Click on “Directions” (1st pic) and enter the destination you have in mind.

- Click on the walking person icon and it will show you the distance and directions. For instance, I chose to walk from the station to the cathedral et voilà. (2nd pic)

In the Neptune Suites on the Koningsdam, the chairs reclined and had foot stools.

8 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

Presuming that you mean Rotterdam Cruise Terminal, then having disembarked twice in the past couple of years, I did not notice any free waiting taxis in the immediate vicinity.  It can be quite chaotic with disembarking pax mixing with early arrivals for the next cruise.

We pre book a car with staxi.nl  They send you the registration plate number of the vehicle a few hours before pick up.  Drivers normally use WhatsApp for calls/messages.  You can get a firm price online at booking.

Looks like there is a big uplift for King's Day 🙄

Thank you, @VMax1700!  Yes, the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal.  I REALLY did not want to disembark on King’s Day but it was like herding cats trying to get six of us from three different countries, all with jobs and obligations, to get on the same cruise.  😂

I figured there’d be surge pricing for the taxi.  😠  Not happy that we have to reserve because that’s one more thing to coordinate.  (And mess up.)  What time did you reserve yours for?  Not sure what time to tell them with trying to get us all off the ship and grab our luggage.  Maybe the taxis dropping people off want to pick people up!  (There’s always hope.)

A couple of times my NEXUS renewal was approved and the card sent to my house while I was out of the country.  Never had a problem using the old card upon reentry.

14 minutes ago, swin26 said:

I believe in 2019 it was in front on the train station

That’s where it was in 2023, as well.

1 hour ago, Woofbite said:

Do they offer them to guarantee people?  I frequently book guarantees and as a 4 star Mariner have never had an upsale offer.

When I used a TA, I never received them.  The first time I started using a PCC, I received one, and have continued to receive them to the present day.  If you use a TA, you may want to ask them, because they are the ones who receive the offers and need to forward them on to you.  And, yes, as @Nickelpenny says, they do send them to guarantee people.  I am currently on a guarantee and have received one.

3 minutes ago, Cruisetrekker said:

Oops sorry ! I will be on the Holland America statendam

I wonder if your roll call will have the answer?  I would be willing to bet that the shuttle takes you directly to the city centre.  Perhaps it says in your booking under the excursion list for that day?  Or maybe ask on the HAL board.

10 hours ago, syesmar said:

 

For those who have experienced a cruise that uses a “ship’s time” that differs from that on land, do you find more passengers get left behind on such sailings?

I got left behind for breakfast!  I have been on only one HAL cruise where the clock wasn’t adjusted for port time.  When we arrived at the Pinnacle Grill, the Maître d‘ told us they were closed and we had to go eat in the Lido.  😭

11 minutes ago, Nickelpenny said:

I have no clue🤷🏻‍♀️

33 minutes ago, ONCRUISEMODE said:

Thank you.  I see that you too have a rare commendation on your user profile.  I still wonder what that means.

I went to @Nickelpenny profile and clicked on her badge.  Hers was for a Holiday Sharing… which I guess explains the use of the gingerbread man.  Mine are for live reviews, although not all of my lives were included so it’s anyone’s guess why only certain ones are chosen.

If you go to this thread it will explain the different badges:

FAQ: Badges

Without knowing what ship you’ll be on, I don’t know how helpful this will be, but…

Last year we arrived in Newcastle by train.  Our shuttle was directly across the street from the train station, so right in the city centre.  You may want to ask on your cruise line’s board to get a definitive answer, though.

On 3/3/2024 at 4:08 PM, Barwick Cruiser said:

Since you’ll be travelling before us, maybe you could come on here when you get back and let us know how you all made out? Enjoy your holiday!

Absolutely I can do that!  And thank you.  You too! 🙂

1 hour ago, crystalspin said:

Yay for you, no one more deserving! (If you took it...)

I didn’t take it!  I’m gambling on a better deal knowing that if it doesn’t come through I am good with what I have.  (Except I don’t know what I have because I have a guarantee.  I may be wrong!  😂)

Preferred location for the Family Cabana, for me, is port side.  Preferred location for the 2-person cabana is port side ocean view as opposed to aft view.  

Port side: because it’s furthest from the entrance to The Retreat, so there is less traffic.

Ocean view: because I prefer to look at the sea as opposed to the Lido Pool and jogging track.

I received a paid upgrade offer 7 weeks from sailing!  That is the longest stretch I’ve received to date.  Normally they come about 1-2 weeks prior.

I went ahead and chose the Rotterdam because it’s my next ship.  I haven’t sailed on it, yet, but I’m an optimist.  🙃

2 hours ago, RuthC said:

Not correct. The outlet in the bathroom can be used for shavers, tooth brushes, and Water Pics. 

And it also fits my night light!

My experience is the same as Ruth.  My husband uses it for his electric toothbrush and waterpik with no problem.

We were in a mini-suite on a Princess cruise and there was no pen or paper in the room.  I went down to Guest Services and they gave me what I required.  (Didn’t even occur to me to ask our wonderful room steward.)  I spend a lot of time in hotels (currently in one now) and there has always been a pen and paper provided.

Also, thanks to @nooligans for the Social Bar menu.  All I have to say is … wow.  (Actually, I had more to say but changed my mind.)