*Miss G*

6 minutes ago, FLCruiser97 said:

I posted this question on my roll call also. Does anyone know what the electrical outlets look like on the Oosterdam? I am wanting to bring a multi outlet plug but don't know if it will fit.

Here is a pic of the outlets by the desk.  There is also a USB port over the nightstands on each side of the bed.

2 hours ago, islandwoman said:

 

I'm thinking about upgrading from a Vista Suite to a Neptune Suite for a cruise sailing in September 2025, but I'd like to wait a few more months until I have a chance to sail on HAL and hopefully get to see and compare the Vista and Neptune Suites because  the price difference would be substantial.  

Would you be sailing on the same ship or ship class?  They are very different.  Have you checked HAL Facts to compare rooms?

3 minutes ago, islandwoman said:

What perks? 

Scroll down on this page for a comparison chart:

Holland America Suites & Staterooms

3 minutes ago, Skorpora said:

I have observed declining situational awareness at the retirement home where my mother lives. I think it's part of the aging process unfortunately.

Yes, I completely agree.

4 minutes ago, Skorpora said:

If you've ever driven on the 401, you'll know what I mean.  

I know exactly what you mean.  😂  (I grew up in Oakville.)

Seat Guru has been abandoned and left to die.  These are the new go-to’s:

Seat Maps: Porter E195

Aero LOPA : Porter E195

We’ve just booked a last minute sailing disembarking at Rotterdam so am now beginning the research process.  (Which is why I have resurrected this thread.)  My kids have booked the HAL transfer to AMS for that same 12:15pm flight on AC.  What option did you choose, @Barwick Cruiser?

The rest of us will be making our way to the train station to pick up the P&O shuttle to catch an overnight ferry to the UK.  @puppycanducruise, did you notice if there was a taxi stand at the terminal with cars waiting?  Also interested in any insights you have for the area around the train station.  The coach doesn’t leave until 5:00pm so we’ll have a bit of time in the area.  Was thinking maybe a HOHO but it’s King’s Day and… you know.  Thank you!

35 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

Really?  The old folks have more rights than younger more physically active people?

I wouldn’t call it “rights” so much as “consideration”.  Just as one has consideration for small children who aren’t situationally aware; one would/should expect the same consideration for the elderly.  As an in-betweener who has finished raising children, I now find I am using those same skills when travelling with my elderly parents.  It’s just common decency.

1 minute ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

I agree. Plus isn't there some rule about when they have to finalize the passenger manifest? 

Yes.  Passengers are required to check in no less than 90 minutes prior to sailing.  Passenger manifest goes out no later than 60 minutes prior to sailing.

My last few sailings on Holland America there was a section in the Lido Market reserved for staff.  It had a sign saying “Crew Area Only”.  I like that they are doing that, now, instead of them having to spend their little time off searching for seating.

Wow, a Windstar journey!  That is so awesome!  I really appreciate you sharing your journey with us.  Ever since I watched them silently gliding into port in Montenegro I’ve been fascinated with them.  Can’t wait to read along!

3 hours ago, deeeeeeem said:

Hi all! First time cruiser here. I was just looking around at the website and found that you can pre pay the crew appreciation fee online. I saw that it was actually cheaper to do it online. Is this correct? At first, it said it was $16 pppd and later on it translated to €17 pppd. However, it shows €185,92 per person as a total for a 14 night cruise, which equals to €13,28 per day instead of the $16/€17. Is this normal? 

Welcome to Cruise Critic and Holland America!

@VMax1700 might be a good person to address this, if he can, as I see you are in euros.

8 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

My heating system (hot air) has a humidifier on it, and I have to be careful about the setting when it's at or below freezing because I get condensation on the inside of the windows. But I'm not asking for tropical humidity on a ship, just not the Sahara!

Yes, this.^^

There was a humidifier on the HVAC on one of my former homes (for the winter months).  I currently have a smart home with humidity sensors (one for upstairs; one for main level) and the device lets you know to add humidity (when the heating is on) for eco+ savings.  I run portable humidifiers, both upstairs and main level, during the winter months.  When the AC is on they are no longer required so they are put away for the season.

On 7/24/2023 at 9:55 PM, *Miss G* said:

 

You know, it’s interesting you ask that question.  I had read that it would be automatically applied going forward but I have no experience to know if that is correct or not.  Hopefully someone will post with their experience but my gut tells me we will have to resubmit with each booking.  

 

On 7/26/2023 at 7:47 PM, Infi said:

 

Also curious about this. I have shareholder OBC as well, and always take along the confirmation email as a backup in case it doesn't get added. It doesn't seem like there's any proof/confirmation of this OBC, so was hoping others could share their experiences with ensuring it was added onto their account. 

On 7/24/2023 at 9:17 PM, bennybear said:

Thanks for your encouragement! I tried again and it went through,  now to try and add the credit.  Is it good for just one cruise?  

Just thought I would follow up on this.  I just did an online courtesy hold because it is after hours and I wanted to lock in the price.  My PCC’s voicemail said to do the courtesy hold so he could address it when he comes in tomorrow… so I did.

Anyway, the question as to whether it would automatically be applied going forward has been answered:

10 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

Whenever I have purchased Club Orange it has been through a PCC at HAL.  If you are booking through a TA you can have them do it.

 

8 hours ago, Crew News said:

After booking your cruise, you can add Club Orange by contacting Holland America Line Ship Inventory at 1-888-628-8107 . 

 

Reading over the above two statements, I think I would like to add clarification:

—>  When making the initial booking through your TA or PCC, let them know you would like Club Orange when they ask about the stateroom category.  That will trigger the lower price and they will then let you pick from the higher available cabins within that category. 

—>  If you are adding Club Orange after you have already booked, call the number in @Crew News post, above.

1 hour ago, gizmodog said:

Is there a charge for food in the Grand Dutch Cafe? 
also, on an 18:day cruise how do you purchase club orange? I cannot find it on their web site.

Here is the menu for the GDC.  Everything without a price is free.  There will also be a few types of fresh cookies which aren’t listed.  (Which are also free.)

Grand Dutch Cafe Menu

Whenever I have purchased Club Orange it has been through a PCC at HAL.  If you are booking through a TA you can have them do it.

1 hour ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

Has anyone ever taken a small humidifier? On our last cruise I got some weird sinus attack, and the dry air made it worse day by day. Since humidifiers use much less electricity than kettles, irons, etc., I would think they'd be okay. I might try and see what happens.

My husband gave me a small travel humidifier in December.  So far I have only used it in my hotel rooms but I will be bringing it on my next cruise.  I connect it to the usb port on the night stand and it works great.  I also use a saline mist spray and that helps too.

7 hours ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

PS- for the life of me I can’t remember the saying on the shirt we talked about. Care to enlighten? 

5 hours ago, crystalspin said:

I would have worn it to the M&M!

Here’s mine:

18 minutes ago, amandas friend said:

Is that really true? The HAL website says the upgrade is only in the category you have. Thank you 

The category (known as the meta-category) is Ocean-View.  It is then broken down into lettered sub-categories, ie C, D, DD, E, F, etc.  You can choose any of those lettered sub-categories (C, D, etc) within the meta category (Ocean-View).

2 hours ago, jlawrence01 said:

On one particular hike, a guy appeared with a rifle pointed at me and my wife telling us to get lost.

Are you sure they weren’t American?  It’s hard to tell until there’s a gun in your face.  🙃

Here’s what I think really happened:  You came upon a homicide-in-progress and they didn’t want to dig a bigger hole to bury the evidence so they gave you a chance to escape.

See?  Easily explained.  😃  (And polite.)

57 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

Yes, a bus tour would have been disappointing, but at least we would have got to see the ports, ports that we wanted to experience.

In our case, we wanted to experience a river cruise.  I’ve been on a bus!  😂

31 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

We have a river cruise booked and there is a disclaimer that if the water levels are too low, busses will be substituted. I think this is a standard disclaimer. How are ships supposed to sail if the water level is too low? 

13 minutes ago, d9704011 said:

I believe the class action was actually based on a couple of thousand people being bused around because of high water levels.  In any event, I think the judgement was more about Scenic's failure to deliver on a luxury cruise experience and their unwillingness to compensate passengers.  Really, would you sanguinely accept being bused around with no hint of compensation, disclaimers or not?

I think it had more to do with this statement:

8 hours ago, ilikeanswers said:

 

Passengers had not been notified and they only found out on arrival. 

 

In other words, the extreme conditions and changes to itinerary were known well in advance but the cruise line chose not to inform the passengers.

I wouldn’t do it either.  The walk to your gate, alone, will take an hour!  😂  Okay, well maybe not that long.  But it was the longest walk I’ve ever had in an airport.  I sure wouldn’t want to have to run it!

A great turnout and that’s very nice of Best Western to accommodate you like that.  Enjoy Coronado!  

One caveat:  We weren’t able to get into the outer harbour, to dock, due to marine conditions.  The wind and the waves kept preventing us, even though we tried a number of times throughout the day.  Next stop:  Vancouver.

You’ll need to get permission and make the arrangements with Cunard.  Don’t call HAL!  😂

9 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

I've been happy tracking with my AirTags, but if there are airline apps available too, redundancy never hurts. Do you know which airlines offer this service? 

United, American, and Delta, and I believe Southwest has just introduced one too.  I fly mainly Delta (and United when I have to).  I googled Air Canada and they’ve just announced one too.

3 minutes ago, Toad said:

Well, I waited all day, and the promised call never came. Grrrrrrrrrr!

Sorry to hear that.  I see a couple of mentions of an accomplished PCC in this thread.  Maybe you could take advantage of that information.

Editing to add:  If your PCC is located on the west coast, it’s only 4:00pm there so they still have a couple of hours.  Also thought I’d mention that my PCC has been known to call me up until 9:00pm EST (he’s based in Seattle) when he’s busy.