SALMARK

According to the updated rule I read masking only applies to Vancouver/Whittier sailings.

We just started getting the casino discount and was told it is now embedded in our mariner numbers. My husband swears he is not spending a lot of money in the casino (I never go) but remember Bingo is a casino game. He is a devoted bingo player and I play on most bingo days also.

Just got off an Amsterdam Alaska cruise and this time breakfast was in the Pinnacle Grill. Do not know if this is a permanent change.

We just got off a Alaska 7 day cruise on the Amsterdam. There was no embarkation lunch (do not know why) but they had a reception only later (I think the next day- we did not go). Also do not know if it was only for 3 & 4 stars as we are 4. This cruise the suite breakfast was in the Pinnacle Grill. I have never gotten any snacks from the Exploration Cafe but always thought they were free. Hope this helps.

Unfortunately not all balconies have doors that open. We had two side by side cabins on the Amsterdam and were dismayed to discover that they had a bulk head wall that extended across the balconies. All we could do is peer around the wall at each other. I do not know how you can discover this except to ask HAL.

I once had a TA tell me they will hold back bookings trying to get people to do the cruise tour but that is holding back the cruise only. Call HAL and I am sure someone will help you or your agent if you are using one. One word if you are doing Denali. This is a park not a zoo and you might not see many animals. On our bus into the park we saw alot of grizzly bears but not other animals. For the bus 20 minutes in front of us it was the opposite.

duplicate thread - responded to the other one

check your date. I had the same thing happen and it turns out I was looking at 2014 instead of 2015.

Thanks to all who replied. You have been a big help in the decision making. I think we will go with the suite as someone mentioned the perks are great. My grandson who spent most of his first cruise at age 12 trying to figure out how to never leave the ship and just cruise forever will love the Neptune Lounge. We will figure out a bathroom system - can always use the shower in the spa area if absolutely necessary. Thanks again - you all have been great.

No, I never asked them but then I hardly saw them. It was an inconvenience but not unworkable. It really did not take up room just left us with no couch to sit on. I tend not to ask the cabin stewards to do extra things cause I know how hard they work. So as I result I do not know if this is standard (leaving the bed out) or not. While it did not matter in the verendah, it would in the Neptune Suite.

Thanks to all who are answering my question. We are taking our grandkids - 17 yr old boy and 13 yr old girl - who love HAL. Usually their parents go also but not this time. Thought about 2 connecting (at least on balconies) verandahs but one Neptune is $1500 cheaper. So we would have the 2 single beds and the sofa bed. I figured either my GD and myself or me and my DH on the sofa. One response does lead to another question. Recently we were on the Amsterdam with our GS in a verandah suite. Once the stewards made the sofa into a bed and they never put it back. Is this typical? Let me say that although they were not terrible this was the first time I did not tip the cabin stewards extra. So I do not know if once a bed always a bed or they were just lazy.

I need help from all you knowledgeable CC members. We are trying to decide between cabins and the question is about the sofa bed for 2 in what I believe is now the Neptune Suite (Deluxe Verandah Suite) on the Amsterdam. How comfortable or not are they? Can 2 adults sleep on one? Thanks in advance for all your help.

My DH and I have been cruising on HAL since 1999. I swore I would never take kids on HAL. Our first cruise with the grandkids was to Alaska on Princess in 2011 and there were a lot of kids. Next one was on HAL to Mexico cause it was their spring break so with a set week I did not have a choice. At the end I asked them which they preferred and hands down it was HAL. Because it was spring break there were also a lot of kids. This Dec we took them on the Amsterdam thru the panama canal and there were only 81 kids on board. They both had a blast. My granddaughter is 12 and even with a smaller number of kids the Club HAL staff kept them busy. My grandson is 16 and found a great group of teens to hang out with in the Loft (teen center). They are now HAL loyalists. HAL has greatly imporved their kids program since 1999.

When we were on the ship in May, my DH was impressed with the speed of the internet. He mentioned that it was faster then it has ever been so whatever they did then has nothing to do with the new system. I asked the office a question when on board and could tell they were trying to go online to find the answer and were unsuccessful. Also the photo shop was having issues but unsure what their problem was with their computer. Bingo is now run by computer and on the last day there was a problem with putting the game on the large screen. Again unsure the exact problem but it took almost 30 minutes and they started calling a game without it. Whatever the problems I really hope HAL gets things fixed or else I will not be able to get my DH on another HAL cruise.

Infi just posted a review of our Amsterdam Panama Canal cruise so I am just going to remark on the new internet system they have. My DH is still working but has been able to cruise and still work using a remote link he has on his work computer. This was NOT possible on this cruise. We sailed on the Amsterdam last May with the same itinerary and everything was fine. However while the ship was in dry dock in Dec., they switched to a new provider that HAL is starting to use. He spent time with the tech person on the ship but they were unable to resolve the problem. I use msn email and I could not connect to my mail. While successfully getting a refund at the office (I was not the only one doing so at the time), I learned that HAL plans on installing this new system on all its ships. Oh, if you thought the system was slow before, you have not seen slow. Hopefully HAL will reconsider this change over. As you can tell by my probably incorrect use of terms, I am not a techie. If you have any questions, I will ask my DH.

While I am sorry that it is happening to us, it is nice to know that others are having the same downloading problem. However, even though my computer is bugging me I have NOT downloaded IE11 yet so I do not think that is the problem. Has anyone contacted HAL about this?

We have done 2 full transit cruises and are doing our 3rd soon with the grandkids. I have always advised people who have never done it to do the full transit especially if they do not plan on returning. You are correct that in the partial you just go through one set of locks, into the lake and back out again. I am unsure what excursions if any are offered while in the lake. Personally I do not think that you get the panama canal experience unless you do the full transit. I love days at sea and am never bored but do understand your Mexico port feeling - I just stay on the ship and enjoy it without the crowd. Hope this helps.