17 hours ago, Lovecruising831. said:

So then my husband and I would have to each buy our own individual package as we can’t share the multi device package? We usually have the HIA package but not for our upcoming cruise.

You can only share if you log into the account that purchased it. Which means you would logout of your account (if he purchases) and log into his. Check the price on individual or multi to see if it's worth it to have to log out and in. (Technically you don't need to use your account except for chat and messaging/feedback.) 

If all ports are equal, between the two I would select Rotterdam being slightly newer but also smaller with less passengers. Actually would choose another ship that was smaller as I don't like ships with more than 2800 passengers (Rotterdam wins in that regard). 

But make sure you read about what is going on with the ports there as there is push back on larger ships visiting and if there is a specific port you want to visit, check if there has been issues on other trips by these ships (or others). If ports are not an issue, I would again suggest Rotterdam, of the those two. 

Both of your accounts should be on one statement so the OBC will come off the total charges as they are cabin specific. This would be different if it was specific credits for passengers (like dining, exc, etc) which has to be used by the person assigned to those credits. 

17 hours ago, Ray4Fun said:

Booked a trip yesterday. 1 dollar deposit. I just checked, today cabin next door to booked, same category , same price. When will there be a price drop I will ping, "with our Low Price Guarantee, we'll ensure you get our best fare regardless of when you book." 

 

I will ping them if it goes down. Per HAL, 

I think there is more fine print on their "guarantee low price" as HAL looks at "price" as net value of what credits and promotions are offered as these may change if price goes down. When I've repriced they always had to calculate and compare both to see what difference is (its always worked out) but I also thought there was verbiage about HAL having the option to reprice or offer OBC as "they see comparable". 

5 hours ago, sandiego1 said:

You can buy a bottle of liquor for your room, either in advance on the website or from a bar.

Yes you'd have to get it online  but if you buy from the shops onboard, they told me they hold it. 

2 hours ago, Kelownabccan said:

Super info....then buy on board and not before......seems to be the thought......wonder how that works with a bottle of rum also.....discount on board I assume???

Be careful with liquor purchased in the shops. HAL may hold your purchase until end of cruise (so as not to compete with the bar). 

On 6/27/2024 at 12:34 PM, fsdj1097 said:

We have booked a 21 Night Panama Canal Cruise aboard Eurodam.

We are 4 star mariners.  We have sailed on almost every Class HAL ship, but this will be our first Signature Class experience.

 

We have booked a Neptune Suite.  
 

Our past few cruises have been aboard Koningsdam and we have loved eating at the Club Orange dining venue.

 

We’re excited about this cruise but a little concerned about not having the CO dining room.

 

For those mariners who sailed the Signature Class ships, what has been your experience?

 

Thanks so much for your input!

 

Sam

MDR is really about communicating to mature d' and serving staff. If you have specific requests (seating, time restrictions, when you'd like service, etc) let them know before hand (nicely) and they will be accommodating. The benefit of paying extra for CO or Neptune is better service (unfortunately for others) but on Eurodam the MDR is not as hectic as Pinnacle Class ships. We do prefer CO dining on Pinnacle Class due to the MDR issues. But it limits who you meet and eat with (if that is what you want). On Eurodam you can eat with non CO passengers that you meet, in the CO area but the extra choice entree has to equal the number of CO passengers at the table. 

1 hour ago, bartexas said:

I love breakfast in the Pinnacle. They seem to always seat us near a window so we can watch the scenery or the arrival in port.

 

We always request late fixed and give our TA our table preferences. Last time we had a table for four as a couple.

Depends on the ship as some don't have windows. 

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

i don't think Mariner discount makes any difference, not even the 5 star discount.  Perhaps you intended to say On Board Credit?

Yes, if you wait to upgrade onboard, you can use the 5 star discount. But not if you book prior to boarding. The "20%" pre board price won't allow mariner discount. On our last 11 day cruise, the offer to upgrade was $50 and they deducted $30 for being 5 star so $20 to upgrade was better than the preboard price. Of course with HAL, they may change that. 

24 minutes ago, I like vacation said:

If you have the HIA package that includes Surf and you want the Premium level wait until onboard the ship to upgrade.  The website does not show the upgrade price.  Don't buy the Premium plan in advance as it will be much cheaper to wait until onboard.

To clarify, the premium is more expensive onboard, the 20% discount is preloading. BUT if upgrading from HIA, wait until onboard. Especially if you have mariner discount. 

Sometimes while onboard HAL will release cruises to passengers before opening up to public. You get a low deposit or "place holder" to be able to select a cabin plus OBC and other "early" promotions. You can then transfer to your PCC/TA (within time limits) without losing anything. 

FCDs onboard are great but there are restrictions on which cruise they can be used for so check the fine print. 

It depends on itinerary and time of year. When school is out, cruises will be fuller. 7 day cruises sell more than longer. Alaska, Carribean and Canada sell more. When you look at longer, more unique cruising (Legendary, Grand, Trans, etc) they don't sell out as much except for some of the popular ones. And there are usually drop offs and cancellations towards departure date. 

HAL previously didn't allow VPN due to load on the network but with Starlink, you can. It may depend on itinerary and your VPN that you use. (Pete answered for Nord). 

3 days prior to cruise closes purchases for wifi, excursions, beverages, etc. 

Premium won't let you stream. You have to upgrade to .... Streaming Package. 

4 hours ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

Holland did it this year on the world cruise, but it was not a contest 

The crew also preformed. And that was a contest.

Thought they did it in 2018 also, maybe not a contest but I recall passengers doing a show. 

On 6/16/2024 at 4:25 AM, The-Inside-Cabin said:

 

10 hours ago, canadianbear said:

Watching it now on the Food Network.  We were on this cruise & our neighbours down the hall were quite upset as their Tamarind reservation (and many other people) were cancelled.  Since it was a 10 day cruise they couldn’t get in another night. 

I was wondering how they closed down the kitchen for this. Thought it may have been done during the day before dinner but guess not. Seems odd they would shut down or even take reservations if they planned on using the kitchen. Oh wait, this is HAL. 😉

Those that get Bravo channel can watch final taped on Eurodam now. 

If the ship is cleared from its prior cruise, usually 11-noon but with 3 pm sailing you should be onboard by 1:30. 

4 minutes ago, Wayward Son said:

 

Thank you. I booked early and received all the HIA+ benefits. Don't want to lose those. I didn't expect double points, and I also didn't expect to be able to choose the cabin. I assume that doesn't usually happen? 

 

To clarify - If you get an upsell/upgrade email or call, you can choose the cabin or deny the upsell so its good to have a deck plan ready to know where the cabin is located. If you (or your TA) checks the "upgrade" box when initial booking, then you may automatically be "upgraded" to a cabin without choice. We leave it unchecked but it's different than upsell. Whichever term you use. 

On 5/31/2024 at 10:40 AM, chisoxfan said:

 During recent booking I made on MSC with a three decade TA who was experienced with the line I asked some general opinions on YC cabin locations and could not even generate a recommendation. 

Bottom line is to educate yourself through CC and internet.

 

Note: in fairness to T/As unless they specialize in a cruise line it is virtually impossible to stay abreast of the many changes in the Industry.

MSC is a whole different animal. 🤣 Things change (more than HAL) and their customer service is known to be terrible so you are lucky to find a TA that's willing to work on them. (Big Box won't) Takes too much time to deal with them but we definitely love the YC over HAL "suites". 

Just now, Mary229 said:

I quote myself only because almost immediately after I wrote this I received a new survey from HAL.  It seems HAL is asking this very question and quite a few questions about how to make it easier for me to book my cruises directly on the website with no assistance 

Hard to do when they only show non refundable deposit or HIA prices. 🤔

5 hours ago, chisoxfan said:

I think we would all like and appreciate the super knowledgeable thorough T/A who offers big OBC's. Tough to find unfortunately. We actually have had fairly good follow up from big box store. One nice thing is that you can 'sort' through agents on phone to find one that is intelligent and willing to work for you. They also have a customer oriented management team that you can use if things are not moving in the right direction. To me another big factor is access..... if you find a desirable cabin that opens up or need a quick 'reprice' you can always reach someone quickly and are not dependent on personal schedules, vacations, etc. When we had used a PCC (or T/A) previously there was often an element of delay. JMHO

We found long wait times with them and and not be able to call direct was an issue. I had to go to warehouse (even though they are separate) and complain and they had to look up the regional manager to contact someone to call me. Then the agent was not happy he had to call me. Last time the agent messed up my booking (even the person that corrected it said they must be new). My current TA is on vacation at times but either she or her team responds to text or messages. The ability to reach someone directly is great and the discount plus using box CC still gets the 2%

We are like you. Loved the old mariner sailing ships with the wood and wide/lounging promenade. We only sail Pinnacle class when we have to (using up credits) and we find it hectic. HAL's crew even says they prefer the smaller ships as they get a slower pace and chance to interact with passengers. We didn't eat in MDR much due to noise level but if you ask for a smaller table 4-6, it should be better. We prep the wait staff to let them know of wine and time if needing to go to a show, communication (nicely done) helps and they like that. They should put Dutch Cafe on all ships (in the old library cafes). The promenade is a big disappointment for us and some angles are single file and can't see oncoming traffic (not everyone walks counter clockwise). There is more music and bars but it gets crowded and redundant on longer voyages. We love the old theater and the new ones are different to navigate but HAL hasn't made use of the Great technology they promoted when the first ship arrived. The pool and movie, gelato (fee), NY Deli, are nice additions. Overall there are more people and feels more crowded than the older ships but if you can find when everyone rushes to Lido or MDR you can avoid some of it. The itinerary sounds great and you will still enjoy the cruise, if you accept the difference and find the good, you will survive. 😉

Keep in mind if you book private tours, HAL revises ports (not only due to weather) and our cruise this fall has already had 2 rounds of port changes in Japan since we booked. We plan on self touring where public transportation is available as we like our own time to visit and Japan has good transit. But we also enjoy and are familiar with train/bus travel in various Countries (and NY). Learning Japanese now.😁

Once onboard guest services will wash their hands. Needs to be resolved with Corp office beforehand. If it wasn't on a Pinnacle Ship, I wouldn't be upset but since on NS ask for more OBC to cover more nights in Pinnacle Grill dinners.