wdw1972

They don't serve the food on those plates. They're at the table, but once you order they're removed. Sue/WDW1972

It's an old port - wasn't aware HAL was even stopping there again. Once Amber Cove opened I never saw Samana listed on itineraries. I've been there twice - once never left the ship and once doing a zipline excursion. The area looks incredibly poor, substandard housing, horrific roads, kids begging or trying to sell you a seashell for a dollar (another passenger pointed out however that they had nicer cell phones than hers) and absolutely no facilities for tourists at the port. If you don't do an excursion, don't bother to leave the ship would be my recommendation. Sue/WDW1972

Yes, your HIA credit should appear back in your account instantly after canceling. Then you can book the one you really want. The $0 refund is because you didn't pay for the excursion when you booked - you used the HIA credit. Sue/WDW1972

All HAL ships have one. In the case of Nieuw Statendam (Statendam was sold off years ago) it's up in the Crows Nest/EXC area. Prettu sure it's on the starboard side. Sue/WDW1972

Happens to all of us - no harm done, as someone will always be the voice of reason that we're missing in the moment!

This is October 2023 and the cruise in question is January 2025 - so hardly last minute! A cruise can be booked as a charter at any point, but generally far enough in advance for the charter to sell it, and typically 7-night sailings in the Caribbean. Those are relative insignificant cruises so it does happen. It's highly unlikely for a 10, 11 or longer cruise. As an older, experienced, but not yet retired person I won't book the 7-night itineraries. They're so different (the 7 night cruises - in a negative way) compared to the longer itineraries and the itineraries longer than 7 nights are much safer from being chartered. Sue/WDW1972

I book solely HAL cruises - I've known for decades that's the best fit for me. That said, it's been decades since I bothered with the MDR. I'm unfortunately a picky eater, and sitting through courses where I want nothing became a deal breaker. I used to love the whole social aspect of meeting other passengers, and with anytime dining I met far more than I would have with fixed dining. However, as time progressed I was less willing to spend time doing those lengthy MDR meals and happily gave it up. Now I enjoy better dining experiences in the specialty dining choices, or I opt for something lighter or quicker. Maybe someday I'll go to the MDR for a meal, but it will most likely because I choose to join others I'm traveling with - not as a choice I'd make for myself. Sue/WDW1972

I feel the same way, and felt that way when I was in my 30's, 40,'s 50's and now in my 60's. Always love the older, well traveled HAL passengers. Don't want to see kids - love my grandkids, but don't love other people's kids and won't cruise with mine until they're adults. There's a time and place for everything, and a HAL cruise isn't meant for hordes of kids. There are plenty of other more appropriate choices for that demographic. Sue/WDW1972

Keep in mind there's no such thing as "gala" nights any more. That was downgraded to "dressy" nights a couple years or so ago. That said, there will be 2 on a 7-night sailing. Sue/WDW1972

I wonder if it went away when the old style of muster drills went away. With ships no longer needing to herd all passengers into one space at the same time to accomplish the drill I'm assuming that frees up some of the pre-sailing time. Sue/WDW1972

If I magically had the skills required? Easy choice - Captain. He's got the nicest stateroom! Sue/WDW1972

Pretty sure the only accepted answer to an upgrade offer is Yes or No. They're not going to barter with you. If you don't want it, someone else who received the same offer at the same time you did will take it. If not, they'll reach out to people with a lower offer (people may or may not include you the second time). With upgrades from my experience the rate is the rate - it doesn't vary based on location. However, the offer could be just for an upgrade to certain specific category classes vs ANY verandah, for example. Sue/WDW1972

As stated, you make your selection when booking the cruise. If that wasn't done, you're probably in anytime (as you wish) dining by default. You (or your travel agent if that's how you booked) will need to call HAL to see if any seating is available in fixed main (that's the late seating) dining & move you there. If that's not successful you can try getting it changed asap after boarding the ship - there will be podiums set up in a few spots around the ship to handle specialty dining reservations but I think they may assist with MDR issues as well (I'd look in that area). January is right around the corner, so it may be tough to change in advance at this late date. Sue/WDW1972

I believe you can order it online (for a small fee). Not sure what category it falls under, but once you log in and select your booking # you should be able to find it. Sue/WDW1972

Nice zoom!

$560 is what I paid a year or two ago. It was a 10-night partial Panama Canal itinerary. Sue/WDW1972

Interesting - I hope the person who posted on facebook had just gotten an agent who made a mistake on the price (quoting the wrong type of cabana perhaps). Either that, or you were given a special rate in consideration of your awesomeness - and orange tote bag 😉 Sue/WDW1972

Somebody reported on facebook that prices went up significantly on October 1, 2023. The person reporting could only speak to the cabana he was booking - regular Retreat (2 person) for 10-day sailing used to be $499 but is now $700. I'm glad I have mine already booked & paid for on the next 4 upcoming cruises. Didn't book one for cruise #5 because it's Alaska and I went with a neptune aft wrap instead. Beyond that, I'll be stuck paying the higher prices. Hopefully someone can snag and post an updated price list at some point. Sue/WDW1972

I wouldn't bother even if I lived right next door to the port. It's not worth packing/unpacking, it's not a real cruise experience, and the overall passengers likely to book that are not people I want to vacation with. It's a whole different vibe, and not to my liking. Also, usually the short cruises are on a line's oldest/crappiest ships. Sue/WDW1972

Now that I think about it, the Lido always has the "steak dinner" on embarkation night. That, combined with people weary from traveling, luggage arriving late, MDR being a mess the first night could mean the Lido would be busier to the point they use the Canaletto space for regular Lido diners (like at breakfast & lunch). Going forward I won't plan to do Canaletto on embarkation day, just to be on the safe side. Sue/WDW1972

I vaguely recall seeing something about Canaletto not being open on the first night of a sailing, but it was quite a while ago and I'll admit I have not taken the time to search for it. My next 2 cruises are in the Caribbean, Nov 2023 Eurodam and March 2024 Rotterdam. Until recently all specialty restaurants were available to book every night of the cruises. Now all of a sudden Canaletto is not an option on embarkation day on either cruise. All the others are available every night. Does anyone know what's going on? I know about the new Fresh fish thingy, but can't imagine they'd do a pop-up on embarkation day vs later in the cruise. I'm not seeing any sign of it later in the cruise, though. We were hoping to book Canaletto for our embarkation night in November (once on the ship) - guess we may have to do another Pinnacle instead (we have Tamarind the 2nd night). Not interested in MDR. Thanks for any insights! Sue/WDW1972

Yes - not every cruise but several. Be aware that whatever the offer is, it'll be doubled if you're cruising solo. In other words, a $199 upgrade to a new stateroom category will cost a solo $398. Sue/WDW1972

I'm not interested in sharing my bedroom and bathroom with a friend (or friends). If I had house guests they wouldn't be staying in my room or using the master bathroom - when on vacation i'm not willing to downgrade. I do cruise with a couple other solo friends - the 3 of us book 3 staterooms. Sue/WDW1972

I have 5 cruises booked - #1 has already passed/made final payment. My offer of $100 was for cruise #5 in May of 2025. They must be kidding - if they were offering it for cruise #2 (final payment due early December 2023 then I might, but definitely no way am I prepaying something due almost 2 years from now! Sue/WDW1972

Agree Grand Turk is a poor substitute for Curacao, but I'm reasonably certain these changes are not at the whim of HAL. Their intent would be to provide the itinerary as booked. They have no control over the ports, who are causing changes all over the world - mainly due to ports no longer welcoming cruise ships or multiple ships on the same day. So, it's a domino effect - lots of changes. I'm on the March 8th sailing of this itinerary and we lost Bonaire, but now have an overnight in Curacao. I'm much happier with that than I would be with your new itinerary! One of the earlier sailings lost Bonaire and got an overnight in Aruba - yuck. Sue/WDW1972