oaktreerb

Then write to corporate and tell them your wish list. Can’t hurt!

You frequently encourage people to move to competitors. This cruise critic site is for information about Holland America. If you have an issue with HAL, state what your issue is. Other lines have issues, too.

I know that they listen. What you have to do is offer positive suggestions. Tell Gus how you think they can improve their product. He will forward your positive comments to the appropriate department. It takes time for HAL to make changes but they do listen. Look at the itinerary enhancements for 2024, like the 28 day Alaska itinerary in prime Alaska cruising season. They are moving forward.

If you have ways in which you think HAL should improve you really should address them to HAL corporate management. Otherwise, it’s just “piling on”. There’s not a lot that cruise critic can do to address your concerns.

Define “prebook a while in advance”. How far in advance? If you select early or late dining when you book your cruise you are in fixed dining with the same table and stewards every evening. Did you make your reservation when you were onboard, when you booked the cruise, or after booking but before boarding the ship?

On the Pinnacle Class ships if you add CO: for a veranda you pay for VH guarantee and choose an available cabin VF through VQ. My choice is a VB cabin so I save less than people who choose a VQ.

When I booked our 2024 cruise recently, the HAL rep told me it was already added to our booking. Good to know we don’t have to ask for it every time. Eligibility for that credit will not change so it must be attached to your mariner #.

I think CO has become more popular because of the poor staffing and service in the MDR.

Yes. Did not refare. Adding the CO made my booking more expensive because the room I choose is a VB. and CO was $25x7x2 for 2 people on our 7 day cruise. We just save a little on the fare, I choose CO for the smaller dining room.

I don’t understand why, unless they are sold out. My PCC has booked me this way at least twice. I choose my deck 4 stateroom, add Club Orange, and he books it at the lowest veranda rate (obstructed). The cruises have been 7 day Pacific Coast cruises on the Koningsdam. Maybe you should reach out to the TA or person who booked your cruise for a second opinion.

CO will not upgrade you from a balcony to a suite. If you want a veranda if you purchase CO HAL will bill you for an obstructed veranda and you can choose your stateroom from the veranda category only. Be careful what you choose. If you want to stay where you are, you can pay for CO and your stateroom will be refared as an obstructed view veranda stateroom. On a 7 day cruise it would probably not give you a financial advantage. You are eligible with the Warehouse store TA.

re; DRESSY night as compared to Formal/GALA night We once anticipated dressing up and going to a special occasion dinner. Pictures at the tables or around the ship to show our fine style. Dancing and fine music to celebrate the special night. Now you can expect fewer menu choices than 10 years ago. Fewer photo ops. Less entertainment. The officers no longer dress “up”. I no longer expect it to be a special night for food or officer participation. It has become just another MDR dinner onboard with less menu choices. On our recent cruise, up to the day of sailing the Navigator app said “casual” for every day. We didn’t bother to take “dressy” clothing. I thought HAL had decided not to do Formal, GALA, or dressy. Fine with me. DH wore Tommy Bahama Hawaiian shirt. I can’t even remember what I wore. Next up: Hawaii. Dressy night will be Hawaiian Shirt for him, Hawaiian attire for me. Aloha and Mahalo, HAL

True. Not required. Tips are most likely appreciated on that “included” shore excursion.

Are you missing out by not doing the train? Not really as long as you are filling your day with activities that you enjoy. The bus driver/host will provide a lot of information and some amazing scenery. You will need your passports if you go into the Yukon. Your son might enjoy the experience of passing through the border crossing into Canada. The border crossing area is really scenic.

You can walk to the end of Creek Street. There is a path called Married Man’s Trail, maybe a functioning funicular, and a stairway up to the Cape Fox Lodge where you can see totems, have lunch and see the exhibits at the lodge. I have seen Totem Bight twice in the pouring rain. You would need to take a bus there. There are city buses with a pretty simple route. It rains a lot in Ketchikan. Look online at the Ketchikan visitor’s bureau for ideas and possibly trail maps. My favorite place to take an easy hike is either Skagway or Sitka, also information provided online.

The bus will stop along the way and have commentary from the driver/host. You will probably hear stories about the Gold Rush. The train has a conductor who offers some commentary but having taken the bus you will have a better knowledge of the area and its history. I enjoy the excitement of riding the train down the hill into Skagway and seeing the town come into view.

Doesn’t your cruiseline have a transfer to Anchorage? That would get you to the airport by train or bus. There are other options if you look online. You can rent a car at the airport or there are cheaper locations in downtown Anchorage.

Ketchikan: Bering Sea Crab Fisherman’s Tour. Skagway: Bus up and White Pass Yukon Railroad back combo. Skagway is also good for hikes. Pick up a hiking trails map at the visitor’s center or online. Icy Strait: Whale Watching and Zip Lining. Juneau is also good for whale watching and/or Mendenhall Glacier activity. Victoria is usually a short stop: walk down to the inner harbor.

Research the options for the 6 hour Kenai Fjords cruise. Great scenery and wildlife viewing.

Juneau is favorable for whale watching. Skagway is all about the gold rush and is a national park. If you do the White Pass and Yukon Railroad, do the bus up and the train back to Skagway. Sled dogs are extremely well cared for and are a happy/lively group. Ketchikan has a Bering Sea Fisherman’s tour that’s a lot of fun and educational, too. Victoria has a lovely inner harbor and Butchart Gardens if you have time. Go online and look at the tourist information for your ports of call. There is a lot of information to help you decide what you want to do.

Which is from Rudy’s? Is it #2? and what and where from is the other one? Would you order the Profiteroles or the Salzburger Nockerl? I do not understand this post. Totally confused!

In the early days of Club Orange in the MDR we received a different menu for Club Orange with the added entree listed. HAL has probably changed that procedure. It wasn’t very efficient.

HAL uses the Westmark in Fairbanks. Call them and tell them that you will be joining a cruise tour and you would like to fly in early and book a room. Have your dates handy.. It’s a big hotel and you should be able to book with them. They probably are holding rooms as “sold out” that they have set aside for the tours. HAL owns the Westmark hotel.

yes. It has been $25pp per day or $15 pp per day for longer cruises. Ours was $15 pp per day for an 18 day cruise. Everything is subject to change, however.

On the Rotterdam, yes it’s worth it. When you book your cruise, decide which inside cabin you want to book and add Club Orange at that time. You will be charged for the cheapest inside cabin and upgraded to your inside cabin of choice. You can’t add Club Orange if you are self booking the cruise online. Keep it simple!