VMax1700

43 minutes ago, tfg said:

Hi

Going to illetas beach club tomorrow 11/08 and think it may be wise to pre book a taxi.

Roger b is always so helpful and knowledgeable hope he sees this

Many Thanks 

The best way to attract attention from a poster is to use @roger b

On 8/8/2024 at 9:50 PM, muffydawg said:

I read somewhere that a Type L adapter is necessary for Italy

It used to be necessary in a lot of older style Italian hotels etc, but more recently I have not come across the need for them.  As the hotels updated rooms and electrical installations they moved to the more common plug/sockets.

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

PS: Am I the only one still needing to use incognito when surfing HAL? 

Possibly!

Working ok for me (at this present moment!)

I would willing do one if I was cruising.

Offers of sponsorship/financial support can be posted to this thread 😉

1 minute ago, bforget said:

As a 4 star mariner, do we get 1/2 off of upgrades at dinner?  For instance, lobster with steak?

The discount is for the speciality restaurant surcharges only.  We have never received the discount on any upcharge items.  

12 minutes ago, boatmad said:

 

several of the ships cannot punch their cards because of electronics.  Glad to hear they will on Eurodam.  Thanks.

The ones with the 'electronics' now come pre punched.

3 hours ago, Cruise Suzy said:

The menu can be found on the Navigator - using a smartphone, tablet of laptop.

It is also on the stateroom TV

Just checked our September 2025 cruise on NSDM and Speciality Dining is bookable 😃

So the Bubble of Awesome not only has time travel powers, it does not recognise International borders 😉

I also complain about the grits that are sometimes in the scallops.

😀

3 hours ago, cruiseaholic78 said:

Are you going to use a left luggage option? is one available? usually you can only check in luggage a few hours before your flight.

There is a left luggage available at FCO in T3.

https://www.adr.it/web/aeroporti-di-roma-en/pax-fco-baggage-services?p_p_id=it_txt_adr_cookiepolicy_web_portlet_AdrCookiePolicyBannerPortlet&p_p_lifecycle=0&p_p_state=normal&p_p_mode=view

21 minutes ago, expattraveler said:

Rome2Rio is your friend when searching options and pricing estimates…

It doesn't match local knowledge 😉

Zuiderdam departing Rotterdam a few minutes ago.

13 hours ago, kevingastreich said:

One thing I did find interesting is the notice that states some books may not be politically correct and sorry if they offend some people. 

Oh!  Real books so!  

13 hours ago, IPB4IGO said:

I have read that this works because these phones have multiple Wi-Fi radios, but that's just hearsay on my part..

That is correct.  Not so many phones have multiple radios.

3 hours ago, 2inTul said:

Why does it let you click the little ♥️ if you can never see it again except in the search.  That just defeats the purpose doesn't make any sense. 

True, it seems that the 'Favorites' option has been removed.  However I have found one use for the ♥️when I am looking to compare a couple of cruises.  Sometimes when I right click on'View Itinerary' and select 'open link in new tab' the new page is blocked by HAL, however if I select the ♥️and then right click on 'View Itinerary' and select Open link in new tab, then a new tab will open with the selected itinerary.

Maybe I am the only one who has the problem with pages being blocked as I have not notice anyone mention it before.

4 hours ago, CH_ca said:

I have another question. If I need to use my laptop to look up things while talking on the phone (WiFi calling), can I tether my laptop to use my phone's hot spot? Do they allow tethering or do I have to buy the multi-device option? But I really only very occasionally need to access 2 devices at the same time.

It is unlikely you will be able to use the phones hot spot as it will already be using the wifi receiver to connect to the ship.

There is an easy way to check at home and before you travel, if you will be able to use a hot spot.

Ensure your phone is connected to both data and wifi and go to settings > connections and check that you are offered the 'Mobile Hotspot' option.

Then turn on 'Flight mode'.  Your phone is now connected the same way as it would be onboard ship.  Is the 'Mobile Hotspot' option still offered?  On my S21 the hotspot option disappears as soon as I hit flight mode because the wifi is being used to connect to my home network and is not available to broadcast the signal for the hotspot.

(remember to turn off flight mode when finished!)

You can get a travel router to take with you which will work, but is a lot of work to set up for only occaisonal use.   

If there is a second person in the stateroom with wifi package you could sign in using their logon details.

The 'Plan, reserve, check in' leads me to suspecting an updated or changed web interface for booking etc. 

It is only the circled bit that can be opened.

I have simultaneously 'speedtested' connections on both the DW's Surf and  my upgraded  Premium and speeds, ping and latency were similar. 

5 minutes ago, RileyFox said:

I see Veranda has several choices and i figured out that VF means veranda forward.

Now top figure out the others VQ, VS, V, VA, VB, VC, VD, VE, VF,  VH.. 
Thansk so much! 

Don't spend too much time on trying to solve the problem....It is not Wordle or Connections!  V is the highest category followed by VA, VB etc alphabetically, except for VQ/VY (Spa)

1 hour ago, CH_ca said:

Excellent! Very useful answers! Thank you!

 

I will have some OBC to use. I guess maybe it will still be "cheaper" if I purchase onboard even with the 20% off now? I vaguely remember they have a WiFi special on embarkation day. Does anyone remember what the offer is? 

No embarkation day specials in recent history!

Photos and info available on HAL Facts website.

https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/

5 hours ago, tigervixxxen said:

I am not used to shore excursions not showing up for certain ports less than 9 months out from a cruise but I guess this is normal on HAL?

 

I have yet to book an excursion yet but will when the missing port shows up. My understanding is the app will be needed as that's your excursion ticket, nothing will be printed for you on board, which is also a departure from what I’m used to. But after purchasing they should be available in the app or is that another wait before they show up there?

It is possible (note possible!) that additional excursions will show up after you board.  This has happened a few times to us.  Some excursions will not show up in the app until 3 - 6 months prior to sailing, specially if your cruise is one of the first of a new season or with new ports.

The app is not required as a ticket as you can also use your stateroom door card.

The premium plan is discounted by 20% if you pre purchase.  You can see the price if you log into the HAL website and go to Manage my Cruise.

Premium is ok for wifi calling.

Interesting question about taxes if you purchase onboard!  I have not read of anyone being charged taxes for this, but logically, as taxes are charged in ports for alcohol etc, then taxes may be liable for internet if purchased in port, if that country charges taxes on internet connections.  (simple, yes?)

Link to Internet pricing courtesty of Crew News/Roger.

Internet-Pricing-2024-1.pdf

4 minutes ago, ColonyGirl2 said:

But.... 

I just checked another 28 day cruise in March 2026 that did give $300.  So no consistency.  

 

Just want to give cruisers a "heads up" on this if you are booking a cruise with HIA. 

As far as I can see, on that panel where you select cruise only or HIA, the details in the panel are just for a 14 day cruise.

If you go back to the initial webpage and click on the 'See Details' then it shows $300