BobbiSox

I did the Vikings cruise on Zaandam last July/August, 35 days. You're going to love Iceland! I am always advising folks to book everything through HAL and especially when one is so far from home. Many things can go wrong and you want all of your bases covered so book everything through HAL. They will ALWAYS get you back onboard. It's worth the peace of mind and it's money well spent.

I don't even go to Pinnacle for my complimentary dinners. The food isn't worth the wait. The service is terrible, and the wait staff is way too heavily perfumed. Of course, I am remembering the glory days, when dinner there was an a memorable occasion. Now it's just another venue that takes way too long to have an unremarkable meal.

I don't understand the advantage to not cashing chips, unless you just forgot. Just curious as to why else anyone would do it.

A non-smoking "area" doesn't help anything, unless it's completely enclosed.

I almost never see anyone smoking in the casino. If you're a smoker, you will have a hard time to find a smoking area in the casinos. I don't smoke so I wasn't paying attention. I would like it if HAL went 'smokeless'. I usually see only a handful people smoking by the Seaview bard, outside in back.

I was on Rotterdam for three weeks late October-November 2022 and there was a new casino in the works. It never disturbed us with the usual unpleasantness of 'remodel' noises or paint smells. Opening night there was a nice party, free champagne, etc.. I like gaming in the casino, but not the new machines, so it didn't rock my boat, but others seemed to be having a great time in there, with about 50-60 new machines, (rough guess, I didn't actually count them).

We have always flown from our home airport JAX to Fort Lauderdale, more time than I can count. The flight was 90 minutes, non stop, and cost around $100.00-150.00 per person. More recently, I had been trying to book the same type of fare. NO MORE NON-STOPS. We would have to stop somewhere way out of the way, for a FOUR hour layover. The cost? About $600.00 per person, not even a premium seat. That whole thing would make for a very long day, seeing how they are asking us to be at the airport two-three hours before the flight. I can drive to Ft. Lauderdale in five hours. That's what I'll do.

I have been considering doing only "all inclusive" cruising. I am always baffled by the many packages and 'deals' that are offered. I like simple. If it causes me to have a headache trying to figure out what deal is the best offer, it kind of takes the fun out of planning a new adventure. I'm kinda done with all the hoopla.

Besides being a fire hazard, the debris that's left over pollutes the ocean.

It has been my experience that FlightEase is worth every penny. We were in line to check-in (at our local airport JAX) for a flight to Boston to get on the ship. Flight canceled. Called HAL from the airport, and was told to go home. They set us up with a flight to meet up with the ship Key West, two days later. They sent a private car to pick us up at the Key West airport, booked us into a beautiful water-front suite overnight, and sent another private car to take us to the port the next day. All expenses paid, including our meals, and port fee amount for the KW port was refunded to us. That's why I use FlightEase.

Short answer: Yes. MOST of them do open. Your room sterwards will open them if asked.

Sorry you have to deal with this. My experience of almost three decades of dealing with HAL is this: they lie. And I don't think they care if they lose one disgruntled customer; there are millions of others. I have been lied to, sometimes starting with the booking, and in general, lies continue going all the way through to the disembark. It is my observatio that HAL employees are not allowed to say "I don't know", so they make something up. Sometimes they fib, and sometimes they tell whoppers. I have learned to let the little things slide, but like you, I always want the thing resolved. The squeaky wheel gets the oil, right?

I was updraded from inside to lovely midship balcony. The PCC suggested it. I had forgetten that Club Orange includes an upgrade.

If you let HAL arrange your flights, they will always see to that you get to the airport in plenty of time. I don't mind spending the extra money for the security of making my flight on time. Furthermore, I found Vancouver airport so ridiculous, I vowed I would never use it again.

BYW, 'gambling' is not politcally correct anymore. The new term is 'gaming'. Just sayin'.

The best way to find out anything about Casino offers is to ask the Casino Manager when you are on a sail. They have the final say in everything. They even have authority to give you free play, and free drinks while you are playing in the casino. It's up to them, bottom line. If you wnat to receive offers, ask how to get them. You may be pleasantly surprised. On a recent cruise, my husband and I were handed a pile of cash, and a coupon for a totally free photo package, no strings attached.

Exactly what Native said. That's the way we do it. A gift card is good for anything, and everything, if you add it to your stateroom OBC. You can do this at the Customer Service, to avoid any 'on-line' problems. Customer Service is usually no waiting very late in the evenings, and it's 24 hours. If no one is standing there, just call out. Someone is always in the back, to help you.

Usually, for us, we have to include the CASINO OFFER CODE when booking. We give it to our PPC and she applies the discount, usually very substantial.

I just yesterday booked a Casino Offer, 20 days, $99.00 for inside guarentee. By upgrading to Club Orange, I was able to selct my own room, and I chose a mid-ship balcony (which is one of the best categories). I like CO anyhow, and that was a fabulous deal.

Years ago I took my daughter and my grandchild (then 2) on a five-day jaunt out of Jacksonville. There was a 'playhouse' set up somewhere, which the child enjoyed immensly. She was treated like a princess in the main dining room; there were NO other children on board! She wore a velvet dress on fancy night. We took turns staying in the cabin with her in the evening, so we could both enjoy a little nightlife. We strolled her around Key West, and took her to use the beach at Atlantis. We all had a wonderful time. It depends on the temperment of the child, of course.

There's a git? I'm platinum and never got a gift. Must I ask for it? I like gifts.

I love Elation. I live twenty minutes away. No flights! Parking-lot cheap, self-service and a two minute short walk to the ship. I love the food, and although I am a picky eater, I stuff myself at their buffet. They have the BEST cakes at sea. Good entertainment and a great casino that's just fun,fun, fun. Prices are great, ranging from free to almost-free, once you get established in the casino. What more can you ask for!

This is a situation of 'firt-come-first-served'. Sign up for the Dine Anytime. If you get there20 minutes before the dinning room opens, and are willing wait to be first in line, (which is what I do) you can be seated wherever you want. No problem. I always get a table for two by a window. Beware that the beautiful sunsets can become blinding though, when your fellow diners don't want the drapes closed.

Can't remember the bar, but I remember the drink. I was on Libery, and the drink was a Miami Vice. It came out in a tall glass, a frozen rum drink, half red and half white, the colors were side by side, not one on top of the other. It had a nice tropical punch flavor. It was pretty to look at and refreshing. (Took a long time to drink because it was frozen. I nursed it for about an hour.)

My hubbs discovered he had lost his wedding ring but had no idea when he lost it. At dinner that evening, it was returned to him. Our room stewart had found it in the bedding, and hand-delivered it to the Maitre d', who delivered it to our table.