HALrunner

We are consider a HAL Gatun Lake excursion that ends in Colon. The excursion has this disclaimer which has me a little concerned...

"Tour departs from Gatún Lake and ends in Colón where you will re-join the ship. You may arrive in Colón before the ship does. "

On previous trips through the canal, when stopping in Colon it didn't look like somewhere I wanted to hang out....especially without the giant safety net of the ship sitting there.

Has anyone taken a similar excursion? If so, what did you do while waiting for your ship to arrive in Colon?

I remember that "trial" change up to Club HAL just before Covid shut everything down. It was called "High Score!" , and one of the major concerns was the lack of check in/check out of kids 7-12. HAL received a lot of push back and eventually posted on their blog some reassurances. (see below). 

I'm assuming HAL hasn't operated Club HAL for less than 12 year olds since cruising has resumed. We could start seeing kids younger than 12 as early as the first week of December now that immunizations have begun for younger kids. 

I hope someone will chime in with their Club Hal Teen experience since the restart.

It will be interesting to see how Club HAL adapts now that Covid is here to stay. 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/blog/topics/arts-entertainment/club-hal-and-high-score-update/

Thank you all for your quick feedback! 

Does anyone know the going rate for a men's haircut onboard? 

Thanks for sharing your experience! We are loyal HAL fans, but will be trying Celebrity this winter. It sounds like you are a foodie, so it was nice to hear your specific opinions on the different venues and dishes. It also makes me excited for the food on our Celebrity cruise!

HAL truly does value your feedback on the post cruise survey. I've even noticed some changes made accordingly. I hope you took the time to provide this feedback to HAL so they can learn from their mistakes (especially the lacking covid precautions on the tenders)!

4 minutes ago, 12cruise2 said:

And I pre-purchased the premium internet package for 14 days for our Nov. 13 NA cruise, which was the only price/package offered in the advance purchase, for $174.95 for this cruise and pre-purchased another $174.95 for the 14-day cruise following it on the Nieuw Amsterdam.

Thanks for sharing! I'm doing a back to back for a total of 21 days. I'm hoping when I call ship services tomorrow they will quote a better price for the full 21 days than the 10 & 11 day segment internet packages that are currently listed on my HAL account.

As a point of reference, we originally had booked a lido cabana for 11 days at $399. Later, when we added the second 10 days (for back to back) the charge was $549 total for the 21 days. Seemed like a steal to get the cabana for the second sailing for just $150 more! Foolishly optimistic that I'll have a similar experience with the internet packages! 

20 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

Yes, but you can only purchase the Premium package.  The price of Premium pre cruise is very similar to the price of the mid range Surf package when onboard.

Thanks for this very helpful chart! Just to clarify, are these the prices if purchased while onboard? I just looked at one of my 10 day sailings and HAl's website is saying $143.99 for (precruise) Premium package. 

56 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Celebrity has pages on their website where these are listed (by country of departure).  HAL may have something similar but I am not as familiar.....

 

Ohhhh, this would be so helpful! If anyone is aware of something similar with HAL, please share! 

16 hours ago, PigsCanFly said:

We are sailing B2B on Rotterdam in December.  If HAL did not require a test between cruises, that is great news.  If they do, did they have a onboard testing option?

 

I called about this and the rep told me that they test everyone before disembarkation (or turnaround day for B2B).

6 hours ago, silversneakers said:

It is my understanding that you have to provide the cruise lines with the appropriate papers certifying the dogs are true service dogs.  They also have to have all of the appropriate vaccinations. So I don't think anyone can just bring their dog along!

I wonder if the service/comfort dogs will need a covid vaccine to board the ships?😆

On 10/1/2021 at 7:02 PM, 12cruise2 said:

If you are changing ships, I don't think the two cruises can be called back to back.  Better check with Holland America for sure about what you have to do re covid testing.  We sailed B2B in Alaska and did not have to do a test between the two cruises, but again, going from one ship to another, better check with HAL--and get it in writing.

Thanks for the heads up. I think we will switch our second sailing and just stay on the same ship. It is so much easier, with or without pandemic hoops and hurdles!

I also just ordered our Abbot tests as we would rather have them on hand early in case there is a delay in shipping/demand as we approach the holidays. 

(I'm aware of the December 1 expiration date, we are sailing in November)

Thanks again CC community for the incredibly helpful information! 

One more question, how does this testing work if you are doing back to back cruises, both HAL, but different ships? Just walking across the pier in FLL to the second ship/sailing. Do you still need a test within 2 days of embarking on the second ship? Are tests offered onboard?

18 hours ago, Daniel A said:

As this is a HAL board, there is an important distinction that needs to be made.  The testing requirement is not 48 hours, it is two days.  Per HAL web site:

"Negative COVID-19 Test: Cruises departing September 13 through December 31, 2021, ALL fully vaccinated guests will be required to produce a negative viral COVID-19 test (PCR or antigen) result taken within 2 days of their embarkation."

 

FAQ for Cruises from USA (hollandamerica.com)

 

 

It has been suggested that for a cruise sailing on a Sunday, the test needs to be taken on Friday, Saturday or even Sunday as long as you can get the results in time.

Thank you for pointing out it is 2 days and not 48 hours! I'm not sure where I came up with the 48 hour thing. Just having that little bit of wiggle room feels helpful! I was starting to stress about picking flight times when the (mistaken) hour clock was ticking!

(Maybe we could pin one of these posts?)

What is the window for the 48 hours, from boarding time or sailing time? 

HAL requires a medically-observed viral COVID-19 test. (PCR or antigen). It sounds like many are using Abbott Binaxnow, although there is some concern about test expiration dates. What other option have other cruisers been relying on? CVS?

Has anyone found a testing location near Port Everglades? 

If test results are not received by sailing time, can a passenger join the ship at the next port of call as long?

It appears both Princess and Celebrity have cancelled their 2021-2022 SA season.

I wonder why the Westerdam was not mentioned in the press release? 

9 hours ago, Daniel A said:

Is the above date a typo?

I'm thinking it must be a typo. Also, HAL is currently selling January 5 and January 27. Both 2022 of course;) 

Not sure where the January 22, 2021 is coming from. 

Unfortunately, Celebrity has already cancelled their 2021-2022 SA season and the Falklands have banned cruise ships for the season. I'm not too optimistic for the Westerdam. 

Well Friends, this was fun while it lasted! I truly did enjoy reading all of your thoughts! Unfortunately both of our Europe 2021 cruises were just cancelled by HAL. For those of you still sailing, I'll keep my fingers crossed for you!

Will HAL's European 2021 cruise season happen?

If so:

Will cruises be limited to 7 days (either by HAL or EU restrictions)? 

Going ashore limited to HAL excursions? 

Vaccine required?

I've been sad to see how quiet the boards, and especially roll calls, have been. Landlubbers in my circle either are unaware cruising ever "paused" or one would be certifiably insane to cruise in 2021.

This is simply a post to generate discussion amongst fellow "homesick" Mariners! 

Bittersweet! I was supposed to be boarding the Apex on Saturday.

25 minutes ago, SilvertoGold said:

 

Dear "Stuck in the same boat shipmate" 🙂

 

HAL has not done a great job of this cruise's FCC.  My email of March 13 says December 31, 2020 for booking and December 31, 2021 to take the cruise(s).

 

Moreover, "My Account" on the HAL website quotes both these dates.

 

So:

1. Would you please let me know who exactly you called at HAL and confirmed the one year from the date of the email?  Phone number and department?

2. Would you mind telling me what the dates on your "My Account" specifies?

 

Thanks so much!  I really would like to get somewhere with this discrepancy.

 

 

 

 

Hmmm, the plot thickens! I had never checked my online account for FCC info until you mentioned it. The FCC magically was granted to my mariner number well before I received the refund for the cruise. I think I spent the FCC before this feature was added to the website. However, I just logged in and it is showing that I do not have any FCC. I'm guessing that is because it has all been applied to future cruises. 

It's so odd that our emails from March 13 have different information. These are the terms and conditions at the bottom of my email:

Future Cruise Credit (FCC) Terms & Conditions

The value of this credit may be applied to the cruise fare only of a new cruise or Land+Sea Journey reservation with Holland America Line, and it is combinable with any other applicable discount. While the credit is valid for one year from the date of this email, please note that it needs only to be applied to the new booking by that time; the cruise does not need to depart within this timeframe. Although you may choose any stateroom category, this offer is dependent upon space availability and cannot be transferred, refunded, or used as a deposit. This credit may not be used for onboard expenses, pre- and post-cruise packages, shore excursions, taxes, Cancellation Protection Plans, Home City Air, Hotel Service Charges, or other optional programs or services. We ask that you or your travel advisor verify this offer with our Reservation Agent at the time your new reservation is placed. For your convenience, the credit is built in direct association with Mariner Society numbers so it will automatically be credited toward the cruise fare of the next Holland America Line sailing booked.

I just called the HAL 800 number and the rep I spoke with was so friendly and helpful. She was very reassuring (or maybe I'm just naive!) and said our specific cruise was well known because of the huge disappointment and special circumstances. She was not overly confident about when the travel had to occur, but suggested by the end of 2022. 

As we all have learned, every time we call we get a different answer, so I feel slightly reassured that at least I have the above T&C in writing. At any rate, my current plan is to transfer this FCC  before making final payment from the upcoming cruise (that is also likely to be cancelled) to a late 2021cruise. Hoping that accounts for the various scenarios/expiration dates, etc we have all discussed! 

5 hours ago, Hlitner said:

I have no clue although I do not recall any such restriction.   But things are changing so fast that todays policy may be null and void by the end of the day.  My bigger concern is that what we think of as "Grand Voyages" might disappear.  Much is going to depend on the future attitude of government's towards cruise ships.  Many of us are aware there has been an anti-cruise movement in the past few years and these folks will certainly take advantage of COVID to try and ban (or limit) cruise ships.  This is happening in our own country, Europe and Asia.   The cruise industry has to deal with environmental groups, anti-tourism groups whining about over tourism,  economic experts who do not think cruises contribute enough to the local economy, etc.

 

Hank

You are verbalizing my concerns as well! Be careful booking anything too soon d/t covid, but don't wait too long as fears of government restrictions, bankruptcy etc might impact cruses too far in the future.

How I wish we could all just be in the Crow's Nest agonizing over a trivia question instead! 

On 10/27/2020 at 1:52 PM, SilvertoGold said:

 

We were also booked the OP's S. America cruise and have until December 31 this year to book for 2021.  Thinking of booking mid-December when there might be a better idea of when and where HAL will actually be sailing.  Really appreciate the answer to the OP's questions as we expect to be in the same boat with almost anything we book for 2021.

Hello to my "stuck in the same boat" shipmate! I just located the notification of cancellation email from our travel agent, sent by HAL, on March 13. In the fine print (terms & conditions) it states we have 1 year from the date of the email to apply the FCC to another sailing. I called HAL and confirmed this with them. I'm grateful for a little extra time for decisions to be made and vaccines to come out;)

**disclaimer to others reading this thread- this likely applies to very few people. I believe only 3 HAL sailings were cancelled so incredibly last minute after CLIA pauses all sailings on the evening of March 13, and many passengers on those three sailings had taken offers earlier in the week to cancel as things were really starting to implode in the US at that time. So unless you were departing on a cruise March 14 or 15, it likely has different T&C.

11 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

You have to love HAL for the date restrictions on FCCs given for this year's cancelled cruises.  If folks, in good faith, applied them to 2021 cruises which turn out to be cancelled HAL will say you can no longer use the FCC?  Stay tuned.

 

Hank

I agree! And it just seems like there are so few options for 2021 cruises. I was just reading the thread about all the Volendam and Zuiderdam cruises disappearing. Between that and ships already sold, the choices on what to spend the FCC on are scant. 

Do you know if FCC can be used on Grand Voyages? Our FCC is from a 48 night cruise in a signature suite....it's burning a hole in my pocket, and I don't want to use it on a season's worth of Caribbean 7 day cruises;)

1 minute ago, bizeesheri said:

 

Right now I have no FCC or other issues.     Have you decided what to do? 

Thanks for sharing your insight!  

We decided to not gamble with the FCC and just move it to a 2022 SA cruise. However, I also just spoke to a HAL rep and was reminded that my FCC has to be used on a 2021 sailing. The only late 2021 SA sailing that includes Antarctica is a holiday sailing, and we usually try to avoid those. 

The CDC no sail order is set to expire on October 31. I'm inclined to think all the cruise lines are waiting to announce further "pauses", ahem cancellations, until the CDC makes an announcement.