Debz62

It's the corner suite. We took the Upsell cause hubby wanted it so much but still weird I haven't seen anyone else on here saying they got an Upsell offer for our cruise..but then again I don't think many on this cruise are on these boards.

You should make yourself a cruise countdown clock! :D

It's the corner suite. We took the Upsell cause hubby wanted it so much but still weird I haven't seen anyone else on here saying they got an Upsell offer for our cruise..but then again I don't think many on this cruise are on these boards.

I keep hoping to see more on our roll call, but nothing yet. I'll keep my fingers crossed though.

Enjoy your suite. Sounds wonderful. I just can't see spending that much on a suite though. I'm one to spend less on one cruise so I can go on two. However, we did get a balcony this time. :)

We actually got the deck 5 aft wrap! Perfect for Alaska!

What is the aft wrap? A corner cabin? What type of cabin? A verandah or suite?

I can't speak for Alaska, since I've never been...but last month for our VH guarantee we were assigned VB 5184, almost smack in the middle of the aft on deck 5.

 

What I CAN tell you is that it was a spectacular stateroom for us. It was not only our first balcony, but also first aft...and my husband and I spent a lot of time on that balcony. Excellent views, especially if I chose to stand at the railing and look to the right/left.

 

Others have said that having a covered balcony in Alaska is great because of the chance of misty weather. Deck 5 afts are fully covered. We had virtually no wind, but the temps were pleasant even in the Caribbean. When we boarded, there were two loungers, two chairs, an ottoman and small table out on the verandah and there was still room to move around.

 

I would take that stateroom again in a heartbeat.

Sounds absolutely wonderful. I will keep my fingers crossed that we end up with a VB like the one you described.

The VB on deck 5 are not above lifeboats, but unfortunately with a VB guarantee you could be assigned one of the VA in the 5053 to 5138 range which are above them. Not only that, they have balconies that are only 4.5 ft deep. HAL considers those VA to be a higher level than the VB-VE but I do not. Originally those cabins were all VE, and a good value.

 

http://www.hollandamerica.com/main/DeckPlansFull.action?ship=we_2&deck=v&deep=0

 

Thank you for the information. We'll hope for the best. I do see where they've removed our cabin number from our itinerary on the HAL site. It now shows VB, but no specific cabin number. What do you think about the VB cabins on the aft end? The ones looking toward the ships wake? I wonder if one would enjoy the Alaska scenery from there as well as someone being on the port or starboard side.

The main difference between any of the verandah cabins is location and the size of the balconies. None have whirlpool tubs. If the VE is one of the five on deck 4 it has a 7.5 ft deep balcony but a steel-wall railing so that you can see little when seated. The VBs on deck 4 sides are also 7.5 ft deep while those on the stern are 10 to 12 feet deep. Most VB on other decks are 6 ft deep.

 

Personally I would prefer some OBC rather than the upgrade, but if the upgrade is all you can get, take it.

We were in VE deck 7 near the front of the ship port side. I asked for onboard credit, but HAL wouldn't give us that. I was told we're guaranteed a VB or higher. I imagine any VB would be nicer than the VE, unless of course the VB is on the 5th deck with a view of the lifeboats directly underneath. That would be horrible!

This past week HAL has had advertising spots on the local radio station we listen to while in the car. They are advertising their Alaska cruises out of Seattle. Perhaps HAL is targeting Arizona since it is SO HOT here in the summer. Good plan IMO.

They are advertising the same here in Utah too.

I think it is just the location on the ship but maybe someone who is more familiar with HAL will come by and answer. My niece was able to upgrade from OV to a balcony gty because of the price drop but had to pay extra $.

 

We're less than thirty days now!!

I know...25 days! I've been told Alaska is one of the places where a balcony is a must. I'm new at this and the only thing I kept asking the TA was "we don't lose our balcony right"? Did you book a balcony also? I noticed the price dropped the other day and figured, why not ask about it. That's when my TA called me and was able to get us this "guarantee". I'm still not sure what that means exactly, but we should be getting a nicer cabin or location. The VE verandah we're in now is at the opposite end of the ship from the MDR I believe. Walking would do us good, but getting something midship would be awesome.

Hello...our first cruise to Alaska and with HAL. We booked a VE verandah on Rotterdam deck port side near the front of the ship. After contacting our TA about price drop we've been offered a guarantee VB verandah or higher. My question is what is the difference between VE verandah and VB verandah? Just the location of the room? I looked on the different decks of the Westdam and it looks like VB is more midship, but no other difference. I'm hoping VB has a jacuzzi tub :) Anyone know what the differences are?

Thanks!

The cheapest option is probably the flat rate cab company ....http://www.eastsideforhire.com

They're $29 to downtown so probably $35 to pier 91, about a 30 minute ride.

The rate will be on their web site.

 

I've used them several times from the airport. If you have a reservation, you call them when you have collected your luggage .... they'll give you their car number and meet you at the curb.

Thanks again Mapleleaves. I have their number and checked their price. It's showing $35.00. It's very reasonable. I'll call them this week to set it up. :)

NO, Seattle Express does not pick up at the airport.

They partner with specific hotels to transfer to the piers. And after the cruise they transfer people to either the airport or a hotel.

 

Shuttle Express has the service from airport and the piers.

Thanks Mapleleaves. Our original plan was to take a cab from SeaTac to Pier 91 since our flight lands at 9:30am the morning of our cruise. I'll stick with that, but will book Seattle Express for our trip from Pier 91 to SeaTac.

I don't want to take any chances since we're flying in the day of. Does anyone happen to know approximately what a cab costs from SeaTac to Pier 91?

Thanks :)

There are a lot of services with similar names. This is the $12 Seattle Express...

 

http://www.seattleexpress.com/

Thank you!

Yes you can call anytime there is a price drop in the category you booked or if you are willing to change category and they will be happy to give you the lower price up until final payment. After final payment, they may offer you OBC but that is at their discretion.

 

I called tonight and they were willing to give me OBC if I changed cabin categories (I am past final payment) but since I am happy where we are, I left things as they were. The lady did tell me to keep checking though as there might eventually be a price drop in the category where I am booked.

 

I hope this helps.

It does. Thank you!

We used Seattle Express last week to take 8 of us from Pier 66 to the airport. I called before our trip and made a reservation. Matt responded promptly, answered my questions and sent me a confirmation. Seattle Express uses shuttle bus instead of the coach bus that it looked like Shuttle Express uses. No problems at all. They had a coordinator outside with a list of passengers. He checked us off, we waited five minutes for the next shuttle (they have one leaving every 15 minutes) and off to the airport we went.

 

We disembarked at 9:00 AM, got our bags, got on the shuttle and got to the airport before 10:30 AM for a 1:30 PM. I don't think there is any issue with getting there for a 12:30 flight.

 

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Do you happen to have the phone number to Seattle Express. I googled it and I get a long list of everything but Seattle Express!

seattle express specializes in shuttle from seatac area hotels where shuttle express goes anywhere in king, pierce and snohomish county. Seattle express has a good following.

I'd like to use Seattle Express both from SeaTac to Pier 91 and Pier 91 to SeaTac. They do pick up from SeaTac right?

I am not aware of any advantage to either arrangement. There may be a few TAs who will monitor this sort of thing, but it is a small number. The cruise line has NO motivation to watch this for you.

 

In the end, it is your responsibility alone, to discover price drops.

If I book through HAL and watch prices for myself when I call them and bring the price drop to their attention do I get the savings? Once I make final payment am I locked into the price I paid even though the price drops?

Room service is something that I fail to receive at home.

 

Being on a cruise, it is a luxury that I enjoy and I do expect.

 

If I have to start to pay for such a service, that "policy" is going to reduce the difference between a land based resort and a cruise.

 

From a business model viewpoint: is this the way they really want to go?

I agree completely!

If you are inside final payment, you may get an upgrade, an OBC, or nothing. HAL isn't required to give you anything. Your TA needs to be battling for you.

For future reference...is it best to book directly with HAL instead of a TA in order to watch for price drops and be able to take advantage of those savings? If so, what advantage is there to using a TA? Sorry I'm new at cruising am not familiar with how one takes advantage of finding a lower advertised price.

Very cool. I've never heard a ship toot so many times.

You need to be on the Ft Lauderdale webcam SW view, then switch to the PE webcam when she goes into the channel.

Thanks, it's only the second time I've watched a sail away. Last week I didn't know to switch the webcam. :)

It looks like my screen is stuck. I don't see any of the ships. The view is of the ocean.

Coral and Budget Queen....thank you for the information.

If you are talking about humpbacks, they arrive in Alaska for about a month, end of April to end of May. Yes you will see humpbacks. There also are humpbacks who don't migrate.

What about orcas, seals, and eagles? I hope we aren't going too early.

The time will pass all too fast and the cruise will definitely be over too fast. Your ship will spend a few hours in Victoria Canada. I would suggest doing the tour up to the Buchart Gardens. They are well worth seeing.

I wanted to do the Buchart Gardens, but didn't see it available for the time we're there May 15th. Perhaps I should check again, maybe the excursions have been updated.

We are one week after you on the same ship! Can't wait, getting so excited!

You're going on the 9th? So are we! It's going to be an awesome cruise!