jwb3843

@1cruiselvr We knew that our chances were probably slim to begin with, but one can always hope! Thank you for your encouragement!

@1cruiselvr 🫤 But thank you for your quick reply!

We recently booked a GTY Mini Suite for a 7 day sailing in early May and shortly thereafter we received an invitation to bid on upgrades. We submitted them for both a Club Class Mini Suite and a Vista Suite. As of today we haven’t been notified of a cabin assignment, but I just received notification that our bid for the Club Class Mini Suite was unsuccessful. Still no cabin assignment, but does anyone have an idea whether it’s a hopeful sign that we didn’t receive a “You’ve Been Outbid” email regarding the Vista Suite? I realize we’re still more than 30 days out so there’s still plenty of time . . . Just curious to see where we’ll end up!

@SCX22 Ahhhh!! Thanks so much for the clarification! I totally agree that you should never book a GTY category you wouldn’t be happy being assigned to. We booked a mini suite GTY because I like a little more space beyond just a bed, and like you we aren’t picky as to location. We’ll see how the dice rolls for us! Julie

@SCX22 I’m curious about your statement regarding bidding for upgrades being more advantageous for those with guaranteed cabin assignments, as this is our first time sailing with Princess and we’ve chosen a GTY mini suite. We just purchased a few days ago and have not been assigned a cabin as of yet, but did receive the “bid up” email the very next day. We’re still 57 days for sailing. Is it your normal practice to bid on several different categories or stick with just one? Clearly one would only bid what one was willing to pay, but have you had the majority of your successes bidding on the lower or higher end of the bid spectrum? Also, do you find that bidding on an upgrade delays the cabin assignment? Thanks so much for your help! Julie

Thanks so much for your reply and suggestions, Terry! We’ll definitely be taking advantage of the MDR on Embarkation day for lunch. I too appreciate desserts that look like what they’re supposed to be ~ not sure why “deconstructed” has become such a thing! It would be nice to have decent WiFi for a change! I’m really sorry to hear about your observations about the smoking issue. Though we don’t visit the casino, it’s a shame the second hand smoke permeates the surrounding areas. Maybe if enough people complain it will be addressed by the time we sail in 2025! If you manage to get to the Dutch Cafe, please try the chocolate covered cream puffs (don’t recall the official name for them!) and no matter how good they are tell me they’re horrible! I need to stay as far away from them as possible!! 🤣 Julie

Hi Terry! SO thankful for your review and Celebrity comparisons. We too are taking a step away from Celebrity and giving HAL a try for our long awaited retirement cruise ~ the 35 night Hawaii/Tahiti trip on the Koningsdam in Feb 2025. We opted for an aft Vista Suite and Club Orange, so I’m very happy to hear your positive reviews on that experience thus far on your journey. On our last Edge cruise we only ate in Luminae once for dinner because nothing on the menus appealed to us, so I’m more hopeful based on the info above! Can you give us any recommendations as to a nice quiet lunch spot on embarkation day? Bistro on Five (many moons ago!) used to be our go to embarkation spot and we’ve missed it! Looking forward to following along and learning more HAL tips! Julie

Thank you for sharing this info! I’ll definitely give it a try! Definitely more pricey than most, but some things are worth splurging on! I’ll still try to bring some home from Tahiti too. It’s not often you can get it so close to the source.

Does anyone know where the best place to buy Tahitian vanilla will be on this itinerary?

Thank you for your quick reply! Hmmm . . . The PCC didn’t mention that was even an option. Our deposit is refundable and we got no OBC, but we have an Aft Vista Suite and there are no more available on this sailing so I’d be a bit hesitant to cancel in fear of someone else swooping in and grabbing it in the brief moment it would go back in the pool. Perhaps I need to just chalk this up to a lesson learned when booking with a new cruise line and be thankful I was able to get the cabin we wanted.

I’m new to HAL and wasn’t aware of CO when I recently booked an upcoming cruise, so when I asked my PCC to add this to our reservation I also asked if there was any way possible to rebook a lesser cabin and then use the cabin upgrade to move us back to our original cabin. Unfortunately she said that wasn’t possible. Has anyone ever successfully done this?

Those are great suggestions! I too have some jewelry that I don’t have an opportunity to wear at home! And I’m sure you’re correct that no one else remembers what you’ve worn before! Thanks so much!

Thanks so much for all the information you shared! We haven’t selected a cabin yet, as the fall of 2024 sailings haven’t been released yet. But I want to be poised and ready to go so that we can book as soon as they do! We’re leaning towards an AFT balcony since you and others have alleviated our concerns about rough waters for the majority of the itinerary. I know we’d get a lot of use out of it with all the beautiful waters! There’s just something about watching the wake go by! I especially appreciated your sharing your comparisons with Celebrity, as that’s what we’re used to! I do think we’ll be just fine on HAL. We’re mid-60’s and not much on late night activities. And yes, please do share any information you have regarding any snorkeling excursions you’re planning if you feel comfortable doing so. We’ll definitely plan to bring our own equipment at your suggestion. I honestly hadn’t considered the impact COVID may have had on such things and I appreciate the heads up! When you have a moment, could you please share any recollections you may have regarding how formal nights are handled on these longer cruises? If I’m traveling light, I really don’t want to bother with traditional formal wear if we don’t have to! Thank you again!!

We’re disappointed that Bora Bora is no longer a stop too! I’m telling myself that the other nearby islands will be similar enough . . . And maybe one day we’ll still get there. I’m looking forward to hearing how your cruise goes ~ living vicariously through you and your husband while we patiently wait for ours to roll around! Thanks again for all your help!

This is the first time we’ve ever taken a cruise longer than 14 days, so the first time I’ve had to think about laundry. Since we have to fly to San Diego, we don’t really want to take more than one suitcase each just for ease of travel. We do usually bring our own snorkel gear, but we may have to ponder that more carefully. I admit that we’re spoiled living in FL where we can easily drive to the port and don’t have to consider the additional cost and hassle of extra bags.

Thanks SO much for all the information above! It’s amazing what you don’t know about a new to you cruise line and why I love Cruise Critic! I’ve already signed up to receive notifications on postings for the Feb. roll call and look forward to seeing what fun comes up there! Do you mind sharing what you’re most looking forward to on this cruise?? Is it a specific port or ports, an excursion or two, time with friends/family, or just the whole thing? Since you’ve already done a 26 day sailing, I imagine that a 35 cruise won’t seem much longer. In a perfect world where money and vacation days are no object, would you exclusively book these longer trips? I appreciate you sharing your knowledge and insight!

Does anyone have an idea when the fall 2024 sailings will be released?

I’ll have to find a YouTube video of a Koningsdam inside cabin! We’ve only sailed once in an inside cabin on the Celebrity Summit when we went with our adult daughter and wanted to be next door. I learned that I’m one of those people who needs to be able to see the outside world. I’d never considered myself claustrophobic, but I felt uncomfortable spending any amount of time inside the cabin. Sitting on the balcony watching to water pass by is one of my favorite parts of cruising. We’re all so fortunate that there are so many different types of cabins to suit us all!

Thanks so much!! I’ll definitely do both!

Mary, I only see a Feb - March 2024 cruise listed so far, and we need to wait until the (fingers crossed) October sailing. But thanks for the heads up about the Roll Call ~ I’ll check it out for sure! And thank you for sharing your thoughts on the laundry. From a price standpoint it seems more reasonable to use the bags, but I’ve noticed that sometimes as I get older I can more easily convince myself that an increased price for added convenience isn’t always a bad thing. Would you mind if I check back in with you a bit later to see how your plans are coming along? As I’m sure the itineraries will be very similar, I’d love to hear what choices you’re making for excursions.

Pete ~ Thanks so much for the website link! Your great detail is such a benefit to all who travel behind you!! Once the itinerary for the fall 2024 cruises are announced I may reach out to ask more specific questions. I hate the waiting!! By the way, my father was also an aircraft mechanic in the Navy (Korean War) and also spent many night in an inside cabin! I was so relieved to hear that your user name referred to that time in your life rather than your current sailings! The first thing that popped into my mind was, “How can anyone spend that many days in an inside cabin??” 🤣 Wishing you and your wife smooth sailing!

Both of those options sound reasonable! Have you found the unlimited fee to be the way to go?

Oh my!! 😱 The Cannonball looks divine!! I’ll definitely have to give it a try!! Thank you!! And thank you for the menu links!

We’re looking forward to visiting so many new ports! It’s looking like Bora Bora will no longer be included for larger ships, which makes me so sad because it’s what we all think of when envisioning the South Pacific. I’m telling myself that that amazingly clear water will be the same at all the nearby islands. We’ll definitely take advantage of the local cultural groups at your recommendation! LOL!! Okay, I’ve got plenty of time to get used to the idea of using the laundry facilities! I have a feeling that over a 35 day cruise I may indeed experience some serious shrinkage issues with waistbands!! I’m not acquainted with Cannonballs from Dive-in’s! Should I add these to my “must try” list??

We love watching the wake as well! Thank you for sharing your experiences of calm seas outside of San Diego. That information’s moving the Aft cabin to the top of the list!! Is the $7 or $8 a day for unlimited laundry per cabin or per person?