Banditswife

We were assigned a PCC by HAL. She is not helpful at all, nor easy to talk to. How do we request a different one? I will just go back to my old TA or use 1 of the big box stores if I cannot easily get a new PCC.

I guess they are worried you are going to share. It does seem silly when you are only wanting a 2nd cup of coffee or bottle of water.

And isn't it only 5 minutes between orders? Just hang out for 5 minutes & reorder. That's what we are going to do. Very rarely will I have alcohol, but love my specialty coffee.

Slightly off topic- for those of you who love Pinnacle. What cut of beef is best when cooked to well done? I do not eat a lot at any meal, prefer to fill up on salad & veggie. petite filet, reg filet or NY strip?

Just curious- why are they tendering? Have they had damage to the port area making them unable to dock there?

I don't like seafood or Asian food, but hubby does. So we will have Tamarind 1x for him & Pinnacle 1x for me. I noticed Tamarind does have a beef dish...

This is good to know. My hubby is literally 1 handed & using soap dispenser is difficult. He can do it, it is just easier with a bar.

It seems in the past 5-6 days I have read about at least 3 changes in policy on this Holland America Board. Thank you to recent cruisers who are keeping us informed. 1) SBP- signature beverage pkg now only charges the difference + gratuity for drinks over $11, where before the full price + gratuity were charged. 2) Laundry price increase- it seems unlimited laundry has gone from $7 - $9 per day & by the bag has gone from $20 - $30 per bag. This may not be fleet wide yet, but recent NS guests have reported the increase. 3) Floral arrangements - increase in price & new designs with new names. When looking at what was available a week ago & what is available now, vases are different. Vases can be purchased separately from arrangements. I am wondering if the ships have been given these updated versions & whether they will have the vases pictured on the web site. Are there any other changes coming? Any other changes HAL cruisers should be aware of? I love reading posts on this board & being able to know these things before we board the ship. Thanks to all who contribute.

See post#9 by dogo88 & post #12 by cajuntraveler. they were both talking about N Statendam's laundry being $30 per bag & possibly $63 for the week. Hubby & I will be on NS next week 11/26, so decided buying it pre cruise for $49 per week was worth saving a bit of $. Other ships may not have gone up in price &/or the prices quoted might have been just that cruise- I am not sure... just trying to save a few bucks. We will probably only send laundry out 2-3x, but worth not worrying about it.

Update: I was able to order the unlimited laundry by calling the number on the screen. Kept getting an error when we tried to order online. Rep charged me $49 for 7 days. Knowing we can send laundry out helps in packing lighter.

BeachBum47: do you know the name of that arrangement? It is lovely...

That is the one I was going to order. I love carnations, plus they usually last longer than roses or other flowers.

FYI- I just checked HAL's floral arrangement selections. The options that were there a few days ago are no longer there. They have added some vases & increased prices a bit. Least expensive arrangement is now $37.49. I was wanting a mixed bouquet w/carnations & other small buds. Hopefully we will find something we like once on the ship.

Just tried to purchase it again, no luck. Also thought I'd try to order flowers, error for that one too.

After reading that bags of laundry have gone up to $30 on NS, we decided to pay for unlimited laundry. HAL's website says $49 for each of our 7 day cruises-B2B 11/26-12/10. But when we put it in our cart it gives us an error & won't allow us to complete transaction. Called their office- closed today until Monday. Not sure what we are doing wrong, except we do not have a cabin assignment yet. Do any of you have any clues as to why we can't pre purchase unlimited laundry?

We board on 11/26 & just got our boarding time with barcode either late last night or early this morning- so 13 days ahead

We are on NStatendam Nov 26-Dec 10. Just got our boarding time to be 11:20 group B, yet still no cabin assignment. Sail away is set for 3PM.

An additional question: if they make a port change & we can no longer use the booked tour, how do they refund or handle that? We booked a tour for KWest using our HIA shore x credit. If they cancel KWest, will they refund or force us to switch to another at the new port?

That's why I said "within reason." My son's shorts were nice dress shorts & collared shirt. I do not want to see PJs or bathing suits either. And there are some outfits that I consider distasteful, but try to keep my mouth shut.

This is my opinion: Personally my meal will taste the same whether the table next to us has on shorts or formal wear. Dress how you wish & are comfortable, within reason. On our last HAL cruise (2021), my son was told "no shorts." But was still allowed in the MDR with shorts after telling them this is what he brought to wear. I think the rules have been relaxed a bit to coincide with what the majority want.

so now hoping they will change the SBP to include Half Moon Cay... we can dream can't we.

Don't be surprised if it takes them a long time to assign a cabin. We sail in 2 weeks from today, no cabin # yet.

yikes

Hubby doesn't like to dress up, but I do. So I tell him that is the rules. Then he sees someone in casual clothes & gives me a dirty look. Oh well. For casual nights we wear nicer clothes, slacks for him, dress or slacks for me. On dressy nights: me-cocktail dress or slacks & sparkly top, him-suit jacket, tie & collared shirt.

There was a post from someone currently on N Statendam that said that is what they are doing there. Whether they are doing it fleet wide, I do not know for sure.