Wehwalt

On 4/30/2024 at 1:04 PM, SeaMatesNYC said:

Meaning you got Mariner points for the land portion?  Yes, that’s correct. 🤙

Well, I really meant days because DW and I are both five star ... I doubt if we will ever be President's Club but the days are what we count now. Points are now meaningless.

3 hours ago, ghstudio said:

That’s the fear that caused me to cancel a booked cruise on HAL ($17000)

Whatever floats your boat. We booked on board two cruises totaling 36 days.

4 minutes ago, Real NHDOC said:

Again, this is your perception of things...from what I read it was only after 5 days of use (out of the first 6 days) of the Crow's Nest did HAL relocate the special events - not exactly what I would call quick.  Guests do like to use the area in the evenings for playing card, puzzles, etc and had an expectation that it would be available. 

 

I'm still not clear on the exact sequence of events. On April 23, I went through the Navigator and found that it stated the Crow's Nest would be closed on four nights, the last of which was the 26th. Another individual stated that it had already closed two additional nights, which makes six. When the paper daily program for the 26th came out, there was no mention of a closure (which was supposed to be 4 to 8:30). So I'm guessing five took place. But at least from what I could tell, there were never any more scheduled except for the shortened one on the 26th. 

36 minutes ago, ricka47 said:

We're on a Thanksgiving cruise and Key West in our last port. I'm wondering how that works for immigration. Do we do it there since we are returning to the U.S., or when are we back in Fort Lauderdale?

You'll do it in Key West. They'll set up for it in a lounge and you'll be paraded through by deck, at the end of which you'll get a sticker for your card or a hole punched which will allow you to get off the ship. It's a very minimal procedure. They know who the passengers are already. 

Here are the relevant instructions we received from the travel agent last July. I should note this was a HAL cruise tour off the Noordam and we received six nights credit for the land tour on our HAL accounts.:

TRAIN FROM ANCHORAGE TO DENALI: A highlight of the trip! You will be riding on the McKinley Explorer Rail Cars, specially designed for sightseeing. All passenger seating is on the upper deck, which has glass windows that go all the way up and curve to make a glass dome. Each rail car will have its own tour guide to point out sights and tell you about some history along the way. Each car will also have a bartender, who can serve you anything from coffee and sodas to specialty cocktails at your seat. The bartender will run a tab for you and then collect at the end of the trip. Credit and debit cards only are accepted for all beverage purchases. The confirmation sheet that you receive in Anchorage, with your hotel key packet, will show you your rail car name and number. When the train comes into the station, look for that car. They will mark off your name and you can then board. All seats are pre-reserved.

2 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

That is different and I think there should be compensation if one is driven from the cabin which is an integral part of the contract.  

Fortunately, we were not driven out. It may not be good to be near the end of the end of the hall on an older ship that seems to have trouble maintaining the vacuum for the toilets, but sooner or later we heard that woosh. 

We got a plate of chocolate covered strawberries. But we had considerable plumbing problems, which affected us specifically. That may be different than the situation complained of regarding the Crow's Nest

Catching up a bit. As we discussed earlier, the Crow's Nest was to be closed six of the eleven nights. So what did it wind up being? I'm gathering five? Sorry, but we generally only went up there for coffee in the morning. We'd happily take any compensation that's going around to defray our bill of fifty-eight cents, but, like Mary229, don't see why it would be necessary.

Princess knows as well as we do that at certain ports, especially in Europe, there is duty free after security in the cruise terminal. Last fall in Lisbon on the Regal westbound transatlantic, there was a line twenty people long to check out. My conclusion is that Princess is content to regulate what is consumed in the MDR and prefers not to go overboard trying to regulate what you may consume in your cabin.

We were on the McKinley Explorer last year on a HAL cruisetour through the travel agent who offers so many of HAL's northbound cruisetours`the last couple of years. On the train, all seats were assigned.

1 hour ago, Bolt. said:

I particularly enjoyed the one that had churros -- a Mexican fried doughnut-stick dessert.

They had that on the Oosterdam a couple of weeks ago on a day when we had enjoyed real churros in Spain. We nibbled one each and sighed.

On 4/25/2024 at 11:37 AM, WCB said:

Report #116  Wednesday  April 24, 2024  Sea Day #2 Of 4  Enroute To Takoradi, Ghana    Clouds With Some Sun   75 Degrees  80% Humidity 16 mph Winds  Part #1 Of 1......No Pictures---Dressy Night

 

What a difference a day makes, as the song goes.  The temperature was at least 10 degrees warmer as we sail north towards the Equator once again.   We were wishing for it to warm up a little, but perhaps we wished too hard.   In the days to come, we will be missing some of those cooler days in Cape Town and Namibia.  

 

After breakfast, we stopped by our room to find 2 gifts had been left on the bed.  They were two duffel bags ( folded and zipped in an attached pouch) with a card saying a grand farewell gift for you.  The Captain and crew wish you many happy returns.   These are similar to the one gifted last year, but these are better because they have wheels.  They are too large for a carry-on piece of luggage for the airplane, but would work for a medium size suitcase.  Shiv mentioned that besides the duffels, we would be receiving the commemorative plates next week.  It will be interesting to see the ports written on them since the itinerary had changed so much. 

We received both duffels and plates before leaving in Honolulu. They are smaller than in recent years. If they're the same as the ones you are getting. Round, about six inches in diameter.

We, first segment guests, got those bags before we disembarked in HNL. Came in handy at the airport when we had a bag over fifty pounds and had to use it. We also got the plate, don't know if you've seen those yet. Smaller than in recent years and without the route map. Just as well, considering.

2 hours ago, ghstudio said:

Per a meeting with the hotel director, HAL has decided that there will be no compensation for the Park West private use of the crows nest for 6 nights of our 11 night cruise….and he told me that the CEO is aware of the situation and agrees that no compensation of any kind is necessary.  I guess those of us involved (over 100 complaints, per a post on another forum) will see the reaction to our final comments on the cruise as well as letters sent directly to the HAL executives which may include future booked cruises cancelled as a result of this business decision that impacted our cruise. We always felt that HAL valued us as repeat and loyal customers….now we feel more like just a number on a spreadsheet.

Our regrets that you seem so focused on this one thing. It's a great cruise. Everyone we speak to is having a wonderful time, and the main regret seems to be that everyone has to get off in Athens because of the charter. We'd stay longer if we could. 25 days is not enough.

32 minutes ago, ski ww said:

Hopefully if all the people who are complaining about it here on CC also let HAL know how very unhappy they are about the closure of the Crows Nest, you think HAL will listen?? 

I would think HAL would go where the greater amount of revenue is, given the amount of debt they owe.

5 minutes ago, ghstudio said:

Let’s try to at least be accurate

 

the crows nest has been closed on the 19, 20, 21,23. And is scheduled to be closed on the 24 (today) and 26th.  It has been closed for the first three nights of the cruise and 5 of the first six nights of the cruise.  Those include the first night sail away time and the scenic departure in Naples passing mt Vesuvius …let me repeat THE CROWS NEST HAS BEEN CLOSED FOR FIVE OF THE FIRST SIX NIGHTS OF THIS CRUISE.  Just for the record, I was told by the manager of guest services last night that HAL will not be offering any compensation per his communications with HQ.  

I'm just going by the Navigator. If it's right, or wrong, I cannot say. We don't make a habit of going to the Crow's Nest at that hour, nor do we retain the daily programs. Enjoy the cruise. The itinerary is something, isn't it? And the weather.

It is not every night of the cruise. Looking through the Navigator App, on this 11 night cruise, embarking April 19, the Crows Nest is listed as closing at 4 pm on April 21, 23, 24 and 26, on the last of which it is scheduled to reopen at 8:30. Of course, the listed hours might change, but the Crow's Nest has already been open full time three of the first five nights of the cruise (it is night here now. Or almost).

Shore excursions, on the starboard side of the Crow's Nest, does remain open. I do not know how much of the area is open, but perhaps there is hope for the view lovers if not for the coffee aficionados.

12 minutes ago, mawvkysc said:

Is there somewhere else to get specialty coffee when the CN is closed off?

No. There is not. Of course the Neptune Lounge has its machine but that's for those living the suite life.

10 minutes ago, ski ww said:

Are there really that many people that buy paintings on board??

I cannot say. But when I went through the Deck 10 elevator lobby with the coffee at 3:50, there were five or six people waiting for the doors to the Crow's Nest to open.

DW sent me up to get coffee at a quarter to four. They closed the doors to the Crow's Nest behind me, and asked me to exit on the other side but that was blocked off by paintings so they let me out through the heavy doors.

8 minutes ago, TRLD said:

Not really. One still has to into account the context.

 

Other language in the contract might cover them that paragraph does not.

That could be, but if it's a question of arguing whether "any other reason" means that or something else, I know which side of the question I'd care to be arguing. No offense.

55 minutes ago, TRLD said:

Not quite. That paragraph pertained to health and safety. Someone being moved from a 3/4 cabin to a 2 is not unfit to cruise.

"or in the judgment of the Captain is advisable for any reason." It covers them. I suspect they wanted to make it more explicit, and whether or not this thread had anything to do with it is speculation, but I wouldn't be surprised. Why wouldn't they?

1 hour ago, Real NHDOC said:

The contract which they just revised to include this right.  When I booked my cabin they had NO SUCH CONDITION in the contract, as pointed out earlier in this thread.  So you're saying they can revise the agreement at any time and the guest is just stuck with whatever condition they choose to include in the contract?  Sorry, no.

 

In order to have a valid contract there has to be a "meeting of the minds" between the parties.  Would a typical consumer expect that the cabin they chose and paid for would only be "at the whim of the cruise line" to supply?  No, I don't think so.

This language from paragraph 4 has been there from before the change:

Carrier may without liability for refund, payment, compensation or credit, except as provided herein, disembark or refuse to embark You, confine You in a stateroom, quarantine You, restrain You, change Your accommodations or disembark You at any time if, in the sole opinion of Carrier, the Captain or any doctor, You or any minor or other person in Your care during the Cruise, Cruisetour, and/or Land Trip(s), are unfit for any reason for the Cruise, Cruisetour, and/or Land Trip(s), or Your presence might be detrimental to Your health, comfort or safety or that of any other person, or in the judgment of the Captain is advisable for any reason.

"For any reason" covers a lot. For whatever reason, they made it explicit.

4 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

There is contractual obligations and then there is the fact that consumers will leave them if they stick them in a bad room after they carefully selected a particular placement particularly in light of the fact that they charge extra to make that choice.  I think they are only left with selling everyone a guarantee then doing a bidding/upsell near sailing to profit from those who want better placement.  

That is the tightrope they have to walk. After all, Holland has immense power over its passengers. Covid proved that. They can change your cabin, yes, but doing so may offend you as a customer, especially since you may have paid extra to select that cabin.