cbr663

Connecting Rooms.  Details are in the legend.

Just noticed that HAL has added 3rd & 4th guests sail free on Standby.  I don't recall that being available when the program first rolled out.  

1 hour ago, ski ww said:

That is a pretty big mistake for the navigator to mistake going around the west side instead of the east side of Vancouver Island, wonder if he still has a job.

I agree and I have to wonder how no one else on the bridge questioned it.

This incident was mentioned on another social site several days ago.  The Captain did indeed screw it up and the ship was off course.  The ship went around in circles for a while and when the Captain finally addressed the ship they admitted to the mistake and was told by Corporate that to readjust and sail the inside passage would make them late for Victoria.  That any ship Captain would make such a mistake is, for me anyway, beyond comprehension.

I think whenever compensation is offered by the cruise lines it should be offered as either an immediate, refundable OBC or a FCC.  Sometimes the incidents can be so off putting that a passenger will never sail again and to offer a FCC to those passengers is to effectively deny any real compensation.

After reading this entire thread I simply want to comment how much I admire everyone's patience and tenacity when trying to pay for their HAL cruise using a gift card.  It sure doesn't read like a walk in the park.  😀

8 hours ago, Horizon chaser 1957 said:

Last week, we were confirmed the night before sailing and offered a Verandah upgrade for $10/ night/ person, a lot cheaper than the $30/night/ person difference you were quoted.
I never rely too much on new information from one HAL phone agent. There’s a lot of misinformation, and the next agent you talk to will say something different.

That said, I’m with you in not using the Standby program again. For two people, it’s not worth it. Just book late when the sailing is discounted if there’s space. Standby is a true bargain is if you’re solo, so your cabin has no singles supplement. Then it’s worth it. Otherwise, you just don’t save enough to justify not being able to choose your room, reserve parking and transportation, or book excursions or dining in advance.

I’m glad we tried it out, but one and done for me. 

When the program first came out we thought about trying it.  After reading others' experiences and knowing that for us, a bad cabin location on a ship is a bad cruise, we won't be trying it.  The savings are not enough for us either.  😀

I must admit I have never heard country music being played on a HAL ship.  It would be a wonderful addition though.  I would really enjoy a country themed night.  

Many years ago we won a "free" bingo cruise.  It was from the buy raffle tickets to get a free cruise.  What a cruise line considers free is not what I consider free.  It wasn't at no cost as there was indeed a cost for us for this free cruise.  Port fees, taxes and a non-commissionable charge all meant we won a discount on a cruise.  Add in the charge to upgrade from the inside cabin and while we had a lovely cruise, it was hardly free.

You gotta pay attention to ship talk and accept that sometimes, things have a different  meaning on a ship than on land.  

Ironically, I just realized we have stopped playing bingo and purchasing those raffle tickets ever since.  😀

HAL has introduced an Alaska Glacial Guarantee for the '24 and '25 season.  In essence, if HAL does not visit a glacier during the sailing you will receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 15% of your cruise fare.

As always, there are terms and conditions.  This one sticks out as paramount:

"This Guarantee shall not apply when there is more than one port of call or cruisetour featuring a Glacier on a Cruise per its published itinerary, when only one applicable port of call or cruisetour has been cancelled."

And of course there are conditions on when the FCC must be used.

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/ca/cruise-destinations/alaska-cruises/glacier-guarantee

10 hours ago, Vineyard View said:

Why would the lunchtime service be so much better than the dinner at PG?  Not challenging, sincerely curious. 

Sometimes lunch time is better, some times it isn't.  We had 2 reservations for the PG lunch on our Koningsdam cruise this past November and the first experience was so poor we cancelled the second reservation.  YMMV.

11 hours ago, nannygoatjunction said:

We had our meal last night on our embarkation day.

Seriously. Fried onion rings and mashed spud with steak? Not my idea of fine dining thats for sure.  😂

 

 

Unfortunately, one thing I have learned sailing HAL is that the cruise line struggles with consistency.  I think HAL needs to drop the "Fine" dining as it hasn't provided a fine dining experience in a very long time.

22 minutes ago, julia said:

I received this same email for our Noordam May 5th sailing from Vancouver, again stating "several ships in port" (its just us and the Nieuw Amsterdam!)  I'm not sure how effective this will be, since 4*,5*,CO, and suites all have priority. We shall see...

Yes, this group all have priority to check in and wait to board.  That was our experience sailing in a NS on the Koningsdam last year.  Once boarding commences, it will literally be by row after row of people who are waiting, with those with priority starting first.  The priority is to board a few minutes prior to everyone else, or however long it takes for people in the queue to be scanned while boarding.  They try their best to conduct the boarding so everyone is actually moving through the terminal and on the gangplank and when they reach the actual ship it is scan on and step aboard and move forward for everyone else.

9 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

Has anyone ever actually had this "special onboard event" when they purchased Club Orange?  I haven't heard of any.

 

~Nancy

We did.  I believe it was complimentary jewellery cleaning.  We never travel with jewellery so completely irrelevant for us.  It was just a sales attempt to get you to the jewellery store. 😉

My experience in the past is that neither the port nor HAL were strict enforcing check in times, but this is the first time I have seen check-in done by decks at Canada Place so no one will know until the season starts.

If you have never sailed out of Canada Place know that it receives many, and I do mean many, complaints regarding the check-in process.  Many people find it very confusing and a long and tedious process.  You have to start underground and endure long lines and several staircases and different level changes.

Also know that the boarding time of 11:30 is only an estimate.  This means that if you arrive before boarding time there is every likelihood that you will be arriving to wait in a very large group to board.  There is a segment of cruise passengers that love to hurry up and wait.

9 hours ago, cccole said:

There are different categories of Neptune Suites?  I did not know that.  We booked a Neptune Suite, did not see different prices, and did not do anything to have access to the CO entree on the dinner menu in the MDR.  This was on the Oosterdam which does not have a separate CO venue.  And, like CruiseBruce did, we did not get a CO tote bag, just the HAL 150th tote.  Didn't even know there was a CO tote.  Our reason for booking a Neptune suite was for an aft wrap balcony and we were happy with whatever came with it.  We have booked another for 2026.   Cherie  

Delete.  Similar post.

5 hours ago, Torquer said:

It is true that NS and PS don't get the free upgrade but you are already in one of the top suites, but there is always a special cocktail party in the Neptune Lounge or somewhere else just for NS/PS.

 

And obviously, NS/PS suites get other perks that are not available to non-suite CO guests.

There are different categories of Neptune Suites though and I would hate for someone to think that they could book the lowest category NS and then request the complimentary upgrade when that CO benefit doesn't apply.

You don't get access to all CO benefits.  Neptune and Pinnacle cabins do not get the complimentary free upgrade or the special onboard event.  

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/ca/onboard-experiences/dining/club-orange

On 4/21/2024 at 1:17 PM, ChinaShrek said:

My first thought is this. I can absolutely see what HAL is doing. They are using groups to subsidize their cruises and make a profit. Do we want cruise fares to increase significantly or should HAL book group events on their cruises in lieu of increasing fares?

I think the opposite that we all pay for these groups and full charters.  We are now in a period of high demand for cruises.  When HAL accepts more and more large groups and full charters it is taking a huge number of cabins out of inventory.  This results in less supply trying to meet a high demand.  High demand with less supply will typically result in higher prices, not lower.  HAL will never limit the profit on a sailing in the manner that you suggested.  That is not how dynamic pricing works.  

On 4/21/2024 at 7:41 AM, MISTER 67 said:

HAL continues to make horrible decisions, who the hell is in charge in this disaster of a cruise line.

They lost our business about 19 months ago and not sure if we will ever sail with them again.

I agree.  The past several months CC threads and posts have shown that HAL has decidedly moved away from a passenger service focus.  We won't be returning until we see some changes.

Thanks so much for taking us along and sharing your final thoughts.

Like you, washrooms are important for us.  For our upcoming Avalon River Cruise we spent so much time watching review videos to try and find the perfect washroom for us.  I realize that cabins are smaller on these ships, yet sometimes, it is simply too small for us.  I also would have been very disappointed to discover a bath in the washroom after confirming that there wasn't a bath.

I find it surprising that after meeting with the Chef on embarkation to discuss your dietary needs that canapés were served that didn't meet those needs.  That was certainly a bummer.

Enjoy your next cruise planning and I am sure that those wonderful chocolates will help with your choices.  😃

HAL does a great job explaining all the perks and costs in this link:

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/ca/onboard-experiences/dining/club-orange

Was it a HAL Booking Agent?  Reads like whomever made the change didn't apply the CO upgrade properly.

Once CO is paid, you tell the PCC (HAL Booking Agent) which cabin you want as the complimentary upgrade.  That person then puts you on hold as they have to contact Ship Inventory to have the change applied.  The PCC then comes back and finalizes the booking with the new cabin noted.  I've always completed the complimentary upgrade when originally booking.

At least this is how it was for me when I did it.

6 hours ago, Christina2067 said:

I have been on many cruise lines.  Because it was so hard to get the answer from Holland America I do not plan on cruising on Holland America, they do not have a true spa class/category.  I prefer a true spa category like NCL spa rooms and Celebrity Aqua Class.  Holland America is not for me.

I agree that it is natural for someone to think that labelling a cabin as a Spa Cabin, and charging significantly more the cabins, would allow you access to the Spa for the premium.  I doubt that it is natural for most people not familiar with HAL to wonder if they are calling them Spa cabins and charging more it is only because the cabins are located close to the Spa.

On 4/14/2024 at 4:45 PM, 3Shelaghs said:

^^ your correct, carry on according to this gal was at the gate, but her checked luggage was in belly of the plane.

I posted this not to specifically to "rant", (was it cathartic? no I didn't need emotional support)but to ponder where we have gone wrong with the "youth". Why arent' they thinking and planning for themselves? Why do they expect others to fix their problems? Yes, I know it's centuries of youthful thinking, but honestly I think they are getting more flakey. I was shocked that Air Canada actually went to all the trouble to off load this gal.

 

As a grandmother of all grand daughters, I'm glad they helped her, but as a crotchety old lady, I was miffed after preplanning to arrive days earlier than needed, arranged transportation to arrive early and be picked up at destination upon arrival, I do my due diligence, but somehow end up with the short end of the stick. Glad they dumped her off vs her going postal over the Atlantic.

So don't get me wrong, I fully understand all kinds of delays with airlines and certainly not green to flying, but quite shocked they actually went to this extent to accommodate her issue, and was wondering if this is the norm nowadays.

I hear ya.  Unfortunately, when asking questions like why aren't they thinking and planning for themselves and expecting everyone else to fix their problems, I am reminded that we raised them.  🤪

Just today my DW and I were next in line at Tim's in a mall.  Suddenly a girl about 20 asked my DW and I if she could jump in front of us because, and I kid you not, she actually said, "I am so hungry that I am about to pass out and I only have 10 minutes to get something."  My DW thought the about to pass out comment was a tad dramatic, but as we weren't in any hurry and we remember all too well the experience if working in retail, e simply said okay, go ahead.  As karma can be nasty, I'm sure that no one is surprised that even after letting her go ahead another cashier opened up and we received our order before this lady received hers.  She thanked us for helping her and I don't think she thought for one second that there was anything wrong with her making her needs much more important than ours.  

Thanks for sharing.

I do understand the reason though.  Nexus is a trusted traveler program in which you are deemed very low risk.  Allowing your children to use your home address as a permanent address when in fact it isn't is a misrepresentation.  I understand how you may find it simple and convenient.  I also understand how authorities would find it simple and convenient for your children to rent a mail box.