crystalspin

I thought that RCCL had pay-for shows several years before the shut-down. ?

I saw that convo -- We cancelled a 35-day HAL cruise in February (two days before sailing). We had the standard Cancelation Protection Plan and received 80% of fare and 100% of taxes/fees as well as 100% of prepaid excursions and even a floral arrangement! Exact to the dollar of what I had calculated based on the assumption that taxes would be refunded. Seems like it was NCL that was said did not refund?

I voted "layers" but my outside layer would be rain-resistant... so maybe that is cheating for a fourth choice?

Wait-list?

C's are mid-ship oceanviews on Main Deck 2 which have (reported above) updated showers. J's are insides on Main and Dolphin Deck 1. J's appear to have only a smallish-shower (no tub) with a shower curtain; I find no reference or photos to suggest that the insides' bathrooms have been updated. Here is a recent (Aug'23) photo of a length-wise J on Deck 1: https://halfacts.com/r-class/1877-zaandam/

People who sail Premium Lines do not consider HAL one of them. Most would place it upper Mass Market having somewhat smaller ships and outstanding service. 10% FCC for 1 day's scenery on a 29-day cruise is fair if not more than fair. That time is about 3% only!

I think -- as BennyBear suggests -- you did cruise Alaska's inside passage. I have cruised inside Vancouver Island twice (well really three times, one was north and then south) and saw NO marine wildlife; it is narrow and shallow! Lots of trees is what you see there. You did cruise one of the best places to see marine wildlife, and that is around Sitka. I also cruised outside Vancouver on the way to Victoria to Seattle, as that is the common route. I think the captain was magnanimous in shouldering the blame, when the person who first pencil'ed the ship going east of Vancouver Island and then to Victoria was probably at fault! I'm with the majority here, that 10% is more than fair when the contract gives the cruiseline all of the leeway to change route. At least you did see Alaska! Sitka is much more "authentic" Alaska than Juneau (where next year's itinerary goes, before ending in Vancouver).

You are correct, it was my PCC who connected me to the Pricing Specialist (that was the precise title used). I forget the first issue, but while I was on the phone I mentioned having so much OBC on a future cruise, which she didn't see -- whereupon I realized and mentioned that I had added in the AARP credits that I had not at that time applied for, and she said, I can add them now! I find working with my PCC no harder than ever, which is easy. I email her with a question or desire, and she calls me when she has time to spend with me, and after she has done any research. PS I am nominally a senior as well!

There isn't, but you may need to request a Pricing Specialist to get additional (after one) Manually Approved.

You did pay for it, and HAL passed the fee on to a third-party insurer. When you upgraded your cabin, the amount due to keep the protection also increased. At this point you should pay the increase and keep the CPPP! At least you have something to show for it (CFAR protection and some medical on the cruise). You shouldn't have bought the CPPP until just before penalties began, which is immediately for non-refundable-deposit cruises, Final Payment for most refundable deposit cruises, and about a month before FP for some longer cruises.

The OVs on the Lower Promenade Deck 3 in Category D (mid-ship between the Attrium and middle elevator or so) have updated bathrooms with glass showers instead of tub-and-shower with curtains. You are only steps from the biggest balcony on the ship! the actual promenade. I think I would choose a port location as I do not know what they are using the Wajang Theatre, overhead on the starboard side, for these days!

I side with those above who say, let the ship do your laundry. Take easy-care fabrics (those that will not shrink). Please whatever you do, do not spend your few hours in Barcelona searching out a launderette! Even if one existed, you need to experience something of the city -- walk Las Ramblas, find a Gaudi building, have a glass of sangria and some tapas. I have sailed with RCCL one cruise only. At about the half-way point, they offered a "buy-the-bag" special. The bag was pretty small and tear-able paper, and the contents were restricted to underclothes incl. socks and nightwear. Maybe tee-shirts, but nothing that would need pressing or hanging. That doesn't mean I wouldn't send individual items out, marked "Warm wash & dry", having chosen my garments well.

My practice is to put "possible" garments (on hangers) on a portable clothing rack in the bedroom. Arrange by priority. The cats do not recognize this as packing as the rack is often out for laundry, etc. One day before leaving home, get out the carry-on-sized suitcases. The cats are now onto the impending travel and can be expected to go psychotic or climb in the cases, or both. Pack spare shoes against the wheelie end; trousers in the base; and selected tops ON THE HANGERS on top of them (in groups of four, two each per bottoms). Tuck smalls around the corners. Lay a jacket or cardigan across the top; zip up. Comfort kitties. Try to get some rest.

Not currently cruising, but have done three HAL Alaska cruises: 7-day NB, 7-day R/T Vancouver, and 14-day R/T Seattle. The long one was the best; R/T Vancouver would be even better! because of the Inside Passage, very scenic for first and last days.

The Navigator is really intended for onboard usage. Have read the "smart casual" will update when you board and that Dressy night frequency is as previous.

You are correct -- the bag is quite enormous, easily a weekender all by itself. It is currently packed with a month's worth of crafting and other non-essential "third bag because we are driving" items! I subsequently bought this smaller bag (which is heavier than you might like due to its organization abilities). Again with the crazy big picture! It is about 16" tall. I would pack a simple stuffable daypack for excursions.

The offer is perfectly clear that the benefit is per stateroom. (As I think you know!) I suspect there was some other OBC in the mix, as HAL does not make it clear where OBC is coming from on pax documentation. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/cruise-deals/community-appreciation-cruise-offers/aarp-member-benefit-offer

I feel sure you can do it Lois! The freedom of carry-on-only wins over "options"!

Haven't sailed with Celebrity, but with HAL, the "insurance" is carried by a third-party and any money down (must pay before penalties begin to be levied and the cost is paid outright on the spot) is gone to them.

Ruining climate control for the whole sector of rooms...

We bought 100 shares of CarnivalCL at about its highest (last week of December, 2019). My husband was retiring, and we had six cruises booked on HAL and Princess... None of which happened. Plus the stock price plummetted, and we didn't cruise for three years. But HAL is still our favorite line and we hope to someday recoup our losses!

Oh, that's true -- after walking by the crowd of people with pagers waiting for the MDR on the first night, we simply didn't try again! Well, we called for a reservation on the night of Lamb Shanks, but the only opening was very late and at a large table... so I agree, there is a problem with MDR. We were avoiding contagion and only went to the BBC programs, and Lincoln Centre Stage was still on board. We always found seats at distance from others in the Lido, and usually a 2-top in the shade on the deck for Dive-In burgers. The Crows Nest hadn't been chopped up, either, and I am holding out opinion for the next Pinnacle ship. The Grand Dutch Cafe and Tamarind were other favorites. When we travelled with family, the Zaandam and Volendam were fine; usually able to find one another. But it was just the two of us on the full K'dam over NYE 22-23 (also our anniversary), and we were our own company.

The Pinnacle Class including the K'dam, are not "new monsters". We did a 16-day B2B and promptly booked (and subsequently re-booked) a 35-day on the Koningsdam. She has the perfect selection of venues so that rarely does anyplace seem crowded.

I stand corrected! I thought the Disneys were mega-ships.

Try to get a balcony room (Verandah in HAL terminology) near midships if on the Koningsdam. You may still have occasion to walk the length of the ship, say from the Crows Nest to the Main Dining Room, but most treks will be only half the length or less! The K'dam is one of three of HAL's largest ships, but still smaller than I believe ANY Disney ship. She has added venues over the smaller HAL ships. I say go in September and then go back in June for the long hours of daylight!