crystalspin

Welcome to Cruise Critic! While I have never sailed in a suite (only up to mini-suite) NOR even an aft balcony, many on CC rave about them, including our professional photographer, @Crew News. Specifically for Alaska! This would be a balcony that looks out over the wake, not just a suite somewhat aft on the deck plan.

If you are a member of Cruise Deck Plans, the new platform includes (under "more" once you are on the particular ship's page): "Live Cruise Ship Tracking - SHIP'S NAME HERE "This map uses AIS (automatic tracking system). The transceivers on ships is used to report location live. However the ships are not always within range to a station that can pick up the signal."

The Premium plan is for one device at a time. The Multi Device is for however many devices it is for, at the same time. Even if it is only for 2 devices at once, it is a better deal!

Hi Merri! I have heard (but not experienced yet) that it takes an extra day for the hang-dry laundry to be returned. Now that we are 4* I will see! The tip, as all tips, are up to your discretion.

Here is a very recent (September) Sommelier Suite report: https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Sommelir-Suite-2023.pdf

Oh, I bet you are right!

I wonder how that is going to work with the 10-day Canaletto specials that Roger posted elsewhere. I suppose I can always try to switch if Scallops end up on a Chops night!

It never occurred to me to leave contact info for private excursions in Alaska, South America, Italy, Croatia. But -- my cell phone carrier is T-Mobile and HAL has the number.

Bruce, I don't think she meant Atl-Pac/Pac-Atl, but "direction" in the sense of advice!

We totally enjoyed our one RCCL cruise (well, not so much the lunch buffet, but we developed our own routine of breakfast, coffee-hour "brunch", and an early dinner). Strangely, though, Royal never picked up with e-mailing me so we haven't cruised again with them. Anyway, if it's like it was in 2018, RCCL practices Dynamic Pricing with the price of almost everything varying day to day or even within the day! I booked the cruise on line, myself [refundable], and rebooked multiple times until I had obtained everything we wanted (beverage package, wifi, on top of the cabin) at the lowest price I could imagine, when I finally said ENOUGH watching throughout my day! You may want to browse and post to the RCI "board" to get a feel for the culture and learn from repeat cruisers. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/51-royal-caribbean-international/

I hadn't thought of it that way, but our B2B out of San Diego last New Year's, put us in the four or actually FIVE classes of HAL ships -- as we sailed twice on the former Statendam (S Class).

WOW -- I understood even pre-pandemic that officers were forbidden to attend and risk infection with any and every thing. So I stopped with the invites. Will re-think this!

Or you can use the Find a Cruise app at the top of any Cruise Critic page and get most or all listings. If you mean US to Europe transAtlantics, here is a sample search: https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/cruiseitineraries.cfm?port=105&startDate=2025-04-01&endDate=2025-06-30 Too many cruiselines for me to remember! If you want to fly to Europe and cruise "back home", here is an autumnal search: https://www.cruisecritic.com/cruiseto/cruiseitineraries.cfm?port=105&startDate=2025-09-01&endDate=2025-12-31 You can modify dates or add embarkation/disembark ports, etc.

What HAL ship are you looking at? It's true No Club Orange, but the space and location benefits do vary by "class" of ship.

Gloria, It is not always obvious that your deposit is non-refundable. With HAL and Princess, I rely on my PCC/PVP -- I was so used to their alerting me, that I inadvertantly booked a non-refundable deposit FOR FIVE PEOPLE on Carnival and the Carnival Cruise Consultant did not alert me, resulting in a loss of $1000. Therefore you need to ask whoever you are booking through. (I think that would work even if it was "just" a cruiseline operator on the phone -- but not if you are doing it on line!) As far as HAL Platinum Cancellation Protection, it should cover your deposit whether refundable or not. BUT, you will only get 90% back and nothing of what you paid for the PCP. AND your rebooked cruise will be under whatever are the current conditions i.e. price and perks. And of course, your rebooking would not have the PCP unless you purchased it again. So do the math. As far as ins and outs of cruising, most of us recommend and try to follow -- only booking refundable deposits, and waiting until shortly before Final Payment Date (or Penalty Date for longer cruises) to buy the Cancellation Protection (because its price is not covered). Also, since we're on the HAL board, I can point out that there is a fare between the Basic (non-refundable) and the Have-It-All (refundable) shown on line. It is called the Advantage Fare and is refundable but without any of the perks included with HIA. You have to call (or ask your PCC) to find out that fare.

They seem to be. They weigh about as much as the IT-luggage rollaboards (which are very light), but that makes some sort of sense as the weight is all in the wheels and handles. That weight is just over 5 pounds each, I believe. I'm keen to try them out, maybe on the road-trip to California preceeding our 35-day South Pacific cruise. (But not the actual cruise! That's too little even for me!)

Just realized how hidden the new bags are in the above pic. Here they are only the left one is in the navy blue color!

Not Mrs Ldubs, but I recently bought two 16" underseat bags from Amazon. https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BRMYWB4B? and https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0C6KMKGQ1? which are really the same bag with different outside pockets. The towing handle is super long to make up for the 16" height! We haven't had a chance to use them, but they seem very use-able! Here they are with our personal items (also new) and our well-used roll-aboards, plus a 24-25" checkable spinner.

It seems that the cruiseline (and NCL-fans) use the excuse that those are small and old ships and that 'we' should sail the big new Norwegian ships to change our minds. But I feel strongly that if a line can't maintain its older ships, AND the morale of their crews (which was also sadly lacking) -- why should I give them another chance? We had a fine time on RCCL's older small ship the Rhapsody OTS, as well as the two oldest ships that HAL still floats, so I know it can be done.

I always remind my PCC that we do not want to be upgraded, and she always says, "I knew that!"

If you like the location of a cabin that is available on both 'legs' but not the combined cruise, a PCC can "call Inventory" and get them released to book as one. Assume a TA could do the same but cannot speak from experience. I did not get the higher OBC on a 9-day plus 7-day B2B that was not bookable as one cruise.

Oh I hadn't thought of that -- Norwegian Star: the same as your N.Gem! My husband was wowed by the HAL Nieuw Amsterdam when she was first launched. Now we like the newest HAL class, namely the Koningsdam. But not sure "amazing" is the right word. Welcoming and comfortable, yes.

She got Star-Link.

Here are the symbols of what the two internet levels cover. I think you only need Surf for Whatsapp (symbol is telephone handset, right?). Note the three things not allowed on either plan, at the bottom. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/onboard-packages/cruise-ship-wifi.html

You have two potential Roll Calls (the long one should have been broken down to its components per Cruise Critic protocol, but slipped by). https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2913162-march-30-april-27-2024-hal-westerdam-28-day-japan-explorer-discovery-collector/#comment-64772774 and https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2912998-march-30-april-13-2024-westerdam-japan-explorer-14-days/#comment-64769163 Sodas and "squeezed" juice cost at all meals, I believe. There are juice-beverages at breakfast. I don't partake so anybody is welcome to correct me.