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Dobermangal

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Posts posted by Dobermangal

    Cell phone service onboard?

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    The last 2 Alaska seasons when I've switched my phone on during the sailing days up and down the BC coast on HAL ships on the 7 day r/t Vancouver run I have either

     

    1. Picked up no cell signal at all or

     

    2. Been able to pick up a TELUS signal, which is a Canadian carrier, this was when the ship was near small coastal towns (watch the ship nav. channel!) or when we were between the mainland and Vancouver Island.

     

    I have not seen Cellular at Sea picked up by my phone on an Alaska HAL trip yet but I may just have been lucky. I always switch to airplane mode when I'm not actively using my phone.

    Princess Transfers

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted · Edited by Dobermangal

    If you provide princess with your flight info in the personalizer, it should recognize that you've got a transfer booked and assign you the appropriate disembarkation group automatically, or you will provide them that info on board when you get a questionnaire about your return home plans.

     

    You will get a disembarkation package delivered to your stateroom with colored luggage tags and all the information on where your group will meet to wait to be called to leave the ship.

     

    There will be people and signs to direct you to the transfer busses after you clear customs, just be sure that you have your airport terminal number handy once you get to the busses so they can direct you to the right one easily. They will ask for your vouchers that were delivered to your cabin as you board the bus.

     

    I knew I kept a copy of the disembarkation info for a reason! It is well organized and works well for us.

     

     

     

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    Seeking Advice

    in Princess Cruises

    Posted · Edited by Dobermangal

    We recently sailed on the Star after years of exclusively HAL cruises (we are just shy of 4 stars.) Enjoyed it so much that we bought FCCs on day 2.

     

    Loved the way that seats were always readily available in the buffet seating area, and found the crowd control in the buffet itself lent to a much more pleasant experience than we had experienced before. Really good flow or something.

     

    So much so that on our next Princess cruise we will be fine with doing anytime dining...we try avoid the Lido on HAL with the exception of port days.

     

    Enjoyed the pub lunch on sea day. Didn't try any surcharge restaurants, that's for next trip.

     

    Hours for the buffet and offerings/stations available there throughout the entire day are much more generous than on HAL as well.

     

    Star never seemed crowded on sea days, or actually ever.

     

    Skywalkers was a great place for enjoying scenic sailing into ports and again, we were always able to get good seats!

     

    2 gangways in ports made getting off shortly after arrival easy. (Don't know if HAL does this on their bigger ships, we've only sailed on the R and Vista classes)

     

    Loved the International Cafe (24 hours!) and found it located very conveniently. Great specialty coffees and I am so glad I bought a coffee card because of this board.

     

    I actually preferred the burgers on Princess to the Dive In and the poolside pizza is so much better on Princess. Again, minimal waits for service here, no buzzers!

     

    Amount of "mail" from the shops and art auctions is about equal. Appreciated the self serve "print your onboard statement kiosks". Organization of disembarkation was great.

     

    Used the free "princess at sea" on my phone to double check show locations and times quite a bit. Neat.

     

    Oh and we really liked the closet vs bathroom setup in our standard balcony room, lots of long hanging and storage space and one person can be looking for something to wear and not get hit by the other with bathroom door!

     

    Star was clean, crew were pleasant and we are looking to sail on her again as soon as we can.

     

    Of course we will still sail HAL. Pluses in different areas for both (I prefer the MDR experience overall on HAL) but an equally enjoyable vacation.

     

    I think that's about all I can think of for now. Oh and muster inside, in the lounges. In chairs! That's a big plus for Princess. Makes waiting out the inevitable crowds at the elevators after a lot nicer too.

     

     

     

     

     

     

    Sent from my iPhone

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