afdds

15 minutes ago, JohnnyPS said:

There must be some sort of system issues on the Holand America side.  I have been trying to log on via my app on iPhone this morning and keep getting the message "There was an error with login, please try again. (04ED30C2)"  I have been able to log on to my account on a PC however.

Oh thank you, I’ll try again tomorrow and see if it clears up.  If not, I’ll do as others have said and call or try from my computer instead of my phone and the app

You would think that because your first interaction with Holland America is either online or the app, that they would both be stellar.  Not the case.  Booked our cruise online and it was like pulling teeth.  I’ve had nothing but problems with the app Navigator. I can’t figure out how to remove a cancelled cruise on the app.  I want the future cruise 2024 to show up.  I’m not sure what happened but today it’s making me register again and I can’t even get that right. I give up! 

9 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

 

I was responding with the picture to @afdds who was talking about #7125 which is down the hall a bit from the elevator/stair lobby.

 

It really wasn't noisy near the elevators on Rotterdam where I was last.

 

~Nancy

Thank you Nancy for the reply. We were originally booked with an inside cabin on the Eurodam and they we decided to switch to Kogingsdam. Also decided to go for the balcony.  Glad to know noise won’t be an issue 

On 7/29/2023 at 7:20 PM, Crew News said:

You are correct on jeans, sport pants, and capri pants are acceptable in the MDR.  On Gala Nights, the MDR rquires a collared shirt and slacks for males.

 

No shorts in the Pinnacle Grill but almost all other casual clothing is acceptable.  Many wear sport jackets but are not required.

 

Here is a link to your MDR menus:  Alaska 7-Day MDR Menus

Wow thank you so much for the MDR file . Everything looks yummy!  I didn’t realize that you could pay extra for certain items.   This may seem silly, but what month should I check back for Kogingsdam Alaska 2024?  I’m just a little excited! Thanks again for the great information.

On 8/6/2023 at 10:12 PM, PrincessBelle39 said:

Hi Everyone

We've just booked our first HAL cruise, having previously cruised on Disney and more so, Royal Caribbean.  So I know over the next ten months I'm going to have a tonne of questions.

Firstly, we booked cabin 7140 which opens directly onto the stairs and elevators.  7182 is also available and about the 2nd or 3rd last cabin on the port side. Just wondering if we would be better off changing.  Has anyone had one of these cabins that opens to the stairs and found an issue with too much noise?  I'm probably overthinking but I am a bit of a planner and love to go over every detail.

We are on an Alaskan cruise leaving Vancouver on 1 June visiting Juneau, Skagway, Ketchican and Glacier Bay.

 

Hi, I just booked 7125 which is just around the corner from the stairwell. I was wondering about the noise level also.  However, I figured it’s an easy two floor climb for morning coffee and downhill to the dining room. Following…

4 hours ago, psuboater said:

I've taken this route and have loved it. Are you trying to take the train same day as when you're leaving however? I'd leave at least an overnight from taking the train to boarding the cruise. They're usually reliable and on time, but that route is prone to mudslides in the fall/spring. 
 

Otherwise, it's a relaxing way to get between the two cities, with a lot of the route right on the water. 

I’m thinking fly in early to Seattle , take the train that afternoon and spend two nights in Vancouver.  For some reason , I’m just not comfortable doing only an overnight.  Never know what might happen.  On the other hand hotels are crazy expensive in Vancouver compared to Galveston , Tx

Wow thank you for sharing!  Looks like the perfect day!

Hi everyone, We booked Kogingsdam from Vancouver in 2024.  I would like to use my Southwest airline Companion pass into Seattle.  Has anyone taken the Amtrak Cascades into Vancouver?  Or would it be better to take a Canadian Airline flight?  I don’t mind the time on the train. Just thought the scenery might be nice. 

Is smoking on your balcony permitted?

22 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Congrats on your selection and welcome to HAL!

 

 

Wow what a great review!    I've bookmarked so I can watch it several times before next July.  Thank you for taking the time to do this for everyone, 

20 hours ago, RuthC said:

Don't be so sure. 
I have no idea what logic (if any) HAL uses to assign check-in times, but as a cave dweller myself, I have not had a late check-in time. 

If you plan to get there some time after noon-ish, or a bit after, then you should not have a long wait. 

I love it!  "Cave Dweller".  I sure hope it will be a nice enough space.  We have only done inside once before.  I will need to return a car rental so I'm guessing not too much before noon.  Do you know if we board after the MD closes, can we get anything to eat before dinner time?    I'm also guessing that the buffet area is open all the time.  Thanks

16 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Hey @afdds as @RuthC said, no need for you to babysit your booking for a check-in time or boarding group  - both are automatic and will be at the top of your boarding pass in the Navigator App.

Also, once you are on board, you're welcome to go drop off your carry-on bags in your cabin whether it's ready or not. You are then free to go explore the ship and eat lunch. No need to camp out anywhere waiting for your cabin, like they do on some other cruise lines. 

Thank you so much.  That is great news about HAL not locking the hallway doors until all cabins are ready.  That makes "carry on" so much easier.  Just out of curiosity , is this a HAL ship or another line.  Because this happens all the time on RC and Carnival.

On 7/7/2023 at 9:11 PM, SuzWillCruise said:

On our cruise two weeks ago we had fixed early and were in the upper. (We were at a table for two surrounded by large tables, some of which had small children who weren’t really ready for prime time yet.  It was not what we really wanted to celebrate our anniversary. I think we need to pick a non “school is out” date to celebrate in the future!)

Oh No, That is awful.  Our next cruise is July 2024 for our 39th anniversary.  My husband is retired so we usually cruise in May.  However, with Alaska and our anniversary, I picked July.    Non school out is usually our go too also.

2 minutes ago, RuthC said:

HAL assigns times. Several times before they settle on one for any given passenger, as a matter of fact. No need to stay up past your bedtime (or come in early from a night on the town) to get a request in. 

In most embarkation ports (San Diego being a rigid exception), you can come earlier than your assigned check-in time (which it really is, rather than a 'boarding' time), and will not be held back. 
Be aware that there are several categories of passengers who have priority to board, so there will be more crowds earlier. 

Thank you Ruth,  that was the explanation I was looking for.  Carnival will turn you away or so they say if you arrive earlier than you are assigned to.  At least that is the case with the door monitor in Galveston.   LOL I'm sure I will get a late time because we have an inside cabin.  I don't sleep every well and need it  to be pitch black.  Also, I figured we would be up on deck most of the time. We always book the balcony category but never use it.  Our last cruise was in May on the Allure of the Seas and I swear I didn't sit in the chair at all.  I stood outside for 5 min or so, but that was it.   Well, at least this time around I don't have to get up and run to the computer.  I'll let HAL do all the work for me.   Thanks for answering.

On 7/7/2023 at 9:05 PM, SuzWillCruise said:

 On Carnival we like the Spirit class best for the same reason. I don’t need a shopping mall or go karts on my cruises!

I took advantage of the $1.00 deposit day and booked the Eurodam for July 2024.  We also don't need shopping malls or go karts.  Just beautiful ports and cooking anything that doesn't involve me!   I'm on vacation!  

I looked on July 11th and the only Alaska cruise was in April/May.  Nothing else was released for $1.00. I was able to select a July 2024!   Would have also liked to book one for 2025 but didn't happen. 

19 hours ago, jeh10641 said:

My last cruise on Rotterdam, my boarding time changed several times but it was not a problem to board earlier (Port Everglades). As a heads up, Princess (or Norwegian) today announced NO BOARDING times beginning Aug. 1, 2023. These things can change like a tidal wave.

 

Jim

wow, maybe I'm waisting my time searching for an answer to a question I have.   We have never cruised with HAL.  With other cruise lines, as soon as they release your docs , you sign up for a boarding time. If they release the docs at midnight, you better be online at midnight to get an early time.   Looking for information on HAL and the way that you get your boarding time.  Is it assigned or do you select?  Thanks for the help.  

Would any local or maybe a local travel agent have an idea of when The Edgewater opens its books for July 2024?    I've booked my cruise, and I'm excited to stay at the Edgewater.  However it seems blacked out from June 2024 and beyond. Thanks for all your help.   Reading anything on the boards about  Seattle  right now.

15 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Agree you see more on the one way itineraries; however, every RT Seattle Inside passage cruise we do always includes Glacier Bay. We most recently did it this year April 29 - May 6 Eurodam. 

Thank you guys for all the help.  We decided to do the Seattle RD trip because I'm hoping to get the SW companion pass into Seattle.  Also if we enjoy the cruise, next time I want to book the one way with extra few days in the interior of Alaska.  HAL has so many different ones.  Booked on the Eurodam in July 20204

New to HAL. Never been to Alaska.  Trying to make some Alaska decisions. Pros and Cons of Vancouver vs Seattle Round trip?   We are from Texas, so I’m assuming flying into Seattle would be cheaper.  Has anyone taken the Amtrak from Seattle to Vancouver?   If you fly into Vancouver, what airline did you use.  Not really interested in having HAL book our airfare. Thanks for the help.

Wow what can I say.  I jumped back on CC to find more information about the Kongsingdam and Alaska, and I found you!  No it was NOT boring. Thank you for posting.  We have never sailed with HAL before or been to Alaska.  Soaking up information like a sponge. Couple of quick questions. 1. You talked about going through customs or immigration at boarding time.  Is this different because you start in Vancouver vs Seattle?  Going back and forth between a Seattle vs Vancouver Round trip.  2. What is this orange room or club, is it a speciality dining room?    3. Question about renting the car.   We have cruised many times and we have always booked our excursions not booked through the ship.  For some reason, I’m sure it’s just the unknown, but I’m more worried about doing this on our own.  Making it back to port in time.  Don’t want to be running down the pier.  Anyway, did you feel totally comfortable driving to the lake and back.  Would love to do more interior site seeing.  No desire for shop at Diamonds International!  Thank you once again for your great review.
 

Sorry this will be my first booking with HAL.  Are you guys saying next week there will be deposits of only $1.00?  We want to book a July 2024 cruise.  
Our anniversary is in a few days, so our 2023 gift will be the booking and 2024 gift will be the cruise.  Win win!   I just haven’t pulled the trigger yet.

5 hours ago, llarsen said:

Hi, Glad to hear you had a good experience there. Did you by chance dock in Mahogany? If so, is it a very long walk to the gates, then down to where drivers are waiting? Did you also do the Sloths add on?

I'm just hoping it's sunny and warm and not raining that day in port. Thanks! 

We have always docked at Mahogany ,  it was a walk but I’m not in the best of shape and it’s nothing worth worrying about.  Once outside the gate , it’s easy to spot their shirts. They will group a few couples together and you might have to wait a few minutes for others.  Last time it was rainy or had rained that morning,  I stepped right in a road pot hole and was covered in mud.  Didn’t ruin my day, because I knew were I was going!  We did not add on the sloths.  So much to see and do   Remember it might rain, but the sun always comes out!  Have fun!

5 hours ago, llarsen said:

 

Please post your experience if you contact Larissa and visit Little French Key Resort.

I will also post after we visit next month.

TripAdvisor also has recent reviews.

 

 Following , Can’t wait to hear what you experienced.  We love the port stop and it’s all because of Little French Key Resort.  We have been back many times.  Pick up is easy, and they will make sure you leave in plenty of time to get back on board.  We have not been back since Covid and can’t wait for our return visit in May.   Just want to add that I also agree with other replies , that we would not miss all the exotic animals.   Location, Location, Location … the place is heavenly.

We purchased the unlimited dining so we don’t have to pick.  No main dining room for us this trip.   You will love whatever you decide on.