Gigi1977

They won’t be there that late but there will likely be a letter for you at the front desk.  Ask for it.   They will be in the lobby the next morning to get you on your transfer to the ship.   
 

I’m assuming that you prebooked everything through the cruise line - hotel, transfers etc. 

4 hours ago, IslandThyme said:

It's sounding like there's no industry standard, judging from replies ranging from "won't sail without it" to "really they might not do anything at all." 

You should research your ‘person’.  Ours is truly a conceirge onboard and more.  

1 hour ago, Iamthesea said:

What was corrected?  Is the bathroom wider, or the toilet straighter?  Seems that the photos of the N. Statendam still show the toilet at an angle.  I am tall and my knees touched the bathtub edge on the Noordam.

 

Update:  I just found a good video of a stateroom bathroom on the N. Statendam.  Look at minute 14:40 -14:42.  Thanks weix for pointing out that opening the shower door helps!

I am really not sure…. But I do know we have been on all three ships multiple times with no issues on N Statendam or Rotterdam.  Me being 5’ 4 - I had no issues on any of the ships except listening to him complain on Koningsdam 🤣

Club Orange menus are identical to MDR menu each night but have one additional CO item.  Sometimes I like it and sometimes I don’t.  Personal preferences.  
 

Pinnacle Grill is open for lunch on sea days as is the MDR. Reservation required at PG.  Neither MDR or PG open in port days.  On our cruises thus far Tamarind,  Sel de  Mer nor Canaletto were open for lunch.   (Wish they would) 
 

Port Day lunch options: Lido, Dive In, Dutch Cafe, New York Pizza. 

Dutch Cafe is open for breakfast, lunch dinner but menu is very limited.  Their grill cheese and quiche is to die far.  I don’t care for pea soup.  I like to get coffe here before heading for breakfast in MDR or CO.  
 

We love Sunday Brunch, which is only offered on long cruises, in the MDR or CO.  Our next cruise, we have reservations for Easter Brunch in PG as we did last year on Ms Eurodam.  Check on reservations if you are going to be onboard Easter.  
 

Our favorite specialty restaurant is Tamarind -  again, personal preferences and it is not available on all ships.  
 

Rudi’s Sel de Mer serves delicious seafood - but again, not available on all ships.  

Canaletto serves Italian food and has a specialty each night.  Hubby loves Sunday night Veal Parmigiana so we go on Sunday evening.  
 

I suggest that you try all to find which you prefer.  

They definitely are angled toward shower doors.  My hubby had issues with knees. Thankfully they corrected it on the 2 sister ships, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam.  

1 minute ago, SilvertoGold said:

HAL requires testing for Australia and NZ, too.  Home test is acceptable and certainly easy to do.

We sail this week from NZ to Australia and are doing the ‘home’ tests which seems the easiest.   
 

I would check on the HAL site and see what is acceptable for Japan.  The home test we have to do does not have to be medically observed but we have done the emed test which fits that requirement.  If Japan requires the medically observed test, I would opt for emed. 

I replied last night…. Guess it got deleted because I did a no no and mentioned host.
 

We have cruised 26 times.  Twenty five no host and then 26 - We had an excellent experience in February and because of that we booked 3 additional hosted voyages.  
 

The pricing was better, benefits were wow! And every attention to detail was spot on.   Our person is very knowledgeable regarding HAL and many other cruise lines.   He makes it happen. I won’t go with anyone else.  
 

Incredible excursions, turn down gifts, surprises at every turn.
 

I got sick. Met me in medical after hours, made sure I had comfort foods and checked on me after I got home.   He is the best of the best.  
 

No idea - but HAL is significantly nicer than any Carnival (imo) so you get what you pay for….. and Rotterdam is HAL’s newest ship.  

52 minutes ago, vjblk said:

Anyone else having issues with their HAL account?  I just logged in and have 0 credits(I'm a 3 star mariner) and my July cruise is gone. Also my  profile info is incomplete. Hope it's a glitch.

I will be 5 star on my next cruise next week and I currently have 0 credits AND I have 6 future cruises and 23 past cruises but according to HAL - zip!  I really hate when they do maintenance when I’m leaving in a couple of days and can’t get to docs.  

14 minutes ago, oakridger said:

Yes, space, large bathroom (two sinks and tub plus separate shower), and lots of storage are the reasons I book Signature Suites when I can.  For the extra money you also get two Mariner points per day rather than just one for lower-level cabins.

 

I love the SS on Vista and Signature class ships but looking at the layout of them on Pinnacle Class ships, I wouldn't book one.  

 

If they had more perks before I first cruised in them in 2012 then I'm not aware of them.  Anyone else know?

 

~Nancy

I think it’s just the extra space as you stated.   The only caveat I would add is that I don’t believe you get the additional cruise credit days on an upsell. . . Could be wrong but think you have to have originally booked a ‘suite’ to get that credit.  

We had a large balcony and were sailing with friends...  We requested extra seating...and  got two folding chairs  😏

I got that notice last night. . . But my payment date was earlier and I’ve already paid in full. 🤷🏻‍♀️   Crazy.  

Have had this happen.  The credit gets lifted and returned to your account as a FCC.  Mine has been applied to a cruise, lifted and applied to another cruise.  I suspect the January 6 cruise will be cancelled and if it is, it will once again be lifted so I can apply to to another cruise.  My PCC is very good of keeping tract but I also keep my own records.  

1 hour ago, Vict0riann said:

I discussed this promo with our PCC regarding our TA next November.  She advised not to do it, as she said we would then be locked in, price-wise, and if there was a reduction in price before the final payment date, she would not be able to get it for us.  I had not thought of that, so instead we went for the "Pay $750, get $250 in OBC" promo.  

This is what we did as well.  I watch pricing and frequently reprice.  The $750. with $250 was the best offer for us and took advantage of it on 2 of our booked cruises. 

All of our prebooked items including dining, excursions, and indulgences have been included in the dollar amount when they calculate spending towards extra mariner days if that’s what you are referring to. . .   
 

Your Pinnacle Grill reservations will be in your stateroom when you board and they usually ask you to call and confirm the chooses time.  

I would be willing to try one!   It’s been a long time since we got any mail from HAL. .And NEVER had that kind of offer!   I’d certainly book!   

Mine is totally messed up.  I had 2 FCC and now I have one and have NO idea what It/they were for as they match none of my figures.   Waiting for 2 to be lifted from November Hawaii Cruise that were  from Japan and Alaska and wondering what they will do with the OBC that was associated with those.… and if it will just ‘disappear’.  So many, many question with no answers.   I feel bad bothering my PCC as he doesn’t know answers and feels bad because he doesn’t know.    
 

I'm keeping paper copies of everything- bookings, emails etc. and would hope that others are doing the same.   Hopefully all of this will be resolved soon but not holding my breath.  

I booked ‘round trip’ on flight ease.  DFW to Sydney Australia. After trans pacific  20 + days later Seattle to DFW but have no experience at making 2 different bookings.  Not sure you can.  You may have to go back in and book as round trip from different points.  Others maybe able to help.   .  .

21 minutes ago, seniorladycruiser said:

Hello,

 

I have been looking at a cruse on the Nieuw Statendam for next spring and I am a bit puzzled.  What is the difference between a veranda cabin and a vista suite.  I see that the veranda has the living area next to the patio and the VS has the bed next to it.  Really would like to know what is different before I book.  

 

Also if anyone has stayed in a VS what are your thoughts.

 

Thanks

 

We have sailed inVista Suites and Verandas on this class ship and there is not much  - if any difference in space.  They do have different configurations as you noted.  The bed is by the balcony  in the VS and the sofa/desk is by balcony inVeranda.  We prefer the Veranda configuration others prefer the VS.   

The BIG difference in the two categories (other than cost) is that you get double sail days towards mariner status in the Vista Suite.  So, if you are close to moving up, you might want to pay the extra to attain that status quicker. 

We did sail in a VS on Koningsdam on Deck 8 - Never again.  The balcony was not covered and visible from the Lido and we heard rolling noises from the Lido early every single morning.  

Right there with you.  Still waiting on FCC from 2 cruises.  Have my port taxes refunded etc but these FCC just seemingly can’t get ‘built’ or rather ‘rebuilt’. 

Yes.  We applied our FCC from an April Japan cruise to a November Hawaii cruise that we had already booked.   Now the November Hawaii cruise has been cancelled and we are waiting for the FCC to be lifted and applied to an April 2021 cruise that we already have booked.  They just show up as a line credit on your booking.  My PCC said it would take about 30 days to lift and move the credits.  He also said the Hawaii cruise would remain in my portfolio until the credits were lifted. 

Our November 2020 Hawaii cruise is still showing up in our bookings even though it was cancelled by HAL.  My PCC said it will until my FCC have been lifted and ‘rebuilt’.  

16 hours ago, kangforpres said:

Oh, thanks for telling us the right date Gigi1977, I might be able to go!

 

Looks like a great offer.  I think you should book it! 

It’s November 2021.  Not 2020

We have used it frequently and never had a price jump.  It will be confirmed when you make final payment.  And better, should your cruise be cancelled, you have no worries about flights.  If you buy Platinum Plan through HAL your flight is covered should you need to cancel.