Mocha57

Guarantees are based on HAL's view of what is "better". This does not necessarily translate well to the pax sometimes, as has happened with you unfortunately.

 

A VA is certainly a "higher" category than a VE (not vertically but "better").

 

A lot has to do with how mid-ship the cabin is and what is above and below.

 

I hope you won't let this assignment impact your cruise. Next time, could you consider booking a specific cabin?

 

Personally, I find this cabin in a great location. For me, close to the things I want. No long hallway to negotiate, close to the stairs, close to the MDR (important!), close to the Explorer's Lounge, close to the walk-around deck and more aft which I like a lot better than forward.

Update to my "Cabin Assignment" question --

Thank you for your input. I have spoken with a PCC at HAL and was told that the cabin assigned was considered an upgrade (I am assuming from what was left of the VE cabins) because of midship location and "full ocean view", and it was slightly larger. Found some pictures posted from that cabin and not that impressed with the view - limited fore and aft and mechanical lifeboat lifting equipment blocking waterline view. Our other choice at this point was a verandah on deck 5 above the lifeboats. We opted for that if we can be moved. It will give us full panoramic view.

I guess it is all a matter of personal preference. I don't mind having to walk quite a way to the different areas - good way to burn off all that wonderful and plentiful food! I will give up locale for view any day. And we have never had problems with motion of the ocean.

Good thing we all have our differences!

Again thanks for your input and insight. Greatly appreciated. And yes, next time I will at least ask about limiting the choice to a deck (love the Rotterdam deck) with request for no upgrades. And no, I won't let it spoil my cruise.

Mocha

Thanks Krazy Kruizers and Cruzin.

 

I've had a few minutes this morning to look at the deck plans on HAL and I think I'm going to put the deposit on the trip. So excited! I'm booking cabin 6117 which is on the "curve" of the ship. DH gets motion sick so we usually go for a mid ship cabin but this one doesn't really look too far aft that it will make a difference. And from what I've read, it's a bit larger than other SS due to the configuration.

 

The only downside to HAL vs NCL is that smoking is allowed on balconies but I figure if we get a smoker on either side of us and it bothers me, I'll just go up on deck more rather than use our balcony. There are always ways to get around the negatives!

 

Now, on to the real planning. Looking forward to reading more info from everyone.

Fourcruisin,

I can't compare HAL vs NCL, as I have only sailed on HAL Westerdam (twice) and Oosterdam (once). And we will be back on the Westerdam this fall. What I CAN tell you is that we keep coming back to the HAL ships because (and I am quoting what they say on their recorded message when you call in) "We want to give you the experience of a lifetime every time." The staff all treat you like a combination of royalty and your best friend. The ship is beautifully decorated with artwork everywhere. The entertainment is classy. (OK it can get a little loud and rowdy at the piano bar sing alongs!) HAL gives me the same feeling I get in my favorite robe and slippers, curled up in my most comfortable chair. The ship oozes with class but isn't stuffy. (Sorry, I am rambling. :o SNAP back to reality.) And every time I have compared prices, HAL comes in at the lowest.

Bottom line, I think you made a wise decision. Please come back and let us know.

Mocha

Hi all!

Just a quick question, and I hope it doesn't come across like a whiny spoiled brat. I booked a "VE or better gty" cabin. When the cabins were assigned, we were given a VA cabin. Looking at the VA cabins versus the VE cabins on the deck plans, I don't consider this an upgrade. We are on the upper promenade deck (4) tucked behind the lifeboats above mechanical equipment. If you were walking to the back of the ship on this deck, you would walk just past the cabins with lifeboats outside the windows to get to our cabin.

Any input appreciated -- Take it and not say anything because I booked gty? Or speak up and say "hey, wait, I booked a VE or better gty" BTW, I do know I could have gotten worse (under Lido pool, solid verandah wall, etc.) Does anybody have any experience with this room location?

Thanks in advance.

Mocha

I am booked on that excursion from our August 19th Alaska cruise on Volendam out of Vancouver. My understanding is that the ship will deposit those of us who have signed up for this excursion directly onto the excursion boat and that after the excursion it will take us to Juneau to meet the ship.

Moriah,

That sounds ideal. I saw that excursion and wondered exactly how it would work. We are on the Westerdam out of Seattle, so what is being offered out of Vancouver isn't available to us.

Please come back and let us know how you liked it.

AS long as you remember that this is about scenic cruising of the fjord and not about Sawyer Glacier (Hubbard, Mendenhall, Exit and all the ones in Glacier Bay are much more impressive) you'll enjoy it.

 

While this pictures are a dozen years old, it probably hasn't changed much. Here's Tracy Arm, and here's Sawyer Glacier.

dakrewser,

Thank you so much for posting your pictures -- beautiful!!

We would definitely be going for the scenery. Our cruise is scheduled to go to Glacier National Park, so I know we will get our glacier viewing there.

Thank you to all who took time to post, especially those who reminded me that the weather is ever-changing and unpredictable in Alaska. Will definitely have to think about time and cost vs the chance of poor conditions.

Mocha

Hi All!

We are going to Alaska in a couple of weeks, and I am looking for an opinion. I know I can get opinions off the HAL website, but I wanted to see if anybody here might have some thoughts.

Has anybody been on the Tracy Arm Fjord and Glacier Explorer out of Juneau? It is a 7-hour boat ride into and out of Tracy Arm. That would pretty much be the whole time in port in Juneau. We took the Tracy Arm cruise a couple of years ago, but I don't think we got very far up into the fjord due to weather, ice, etc.

We have already done Mendenhall, a whale watching excursion, and Mt. Roberts tram. I'm just wondering if the boatride would be worth the whole time in port. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

Mocha

Why do you both think the OP is asking about finding out which VE are available? That's not the way I read the question "But do we have a way to know which cabins are in the VE booking category,"

.

Thank you so much, JTL, for helping clarify my question. I am trying to figure out if "VE gty" when booking means a "VE" cabin when looking at the deck plan. The deck plans are easy to figure out. The logic (if any) when booking -- not as easy to figure out!! One week -- VE gty for $1499 per person. The next week -- VC gty for $1719 per person. Personally I find the VE cabins more desirable (maybe just personal opinion). That is why I couldn't understand the increase for VC gty. And that is why my question of which cabins are VE gty.

BTW, we are booked on the Westerdam with a VE gty. (I book guarantee to save money for drinks and excursions. I follow the advice of guaranteeing the type of cabin we would be happy with.) I am just trying to help others and also figure things out for future cruises.

Rather than paying a lot more for booking a specific cabin, I wish we could pay a bit more to book a specific class (VA, VB, VC, etc) of cabin.

Thanks!

Okay, I think I have this figured out. Booking a VE guarantee doesn't translate to a VE cabin assignment (for example cabin VE7130), right? I know I will be guaranteed "VE or better". But do we have a way to know which cabins are in the VE booking category, other than talking to someone at HA?

Thanks!

Mocha

Hi All!

FWIW, I have booked two out of three cruises using GTY for a verandah stateroom. One time I reserved a specific stateroom. All three cruises, we were on the Rotterdam deck to the back (aft?) of the ship. But this year, I am seeing more sold-out cruises than I have in the past.

I booked and paid for a cruise today sailing to Alaska the last part of August. Hopefully we will be as lucky in room assignments. Not counting on it though. But seriously, what is not to like about any room with a balcony on HAL?

Mocha

Well now I'm embarrassed because I missed where she said her cruise was next month. I need to read posts more carefully. Sorry.

Don't be embarrassed because the wording is a bit different and I took it as cruising next month but it could have meant going to shop for a cruise next month :confused:

Oh dear, my bad! :o That was awkwardly worded. Apologies! We will be leaving for Alaska next month.

Mocha

First of all, thank you to everybody who took the time to respond.

I wonder how recently Mocha just recently noticed the increase and if indeed it was up $100 pp as of 2am?

I have been checking prices daily for about 6 weeks. This increase was overnight between July 17 and 18. I didn't get a chance to post my questions until late (also, I am a bit of a night owl!)

This year for both Europe and especially Alaska availability has been limited with many sailings selling out early and more offers to move people to another date. It actually has been a very good summer for Holland America with Full sailing ships.

That is kind of what I am seeing, as well. This is our fourth cruise to Alaska, and I am not seeing the same pricing pattern as usual. Thank you for confirming that in my mind.

Again, thank you everybody for your helpful responses. Based on responses and discussion with hubby, I will be booking tonight. We are not big drinkers, and we can book a reservation (before sail date) at the Pinnacle if we decide we would like to have dinner there one evening. We have always enjoyed dining in the MDR, so we won't be crushed if we miss out on dinner in the Pinnacle. Not worth risking another price increase or losing out on booking a VE cabin.

Thanks all!

Mocha

Hello!

I just noticed a $100pp price increase in the Verandah cabin I am planning on booking for a cruise starting next month. Is this due to the Explore 4 promotion coming up? (Or is it because the pricing is for a more desirable VE cabin?) I thought Explore 4 was only being offered on 2016 and beyond cruises. Would you recommend booking the cruise now, or wait until Monday when the Explore 4 offer starts? I don't want to have the desired cabin sold out, but I wouldn't want to miss out on the perks.

Any thoughts would be appreciated. Thank you.

Mocha