Holland America Hotel Packages

We are booked on a cruise leaving from Venice and were thinking about adding the pre-cruise hotel package, but we wondering if it is worth it. Being met at the airport, transport to the hotel and then to the ship as well as having a Holland America representative at the hotel make it sound very tempting.. Has anyone had any experience with their hotel packages?

Typically the cost charged by HAL is higher than booking your own room and transfers. We have never used HALs pre or post packages but have stay in the same properties HAL uses for a lower price than HAL quoted.

Typically the cost charged by HAL is higher than booking your own room and transfers. We have never used HALs pre or post packages but have stay in the same properties HAL uses for a lower price than HAL quoted.

Totally agree. You can do much better on your own.

Venice can be quite a confusing, crowded city to get around, especially if it is your first time and you are arriving, as most, in a jet lagged fog.

I personally would take the package and make the beginning of your cruise as relaxed as possible.

Venice is one of those embarkation/debarkation ports that can be logistically and physically demanding. Private water taxis are fairly expensive and hotels on the Grand Canal equally so. We love Venice but have now made the decision to only visit when it is part of an itinerary. We will not use it as a departure or end port anymore. It is definitely one port where you might consider using HAL transfers and hotel to make your life easier.

I have used HAL Hotel Packages in a variety of ports and have been pleased with all of my experiences. Whether I choose to book one or not does depend upon the port and my comfort level of making the airport/hotel and hotel/pier transfers on my own.

In a new port for me, it relives any concerns when a HAL representative "finds" me, assists with my luggage, and gets me to my transportation.

Expect to pay more because you are getting the service of having everything taken care of.

Only you can decide on the value to you of this service. No right answer. We never do cruise line hotels or transfers because we are independent, low maintenance travelers. We do not particularly value the service and hence are not willing to pay a premium for it. Many feel the opposite.

I do suspect thought, that the cruise line package prices in Europe are inflated even more than usual in order to take advantage of some cruisers concern over language issues.

Late in our cruising, after decades of independent frugal travels around the world, we tried the hotel/pick up package with HAL. Last year was our first and we've done the same with Princess for our next cruise. Easy, does come with a price and only you can decide if it's worth the expense.

On an independent land tour of Italy we did Venice, arriving by train, using the vaporetto and dragging our suitcases down alleyways to our hotel. It was an adventure we really enjoyed.

Ruth

It also depends on your physical ability and how much luggage you travel with. We travel with carry on only so the thought of public transportation, finding our own way, or carrying our bags up stairs is not an issue. Clearly, for some people this would be an issue.

When we are cruising in or out of Venice, have luggage, and want to do it in an easy way, we simply stay in the Piazale Roma at the Ca Doge Hotel. Its a small inn-like facility right on the square. Getting to or from the airport on the reasonably priced (and fast) ATVO bus is quite simple...and our hotel is only a short walk from the bus stop. When its time to go to the port we can walk a short distance to the People Mover which quickly whisks us over to the Port. A room at the Ca Doge will usually cost us about 170-180€ for 2 persons (which includes a nice breakfast. When you add the cost of the ATVO bus...we are talking about approximately $100 per person for hotel plus transfer. Compare this to the cruise line package and we suspect one would save hundreds of dollars per night.

Hank

Thank you all for your input, . Although I am still not sure what we will do your information has been very helpful and informative.

Thank you all for your input, . Although I am still not sure what we will do your information has been very helpful and informative.

We were relatively new to cruising when we did our first Med trip in 2015, and it was our first trip outside the US in many years. We got a few euro to start off with before leaving Boston. We flew direct into Venice, found the ticket machine to get a bus to Piazza Roma. We stayed at Hotel Olimpia, which we LOVED, and it was a short, one bridge walk from where the bus dropped us off. Piazza Roma is also where you get on the People Mover to go from Piazza Roma to the ship. We even ventured onto the vaporetto (water taxi) to see a bit of Venice. We're two 50/60 something ladies and it was all easy enough for us to do. ;) Whatever you decide, have a fantastic trip!

We have done it both ways and it is nice to have the extra service. One less worry!

Karen

We had the airport transfer and hotel package in Rome, and it was worth every penny!!:)

We are doing the Signature Experience in Venice in Oct. 2018 and the hotels are not listed but for 2017 HAL is using the Bauer and Bonvechiatti. Any advice as to which one if there is a choice?

We are doing the Signature Experience in Venice in Oct. 2018 and the hotels are not listed but for 2017 HAL is using the Bauer and Bonvechiatti. Any advice as to which one if there is a choice?

I think there is a difference in price and location other than that we don't know much more and would also be interested in any advice.

I think that the ship package is worth it if you like to be worry free when you arrive in a country you have not been to before. It may be more expensive but I like to be met at the airport and transferred to the hotel without me having to find a taxi and lug my luggage. And the fact that they take care of my luggage from the hotel to the ship and I'm transferred from the hotel to the ship with others, so you get to meet people who will be on the cruise with you.

It is really up to you as how much you want to do on your own. I have been to Venice several times and it really is not an easy place to get around the first time you are there. But once you have been there at least once it gets easier. I love Venice and if I have a choice of staying at a hotel in Venice or one on the outskirts I would choose to stay in Venice. :D

Another thought on the People Mover. It is a long walk from the People Mover to where the ships are docked. When we did our cruise that docked in Venice and we stayed overnight we took the People Mover to get into Venice and it was a long walk to the People Mover and even longer one going back because you have to go to the other end of the terminal to get in. And if you are pulling luggage along with you and I can't even imagine wanting to do that. To me it is not worth the money you would save. :(

Typically we book our own hotels and transfers as we don't mind making our own arrangements and it's usually less expensive even when staying at the same hotel as HAL or whatever line is using. Have to admit we actually used cruise line arrangements in Venice and were glad we did. We'd been there three times as a port call and had a good idea of the layout, etc., and that actually figured into our planning. This time Venice was actually our embarkation port so a whole different set of considerations. Secondly, light packing and cruising are mutually exclusive in our house. We look more like refugees than vacationers so the thought of hauling our own luggage on public transportation was not attractive or a good option. Anyhow, being met at the airport, a private launch (water taxi) directly to our hotel, and then a semi-private launch to the cruise terminal a couple of days later was well worth it. We have no problem arranging our own hotels and transfers in Barcelona, Rome, and Athens but Venice is unique in our minds and experience.

We thank everyone for their advice, we are most likely going to do the HAL package. Although we have done our own arrangements in the past, I think at least on this cruise it sounds like a good idea to use the package.

We just completed arrangements for a cruise to Australia and booked all the Hal package and air too. We feel with travelling that distance and all the changes to be made why not let someone else do it for you. This is the first time we have done this way, so we hope it will work out. Will let you know after the cruise is completed.

When I book a HAL hotel package another thing to think about is travel insurance! If you are on Medicare you are not covered out of the country. So if you book a hotel on your own you need an additional policy to cover that period of time. By the time I added up airport transfers, hotel, insurance and ship transfers, I really an satisfied with the package.

First off we are well traveled, physical able and love adventures on our own.

Venice can be tough, but NOT THAT BAD. Fly in to Venice, purchase a powered local canal boat ticket just inside the air port that will take you to Zartarie(may have misspelled it. Drag your luggage to the docks, this might be challenging because there are different boats for different area, just ask. Get off at Zartarie and stay at the Bella Aarti, int just a easy walk about the length of a football fields down the closest street. The hotel is near the Academia bridge and lots of shopping and restaurant, of reasonable price near by, St Peters square is a bit of a walk. Off to the cruise ship just go down to the same dock area and purchase a ticket for 8 euro PP and 15 minutes you are at the cruise ship of terminal.

There are other hotels on the same street. Make sure breakfast is included.

We have been through Venice several times. If you stay at one of the branded well known hotels - contact the hotel in advance and the concierge will organise a water taxi and guide to meet you at the airport and take you directly to the hotel. Similarly for the embarkation.

Using a hotel consolidator or even the hotels website to book, we think that it works out cheaper than one of the cruise company's signature packages. The last time ( last Sept) we stayed at the Hilton Molino Stucky. Their arrival/ departure arrangements were flawless even if the hotel itself was disappointing.

There are a number of very good hotels in Venice, the Danieli where we stayed on a previous embarkation was excellent and the arrangements went like clockwork.

St Peters square is a bit of a walk.

St Peter's Square is definitely a bit of a walk considering it's in Vatican City. St Mark's Square will be much closer. :D