New to Holland America? This is for you...AKA "HAL For Dummies"

[ReillyQ]

My extra blankets have always been found in the drawer under the foot of the bed. Others have found them in the cabinets beside the sofa. You can always "borrow" some from the pool areas or ask your Room Steward.

 

Your aft stateroom balcony will be wind-free, so great for dining/snacking/reading while those on port or starboard sides may be blown while the ship is moving. Bring some LED candles to create a nice mood.

 

Thanks! We originally were not going with the aft, but our travel agent said we should take it. Had no idea the advantage of the wind. Our cabin is on deck 7, Rotterdam deck. So at least we do not need the blanket, just the binoculars! That will save some room. I appreciate the really fast response, this thread is great!

[danb35]

So here's a question I don't remember seeing addressed here: if I book flights through HAL, are transfers to and from the ship included, or would that still be a separate service?

[Ladyaruba]

So here's a question I don't remember seeing addressed here: if I book flights through HAL, are transfers to and from the ship included, or would that still be a separate service?

 

I booked flights and trip thru HAL and our transfers are included.

[JimAOk1945]

We have cruised twice with HAL and made arrangements for the hotel and transfers with them. We were very comfortable with everything they did for us. We will definitely use them again in the future. Cruising is a fantastic way to travel.

 

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[danb35]

I booked flights and trip thru HAL and our transfers are included.

Thanks.

[ReillyQ]

So here's a question I don't remember seeing addressed here: if I book flights through HAL, are transfers to and from the ship included, or would that still be a separate service?

 

We booked our flights for our cruise with HAL through our travel agent, using HAL's flight ease. Transfers were not included. We are going in early, which I knew would not be included but thought that the return might be. Our travel agent and HAL's customer service both indicated that Transfers are a separate service. Currently for our Alaska cruise, it is $29 per person each end. It is different, if you also book hotel accommodations with them see below from their FAQ.

 

If you have booked both air and hotel accommodations through Holland America Line, transfers are included.

[mariakatherine]

Curious...what's the benefit of having the $25 for $50 soda fountain beverage card? Doesn't the Lido Market offer free fountain beverages, or is it just lemonade/ iced tea? Just trying to figure out if this is worthwhile for us for use outside of meal times. I understood the fountain/soda beverages to be included during meals.

Thanks for helping to clarify!

[Crew News]

Curious...what's the benefit of having the $25 for $50 soda fountain beverage card? Doesn't the Lido Market offer free fountain beverages, or is it just lemonade/ iced tea? Just trying to figure out if this is worthwhile for us for use outside of meal times. I understood the fountain/soda beverages to be included during meals.

Thanks for helping to clarify!

 

Sodas are NOT free in any ship venue unless someone is nice enough to buy one for you. You may bring your own sodas and water if you wish.

 

The Lido Market offers free water, iced tea, coffee, and lemonade. Milk and juices are free during breakfast.

[sandy999]

Can you bring soda and water on at any port or just at embarkation?

[Btimmer]

Can you bring soda and water on at any port or just at embarkation?

 

 

 

Any port. We just did it in Singapore and Shanghai while on the Volendam.

 

 

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[Peckishpixie]

Does anyone know the cost for Sodas? I found wines, cocktails and coffee but no info on soda. Also, if we bring our own will they empty the mini bar so we can refrigerate them or should we bring a cooler.

[49erteacher]

I think it is about $2.50 per can and they usually bring you a glass of ice with it. I always ask the room steward to empty the fridge, when I have one. Several reasons, I like cold water (bring a refillable bottle) and soda, I sometimes bring a snack back from the Lido, and there is no chance to be charged for something I didn't consume.

Enjoy your cruise.

[Haboob]

Does anyone know the cost for Sodas? I found wines, cocktails and coffee but no info on soda. Also, if we bring our own will they empty the mini bar so we can refrigerate them or should we bring a cooler.

 

Dunno 'bout the prices, but don't care, either, they're all Coca-Cola brands.

 

(Pepsi drinker here :') )

[Crew News]

Does anyone know the cost for Sodas? I found wines, cocktails and coffee but no info on soda. Also, if we bring our own will they empty the mini bar so we can refrigerate them or should we bring a cooler.

 

Sodas are $2.25 plus 15% - $2.55. Here is a link to the bar menu from last month (smallest page):

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2018/04/Pool-Bars.pdf

 

Your Room Steward will have your minibar cleaned out. You can also remove everything and place it on a table if you need to use the minibar right away. Bring some Ziploc bags to store your Lido Market snacks.

[kb4683]

Will be boarding the Maasdam on September 10, 2018, would I be able to leave the ship after boarding to make a Total Wine run?

 

We plan to bring a case of wine on when checking in and would like to run back to TW for another case after dropping off the first case. We do know about corkage fees being charged on anything over one bottle per passenger.

 

Thank you.

[sweetipie]

Curious...what's the benefit of having the $25 for $50 soda fountain beverage card? Doesn't the Lido Market offer free fountain beverages, or is it just lemonade/ iced tea? Just trying to figure out if this is worthwhile for us for use outside of meal times. I understood the fountain/soda beverages to be included during meals.

Thanks for helping to clarify!

 

I don't think the soda or pop option is worth it at all. You can buy your own at any port and bring it on board. No need to clear out the refrigerator as you can always have ice in your room at all times. Take a throw away cup or cups and use your own soda. I just buy a 2 liter bottle and cap it tight and put it on the desk. You'll probably find what you drink most of is water or iced tea.

[Peckishpixie]

I don't think the soda or pop option is worth it at all. You can buy your own at any port and bring it on board. No need to clear out the refrigerator as you can always have ice in your room at all times. Take a throw away cup or cups and use your own soda. I just buy a 2 liter bottle and cap it tight and put it on the desk. You'll probably find what you drink most of is water or iced tea.

that might totally be true for you, but my husband drinks 4 or 5 sodas a day, and has for years. I'm not holding out hope he will switch to ice tea. I drink brut and chardonnay. Ice cubes dont help me either.

[Stratheden]

that might totally be true for you, but my husband drinks 4 or 5 sodas a day, and has for years. I'm not holding out hope he will switch to ice tea. I drink brut and chardonnay. Ice cubes dont help me either.

I'd bring my own sodas onboard with me. Get the fridge emptied and keep them in there.

[Haboob]

I'd bring my own sodas onboard with me. Get the fridge emptied and keep them in there.

 

Last I checked, simply get them to the pier and slap a luggage tag on them.

[Dismomx5]

that might totally be true for you, but my husband drinks 4 or 5 sodas a day, and has for years. I'm not holding out hope he will switch to ice tea. I drink brut and chardonnay. Ice cubes dont help me either.

My hubby is the same. We just buy beverage cards and he uses them as he wants, (and I do the same for wine/drinks) We're not saving money, but it gives us a pre-paid 'budget' and we both have our own cards.

[doreenrae]

Question on casino chip purchases on HAL:

I am cruising HAL next month to Alaska (our 1st HAL) and noticed that under the "collectors" page, in addition to HAL logo items, and hors d'oeuvres, etc, they have casino chips for purchase in increments of $10. I assume these are valid chips for use at the tables. If so, can anyone tell me if the casino is open whenever the ship is at sea? Or are there any times, (other than when in port) on a cruise to Alaska, that the casino would not be open? (Our cruise starts in Vancouver and ends in Seward.)

[JimAOk1945]

This is a great thread. I've learned so much from reading it. We've been on two HAL cruises so far and have enjoyed both. They exceeded our expectations. We will definitely be on another sometime in the near future. Cruising is a fantastic way to travel.

 

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[Dev'sMom]

Hi! Great information flow here! I am reposting some unanswered questions here from an older post of mine, hoping to get some insight in this thread! (I've updated it a little from my original questions) Here goes:

1.5 months out now from sailing on Noordam, and I have another set of questions! Let me know if I should put them in the Alaska forum:

 

1*will there be hummus in the MDR or buffet? How is it?

 

2*our boarding pass says 2 gala nights! Which nights are they likely to be? The sea days (Gulf of Alaska at sea cruising day, Glacier Bay day, Inside Passage cruising day)?

 

3*where are good areas for sail away (day 1 and Alaska ports of call)? I guess there's no view from the Neptune Lounge so not going there.

 

4*what are your favorite specialty restaurant days? port night dinners or lunch/dinner sea days (or gala night)? We're mulling trying each one once (but maybe not the pricey pop up Sel De Mer which is only on Juneau day). How long might a dinner last? We'll reserve early enough to allow an early turn-in. If I buy a "Canaletto+Pinnacle dinner package" online, will it be refunded if we end up not using it?

 

5*I want to buy some OBC ahead of time to cover gratuities, plus a few other purchases (drinks, last minute excursion purchases, souvenirs on the ship, specialty dining, spa) that we may make. Buying ahead of time allows me to have almost everything paid off before our trip (less surprise at the end), and will earn me 3x travel points (my credit card will only give 1x points for purchases made while on board for some reason). If we end up not using all of the OBC, will it be refunded or will I lose it? I saw one thread from late 2017 that said it is refunded, but when I spoke to ship services, the rep said no!

thanks :)

[christineispink]

Hi - I'm sailing on the NA 5/19 out of Vancouver. I can't seem to find information on whether afternoon tea is still served on HAL ships. Would really appreciate some info as we plan out our days as my family LOVES afternoon tea and it's one of our travel rituals. Many thanks!!!

[bUU]

2*our boarding pass says 2 gala nights! Which nights are they likely to be? The sea days (Gulf of Alaska at sea cruising day' date=' Glacier Bay day, Inside Passage cruising day)? [/quote'] Generally, it's on sea days or days with early said aways.

 

Hi - I'm sailing on the NA 5/19 out of Vancouver. I can't seem to find information on whether afternoon tea is still served on HAL ships. Would really appreciate some info as we plan out our days as my family LOVES afternoon tea and it's one of our travel rituals. Many thanks!!!

I found afternoon tea explicitly included on daily activity sheets from last summer, one (Dutch) on the first sea day, one (Indonesian) on the last sea day, in addition to Classic Tea on other days.

 

This message may have been drafted using voice recognition. Please forgive any typos.

Edited May 9, 2018 by bUU