HEADS UP 29 November 2015 Eurodam!!

[IRL_Joanie]

The HAL lady specifically told me that our 18 day cruise was just fine. Also, I can still do a mock booking on either separate cruise or the entire 18 days.

 

Your 18 day cruise might be fine, but our 11 day is cropped by 3 days. So, it would appear to me from guessing when your cruise starts that you will be getting off the ship on 29 November?

 

The ship is scheduled to go into dry dock just after we were scheduled back into port 10 Dec 2015.

 

Here is what we received

 

From: Holland America Line (HAL) <@hollandamerica.com>

Date: Tue, Jun 2, 2015 at 11:32 AM

Subject: Itinerary Change Notification -- ms Eurodam; November 29, 2015

To: "Removed by me.

 

ms Eurodam D574

November 29, 2015 11 Day Southern Caribbean Roundtrip Ft. Lauderdale

This itinerary will now be sailing as follows. You may choose to remain on this shorter sailing or choose from one of the alternate sailings listed below.

 

(I've truncated the message to not include the cruisings they suggested for us instead)

 

 

 

As a gesture of our appreciation for guests that continue on any of the above voyages, a Shipboard Credit will be applied to your booking based on the stateroom category.

· $500 per person (up to $1000 per stateroom) for Pinnacle Suite bookings

· $350 per person (up to $700 per stateroom) for Neptune Suite bookings

· $250 per person (up to $500 per stateroom) for Signature Suite bookings

· $200 per person (up to $400 per stateroom) for Verandah Stateroom bookings

· $150 per person (up to $300 per stateroom) for Ocean-view Stateroom bookings

· $100 per person (up to $200 per stateroom) for Interior Stateroom bookings

If any other 2015 Caribbean voyage 10 days or longer is selected the above Shipboard Credit will be applied to the new booking based on the stateroom category booked.

All Shipboard Credits are denominated in USD.

Cancellation Protection Plan costs as well as Taxes, Fees, and Port Expenses will be calculated based on the new booking.

Should you decide not to rebook, Holland America Line will refund in full.

We value each of our guests and look forward to welcoming you onboard for a once-in-a-lifetime experience. For more information, or to discuss these options, please contact us by July 7, 2015. We can be reached at 1 800 577 1729 or 206 626 7385. We are available Monday – Friday, 7am – 5pm (PST).

 

Kind regards,

Holland America Line

 

What more can I say than if HAL says it is so, then I accept it as such.

 

Also as noted above from other CC members who did dummy bookings, it is impossible to book this cruise online. Read kazu's post above.

 

Joanie

 

Edited June 3, 2015 by IRL_Joanie

[boze9999]

I've been told the Eurodam is undergoing a very significant remodel of the Piano Bar/Sports Bar area - opening it up as one large venue to accommodate all of the large crowds - perhaps a somewhat smaller version of the KD music hall. Will it

also include Dueling pianos like the KD? Unknown.

[scm1848]

Joanie,

 

I couldn't see in your post anything about shortening the cruise? Did I miss something?

[Krazy Kruizers]

The cruise is not cancelled, just reduced by three days so that the ship can enter dry dock earlier than planned.

 

 

 

It is starting to make sense.

 

Thank you

[Krazy Kruizers]

Thank you Joanie for explaining what people will be getting if they choose a different cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

boze9999

If they do make a larger Piano Bar, do you know if it will all be open or all enclosed?

[Krazy Kruizers]

So Joanie

What cruise and cabin number have you decided on?

[Kris75]

Just quickly chiming in. We were also booked on the Nov 29th 11 Day sailing. We were disappointed with the shortening of days to 8, but what really pushed us to cancel was the complete change in the itinerary. This cruise has now been rebranded as an Eastern Caribbean as opposed to a Southern. Pretty bummed but trying to roll with the punches so my DH and I rebooked for the 11 Day Partial Panama on the Zuiderdam that leaves November 30th. After a lengthy phone call with Holland we made out like bandits on the on board credit being given to us on this new cruise so pretty pleased with that!

[Eicruise]

Could someone post the revised itinerary? We are booked on this cruise and haven't heard back from our travel agent yet.

[Kris75]

Could someone post the revised itinerary? We are booked on this cruise and haven't heard back from our travel agent yet.

 

Here you go. The formatting is a bit off, sorry if it is difficult to read.

 

 

DATE DESTINATION ARRIVE DEPART

 

29-Nov FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, USA 16:00

30-Nov At Sea

1-Dec Amber Cove (Puerta Plata), Dominican Republic 7:00 15:00

2-Dec Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI 11:00 19:00

3-Dec Basseterre, Saint Kitts, St Kitts & Nevis 8:00 17:00

4-Dec San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA 8:00 18:00

5-Dec At Sea

6-Dec Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 8:00 16:00

7-Dec FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, USA 7:00

[Eicruise]

Thanks very much. The new itinerary isn't terrible but certainly is not what we booked. I'll be interested to see how much this cruise will be.

[InTheWASide]

Thanks very much. The new itinerary isn't terrible but certainly is not what we booked. I'll be interested to see how much this cruise will be.

 

Agree. It's a nice looking cruise but certainly not a Southern Caribbean which benefits from the longer duration.

[IRL_Joanie]

Just quickly chiming in. We were also booked on the Nov 29th 11 Day sailing. We were disappointed with the shortening of days to 8, but what really pushed us to cancel was the complete change in the itinerary. This cruise has now been rebranded as an Eastern Caribbean as opposed to a Southern. Pretty bummed but trying to roll with the punches so my DH and I rebooked for the 11 Day Partial Panama on the Zuiderdam that leaves November 30th. After a lengthy phone call with Holland we made out like bandits on the on board credit being given to us on this new cruise so pretty pleased with that!

 

Glad that you were able to find another that you were willing to accept with the benefits to boot:D

 

The itinerary for the original sailing was what made it so special to us. We were so looking forward to going to all the unique islands that only this one, now cancelled, Eurodam only, cruise would have taken us to................

 

But, thankfully, HAL did step it up and we were able to find another itinerary that was acceptable to me. Poor hubby had to listen to me say no so often yesterday that it was harder on him than me:o But in the end we were able to decide on SB 6166 (My version of the Penthouse/Pinnacle Suite) on Oosterdam departing 16 November 2015. Only better stateroom for me would have been a Deck 5 SB Aft Wrap, but not available.

 

Our OBC's for this rebooked cruise are out of this world!! Over $900.00 USD and that is not yet applying our Carnival Stock credit, not counting any additional credit(s) IF and when Price Drops occur:D

 

Joanie

[Krazy Kruizers]

Just quickly chiming in. We were also booked on the Nov 29th 11 Day sailing. We were disappointed with the shortening of days to 8, but what really pushed us to cancel was the complete change in the itinerary. This cruise has now been rebranded as an Eastern Caribbean as opposed to a Southern. Pretty bummed but trying to roll with the punches so my DH and I rebooked for the 11 Day Partial Panama on the Zuiderdam that leaves November 30th. After a lengthy phone call with Holland we made out like bandits on the on board credit being given to us on this new cruise so pretty pleased with that!

 

 

Congratulations -- glad HAL made good for you.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Here you go. The formatting is a bit off, sorry if it is difficult to read.

 

 

DATE DESTINATION ARRIVE DEPART

 

29-Nov FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, USA 16:00

30-Nov At Sea

1-Dec Amber Cove (Puerta Plata), Dominican Republic 7:00 15:00

2-Dec Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI 11:00 19:00

3-Dec Basseterre, Saint Kitts, St Kitts & Nevis 8:00 17:00

4-Dec San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA 8:00 18:00

5-Dec At Sea

6-Dec Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 8:00 16:00

7-Dec FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, USA 7:00

 

Thanks very much. The new itinerary isn't terrible but certainly is not what we booked. I'll be interested to see how much this cruise will be.

 

 

Maybe I am missing something here, but this does not remind me of a southern Caribbean cruise.

[Krazy Kruizers]

Glad that you were able to find another that you were willing to accept with the benefits to boot:D

 

The itinerary for the original sailing was what made it so special to us. We were so looking forward to going to all the unique islands that only this one, now cancelled, Eurodam only, cruise would have taken us to................

 

But, thankfully, HAL did step it up and we were able to find another itinerary that was acceptable to me. Poor hubby had to listen to me say no so often yesterday that it was harder on him than me:o But in the end we were able to decide on SB 6166 (My version of the Penthouse/Pinnacle Suite) on Oosterdam departing 16 November 2015. Only better stateroom for me would have been a Deck 5 SB Aft Wrap, but not available.

 

Our OBC's for this rebooked cruise are out of this world!! Over $900.00 USD and that is not yet applying our Carnival Stock credit, not counting any additional credit(s) IF and when Price Drops occur:D

 

Joanie

 

 

Joanie -- glad you were able to get another cruise and the cabin you wanted.

You got a much better deal than many of us got when we were dumped from the Nieuw Amsterdam.

[sail7seas]

Maybe I am missing something here, but this does not remind me of a southern Caribbean cruise.

 

I agree. That is definitely not a Southern Caribbean itinerary. It's not a bad itinerary but not outstanding either, IMO

 

[IRL_Joanie]

Maybe I am missing something here, but this does not remind me of a southern Caribbean cruise.

 

Exactly!! The posted itinerary below is the new one NOT the one we booked for.

 

Originally Posted by Kris75

Here you go. The formatting is a bit off, sorry if it is difficult to read.

 

 

DATE DESTINATION ARRIVE DEPART

 

29-Nov FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, USA 16:00

30-Nov At Sea

1-Dec Amber Cove (Puerta Plata), Dominican Republic 7:00 15:00

2-Dec Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI 11:00 19:00

3-Dec Basseterre, Saint Kitts, St Kitts & Nevis 8:00 17:00

4-Dec San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA 8:00 18:00

5-Dec At Sea

6-Dec Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 8:00 16:00

7-Dec FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, USA 7:00

 

Here is the original Itinerary:

 

Day Date Itinerary Arrival Departure

SUN 29NOV15 Sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US 4:00pm

MON 30NOV15 Sea Day

TUE 01DEC15 Sea Day

WED 02DEC15 Philipsburg (St. Maarten), AN 10:00am 11:00pm

THU 03DEC15 Basseterre, St. Kitts 8:00am 5:00pm

FRI 04DEC15 Kingstown, St. Vincent 10:00am 7:00pm

SAT 05DEC15 Bridgetown, Barbados 8:00am 5:00pm

SUN 06DEC15 Fort-De-France, Martinique 7:00am 2:00pm

MON 07DEC15 Frederiksted (St. Croix), USVI 8:00am 3:00pm

TUE 08DEC15 Sea Day

WED 09DEC15 Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 1 8:00am 3:00pm

THU 10DEC15 Debark Ship Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US 7:00am

 

HMC and Ft Lauderdale are the only 2 that are the same:( Definitely not an acceptable itinerary for us.

 

I have to say that the OBC's and other beneis for changing yesterday are still coming in. Our PCC just called and gave us our total so far and I can truly say I love this woman!!!! She is a really good at taking care of her customers.

 

Joanie

Edited June 3, 2015 by IRL_Joanie

[sail7seas]

That is a considerably different itinerary.

You'll have a good time anyway, I'm sure.

[IRL_Joanie]

That is a considerably different itinerary.

You'll have a good time anyway, I'm sure.

Oh believe me we will be having a DAM Great time Judy!!!

 

Our new Itinerary at the same price AND all the additional benefits is:

 

MON 16NOV15 Sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US 4:00pm

TUE 17NOV15 Sea Day

WED 18NOV15 Sea Day

THU 19NOV15 Philipsburg, Sint Maarten 8:00am 3:00pm

FRI 20NOV15 Castries, Saint Lucia 8:00am 4:00pm

FRI 20NOV15 Scenic Cruising Soufriere Bay 1

SAT 21NOV15 Bridgetown, Barbados 8:00am 5:00pm

SUN 22NOV15 Fort-De-France, Martinique 8:00am 5:00pm

SUN 22NOV15 Daylight passing Mount Pelee 1

MON 23NOV15 Basseterre, St Kitts and Nevis 8:00am 5:00pm

TUE 24NOV15 St. Thomas, U.S.V.I. 8:00am 5:00pm

WED 25NOV15 Sea Day

THU 26NOV15 Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 2 8:00am 3:00pm

FRI 27NOV15 Debark Ship Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US 7:00am

 

I is sooooooooooooooooooooo Happy:)

 

I just hope and pray that "The Wise Man of St Lucia" is still there for me to chat with at the little fishery between the port and Castries. I loved his choosing me to chat with!!

 

Joanie

Edited June 3, 2015 by IRL_Joanie

[sail7seas]

Exactly!! The posted itinerary below is the new one NOT the one we booked for.

 

Originally Posted by Kris75

Here you go. The formatting is a bit off, sorry if it is difficult to read.

 

 

DATE DESTINATION ARRIVE DEPART

 

29-Nov FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, USA 16:00

30-Nov At Sea

1-Dec Amber Cove (Puerta Plata), Dominican Republic 7:00 15:00

2-Dec Charlotte Amalie, St. Thomas, USVI 11:00 19:00

3-Dec Basseterre, Saint Kitts, St Kitts & Nevis 8:00 17:00

4-Dec San Juan, Puerto Rico, USA 8:00 18:00

5-Dec At Sea

6-Dec Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 8:00 16:00

7-Dec FORT LAUDERDALE, FL, USA 7:00

 

Here is the original Itinerary:

 

Day Date Itinerary Arrival Departure

SUN 29NOV15 Sail from Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US 4:00pm

MON 30NOV15 Sea Day

TUE 01DEC15 Sea Day

WED 02DEC15 Philipsburg (St. Maarten), AN 10:00am 11:00pm

THU 03DEC15 Basseterre, St. Kitts 8:00am 5:00pm

FRI 04DEC15 Kingstown, St. Vincent 10:00am 7:00pm

SAT 05DEC15 Bridgetown, Barbados 8:00am 5:00pm

SUN 06DEC15 Fort-De-France, Martinique 7:00am 2:00pm

MON 07DEC15 Frederiksted (St. Croix), USVI 8:00am 3:00pm

TUE 08DEC15 Sea Day

WED 09DEC15 Half Moon Cay, Bahamas 1 8:00am 3:00pm

THU 10DEC15 Debark Ship Fort Lauderdale, Florida, US 7:00am

 

HMC and Ft Lauderdale are the only 2 that are the same:( Definitely not an acceptable itinerary for us.

 

I have to say that the OBC's and other beneis for changing yesterday are still coming in. Our PCC just called and gave us our total so far and I can truly say I love this woman!!!! She is a really good at taking care of her customers.

 

Joanie

 

 

 

I'm very happy to hear HAL is taking good care of you with OBC but what about the difference in the value of the itineraries? They took away 5 days and should be refunding you appropriate the per diems for those lost days. Giving you OBC makes you spend the money on board or you likely will lose it. I would prefer they refund the per diems for the days they took away.

 

When the OBC is issued by HAL it is often 'spend it or lose it'.

If I have totally misunderstood what is happening here, I apologize and would appreciate being corrected (in a kind way ;) )

[sail7seas]

Sorry, I just saw your most recent post, Joanie.

I was typing my post while you were posting it.

 

[scm1848]

Thanks for the heads up on this yesterday. I've been on the phone with my TA and she in turn with HAL for the past 2 hours. I didn't see you post until we had also changed to the Nov. 16 11 days cruise. Martinique was what was most important for us. With the wonderful new OBC, the prior anniversary benefits kept in place, and our shareholders' credit, we have gone from an SC gte. to picking our own SA, and we're still saving money. Thank heavens Southwest AL doesn't charge a fee change, although my TA said that HAL would consider reimbursing that cost as well.

 

While I'm sure HAL knew they had some headaches coming their way by shortening and changing the 18 days cruise the way they did, they have certainly stepped up to the plate for some of us, or so it seems.

[IRL_Joanie]

Thanks for the heads up on this yesterday. I've been on the phone with my TA and she in turn with HAL for the past 2 hours. I didn't see you post until we had also changed to the Nov. 16 11 days cruise. Martinique was what was most important for us. With the wonderful new OBC, the prior anniversary benefits kept in place, and our shareholders' credit, we have gone from an SC gte. to picking our own SA, and we're still saving money. Thank heavens Southwest AL doesn't charge a fee change, although my TA said that HAL would consider reimbursing that cost as well.

 

While I'm sure HAL knew they had some headaches coming their way by shortening and changing the 18 days cruise the way they did, they have certainly stepped up to the plate for some of us, or so it seems.

 

WhooooooHoooooooooo:)

 

Yes HAL has definitely stepped up and in my opinion gone beyond what they HAD to do:) And I thank goodness that whoever posted the info on our Roll Call about his/her email from HAL. I immediately checked my email and there it was.....

 

Looks to me we got almost the same from HAL:

 

VALUE-ADDED ITEMS

 

Guest 1

 

Dine Around Pin Grill & Canaletto

Promotional 100 Minutes Of Internet

Promotional-Two $50 Beverage Cards

 

Guest 2

 

Dine Around Pin Grill & Canaletto

 

We also got our $200.00 early Booking

$250 for Carnival Stock (Not until we make final payment)

$400 each for Anniversary Sale

$350 each (Hubby calls it "Apology Compensation" for HAL having to ask us to make the change)

 

I think we could get them to pay the difference in our SWA price, but with all the above I do not think I'll push for the extra $22.00 to go visit our daughter the day after we get back to the US:)

 

Joanie

Edited June 3, 2015 by IRL_Joanie

[boze9999]

boze9999

If they do make a larger Piano Bar, do you know if it will all be open or all enclosed?

 

We were told the wall between the sports bar and the piano bar was coming down. I am not sure if they were also taking down the exterior wall bordering the casino area. By opening it up, HAL would seem to be mirroring the KD with the open music venue.