cbr663

HAL has introduced an Alaska Glacial Guarantee for the '24 and '25 season. In essence, if HAL does not visit a glacier during the sailing you will receive a Future Cruise Credit equal to 15% of your cruise fare. As always, there are terms and conditions. This one sticks out as paramount: "This Guarantee shall not apply when there is more than one port of call or cruisetour featuring a Glacier on a Cruise per its published itinerary, when only one applicable port of call or cruisetour has been cancelled." And of course there are conditions on when the FCC must be used. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/ca/cruise-destinations/alaska-cruises/glacier-guarantee

Sometimes lunch time is better, some times it isn't. We had 2 reservations for the PG lunch on our Koningsdam cruise this past November and the first experience was so poor we cancelled the second reservation. YMMV.

Unfortunately, one thing I have learned sailing HAL is that the cruise line struggles with consistency. I think HAL needs to drop the "Fine" dining as it hasn't provided a fine dining experience in a very long time.

Yes, this group all have priority to check in and wait to board. That was our experience sailing in a NS on the Koningsdam last year. Once boarding commences, it will literally be by row after row of people who are waiting, with those with priority starting first. The priority is to board a few minutes prior to everyone else, or however long it takes for people in the queue to be scanned while boarding. They try their best to conduct the boarding so everyone is actually moving through the terminal and on the gangplank and when they reach the actual ship it is scan on and step aboard and move forward for everyone else.

We did. I believe it was complimentary jewellery cleaning. We never travel with jewellery so completely irrelevant for us. It was just a sales attempt to get you to the jewellery store. 😉

My experience in the past is that neither the port nor HAL were strict enforcing check in times, but this is the first time I have seen check-in done by decks at Canada Place so no one will know until the season starts. If you have never sailed out of Canada Place know that it receives many, and I do mean many, complaints regarding the check-in process. Many people find it very confusing and a long and tedious process. You have to start underground and endure long lines and several staircases and different level changes. Also know that the boarding time of 11:30 is only an estimate. This means that if you arrive before boarding time there is every likelihood that you will be arriving to wait in a very large group to board. There is a segment of cruise passengers that love to hurry up and wait.

Delete. Similar post.

There are different categories of Neptune Suites though and I would hate for someone to think that they could book the lowest category NS and then request the complimentary upgrade when that CO benefit doesn't apply.

You don't get access to all CO benefits. Neptune and Pinnacle cabins do not get the complimentary free upgrade or the special onboard event. https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/ca/onboard-experiences/dining/club-orange

I think the opposite that we all pay for these groups and full charters. We are now in a period of high demand for cruises. When HAL accepts more and more large groups and full charters it is taking a huge number of cabins out of inventory. This results in less supply trying to meet a high demand. High demand with less supply will typically result in higher prices, not lower. HAL will never limit the profit on a sailing in the manner that you suggested. That is not how dynamic pricing works.

I agree. The past several months CC threads and posts have shown that HAL has decidedly moved away from a passenger service focus. We won't be returning until we see some changes.

Thanks so much for taking us along and sharing your final thoughts. Like you, washrooms are important for us. For our upcoming Avalon River Cruise we spent so much time watching review videos to try and find the perfect washroom for us. I realize that cabins are smaller on these ships, yet sometimes, it is simply too small for us. I also would have been very disappointed to discover a bath in the washroom after confirming that there wasn't a bath. I find it surprising that after meeting with the Chef on embarkation to discuss your dietary needs that canapés were served that didn't meet those needs. That was certainly a bummer. Enjoy your next cruise planning and I am sure that those wonderful chocolates will help with your choices. 😃

HAL does a great job explaining all the perks and costs in this link: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/ca/onboard-experiences/dining/club-orange

Was it a HAL Booking Agent? Reads like whomever made the change didn't apply the CO upgrade properly. Once CO is paid, you tell the PCC (HAL Booking Agent) which cabin you want as the complimentary upgrade. That person then puts you on hold as they have to contact Ship Inventory to have the change applied. The PCC then comes back and finalizes the booking with the new cabin noted. I've always completed the complimentary upgrade when originally booking. At least this is how it was for me when I did it.

I agree that it is natural for someone to think that labelling a cabin as a Spa Cabin, and charging significantly more the cabins, would allow you access to the Spa for the premium. I doubt that it is natural for most people not familiar with HAL to wonder if they are calling them Spa cabins and charging more it is only because the cabins are located close to the Spa.