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

It was a pretty deep discount. Like <25% of the "normal" fare. The flyer I received had various sailings, starting at $199 pp for interiors with upgrades available all the way up to Neptune suites (@$700/pp more). The group I chose from were $299/pp interior. So, yes, that was a pretty deep discount. It's the only reason I could afford the cruise. Typically, HAL is way out of my price range, especially sailing solo!

My Carnival casino offers are usually just a little less than their lowest fares, but they also give casino cash (mine has always been $300 but that latest offer was $200). And it's cash, so I could take it and pocket it if I wanted. Which, of course, never happens! ;)

For the first time ever, I received a "bounce-back" offer on my last Premier cruise (first week of November). It was for a free inside cabin. Naturally, I couldn't take advantage since I was booked on Zuiderdam and once I get back, I'm into tax season already. Had I been able to book one, though, I still would've gotten my shareholder OBC!

HAL has sent me emails and brochures ever since my November 2010 sailing. I appreciate that they wanted me to return and sent me this great offer. But I realize it's frustrating to people who sail often, and gamble, that they don't receive these incentives. I don't know if the fact I take the Premier cruises on Carnival made a difference. No one really knows why some people get the offers and others don't.

I also know that unless I get future deeply-discounted offers that I probably won't be able to sail HAL again unless I find a deep-pockets travel friend willing to pay part of my fare, and that's not likely to happen!

It was a pretty deep discount. Like <25% of the "normal" fare. The flyer I received had various sailings, starting at $199 pp for interiors with upgrades available all the way up to Neptune suites (@$700/pp more). The group I chose from were $299/pp interior. So, yes, that was a pretty deep discount. It's the only reason I could afford the cruise. Typically, HAL is way out of my price range, especially sailing solo!

 

My Carnival casino offers are usually just a little less than their lowest fares, but they also give casino cash (mine has always been $300 but that latest offer was $200). And it's cash, so I could take it and pocket it if I wanted. Which, of course, never happens! ;)

 

For the first time ever, I received a "bounce-back" offer on my last Premier cruise (first week of November). It was for a free inside cabin. Naturally, I couldn't take advantage since I was booked on Zuiderdam and once I get back, I'm into tax season already. Had I been able to book one, though, I still would've gotten my shareholder OBC!

 

HAL has sent me emails and brochures ever since my November 2010 sailing. I appreciate that they wanted me to return and sent me this great offer. But I realize it's frustrating to people who sail often, and gamble, that they don't receive these incentives. I don't know if the fact I take the Premier cruises on Carnival made a difference. No one really knows why some people get the offers and others don't.

 

I also know that unless I get future deeply-discounted offers that I probably won't be able to sail HAL again unless I find a deep-pockets travel friend willing to pay part of my fare, and that's not likely to happen!

Thanks very much for clarifying. My discount wasn't that deep so maybe that's why I got the OBC for my CCL shares? Hopefully I get it for the 2018 cruise. Time will tell ;)

This is more of a "What the?" type question.

Why are the main courses at dinner called 'Entrees"????

Google is your friend ;)

en·trée

ˈänˌtrā,ˌänˈtrā/

noun

1.

NORTH AMERICAN

the main course of a meal.

synonyms: main course, main dish

"there are a dozen entrées on the menu"

And another question from me...

Water. I'm not a bottled-water snob by any means, but when I sail, I like to bring on a small bottle and refill it to take ashore. Carnival stopped allowing bottles to be carried on, period, but they've been selling 12-packs of small bottles at prices that are very reasonable and you can pre-purchase online. I don't see anything similar available on HAL.

Can I carry on a couple of unopened bottles of water? If not, I'm guessing that it's okay to put in my checked bag (big assumption is that I'll have any spare room at all).

Water. I'm not a bottled-water snob by any means, but when I sail, I like to bring on a small bottle and refill it to take ashore. Carnival stopped allowing bottles to be carried on, period, but they've been selling 12-packs of small bottles at prices that are very reasonable and you can pre-purchase online. I don't see anything similar available on HAL.

 

Can I carry on a couple of unopened bottles of water? If not, I'm guessing that it's okay to put in my checked bag (big assumption is that I'll have any spare room at all).

You can carryon all that you want. Some people have said they put a luggage tag on a case and it got to them. I haven't tried it, so I can't recommend it. Carryon - if you can carry it, you can bring it on. It is only the alcoholic beverages that they have a 'count' and a 'coakage-free' limit.

Thanks. I don't need a case, just a bottle or two. Just want to have one that I can fill in the morning and take ashore with me, and keep by my bedside at night.

Not a water snob, but I am a hot tea snob! :p

What is available at the buffet? Not interested in herbal (that isn't tea, imho). Different brands brew differently. I've been known to pack my own. At least they don't take up much space (or weight!).

Thanks. I don't need a case, just a bottle or two. Just want to have one that I can fill in the morning and take ashore with me, and keep by my bedside at night.

 

Not a water snob, but I am a hot tea snob! :p

 

What is available at the buffet? Not interested in herbal (that isn't tea, imho). Different brands brew differently. I've been known to pack my own. At least they don't take up much space (or weight!).

They have Bigelow [and Twinings - I think - don't remember for sure] - various blends about 7 or 8. I bring my Red Zinger [Celestial Seasonings] so I can have the kind I like. :D

I'll be on the Amsterdam on Wednesday, do you want me to get the names of the tea blends??

What is available at the buffet? Not interested in herbal (that isn't tea, imho). Different brands brew differently. I've been known to pack my own. At least they don't take up much space (or weight!).

My photographs from the Nieuw Amsterdam, May 2016, show PG Tips as well as 10 different Bigelow brand teas.

My photographs from the Nieuw Amsterdam, May 2016, show PG Tips as well as 10 different Bigelow brand teas.

Thanks for posting this, now I won't need to.

Twinings was probably on the QM2.

If we have PG Tips on Zuiderdam, I'll be ecstatic! I can live with Bigelow or Twinings English Breakfast Tea, though! :D

Is there any need to book the ship's own tours before getting on the ship?

Once on board we usually go straight to the excursion desk. This will be for an Asia cruise.

Is there any need to book the ship's own tours before getting on the ship?

 

Once on board we usually go straight to the excursion desk. This will be for an Asia cruise.

You can book ship's tours online before boarding. Very popular tours and those with limited space can be sold out before you board. You will have to decide how much you really want a specific tour and take the risk of waiting until you board.

You can book ship's tours online before boarding. Very popular tours and those with limited space can be sold out before you board. You will have to decide how much you really want a specific tour and take the risk of waiting until you board.

Do you have to pay when you book? Can you cancel without penalty?

Do you have to pay when you book? Can you cancel without penalty?

You definitely need to pay when you book. As for cancellation, this page says you can cancel up to 3 days prior to the cruise with no penalty, 10% after that. And there seems to be some deadline to cancel once on board, after which you get nothing back (100% penalty).

http://www.hollandamerica.com/cruise-vacation-planning/BookShoreExcursions.action

Do you have to pay when you book? Can you cancel without penalty?

You must pay when you book the excursion. You can cancel without penalty up to three days before the excursion. Up until the day of the excursion, there will be a 10% cancellation feel. There is no refund on the day of the excursion unless the ship can fill your spot with someone on a waitlist.

The refund will go back to the credit card used to pay for the excursion.

You definitely need to pay when you book.

So if you have onboard credits, you couldn't use them to pay for excursions if you booked them ahead of time ?

So if you have onboard credits, you couldn't use them to pay for excursions if you booked them ahead of time ?

Correct.

If my DD buys me an OBC or a drink card or some other gift for my upcoming cruise, will I receive any sort of email or notice? I have such a difficult time finding things on the website. I would expect an email or something in my booking saying someone had purchased a gift.

She wants it to be a surprise. What's HAL's procedure for gifts purchased by someone not on the cruise?

If my DD buys me an OBC or a drink card or some other gift for my upcoming cruise, will I receive any sort of email or notice? I have such a difficult time finding things on the website. I would expect an email or something in my booking saying someone had purchased a gift.

 

She wants it to be a surprise. What's HAL's procedure for gifts purchased by someone not on the cruise?

The confirming email goes to the purchaser - not the recipient.

There is also a spot to indicate it is a gift and to put a message on the card.

Works beautifully. I have bought gifts before and they have always been a surprise to the recipients. ;)

A friend and I (2 50-something women from Idaho) are cruising on the Rotterdam February 12-March 5, 2017. It will be my first HA cruise. Is there anything you think would be valuable for me to know before we embark? (I've read through the threads, so anything not already covered.)

A friend and I (2 50-something women from Idaho) are cruising on the Rotterdam February 12-March 5, 2017. It will be my first HA cruise. Is there anything you think would be valuable for me to know before we embark? (I've read through the threads, so anything not already covered.)

Are you taking an Ipod? If you are download the art tour from the HAL site or Itunes (free). The art on this ship is very nice IMO and, if you have a sea day you may well enjoy exploring. No ipod? No worries, the last time I was on HAL they were available at the library to borrow to use to see the art.

Keep the ship in good shape - we follow you at the end of March ;)

1. You are not limited to ordering just off of the room service menu. You can order almost anything from the main dining room menu through room service and have it delivered to your cabin.

 

2. On the room service menu, you can write in additional items that are served at breakfast throughout the ship and they will bring them to you.

 

3. The Hotel Service Charge covers all your tipping whilst on board. There is no need to provide additional tips. If you wish to tip extra, I recommend that you increase your Hotel Service Charge.

 

4. HAL passengers love to line up. They enjoy lining up to get on the ship and lining up to get off the ship. Whenever you arrive in a port, passengers will start lining up early to get off the ship. Just wait until about 30 minutes after arriving in port and you can easily walk directly off the ship.

 

5. Bring a small table cloth if you plan to dine on your balcony. It will elevate the experience even more.

totally new to cruising here....so you can order room service from the dining room,and they bring it to you,and the this is all part of the gratuities fee that we pay ahead of time? this sounds pretty great....

I typically get an email response from World Cruises within an hour (from their opening of time) of when I sent my fax. You do need to include your email address in the fax you send them.

 

I use a TA so can't see my OBC but I know that it is there. My TA tells me it shows up very quickly - within 24 hours at the most. I just take the email I get from CCL with me, in case ;)

 

 

You might want to check your fax # and if your email was on it and all that good stuff and re-send to be safe? I have always found them very fast to reply.

so I believe we have a small onboard credit with our booking, how do I view this again? I need to contact the TA ?

We did an Alaskan land cruise tour Aug 2015. If you are looking for a great whale trip, we did one with Harv and Marv in Juneau. We saw Orcas, Humpbacks and sea lions. It was fabulous. We took their option of dropping you off at Mendenhall glacier afterwards to tour on our own and took the 10 dollar bus back.

Haines was walkable not much there. Ketchikan was walked around as well.

this sounds really cool..... I'm going to look for their company site

totally new to cruising here....so you can order room service from the dining room,and they bring it to you,and the this is all part of the gratuities fee that we pay ahead of time? this sounds pretty great....

You must place your dining room order through Room Service during the hours that the dining room is open and it will be delivered to your room.

Ordering from the regular Room Service menu is free and available 24/7. There is a new Rom Service menu that is being deployed that will add some items that are not free.