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WVU_Neal

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  1. What is your thinking about buying Annual Travel Insurance versus insurance for each trip? Our plans are to take at least two trips to Europe, one September, 2024 and another one already booked in April, 2025. There may be at least one more trip within that year. At what point does Annual Insurance become the better option? Neal
  2. Minimum is $6 and the game is unplayable for me. A blackjack pays 6:5 rather than the expected 3:2. This is a significant disadvantage to the player. The only game that offers decent odds in the casino is craps. That's about all I play anymore in the casino unless there is a poker table/game. Neal
  3. On our last two cruises, October on the Zuiderdam and February on the Rotterdam, we found the entertainment excellent. On both ships, we loved the highly talented musicians in the 7 piece bands, complete with horns, that played lots of the "sweet soul music" from the 60s-80s. The dance floor was mostly full during their early sets. I love that music and was there just about every night. Yeah, HAL has "upped their game" with the entertainment onboard.
  4. I often politely ask the question "can you do any better on the price?" after being quoted. It either works or it doesn't and no one gets offended by the question or the answer. I've never had to try it on a cruise, although it does come up when I'm talking with my favorite big box cruise agency. Neal
  5. I'm quite familiar with casino games as well as those on the HAL ships. I tend to play games that offer the player the lowest house advantage. That game would be craps. Best bets are Pass/Don't Pass and Come/Don't Come. Those bets offer 1.41% house advantage. Odds on those bets are at no house advantage. Craps is a lot of fun to play, especially when there is a full table. It's fast with a lot of action. The disadvantage is that it is too easy to get a lot of money out on the table. If you want to give it a try, and you should, definitely take some time and learn the game and the odds before you board. Learn the layout, the odds, and which bets offer you the best advantage. You might try Roulette. I play rarely as the house advantage is around 4%. Slower than craps. I don't play slots. The closest would be video poker, but the games on the HAL ships have horrible pay tables. Good luck to you.
  6. We were on the Rotterdam in early February. The World Stage is an excellent venue. On our 9 day cruise there were two excellent dance performances, a comedian, magician, and steel drum band. Decent entertainment as well as in the our music venues.
  7. One of the reasons I am fortunate enough to afford cruises is that I managed my “nickels and dimes” (as well as larger coins) quite well over the years. I lived well, and below my means. I am the OP here and simply dislike companies that tend to nickel and dime their loyal customers. Indeed, there are worse offenders than HAL-for the most part they do a great job.
  8. Just off the Rotterdam with Have It All. Does HAL really need to nickel and dime its customers by charging $11.50 for a cocktail when the SBP limit is $11? Seems a bit tacky for my tastes. Come on naysayers. Remind me that it's only $0.59 extra and that I should not be such a cheapskate. Neal
  9. We just got off the Rotterdam last week. In talking with the Cruise Director, she mentioned that there might be a return of classical music in the fall.
  10. That is the best way to resolve issues. Courteous and friendly. And knowing that I’m working with good people. I can be firmer with the indifference of so many customer service agents. Neal
  11. I gently suggested it. Did not make a point of it. Guest services was just really good.
  12. Back in early January, I started a thread voicing my concern about HAL Customer Service. It became quite a long thread with various opinions about whether I should ever both with such a trivial matter. The outcome was excellent, as I would have expected from HAL… Sometime after boarding the Rotterdam, where I am currently located, I had occasion to stop by Guest Services on the ship. After the current matter was handily fixed, I asked the agent if she was able to assist me with my concern as she was the first Guest Services person I was able to speak with. Each agent on the Rotterdam has a notebook used to notate their discussion, and this person took notes. At the end of our conversation she asked that I allow her a few days to resolve this matter. After the weekend, I received a phone call in my Verandah cabin explaining that a refund of $11 would be added to my onboard account and that a bottle of wine would soon be delivered to my room. (The wine complimented a lovely meal in Pinnacle.) And that’s the rest.of the story…
  13. I think you missed the “excluding” parenthesis LOL. Indeed I did. Sheesh. I must read more carefully. 😀 I stand corrected. Thank you.
  14. I just checked and the complete link is below. Mariner 3 stars get 25% of packages and bottles. Mariner 4-5 get 50% https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/plan-a-cruise/get-ready-for-your-cruise/mariner-society
  15. Biggest problem with the game is 6:5 for blackjack rather than 3:2. I won't play those games/tables. Neal
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