calteacher

I was afraid we couldn't get 4 star now, and am not sure that I can convince my DH to go for another cruise. But, we will enjoy this one.

We have reservations for an 18-day cruise. At this point we have 190 cruise day credits. After 10 days of the cruise, we will have accumulated 200 cruise day credits. Are we eligible for any "extras" the last 8 days? Will we receive our medallion during this cruise?

Thanks.

I was very surprised to learn that, even though I purchased excursions for my family as the entire cruise was paid for by my DH and I, we were denied mariner points for the excursions I purchased for them. I called to complain, but was told that I could only get points for things that were personally used by my DH and me. I'm curious to know if the rest of my family (all six of them) received mariner points for the excursions I paid for them.

Has anyone else had this problem?

How can I access the photos?

Thanks for the replies.

I almost hate to post this, as I agree that robes have no place in the Lido, dining room, etc. But, when going from our cabin to the Spa area, is it really necessary to take a complete change of clothing so that we don't appear in bathrobes on the elevator or in the cabin hallways?

Thanks for the explanations. We are almost at 200 days with HAL but have nearly always booked the cabin we felt we could afford given the itinerary, etc. A couple of times the price went down after final payment and we were able to upgrade for a very small amount (not an upsell from HAL, we just saw the lower price and our TA was able to help us spend a little more and get a lot more.) I was just curious as to how you would go reserving a guarantee.

The one time we booked an SZ, it was a guarantee, and it was after final payment. But I was on pins and needles until we actually got a cabin assignment. It was the one time we got an upgrade and it was for an SA. And, we only received it 3-4 days before sailing. This was a "spur of the moment" 7-day cruise. Not sure I would do that for a longer cruise or one that involved expensive flights.

So, if the price is just as if I were booking a cabin, how do I indicate that I am booking a "guarantee"?

I often see posts where people talk about having a "guarantee" cabin in a specific category, but needing to wait for a cabin assignment. I'm wondering why someone would book a "guarantee". Is the ship sold out and they still want to cruise? If there is a difference in price, I'm interested in knowing how to book a guarantee at a lower price.

Thanks.

Thanks. That was my reaction, too. We have had verandas in the past, but we've also had insides and outsides, and once were actually upgraded to a Neptune (that will never happen again, I'm sure.) We've enjoyed all of our cruises. In fact, when we had the Neptune suite, we didn't actually go around in the ship much because we felt like we needed to enjoy what we had!

Thanks for the advice. However, when I checked with our TA, it would be nearly $1,000 more per person because of what we would lose and the extra we would need to pay. (We had a great deal when we booked.) So, we'll keep what we have and be glad to be sailing. And, we can always hope for an upsell--an upgrade is probably too much to hope for.

Currently we are booked in an ocean view, but I'm wondering if I should upgrade to a veranda (if the price is right). I know that the first and last days into and out of San Diego are cool and usually rough. However, were you able to use the veranda a lot on those days approaching and departing the islands?

Thanks.

I'm so happy t hear you are recovering from you accident and that you received such excellent care. I assume from the following:

Every time the cabin stewards and concierges saw me, they asked if I was feeling better, did I need anything. The next day the concierges sent me a fruit plate. I guess they noticed that I was always taking a dish of fruit at the lounge in mornings and wanted me to have my favorite snack without a trip to the lounge."

that you were in a Neptune Suite since the concierges were so familiar with your routine. Just wondering if anyone who has not been in a Neptune Suite were able to get this wonderful service. I don't fault the concierges for their care, just wondering what someone who is not in a Neptune Suite would be able to get care.

I'm so happy t hear you are recovering from you accident and that you received such excellent care. I assume from the following:

Every time the cabin stewards and concierges saw me, they asked if I was feeling better, did I need anything. The next day the concierges sent me a fruit plate. I guess they noticed that I was always taking a dish of fruit at the lounge in mornings and wanted me to have my favorite snack without a trip to the lounge."

that you were in a Neptune Suite since the concierges were so familiar with your routine. Just wondering if anyone who has not been in a Neptune Suite were able to get this wonderful service. I don't fault the concierges for their care, just wondering what someone who is not in a Neptune Suite would be able to get care.

Thanks for replying, but my mistake. My DH has Great Courses Plus and apparently they cannot be downloaded even though you pay a monthly fee and can watch as much as you like streaming.

To RMLincoln

My DH is having a great deal of difficulty downloading Great Courses to his laptop. Do you have any suggestions on how to do this?

My DH read the suggestions and said he can do it. Even thought he might take a cooking class with me!(y)

Now I'm in the process of getting rental cars!

Guess others had the same idea. Hawaiicarrentals.com had no cars available for any of our days in port. Thanks anyway.

Thanks for the replies. He really enjoys the Great Courses, but has never purchased a DVD, instead pays for the streaming on his computer (which would not work for the cruise).

dvcmember: How did you arrange for car rental at the ports, especially Lahaina which is across the island from the airport. We, too, were considering renting a car, but the logistics in some locations didn't seem to work.

We have reservations for a cruise from San Diego round trip to Hawaii. Now, my DH is a little concerned about the five sea days each way--wondering what he will do with all of the time. We do not use the casino. He does like to read, and on earlier cruises has enjoyed some of the computer classes.

Just wondering what some of the rest of you have done with five sea days in a row. He is not someone to enjoy cooking classes, or hulu lessons, etc.

Hoping that we don't need to cancel the cruise.

Thanks.

Westerdam

February 19, 2018

18-Day Circle Hawaii

We have been to Hawaii a number of times and are not really interested in the tours provided by HAL. I recall reading on CC that some hotels in the Caribean and in Mexico offer a "day rate" to enjoy the beach. Has anyone found this to be true in Hawaii?

Thanks. Thinking about renting a car and it seems there were cars to rent there which did not require a trip to the airport (across the island).

We have been to Maui a number of times and are interested in renting a car to return to some of our favorite spots. I am needing the location where we will actually be in Maui when we disembark. Thanks for any help you can give.

I would really enjoy a cruise around the British Isles. After our next cruise, we will be 4 star and would enjoy sailing on a ship where we get a few extra perks. But I don't see any British Isles cruises. Anyone know anything about this?