expattraveler

For what it’s worth, and just info… We do not have mobility restrictions, and have tendered in Cabo on multiple cruise lines. Some days the tender process is very calm and not an issue; however, on other days it is very difficult, not only for for non-restricted guests, but for all guests. You may be best served waiting until you actual date of arrival, and make a safe decision on the actual day.

Christmas cruise sounds very similar to the Thanksgiving cruise on K’dam.

We lived downtown Amsterdam from 2015 to 2018 and traveled to Schipol for flights frequently. The Dutch are extremely efficient; however, even with the pre-COVID Dutch efficiency factored in your timing would be a push IMO. Unfortunately compounded with the recent breakdowns at the Schipol airport…..I would recommend a later flight.

After all the good things we heard about HAL from friends we took our first HAL cruise on the Konningsdam Thanksgiving cruise out of San Diego. Not memorable. We did a follow up cruise on the December 10th to 17th sailing on the Konningsdam out of San Diego to see if the Thanksgiving Cruise experience was an anomaly and ended with better results. Did it get better? Marginally at best. Possibly due to a lighter passenger load, but no wow factor. Overall food quality on both cruises was poor. Even our dinner in the specialty restaurant Pinnical on the second cruise was not up to what we experienced on the first cruise. We actually deferred. to eating in meals in the Dutch Cafe. Not what you would expect on a high end cruise line, but compared to the other complimentary dining for meals, this ended up as our “go to” dining location for breakfast and dinner. The Ocean Bar Lounge was one of the highlights for a pre dinner cocktail, but where was the piano player? Nowhere to be found. Only a sign on the piano players stool for the two cruises saying “do not sit here”. We have another HAL Panama Canal cruise booked in April on the Niew Amsterdam for the itinerary. It disembarks in San Diego where we live. However, if things don’t get better after that cruise with food and entertainment it will most likely be our last HAL. We’ll shall see….

sheesh…..

CruiserBruce, thank you for the reply and advise!

We have OBC. We were going to purchase drink packages and Wi Fi when we boarded; however, HAL is now discounting HIA for our cruise. It is now more advantageous to book HIA via the website prior to booking the beverage package and Wi Fi onboard using OBC. Question. Can we use our OBC applied to book HIA online, or do we need to “BUY NOW” online with our credit card on file for the discounted HIA price and try to get our OBC credited once onboard? Thank you in advance for your help and replies!

Also an animal lover; however, I unfortunately developed an extreme allergy to cats and to a lesser extent dogs later in life. If I come into contact with furnishings where cats and/or dogs have rested or have been allowed to sleep I end up in an hospital emergency rooms on a nebulizer. When you cannot breathe it is not a pleasant experience. This trend of “service” animals is becoming a bit over the top. It’s like the hanging of disabled tags on the rear view mirror when multiple 20 something’s jump out to go to get their Starbucks. Just saying…..

Sorry, but I cannot answer the question regarding Luggage Direct in San Diego.

Thank you CruiserBruce. Much appreciated!

Are there any Dressy nights on the current 7 night Konningsdam Mexican Riviera sailings out of San Diego?

Here is the thread with info on San Diego Port. We’re from Texas and here on a work assignment. Although we’ve sailed from many US ports, and ports around the world, we’ve never sailed from a California port. When I saw the crowds of people waiting outside the terminal for what seemed to be a long time I though possibly a Coast Guard inspection was causing a delay in boarding. When I saw the same crowds yesterday I looked for information as to what may have been caused the back up. That’s when I found the above thread. Just thought I’d pass it along for general information.

We live across the street from the B Street Pier in San Diego and have an unobstructed view of the entrance. The last two sailings of the Konningsdam, including yesterday’s, had very large crowds lined up outside the terminal until 1:30 or so. The folks stated to assemble at the pier entrance around 9:30, but the pier doesn’t open until 10:30. There is a thread on West Coast Departures started by someone who works at the pier. She indicated that the boarding times listed on your boarding pass are being enforced. You may want to read that thread for further information in order to prevent standing outside the terminal for a long period of time. Also, for the past two weeks the Konningsdam didn’t depart the pier until approximately 18:00.

IDLnyc, We are currently booked on the Auckland to Bali (Benoa) (February 13 – March 14, 2024). We did not receive an email regarding the potential port changes. The Viking website site still shows Melbourne and Newcastle; however, when I go into my booking and click on Shore Excursions, these two ports are no longer shown. Sydney is now shown for three days: February 26, 27 & 28 and Mooloolaba scheduled for March 1.

I haven’t read the scientific data yet which supports your position. Can you please point me to it? Thank you and happy sailing!

Sorry, but don’t follow your logic. I’m fully vaccinated and caught COVID after practicing masking, hand cleansing and social distancing for 2/12 years. What’s to say vaccinated travelers are not positive when boarding? This is the reason we have not restarted our cruise holidays. Many people pointing fingers based on feelings….not science. We will continue to wait until hopefully once again…..common sense rears it’s ugly head.

Great advice form StevieElle regarding the bus. We lived in Amsterdam 2014 thru 2016 and used the bus routinely from Schipol to the city. Very efficient, good luggage storage, and as stated, reasonably priced.

KroozNut/CruiserBruce, Thank you for your replies and information. I understand about passports; however, I was confused when HAL included visa’s for a cruise to Mexico starting and ending in the US in their canned “be prepared” document. Again thank you for the help!

CruiserBruce, thank you for the reply and the help!

Are US passport holders required to obtain a Mexico Tourist Card (FMM), or visa to cruise from San Diego to Mexico ports? I received an email form HAL this morning with an attachment stating passengers are required to obtain all necessary travel documents including visas for our upcoming cruise to Mexico. “If you do not have all necessary documents upon arrival at embarkation you will be denied boarding.” I am aware the passenger is responsible for passports, visa’s, etc; however, we are departing San Diego on November 19 for a seven day round trip to Cabo, Mazatlan and Puerto Vallarta. Although we’ve never sailed HAL to Mexico ports, we have sailed Princess and Celebrity to Mexico prior to COVID and never needed Mexican Tourist Card (FMM) or visa. We always carry our passports. I’ve looked online and found a website “Visas Mexico” which states the following: “Sea passengers do not need to complete the FMM form in advance, the visitor permit is issued at the first port of call in Mexico.” It further states: “Cruise ship passengers from visa-exempt nations can disembark the ship at any Mexican port without a visa provided they only visit the surrounding area and embark the same ship to continue the journey.” which is what we plan on doing at all ports. I called HAL for clarification. I was on hold for a long time without pick up so I thought I could post the question here and hopefully a clear response. Thank you in advance for the help!

Heard a rumor the Longhorn Network was going to drop UT if they didn’t do something special….

And corrected they should be……