Bagette

I plan on doing one on my Dec Panama Canal itinerary on the Rotterdam! As long as the internet package allows it. ... I do something similar on all my land-based vacations, but I call them "GOOD MORNING <enter place name>" I typically travel solo, so these are how I feel a little less lonely, plus they let my mom follow along on my adventure. I've enjoyed reading the few HAL Lives I've stumbled across. They ARE very helpful to people who, like me, like to know what to expect. Even when it isn't the same ship or itinerary. Thanks to all who take the time to post them!

Are you on the Dec 8 itinerary? I am! I’ve managed to snag myself an aft verandah, and I am very excited! I really want photos approaching the bridge, so my tentative plan is to be up super early to get a spot on the bow, where I’ll stay through the first lock, and then run back to my cabin for the other two. I may change that plan on the fly though, as I am sure that I’ll want to feed off the excitement of other people too. For those of you with experience: about how long does each individual lock take? There are 3, right (but we’ll do them twice)? PS. I spent 2 weeks in Panama a few years ago. Miraflores Locks is my favorite museum in the world. I could have watched the ships there all day! … But no one told me about Panama buns while I was there. I am super excited to try those. They sound amazing!!

You were able to add the AARP OBC just by refaring?? This would be awesome news for me!

THAT is going to be AMAZING!! 🙂

Thanks everyone for your advice and for confirming what I thought I knew was accurate. I called my TA today, paid just the CO fee, and now somehow managed to snag myself an aft verandah! I am so excited! I want my cruise to leave tomorrow! ... I have a ton of other questions too but will make every effort to find if they've already been asked before I start any new threads. 🙂

This is very helpful! Thank you so much!

Thanks! That is what I thought! I'll definitely look forward to reading your posts in November! I love having a preview! 🙂

Hi! I'm a new(ish) cruiser and completely new to HAL. I've just booked a December cruise (Panama Canal, Dec 2024 on Rotterdam), and my TA has added Club Orange. She was on the phone with HAL while I was on the phone with her. I've done enough research that I *thought* I understood the upgrades, but now, I'm not so sure! Here are pertinent facts and questions about my cruise: 1) Cruise is booked, but only the $1 deposit (special yesterday and today) has been paid. 2) TA supposedly has added Club Orange, but I have not yet paid for it. I do have an invoice for $300 (12 nights X $25) than the original invoice. 3) The HAL agent my TA was speaking with said that both the cruise and Club Orange must be paid for in full before the upgrade can happen. Is this true? It contradicts nearly everything I read before booking. 4) The HAL agent also told my TA that the upgrade only goes up ONE level within the broader category, ie from "VF" to "VD" NOT from "VF" to, say, "V". Again, this seems to contradict everything I've read. So, I'm trying to figure out how to get the upgrade I'm hoping for -- which is to ideally to go from the "VF" I've booked to at least a "VB". Do I need to pay the entire amount tomorrow to get the best possibility of a desirable upgrade? There do seem to be a lot of cabins available in various verandah levels.... Also, should I expect just to be able to from "VF" to VD" or can I expect to get my dream verandah (from what is currently available)? Thanks so much! 🙂