HMSDingy

I may have misunderstood when I spoke to a HAL rep but I was told that my refundable deposit was fully refundable as long as it was done before a certain date. I'll have to all them back. 

7 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I'm sorry I don't understand the question. I use a future cruise deposit of $100 to hold my cruise.  I purchase these on board and my cruises are usually 14 days or less.  I suspect I'm not answering your question properly. 

I just got off the line with HAL and the advantage fare with the refundable deposit is more expensive for the cruise I'm looking at. I'd like more info on the $100 for future cruises.

1 minute ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Yes, it does just as a refundable hotel costs more.  There are 3 prices, the non refundable, an advantage fare, and the hia fare. You can't see the advantage fare online,  a ta or pcc needs to get that for you.  It's s deep dark secret.

Thanks for that. The I will have to either contact HAL or a TA for the advantage fare. One more question, can I use either of the deposits as a credit for a future cruise would I need to cancel?

18 hours ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Good reason not to buy refundable.  When I've seen non refundable it's always noted that you need to buy insurance at that time.  I'm not sure why it would be assumed thst non refundable really means refundable.

Does the price of the cruise increase if you choose the refundable deposit? When I search the cruise on the HAL website, it asks for a non refundable deposit. I don't see an option to choose refundable.

We've cruised with HAL before and looking to cruise next year. I noticed on the itinerary we're looking at the deposit would be roughly $800 CAD. How does this work in case of cancellation? Is it non refundable? 

Sorry deleted post

2 hours ago, ontheweb said:

Just try to ignore the posters who are nasty. There are a lot of posters who are not nasty and do try to be helpful.

 

Within a year of being in Kusadasi on a cruise, I went to donate blood to the Red Cross. When I said I had been in Turkey, they had to look up whether that part of Turkey disqualified me from donating blood. It did not. (Another time I was disqualified for going into the interior of Belize on an excursion to view Mayan ruins.)

Thanks I appreciate your response.

5 hours ago, Grego said:

Amen.

Yes, I did look at a map. I just wanted poeple's input.

On 2/23/2023 at 11:03 AM, wowzz said:

It's like not going to Norfolk, Virginia,  because of an earthquake in Boston !

Don't know the distance between those two as I'm Canadian, Why are you assuming that everyone knows that?

On 2/23/2023 at 10:55 AM, Astro Flyer said:

Checking a map of where Kusadasi is located in northwestern Turkey it’s a long distance from where the quake was centered in the southeast portion by Syria. Based on Google Maps the general quake area I’ve read about is about 700 miles away. You could do additional research to better narrow down the quake area’s distance from Kusadasi however based on my cursory research it wouldn’t affect Kusadasi.

 

We greatly enjoyed a tour to Ephesus from Kusadasi during our cruise about a decade ago.

 

I asked a simple question and I was put in place for not researching the location of Kusadesi.  Why are you people os nasty? 

The Princess Med cruise we're looking at is stopping in Kusadesi,Turkey. Will there be any itinerary changes because of the earthquake?

19 minutes ago, cjpj said:

Yes - always per person for the Princess prices. Usually for one night it is not economical.

17 hours ago, shellbeachjim said:

I've always considered the Princess hotels to be w-a-y overpriced. Remember, the rates on the website are per person based on double occupancy.

It is overpriced but if you book the same hotel on another website, then tack on 2 Princess transfers to the port, it comes out to roughly the same. By my calculations & taking into consideration when we plan to cruise, our cost would come out to $550 CAD. If you go the other route & book another hotel, you would still have to add on the transfer to the port and you're looking at 150 euros per ride. From what I've found, hotels that include the airport shuttle, usually range around $200. That would still make our one night stay at another hotel with transfers from airport & to the port at around $450 CAD. Yes I'd be saving a few bucks but with Princess I would have peace of mind as to transfers. Our cruise is in November, so I've got a bit of time to put more pennies away & make a final decision. That being said, anyone have hotel and transfer to port suggestions?

18 hours ago, Mflem1278 said:

Looks to me like it was $308.  And that was one night.  Included transfer from airport to hotel and from hotel to ship and then from ship to airport.  I don't know if that is considered expensive in Europe or not.  It was a really nice place and we were happy with what we paid.

 

Was that $308 for the room or per occupant.

17 hours ago, shellbeachjim said:

I've always considered the Princess hotels to be w-a-y overpriced. Remember, the rates on the website are per person based on double occupancy.

Then the prices are ridiculous because the cheapest hotel on the Princess website for a room in Rome is listed at $299 which would make it almost $600 for one night. I can get the same room on Expedia for $332 CAD tax in and even save more since I'm a member. The hotel website lists a room at 179 Euros. I'm sure there must be something wrong.

17 hours ago, Thrak said:

 

I have no personal experience with this but I have read a number of times here on CC that the Princess price is listed per person. Make sure you know exactly what you are looking at in regard to prices.

Are you sure? Usually hotel prices are quoted per room as a double occupancy.

16 hours ago, Hlitner said:

Come live here in some places like NYC.  Get a meal in NYC and then you add 8.75% tax plus another 20% tip.  Drives our European friends crazy 🙂

Here in Montreal we have a federal and provincial tax totalling 15% and tipping is from 15% to 20% or whatever the heck you want to pay. But living here isn't as expensive as NYC. I have a niece who's studying at Columbia on a scholarship and lucky for her, the scholarship covers her rent. 

On 2/3/2023 at 12:38 PM, Hlitner said:

Easier said than done!  We Americans often suffer from what has been called "tipping guilt" and have a difficult time not tipping :).  We sometimes see posts here on CC where folks suggest they will always tip...not matter what!  What we (Americans) fail to understand that mores do differ around the world and there are actually places where tipping is considered an insult and patronizing.  The UGLY American is alive and well and believes that they are always right and there is no need to follow local customs.

 

Hank

Hi Hank, long time no speak. Wife and I are Italian and we speak the language fluently. That being said we are rarely mistaken fo tourists and do understand the practice, or lack thereof, of tipping in Italy. I really love all of the extra charges they tack onto your bill. 

Just now, Mflem1278 said:

We stayed at a Princess hotel pre-cruise in Rome in November 2022.  Nice place, directly across from the train/subway/bus station.  Yes it included transfers.  Best Western Premier Hotel Royal Santina

Curious to know how much you paid for the hotel. The Princess websites lists the prices at $299 Canadian. Doesn't specify if it's for one or two nights.

Although Platinum members, we've never stayed at the hotels suggested by Princess. This coming November were looking at a Med cruise and would like to stay for at least one night pre-cruise. Has anyone used this service? I know that although the hotels tend to be a bit more pricey, they do include transfers from airport  & to ship. 

Hi all, looking to book a Med cruise this November. Does Princess pick up pax at any hotel they're staying in or is a select few?

Thanks in advance.

I have the VaxiCode app on my phone with all of my shots. Would that be enough?

16 hours ago, kazu said:

 

 

My experience is the Sam as RoyalVisit’s and I’ve done a few European cruises.

 

Definitely a difference compared to a Caribbean or Alaska itinerary.  

That's what I figured.  We have in fact done have one Med cruise but it was with Royal Caribbean not HAL. Wanted to know if it was the same with HAL.

On 5/18/2019 at 12:41 AM, Boatdrill said:

And from the other side....I've worked for cruise lines (onboard and shoreside), and in hotel management,  so I've worn uniforms nearly all my life.  My first cruise was when I was 10 years old.  

I look forward to dressing up for Gala/Formal nights. When I pack, I look in my closet and remember what I wore on which ship and the itinerary. I choose accordingly (Caribbean vs Alaska vs transatlantic, etc.).  I dress up for Gala nights not only because  that's what the occasion calls for, but out of respect for the officers (who are in their formal uniforms as well) and their ship.  That's what I was taught, and yes,  I'm a traditionalist.  I know crew appreciate well dressed guests; it's similar to dressing well for first class on an airplane.  No passenger should ever feel overdressed in the MDR on Gala Night. But that's where it seems to be headed.     

    

Quick question, from your experience are pax on European cruises dressier on gala nights?

Although I'm Canadian, I don't have  Discovery Channel & I'm not going subscribe just for one episode. Would appreciate any link where I can view it .  

5 hours ago, canadianbear said:

They encourage after 7:30.  However, if you go before and it’s super busy they give you a pager so you can go have a drink while waiting.  If you’re willing to sit with others it’s usually not too long of wait (except the first night we’ve found, hence we pre-book a specialty restaurant).  

Then I guess the best thing would be to book a specialty restaurant for the first night & avoid the mayhem.  

BTW British Columbia is beautiful as is the rest our our country!