shipgirl56

We have stayed at the Executive Hotel Le Soleil.  The staff was very friendly and helpful.  The rooms were nice.

Are you talking about Pinnacle? I asked this question a few months ago.  The information I got was, when part of a package, you will be assigned a dining time. A confirmation card will be in your cabin. 

9 hours ago, Oldies123 said:

We are going late June - would be great if you could post your experience before we go !

I will post when we get back.  Hope I can post something before you leave.  We are continuing on to Croatia after The Greek Odyssey cruise and won't return to the U.S. until mid-June.

Thank for all the info. We are on this cruise in May. 

I have Verizon and have used their Travel Pass.  It is usually $10/day.  You are only charged if you use it and it is good for 24 hours.  So if you text or call only 1 day during your trip you get charged $10. Verizon sends you messages to keep you informed, so no surprise.  I just used the Verizon app on my phone to sign up.  You only have to signup once. Now every time I cross the border into Canada or any other country, I get a message about Travel Pass. 

Thanks everyone.  It is all way more confusing than it has to be.  A simple list of what's included would be fine.  A list of what's not included and frequently asked questions.

3 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

If you have the Explore4 that includes the Signature Beverage Package (there are currently 2 different Explore4’s) then it includes all drinks up to the $11 limit.

Hard liquor has always been included and still is.

Ours does not include the Signature Beverage Package.  So I was not sure what beverages were included.

18 minutes ago, CJcruzer said:

As another of your posts deals with Explore 4 questions, I assume you are speaking of the complimentary PG dinner,

 

the complimentary Pinnacle Grill dinner time will be assigned to you, and you will receive notice of it by an invitation/card delivered to your cabin.   It should be there when you first enter your cabin, along with other cruise info material, tour tickets, etc.

 

A reminder card will be delivered to your cabin either the night before, or the morning of your reservation.

 

If the time assigned for your dinner is not suitable to you, then you can call or visit the Pinnacle Brill to change the reservation, based on whatever is still available.

 

It is NOT possible to pre-book the time or day for the complimentary PG dinner on line (at least not at this point in time).

 

Hope this helps

Carol

Thanks Carol!

I understand that Explore 4 no longer includes hard liquor? Just wine?  Not really clear on what beverages were included.

On 3/10/2018 at 7:03 AM, CSirm23 said:

Hi, first-time cruiser sailing in early April. Has anyone tried using VPN through the ship internet? I saw a note on another forum that all VPN access is blocked but it was a very old thread. I work as a technology manager and may be asked to log in via VPN should something urgent come up at work. Just curious if that’s even a possibility.

Thanks!

Good question.  I wanted to know if VPN would work, too.

How does it work when you have Pinnacle Grill for two with the Explore 4?

I am a little confused on what Explore 4 includes.

Onboard Credit, Pinnacle Grill

What else?

Does it include internet? sodas/bottled water?

I was told that it does include internet and sodas/bottled water, but I don't see that officially posted on Holland Website.

Can you make reservations online before the cruise? And, if you can book online,  when does that become available online to book? (How far in advance of cruise)

Thanks to everyone for all your responses!

3 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

Thanks for the info.  I'll look again, but don't remember seeing the option to do that -- just a page to start monthly charges to my credit card.  When you do it that way, are they charging extra (more than the $1.49 to send a postcard?)  Just wondering what it really costs.  

It depends on how many credits you buy.  I believe that to send a postcard, it costs 1 credit. 

The choices for buying credits are:

Premium (which is a monthly charge).  It comes with perks, but I don't send enough to sign up for that. 

40 credits = $2.00 per credit. 

20 credits = $2.25 per credit. 

10 credits = $2.50 per credit.  

It used to cost less.  It still is a nice convenience when traveling.  You can also order cards, pictures in frames etc. which cost more.

Re: Touch Note app, I just bought a few credits to try it out and loved it.  I won't do the monthly charge either.  I'll just add a few more credits before our cruise.

I have been on two Hawaii cruises. The weather was good for both. On the spring cruise there was heavy rain in Hilo. I preferred the weather in the fall..

On the insurance question.  Usually if your insurance is through the cruise company, it will cover you for your cruise, air if booked through cruise company and excursions through cruise company.  If you take a outside vendor tour or fall down when wandering around town on your own, it usually isn't covered.  You have to read the fine print.

On 8/17/2019 at 10:38 AM, ncgolferette said:

I will be experiencing a similar situation next May on the Zuiderdam.  I even have a 11 am flight booked back to the States through flight ease.  If you are flying out the next morning why just not book your transfer to the airport through HAL.  That is what I have done at a cost of $49 pp which I think is a great deal for Venice.

If we arrive 3 days prior to the cruise and leave 2 days after the cruise, I am assuming that HAL transfer don't apply.  Am I correct?

I'm in my 60's.  The MMR vaccine wasn't available.  I had the measles.  They test immunity of women when you get pregnant and I had immunity.  It would be so difficult for most adults to come up with any verification of vaccines.

1 hour ago, Vineyard View said:

We are on this same itinerary with you! We will start 12 days prior out of Venice, and it is a very port intensive itinerary on both segments. I agree with you on pacing. Now that the dress code is more relaxed (no more Tux for DH) we think that the Gala nights will be much more relaxing on this port intensive trip. Sounds like the sea day is likely the gala night! 

Have you booked your Venice hotel yet?  I was thinking of doing that as we will go in early by one or two nights, but with the new possible changes in where ships will be docking I am not sure what to do with that piece. 

I haven't done hotels yet.  We are doing 3 nights prior in Rome and 2 nights post in Venice and then flying to Dubrovnik. Then we are doing a small ship cruise of Croatia on a ship that has only 18 cabins!

So glad it will not be as "formal".  We are taking carry-on only.  Makes it easier to not have to bring suits and heels etc.

On 8/11/2019 at 4:15 PM, SempreMare said:

 Anyone know if Alaska airlines audio hook ups in coach need this  headphones adapter?

 

 I’ve been on one airplane in the past couple years that needed it. Don’t remember what airlines ...

 

 

 

 

All the Alaska Airlines flights I have been on use 1 prong.

Thanks everyone.

3 hours ago, propwash said:

We did this trip last October. As mentioned, formal night is more like business casual. Some suits, most women dressed in log dresses. We enjoyed the trip so very much. Be prepared to do a LOT of walking and climbing of steps if you go on any excursions. 

Danny

Yes!  I think we will be tired 10 ports in 11 days!  We will have to pace ourselves.  We end up in Venice and are staying in a hotel for 2 nights. 

From there we fly to Dubrovnik for another 12 day cruise and land tour on a small ship.  I am looking forward to that.  The ship has just 18 cabins.

If we don't pace ourselves, we will not make it to the end!

4 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

 

Thank you!!!  I'll check out both of these.  I know the grand kids don't care about pretty foreign stamps at their ages, so this sounds perfect.  A good way to stay in touch while we're gone.  They get excited about getting post cards in the mail that are just for them.

My grandkids loved getting a postcard each, addressed to them.  They looked forward to them.

On 8/10/2019 at 4:19 PM, Roz said:

Packing is the 3rd ring of Hell.  💀😈

 

Roz

hahaha!