BarbandDaleT

We took it last year for our Princess cruise and loved it. The train stops right at the dock. I am assuming it is the same for HAL but they took our bags at the train station and we next saw them in our rooms. The trip was lovely and we would do it again.

I am sure most people do understand. But airlines are no longer liable for your flight if you don’t arrive by those times. If you choose to arrive later and they are over booked, they can bump you without covering a hotel stay, meals, etc. At least this was true when I was a travel agent. But maybe you know better.

Sorry, only anecdotal. We watch many cruise vloggers on YouTube who always recommend later flights and I am a former travel agent who recommended later flights 20 years ago. It really only needs to happen to you once for it to be too often. I also want to point out the OP had a 12:35pm international flight. This means they were expected to be at the airport by 9:35am. Ship arrival maybe 6 or 7am, then waiting for port authority approval to go ashore, then going through customs and immigration. Then transportation to the airport of about 30 minutes in Seattle. Wow. Tight fit. One immigration employee not showing up for work leaving them short staffed could eliminate your cushion.

Apparently you are fully able and have no difficulty walking.

We are taking our first cruise with HAL and we are used to dining on other cruise lines without set dining times. We basically eat when we are hungry, so this varies from day to day. On other ships we usually head to the main dining room when hungry, ask for a table, and are seated. We only plan ahead for specialty dining restaurants where reservations are necessary. Will this work on the Westerdam? Do you think we will have issues without a reservation?

We are sailing HAL for the first time soon and this sounds a little depressing.

I would never book a flight that early to return home after a cruise. What you described happens too often. We look for flights after 3pm, or the next day. We also arrive a day or two prior to cruise departure. Why put yourself through the torture of trying to meet an early flight?

Bought Vibe passes today for the Bliss Panama Canal in January 2023. Keep in mind it’s a 15 day cruise and the pass is for the whole cruise.

Just cruised Princess and the included drinks package allowed for drinks up to $15. Many, if not most of what we wanted was included in that. We didn't have the premium package.