panamashark

We canceled our HAL Eurodam 24 day cruise on September 12th.  There is too much risk regarding the changing policies.  It is masks today and possibly only ship excursions in the next 30 days.  We decided to book a Europe land trip with a rental car and go through Italy, Czechia, Croatia and Austria.  We are hoping for Hungary but will depend if it opens up.  Safe cruising.

1 hour ago, aliaschief said:

I just think there not going to name every venue on the ship. To me Public pretty much entails all areas except when your dining or seated having a cocktail. Will find out this weekend.

You are probably correct.  The next thing that will change is that passengers will only be allowed off the ship for ship excursions.  While masks inside suck on fully vaccinated cruises, only ship excursions would ruin the trip.  We will probably cancel or 24 day September cruise on Monday.  Bummer

Just heard news that Carnival is requiring masks on ships that are currently sailing--not waiting until August 7th.  Is this HAL cruise now requiring the mask on the ship?

31 minutes ago, aliaschief said:

It’s a public area with folks breathing hard. So you can pretty much count that mask will be required. 

While I mostly agree with you, if it was that obvious, they would have included the gym in the required list.  It may be possible that masks will be required when the gym is busy and not required at other times.  We will have to see what happens on the cruises that start on August 7th.

Has anyone heard if masks will be required in the gym?  This indoor area was not specifically mentioned in the notice from HAL as required.  We are hoping to use the gym in off hours when it is not crowded as it is hard to workout in a mask.  Cheers

10 hours ago, zelker said:

You won't need testing, that doesn't start until the 8/14 cruise.  They are suggesting (not requiring) that everyone mask up starting with your cruise and there are some places that it will be mandatory on the ship.

 

This is the email we received this morning.  Masks are required not suggested.

IMPORTANT NOTIFICATION: We look forward to welcoming you on board your upcoming cruise. In an abundance of caution and in response to the increasing number of cases of COVID-19 caused by the Delta variant, we have made adjustments to our onboard mask policy. All guests will be required to wear face masks in elevators, entertainment venues, retail shops, the casino, and other designated areas except while eating and drinking. Guests must also wear face masks prior to being seated in all dining venues and may occasionally be asked to wear a mask in other designated areas. Masks are required during embarkation and debarkation in the terminal, and must be worn during the debarkation process on board. Our team members will continue to wear masks at all times when in guest areas, except when eating or drinking or outdoors when not interacting with guests. As we work with our medical experts to promote the health and safety of our guests and team members, we appreciate the cooperation of all of our guests.

4 minutes ago, zelker said:

And because of this, we just cancelled an early November cruise (had until this Friday to cancel and get a refund) - no way we feel comfortable going to Mexico now.  Bummmmmmmed!

 

Yes we are seriously considering canceling our 24 day Eurodam September cruise.  Bummer.

32 minutes ago, just_cruising_along said:

Once again the Cruise Ship Color Status has gone to yellow for the NA. Just curious how this is being handled while onboard. Are passengers notified of the CDC investigation and or the results of a CDC investigation? Last week there were two cases that turned out not to be COVID related.  And the color coding went to orange.  

 

 

• Orange status means the ship has reported cases of COVID-19 but is below the threshold for CDC investigation.
• Yellow status means the ship has met the threshold for CDC investigation because the ship has met one of the following criteria:
  • at or above the investigation threshold for crew COVID-19 cases,
  • at or above the investigation threshold for passenger COVID-19 cases; or
  • state or local health department notified CDC of passenger COVID-19 cases occurring within 5 days of disembarkation.

When you open the link and show all the cruise ships, it looks like every ship currently sailing in North America is either orange or yellow.  Seems like the CDC is monitoring all cruise ships that are sailing.

1 minute ago, kazu said:

 

Exactly.  Sadly that particular wine is not in the wine packages but it is what it is.  We’ll cope 😉 

Yup, I agree.  We often bought nice glasses of wine during Happy Hour too.  I am trying to remember the name of our favorite red.

4 minutes ago, kazu said:

 

Boy that has really changed.  I think it’s actually a better deal IF I have this figured out right?  Of course, I’m sure the jackpots are a lot less based on the When and Where’s I saw on Lisa’s post.

 

 

Dam!  Our favourite wine is very pricey - we always got it at happy hour.

 

 

Sounds very different from last bingo game where I had to keep track and punch and fold.  Thanks 🙂 

 

 

Drink packages don’t cover the really good wines.  Happy hour was very busy before.  Now, I’m not so sure.  25% off is not a huge savings 😔 So much for our pricey wine we liked 😢 

This only means we will have to buy more bottles of wine on the wine packages and possibly bring them from our room if the service is not too good.  Maybe they will change the Happy Hour back.  We have 66 days scheduled on HAL, 3 cruises, between September 2021 and April 2022.  One could hope they fix the Happy Hour.  Cheers

3 minutes ago, Brentt_M said:

Sorry typo on my part 25% OFF not of.  So $10 drink is $7.50 for the 2nd

Thanks, Too bad HAL has turned Happy Hour into a non event.  It used to be a fun place to meet people.  But, we will probably still go.  Cheers

37 minutes ago, Brentt_M said:

Happy hour is now only 25% of the 2nd drink... 😞

Not sure if I understand the math 🙂  If a drink is $10, do you pay $2.50 or $7.50 for the second drink?  If it is $2.50, then not much difference from the second drink costs $2.00.  Have a great cruise.

2 hours ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

When we went to Tamarind I ordered the Crab Legs appetizer off the Nami Sushi menu and was charged 50% of the cost plus the additional gratuity.

Thanks for the answer.  We love sushi.

Your meal at the Tamarind looks wonderful.  We have been cruising on HAL for the past 6 years but have not been on a ship with the Tamarind or Nami.  Question regarding the 4 & 5 star discounts.  Do you get the discounts when ordering ala carte from the Nami Restaurant?  Thanks

Hi Brentt, Hope you and the family have a great cruise.  We will be happy to follow along with your travels and wish you a safe, wonderful trip.  Cheers, Brent & Jeannie

Thanks Lisa and Tom for taking us with you.  Safe travels home!

Embarkation question.  Did HAL perform a covid virus test at the port prior to boarding?  Was it quick or time consuming.  Thanks 

Does anyone know if 4 and 5 stars get a 50% discount at Nami Sushi?  Thanks

Just a thought on the 4 and 5 star event that Lisa did not know about.  Sometimes HAL makes invitations based upon actual number of cruise days, not including the added spending days.  We are 4 star and have not always been invited and this was the reason given.  Before we get too upset, please check with HAL to identify the specific requirements for the event.  It could be that you need to have 200 actual cruise days when you may only have 194 plus spending days to get to 4 star.  This is what we are with HAL.  Stay happy and have a great cruise.

Thanks Lisa for all the posts and information on the first HAL sailing.  We are very excited about our 24 day cruise on the Eurodam Sept 12.    We will be reading all the posts but are most interested in the wine package vs the beverage upgrade to Elite.  Also, the best internet package on HAL which included video, was capped at a daily limit of 500 mbs.  After 500 mbs the speed of the service was significantly reduced.  In 2019 we spent some time discussing this with the on board IT person and hope this gets corrected for 2021 cruises.  Please let us know if you here anything regarding any caps on the best internet package.  Cheers and have a great cruise. Brent & Jeannie

If you want a glass of wine that is above $7 and you have purchased the Signature Beverage Package, can you pay the difference between the $7 and the price for the better wine or will you be charged the full price?

Thanks

Hi All,

We will be on a cruise arriving in Lisbon on May 1st 2015, which is a national holiday. This is our first time in Lisbon and thought we would get a day pass on the public transport system. Does anyone know a place or two that provides port / wine tasting in Lisbon.

Much appreciated,

Brent