farjar

We were finally able to book specialty dining reservations for our Jan 19-28 Getaway cruise.  Been checking everyday and they are now available.  All we need to do now is pack! 😊

Is there a penalty fee for cancelling a travel insurance policy I paid for through the cruise line in order to buy it from a different company?  It has been three weeks since the cruise was booked but it isn't until Sept. 2022.  I coverage I paid for is not as good as I have since found elsewhere.  Thanks 

7 hours ago, rempo said:

Yet another data point.

 

Brand new to cruising with Carnival.  Created a VIFP number and purchased a cruise with a VIFP offer (can't seem to find the exact code anywhere now).  Denied the shareholder OBC with the form letter "... reservations with a reduced rate promotion do not qualify for the onboard credit..."

After reading these posts about shareholder OBC being denied for cruises with a VIFP offer I called Carnival and the representative told me we would still get out $250 OBC for our 16 day cruise later this year.  I certainly hope so.

4 hours ago, Denverdonkeys said:

What's the benefit for the transfer? I use a big box retailer too, and the rewards and shop card are nice, but do you still get those on a reservation already booked?

 

In this current time with long waits, using them sucks. You wait a long time on the phone with them, then you wait while they call CCL.

The cruise was booked during Carnival's Black Friday Sale.  It was considerably less than the big box store plus Carnival was giving more OBC.  I have 90 days to transfer it and also get a shop card.  I just don't want to lose the Carnival OBC if I switch.  Switching is easy.  I only have to send an email to the new TA with the information and they will take care of it without any phone calls involved.

I am looking at transferring our new Carnival reservation to a big box store.  I have all the information to do it but wanted to make sure I wouldn't lose the OBC "Black Friday" perk Carnival gave us when I first booked directly with them. Will everything stay exactly the same?  Thanks.

On 11/28/2021 at 4:48 AM, hmwende said:

I am a shareholder and never knew about getting OBC. How does one go about asking for this?

Go on Google and search: Shareholder Benefit - Carnival Corporation

There is a letter explaining how much OBC is given depending on the length of the cruise ( a 7-13 day cruise gets $100, 14+ days gets $250).  It also gives the different addresses, emails addresses and fax numbers where to send the required information for all the Carnival cruise brands. Sorry I can't post the link but I'm technologically challenged".

On 11/24/2021 at 10:05 PM, chillyw said:

I went in to add my wife's info today, after she got her new passport, and it was locked down to 21 days out.  I'm on the Dec 26th sailing.  Not sure if this is a new thing, but I had always seen the button orange before today.

 

Annoying lol, because now I can't complete it without her being present to get her picture.

We recently got new passports also and just used our cell phone to take a picture of the "extra" passport picture we got when our passport pictures were taken.  I was able to load them with no problem.  NCL may wish to take a new picture at the pier but at least I gave them something.

How does the BOGO air work if the departure port and the debarkation port are different? The cruise we are looking at leaves San Pedro and finishes in Colon, Panama.  Our closest airport is San Diego.  When I do a mock booking and use San Diego airport it gives me a cost of $299 airfare and $150 ground ($75 pp)  Is the airfare to fly both of us from Colon to San Diego? Is the ground transportation fee for the pier in Colon to the Colon airport? I'm confused because NCL asks for "the departure airport" but Colon is not listed.  San Diego is listed but it is our "return" airport.  Any info would be appreciated.

Phissy, Do you book directly with an NCL reservation specialist or a travel agent?  When I've looked at booking online it seems to give you only the options of taking everything or refusing everything. We don't drink and I would love to be able to do what you suggested.

Got off the Koningsdam on Oct. 31.  Played the 5 poker machines near the Ocean Bar on several occasions.  Never was very crowded possibly because our cruise was only 1/2 full.  Preferred the quiet atmosphere there over the noise of the main casino where they have 8 poker machines.  Sat next to a woman who was playing $2 10 at a time ($20 per bet) compared to my $.25 per bet. She had it up over $1000 then later I saw her putting in more money.  Did see a man win $600 on poker and a women betting  $.75 on a reel machine win over $1200. First time I've gambled on a HAL ship.  Interesting they let you charge your gambling to your room bill.  Probably encourages people to gamble more than having to insert cash.  I was happy to have an alternative location to leisurely gamble. 

18 hours ago, AncientWanderer said:

 

I never saw a soul go near them on Koningsdam last month.  Luckily.

Interested to hear others' observations.

Got off the Koningsdam on Oct. 31.  Played the 5 poker machines near the Ocean Bar on several occasions.  Never was very crowded possibly because our cruise was only 1/2 full.  Preferred the quiet atmosphere there over the noise of the main casino where they have 8 poker machines.  Sat next to a woman who was playing $2 10 at a time ($20 per bet) compared to my $.25 per bet. She had it up over $1000 then later I saw her putting in more money.  Did see a man win $600 on poker and a women betting  $.75 on a reel machine win over $1200. First time I've gambled on a HAL ship.  Interesting they let you charge your gambling to your room bill.  Probably encourages people to gamble more than having to insert cash.  I was happy to have an alternative location to leisurely gamble. 

On 10/30/2021 at 8:04 PM, MisterBill99 said:

I've noticed that the new HAL menus (at least the ones in the Navigator app) list a generic "fresh market seafood" on several dishes, and I don't really understand why they're doing it. At land restaurants, market fish is put on the menu because they will prepare a different type depending on what they get from the market on a given day (and also do not print new menus every day). Holland isn't doing that (even at Rudi's Sel de Mer, they didn't get local fish on our Koningsdam Norway cruise a few years ago, which I was told they WOULD do and bothers me to this day). So why are they confusing passengers by not listing the actual fish on the menu? I know that my wife and I are not interested in ordering generic fish, and want to know what it is before deciding on an entrée and I can't imagine we are the only ones. Listing it generically means you need to wait for the server to come over and ask them what it is (and hopefully they know and don't have to go ask). They print menus fresh every day, so I do not know why they can't just put what they are serving that night. 

 

Can anyone who has been on a ship since they started doing this provide insight?

We just got off the Koningsdam Mexico cruise on Oct. 31.  The first night the "fresh market seafood" was swordfish.  It was absolutely delicious.  Just ask your waiter every night before you order dinner.  Another night it was Mahi Mahi.  If I recall correctly on one gala night they had halibut and sea bass on the other.

On 10/28/2021 at 10:52 PM, zgscl said:

You all have just convinced me to change to the 3 PM flight from the 11 AM. I think a relaxed breakfast in the pinnacle, late disembarkation and an afternoon in the Sky Club will be a much better way to end my vacation than getting up extremely early and standing in a massive line to try and rush to the airport and risk scrambling to reschedule my flight. 

 

Has anyone done the San Diego Highlights tour? Would love to do the zoo but flight schedules just don't work as I would have to delay until after 6 so I will have to try for that on my next sailing in March. 

We were on the Koningsdam Mexican Cruise that just docked on Oct. 31.  Two days before returning to San Diego one of the four engines went out.  The Captain announced he would have to reduce speed and our arrival would be delayed from 7:00am to 9:30am.  Several passengers were very concerned because they had early flights.  Fortunately the engine was repaired and we made our 7:00am time.  As others have mentioned debarkation was incredibly slow so I think you were very wise to reschedule your flight to a later time just in case there is more engine trouble.

On 10/16/2021 at 3:52 PM, LuAnn said:

Can you tell me the name of the service?...we are in SD and would like to check it out!

We are sailing tomorrow Oct. 24th out of San Diego and had our rapid antigen test done in Mission Valley at WeTestU.com  619-736-7172.  They were incredibly nice and even helped fix a problem that was my fault.  The customer service was fantastic. They charge $99 per person at their location but will come to you for a single $39 trip charge regardless of the number of people getting tested.  We were emailed our results in 20 minutes with a printable copy of the results and an invoice for insurance purposes arriving 4 hours later to our email account.  Everything was very easy.  All the registration is done on your cell phone but I don't know how it is handled if you don't have one.  Bring your passport number if you want it included on your paperwork.  I would definitely recommend them.

On Sunday Oct. 24, 2021 the City of San Diego is hosting the Rock n Roll Marathon.  The race route involves several road closures and use of alternative routes.  The closures will begin at 5:30am and will not reopen until the last participant passes and the course materials are removed.  Although most street should be reopened by noon the City is expecting delays and heavy traffic near the waterfront until as late as 3:15.  City information says:

Downtown: For easiest access in or out of the downtown area use Harbor Dr., Pacific Highway or Imperial Beach Blvd. to access I-5 or SR-94 for east/west access.

Airport Access:  Use I-5 to and from San Diego International Airport.  

More information is available at www.RunRocknRoll.com/community-impact 

Plan accordingly.  We've waited so long we don't want anyone to miss the boat!

Our ship will be docking at 7:00am.  Since we have a late flight and the airport is very close to the pier we are in no rush to disembark. How late can we stay aboard before we are expected to leave?

20 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

The Koningsdam has a Dining Desk set up outside Sel de Mer.  You can do bookings for all restaurants in one location.  However, as mentioned above, you may not be able to get the specific time/date you want if you wait.

We will be using OBC so looks like we will be heading to Sel de Mer as soon as we board.  Hopefully with reduced passenger numbers we will be able to get a good day/time.  Thanks everyone.

Where do I go to make specialty dining reservations once we get on board the Koningsdam?  If I do it through the HAL website I have to prepay.  Do you have to prepay if you use the app before boarding?  Thanks!  

9 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

I ALWAYS get the Crab Cake and Lobster Bisque - NEVER a charge.  Been 30 times

 

Wonderful to know.  I'll get both.  Hubby wants to know if you have an opinion about the Chocolate Souffle, Cherry Baked Alaska or Creme Brulee.  He doesn't think he could manage all three!

28 minutes ago, roxybear135 said:

You can order as many appetizers, sides, and desserts as you want without incurring any extra charges.

Thank you.

The sample menu for the Pinnacle Grill on the HAL site says an additional charge of $15 will be added for a second entree.  No mention is made about appetizers or desserts.  Can you have a second appetizer or dessert without an additional fee over and above the $46 base cost?  I'm torn between the Crab Cake and the Lobster Bisque.  Thanks.

21 hours ago, LuAnn said:

Thanks so much..just filled the form out for DH Navy vet..we are sailing out of SD early December!!

So happy I was able to pass on the information.  Several people have mentioned applying for it.  I even posted it on the Roll Call thread for our upcoming cruise in case anyone missed it here.  I have learned many things over the years thanks to the kindness of Cruise Critic posters.  Glad I was able to return the favor.  

HAL is giving $100 in OBC to veterans, retirees and active duty personnel sailing out of San Diego between now and the end of 2021.  I wasn't sure if my husband qualified because we purchased our cruise 6 months ago and he is a veteran but not a retiree.  Yesterday went to the web site, filled out a very simple form and was notified today he will be receiving credit.  It's nice that HAL is recognizing our military men and women.  

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/deals/sandiego-military-appreciation-offer.html

Just wondering what the current menu options and prices are at Cagney's and Le Bistro.  If you have pictures of those menus it would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

We are on a 9 day Caribbean cruise next year on the Getaway.  Three of the days we are at sea.  How many gala nights will there be and are they more likely to be on sea days?  Thanks.