On the Eurodam May-14-21 we were told there were 1479 passengers with a ship capacity of 2104.  Nothing seemed crowded.  Staffing seemed fine. Not aware of any Covid cases.

My husband is in his late 70's and had his knee replaced in February.  We leave in a week for our first post-surgery cruise.  He attributes his successful recovery to two things; doing the exercises prescribed by the physical therapist and using an ice water circulation machine.  The machine pumps ice water through a wrap that velcros around the knee instead of using ice packs.  Because he was able to keep the swelling down it reduced his pain and therefor his need for the stronger narcotic medication.  Our insurer provided ours but they are available for about $150 online. We wish her the best and hope you can return to cruising soon.  

This is from HAL but it gives no information where to enter the photo.  This is apparently different than VeriFLY which is an app downloaded to a phone.  It says it is done on the HAL website.

mBark is a mobile system that enables guests to check in for their cruise in less than 10 seconds, while the VeriFLY digital wallet for COVID-19 credentials offers a proven solution for proof of vaccination and test results.

With mBark facial recognition, guests who load their photo and all necessary pretravel information to Holland America Line’s website prior to embarkation will be able to use the touchless system. Following a quick face scan, guests can move through the check-in process in about 10 seconds, significantly reducing embarkation time.

We are platinum on Norwegian and loved everything about them until they changed their pricing. Before you could book a cruise then add the extras you wanted.  Now everything is "FREE" which is not the case.  As platinum level we get two specialty dining nights, $50 off excursions and wifi as part of our benefit.  We are not drinkers so the open bar is of no interest to us.  If we decline the "FREE" offers all we save are the added gratuities.  It does not change the price of the cruise. It makes no sense for us to pay for things we are already getting, do not need more of, or are not interested in.  As long as this policy is in place we will be sailing with HAL or Carnival.  

On 4/8/22 I sent an email requesting OBC for our two upcoming cruises.  I thought I attached a jpg picture of our statement but I am very bad on computers. On 4/26/22 I received an email saying: 

Unfortunately we are unable to open anything sent in this manner. Please respond as a PDF attachment or our fax is 305 406-6477.

On 4/25/22 I resubmitted everything by snail mail.  If that doesn't work I will pay to have it faxed.  Fortunately there are still a few months before our sailings. 

On 4/19/2022 at 10:35 AM, ShipWalker said:

DW and I make use of the FREE dry saunas on the ships. (lido deck, on the left between the pool and Green house Spa reception desk)

Are you saying anyone can use the dry saunas and are not required to buy a spa package?  Is that only on certain ships?  

We emailed ours Feb. 23rd and received approval via email March 9th (2 weeks) for our May cruise.  The notification says "It will be credited to your onboard account upon embarkation."  I signed into my Holland account and it is not noted there so I have printed out the confirmation and will be taking a copy with us just in case.  

On 4/13/2022 at 8:35 PM, Taters said:

Another perspective:

 

My opinion on those passengers who don't show up for in-transit customs checks is that many of them may be mid to severely hard of hearing.  I am profoundly deaf and have bilateral cochlear implants.  Without my processors on I hear nothing.  Once I slap those bad boys on each side of my head I can hear almost everything!  A miracle of sorts, yes, but are they perfect?  No.

 

I cannot understand anything that comes over a PA system on a ship.  Mix in background noise and foreign accents and it might as well be Charlie Brown's teacher saying, "Wha wha wha".  I'll bet that many of those who are very late or seem to ignore their own names being blasted throughout the ship simply cannot hear the announcements or are not able to comprehend what is being said.  Many people who have hearing loss are not even aware of the steady decline of their hearing.  Or they may be in denial and not sought help to improve their situation.

 

I am lucky that I always get to cruise with folks who have great ears.  They decipher the announcements for me.  I read every notice that is left on my bed so that I remain aware of what is going on.  Some folks simply toss these.  That's bad on their part, which may explain some of the no shows.

 

I've said for years that I wish the cruise lines would have TV monitors around the ship to caption what is being said over the PA system.  It would be a great help to many.

 

Cheers!

On 4/14/2022 at 4:01 AM, Caribbean Chris said:

Great explanation, and thanks on behalf of all of us with varying degrees of hearing loss. I am profoundly deaf without my cochlear implant and rely on lip reading which of course has not been an option lately. So I rely on DH for translations of announcements and on my hearing dog, a black Lab, for many, many sound alerts. (Example, a room service waiter knocking on the door yesterday.)

 

We’re on a cruise right now. I sometimes succeed at convincing DH to go places ashore without me & the dog (there are ports that make it impossible to bring even a service dog ashore). When there are announcements, the dog’s not too good at telling me details on what was said. I wish the stateroom TVs ran a banner at the top or bottom for important announcements. 

Years ago we booked a guarantee cabin.  We were surprised when we were assigned a "hearing impaired" cabin.  The cabin was equipped with a door bell, a phone and a ship's alarm system all of which activated flashing lights. Contact your TA or HAL to find out what is available for you.  This is from another CC post.  Assistance packets also contain show scripts, and stateroom communication kits include a bed-shaker alarm, doorbell and phone alerts, a phone amplifier and a smoke detector with a strobe light. Pagers for hearing impaired are also available on some cruise lines.

Thank you for the information.  I have always found CC contributors to be very helpful answering my questions.  

1 hour ago, Joe817 said:

If you booked a cruise through a Travel Agent, you MUST call your TA and have THEM apply the g.c. to your balance. Carnival won't talk to you if you used a TA. 

 

And you will know in advance if you are purchasing a gift card or an e-gift card. I prefer the plastic cards myself, but that's just me. 

5 hours ago, Top_of_the_Cube said:

 

Can't speak to AARP after they changed their Reward program a while back, but I still accumulate points through Allstate Insurance Rewards program.

 

Carnival Gift Cards (GC) can be sold as either e-cards (immediately e-mailed to you) or physical cards that are delivered to you.  When you are looking to buy them, it will say which kind of cards are available at that time.  There have been periods where no Gift Cards were available.  I think a year or two ago I was constantly checking for maybe a month with no luck.

 

When purchasing anything on-line at Carnival, "Gift Card" should appear as an option for how you will pay.  And you can mix it up to pay partially by GC and partially by other method.

 

Once on board, you can go to Guest Services and load up your Sail and Sign account by giving them your GC number.  I have also used the kiosk to do this, but too many times it doesn't work.

 

Can't really comment on acceptance of the GC by travel agents.  I know that I have with mine, but don't know if that is universal.

I often pass on the bread or request my entree be served without the accompanying starch.  If I then want an additional appetizer or dessert that is my choice.  If HAL were to restrict its menu or reduce its choices people would complain.  Neither HAL nor this thread should be blamed for individuals not taking their own personal responsibility for what they consume.  

When we booked our upcoming cruise through Carnival we purchased their "Carnival Vacation Protection".  I expected to get a copy of the policy detailing the coverage amounts and how to contact them in case of an emergency or claim.  We have received nothing although the charge is on our account summary.  I did a search on Carnival's website to no avail.  Final payment isn't for another couple months.  Could that be why?

1 hour ago, Top_of_the_Cube said:

I like gift cards, especially when I buy them at discounts.  You can use them to pay for your cruise, for pre-cruise items, and to fund your on-board account.

 

I don't do cruise cash unless someone gifts me one.  Anyone?  Anyone?

I would love to use discounted gift cards to help pay for my cruise.  Please walk me through this.  So I purchase a gift card from AARP, does it come as an actual card in the mail or an emailed number?

Do I then sign into my account for my upcoming cruise and enter the number somewhere to reduce my unpaid balance?

Does it matter if I booked through a TA or does it only work if booked through Carnival?

Thanks

On 4/9/2022 at 12:21 AM, zhuangcorp said:

Is the MDR Breakfast and Lunch Menu same everyday on 7 night cruise? 

 

First time with HAL this year on the Koningsdam to Mexico. Any dishes specific to this cruise that you recommend?

There is a thread currently on page 3 posted March 20th entitled "Koningsdam-Can't miss food or drinks"  You might wish to read it for food ideas.

1 hour ago, mr. godfredo said:

Anyone out there ever stayed on the obstructed balcony cabins on deck 5? We have cabins 5186 and 5188 for Alaska in June and are wondering how "obstructed" these cabins really are. Any insights would be helpful. 

Google Carnival Spirit deck plans.  Go to the site that has "cruisedeck" in it's name.  Go to deck 5 and there is a video of cabin 5188.  The lifeboat appears to block looking down but doesn't appear to interfere with your horizontal view.

11 minutes ago, jrtmouse said:

My apologies, not meaning to hijack this thread but we leave next Saturday and I'm having a hard time determining if there are still two formal nights or just one (in context of MDR).  Thanks in advance!

On our 7 day Panorama cruise in January to Mexico we had two "cruise elegant" nights.  The second night (Sunday) the menu included lobster, prime rib, sea bass, fried oysters, mushroom bisque and creme brulee.  The other elegant night was night six (Thursday) when they had shrimp, filet mignon, crab cakes, stuffed mushrooms, and Grand Marnier souffle.

Enjoy your cruise!

20 hours ago, wezie said:

Hi.  Does Carnival still do this?  If so, does anyone have the specifics?

Carnival Cruise Line

Guest Administration

3655 N.W. 87th Ave.

Miami, FL  33178

Tel. 800 438 6744 ext. 70450

Fax 305 406 6102

Email: shareholders@carnival.com

Must include complete legal name, reservation/booking number, ship, sailing date and proof of stock ownership.  Be sure to black out account #.  Some CC posters are saying they are receiving confirmation in about 10 day.  Other have mentioned be rejected the first time but getting approved when they resubmit.  

On 3/20/2022 at 1:17 AM, Dreamer115 said:

What is the one thing you have to eat when on Kdam and the one drink you love the best?  I'm a froo froo drinker and I haven't seen many of the type I prefer, like chichi's in the few menu's I've seen posted.  

I'm making a list for later this year.

Thanks 

Checkout the MDR entree menu for "Fresh Market Seafood".  It basically is the "Fish of the Day" and probably varies from ship to ship, itinerary to itinerary and is not listed every night.  Just ask the server what it is that evening.  The best swordfish I've ever had was on the Koningsdam in October.  A couple at a nearby table were upset because they were finishing their dinner when mine arrived and they didn't know it was available.  Swordfish never was offered again during the cruise although Mahi Mahi and trout were.

18 hours ago, Midwestern Cruiser said:

@farjar

Clearly that's not it's name...

Can you do this search on a fruit-named site or a 'go' site?

It's the big membership chain store where things "cost".  You don't have to be a member to search their travel site.  Log into their web site, click on travel, cruises, fill in what you are interested in, find my cruise, fill in a couple questions (don't bother with loyalty info), continue to stateroom type, stateroom location.  It will offer you the best available cabin in that category.  Click on "Choose a different stateroom" and then you can look at available cabins on each deck.  You can repeat the last few steps to see each of the other cabin categories.  

If you are interested in seeing what the interiors of HAL cabins look like there is halfacts where people have downloaded pictures of their cabin.  If your exact cabin is not there you usually can find a similar cabin nearby to look at. 

I too appreciate everyone's input and have learned much from the experiences of others. 

On 3/26/2022 at 11:55 AM, KroozNut said:

Sounds like we may be at or near 100% when we sail on Zuiderdam in two weeks.

We are on the Eurodam to Alaska in May.  Did a search of the cabins still available for our cruise on the Big Box website and found these listed as still available:

Inside 12; Oceanview 64; Balcony 103; Suites 23 or 202 total available cabins.  The ship's capacity is listed as 2104 or 1052 cabins.

Took a guess and looked at the Zuiderdam cruise April 13th to Mexico.  The cabins listed as available on that cruise are:

Inside 0; Oceanview 22; Balcony 44; Suites 22 or 88 total available cabins.  The Zuiderdam capacity is 1964 or 957 cabins.

As of right now my totally unscientific conclusion is your cruise will probably be more crowded than ours.

19 hours ago, atexsix said:

I've spent the last few days pouring over itineraries, deck plans, and ship tours; and no matter how hard I try to get into it, the thought of breaking away from HAL is overwhelmingly sad, despite it's faults.  However, after reading through thread after thread about every line and countless ship reviews, it appears they all have some kind of faults.  HAL is home, it's been our home for 20 years.  We know there might be better options, but we're probably going to stick with HAL's elegant ships and exceptionally friendly service, and of course, it's faults; at least their familiar to us rather than chancing the unknowns with another line.  

 

Edit to add: we were considering other lines because we need an itinerary from Seattle that includes Skagway, only the Eurodam at the end of the season offers it on one sailing, hopefully the waters won't be too rough in early October and the Skagway train excursions are still running. 

I just did a quick search on the big online vacations to go travel website and there are 150 7-11 days cruises in and out of Seattle between April 23-Oct.16. that stop in Skagway. The cruise lines include Norwegian, Princess, Royal Caribbean, Carnival and Celebrity.  You should find something that fits your needs.

8 minutes ago, momof3cruisers said:

So in the great switcheroo our Oct sailing has been moved from Freedom to Spirit. Our very awesome Lido balcony is now a balcony below the Lido deck. 
 

We love the itinerary. The timing is over our 30th anniversary. We already have a cabana  at HMC reserved. 
 

But under the Lido? Specifically under the Serenity area. Maybe that’s not so bad?  And we love the Freedom. Never even looked at Spirit as an option. The Serenity deck seems nice. 
 

Help me decide here. If we cancel, we’ll go to an AI in Cozumel. 

We were switched from the Freedom to the Spirit for our Sept. cruise and have read positive things about the Spirit here on CC.  Now we are waiting for our inside cabin to be reassigned.  Unfortunately we do not have the option to cancel.  Besides losing our deposit our airline tickets came from credits we received when our Norwegian cruise was cancelled.  They cannot be changed.  We are going even if we are assigned the worst cabin on the ship which we are hoping will not happen.  My suggestion is make a list of the pros and cons of each vacation type comparing cost, entertainment and amenities then decide from there.  Happy 30th Anniversary.  We will soon be celebrating our 53rd.

We used WeTestU.com. and were very pleased.  They charge $99 for a Rapid Antigen Test and for an additional single $49 charge (not per person) they will come to you or you can go to them about 15 minutes from downtown. They are the #1 rated Covid testing site on Google with over 500 5 star reviews.  I don't know anything about the Canadian health care system but we were able to submit the paid bill to our US insurance company and were reimbursed for the entire amount.  

On the Carnival Panorama in January our table for 2 was only about 4" from the next table for 2.  Basically it was like having a long table for 8 with 4 small tables so close together you nearly bumped elbows with your neighbor.  The wait staff had to walk around the perimeter to serve you as there was not enough space in between.  Fortunately we were on one of the ends but still we felt very cramped. Our experience on the HAL Koningsdam in October was much more enjoyable with room for the wait staff to easily walk around all the tables in the room regardless of size.  It made for a far better dining experience.

16 hours ago, Justaguy33 said:

Never thought I’d be so hungry on a cruise ship!  Room service is 24 hours, but I’m out and about watching the music acts, attending comedians and games here and there, food wise it’s a desert.

 

The Lido deck is open then it’s not then it has a couple of stations but meh.  Dining room has been amazing, I guess I’m just spoiled by Princess and Royal Caribbean.  
 

I saw a guy boarding with us who had a ton of snacks (can’t do that on Princess and RC), never dawned on me to see if I could but will next time.  
 

just give me a 24 hour place to get coffee and a sandwich or a snack not in my room, please!

We bring zip close bags along.  At lunch we might get an extra sandwich, cookies or other dessert, bring them back to the cabin and put them in the refrigerator.  At breakfast you can grab a yogurt, a banana or other fruit and do the same thing.  They are there when you get the munchies.  Nothing says you have to eat them in the cabin.  Take them up on deck.