snowlight

When you’re attempting to connect the excess device, the message will ask you if you want to continue to activate the device as it will disconnect the existing device. 
 

so you can choose the device insofar as forcing the other device(s) to log off.

On board the Zaandam and have had a great time and generally excellent service. We have autogratuities “enabled”. But We had some USD cash set aside for final extra tips, and they are certainly deserved.

however, we unexpectedly had to dip in that cash. I do have plenty of Canadian  dollar (my home currency)… would it be totally uncouth to tip in CAD? Or do you think the HAL staff would be able to exchange it since “money is money” (and maybe they’re changing it into their own currencies anyway)

appreciate your thoughts!

Departing on Zaandam tomorrow from Port Everglades. The ships return to port  is delayed due to a medical emergency and we’ve received notification that all boarding times are pushed back two hours.

I have to return the rental car before the new boarding time, and have a fair bit of luggage I was hoping to take directly to the port.

can I still drop the luggage off early? Even if the ship isn’t in the port yet? 
 

thank you!

3 minutes ago, leerathje said:

 

You should try living in BC, and getting airfare to Fort Lauderdale!!  We paid $1200 per person in February.

 

L.

 

Agree. the options to get to south Florida from western Canada are soooo limited and extremely expensive. It's a big barrier to cruising for me since it takes 9-15 hours to fly to the port with the connections required!

Sounds like many of you have a routine for specialty dining on HAL.

My ship only has Cannaletto and Pinnacle Grill. The trip is two weeks with six sea days.

I was wondering if you have any tips on when/what day to book reservations at the two restaurants? (ie embarkation day for dinner, sea day for lunch). Tell me about your routines 🙂

We thought we might go for 4-5 meals between lunches and dinners.

Thanks!

Thanks everyone. I've reserved Cabana #3. Hopefully it's still close enough to the action and accessible enough without taking away cabana #1 from someone with a wheelchair.

16 minutes ago, Cuttersmom said:

The cabana rental price just jumped from 499 to 699, along with the increase in butler service. Ridiculous! It was worth it previously, but for 699 I’d rather stay on board. You can get butler service at any of the cabanas. Unless you book the accessible cabana, you will have to traverse sand which may not be easy with a walker. Pick one close to the restroom, which is still not an easy walk or make friends with folks in a villa and see if they’ll be willing to let your mobility challenged person use their restroom. 

Hmm then accessible cabana is currently still available. I just don’t know if it’s ethical to book it for a 4 wheel walker (not wheel chair). The person does find stairs quite difficult but not impossible. You’re right that the sand will be a challenge 

2 hours ago, sue1898 said:

@snowlight mentions restrooms…it’s been years since we had our cabana at HMC but I don’t recall they had restrooms. Maybe my memory is just rusty!

They do not but we can pick one close to a washroom. 

2 minutes ago, RuthC said:

My group had a cabana my first time at HMC, and it was well down the beach. I have some mobility problems, and was given a ride, both ways, on that visit. 

When my group had the Oasis on my second visit, many of us got a ride out and back. 

Third visit had a cabana near the start, so I was able to walk that far, IIRC. 

Thanks Ruth - From an accessibility perspective did you have a preference for location? I wonder if the crowding near the start might present its own challenges?

8 minutes ago, CruiserBruce said:

Not that I have ever encountered. And we have booked 10 of them.

Thanks Bruce. I guess it's time to say YOLO 😁.

Since you've rented them previously, do you happen to know if, with the butler service, they will drive you out to to the cabanas that are further away (like #9-15 range)? The tram looks like it only goes as far as #5.

We have someone in our group who will be using their walker. It seems like once you're at the cabana between the butler and the restrooms they'd be good to settle in. They will be ok with the steps into the cabana.

It's just getting *to* the cabana I'm concerned about.

Regarding a Zaandam tender in HMC 1000-1700h in January.

Cabana (not villa) is $700 USD. 

I guess I'll cough up the $$$ if I need to (and I suppose HAL knows this... hence the cost), but holy moly after exchange that's ~$950 CAD. Butler service would be an additional $270 USD.

Just wondering if they go on sale or come down in price if I wait? Or if I'd better pounce on them while they're still available since it sounds like they typically sell out. I am assuming the latter...

Is it the pool area that gets the most crowded? Seems like 3900 ppl (or whatever fraction thereof actually go) is a lot for the number of pools

Thanks all.

7 minutes ago, gamja said:

We have been on the Discovery 3 times since November, and its been way too crowded for us. The Discovery has one of the best spa staffs that I have experienced on Princess. If the ship is anywhere near 90%, the buffet will be completely packed for breakfast/lunch. As long as you are elite for the stops with water shuttles it should be fine. Last time my friends got tickets and it took them 3 1/2 hours to be called. I can't comment about lounge chairs since we used the sanctuary.

lol I'm definitely not elite. Just a lowly Gold. 1/3 of the ports are tenders so that sounds like a real pain.

I think I'd probably spring for the sanctuary, and a balcony for a little refuge as suggested above.

I'm looking for a solo getaway by myself - a brief escape from work/family obligations. I'm considering a 7 day Mexican Riviera cruise on the Discovery Princess.

My question is... is the vibe on this ship conducive to relaxing? I've been on smaller ships before and can usually locate some peace and tranquility, but I've never been on a massive ship like Discovery.

I really don't want to stress about line ups or battle others for a lounge chair. i want to chill out and be able to enjoy my own company.

Is it possible to avoid the hustle and bustle on these mega cruise ships?

Thanks for your opinions and experiences!

I went on the HAL chat help and was able to have dining time and table size set for my cruise. Weirdly, I didn't come across the option for dining or bed size when I booked (direct).

Bumping in hopes of recent experiences.

Disembarking the Zaandam in San Diego after a panama canal cruise. Schedule says 7am arrival.

One member of our group is disabled. Flights are for 130pm, going international (Canada).

Would it be tight to try and catch the flight?

44 minutes ago, Essiesmom said:

I think these stops end up being dropped, so there might not be much to report.  EM

When you say dropped, do you think it has been a last minute thing, or updated a decent amount of time before sailing? 
thanks 

et

Hello,

Asking about Nicaragua here because it doesn't have its own forum.

My ships itinerary stops at Corinto. I am wondering if anyone has advice, experience, and/or recommendations for excursions from this port. The excursions currently listed on the HAL website for the port have pretty abysmal reviews.  Hoping for some history and local cuisine.

Note: I saw that Princess has some excursions for Nicaragua, but these are for a different location (San Juan del Sur), which is far enough away from Corinto that they wouldn't be applicable.

Thanks

2 hours ago, leerathje said:

DH and I were on the Rotterdam in February in our own room, and my father travelled with us in his own room.  Guest Services was able to have a spare card made, and like @Cruise Suzy, all you could do is open the door....I know this, because I gave the wrong card at the bar one time!  The access card has the room number on it, so I could tell the difference between mine and his.

 

L.

 

Thank you! So on HAL do they just give you key cards, or is there some kind of lanyard or pouch to keep it in (the Princess medallion is worn on the wrist). I have two family members who are... shall we say... prone to losing keycards.

So if it's not wearable I'll need to figure out something that will help them keep track of it!

Thanks @Cruise Suzy! That solution will do just fine.

Hello, we have a couple of rooms booked within our family. I was wondering if, for example, my key card can be programmed to open my mothers room? (with her explicit permission of course)

I was reading about how, on Princess, Guest Services can program the medallions for multiple rooms, and thought this would be super handy for us on our upcoming HAL cruise (Zaandam) if it is possible.

Anyone done this?

Hello,

Will be on board the Zaandam in few months, and the itinerary has quite a few sea days.

I was wondering if anyone has recent examples of the daily programming on board the HAL ships? I would really appreciate it!

Thanks!

Hi all,

Looking for a Panama Canal itinerary that traverses the historic locks, and it looks like both these ships would.

If prices and the rest of the itinerary were equal, which of these ships would you recommend for a 14/15 night cruise? Two non-lively adults (parent/adult-child), this is a bucket list trip for the parent.

I have read reviews of both ships but it's hard to get a sense... I've cruised with princess before but never HAL.

Thanks for any insight!

On the Summit last winter, i was quite envious of those who got to stay the extra week for B2B cruises. I have a more flexible vacation schedule this year, and would love to do it, but I can't seem to find any B2B options in Jan/Feb.

Am I looking incorrectly? Does X have any warm destination itineraries that would work for B2B in Jan/Feb 2017?

Thanks!