Mary229

6 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

Navigator is a robust tool to use (not!)

We returned from our HAL excursion to Santiago and there was a message on Navigator to review the excursion.....

 

 

 

So I clicked the link and got .....

 

 

 

 

Why do they post this garbage?

I have gotten that message for excursions I never took😁

My first question is where do I want to go and who is really great in that area?  Then I narrow it down from those ships 

I think many overestimate how much time people put into researching their travel plans.  Just this week I helped someone who has sailed the Med, the Caribbean, the Baltics and Hawaii. They called me since they are sailing HAL.  I was stunned how little they knew and they had been quite happy on all of their other cruises.  The first thing they didn’t know was they could pick their room! Their room was above the galley so I called their agent, a mutual friend, and had her change them to a better location at no cost. That was the start of their lack of information and it went on from there.  Now they will have a great experience but they would have had a really good experience without knowing. 
 

I have people who I know are status sailors, platinum, 5 star and so on and they usually corner me when they see me and ask me for tips. My tips are nothing that i didn’t learn on cruise critic, nothing special at all

The best case for a passport is if for some unfortunate reason you do not reenter the US on that ship.  Perhaps you are hospitalized, maybe you get in drunken brawl and are thrown off😂, whatever happens be sure to have documentation that will get you home by any transportation mode including driving, bussing or flying. 

Besides my passport, phone  and a few diverse credit cards I carry a fully charged battery pack for said phone.  My phone has all of the info I need.    I can pretty much go anywhere with those items.  I only worry about the bad outcomes, I worry now, figure out a protocol and go have fun 

21 minutes ago, birdman518 said:

I am doing Metamucil now every morning... "things" are going much better, and I will certainly continue on our cruise.

Warning😁 I carry my first night/first day necessities in my carry on in case my luggage goes missing. The canister of Metamucil created a stir. I will leave it in the checked bags from now on and find a drug store if my luggage goes missing.  

I use TMobile and usually do have coverage in the towns.  

37 minutes ago, kazu said:

It is really weird.  Never had bad ones before no matter the length of the cruise.

 

I think she was doing them in oil originally.

 

 

 

They have changed oils.  I use olive oil every day on my salad and it is definitely a large step down as is the bleu cheese.  Maybe the butters is a lower grade also

2 minutes ago, kazu said:

In the interest of scientific research, I ordered the escargot again.

 

one was enough.

 

 

way overdone and rubbery.  Bamboozled how they could screw this up when most of the food is really good.

 

the chef came along later to inquire how we were enjoying our food. I told her it was quite good except for the escargot.  And I told her how i prepared them and the other ships we had been on.

 

she said she appreciated the feedback and was making notes 

I had quit the escargot about 5 cruises back as it was not good but actually had very good escargot at DH’s insistence on the Koningsdam.   Lots of inconsistency on HAL since the startup.  I will be sticking with 21+ day voyages where the quality seems to be more consistent 

As to towel animals it may be just luck of the draw as to cabin steward.  Just like the origami animals in the MdR. There is no requirement for them but if one of the guys gets good at it he will share his talent.   (Reminder to self get origami papers as gift for next cruise)

We have highly mineralized water at home and even though we have an extremely healthy diet on ship, even healthier than at home I have issues.  As a friend who is a food industry chemist explained : Ship water is devoid of minerals and is not all that hydrating as it has been stripped of all mineralization.  

First thing upon rising is a cocktail of powdered vitamin/electrolytes and Metamucil.  Every morning.  

13 minutes ago, Cruising-along said:

Yikes.  Makes me glad I never go to the spa.  

I got my hair cut 3 times on the Volendam (had to, 3-month-long cruise).  I really had no problem, no hard sell any of the times.  But that was the hair salon, not the spa. 

What’s the difference?  I think it is the same company, isn’t it?  What if they say they used a special shampoo in your hair ?  I have always used the salon but the last time there was a lot of pressure to buy, buy, buy. 

I would call and work this all out with a representative.  If you are more than 3 days out they can take payment and switch your shore excursions to HIA and refund for the internet.  

10 minutes ago, BetsyS. said:

The "suits" in Seattle should realize that this is a very serious problem. They need to do something about it.

Until then I will not be setting foot in the spa.  Sounds scary that they have carte blanche 

It is unfortunate that the spa is ramping up their aggressive sales tactics again.  For a few years it was a pleasant experience and I was happy to have many of their stylist primp my hair.  My last cruise was too much of a struggle and I won’t be going back 

Just now, QuattroRomeo said:

Just on board. You can reserve when you embark, at the specialty dining kiosk. Also at the  Pinnacle Grill when it is open. Lunch is only available on sea days. Most times we just went at noon and walked in without a reservation!

I have never made a reservation for lunch and I do like the Pinnacle lunch. 

10 minutes ago, Tonopah said:

A sheltered balcony has an area with large window but the balcony isn’t open. There are pictures of sheltered balcony rooms at the top of the Cunard page.

 

We bought travel insurance through Cunard (we had a dedicated Cunard travel agent. I highly recommend it) 

 

We bought our flights and hotel through Cunard and arrived the night before. 

 

To find the Internet and Drinks packages, on the main page of the Cunard site, click on the search button and put in “internet” or “drinks package” and it will take you exactly where you want to go. But again, I highly recommend an agent. Makes it so easy and someone else gets the headaches. 

 

 

 

 

When you book hotels with Cunard do they include airport to hotel transfers and hotel to ship transfers?  Thank you for your response 

19 minutes ago, steve4031 said:

Those dance hosts are the consummate professionals at making anyone feel comfortable.  I have two left feet and not the best social skills.  The lady who danced with me matched my level and made sure I enjoyed the experience.  

That’s wonderful.  After 45 years of marriage to a non-dancer I would love to put my dancing shoes to good use. 

1 hour ago, a.madruga said:

Mary we've read that if due to weather conditions no refunds and this was on HAL excursions.

surprised us, so we've held back to get more informed from those who have been affected or not

thanks for your time in replying

I think what they are saying is the excursion will go even if weather is not optimal.  HAL ALWAYS refunds if they cancel an excursion 

In the description of each excursion you are given the cancellation fees.  Mostly you need to cancel a full 48 hours prior for a refund, a full refund.   Do check. If you buy beforehand with a credit card and cancel on ship it will be refunded as a refundable OBC.  At the end of the cruise any remaining refundable OBC is credited to your card OR you can walk down to guest services and ask for cash.  If you cancel up to 3 days before you sail your credit card will be credited 

There are some dancers on every cruise but it really is luck of the draw.  Most often I have seen dancers at happy hour if there is a live band. But no, I don’t think you will find a venue set aside for ballroom dancing, nor will you likely see it as an announced activity. 

7 minutes ago, steve4031 said:

I enjoyed my crossing last summer.  That was my first time on Cunard.   I have been on Carnival, HAL, and NCL.  I am not big on dressing up, but I did enjoy doing it on Cunard.  The service was excellent.  They even have female dance hosts.  I discovered this when I got up to participate in a line dance.  She helped me with the steps and gave me a brisk workout on the dance floor.  The male dance host paired up with my GF, and she enjoyed that, too.  The dance hosts showed class and precision in their interactions with us.  

That’s fun.  I never considered this advantage of dance hosts. I had always considered them for solos but now I know I can dance and leave DH to his peace.  Another Cunard bonus. 

As to speed HAL has a contractual relationship with Park West and likely, as a business decision and to prevent real legal action, they needed to solve that before dealing with customer non-contractual preferences.   I am just glad they heard that HAL customers were not happy with this intrusion. 

24 minutes ago, Wehwalt said:

We got a plate of chocolate covered strawberries. But we had considerable plumbing problems, which affected us specifically. That may be different than the situation complained of regarding the Crow's Nest

 

That is different and I think there should be compensation if one is driven from the cabin which is an integral part of the contract.  

11 minutes ago, poffles said:

 

As I read this thread, this is what speaks the loudest to me.  It seems to not just be impacting an area but impacting a service.  I have not sailed HAL yet but looking at one in my future and I was already trying to convince myself that the Signature class ship with the specialty coffee venue being in this area (unlike what I see for the Pinnacle class) would be totally fine.  Reading stuff like this is a bit off putting.  I am looking at a Panama full transit so I ease my mind that it might be less likely on the longer cruise.

Actually you can also get coffee in the library on the Oosterdam.

as to belittling everyone that simply is not true.  Having to be compensated for every small miss is a bit entitled (to use the modern vernacular).  Customers should note the response time, it was quick. It did not drag on.  
 

Private groups using public spaces happens on every single sailing, this one just happened to be in a space that HAL specific cruisers particularly love,  please remember this was an evening event when the crow’s nest usage is light.