Mary229

The trick to getting on a hotel shuttle is to be sure to sign up at check in then make sure you watch your luggage loaded and unloaded on your shuttle. It is a very convenient way to get to port. Most of those shuttle drivers know exactly what they are doing. getting off is easy and there is no need to haul your own luggage. Select the right time, select the right color luggage tag at guest services - you will be given a letter as to when and where. if you are definitely going to stay overnight go to the hotel and store your luggage with them so you can enjoy the day luggage free OR I assume you are flying into Houston so here is what I would do instead. Arrange for a late flight (after 3) homeward on the last day of the cruise and enjoy one of the end of cruise shore excursions with airport transfer. You could also take this same excursion , go to the airport then pick up the hotel shuttle back to the hotel. I have done a number of these shore excursions as a way to relax before the airport and enjoy them. Your luggage is on the bus all day during the tour and they drop you at the correct terminal. I also assume you may be using Southwest Airlines and as convenient as they can be they are very busy on cruise days. See if United or American have a good flight home and avoid the Southwest experience at the airport.

It can very ship to ship and where you are sailing and time in port

Sometimes that is oh, so gratifying to hear 😉

It is becoming more common practice for onshore tour companies not to have a policy of refunding. I recently canceled a tour when I came to realize that they would not refund if we didn’t dock. Some ports are notorious for bad weather conditions. In those cases I find it better to seek out those with a golden track record who will refund, use the ship, do independent or take my chances finding someone dockside

I absolutely agree. I am sailing a line for the first time in 20 years. I read their FAQ, I read their contract and I visit their section of cruise critic forum to learn any new nuggets of information. It is akin to knowing a retailers return policy. I do agree with the OP, you and others that the spa experience has become as awful. I will not step foot again into the spa until they address the heavy handed sales pitches and underhanded billing practices

I suggest you call your TA or HAL.

When you buy a shore excursion you are required to check the terms and conditions, additionally in the description at purchase it should state the cancellation policy. Except for overland journeys, helicopter tours and private drivers most shore excursions have a 48 hour cancellation window. The shore excursion desk posts their hours at the office as well in each and every daily program. You can either go to the desk or call the desk during those hours. I do wish one could cancel on the app but a single try will demonstrate that is not an option.

Your agent can send you the HAL confirmation with a simple click. My agent does it all the time. I have seen her do it and it is just a click. Travel agent OBC is the responsibility of the agent. HAL will not be able to assist you with that.

I wonder if it is because you have flights with flight ease that you weren’t given the option?

I received an offer a month ago. Instead of their suggestion to move to next year on a specialty cruise I picked another cruise altogether which suited our schedule better. I wish I had been a bit more aggressive in the offer but it did come with an upgrade.

Thanks. I have an upcoming cruise that I was hoping to add the 7 days for free. My flights are changeable so I am set. I will be watching.

No, I was semi conscious and couldn’t figure out how to use the phone but had enough presence of mind to say Siri call emergency. It was a sports injury - out jogging solo early in the morning

Actually it wasn’t t funny at the time, now it is. I ended up with a bloody face, no front teeth and a huge concussion.

HAL just posted this on X

I did not know that but I have use “Siri call emergency”. She called my sister who is my emergency contact. That worked as she is trained to handle emergencies

I just did so today, it must be one year from startup of the program. I did have to re-link. I used the link above and it was immediate

On your other thread I posted this map to help you make some decisions You can see my comments on your other thread

Any of the cruise lines you mentioned will not always be in eyesight of land even for the Greek Isles. Yes if there is a weather disturbance in the area the sea can be rough in Southern Italy, it is luck of the draw as it is anywhere in the world. The Athens to Venice Italy avoids the boot and you get to also see exotic places like Croatia and Montenegro. here is a map which shows the popular ports. Cruise lines offer a variety of segments though most main stream lines have Western (Rome to Barcelona) or Eastern (Athens to Venice). Then the longer cruises cover more of the other ports like Turkey and Sicily

We are on the long one with HIA. We are doing a mix. Since this one is to remote regions I use ship excursions for only distant locations from port. I usually end up using some HIA for the end of cruise transfer - a convenient way to use up your credit.

There are no physical tickets anymore. You can see them on your stateroom TV or your app. You can use your key card to be admitted to the excursion

Yes, you can. Before the cruise you can 1.cancel and book the other or 2. Call them and have them do it for you. This is a safer option in case excursions are selling out quickly. otherwise you can do it onboard at the shore excursions desk

I would expect no less perhaps ask the shore excursions desk

This is not unique to HAL. Other cruise lines are having the same issues as the push to more and more sailings continues. It is not only Greenland either. We, as travelers, need to do our fair share to educate ourselves also.

It is obviously a successful program. Demand is high right now and little dynamic pricing is coming into play.

The usual time that all guests must leave is no later than 9:30. You should get to the airport at least 2 hours ahead of time, 3 hours is better