Mary229

Whether you will stand in line is more dependent on port authorities than the cruise line.  You should research which ports have speedy embarkation. 

3 minutes ago, Cruising-along said:

I would love it if all the cruises I wanted sailed from Seattle (the city, not HAL the company) 😉 

We have to fly for 99.9% of our cruises.

I fly for 100% of my cruises and I would think that 95% of cruisers travel by some form to their embarkation.  To design a cruise business around only those living in embarkation ports seems to me to be defeating. 

I appreciate that the OP wants to sail from close to home but I am fairly certain that embarkation port desires of the customer are pretty low on the list of priorities.  If you consider any sailing I would imagine no more than 5% of the pax are from that specific home port. 

9 minutes ago, Nodakboiler said:

We've found the onboard booking agents are much more open to giving us the exact square footage of cabins/verandahs and also giving us more info than our PCC. We usually have researched our desired cruise ahead of our appointment to not waste their time which they appreciate.

They usually have sailed the ships and know the ships. The PCCs may have never taken a cruise.  I do the same, I generally know exactly what I want.  You don’t even have to visit, you can simply fill in the form and drop it in the box

4 hours ago, Cruisin4now said:

Thank you. I didn’t realize that when booking a cabin for 2+ everyone would have their own deposit. I’ve traveled with one payment and with a friend where we split it, but I never considered it was an actual breakout deposit wise.

You can book a room for two and name the other person later.  

1 minute ago, leerathje said:

 

As I said, I saw stations on the KDam in July, but it was not during happy hours, so they were empty.  I wonder what they use them for now.

 

L.

 

It is unfortunate as we often skip daytime meals and looked forward to these mini meals.  

2 hours ago, srsurman said:

https://www.fox13seattle.com/sports/seattle-fifa-2026-world-cup-attendance

 

 

I have stayed in Tacoma before.  No sweat. We just aren’t fans of Seattle 

31 minutes ago, leerathje said:

I haven't seen hot hors d’oeuvres, but I can confirm I have seen cold appies on the Koningsdam in 2019, during the afternoon happy hour. They were in Billboard Onboard, at the rear. I was on the Kdam in July and saw the food serving cases, but I didn't check during happy hour to see if they were actually used.  Also, I can't confirm they're on any other ship, but I have photos from 2019 so you can see what I'm talking about.

 

L.

 

Those stations are no longer on the ships.  Removed and discarded

6 minutes ago, Roz said:

Is this only for Alaska? Other embark/debark port cities have 1, 2, and 3 night packages available.

I booked an extra night in Anchorage, 1 came with the tour and 1 extra.  I always see at least two nights offered on my sailings.  Likely you could book more

@srsurman  I have been in cities with big events and there are always suburban and airport hotels with availability.  

12 minutes ago, srsurman said:

Exactly.  Which is why I asked if HAL would guarantee the rate.  I'd pay what HAL asked because it's going to be cheaper than what the market will dictate.

At the startup I had booked a hotel in  Anchorage for 2022 with them in 2021. The going rate doubled but I enjoyed the rate I had originally booked. Funny thing was when my agent misread my instructions I had almost cancelled that reservation.

I haven’t seen any in many years on many sailings. They serve mainly those awful sweet peanuts and occasionally salted peanuts and very rarely mixed nuts.  I now order a cocktail glass of bar vegetables such as olives and celery. 

Did you have any special discounts such as a casino or travel agent discount?  

Small, refundable deposits and large OBC - absolutely the best way to book

Just now, Dave JS said:

So is LIdo a fill in for any meal that you want to save some time?

I am not a big fan of buffets so for me it is for late lunch on shore days or a very light dinner occasionally.  My go to is the MDR, everything else is to accommodate a busy day

Dutch cafe is my favorite lunch spot.  Other than that I stick with the MDR or the lido.  Rarely do I go to the Dive In, the pizza place or use room service 

7 days with two considerate people you get along with should be easy.  Check with HAL - on some sailings the third person sails free (except port taxes)

I have met people on cruises who thought they had to pay for every meal.  No question is trivial.  
 

I will only add that if the restaurants and buffet are closed pick up the phone and call room service. On HAL the service is free though they do offer a few specialty items for a charge. 

I have heard a rumor that flight ease has shortened the time you can book past your debarkation date. It was 30 days.  When is your last cruise date?

Currently on the ship dining is 5:15 and 7:30 but they open the doors to a crowd every evening at 5.  I agree with @Haljo1935 that I have seen it later in other regions. 

25 minutes ago, TRLD said:

Yes cruise lines are in competition with other travel options. It is one of the major factors that limits cruise line pricing power. Usually in the past cruise lines have been about 15% discount to land travel. Since Covid the increase in land travel options have given them more pricing power and they have taken advantage of it.

 

 

I agree. I have been pricing out a couple of land trips in North America this week and the prices are sky high. Even when I compare driving my own vehicle and booking everything unpackaged it is still hard to get the value I get with cruising. Dang, McDonalds is now $20 per couple, the same as it costs me for the Pinnacle Grill lunch. 

You should get the OBC with the  HIA for most cruises.  I am sure there are some exceptions.😁

51 minutes ago, Stpatsirish said:

I know that one that they use is the Pan Pacific.

They also use the Sheraton but when you book you are shown your options. 

I find the hotel package much more amenable in South America and Europe as it includes added features like early check in, breakfast, transfers and sometimes a small city tour. In the US and Canada it does not offer as much added value and it is likely better to book your own hotel 

The current scallop entree is excellent. The pistachio gelato is good 

11 minutes ago, Steerpike58 said:

Ah, forgot about air fare - another wrinkle.  But if you did choose to stay on, I presume they couldn't guarantee the same room, since someone else could have chosen 'your' room for the next leg.  

 

That is correct.  I had to move cabins already and the process is easy.  Housekeeping helps