ChinaShrek

Kids can bring in lots of money through soda packages, specialty dinners, shore excursions, and rides on the ship.

Yeah, I see your point and realize that is also creating unmanageable expectations for people who book cabins. They definitely need to tell people that your cabin is only "tentative" and could be changed when someone with deeper pockets wants it.

Yes, I agree with you about this.

Why should a cruise line let one or two people stay in a cabin that sleeps 4 if they can get 4 people to stay in it? I also travel solo and many times I have searched for a cabin on the Carnival site and they frequently block out certain cabins from me to book. This initiative is all about attracting new customers to HAL - families and extended families..

Gratuities are optional. Service charges are not.

Would folks rather HAL not allow solos or couples to book cabins that fit 3-4 people? They could have done that so no one would be disappointed and to increase profit.

No need to talk to people. Simply use the app when you get on board to make all of your reservations.

Yeah, I'm out. Seriously, though, I really appreciate the information. I am not interested in sitting on the ship all of the time. I went to go on excursions, hiking, fishing, etc. If this isn't available or if it is raining most of the time, I would be disappointed.

I have done two Alaska cruises but they were in July and there was some sun and some clouds. I'm okay with that. Do you think this is a good itinerary? It seem unique.

Does anyone think it could be raining every day of this cruise? I was thinking of booking the trip for April 2026 but I want some sun!

I guess we'll see what happens. I predict in 20 years that cruising will be either mega ships (6000+ passengers) or small luxury lines with less than 1200 passengers. People will need to pick a lane.

I actually like that it is hard to book CO. It keeps the program a little more exclusive and keeps the numbers down so the CO dining room isn't packed.

I actually think they will move those people to the Lido to provide better service.

Actually, this is a good idea. If someone purchases Club Orange then they culd have access to the MDR on embarkation day.

This cruise line, to stay in business, will need to attract younger, hip customers and familes to stay in business.

Does anyone know if a Balcony Guarantee could be a Cove Balcony cabin or are they excluded?

If you book the HIA (Have it All) package. it will include 1-2 specialty dinners depending on the length of your cruise. The package makes the dinners worth doing, good value. Otherwise, no.

Yes, that's my point! I don't know how to avoid it.

Yes, that makes perfect sense but it doesn't always work that way. For example, one day I realized that I had spent $500 in the casino but in my mind I kept saying to myself that I only spent $450, so I can actually spend more than that because of my 10% savings. I ended up spending $600 ($540 after the discount) in the casino because of the 10% "savings." If gift cards didn't exist, I would have only spend $450.

I didn't know that.

If you pay for your cruise with HAl gift cards, you will save 10% off of your flight. That could be hundreds of dollars.

Is there any 3 or 4 Star discount for Morimoto or Rudi's?

I agree. Travel agents are like realtors or car salespeople. They all work from commission, so there motivation is often volume. They will sell you what you want to hear, even lie, just to get your business. The key is a travel agent that wants repeat business.

My theory is that people will spend more with gift cards then they would if paying with cash. With gift cards, they "think" they are saving 10% so they spend more.

It was a Panama Canal Partial Transit. It was a wonderful cruise. Out of 2600 passengers, there were only 160 kids on the ship!