3 on a cruise

On 2/3/2024 at 8:11 AM, Tralfaz1138 said:

 

My last stay in London was a business trip that happened to end up after Princess Diana passed away (the funeral procession went right past our hotel).  So yes, it's been a few decades since I was there.  I figured we'd spend the time in London, then head to Portsmouth the day of embarkation.

However, it seems like there are a few things to do around Portsmouth so I might adjust the plans a little.  Thank you for the information (though I'd need to work out the best way to see some of those places).

My wife and I have decided not to complicate our holiday and have substituted our 2 days in London with 3 in Portsmouth (similar cost) and enjoy a less stressful start to our trip. Portsmouth has a lot to offer and we could always hire a car if we wish to go further afield. We fly into Heathrow on the 26th Sept at 15.40 and plan to book a taxi to our hotel in Portsmouth at a similar cost to using public transport to London and then on to Portsmouth. Good luck with your plans

On 1/25/2023 at 10:04 AM, AFNavigator said:

If you are truly interested in Club Orange, you can have your TA contact HAL to see if they will permit a temp downgrade to an obstructed balcony, buy Club Orange, then "free" upgrade back to your VA category cabin.  We did that last year (booked direct with HAL so contacted HAL direct) on the NS.  They let us do that process and it ended up saving us $60 off the V category room we had booked (and got again through Club Orange).  Essentially by buying Club Orange, we got our room for $60 less and got Club Orange benefits for "free".

Have recently done exactly this and received a substantial reduction in cost

8 hours ago, Windsailer said:

The HAL PDF describing the program is pretty helpful. It's on the Club Orange page of the HAL website. As far as cost - this is what it says:

 

"$25/person/day on cruises up to 13 days $15/person/day on cruises 13+ days."

 

After reading these threads recently I looked into CO and decided to see if it was available on my February cruise. It actually was. And though it did not appear as though there were any cabins were available for the upgrade - I was wondering what the "alterative benefit" would be -  they found me one. I went from a VH balcony - which I was perfectly happy with - to a VA.  Since I was on a roll I also booked it for my August cruise on the NS. A separate dining room will be lovely. Again, I went from a VH to a VA. My TA did take some educating and she finally found someone at HAL who understood the program. 

Am also on the NS 2nd Aug 21 days and amended my booking to take-up Club Orange and received upgrade from  my already booked cabin (VA) from VH a reduction in cost of $800 Aus or approx $575 US ie HA allowed downgrading of VA cabin to VH and then upgraded back to existing VA cabin booking

I am also on the Oosterdam in July and have OBC of $1000. As all tours have been Paid I have been considering freezing the graturities charge and suggesting it be offset against the OBC or possibly cancelling some tours and re booking when on board. Would this be possible