Andi Land

45 minutes ago, SJSULIBRARIAN said:

I haven't been able to see a screen allowing choices either on my computer or IPAD. I'll keep trying.

It seems like you have the same version of the update that I have.  I like most of it but need the cabin selection by number back again. 

3 hours ago, kazu said:

 

Just go to the next step where you choose your cabin (and cabin availabily for a certain floor is displayed) and the option to select a cabin is there: 

 

 

Hope this makes sense and helps 🤞 

Thanks for the screen shot. It looks like I have a different version. When I’m on that screen, I can only choose from a drop down list. No option to enter specific cabin. I haven’t tried on my laptop yet. 

3 hours ago, RuthC said:

Oh, it is. At least by some of us. 

On any given ship I have some favorite cabins, in a particular order. However, they may not be on the same deck, or even the same section of the ship. It's a nuisance to jump around, going back a few pages to start another search. I much prefer to be able to just enter one cabin number after another until I find one that is suitable. 
The last time I cabin searched, I was able to do that to some extent. But I never did find the cabin I eventually booked. My TA, on a call to HAL, did that. So, the system still has room for improvement. 

We are like you. It’s not necessary location but specific cabin. Especially when we find one we really like, we like to re book those. 

19 minutes ago, MTemple212 said:

IF not, you could always ask for two!

Ha! He did ask for two and got it. But I think I’ll takes Ruth’s advice and have him ask for a larger portion. Never hurts to ask. ☺️

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

Still physically available, but does it function?? 🙄

When I look at it on my iPad I don’t see that option. Am I looking in the wrong place? Or maybe I need to be on my laptop?

I like to search by a particular stateroom and that function is now gone. Otherwise, the site is much improved. 

The Thai beef salad appetizer is my husband’s favorite. If they made that in a dinner portion size he’d be in heaven. I had the basil shrimp meal twice in my last cruise. I need to branch out and try more though. We loved everything we had. 

Since it’s early in the season, it may be ice related. I wonder if anyone has made it to Hubbard yet this year? We went in 2019 at the end of May and there was so much ice we couldn’t get as close as they normally do. It was still magnificent to see the ship surrounded by ice particles. 
 

As a side note, we prefer Hubbard to Glacier Bay. Been to both many times and Hubbard is our preference. 

All that food looks delicious!

28 minutes ago, rass2008 said:

Hmmmm I wonder why mine is coming up at 874 Canuck Dollars? I am never booking in CAD again, will always be in USD going forward.

Did you buy the insurance? If so, the insurance may have increased due the added value of the package. I had that happen on one booking. I got it for $45 pp on one booking and $50 pp on the other. No rhyme or reason. 

I have a trip ending in Montreal in August. Last night, I changed my flight to leave the day after disembarking and ordered the Emed tests so we can do them at the hotel and not be rushed. It now costs us the price of the tests and a night in a hotel but I think this makes it not feel so rushed and we get a day to Enjoy Montreal. 

1 hour ago, kangforpres said:

I called yesterday trying to add it and after waiting for about 30 minutes was told my booking was not eligible since it was a casino offer. Then why is there a banner add on "my bookings" page for the cruise!?!  HAL really needs to get better web content management.

 

-Paul

I was told the same thing yesterday and my PCC called back today to say they’d gotten further guidance that it is available on the casino rate. Probably just need to call again. Hopefully they’ve gotten it straightened out. 

7 hours ago, rochelle_s said:

That's great! 

 

I just checked my July booking and it is not an option for our cruise. But definitely a positive thing going forward.

 

Rochelle

I’d still call and ask. Maybe you could still get it ☺️

2 minutes ago, Taleena said:

Gah! We got this same HIA banner ad on our screen 2 days ago & immediately called about adding it. They told us they couldn't do it on our casino rate Alaska cruise coming up in September. Now I'm ticked and I guess hubby and/or I will be spending a bunch of time on hold with HAL trying to get someone that will add it for us. 😠

I was told no yesterday when I emailed my PCC but she emailed this morning saying they got more guidance and it could now be combined. Fingers crossed it works for you too!

Good morning!

Just wanted to share that when I logged into my online account to check in for my June Alaska cruise, I was given the offer to upgrade to the Have it All package at $50 per person per day even though I'm booked on a casino rate. 

I reached out to my PCC and she got it added to both of my casino rate cruises.  Just an FYI for anyone else who might find benefit to this package. 

1 hour ago, Tedferg said:

On Zaandam any deck preference between Dolphin, Main, Lower Promenade?

We prefer the lower promenade midship closer to forward atrium area. We like this location under the photo gallery because it’s quiet and has easy access to the outside deck. 

I recently booked a cruise with a casino offer with a guaranteed room. I paid for the upgrade to a verandah and then added on Club Orange. With Club Orange, you can choose your verandah at the highest category even with the casino offer. I find it the cheapest way to get the room upgrade on these casino offers even if we don’t use the other perks. I think on the longer cruises it’s $15 pp pd but you’d want to call and verify and see if it’s a financial benefit to you. You could also do the same with the free ocean view room. You could add Club Orange on and upgrade to the highest category OV. Just my 2 cents! Enjoy the Panama Canal. It’s one I really want to do. 

It’s a mixed bag for me. I love the dining venues, the thermal suite, and the retreat cabanas on the larger ships. I hate the size. Too big. Too many people. 
 

I love the small ship size.  The passenger to space ratio is great. The ship never feels crowded. You get to know people onboard because you see them more often. 
 

All that to say, I booked his itinerary and chose Zaandam. 

1 hour ago, BermudaBound2014 said:

 

If suspect this is a great exaggeration, but I've come to believe that anything is possible. The Ruby Princess has over 250 positive cases reported. If this pause comes to fruition, it will very likely be a kiss of death.

The Ruby Princess was in Astoria Oregon on Monday. I just happened to be in Astoria thrift shopping that day. There were many people onshore from the ship and doing tours around town. It was notable because all cruise ship passengers had masks on while most residents did not. made me wonder if the masks were a ship/town requirement. Not sure this has any bearing on anything other than we saw the Ruby a few days ago and it appeared business as usual. 

I have a cruise booked for November with family. The ones who initiated the cruise picked the itinerary because it was a free casino offer for them. They then sent out a message to the family Facebook page and asked if anyone wanted to join. We joined. We paid full price. We are excited that they get to go for free even though we paid full price. We’ve now had another family group join in and we are up to 6 confirmed with another 5 as maybes. All because of one free casino offer. And everyone else is paying full fare. 
 

On another note, I have never received a free or reduced casino offer. I gamble a bit on each cruise but only around $100. My husband has received free cruise offers for an inside room and he never gambles. The first time we got one the casino hotline people said they’d never seen an offer like ours before because it wasn’t tied to the casino even though that’s the phone number we had to call to book. The had to escalate to a supervisor just to get us booked. Since then we have gotten one other free offer and we still can’t figure out why. I don’t know if they take on board spending into account or the fact that we cruise often but I do know that I’ve paid for many, many cruises at full price to be able to take advantage of 2 free cruises in an inside room. 
 

I’m thrilled for everyone to get their free cruises and when I’m paying full price I’ll be ecstatic that at least I get free laundry. 

So happy surgery went well and you’re feeling good. Hope you get some sleep and recovery time before heading home. Well wishes for a quick recovery so you can get back to cruising!

12 minutes ago, Don Kehote said:

So I'd like to thank everyone for all the information - I'm a little more at ease now.

 

One of the reasons we picked this cabin (aside from availability, which was very slim) was that when I examined the deck maps, it showed as being underneath "Queen's Lounge/Culinary Arts Center".  I totally didn't put it together until later that this is also BB King's.  Ever the fool me, I guess.  Either way, we tend to fall asleep with the TV on (which is why I was concerned about that - I hope it swings out for viewing), so I don't really think noise will be an issue. We sleep like the dead on cruises!

 

I was originally a little disappointed that the restroom is shower only, but then I realized that I only ever take showers anyway.  I'm a large guy, so bathtubs don't typically make for a pleasant experience.  

 

As for itinerary - this is Caribbean, going to HMC, Aruba, and Curacao (all three bucket-list locations for us).  Used to be that we liked sitting around, watching the water go by on sea days out in the smoking area.  Now...it seems that we've both just sort of quit smoking (which is great), so I"m looking into maybe renting a cabana by the pool with the savings. 

 

I was kind of excited about Club Orange, but I don't think that it's going to be a huge benefit on NA, so we're going to take a pass on it this time. For the specialty experience, we're vacillating between Pinnacle and Tamarind. I just can't decide.  I lived in Italy for a couple of years, learned how to cook there, so I doubt that Canaletto's a real option.

 

We're looking at HMC for the big swimming/sunburn day.  Curacao is where we want to walk around and see the town. In Aruba, we've got the Atlantis submarine excursion booked (yay, promotional pricing), and will spend the evening just wandering and enjoying the weather. Maybe a sunset cruise?

 

This should be a great trip.  $ is definitely a concern now - I came back from our last cruise, walked in the door to work, and was immediately told I wasn't needed anymore.  Sad Face.  But, prospects are out there.  Starting over at 50 was not in my plans! 

 

 

All of the specialty restaurants are good but Tamarind is our favorite!

I work for the government and my work from home also requires VPN. When I want to vacation and work at the same time, I take a land trip with reliable internet. I save cruising for true vacation only experiences. I know that doesn’t help OP after the fact but may help with planning future trips. 

I used my offer for the free ocean view and then added Club Orange on so I could upgrade the category and pick my room. Just food for thought for anyone else considering these offers. 

These are targeted rates that don’t go out to everyone. They are linked to mariner number. My husband go the offer but I didn’t. I don’t understand their methodology in choosing who gets one.