SFO Peter

Where snorkel in Kihei? Took cab to kihei and rented equip. Saw plenty beach no fish and no coral. Paid for this 2024 cruise but did not make it on board due to health matters. Got port fees and tax refunded. peter

=== on Volendam today. We buy Acqua Panna in 1 liter glass bottles. Peter

Actual cabin key Jan 2022. Unfortunately did not keep one for Jan 2023 but it was same configuration. I punched hole myself. However things could have changed... No lumps in the card indicating chip. HAL could be cutting costs by not embedding chip. Also we take the cards home with us. Now if someone can open up...

yes I know. Harry is 99, legally blind and has Alzheimers. He still wants to cruise. If he gets "loose" from me he can ask ship attendant or someone to help him. Not much valuable in our room. Everything can be replaced. Peter

Self bored hold on Koningsdam Jan 2022. Did not keep one for Koningsdam Jan 2023 which I also bored.

That is where I punch the hole myself with a pen knife if the ship is reluctant to do it. Did it on the Koningsdam. No problems whatsoever. Peter

===== That is wrong according to my HAL Personal Cruise Consultant. Harry is retired military and a someone doing a booking for us at HAL told me it was one time use as well. Found out friends continue to get the credit so we spoke to PCC. We now get military OBC on every cruise. I do not know how discounted cruise will determine credit. Peter

You guys are geniuses. Firefox just now worked without any problems at all. I accessed my four cruises and their offerings. Peter

I think the objective is no disposable plastic bottles left for the ship disposal. So one empty plastic bottle should be o.k. if you plan to take it off with you. Peter

Someone posted that the problems has to do with computer Cache. I do not want to empty my Cache because it deletes information that other websites need for sign ins. After weeks of struggling with HAL website I used Chrome >>Incognito<< and was able to sign in yesterday and do my business. So in summary try using Incognito. Peter

=== Jacqui thanks for the reply. When I get past the hiccups of the HAL website the Casino Chips buy option is not there anymore. Someone else said it was removed. I will try buying refundable OBC and transfer money I need to Casino machine then cash out. Peter

===== I miss not being able to purchase Casino Chips before getting on board. Money was used to give extra gifts to staff and do some gambling among other things. Don't really want to start travel with a stash in my pocket. Can you transfer >>purchased<< OBC to Casino then get cash without a fee? Peter

Sachertorte when they have it. Sometimes they give it to you on your birthday. Peter

===== email me your name and address and I will send it to you by post. email is below.

=== The biggest value is in the room upgrade within the same category. You pay for the cheapest category then use Club Orange to move to a "better cabin". We do not use the bag since they attract too much attention. Thinking of taking the bag and give it to a deserving Cruise Critic traveller. Peter

=== Lesson learned. I did protest the price but the driver was adamant that $30 was the price. I will ask the taxi if metered or fix price for our next trip in December. Of course we were in a hurry to get to San Diego Airport and at that time there were a shortage of taxis. I should have written down the taxi cab identifications. SFO Peter

Been bugging me so I will ask here excuse me but slightly off topic. January 2023 took taxi from Cruise Terminal to airport and the taxi driver showed me a document which said fixed price of $30 to airport. I am certain I was overcharged and did not give a tip. Is there a fix price to airport? Peter

===== Delta and Bonvoy are "travel" cards. As far as I can tell the offer does not come on "travel" cards. I specifically got the no annual fee Amex Blue Cash card and now get the promotions on the Blue card. Peter

HAL has Aqua Panna spring water for sale. HAL water in bottles and cans are purified water. We do not like purified water. Peter

===== Did you check your final bill? Usually that is where the unused Beverage Card credit is applied. Peter

====== Sorry to hear of your friend's passing. I want to mention that my traveling companion Harry who is Covid vaccinated got Covid August 2022 on Eurodam Alaskan cruise. He was two months away from 98. Ship sold him Paxlovid and he got better and tested negative in less than a week. He walks every day and will be 100 on our October 2024 cruise. Peter

To each his own. We happen to like Spa Verandas. We don't spend much time sitting on the Veranda but like to open the outside door occasionally for fresh air. We like the closeness to the Lido, the Crows Nest and the Coffee shop. Not much traffic in the Spa cabin area which we like. I must say it is just a Veranda. Nothing special about Spa Verandas. We do Club Orange upgrade to Spa Veranda from lowest balcony category so we are getting value. Peter

Aqua Panna spring water liter bottle is available for purchase. We always drink Aqua Panna or other spring water. It is a splurge(?) for us but we do not drink alcohol. One of us is going to be 100 in October 2024 why not treat ourselves. The canned water is purified water. We do not drink purified water if we can help it. Read the label before buying! Peter

If you are lucky enough to get Club Orange they will immediately charge you when you ask for it and put the note on your invoice. This will be your proof of CO. Peter

=== We are on Koningsdam from Feb 17 to Mar 23, 2024. They tell us that CO is not available. Would you mind sharing your March dates? By the way I do not think VF is the cheapest verandah... Book the cheapest verandah then upgrade using CO to a "better" verandah. Thanks Peter