sirvegetables

Just now, fusion927 said:

I think (again, overload and too many dates so I might be wrong) it was until the end of 2021

 

That makes sense, ok thank you!!! I've been on the phone waiting for their cust support for over an hour, posting on CC was faster!  thank you again fusion927!

This is a great answer!  Thanks so much, the big part of what I was missing was that any "extra" is saved in your account and can be used for future cruise.  So you are thinking that "second" cruise would need to be book by Sept 2020.  Do you know how far out that "Second" cruise could be, for example could it be for a 2022 cruise?

Hi guys, I apologize in advance on how dumb this question is going to seem to most of you. To be honest I don't get why I can't grasp this concept, but I guess its just messing with me, maybe it the COVID isolation lol.  Anyway here it goes:

What does 125% FCC actually mean?  For example, lets say my cruise that was cancelled cost me a total of $7K for the two rooms I booked.  Do 125% of that is around $9K lets say.  So now I have $9K to book on a future cruise? What if the future cruise I book is only $5K, do they give me $4K back in credit???  Or am I "forced" to book a more expensive cruise in order to use the $9K???

Sorry, I told you it was going to be a dumb question 

53 minutes ago, martincath said:

It's a separate website - the service is franchised out to bidding coach companies (the folks who ran it changed last contract renewal, ~3 years back) so technically not run by or anything to do with BC Ferries directly (i.e. if you hate the bus and complain, it won't blow back on BCF!).

 

Don't take the one from the pier - they charge as much extra per person as cab fare for a carload to the bus station! Check pricing of each departure option - diff charges for pickup at airport too. There are many daily departures from Pacific Central station that meet up with basically every ferry, but fewer that offer the additional connecting services.

 

NB: that while V2V is certainly an option they have an extraordinarily limited schedule of just one per day each way and are also more expensive than BC Ferries even when you include transportation costs to the other ferries. It can be cheaper to fly than take V2V! And unless you plan to only spend time in Victoria and immediate surroundings, a car is a necessity on the Island - transit sucks outside Victoria's suburbs (plus buses to/from ferry and airport) and there's an awful lot more to see over there than just Butchart and Victoria. Unlike Vancouver, parking is much more accessible and cheaper around Victoria too, so even in town a car can be more convenient than the buses.

Thanks for the link and comments- I just looked up the fare and it was about $60 for adult one way.  Seems pretty reasonable.  I think they will also add on the ferry fare to that.  Given I'm traveling with two elderly people who don't want to carry bags or walk or get taxis for everything it seems like a great deal.  Unless I'm missing something.  

13 hours ago, twodjs said:

B. C. Ferries connector offers a seasonal large bus service directly from the Canada Place cruise terminal to downtown Victoria next to the Empress Hotel. They load your luggage at the cruise ferminal, the bus gets on the ferry to Vancouver Island and takes you to Victoria with no luggage hassles. Victoria has really good local bus service, if you choose not to rent a car. Then you can take the Victoria Clipper (a people only ferry) directly to Seattle when you are ready. From the terminal at Seattle, if you don't want to tour, you can take Uber, a taxi or the light rail about a half hour to get to Seatac airport. We have done this before. Easy - the only issue is you must get off the ship first thing in Vancouver to get on the bus - it leaves at 9:15 in order to make the ferry connection. Probably a lot cheaper than a seaplane and without the weight restriction. 

I believe what you've written above but having a hard time finding the service you mention in the BC Ferries website.  I can't find the service that leaves from Canada Place.  Perhaps I'm on the wrong link.  If you have a moment and can reply with the link of the information on the service you mention above that would be great!  thanks!

Good to know, its been 30 years since ive been. But anyway, so yeah, from Vancouver to Vancouver island, specifically the town of Victoria. 

Thanks, good to know.  If I do it on my own I'll probably rent a car.  I was wondering if HAL had any sort of post cruise package to get you there, book you in a hotel and then on to the airport a couple days later.  Probably not.  Second option would be to rent a car.  

Does anyone know if HAL will book a transfer package from Vancouver port to Victoria island following an Alaska cruise?  Or has anyone done it on their own?

thats a brilliant idea actually!  have never seen anyone do it but i love the idea.  looking forward to read the responses to see if anyone has experienced doing this

Ah got it!  Thanks for sharing.  You made me realize I need to keep up better with the latest promotions.  It really can make a difference in savings as long as you are open to changing plans/ships if needed.  thanks!

5 minutes ago, Cruise Raider said:

 

I am looking at finalizing the second leg of a B2B on a sailing that was just released and was so excited when I saw this promo ...

I will be disappointed if the SBP isn't included, though.  I can get a very similar sailing on a newer Princess ship in a balcony with the beverage package, gratuities and $200 onboard credit for $300 less overall ... but it would mean having to transfer ships.  Might be worth it, though ... 

 

What is the princess sailing that was just released that you are referring to, if you don't mind sharing?  thanks!

Dumb question of the day:  Is it ever possible a TA (or PVP) could offer you a really really good perk like a free drink package for booking with them?  Or is it almost always just the OBC type of perk?  

On 7/19/2019 at 12:22 PM, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

Well - I've heard rumblings that Explore4 will start up 8/1 (whilst I'm on the Amsterdam) but with some changes to the offering vs past years (though not sure what that means in terms of inclusions/offers).  Currently have the "Early Booking Bonus" offer w/ SBP and 1 night Pinnacle Grill (which is what Explore4 gave last year anyways) and booked w/ the $1 deposit .... so may just create a new res for same sailing onboard if Explore4/pricing as good as what we have so we can get the extra OBC 🙂 This is for the 2/24/21 Zuiderdam Partial canal cruise we are doing.

Atlanta Cruiser72- can you share where you have heard those "8/1" rumblings to the Explore 4 startup?  thanks!

Does anyone know if/when Explore4 will be offered WITH SIG DRINK PACKAGE for HA cruises starting from May 2020?  It seems like the Explore4 package they have out now does not include a drink package.  

Several reviewers were very happy with their photo package purchases. They did say be certain to go down and pick up a special photo card from the photo desk as soon as you board because there is only one computer available to them to move photos from your cruise card to the photo package card. Apparently photos must be moved to this card in order to be placed on your memory stick / downloadable on your web account if you've got the package with these options. Apparently the process takes a bit of time, especially if you have many photos attached to your room key card. Apparently there are photographers around the ship at various activities taking photos.

I actually read your answer again and have more questions- So I heard there is a "$99" "Sea Card" photo package. Is this what you are referring to? What did you mean by moving photos from cruise card to photo card? How are photos contained or "attached" on your cruise card?

At least on the early January cruise you had to get a waiter to bring it but it was supposed to be because the automatic dispense system for wine and beer was not working. Once it is those are supposed to be serve yourself options. Or so crew claimed.

another question on this- can you get wine/beer "to go"? meaning is it possible to order a wine (or use the taps when they eventually work) and walk back to your room, or to the pool, or something like that, with your drink? Any rules against that as far as you know?

I called and spoke to a rep about my upcoming sailing, she also mentioned that the coupon booklets were discontinued and they have a new drink package. I mentioned the forum and how others are getting the offer. Long story short...she's going to forward the information to her supervisor for further review and then respond to the e-mail I sent her. Been several hours....no response as of yet. We'll see if CS steps up and follows up with my inquiry.

Thanks, keep us posted if you get a response. Perhaps we'll finally get some clarity on this.

I have to add that the rep I spoke to was extremely polite and helpful. She even double checked to see if the vouchers were per person or per cabin. They are per cabin but I purchased one for me and one for my husband. I also purchased them for my kids and they had to be assigned to each cabin.

I actually just called CS and inquired about the vouchers for my July sailing. The person I spoke with firmly indicated that msc no longer offered drink vouchers and hasn't for quite some time. When I mentioned that this wasn't the case since I had heard they were made available for some recent sailings he seemed quite 'bothered' and was borderline rude telling me this couldn't be the case. I asked to speak to his supervisor and then he actually did get rude and sarcastic with me. I'd hate to see how he would be if I actually was a angry or upset with something, I was just challenging his answer given recent information I obtained. ANYWAY. The supervisor was much better and she knew her stuff. She mentioned that while yes they have in general discontinued the voucher program, some exceptions have been made for certain recent sailings. The best thing to do is to keep checking the website and/or calling CS, especially as your sailing comes near (like a month prior to sailing). She said there is definitely a chance they could become available for a given sailing. It seems it is on a sailing by sailing basis at the moment. Tip: msc customer service is hit and miss in my experience, especially at level 1 rep. I recommend kindly escalating to a supervisor of you are not satisfied or have seen something on cruise critic or elsewhere that doesn't jive with what you're hearing from CS level 1 rep. The supervisor seems much more informed, and helpful.

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Well you just lit the [emoji91]. I would ask, why would you?

Good try but [emoji97][emoji97]

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I simply...can't... resist... ;)

 

potential issue: food

1. Bring salt or seasoned salt

2. Avoid the buffet and eat in specialty restaurants or main dining room

3. Book Yacht Club

 

potential issue: sewer smell

1. clothespin for your nose, or put tea tree oil above your lip

2. avoid rooms midship

3. air freshener for your room

4. a cup full of water in your overflow drain in your bathroom

 

potential issue: crowds

1. Book Yacht Club

2. Try to go in fall/winter off season months

 

potential issue: lack of entertainment

1. Kindle or other reading material

2. Casino, learn to play on wizard of odds dot com

 

potential issue: customer service

1. Use a TA (there are discount web-based ones out there) if you typically would rather book your own, so they can handle any web issues for you

2. PRAY for wisdom and understanding...

3. ACCEPT this one is going to be the most challenging and probably never fixed to satisfaction!

 

potential issue: lines

1. When in Rome....

"PRAY for wisdom and understanding.."

Hahaha this made me spit out my drink hahaha.

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Adult Areas: Aft pool was about it. Very nice location, but simply too small for the number of adults who want to spend time there. By 8am, the pool hogs had already reserved all the lounges on sea days. Plus smoking allowed on starboard side of pool area, but smokers were also around the back of pool too. Solarium pool nice, but open to all, so noisy with children. Again a negative to us, as many CLs solarium areas are adult only, with no smoking, or aft pool space's are bigger.

 

 

 

This is what I was afraid of. The fact that this prime real estate is going to be a haven for disgusting foul smokers is ridiculous. They should be banished to an area where they can't let their second hand smoke affect other people's health.

 

 

 

Can you tell me more about the smoking issues you experienced? It's a big concern for my family as we all have smoke allergies. Is it possible to find a space around a pool where smoke isn't invading you? Any inside problem areas?

 

 

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$12.50pp/pd

I don't want to start a firestorm by asking this- but does anyone know if you can decline to pay the daily charges like you can on other cruise lines?

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Glad you loved it. Looking forward to going in 32 days! The countdown is on.

 

If you took pictures of the dining room menus can you post them please.

 

If you participated in any activities/crafts/games can you give your opinion of those? I saw mini golf and mega Jenga listed - how do they do that? Seems like there are a lot of dance classes too, how were those?

Seaside has a mini golf course??

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Interesting- I just checked my booking (July 7) and whereas it does look like that site has gone through an upgrade since last week, I still don't see any vouchers being offered. But thanks for the heads-up. I assume you looked under your booking where it says to "Add dining and beverage"?

I'll try to check each day to see if the vouchers re-appear on the website. I'll post on this thread if it comes back. Others feel free to do the same. thanks!