Canadaclyde

Brentt, thank you so much for taking the time to share your cruise with us. I hope you and your beautiful kids will have wonderful memories of the precious time you had together. Safe travels as you head back home. 

I called Princess today to ask about the Cancel for any Reason benefit associated with their Princess Vacation Protection Plan. My question was with regards to the possibility of having to cancel my March 2022 cruise after final payment and if I was issued Future Cruise Credits as a result. I wanted to know when the credits would expire. I was told that they didn't know since they couldn't predict the future. When I said that was not an answer that gives peace of mind (as suggested by their advertising), I was told that currently all FCC expires in Dec 2022. She thought that FCC issued next year might be valid for 2 years, but that wasn't guaranteed. When I said that wasn't really acceptable -- paying for something without knowing the product, she said that the expiry date can sometimes be extended, i.e., by booking a cruise past the expiry dated.

I am a Canadian and have not yet found insurance that covers cancellation for covid or cancellation for any reason. I thought the plan from Princess might work, but now I'm not so sure. Any opinions or suggestions would be much appreciated. Many thanks!

Unfortunately, we've had to make claims on our insurance numerous times in the past ten years. My husband had a stroke which resulted in us having to cancel a three month vacation rental. My mom fell and broke her hip while we were on vacation, so we had to go home two weeks earlier than anticipated. Our insurance reimbursed us the two weeks rental as well as the expenses for driving home to Canada. Two years ago a family member passed away so our vacation was postponed a week. Our insurance company covered the cost of cancelling and rebooking our flights. In addition, we've had several medical issues that resulted in doctor's appointments and medications for which we got reimbursed. We probably wouldn't travel without coverage. 

I just found out my travel insurance will not cover us for any cruise booked during the time cruise travel is banned by the Canadian govt. I was recently on the Volendam, and booked two grand cruises in 2021 and 2022. It looks like both of these cruises will not be covered by our insurance, hence I am going to request HAL give us back our deposits. (Note, even if the cruise travel ban is lifted prior to the cruise departure date, the insurance will not cover us because we made the purchase while the travel ban was on.) 

I suggest you look into your travel insurance carefully and find out what your coverage is.

I recently contacted HAL regarding fridges in oceanview cabins on the Volendam since there seemed to be conflicting information on what I read on Cruise Critic and what was stated on HAL's website. After a few back-and-forth discussions, I was told there were no fridges, but they can be purchased for $2 per day. When they wanted to charge me the $2 per day for our upcoming South America cruise, I told them it was too bad that HAL does not stand by what is obviously quite clearly stated on their web page -- that there is no need to rent a fridge because it's already provided. I was then told that they would install one at no cost. They also said that the web site would be corrected.

I was very pleased with the resolution which was quickly and professionally handled. I just wonder how long it will take for HAL to correct the information on the web.

Thanks Homassa. The technicalities of why internet on ships isn't reliable is definitely beyond my limited understanding. I just know that from experience I can't expect the same dependability or speed that I am accustomed to at home. And at home, I know that there's always a possibility in bad weather our internet service will be disrupted -- usually just at the time I really really think I need to use it!

Thanks, Denise. That at least gives me an idea. That is crazy expensive.  

We are booked on the 77 day Grand South America cruise in January 2020. Does anyone have any idea what the price might be for the surf and  premium package? I noticed that the above chart does not include prices for longer cruises. Does HAL charge by segment then, even though we booked the whole 77 days as one cruise? Thanks for any insight you can provide.

Thanks for starting such a positive thread. 

I love many things about HAL, almost all of them have been mentioned. One thing that comes to mind that I don't think has been discussed --- the towel animals! They just make me smile! My husband and I try to preserve them and make a little zoo, until at some point they fall apart or our cabin steward decides it's time for them to be removed. The little things can make a pleasant difference.

 That's great news! I sent an email to Oceania and it took them more than two months to reply. They said they didn't have table tennis. I know sometimes that head office doesn't always get things right, so I thought I'd find out from previous passengers. 

Many thanks for answering my concern.

My husband loves playing table tennis. We are wondering if table tennis is available on the  Insignia. Thanks for your help.

On 5/21/2019 at 5:28 PM, Danish viking said:

The easy answer will be to take a taxi.

 

As long as the metro station at Rådhuspladsen (where your hotel is) is not open then there is a bit of a walk from the Central station when you have to carry luggage around.

But as I just reported it will probably first open by the end of September.

 

The same answer apply for the second question, you will have to carry your luggage from the hotel to either Vesterport or the central station and then change to a bus at Østerport.

 

You are looking at a 10 minute walk to both stations.

 

 

Ohh what to see 🙂

 

With only 2 days I would stick to Copenhagen and not go the viking ship museum or Frederiksborg Palace/Kronborg castle.

 

But there is plenty to do in Copenhagen.

 

The national museum

Glyptoteket.

Rundetaarn

Canal tour

Rosenborg with the crown jewels

Amalienborg for the changing of the guards at noon.

Blue Planet Aquarium

The Zoo (now with pandas)

Torvehallerne food market

 

And probably lots of stuff that I have forgotten.

 

 

Thanks for your info on transport. Since I'm not familiar with Copenhagen at all, it is too easy for me to misunderstand metro vs trains vs bus stops. From what you've said, I think we'll have to bite the bullet and take taxis. 10 minutes walking with several suitcases in a city we don't know is probably a bit too much for us.

I was all set to go to Frederiksborg Palace -- it looks beautiful. But I''ll definitely check out your suggestions. There's just so many things to do. Do you recommend Tivoli Gardens? Is it mostly rides,? Are the gardens nice? I believe Tivoli is quite close to our hotel. I'm so glad to have your assistance. Thanks again! 

I have a few questions that hopefully you can answer. My husband and I will be arriving in Copenhagen late in the afternoon on 26 Aug, sailing on 28 Aug. We will be staying at the Scandic Palace Hotel for two nights. We will have another day in Copenhagen on 8 Sep. We are in our mid 60s, my husband had a stroke a few years ago, and has recovered very well, but walks with a cane. He is just a little wobbly; otherwise he has no issue.

So my questions are:

What is the best way to get from the airport to the Scandic? and what would be the estimated price. I am a little nervous about taking the train with our luggage (probably 2 suitcases and 2 carryone). Do you think it is sensible?

What about transport from the hotel to the Regal Princess? What is your recommendation?

And finally, what do you recommend for us to do with two full days in Copenhagen? What would you consider the not-to-be-missed things for two people in their 60s? Despite our age and slight mobility challenge, we can fit quite a bit into one day. I just don't know what would make the best use of our limited time in Copenhagen.

You are an amazing gift to all of us cruisers. Thanks so much for taking the time to provide us with very helpful information.