CNSJ

I am seeing some behavior that leads me to believe the "one per year" rule is built into the HAL booking system. If so, The question is remains is it (1) every 12 months by sailing date? or (2) every 12 months by date you apply the OBC credit too a booking? I do wish that HAL was more clear as to the rules for the credit. But, if it's only 1 per year, I m still happy with that, as it's more than we had before. Again, just wish rules were more clear. Recommend that the Strategy is that two who sail together apply the credit (use it where you get $200) to two different bookings, using each person's eligibility. That $400 a year if played well. Between Military/Educator credits, Shareholder Credits, and the AARP credit, HAL does provide the savvy cruiser with substantive benefits. 🙂

Hard to narrow to "one thing", perhaps its best described as "consistant" Consistant service and quality of product.

I have found the Future Cruise Counselors can offer you the same fare that your TA is offering. They can see the same fare codes, and will do the best they can do. Then your TA could choose to add more OBC. At a minimum, if you are a frequent cruiser, I recommend that buy a few FCDs.

As resources on Maui are limited, I would hope/expect that the Governor works with the major hotels to find a way to feed and house the thousands displaced by fire. Tourists should be "strongly discouraged" (read that as stopped) for a few weeks at a minimum, and then brought back in areas outside Lahaina. I realize that disturbs peoples plans, but this is a major disaster. Vacations are a nicety, basic food and shelter are a necessity. Cruise ships should avoid the island for the foreseeable future. Visit other islands for that day. Hope the people of Maui can rebuild their lives.

Prayers for all affected.

A pianist in the area of Ocean Bar or Pinnacle Bar is nice to enjoy with your before dinner drink. I hope that fits into the new mix.

I found the motion activated night light on Konningsdam to be great. If you are asleep, its off. Was sad to find they did not install them on Rotterdam (Ill let you know about NS when I still her this fall). Shaver outlets are great for a light in any stateroom bathroom.

Thank you for sharing such wonderful shots!

My favorite place to book a cabin. I put up with being on the "Mozzert Deck" because its cabins above and below, not too high for rolls and if you nab close to amidships, you are close to everything.

A good report as always. We did a similar trip (Southbound though) last year. Always looking for bargains, I combined my first and only Casino deal (HAL Southbound Alaska to Vancouver) with a 5 Day (4 night) Princess Lodges tour from Fairbanks to Anchorage by train - we added an extra day in Fairbanks at start. As it was a tour, they provided all transfers and coordinated all the train reservations. In a few cases we were the only ones transferring, so they sent a private van. A well run organization. Luggage was moved from hotel to hotel and just showed up at the right place etc. We stayed at Princess Denali Lodge in the Denali park area - just like those on a Princess Cruise Tour. We did self-coordinate our transfer from Anchorage to Whittier, but that was easy and inexpensive. A great trip.

Considering your total experience with HAL, this is good to hear, We join you onboard in October of this year. Thanks again!

Whether is not at all predicable. First trip in early June, we wore jackets in morning, by mid-day we were in shirt sleeves. Another trip in early August, shirt sleeves all day. It's Alaska, bring layers. Hope for the best!

HAL does have transfer service from both Montreal and Quebec City to ship.

I do envy you for having HAL ships sailing from your home town! We have to fly for all our cruises, which adds days to the trips and complicates things. Enjoy the luxury so few of us have!

I have experienced the same thing at the end of my cruise. I hope this stops soon!

Was that through direct comms with Holland (PCC) or your TA?

Thank you for the comparison report. Glad you enjoyed your cruise!

DW and I enjoyed Decaf Cappuccino in the evenings on Noordam last summer. Decaf also wonderful in the Pinnacle Grill, which has the best traditional coffee on the ship IMHO,

In 2024-2025 they are using the Crown Princess, but also Island Princess.

Both of Carnival's Fantasy Class and both Coral and Island Princess. The only saving grace for Princess ships may be the ability to use the original Panama Canal Locks. These ships all need about the same number of deck officers to run as a ship thats twice its size. Same goes for environmental officers, hotel manager etc. Bigger has economies of scale.

Hurricanes usually only impact a ship for a day or so as the storm blows by. The bigger impact can be flight issues impacting those arriving and departing, which (unless you booked flights thru cruise line) are not the cruise lines problem.

Good points and I appreciate your analysis. My comment on on board spending is based on Carnival ships having more bars and shorter cruises. People IMHO drink more per day on a short cruise. New Builds - Retiring ships = New Berths to sell. I think that many older less efficient ships will be retired with an eye toward profitability. I hope you are right and I am wrong. Id love to have lower priced cruises!

A new tile to add to collection. If its the same on all ships, we will have a few when the year is over.

I have poked around on some of the discounts in the weeks prior to crusing. It seems there are very few cabins to select from , so perhaps they are just filling up the remaining few or late cancellations (HAL would love to sell you insurance, keep 10% plus insurance costs, then resell the same cabin). MSC Yacht club looks ok from a distance, but you are still on a mega ship as far as ports and congestion ashore. Plus all the cabins seem to be high up in the bow. Much prefer amidships on deck 6 or so. I too am looking at Oceania and Seabourn. But, cost always seems to be much higher.

That makes sense. The gratuity should be based on the pre-discount amount, much like a restaraunt that has a discount back home.