FlaMariner

Here is what we do.... Anytime we've had OBC issues or inappropriate charges or tour refunds not happening, etc, I send an email to our TA (big, online TA) to track it down. She handles it and she is better equipped to maneuver thru the HAL weeds....and has much more leverage than little ole 4* me. The timing is not fast but it seems to resolve itself in a couple of weeks. She may ask for me to "let me know in a week if there is not credit" and when there is not, it's another simple update to her. I don't do a thing other than lean on my TA....Isn't that what an "agent" is there to do for you...why they earn the "big bucks"?

IMO...... @Mary229 stated.....Mediterranean is full of nice beaches..... but.... If I wanted beaches and was not interested in the historic areas of Western Civilization....I'd not spend the $$$$ going to Europe (I think the Mediterranean beaches are nice but nothing like beaches in Florida or the Caribbean). Instead, I'd spend my travel money cruising the Caribbean if beaches were my thing....

IMO Not crazy. Luckily, the ship arrives at the ports and the amenities onboard are the same no matter inside or balcony. You only miss a private place in the room to sit outdoors. Lots of other nooks onboard to sit outdoors. We've gone back and forth on balconies over the years....They are nice but if it means staying onboard for an entire additional week, I'd be just fine in the inside cabin. Spend the money on what gives you value......being onboard for 7 more days is worth more than a balcony. You will not miss it or regret it....IMO.

...and on the TV in the cabin

We did a TP last year.... We followed the Aleutian Islands and it was chilly after Juneau (early October).....You will need at least the windbreaker/lite jacket Also, more books.....we are paper book people and I should have gone by the used bookstore and added two more Grisholm novels. We only travel with a carry on roller bag and backpack each....So we are not into carrying lots of stuff...less is more. Enjoy the TP....we enjoyed the sea days, crossing the international date line and arriving in Japan rested and ready to roll.....

I do. I have cancellation, interruption, etc. with our credit card and GeoBlu Trekker for medical. I'd never travel without it...but not paying the HAL high price insurance......

Adding another bullet point to my buck deposit drama: checked prices today (two days after booking and investing $2) and the fare is up $232 per person. So far, this is working out....Prior to this first time experience with the buck deposit, I really thought HAL jacked up the prices and it was similar to the other "sales" HAL offers where they add amenities but increase the price......not so thus far....all good.

never, ever buy that.....so we are good.

Some of the best church services we have attended have been the Holland America Line "inter-denominational" services....many times on our TA's (2024) and TP (2023) sailings as well as other "longer" sea day cruises. HAL has it listed on the schedule and it is always fascinating to me how us Christians can get together and without any planning, provide a meaningful service. No "paid" minister onboard but there has always been a retired minister, regular minister or layperson that easily offers up a sermon and a "choir lady" seems to always be present.

We cruised to Japan and based in Yokohama for 5 days and wore out our Japan rail pass. One day trip was Kanazawa. We took the bullet train to/from Kanazawa, visited the Gardens and castles, enjoyed tempura at a department store restaurant (delicious and the folks were most helpful and kind to us). We bought a city bus pass at the train station and easily got around to those places. It was a fun and easy DIY day for us in Kanazawa.

I've found some really good YouTube videos of folks taking Premium Economy on Singapore Airlines from JFK to SIN.... I suggest going there if you want to see what it is like....We are pumped. We depart next month.

Welcome to Holland America Line..... Yes, trans Atlantic crossings are a great deal....we've done many and love the price and the ports and the sea days.

So our first time at participating in this one buck deposit..... We'd been eyeing a 50 night cruise in March 2026 but worried that the daughter might throw a wrinkle in our plans with a possible wedding Surprised this cruise was included in the buck promo but it was and we booked today The fare was the same price we had been tracking...so no hyped up price because of promo We are booked....all for an investment of $2. Couple of interesting "strings/disclosures"....$198 is due in June 2025 and is "un-refundable". Remaining balance due October 2025 (4 months before departure) We use a TA (big, internet one) and was glad to know they participate in all HAL promos...this one included! This works out great for us......We think we will be "in the know" as far as conflicts by mid year next year, I can also be attentive to price drops and we can also easily "change our mind". I owe a big thanks to learning about this promo the day before on cruise critic.

We mostly book guarantees... When we book a guarantee, the cabin seems to be assigned around 14 days out....But know it can happen anytime...even at the pier. We've always been happy with our cabin location....but we are not picky and we think all cabins on a 'dam ship are in a good location.....after all, they are on a 'dam ship! Be on the lookout for upsells...that's always fun and we sometimes bite on that....Remind your TA that you are interested in upsells and ask her to send them your way and prepare to jump fast if you like the price. Enjoy the cruise......

We've been on HAL TA's in 2019, 2021, and 2024....Also, a TP in 2023. HAL always had a guest speaker/lecturer and also the regular EXC talks. On all of our cruises....those above plus other cruises, classical music was available.

So on the Oosterdam TA in April (2024) I ordered the 8 bottle Sommelier wine Package at dinner and we were still in Port Everglades (sail away was not until late, after dinner). I just checked my statement and there was no sales tax charged for the Sommelier wine package. Perhaps they waited until in international waters before processing the transaction....LOL.

now feeling stupid..LOL...still no idea...LOL

now going to try to figure out this site......going thru fruits and clueless so far.....LOL

Good solution for you! We will do almost anything (except spend money on CO...LOL) to adjust our situation to avoid lines/crowds/peak times...whether mealtime, Walmart visits or "peak travel" times.......

That's the only place Her Majesty and I enjoy our lido meals.....the mid ship pool deck....There is also a "private" refill station out there.....I say "private" because it is usually not very busy for breakfast......Lunchtime "rush hour" is busy out there but other times it is much calmer for us vs the "inside" seating.

To track changes in cruise fares, I've used the app SHIPMATE....they send an email when the price goes up/down for the cruise I have added. Also, I track prices manually by looking them up every week or so on the big, online travel agency we use.

Was onboard Oosterdam in April 2024 and March 2023.....fixed seating, table for two....walked right to the table and no issues every evening...no speed bump at all.....We have learned to bypass the lines on day 1 also because we go find our table after lunch at embarkation. If I showed up for "open seating" at 7pm, I'd expect a wait...especially for a table for 2. Plan accordingly. Enjoy the Oosterdam and dinner in the MDR!

Here you go....but understand some wines may/may not be available, prices go up, wine choices change....but this looks like what we enjoyed in April 2024. Enjoy the Sommelier Package wine onboard...we do! sommsuite_flyer.pdf

@GeezerCouple Yes, I did read it.....great review....but as you referenced, we are flying in Premium Economy so no bed for us and I'm curious to hear from someone who has gone before us.....in a seat! We are pumped.....should be a blast....but more info always helpful! We do get "book the cook" in Premium Economy.....just no bed for us!

So, we were on the Oosterdam in April (2024) for the TA cruise....14 nights. At embarkation, we visited the spa ladies and took the tour. We asked if we could buy a spa pass for only the first 7 (sea days) of the cruise. The spa lady referred us to the spa manager and she sold us a 7 day pass that ($149/each/I think) we wore out for the first 7 days of the cruise...... ....I consider that "not standard" and was an exception.....and was perfect for us and most appreciated....I think the reason she did that was perhaps the hydro spa was not going to sell out and 7 days of $$$ was better than zero.