FlaMariner

By my math and understanding......and it is very complicated and gives me a headache (probably on purpose) so I'll be repetitive and try to explain the way I figured it out...... You reach the top tier redemption rate of 2.5% towards a HAL cruise if you are able to redeem points that are worth $4,100 towards a HAL cruise. To get to the top tier redemption rate of 2.5% and earn $4,100 off a HAL cruise, you would need to do the following..... ......Earn 164,000 points....... you will reach the top tier rate of 2.5% redemption and that would equate to $4,100 off a Holland America cruise. (164,000 x .025 = $4,100) To obtain 164,000 points you would earn one point for each dollar spent except for HAL purchases......HAL purchases would get you 2 points for every dollar spent w/HAL. I hope that makes sense. For us, we have the Barclay's HAL card but no longer use it because even the top tier redemption rate (2.5%) is less than what we get in cash back from our Bank of America Premium Rewards VISA....Also the travel insurance is not as good. It does have a zero annual fee so that keeps it in our wallet for now. I hope HAL will dust off the benefits and make it more lucrative. Here is a link to the terms and conditions and the nitty gritty of the redemption scheme..... https://www.barclaycardus.com/applycontent/TnCs.jsp?tc45188

We grabbed an upsell to a Vista suite a few years back on the Konningsdam. We were pumped. It was our first "suite" experience. We were underwhelmed. The cabin seemed only slightly larger than our go to VF verandah cabins. Nothing else do I recall in amenities or features or services. We will not do that again. Lesson learned. Of course, YMMV but just passing along our experience.......

makes sense. Thanks, meant to hit thanks and not laugh.

Thoughts on getting the "Welcome Suica Card" vs the regular Suica card? ..... Looks like it requires no deposit but you forfeit whatever is left when you leave Japan. https://www.jreast.co.jp/multi/en/welcomesuica/welcomesuica.html

Exactly. And in the MDR, if you have not finished the bottle, they hold it for you for tomorrow......And when you arrive tomorrow, it's likely waiting for you at your table (fixed dining).

But the climate folks in Amsterdam will not have to see the carbon spewing ships if they are far away....feels better.

Could these negative reviews translate into lower demand for the WC and perhaps prices that start to match regular cruise prices? From what I have researched, the WC has a higher per day rate than other HAL longer cruises.

After I get the confirmation back from HAL that my shareholder OBC has been approved, I ask our TA (big, internet TA) to update my cruise "booking notification". The updated "booking notification" is basically a receipt from the TA that includes all OBC, the amount I paid for the cruise and how it was paid, my cabin number, my dining time, Flight Ease flights and lots of other important stuff. I then take this one paper page with me in case there is a discrepancy once onboard. So far, HAL has been 100% correct and we've never needed it.........hoping that stellar record continues......

I'm studying this also.... My understanding is that the Tokyo Subway pass can only be used on Tokyo Subways but the Suica card can be used on subways and JR trains (and more) all over Japan (so Kyoto and not just Tokyo). But a Suica card is just a pre-paid debit card and thus you may spend more using it that way than if you bought a specific "pass"....based on what's on the plan for the day. Our plan is to base in Yokohama and travel to Kyoto, Kanazawa, Tokyo etc and thus far I'm thinking we will buy the Japan Rail Pass and a Suica card and wear both of them out. Use the Japan Rail pass for, obviously, JR trains and the Suica card for subways/buses or whatever transport vehicle I am on that is not JR. I welcome other folks feedback on the OP's question and my plan.......

We've had the Barclays Card for many years. We no longer use it. Why? Cons: Our Bank of America Premium Rewards cards pays us a much higher "rebate" and has much better travel insurance The HAL card gives you 2% in points for HAL purchases and 1% for other purchases. Not that great. For redemption, the top rate is 2.5% ($4,001 + in a HAL cruise). Not great either. Pros: Easy to redeem w/the "statement credit" option. No annual fee. We wish HAL would dust off the offering and make it more competitive. If so, we would be all over it.

LOL....agree BetsyS Also, you do not fool anyone when you walk past the folks in the short lido counter line and stand at the open area of the lido counter and ask for fish n chips.....we see you and you see us and we all know what you are doing.....It's also an awkward situation for the crew because they do not want to upset you but they know you are skipping and they know those of us in the very short line are not amused. LOL.

Thanks for the info..... So it is only $10 a day to use my Verizon phone....and Verizon says that it will work just like at home.....I'm really not interested in calling anyone in Japan. I would like to use the "Japan Official Tourist App" to get train schedules. And use google maps when we are lost. Any intel if Verizon "works as advertised" in Japan? (We've been successful in Europe and South America ...so hoping the same for Japan)

this might give you a good idea...... https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/onboard-experiences/entertainment

Where is the best place (less price, good service, easiest) to buy the Japan Rail Pass in the USA? (I've got the long list of authorized places from Japan Rail Group and Mr. Google shows me lots of vendors, does it matter where?)

For those that have gone before us........to Japan...from the USA..... We are Verizon folks. Verizon says "yes" to access in Japan for ten bucks a day. Will I be able to use my iPhone just like I do in the good ole USA (call, text, data)?

Let's hope so.....perhaps we get to finish our bucket list but the grandkids are out of luck.....

Sad. If this keeps up, only the "elites/$$$" will be able to travel.....

Our FCD buying experience onboard the Oosterdam this past April...... Picked up the form at the Future Cruise Desk. Filled out the form. Dropped the form in the box. Done. Any time I have ever been near that desk (not just this recent cruise but all HAL ships) and the cruise lady is there, there seems to always be an elderly gentlemen there who is very loud and he tells her about his 5 stars and is discussing all of his past cruises with her and she always looks horribly bored. I'm not ease dropping but the person is always there and always loud. Her Majesty and I laugh about it and move on. LOL. I see no reason to bother her. As far as the FCD, it is a no brainer.....$100 deposit with $25 in OBC. No risk. Money back in 4 years if not used but we never have that problem.

So here's our recent shareholder credit story......request sent via email: Request sent 7/6 @3:49pm Request acknowledgment 7/6 @3:57pm Confirmation email of the credit received 7/10 Confirmed with TA and updated booking w/credit received 7/10

Every time I've compared a private sale price via logging into HAL to our big internet TA site, the TA is always lower. (The big internet TA site knows I am a Mariner when I view their site and provides the lower price when available)

Same for us. I just looked at our statement from our April cruise (3 star folks, 25% discount) and we paid $25.45 a bottle (tip included) per bottle. That's package #1, 8 bottles. We look forward to our 4th star next cruise and the price dropping further.....50% off. Our younger days of fetching and dragging and paying corkage are over. Savor the journey.......

Agree......That's our preference.....great views of folks and waiters coming and going.......and not right next to others.

We were on the Oosterdam this past March/April from Santiago/San Antonio to Fort Lauderdale and the cruise was great because of the spotless ship, great crew, excellent food....even had an astrologist onboard for nighttime star gazing.....Really enjoyed the Holland America Line experience on the Oosterdam in South America. Take that for what it is worth as you compare and enjoy the journey.....

We embarked from San Antonio after flying into Santiago and staying one night..(March 2023)...On embarkation day, we used these guys to pick us up at our Santiago hotel and give us a great tour of the wineries on the way to drop off at the ship. https://www.ilovechiletours.com We visited 3 wineries and had a blast. There were 3 couples on the tour and we got the group together from our roll call. See if they can pick you up in San Antonio and take you by a few wineries and then drop you off at your Santiago hotel.....or just forget the hotel and head to the airport. (The wine area is between Santiago/the Santiago airport and San Antonio)

Ask for two scoops of the sauce.......Incredibly delicious.