Haljo1935

All the people on here talking about being B2B Canada and Caribbean have me a bit jealous - we're also B2B but both weeks Canada. It will no doubt be beautiful and we're so ready to get away from the TX heat to cooler weather, but we are concerned about what we'll encounter due to the recent fires. Last year we were exactly 1 week behind Hurricane Fiona and had a few port changes because of it, but it was still a great trip. The people were amazingly resilient and had done so much to prepare for the cruise traffic. I'm sure some were probably still dealing with issues at home, but they didn't let it effect the tours. Their awesomeness made for great excursions for us. And Mother Nature rewarded us with a great Fall Color Peep Show!!

Yes, you just go to Shore Ex desk (GS can't do this) and tell them you want to move your excursions to OBC. They will cancel the existing excursions and rebook them using OBC. Even if a tour is showing sold out, they can (and will) do it. You will then see an excursion charge and credit on your statement. If you had any nonrefundable OBC, you'll see it go down as the charges come from it first. This needs to be as soon as you get onboard as they won't do it once you've already been on the excursions. You probably already know, any unused OBC at the end of the cruise will be credited back to your CC. We didn't know to do this and have spent a couple years griping to each other about how we were "spending" OBC on things we wouldn't actually buy if we were using our own cash then learned to have it moved over. No more cruise themed gifts for our friends! Until HAL allows us to use OBC before boarding, this is the next best thing.

Are you asking about the excursions I got moved from CC to OBC? Stupid auto correct changed my post from "excursions" to "excessive" and I didn't notice until I read your post - sorry for any confusion.

We did aft Neptune wrap our first 2 times to AK and absolutely LOVED them. 🐳Wouldn't give that up for anything. Congrats!! Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!🚢

I'm completely onboard w/tipping porters and do so gladly - they're really the ones who determine if my luggage and I sail together. Generally our carry-on has things that we need to keep close or secure, that's why they're carry-on not checked bags. I don't bring the kitchen sink, but don't want the hassle of navigating lunch w/any amount of carry-on, not to even mention how much more crowded all that luggage makes dining areas. Ugh

I've learned in the recent past w/rollout of Real ID and other identity related things, that "full legal name" is here to stay, so I've started changing things as needed. I've used my middle name 40+ years, so I don't even think about it when I put it down as my name. Even my bank uses my middle name, but if I get "free $$" I'll not use it when asked not to. 🤭🙄Funny thing is my name is too long and doesn't fit in HALs system causing the last couple letters to drop off. So even my full name doesn't match what they have.🤔

I also use my middle name name which is on my AARP card. I clicked the "edit" (might actually be "update" - it'sgot a pencil icon) button which allowed me to change my name so it matches my HAL (and passport & DL) profile. I uploaded that card after making the change. I had an approval email in minutes. Once the OBC posted to my bookings, I changed AARP back to reflect the name I use in everyday "real" life. It seriously took me longer to enter this comment on how to do it than it took to actually change my name in AARP. That is an option if you don't get the results you're hoping for.

This is our plan for Oct 29. What time did your train leave Rome? We will be coming Termini as our hotel is near there. Was it difficult to do the train w/your full cruise luggage? Thanks!

Same - have never seen that on any of the HAL ships we've been on. So I think all the ships that don't have that, have to use the TV.

Hey @mcrcruiser next time I leave from San Diego, I'm staying at your house! You can fill us in on the best places to eat and give tips for our ports!!

Pullman we had one time had a horrible slant to it causing the user to roll toward the edge. After setting up a barrier of pillows to prevent dropping down onto unsuspecting cabin mates from above, she said she felt like a baby in an old school play pen but without the benefit of a bedtime story and refused to go back up. It caused us a good laugh, but her not so much - I think she's still traumatized. That Pullman was over the bed not the sofa and we were very glad her pillows held for the 2 nights she used it.

Hey @MrBill923 welcome to HAL & Alaska!! As others have said - layers and waterproof outerwear are your friends. We cruise AK each May and Sept to open then close the season and find we've never needed any actual heavy winter wear. But definitely scarves and gloves for Glacier Bay and when on deck. The wind can be chilly, even in the sun. We live on our balcony and make great use of the blankets they provide. When packing, don't forget binoculars - they was important as your clothes! Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

Hey @mcrcruiser even if your cabin is not ready, you will be able to drop your stuff in your cabin then head out to eat. We very much enjoy MDR lunch on embarkation day - never crowded, so, as others said, it's a nice calm in a frenzied morning. We've never been kicked out of MDR and just enjoy the view (ask to be at window if they don't put you there) until we're ready to head to the cabin. Last we sailed from San Diego was Dec 2022 - no issues. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

The Denali pix are beautiful - nice the weather was on your side!!

Hey @Palm Beacher what's your cabin number - I'm on my way!!

Aligned with @Mary229 that spa does offer specials onboard. The thermal pass is usually discounted if you buy additional services, just ask about the discount - they have a flier they can show you with different levels of discounted packages that gets you a discount on the weekly thermal pass price. Other than that, I'm not aware of discounts. I've not seen the laundry be priced lower onboard, it's always been the same price.

I would use that TA again just so they could give me OBC in the amount of the transfers they " bought" for you. Then check to be sure they didn't book any for the new cruise. 😞

I am one who has reported having excessive charges changed from CC to OBC (only once onboard by Exc Desk) as I've done it many times, but have not tried it w/specialty dining or spa, but am going to try it on my next cruise. That is not until Oct 29, so if anyone tries it before then, please report back. 🙂

Same as @crystalspin at different times of day for several days. Tried incognito mode - same.

Thanks @steveknj for sharing - glad to hear you mostly enjoyed your cruise and that things seem to be continuing to improve on the Venezia. We'll be on B2B next week, so the timing of your post is perfect! Question - did there seem to be a bottleneck or delay in the Lido? We've read the buffet is not efficient due to the layout requiring everyone to go through the entire line even if they wanted something from only one section.

Hey @firefly333 you could try shoreex.com or Viator for other excursion options. You may also see some of the ones you were interested in that show sold out through the ship. Lucy's in Aruba has a great key lime dessert that is worth the whole trip! We had a late port there and just walked out to the right when we got off the ship - lots of shopping (didn't go in anywhere as that's not what we were there for) then got to the food places on the right. We sat right at the water watching the sunset. Very local vibe; would feel comfortable doing solo. As for the ostrich farm - it was interesting but for me a "one and done." An ostrich tried to steal my sisters phone, just saying they have no manners, lol.

Just to confirm - if I only want a salad, for example, I can't bypass the people waiting for entrees and walk to the salad section? Or if I only want a roll, I have to wait through the entire line? Going in Sept so trying to prepare...

Happy Anniversary!!

Hey John - looks like you left out TX and CT in your list of states. I see 3 from TX 1 from CT. 🙂

That's what I've done; I didn't know there was a switch to turn it on and off.