Haljo1935

Yes, there are some packages (look under "beverages") that don't include excursions, dinners... you can also see the bottle prices there. Recommend doing the math and consider the wine you would bring - if it's what you prefer, you may to pay the corkage fee.

Hi Jacqui - here's the info you asked for on the old thread plus some updates: *date update* N Statendam Oct 29 - Nov 9 11 days, just says Europe but it's RT Rome N Statendam Nov 26 friends birthday (I hadn't identified whose b-day) N Statendam Mar 10 2024 7 days Eastern Caribbean, husband's birthday (I hadn't identified it as his b-day) Westerdam Apr 27 2024 16 day TP North Pacific Crossing (B2B w/May 12-19 Alaska) Eurodam Sept 28 2024 7 day Alaskan Explorer Also, Westerdam 2024 Apr 27 & May 12 are B2B - I failed to mention that). I think that's all you needed, but if I missed something just let me know and thank you.

Karsten's does not accept reservations, at least it didn't May 2022; check in to have your name got added to the list then enjoy the bar (live music). Canyon Lodge did accept reservations. Both really good food with very generous portions.

Hey Nancy - if I may ask, what was the charge for the CO robe?

Thank you; I try ☺ You may use - no author credit required lol.

FCC hours are still very limited with long wait times. Some ships require appointments (sign up sheet on their desks), some don't. Even on same ship, one consultant may require appointments while another doesn't. That was my experience in May on Eurodam. As @ldtr said, you can drop the firm in the box. You'll receive a form in/at your cabin during the week and there's also a supply at FCC desk.

Never asked to be included in the Bon Voyage thread, but I'm here now! Niuew Statendam Oct 29 - Nov 9 2023 Europe (33rd anniversary ❤) Nieuw Statendam Nov 26 - Dec 10 2023 TA Rome->FLL (birthday 🎂) Nieuw Statendam Mar 10-17 2024 Caribbean (birthday🎂) Westerdam Apr 27 - May 12 2024 TP Yokohama->Seattle Westerdam May 12-19 2024 Alaska (birthday 🎂) Eurodam Sept 28 - Oct 5 2024 Alaska (34th anniversary) Thank you!!

HAL allows pax 21+ to bring a "reasonable amount" (used to be 1 750ml bottle pp/7 days) of wine. Needs to be in your carry-on so it's declared and scanned at security. In April Seattle Eurodam, the guy working the x-ray asked "you've got 2 bottles?" We said yes, he nodded, we collected our bag and went onboard. Easy peasy.

YES!! Gets my vote every time! Best $8.26 ever spent.

Depends on the itinerary, but in general, "dressy casual" as we used to call it in an office environment is adequate. HAL no longer has "formal" night; it's now simple "dressy." So long as there's no beachwear or distressed clothing, you're really welcome to dress to your comfort level. Some choose to elevate their wardrobe while others go with something more relaxed.

Seems as though Carnival now has a solid plan and has communicated it to the passengers. What an ordeal!

See if this works; post # 38: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2950057-price-drop-7-night-alaska-299-or-14-night-598/?do=findComment&comment=65721000

Yes, I'm aware, thank you. The comment was made in response to @Dismomx5 stating they got the medallion but not pin; I was expressing that my experience was the opposite - pin but no medallion (even though we're beyond the 100 days sailed milestone, too). HAL loves them more, lol.🫣🤫

Eventually there will be no option for anyone to opt out - it's coming for everyone. I hope it works well in Sept when I leave on Venezia. It sure has been nice in other ports.

Being able to use OBC before being onboard is definitely something Carnival does right!! And if you do need to make a change before sailing, the refund back to OBC is automatic and quick, no jumping through hoops. I've done this 3 times this week.

I've booked from the private sales I've received. I'm referring only to ones that come directly from HAL, not 3rd party or agencies. Sometimes the offers are short dated, but some have dates quite far out. I used to think they were just a marketing ploy designed to create a sense of urgency and ignored them. But last year I started actually clicking through them and found some really good deals. I've tested the "private" component by looking at fares without logging in and then creating a dummy booking after logging in and the fares are different - they changed once I got to the cabin type. It was confusing when a friend or family member would be looking at the same itinerary and we'd see different prices. They were not part of the private sale. A recent one I have is TA from Rome->FLL sailing late Nov this year. I put screenshots in another thread recently that was discussing a great deal for a TA; if you're interested and can't find it, I'llook it up. And just to clarify for anyone who might ask, yes that was a private sale not a casino booking. Are they all good deals? No. Are some of them last minute "fire sales?" Sure. Are some of far enough out to actually plan a trip? Yes. So, I'd say if you're getting private sale offers, might be worth poking around in them rather than automatically deleting them. Just be sure you're actually logged in or you won't see the discount fare. And sure add-ons like HIA can quickly escalate a price, but those are an individual choice. Port fees, taxes, etc also increase the final price, but that's true regardless of fare type - they apply regardless.

@LivetoTravel88Same - I use a pill organizer for 14 day cruises and never had an issue no matter the port, cruiseline or ship. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

I think the pod-like cabins are great - very efficient like the sleeping "tubes" popular in a certain part of the world 🌎

There's a difference between FCD (future cruise deposit) and FCC (future cruise credit). The credit purchased onboard that @mikebsxm asked about is a FCD which is used as a deposit on a new booking. The credit @SilvertoGold mentioned receiving for Covid is a FCC, which can be applied to pay down the balance on a booking once the deposit has been paid. I think @mikebsxm is asking about being able to purchase a FCD for a certain time after disembarking - I have heard that, too, but don't know if that's still offered. Please update us to your findings - curious as I would love to be able to do that!

So when using BC, it doesn't have to be an original certified copy, electronic copy is acceptable?

I got the 4* pin but no medallion...

My experience is similar to @Florida_gal_50 in terms of potentially losing perks when you refare. I have not been offered any consideration when current (CO upgraded) cabin level is sold out because you're ultimately looking to be there not in the lower entry-level cabin grade that has gone down in price. I just went through that last week when I was looking for an adjustment on current CO booking that has had price reduction. BTW - if you were to do this, (you may get a HAL agent who will do it, I just didn't) you shouldn't be putting your current cabin at risk as the agent doing it shouldn't release it until they're ready to reassign it to you so it wouldn't be on the open market but literally a few seconds. On a different deal, that's what they did for me. Curious of the outcome if you'll update us.

Hey @coachmouchet when you call the CO number, or GS if that's who you want to call, they should check the status of CO availability before letting you actually book it. If it's sold out, which can happen irrespective of the sailing status since CO is capacity controlled, they shouldn't sell it to you. Yes, I've read the posts of people saying they've been offered $xx OBC because an upgrade cabin wasn't available, but I have also personally been told I couldn't add CO because it was sold out. If you select your upgraded cabin at the same time you add CO, there wouldn't be an issue w/availability. Some people might want to select the cabin later, which then could result in one not being available; I don't fall into that group. Give me what I pay for at the time of purchase!! Lol. Hope you're able to get what you're looking for. Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!

Would be interested in knowing your final plan; interesting area, for sure Safe travels - enjoy your cruise!