Haljo1935

Enjoy your trip - it's an easy process that doesn't take much time. You will spend more time waiting for everyone to show up in the lounge than it will take you to get off/back on. As Banditswife mentioned, being on time is important as they do have to wait for everyone before the group can leave. And be sure to check in with crew before you sit down - happens every time that one of the missing passengers the group was waiting for was already there, but not accounted for because they didn't check in.

As others have said, you will be able to use the pools. And, of course, the hot tubs - great views of Alaska from the pool or hot tub. We leave on Eurodam this Sat 4/29 for AK - we'll give it a test run for you 🙂

And you're able to drop your bags even if they're not ready.

Welcome @LivetoTravel88! Miss G answered your first question vey well, so I'll go to #2 - aft is great not only for stability but also for views. Best deck for balconies is 4 Beethoven. If you want a really deep balcony, book aft on the side, if the view is most important, book true aft (wake view); any deck is good for true aft view, but lower is better if you're looking to minimize noise and possible cig smoke; lower also better if there's a chance of fog (which does occur in fjords) - higher balconies may have fog while lower decks have clear view. Question 3 - in addition to what Miss G mentioned, you'll also want to consider alcohol/premium coffee/sodas/etc if you don't purchase a drink package (we never put define package as it is less expensive for us to pay as we go - even w/coffee, etc we don't get close to 15 drinks/day), specialty dining and laundry as well as supplemental tips, if you do that. Enjoy your cruise - fjords are lovely viewing on the balcony!!

We took the plunge and booked for both weeks (we're staying on for the Sept 23 sailing); figured if we didn't enjoy it we could cancel the 2nd week, but if we do, then we won't miss out. Videos look fun - just looking for something different that we can't do on HAL.

A little sensitivity, please, for OP and family who may still reading this thread. While I think we'd all agree the story link you posted is horrific, this is not really the time given how little time has passed from their loss. IMHO

She hooked me in - we leave in a week April 29 - May 6 on Eurodam. Very much looking forward to it. And looking forward to reading Denise's posts and see her pictures!

Is this something that can be enjoyed by adults w/out children?

Unfortunate it took so long, but hopefully you'll find another cruise to enjoy it on. We've submitted documents on new booking for my husbands military OBC but the PCC says she doesn't see it and is insisting we use Sheer ID to prove his status. Sheer ID shows he's already been approved and will not give any kind of approval code or anything we can send in. Ugh...

Hey, John - we are also going on the 28th from DFW, but got tickets to JFK as they were the best deal. May I ask what hotel your restating at? We haven't booked hotel yet.

We are not staying overnight before sailing nor did we last time we left out of NY, so I'm unable to provide hotel info. I am also looking b forward to pictures and posts once there have been sailings under the Carnival brand.

@Denise Tthose towns are all very walkable with lots of nice things to do and great food. Annabelle's in Ketchikan has great food; it's a short walk across the street from the port. It was recommended to us by locals; I don't eat seafood and always find something yummy; my husband and sister say the chowder is the best they've had. www.Annabellesketchikan.com The train in Skagway is good for spectacular views. Mt Roberts Tramway in Juneau provides spectacular views, there's a self guided hiking trail and restaurant at the top. You can buy tickets through the ship, Expedia or just directly at the ticket booth. So excited for you and looking b forward to your amazing pictures! We leave in 2 weeks (Sat April 29) for 7 days, cruise only; earliest in the season we've gone, but there's no bad cruise to Alaska!!

You can also call now and have it updated.

You will most likely receive a cancel notice, but if you don't the spa will update your purchase when you go to get your sticker. It will be for 11 days, you won't get 7. I think Marketing has just gotten around to updating it. We are also on the new 11 day, formerly 7 day - maybe we'll see you!!

You will be for things that impact the actual cruise fare such as cabin changes & booking payments, but excursions/dining/spa are "add-ons" that you can do yourself. Enjoy!!

We did Canada last year Oct 2022 - it was lovely! We were exactly 1 week behind hurricane Fiona. Had a couple port changes, but it was fine. Even though prime leaf peeping is supposed to be mid-October, I'm hoping we're gifted with beautiful fall colors. That would be a lovely birthday gift for your wife.

That was our experience on Carnival Dec 2021; haven't been on Carnival since then, but they have said a couple times they don't have plans on going back to full muster anytime soon, so I believe it is still that way. Hoping so!

We have been able to use the welcome drink coupons for drinks other than the Welcome Punch; A bar tender in the Casino bar on Nieuw Statendam recommended a strawberry mojito rather than regular mint mojito. I tried it and it's my new favorite sail away drink! I know this thread is for new HAL cruisers; however, If you do receive those coupons and think you'll pass on them because you wouldn't care for the Welcome Punch, try asking for something else. If you don't get a coupon, you can ask your Cabin Steward if they have an extra - they will sometimes give you one. 🙂 You're so close to a fabulous trip!!

We are on Venezia Sept 16 - 29 and will wave as well as we head home 😞

That may be different OBC from a canceled booking or a special promo you haven't used...

Oct 2022 turned out to be bad in terms of hurricanes in that area, so about a year after your original post. We went and did have some itinerary changes due to Fiona. And now I'm who ones for the time frame you're asking about - Sept 16 - 29 2023 - and have noticed considerable cancellations happening for the 2nd week (9/23-29) but not the first week. Wonder if it could be weather related or is something else at play? No we can't necessarily forecast and hurricanes can build quickly, but the Farmers Almanac is usually fairly accurate. Maybe I'll check.

Hi - my sister and I might be interested, she will get back to me. I did very similar tour last Oct - it was beautiful but had more walking than I could handle, so I sat out for some while my husband continued on. If the walking portion doesn't circle back to where it started, that's not feasible. Have you taken the tour before to know?

Sounds like you have the right plan in place - book 2nd leg excursions now w/CC then have payment method changed once on board. It's unfortunate and frustrating that you can't book excursions for a 2nd (or 3rd) leg once on the first, but until HAL changes it, well shave to continue to find workarounds. Hope you enjoy the trip and get the excursions you want!!

But you count on them likely falling on sea days.

I didn't finish the entire article, so there may been a sell w/lease back, but this does say HAL purchased the island, which is what we've been told by HAL tram drivers.