Haljo1935

Certainly an abundance of rumors - interestingly, this was said by the tram driver on HMC, so given the source we thought there might be some truth to it. But no telling where they got their info. Or plans could have changed. We were disappointed to think the island could be swarming w/Disney passengers and feel better thinking it likely won't be.

Hey John - good to hear all is well enough for you to cruise. Please update as to whether or not you actually ported at Key West. It was cancelled on my last couple itineraries and many others have reported the same.

Both should apply if both eligible.

John - where in Bahamas are you going?

Yes, I have done this several times, as recently as last month on Nieuw Statendam, Dec on Koningsdam and October on Nieuw Amsterdam all to lock in excursions we wanted and had OBC we wanted to use. Procedure is to pay online in advance and once onboard immediately go to Shore Excursions desk - tell them which excursions you want paid w/OBC. They will do the cancel/refund/rebook for you. The refund will show up in your cabin statement as refundable OBC; any not used will be refunded back to the credit card you put on file w/HAL for the cruise, which may or may not be the original card used to pay for it online (you have to remember that so you don't go looking for a credit on a different card). It's very important you don't cancel the excursions yourself and try to rebook, let Excursions desk do that, because if the excursion is showing full, you won't be able to rebook and will lose out on it. And yes, OBC can be used for daily gratuities.

Husband and I are also on Eurodam April 29 (just booked yesterday) - hoping for fabulous wildlife and glacier calving. Very nice itinerary to enjoy being freshly off of servicing others - you have a great environment for unwinding. As for cabin service - you do you and enjoy your vacation. Yes, eventually sup will need to pop in to ensure all is well. And multiple day service is a thing of the past...

Condolences and hugs. As there is a lot of useful info in this thread, I have nothing additional other than providing the Guest Relations contact info that was provided to me yesterday by a PCC .I was told if I am not getting a response to other communication or don't know where to turn, to use this contact and they will get the message to the right person. It may take a couple days, but should get you connected to the right person. Guestrelations@hollandamerica.com 800-599-8256. You and your family will be in my thoughts and prayers.

Last year, not sure which itinerary/ship, when we were at HMC, we were told HAL had sold part of the island to Disney. I haven't been able to find anything about that transaction or Disney plans, but HMC is definitely topping HAL/CCL financial plans.

I did specifically ask if I could use it with early booking as the fall 2024 AK cruises were just released - PCC said no. Another examp!e of inconsistent information causing frustration with what should be a straightforward process. Since we can't apply the OBC ourselves, we're relying on PCCs to be the experts and do the best job for us. Ugh...

Well, Denise, you did it - all this exciting talk about Alaska led to me booking a cruise today - for next month! So, while not going with you, I do feel like you'll be there in spirit, lol. Husband came home the other day from work saying he had vacation he had to use before June or he'd lose it. So, we're off on the Eurodam April 29 - May 6; very early in the season, maybe even opening season for HAL. Will be celebrating his birthday onboard 🙂 I've been to AK several times, all on HAL, and I'm thrilled for you to be going, especially w/siblings. My sister has gone w/us a few times, but we've not been successful in getting our brother to go, so I'm also a bit envious of your trip. I'm sure you all will have a wonderful time and come back w/an abundance of memories. Guess I need to break out the suitcase...

I believe the Captain sets the tone (as w/most close work environments) and NS has a fabulous one! He recognizes crew members birthdays, makes daily announcements, keeps passengers looped in on what's happening and is very approachable when out on the ship. Sounds pretty basic, right? But after having been on several ships where I've only heard the Captain when we got on then not again until we got off and never saw them mingling out on the ship, I can say it's rare. The ships with Captains that are less engaged seem to have less friendly, "lively" crew.

Told today by both PCC and TA that the Welcome Home OBC (received from taking a cruise) cannot be combined with any of HAL current fares, the only way to use it is with non refundable booking with no "perks" or credits, not even w/Military OBC. So that is not welcomed news...

I am on the Eurodam next month and will peek at the tags to see if they're the same; I've always love HAL sheets - they contribute to me wanting to linger far too long in bed, even though I am on vacation...

It was pre-covid last time we were in a Neptune suite, so things verge would have changed. Apologies, I should have mentioned that. Crew in the Neptune Lounge will guide you on what is/is not included. While that doesn't help planning, it is good to check with them as things do vary ship to ship (even though published policy may not).

Yes - there will be a tray w/glasses, corkscrew, ice bucket, bottled water and small bottle of wine somewhere near the mini fridge. There will be a card hanging on one of the bottles that lists the mini bar item costs. To make room in the fridge for items you want chilled, you can remove (or have steward remove) the pre-stocked items and put them back at end of cruise.

Items in the mini fridge are not complimentary; however, drinks (including alcohol) are complimentary in the Concierge Lounge, so you get what you want there. We get drinks from the lounge to replace what we take from the mini fridge.

You can use it in MDR and Explorations.

There's a semi-recent post on HAL site saying guest services has been removed from participating in the tip pool and received pay increase to offset it, but no real way to confirm that.

Aligned w/others there will be no contact prior to sailing but concierge lounge along w/cabin stewards will swiftly address anything you need. Breakfast in Pinnacle is a nice perk of being in a Neptune suite.

I have also done this more than once w/the same deposit. As mentioned, you just have to be sure the new cruise is equal to or greater than original. And it does take a call to HAL - you cannot do it yourself online. If booked w/TA, they have to do it.

Pillows and duvet definitely not down. Sheets are very soft.

Are these discounted GC only available at certain ti.We on AARP? I am not able to find them on their website or app.

We submitted Veteran docs to TA for a cruise on which we had used one (TA). A few days later, the credit was there. It has since been on most of our bookings, but not all. When we asked HAL about the inconsistencies, we were told they don't offer military OBC on all itineraries, but it would automatically get applied for those they do offer it on. Sister lines in the CCL family have their own qualifications and you do have to apply to each separately as it's tied to your loyalty profile. Thanks, Everyone, for your service of any type.

No dining packages but you can book specialty dining for a charge.

Last month (Feb 2023) I had to book 7 days at a time and even though spa Mgr was able to confirm I was on the 2nd week, she wouldn't let me book the 2nd week until final night of week 1. She just added a sticker to my card for the 2nd week and put me on the list. I have been at the desk and heard passengers told the thermal spa was sold out - I believe they offer only xx number of spots, but no idea what the xx is. Yes, it is unlimited so you can go as much as you like until closing time. There are buttons to push (1 each for the pool & sprayers) for the timers, but you can stay in as long as you like. There is a sign posted for the ceramic thermal chairs to please limit your time, but it's on the honor system as there is no separate check in/out process.