Haljo1935

If you've attended or seen art auctions on Carnival or Princess, they're the same as Park West also does theirs.

Been in an aft corner Neptune suite w/wraparound balcony in AK and never had an issue w/soot or smells. As others mentioned, there may be the occasional fuel or tobacco smell if the wind is blowing just so, but that can be said for numerous locations. Be sure to keep binoculars, blankets and umbrellas handy as that balcony is the best place to be when cruising AK! The glacier views are awesome, as are the whales and other wildlife. The jetted tub is also nice at the end of the day... Enjoy your cruise - hope to see some pictures when you return.

Have not stayed at that hotel, so I have no insight to provide on it. But I did return recently from 14 days on NA - it was lovely; hope you enjoy it. Due to weather, we could only go to HMC once and had other port cancellations and changes. No fault if the ship, just Mama Nature doing her thing. B Snag Thermal passes for the week if you're able and do visit deck 12 for some great views and solitude. It's not on the deck plans and no elevator goes there, but it does exist - grab your favorite coffee or drink from Exploration Central then take the steps up to 12 and enjoy!! If you're a bacon lover - be sure to get the Candied Bacon in Pinnacle Grill. Enjoy your cruise!!

Several ducks on HAL NA Feb 5-19. Couple in elevators, we heard, some w/hearts and kisses for Valentine's Day. A cabin door on deck 1 (or maybe it was deck 2) had many on it - different sizes, colors... Presumably for passengers to "find." It's a fun game for passengers of all ages.

For those asking what to do with the lemon and the pickle - while I like both, as relating to the Candied Bacon, I leave them untouched and eat the bacon without them. I've seen videos of people squeezing the lemon on the bacon before taking it down to cut, but I choose to enjoy the bacon as is. We do pull it off the hook with our fingers then use knife/fork to eat due to it being really sticky. We've come to admit we eat in the PG just to be able to enjoy the Candied Bacon!! And we do get 1 order per table, not per person. Enjoy!!

Koningsdam Nov - Dec 14 days there was a quarantine ward - a large amount of cabins. Nieuw Amsterdam last month 14 days no quarantine ward - it was done in place in original cabin. With the ships now at/near capacity, I believe rooms are no longer being blocked off "just in case." Since CDC is no longer monitoring Civic cases on ships, they're no longer publishing the "report cards" so number of active cases is not made public. When cruising first started back, you could see the "grade" (green, yellow, red) per ship with the number of active cases; it was broken down by passenger and crew.

Nieuw Amsterdam has these, as well. But shhhh - everyone will learn about the hidden gems, lol.

As recently as Feb (2 weeks ago) I've used OBC to buy lottery tickets which are sold by the casino.

Couple weeks ago leaving out of FLL on HAL at the terminal we were asked if we're vaccinated but did not have to show proof. Answer given determined which line you were sent to. Passport was shown a couple times and scanned only once - it was after going through security and linked up with photo recognition. Then coming back you didn't have to scan or show passport unless photo rec didn't work or if you were identified as having to talk to customs. That was for cruise Feb 5-19.

Our most recent cruise (2 weeks ago) we got our check in time about a week before departure. As for the mariner free cocktail card, last couple cruises, ours were not in the cabin; they gave them to us w/no issues at guest services when we asked. We were able to use them for any drink $11/under at any bar, all you have to do is ask. Welcome to HAL and enjoy your cruise!

Carnival Holiday waaaaay back (early 90s). We were on ship Christmas Day and New Years Day. Each port, plus the ship, was decorated for Christmas. I know there was a New Years celebration, but don't remember what it was. Highly recommend doing a New Years cruise if you're able.

You realize you think of time in terms of "ships time" and know there are no clocks...

You should put at least a couple magnets on your door for your anniversary - you deserve it! At Thanksgiving, we wrapped our door the first week for a birthday then replaced it the 2nd week for Christmas. Cabin steward asked if we wanted him to help 🙂 Inside, we just put magnets on the wall by the thermometer - we like to see them grow as the days progress.

As previously stated, we were just in Turks Feb 10, 2023. See their website for requirements - they are different than HALs.

I do not, they're on the sheet you include in the laundry bag, but they run about $5 shorts, $4 panties - rough amounts to give you an idea. The $20/bag is a much better deal. We roll our items and can fit an incredible amount of laundry into 1 bag.

Just got off NA - it was $20/bag, $49 unlimited/week. Not-Europe. No fragrance used - usual excellent service including special requests to not dry this, hang this, don't hang that...usually received same day even though it wasn't requested. Enjoy your trip!

Went to Turks Feb 10 as part of 14 day B2B cruise. HAL website and Turks website contradicted each other, so we followed Turks site (same for other ports). HAL site mainly addresses requirements for boarding the ship, not for getting off at ports. They do recommend you visit their visa partner, which is helps and easy to understand. We did that AND the local agency (ie Turks). We completed VeriFLY even though HAL and airline no longer require it, but as others have me tioned, we got emails encouraging us to use it. It was quick as was our boarding. We had 4 people in our group and 1 person was able to complete for all 4. Enjoy your cruise!!

As cruising is fully back, all ships are at/near capacity, so I believe that's a non--issue. The music does win out on HAL. If you don't do a drink package, you will typically get a discount when you order one, so buying individually may be better than getting a drink package, even non-alcoholic. Enjoy!!

While on the NA (just returned less than a week ago) we were told by several crew that after us, they were doing 3 weeks of charters then resume regular itineraries. The first charter was already showing on the Navigator app when we disembarked. As for the azipod issue - it causes the ship to travel at slower speeds so we had some port changes. Supposed to be getting fixed without impact to future itineraries (unless further unknown repairs requured).

lunch is 11- 1. Many options beyond burgers, including veggies. The bbq alone is worth the stop.

Definitely u usual - I'd recommend calling the HAL excursion number well in advance rather than waiting until you're onboard. There should be horseback riding, stingrays, glass bottom boat, jet skis, nature walk, clamshells, tram ride... Even when something is sold out, it's usually still posted so you can waitlist. Just returned 3 days ago from 2 B2B and there were options both weeks. Same for last month and Dec, as well.

Just got off Nieuw Amsterdam 3 days ago and, yes, there was an issue.

You would need to buy a Thermal Pass. They go quickly, so sign up early. Usually $149/week or $50 single visit. If you add another service, it could reduce the weekly price to $110. I have considered this for a while and finally did it for both weeks on my last cruise - it was fabulous!!

HAL is not charging $30/bag on all cruises/ships. Just got off Nieuw Amsterdam 3 days ago completing 14 days (7 day B2B), Koningsdam last month (also 14 day B2B) and Nieuw Statendam in Dec (also 14 day B2B) - all of them were $20/bag or $49/week unlimited. I believe the cost depends on the itinerary and length of cruise. We pack less, save on luggage fees and enjoy unpacking clean laundry when we return home, so the laundry service is a must for us. Be sure to remember them when you're handing out end of cruise tips - they do a great job and will fulfill special requests.

Yes, there will be a person w/a clipboard at a clearly marked podium. Give them your name and they'll give you a card to get on the shuttle, then wait... Wait time depends on how early your plane lands and how many people are expected on the shuttle. I almost always take the HAL shuttle, but Uber or taxi at FLL is easy and cheaper, I would still do the shuttle for Miami flights.