Thetideishigh2021

5 hours ago, Crew News said:

On April 27, the escalator was OK to use but on May 5th, we were told that the escalator was not capable of handling them.

We also boarded on May 5,  someone had fallen down one of the escalators just before we arrived to check in .  The individual was injured and an ambulance etc was called . ( I understood the person was not too seriously injured but I don’t know if they made the cruise) which slowed the embarkation process considerably as that escalator was locked off for at least an hour.  This was at approximately 11:30am.  All it takes is one mishap…we did have one largish roller case for which we lined up at the elevator it took about 10 minutes to get on it,  better a little late…. IMHO.

I’ve been to two orange parties on two different in the last year,  both in the Rolling Stone Rock lounge,  both started at 9:30 with the start of the  band’s second set.  Lots of energy and dancing and yes it’s loud but that’s rock music right?   Elsewhere in the ship it was subdued: orange boas were seen and yes lots of orange drinks which looked like a good revenue  earner.  bowls of cheezies for next time perhaps?  I think the Orange party doesn’t really know what it wants to be….

however I had a good time at both

On 5/5/2024 at 1:07 PM, regan3 said:

The daily program you posted for Skagway talks about a mandatory port shuttle new?

 

Curious about logistics, long lines, short ride, etc.?

 

Thank you 

I’m just off the Noordam,  May 5 to 12,  there has been a rock slide at the Skagway pier,  , the bank has been netted to keep additional loose rocks from falling on on people walking underneath and the docked ship is apparently too far away to be impacted.However,  for a ship docked closest to the slide area, 5 minute tenders are required as per the local port authority.   It was really windy in Skagway on May 8 so it was very tricky getting into the tender and several mobility restricted passengers didn’t bother going ashore.   
judging by the size of the slide area I don’t see it being cleared away for a couple of months.   But the other end of the dock does have a shuttle service as it’s further away from the slide area,  and yes the shuttle drivers are all looking for tips.

Anyone out there currently on the April 28/24 Pacific Northwest cruise?   Wondering what the Rolling Stone lounge band is like ,   We’re on the May 5 Noordam Alaska right after,  

It has certainly paid off, !

I can remember when MDR menus were laid out to accommodate a five+ course meal:  appetizers, soup course,  salad course,  an extra pasta course if you’re on Princess Cruises, the main course and then dessert,  the menu was split up that way.  The portions weren’t huge but it did add up to a rather large ,  leisurely meal.  These days it’s a faster turnaround environment in the main dining room which is why I generally prefer late seating.  I still often order 4 courses and occasionally dessert,  the starters aren’t huge.

enjoy!

We’re on the Noordam May 5/24.

no email yet stating that GB is back.

5 minutes ago, visagrunt said:

It's important to remember that insurance is provincially regulated certain insurance products cannot be sold without a license.  If HAL is selling from Seattle (rather than through a travel agent in the buyers' province of residence) there's no way to meet that requirement.

Working through a travel agent, CAA/BCAA or other vendors, you should have access to third party insurance products that will cover the same risks for competitive prices. however.

Good catch!  It’s because of the medical insurance coverage in the platinum package,  

4 hours ago, retird said:

This may be the reason the cancellation for any reason is not sold to B.C. Residents

I’m a retired TA in BC and I can say that all Travel Agents in BC have a limited licence to sell travel insurance (and only travel insurance) . It’s interesting that residents of BC,  Quebec and the other cities prohibited from buying the platinum policy as these are embarkation provinces/ states.  I wonder if there have been too many cancellation claims and the cruise lines are not seeing a profit to selling these policies ie last minute empty cabins due to CFAR claims. One thing about the insurance industry:  if the cost  to insure a risk becomes too much they will cease or limit  coverage.

I brought 8 cans of San Pelegrino mineral water which is carbonated onto the Noordam last May with no problem .  I also brought an empty plastic San Pelegrino  bottle to pour the cans into as once a can is opened there’s no closing it back up.  I left the cruise with my plastic bottle.

I was on a 5 night Pacific Northwest cruise this past May and there was 1 orange night and 1 dressy night.

have a great cruise.

3 hours ago, RuthC said:

Your TA may, or may not, be telling the truth. If she has been there for a few years, she should have been aware that there is a Black Friday Sale every year, and she should have at least asked about it; if she is new, then she might not have known to ask. 
However, there has got to be someone at that agency who has been there, and should have brought up the topic. It wasn't a secret 2 days before you booked. 
The travel agency should have been aware, and should have let their employees know. It was their mistake, and it is now their responsibility to fix it. 

Don't they have insurance to cover their mistakes? 

This is an agent error but the amount in question is too small to trigger an errors and omissions insurance claim.  Some agencies have agent error/goodwill general ledger budgets.  Suggest you lean on the agency owner/manager for them to pre pay the crew gratuity for your booking

1 hour ago, kdakda said:

Have checked several times this morning and when I book an Alaskan cruise for next summer that is labeled "Black Friday", nothing shows up about pre-paid gratuities.  Have tried both the Cruise Only and HIA fares.  By the way, the price is slightly lower than in the past weeks, but that lower price was visible a few days ago, so no further price change.

1 hour ago, kdakda said:

Have checked several times this morning and when I book an Alaskan cruise for next summer that is labeled "Black Friday", nothing shows up about pre-paid gratuities.  Have tried both the Cruise Only and HIA fares.  By the way, the price is slightly lower than in the past weeks, but that lower price was visible a few days ago, so no further price change.

Also,  the port tax has inceased,  we booked the Noordam May 5/24 back in June we thought maybe we could get a price adjustment with the BF sale,  the pt was Cad $325pp.  Yesterday when I checked it was cad $375pp.  Yes the cruise fare went down a little bit so the overall cruise is now Cad $29 less but no pre paid crew grats .   Now I can’t get onto the HAL website.  Will try later 

As a Vancouverite May I suggest a boutique hotel downtown,  the Wedgewood Hotel is in a great location with a nice lounge and restaurant,  Chain hotels are great but a Hyatt is a Hyatt etc.  if you are American you’ll be saving  roughly 30% due the exchange rate from the moment you get off the plane so enjoy your stay!

Sounds juicy,  fingers crossed 

thanks!

I wonder also what percent of confiscated single use open water and pop bottles actually contained water:  vodka, white rum and gin are clear,  Amber rum looks like ginger ale (sort of). Dark rum could be coke in a plastic coke bottle.  Some folks get pretty inventive with their in cabin libations lol.

2 hours ago, Bluesmama said:

Hi, 

I see that plastic water bottles are now prohibited (it’s been awhile since I cruised on HAL and my first cruise post-COVID). I know they do allow you to bring in a certain amount of water in non plastic containers. 
question- can I bring in my own (non disposable, non-singe use water bottle) if it is plastic. I do have some that are metal but they are a bit more costly or “special” (souvenirs from other trips) than the plastic sports bottles and I’d rather not bring those with me in case I lose them somewhere.

will they confiscate? My husband and I will be bringing in two.

thanks

margo 

2 hours ago, Bluesmama said:

Hi, 

I see that plastic water bottles are now prohibited (it’s been awhile since I cruised on HAL and my first cruise post-COVID). I know they do allow you to bring in a certain amount of water in non plastic containers. 
question- can I bring in my own (non disposable, non-singe use water bottle) if it is plastic. I do have some that are metal but they are a bit more costly or “special” (souvenirs from other trips) than the plastic sports bottles and I’d rather not bring those with me in case I lose them somewhere.

will they confiscate? My husband and I will be bringing in two.

thanks

margo 

It’s hit and miss,  last spring on the Noordam I brought 8 cans of San Pelegríno mineral water on board and had a plastic bottle of San Pelegríno in an outside pocket of my purse in plain view.  I was filling up my plastic bottle with the canned stuff each day and had no problem taking it on and off the ship all week,  never questioned,  not confiscated.  I took  the plastic bottle off the ship with me at the end of the cruise.  Go figure

Is HIA generally available close to sailing date?  We have a May booking on the Noordam and I keep thinking the price will go down after final payment.  We have early booking HIA which includes crew gratuity but we’re open to giving it up if the price plummets( which can happen in order to fill an early Alaska sailing) BUT only if HIA is still being offered.  I guess it’s about crunching the numbers at the time but does anyone know when HIA goes away?

The Travel Agent copy of your conf will show their commission so it’s not for the client’s viewing .  It’s not much different from the  passenger copy in terms of OBC

Thanks,  maybe there’s hope for my next cruise in May

This might be a duh question but here goes anyway,  are upgrade offers only made on bookings with cabin numbers assigned or on cabin guarantee bookings as well.  We always choose cabin guarantees as we’re not too bothered about where we are on the ship and also because I sold travel in past years and TA rates are always guaranteed stateroom.   I’ve never had an upgrade offer even after I left the travel industry ,  wah!

We’re on the Noordam RT Vancouver May 5-12 ,  same email.  Glad the alternative sounds good.

Thanks Roz for posting,  interesting information!

Does anyone know if San Pelegríno mineral water in cans is available and included in the Signature pkg?  I brought my own case last cruise so didn’t bother checking 

thanks

Smart casual: wear something you packed because your  luggage was not lost as you were smart enough to tag your bag and didn’t put anything stupid like a travel iron, illegal drugs or a weapon in it.

casual:  your embarkation clothes washed out in the bathroom sink each night.