Micmac

On 11/25/2022 at 9:08 AM, ldock said:

Does anyone know if your allowed to bring a small Christmas tree onboard?  I have a home in Florida, and a couple small trees, so was debating bringing one.

I have a tree that has been on almost 20 Christmas cruises. I have it, decorations and a Christmas wine glass in a carry on that have cruised as far as New Zealand and Antarctica 

I did this in Dec (2018) and also Dec 2016 (leaving from St. John so more sightseeing).  This Dec there were enough people that they actually split us into 2 groups and went on 2 catamarans.  They were careful to ensure that all people wishing to be together were on the same catamaran.

I had a similar experience both times.  They do make you wear a life vest to snorkel but it is one that is very thin so it doesn't interfere too much.

It was about a 25 minute drive to the marina and maybe 30 minutes or so to St. John.  As said in another post - you could either swim, take a dinghy to the shore or just choose to stay on board.  There were sodas, juice, rum punch and champagne flowing on the return to St. Thomas as well as light snacks including veggies and cheese.  

I'm interested to hear if they have figured out the logistics of tenders when they have both Kdam and NS at HMC on the same day. 

The first time it happened in Dec, it was an unmitigated disaster - we waited until 10:30 to get tender tickets and STILL took over 2 hrs to get ashore and almost as long in line to come back.  I  wouldn't have gone but those we were traveling with were doing the horseback ride. 

I  am hoping that there were some good lessons learned and subsequent changes to save other cruises from the same level of frustration!

I was just on a "behind the scenes" ship tour on the Nieuw Statendam and this was specifically addressed.  For the record, I am a Prinsendam fangirl. 

The first thing that was mentioned is that the smaller ships require them to alter business processes that they use on the larger ships.  Non-standard business processes lead to inefficiencies which lead to higher costs.  There is a point to which you can pass these costs off to the passengers but at some point, your price point exceeds ROI for the pocketbook.  OK - I can buy this one. 

The second one reason I heard is the first time that I had ever heard it actually voiced - specifically that having (that word appeared to be carefully chosen over the word "building") smaller ships like the Prinsendam in the fleet would put HAL in direct competition with Seabourn.  I don't agree with that statement but this appears to give some insight into the thought process from corporate.  

I

Thank you, Alberta Quilter for the advice.  I did call and they were able to confirm all the tours for both parties.  She made it sound like after the manifest is turned over, it shouldn't show on the itinerary???  

Regardless, I now have an email from them showing the confirmations (never leave home without this) and can cease to stress (or just stress over work!)

Thanks again!

M

I rarely book HAL excursions in advance but did so for our cruise which leaves on Sunday. As such, I want to make sure I understand what is "normal" vs "worry"!

When we booked initially (two linked bookings), each booked excursion was shown on the daily itinerary online.  I realized this morning that they weren't showing at all.  At least 2 of these excursions waitlisted after we purchased them so I am slightly stressed right now!  

Is this normal or should I try to confirm that we still have all the reservations?  

Thank you in advance for any thoughts or experiences with this!

Michelle

Have a great voyage!  

We board on the 23rd so are curious in hearing feedback on the Rolling Stone Rock Room and the new wine packages (and if the y are honoring the 4/5 star discount).

Thanks for taking your time to share!

M

quote=Krazy Kruizers;55867006]Trivia questions were easy today.

I just thought I was getting smarter!!!

Sargasso Pirate - fair question. They do pay to park in most places (concerts, sporting events) and have even once or twice been charged more since their accessible van is larger than many cars.

They were pleasantly surprised that they were not charged the first time they parked at PEV. As it was explained to them, they (FL gvmt) know that there are still very few accessible options for someone in a power chair to get to the port (many of the off-airport shuttles do not have ramps or tie downs and the accessible taxis are not always readily available) so people are essentially forced to drive to the port while others make a conscious decision to do so. Not saying they are right or wrong, but that is how it was explained to them.

Still nothing for mine yet but I am now hopeful!!!

I am not sure if I am going to be able to give you a definitive answer for your situation but can share what has happened with us in 8+ times parking at Port Everglades:

My friends have a child who is a quad in a powerchair so they have a lift van with a GA handicapped tag. They have never been denied the free parking but it frequently takes them more than 15 minutes when they are leaving. The people at the exit have always looked to ensure it is a lift van and even looked in to make sure that she is physically sitting in chair (and pretty sure at least one time they were trying to prove that she didn't need the chair!)

Given that level of scrutiny, I am not sure what they would have done were they to have looked in and not found her in the chair. However, the out of state handicapped tag has never been one of the issues.

Hopefully, someone else will have some information. Good luck and happy cruising!

We disembarked the Veendam on Jan 31 and have also received the same email regarding technical difficulties.

I have a question also. Jacqui is always a wealth of info

Especially with The Elegant Explorer.

Looking at staterooms AA133. It is larger room with Verandah I do see it is by the atrium stairs and elevator. Wish we could do a signature suite for us but we will just be getting off the Volendam from San Diego getting onboard for the 30 day TA cruise to Europe. Any help would be great or what cabin with Verandah on board!

Thanks all👍

Denise:)

FWIW, We were in 121 last year (an AA not an A but only a few cabins down) and LOVED it. No vibrations. If the cabin was incredibly quiet, we could hear faint sounds of entertainers practicing in the afternoon but never heard a sound during the performance. We used it to decide if we were going to the show that night or not!

After having been in a different cabin earlier in the year, we decided that the location for us was about as perfect as it could be. The only word of warning - it was one of those that had the mirror on the shower wall so we let it steam up first least we get a rude awakening early in the morning!

I have pictures and will be glad to share if you want.

I was just in 313 last week. I didn't take a picture but I can confirm that the pics on Halfacts are accurate. When standing to the right of the bed, I had a clear shot of sky/ocean but straight on it was just a solid wall.

313 is an adjoining cabin but they had the sofa in front of the door.

I had never been in this type of cabin before (usually do verandah) but it really grew on me!

Thank you, KK! They transferred me to Guest Relations and after a few minutes on hold, I now have the survey!!!

I disembarked the Veendam on Wed (Jan 31). I have always received the email with the survey by the time I have landed. I didn't receive my survey this time and have verified that others have received their email. I have double checked spam filters as well so I feel pretty confident it wasn't received.

Does anyone have any advice on what I can do/where to contact? I had several comments (both positive and negative) I want to share.

Thanks in advance for any assistance!

You can get travel sized sharps containers at Target, CVS etc for a few $$. I have never filled my up and have definitely had 10 - 12 needles in there. Depending on the length of your cruise, you can also request a sharps container in your cabin - they are the normal sized ones.

I travel almost weekly with an injectable and the only thing I have ever said with TSA (and other countries as well) is if they do search my bag I let them know that I do have a little bag with needles and a pen. They have never actually opened that bag.

Mine doesn't have to be refrigerated so I don't have an issue there but I have seen others use a small ice pack bag with it inside and they will place it in the tray by itself and if there is a TSA agent working the front of the line, let them know that it is refrigerated medication. They rarely spend any additional screening time on it.

We are on the March 17th 11 day sailing on the Veendam. HAL Shore Excursions still lists a full compliment of tour offerings in Havana. The only tour previously offered for Cienfuegos was dropped. Final payment is next month and I hope something will be offered for Cienfuegos.

 

I hope that the roll call for the Dec. 22nd sailing will offer some feedback for the rest of us, and I hope this doesn't just turn into a HAL Caribbean cruise with no Cuba, which they can do legally, but I will be really annoyed .

 

Karen

Hi Karen - been a long time since Antarctica!

Interesting that your March sailing still has shore excursions listed for Havana. I am on the Jan 24 sailing and so far we only have 2 evening excursions offered for the evening of arrival and nothing yet for the next day. Hopefully we will learn a lot from the first sailing in a few weeks!!!

Michelle

There may be more updated information on this subject but this was a post from Dec where someone had used a drone. (See message #33). At least in this case, the poster made security aware of it and was only allowed to use it off the ship.

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2427981&highlight=drone&page=2

In case you don't get anyone who has been in this cabin, you might want to go visit it while you are on board with your daughter.

We have friends that cruise with a daughter who is a quad in a power chair and we frequently check out cabins for them. Most people in accessible cabins are very gracious in letting us check out the cabin and can also enlighten you on pros/cons of the cabin while fresh on their mind!

Enjoy both cruises!!!

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What a horrible feeling. I flew into "Venice" once for a cruise and my suitcase went to "Nice". We were reunited at the last port just in time for me to take it home. As I took all of the tags off of it, I realized my suitcase might have had a more interesting vacation!

I don't wish that feeling on anyone else -fingers crossed that you get your suitcase!!! (And if not- hopefully you can ultimately find a way to laugh at this.... but sure you aren't there yet!)

On the Prinsendam last year, there was a costume contest/party but it could have been easily avoided (however, they did have some good prizes for the winners!)

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I echo everything that has already been said.... I am 4* but had never been on the Prinsendam until Oct/Nov 2016. I loved it so much that we switched our annual holiday cruise (Dec 2016) to the Prinsendam so I am probably a little biased. We were also on Deck 9 - loved the location.

We were on a similar itinerary last year. My understanding is that they switch yearly between two mostly similar holiday itineraries. (Told to us by a couple that had done the last three years so they were smitten with the Prinsendam as well!). We absolutely loved Bequia. We didn't dock there but took an excursion.

I personally wouldn't put a lot of stock into the negative comments. It may be a one and done experience or you might also fall in love with her. Either way, I think you will have a great holiday cruise. Christmas and NYE on board - how bad could it be??? :)

It is on our short list for this year's holiday cruise so we may see you!

We did the holiday cruise on the Prinsendam last year. We thoroughly enjoyed it! Any specific questions I might be able to help answer?

I travel internationally for work. Not being able to work on a flight would be a huge but my biggest concern is absolutely the idea of having to check my laptop! The idea of breakage, theft or lost luggage would leave me a basket case!

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