zelker

1 hour ago, Mosaic said:

Here is a video link.... Holland America Zaandam Neptune Suite

Thanks for posting.  Yep, that's the video I saw and it's not new (we had one in a Neptune on the same-class Amsterdam in 2019) and if memory serves, it isn't a full interactive system like on the larger HAL ships.  I've read on other threads that Zaandam has already been rewired for the interactive system; now they just need to install the new TVs on the walls.  

2 hours ago, Mosaic said:

I did see a video from a few months ago where a Neptune Suite had a new---looked like a 45" TV.  For what that is worth.

I found one video on YouTube from this year and it's still the old TV on the desk.  Will be in both a Vista and a Neptune soon (on a B2B) so guess we'll find out!  Thanks.

2 hours ago, Mosaic said:

So anybody know if the new TV's on the Zaandam have the interactive capabilities that the newer ships have? Bow and Stern cameras, etc...

 

Thanks!

I emailed someone that's on the current Grand Africa voyage and she said they still haven't installed the new TV's.  We were really hoping it would be done prior to our embarking on the 20th for a month but I'm not too optimistic at this point.

Thanks for your continuing report.  Looking forward to hearing and watching the organ when we board next month.  So how do you know the schedule for it?  Also, have they started decorating for the holidays yet?  

Assume they still haven't switched to the interactive TV/system yet or you would have mentioned it?

30 minutes ago, Suncitycruiser1925 said:

We are fairly new to sailing with Holland America.  This variable pricing seems confusing to me.  How do you know if the sailing is eligible for The Mariner early booking discount?  We have only sailed once previously with Holland America.  We have booked in the past for cruises with Vacations To Go Travel.  Should we check with Holland America by calling for their best pricing?  Price with Costco?  Do you have to be a member to book cruises through Cosco?  We are considering the Feb 25th Southern Caribbean 7 day on NS.  Thanks for any input/direction.  

I'd call HAL and talk to them about what it qualifies for and get their pricing.  I almost always book directly with the cruise line and then have it transferred to our travel agent within 60 days of putting a deposit (must transfer before final payment), who then applies any discount/perks they may offer on top of what HAL is offering.

And yes, you have to be a Costco member to book with them.

5 minutes ago, soccermom4 said:

Do excursions and packages ever get included in this sale?  My RCCL cruise has some of those at a significant discount.

Not unless you opt for the Have It All package.

49 minutes ago, SilvertoGold said:

Is this sale limited to just a few destinations?  Alaska and Northern Europe plus Last Minute? That is what I am seeing on the HAL home page. Is there a list of cruises offered for this sale somewhere, or do you have to do trial after trial of individual cruises to see what is offered?  We are open to a lot of cruise possibilities for the right bottom-line deal.

No, not limited to those and no, no list.  Just look on their website and you can tell which ones have it because it clearly shows Black Friday Sale on each one.  Find a Cruise - Search the Best Cruises for 2022 and 2023 (hollandamerica.com)

1 hour ago, DaveOKC said:

I just checked two cruises vs last week.  One for Dec 2023 the other Jan 2024.  Last week included a $150 pp OBC, today no $150 OBC (anniversary promotion ended Nov 15) but free grats, so about a $170 savings on 11 day cruise (would have been about $110 pp on a 7 day.

Price was exactly the same on both cruises versus last week, so Black Friday deal nothing special IMO.

 

We booked one for December 2023 also and since that cruise was announced less than 90 days ago, they are still offering the Mariners Early Booking bonus OBC Mariner Society Early Booking Bonus | Holland America Line  I asked about it to confirm and she said yes, it was applicable and it shows on our confirmation.

Unfortunately I didn't write down the price for the cruise we booked before the sail started so can't compare.

2 hours ago, raesive said:

Has anyone booked a BF sailing? I did a dummy booking, but couldn't find anywhere where it showed that the gratuities were included. Looking at the Tropical Caribbean cruise for February. Waited on purpose for those to be included, the previous onboard credit amount for an inside room wouldn't have covered it. 

I wound up calling HAL this morning and asking if gratuities were included since I couldn't see them for any online-bookable fare either.  She said they were so I was able to have her book us on an Advantage fare (refundable deposit).  Got our booking confirmation and they show on there as well. 

BTW, we also got some Mariner OBC because it's still within 90 days from when this cruise (Holiday 2023) was opened for booking.  👍

Friends currently on Noordam said they are allowed to get 2 beverages at a time also.

22 minutes ago, FetaCheese said:

Really appreciate your post.  May I ask how you received this? 

You're welcome.  Sorry I can't divulge my source but I can tell you I didn't get it from O.

1 hour ago, What was that? said:

My DW wants to do this one but is put off by the part of the description that says "As you walk the 2.5-mile trail through the garden...". My question is: does the garden tour involve walking the entire 2.5 miles? Are there places to stop and rest our legs, or possible shortcuts?

 

We will be sailing on the Zaandam 5 Jan 2023 from Fort Lauderdale - in the same cabin on the same ship that we took our first HAL cruise. That was for our 35th anniversary in 2002, and my mother booked the same cruise. Yes, it was wonderful to have her along.

We have a roll call going.  Not a lot of activity but there has definitely been mention of Nicaragua and whether we'll actually stop there.  

9 minutes ago, Jancruz said:

They are adding Premium air starting at $99 and Gratuities on certain cruises

Jancruz1

Premium air "deal" already showing on their website - Cruise Packages Including Custom Flights and Transfers | Oceania Cruises

It's all so confusing.  Hopefully by the time 11-22 gets here, it will become clear what is and what isn't included.  

12 minutes ago, BWV said:

We are trying to book a Concierge Veranda - just waiting for my TA to call back

36 minutes ago, BWV said:

Yesterday an Oceania rep told our TA that there were no Black Friday perks - we're thinking of booking a March cruise that's on the list and has lots of availability. Does anyone have any further information? Thanks.

Per the brochure that I posted a few days ago, the sale is only for bookings made between 11-22 and 11-30 and yes, it appears it's only for Verandahs and only adds gratuities.  NOV2225157 Black Friday Sale.indd (oceaniacruises.com)

Hope it works out for you!

can't find anything online for the rescue from yesterday yet

I just called SB and was told that the pricing I see for the specific cruise we're interested in are, in fact, the Black Friday prices.  I mentioned that it would be nice if they indicated it on the website and she said they had actually posted the "splash" about it last Thursday (by mistake), then took it down, and that their IT department certainly needs to get it together.  I laughed and said "yes, that seems to be a widely shared consensus".  😜

Clink on link to see available cruises and T&Cs.  Must be booked between November 22 and 30.

NOV2225157 Black Friday Sale.indd (oceaniacruises.com)

1 hour ago, Alphen said:

Thanks, cannot get there, keep being redirected to Dutch HAL website, which does not mention the increase (yet).

Here you go:

For all sailings departing prior to February 1, 2023 as well as the 2023 Grand World Voyage and the 2023 Grand South America Antarctica Voyage, the daily Hotel Service Charge is $15.50* per guest per day for non-suite stateroom guests and $17.00* per guest per day for suite guests.

For sailings departing on or after February 1, 2023, the daily Hotel Service Charge is $16.00* per guest per day for non-suite stateroom guests and $17.50* per guest per day for suite guests.

24 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I’m speaking of the upcharge items like lobster in both the pinnacle and the tamarind.  You mentioned upcharge items at 50 percent off.  That’s precisely what I answered.   I’m not speaking about the restaurant charge.  That’s a charge not an upcharge.

Oh, gotcha.  Thx for clarifying.

20 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I was told on the koningsdam they don't give that discount anymore.  Emailed the mariner society. Crickets.  Called they said that's not a thing.

What’s not a thing?  The Mariner discounts?  They still show under benefits, and we got them in July on NS, didn’t even have to ask.  

13 hours ago, Crew News said:

Just confirmed that the $7 for extra PG appetizers is now applied on my December cruise PG menu.  

Thanks for posting the two menus.  AND, if I'm reading it correctly, additional appetizers will actually be $8.26 after the 18% service charge is added.  

1 hour ago, iflyrc5 said:

OK - as a 5 star we can get 2 free meals in the Pinnacle - do we get charged the extra if I want a salad and a jumbo shrimp cocktail?  I guess I will find out next week.

We're also 5* and wondered about this and/or will they give us our 50% discount on additional menu items?  We don't sail until December 20th so hope you'll post back here.  Enjoy your cruise!  Thx.

1 hour ago, Infi said:

Waiting with interest to see if/when HAL will drop pre-cruise testing for all cruises. Sailing on a 16 day (not B2B) in December so coming in just over the 15 day no testing requirement. I don't anticipate they'll drop the requirement, but policies have been changing almost daily since summer, so who knows. 

No testing required for this cruise (I know because we're booked on it).  You can verify it yourself by going to this link on HAL's website and entering your booking number, first and last name (don't need the voyage number).  It will show you protocols for all cruises that embark by the end of this year.

Booking or Voyage Lookup (hollandamerica.com)

4 hours ago, KirkNC said:

Still learning the nuances of O.  In our previous life, if we missed a port, we received a refund for the prorated taxes and fees associated with that port.  On our current cruise we have missed three ports due to weather but when I asked the front desk about a refund for port taxes and fees they looked at me like I had two heads.  I looked through the invoice and it is silent on the topic.  So it appears O gets a windfall when they miss a port?

Kirk - we ran into the same thing on Viking Ocean last November, with the same wide-eyed, glassy stare when I questioned getting a refund for missing Nicaragua.  Not only did we not receive any compensation for port taxes/fees, but we also didn't receive compensation for the included shore excursion that we paid for as part of the cruise fare (and what Viking so proudly advertises as included - one free excursion in every port). 

We're booked to do our first Oceania cruise at the end of 2024 (South America/Antarctica on Marina) so guess I'd best prepare myself now for the inevitable missed port on a 39 day cruise and no compensation.  Barb 

3 minutes ago, tjcox9 said:

I'd read of this occurring in the South Pacific islands. This is the first I've seen from Madeira though. Too bad, but some unwanted pests could always make their way on in flowers or other plants, I suppose.

I've never been told we couldn't bring flowers onboard in the South Pacific.  We were allowed to bring flowers onboard in Fiji (2019), Maui (March 2020), and Raiatea (March this year).