waASPCrusier

17 hours ago, fusion927 said:

 

Pretty sure it's $8 per day (plus the 18% service charge).  Which would come out to $66.08 including the service charge.

17 hours ago, Crew News said:

That is my price for Rotterdam in December.

Thank you both.

Anybody that boarded or got off this past weekend know the 7 day price on-board for the freestyle package ? 

27 minutes ago, Highway27 said:

I did notice on the HAL website yesterday that they have changed the Coke package to be, basically, just the Freestyle machine on the Pinnacle class ships "starting at $8 per day". So on our sailing next week, I'm going to at least ask if I could just buy that in addition to the HIA Signature, rather than having to pay $12 a day to upgrade to Elite. Answer is probably no, but going to at least try.

Actually that is exactly what we were offered last year when we asked about the Freestyle after we found out our HIA didn't include it.  As @CruiserBrucesaid above you are actually just purchasing a special cup that has a chip in it that allows you to use the machine(s).  That being said, would you be so kind as to post back to this thread the cost of purchasing the Freestyle onboard ?

Can anyone confirm the on board price for a 7 day cruise for the soda package on a ship with the freestyle machine ?  Trying to decide on pre-purchase or wait till on the Kdam and use OBC.

Thanks.

5 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

Hubbard Glacier: How close was the ship able to get? I've booked the excursion boat there, but others are still debating.

We were at least a couple of miles out.  The excursion is the way to go, it was sold out on our cruise.  We talked to a couple of people though that went on it, she estimated they got about 1/2 mile away and it was a calving bonanza.  Still impressive from the ship, but maybe have binoculars.

5 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

Sitka: With the inside pier position damaged, was the Westerdam able to use the outside position rather than tendering?

We were at the new pier, 10-15 minute free bus ride into the heart of Sitka....be aware they are still working out the kinks on this, so while decently orderly at the ship, the return is out in the open to the elements and it did take awhile for the return shuttle.

5 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

Pinnacle Grill: Was it open for lunch on Monday (Sea day), Tuesday (Juneau), Wednesday (Hubbard) and/or Saturday (Victoria)? Staffing on some ships reportedly has been insufficient to open it for lunch.

We didn't do the Pinnacle(did do the filet as room service add on), but there weren't any notices about it being closed.  Overall I didn't notice that much of a staffing issue.  That being said our lead room steward was on his first assignment in 2 years, he was great but others seemed to be re-learning the ropes.

We were on the first sailing 6/12.  Will try to answer any questions people might have.

10 hours ago, BEAV said:

 

Same problem here. Now within 3 days of our Sunday Amsterdam departure, but Verifly won’t accept an antigen test result. Will try again tomorrow when we’re down to 48 hours and under.

 

Frustrating to spend additional time working around glitches...

@BEAV

Are you sailing out of Canada or does your trip include a Canadian port ?

my post on this from 12/12/21:

Here is our experience with self disembarkation on 12/12.  We had a 9:45AM flight, we also had a backup 4pm flight the next day, quick learning moment, if you have a backup on the same day, the airline will nicely pick one and cancel it for you about 3 weeks out. 😁  The ship arrived on time, if this doesn't happen then nothing else is really going to matter.  At roughly 6:50AM we went down to deck 2 between the Ocean Bar and BB King, there were maybe 6 other people there with luggage.  After a few minutes ships crew had people lineup to the BB king side of the door with the line going towards the BB King venue.  We were about 7th or 8th in line, people kept straggling in and by the time they opened the doors at roughly 7:40, there were maybe 35-40 people in line behind us.  They had 3 security stations to check you off the ship, then you went thru the reverse of boarding.  Down the sky walk, then across the upper concourse, where a couple of shore people were directing people to the elevators.  Since we only had 1 large bag each, we just took the one flight of stairs and then the longer walk down the 1st floor concourse.  At this point we were the 1st people into the building, we were ushered up to customs, thru customs and out of the building before anybody else even entered.  Grabbed the first taxi, $15 flat rate to SAN, and were to airport, bags checked in before 8AM.  Everything went right for us, please keep that in mind.

Here is our experience with self disembarkation on 12/12.  We had a 9:45AM flight, we also had a backup 4pm flight the next day, quick learning moment, if you have a backup on the same day, the airline will nicely pick one and cancel it for you about 3 weeks out. 😁  The ship arrived on time, if this doesn't happen then nothing else is really going to matter.  At roughly 6:50AM we went down to deck 2 between the Ocean Bar and BB King, there were maybe 6 other people there with luggage.  After a few minutes ships crew had people lineup to the BB king side of the door with the line going towards the BB King venue.  We were about 7th or 8th in line, people kept straggling in and by the time they opened the doors at roughly 7:40, there were maybe 35-40 people in line behind us.  They had 3 security stations to check you off the ship, then you went thru the reverse of boarding.  Down the sky walk, then across the upper concourse, where a couple of shore people were directing people to the elevators.  Since we only had 1 large bag each, we just took the one flight of stairs and then the longer walk down the 1st floor concourse.  At this point we were the 1st people into the building, we were ushered up to customs, thru customs and out of the building before anybody else even entered.  Grabbed the first taxi, $15 flat rate to SAN, and were to airport, bags checked in before 8AM.  Everything went right for us, please keep that in mind.

7 hours ago, sergel02 said:

 

 

- Maybe some repeat HAL cruisers can answer, but when does the Lido Buffet usually close? We got there a bit after 8PM to see what they had for dessert, and they were open but closing up. Not sure if it’s usual, because it was Gala night, because of COVID, due to reduced capacity or something else.

 

 

For times last week, we found the best way to be sure is in the Navigator app, from the main screen select the experiences(Ship icon) bottom center then Where and When, then the tab for Times.  I know the opening changed depending on sea days vs port days, but pretty sure dinner service ended each night at 8pm.  There was a late night service In Lido maybe starting at 10:30.

9 hours ago, zgscl said:

As it was so hot I thought it was a good day to try a chocolate milk shake and the cabana attendants were only too happy to bring me one (charged to the beverage package). I thought it was pretty good! And perfect for this weather. 

 

 

 

From what menu/location did you order this ?  I don't recall a milk shake option in the past, but now I am intrigued 😁

 

 

29 minutes ago, FlaMariner said:

 

Pinnacle has the two ice buckets (just do it when you see it), the bigger sauna, more heated lounges, the lay flat shower and it's all in one area.....If I recall on older ships, you have to go from the heated lounge area out one door and in another for the pool...

 

It's great on the older ships and we would buy it then also.....But just so much better on the new pinnacles.

 

Do it...and come back and tell us you did the ice bucket!

Thanks FlaMariner, with a steam shower and sauna in our house, if we get the pass I will definitely do the ice bucket 😁

12 hours ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Self assist can leave whenever they choose - in the first group along with the 4/5 stars etc

Thank you.

10 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

We received our disembarkation letter today.   A few changes:

 

Everyone except 4/5 star, club orange and suites, needs to select their own colored tag from a rack near the front desk according to their preferred disembarkation time.    Per the front desk, the number of tags for each color is limited and if you come late, you may not be able to select your preferred time.

 

4/5 stars etc will receive special baggage tags the day prior

 

No more statements delivered the night before.   You are expected to check your statement on the navigator app or use one of the Navigator stations near the front desk.   I am sure the front desk would print a statement for you on request.   

 

 

Anything about walking off with your luggage as soon as disembarkation starts ?

54 minutes ago, visagrunt said:

There are more thermal beds (11 rather than 6).  The Thalasso pool is larger, with space for two or three times as many people as the Vista/Signature version.  There is a horizontal shower, a cold bucket shower in addition to steam and sauna facilities.

Thank you.

11 hours ago, visagrunt said:

The one thing I buy on every HAL cruise is the thermal suite pass.

They are capacity limited, and I have rarely encountered overcrowding, except at peak hours (e.g. 10 am or mid afternoon) on sea days.

The Pinnacle class ship thermal suites are particularly good with additional features and a larger facility.

2 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

It's our big splurge and we love it....

 

worth every $$$ especially with the Pinnacle class ships....

 

Price was less if bought pre cruise...Take your printed receipt in case there is a question (there was for us on the Rotterdam last week but easily handled with the printed receipt in hand).

 

Clueless about day passes...we always get the cruise pass.....and use it every single day...it's open 8am to 10pm and rarely a crowd in there.....

 

Enjoy the K'dam.

Could either of you expand on the extra/especially on the Pinnacle class ships ?  I am intrigued.

38 minutes ago, Cap'nWoody said:

The gangway was located on Deck 2.  We were on the north side of the pier.

Thank you

1 hour ago, Cap'nWoody said:

As a postscript, we got off Koningsdam yesterday after the 7 day California Coast Cruise in San Diego.  He decided to do walk off since we had only 3 pieces of small luggage.  Walk off was called at 0730.  There were maybe 20 people in line ahead of us.  Customs waved us through and we never stopped walking from the time we left the gangway until we hit the van taking us to the airport.  It was by far the smoothest debarkation I had ever experienced.

That is great to hear, what deck did you do the walk off on ?

5 hours ago, fusion927 said:

 

On the Rotterdam TA, it was 8am - 10pm

 

Thank you.

Does anybody by chance know the hours of operation for the thermal suites and hydropool ?

44 minutes ago, fsdj1097 said:

Since we had a HAL transfer to the airport, we were assigned a 9:30 am time slot to disembark.  If you choose to, you can be among the first off the ship, which I believe started at 7:30am.  However, because of the slowness of the Customs/Border Patrol staff, we were not off the ship until closer to 10:45 am.   I believe that there were approximately 1,400 passengers on our sailing.

Thank you.

15 minutes ago, fsdj1097 said:

Yes, it's still an option.  We walked off with our luggage in San Diego.  

Thank you.  How early did you depart/make it through customs ?  Were there many people ?  Again thank you for the information.

I seem to remember that you used to be able to keep your luggage, opposed to putting it out night before, and leave in the first group.  Is this still an option ? Anybody recently do this if it is still an option ?

52 minutes ago, cruisin'mama said:

Thanks for this. Is there a lot of walking? My son has Down Syndrome and will start complaining if we try to push it with the walking.

Stone Island requires walking about 5-6 blocks from dock and taking water taxi, this one has docks at both ends, then a little more walking on the beach to whichever restaurant you decide.  

The water taxi to Stone Island goes across the channel the cruise ships use. There will sometimes be a pickup truck at the dock to offer rides to those who need transportation up the beach. The water is shallow with very little surge or wave action, so is ideal for small children. Several bars and restaurants line the beach, and you can rent ATV's or horses if you want. Stone Island has no fancy hotels or shops, but some street peddlers will be there. 

You can kind of orient yourself with this map view Stone Island

6 minutes ago, fusion927 said:

When I did the coke package with the freestyle machine on the Koningsdam (pre COVID) it was a 32 ounce cup (I think) with an rfid chip to activate the machine.

 

Once every day or two, I would ask a bartender to clean it for me….

 

In two days I will be on the Rotterdam and plan to get the elite package which is supposed to include the freestyle machine, so will find out the post COVID process.

 

And yes, the cup stays in the room when heading out for dinner, and just get glasses at and after dinner,

Excellent, this is the clearest explanation I have see yet on how it works.  Thank you very much.  Will look forward to what you find on the Rotterdam.