Cap-n Andy

17 hours ago, 2 cruises a year said:

Wrap around Promanade Deck.  Completely, not partially, not mostly.

 

I completely agree.  My favorite thing to do on a cruise ship is to walk around the promenade deck for miles. That is why I liked Holland America. Unfortunately, they have cut way back on their entertainment.  That is why for my next cruise I will be returning to Princess.

 

My favorite promenade deck is on the QM2. Three and a half times around is a mile. It also has the classic ocean liner wedding cake design where there is public outside space on multiple decks at the stern. Crystal also has a design like that but its ships are much smaller

They could also deactivate it with a few keystrokes.  If you lose your medallion, they can stop anyone from using it to get into your cabin.

14 hours ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

So basically you could possibly make the package work without consuming alcohol but if you did buy the package you would over consume on fresh OJ and espresso and you figure you can just do without.  Understand.

That is correct.  Every day I would be dong the math in my head as to whether or no I was getting my money's worth. I would consume things I did not have an appetite for just to get what I paid for. 

3 hours ago, Retired-N-Happy said:

The discussion is not about a soda package.  It's about all of the various components of the Plus package @ 60.00.  Over 50% of the package is gratuities and wifi.  You then have medallion shipping, casual meals, and ocean now activation as three different components before you even start mentioning the drinks package.

You state that the beverages in the package are not healthy.  Is fresh squeezed OJ, an espresso or bottled water not healthy?  I can see if you only drink hot tea, hot coffee and tap water, so you'd be against the package but please don't blow smoke and imply that all of the components of the drinks package are all unhealthy.

Fresh OJ and espresso have health benefits if consumed in moderation.  If I bought a package, I would not consume them in moderation.  I would also consume sugary drinks.  Having to pay for each drink stops me from doing all of this. I will only drink the beverages that are included and won't eat any premium deserts.

 

I get Internet at a 50% discount since I am a platinum Captain's Circle member. I probably won't even get that.  Anything I will use the Internet for can wait until I get to into port. There are other ways people can reach me in an emergency.  

 

 

I learned my lesson on this decades ago when I bought a soda package.  I felt the need to get my money’s worth and drank more soda than I normally would.

 

The beverages in the package are things which are not healthy.  My aging body does not tolerate them very well.  Not having a beverage package is a disincentive to drinking things which will take a toll on my health.   

Even though I travel solo, I would not book a single cabin.  They are small and  in bad locations. I like balconies.  Often, I book suites.

 

The 200% single supplement is a bit of an overcharge.  I am paying for meals for a non-existent passenger .  The thing that irks me is that if there are discount coupons of cruise credits they are per person.  I pay the same as two people but only get one credit. That is a single penalty.

 

I always give an extra tip to the cabin attendant. It is almost as much work to clean a cabin for one person as for two. I believe I should pay him the same as when two people are in the cabin.

I don't understand people complaining about paying a single supplement.  Your are taking up the same number of square feet/metres as two people in the cabin. It's no different than paying for a hotel room.

 

I received an email from HAL saying the following:

"When we wrote to you about Holland America Line’s extended pause in cruise operations, we shared two options for you to consider as compensation for the cancellation of your booking: a 125% Future Cruise Credit plus US$250 Onboard Spending Money, or a 100% refund of monies paid to Holland America Line. Our records indicate we have not received a selection from you at this time.

"

My travel agent submitted a request for a refund in the beginning of May.  I forwarded HAL's email to her.  She said she is having to submit multiple refund requests for all of the cruise lines. Maybe, they are hoping people will change their minds.

54 minutes ago, shank63 said:

So if HAL and Seabourn are losing avid customers, where are they going?  Another cruise line?  Other travel alternatives?  Sheltered in?

Until there is a safe and effective Covid-19 vaccine and enough people get it to create herd immunity, I am sheltering in. When I start traveling again, I will evaluate various cruise lines and tour companies. There are many possibilities.

 

I am a fan of Holland America but I am not married to it.

American Airlines refunded my non-refundable USA domestic airfare. They canceled a flight.

I should have been on the Oosterdam sailing from San Diego to Puerto Vallarta. I booked a signature suite for the first time.

Florida governor: We'll take state residents only from Zaandam cruise ship

 

https://www.cnn.com/2020/04/01/us/holland-america-zaandam-cruise-ship-florida/index.html

 

I worked for a state government (not Florida) for thirty-nine years.  This is a classic inter-departmental battle that I saw many times.  It applies to all levels of government.  Everybody is concerned only with their own responsibility and their own budget. "The public" means the segment of the public their department is mandated to serve.  Nobody sees the big picture.  Nobody cares what is the right thing to do.  

 

 

I am sixty-four years old with underlying medical conditions.  I will not cruise until there is a vaccine for Covid-19.

There could be a reduction or elimination of tender ports.  You may have to reserve a specific time on the tender. All aboard will be several hours before sail away.

 

Private Islands are another potential problem.   Currently, you have people form more than one ship sharing the same island in close proximity. It could become like an Antarctica cruise I was on.  Only a certain number or people were allowed ashore at one time.  Once that number was reached, nobody was allowed off until people came back on.  Passengers were given a time window they could be ashore.

 I plan to take the refund.  I don't think I will travel until there is a Covid-19 vaccine.  That may be after December 31, 2021.

On 3/25/2020 at 9:19 AM, golfer1903 said:

Yet you don’t worry ever year when so many more die from the flu every single year and even more get it and just get Ill and don’t get a flu shot?  
 

if your healthy it’s just like the flu. Everyone has there opinions and will not agree so maybe we leave it at that as this forum is not for this purpose I guess 

 

But, I am not healthy.  I am sixty-four years old with asthma, bronchiectasis, and immune system problems.  If I get a common cold it turns into bronchitis that requires aggressive treatment.

 

I have a very good reason to be scared. If I get the Covid-19 virus I have a good chance of ending up in the ICU. However, there is a good chance ICU beds and ventilators won't be available.

For me cruising solo is no big deal because I live alone.  I don’t just reside alone.  I live alone.  I go to restaurants, shows, and activities alone.

 

Doing everything solo has many advantages.  I go where I want, when I want, and stay only as long as I want.  I can change my plans anytime I want without consulting anybody.  I can wake up in the middle of the night, turn on all the lights, and make noise.  Since I am retired, I am in complete control of my life 24/7.

 

I did occasionally cruise with another person decades ago.  But, I am probably too old and set in my ways to do that again. 

I don't have a significant other. My friends and family either don't want to cruise or want to travel on the cheap.  I travel first class.

 

If I did cruise with somebody, I would want separate cabins.  I have lived alone for over forty years and would find it difficult to share space.  Most people I know would balk at the idea of paying a single supplement.

 

I cruise solo because it is the only way I can cruise.  It's either that or stay home.

I’m doing a fourteen day cruise on the Eurodam in January. I’m looking forward to this.

 

 

I’ve been cruising with Holland America since 1996. They used to have a chocolate themed buffet called the Chocolate Extravaganza. It had many different chocolate desserts. I guess it was discontinued because it was wasteful. It’s gone the way of the gala buffet, magnificently decorated cakes, ice sculptures, and swan thingies.

 

 

I’m not complaining. Less waste means a lower cruise fare.

Are you sure you intended your response to address me? I commented, I did not complain. I did not say I "can't handle the conditions". I don't see a complaint in my post. I see a statement of facts. I also don't see where I demand a 5-star product. Could you perhaps explain further? Thanks.

 

I did not intend the post to be a direct reply to you. It was adding a comment to the thread. Maybe I don't know who to do this. The only option I could see was to click "Submit Reply."

I'm a latecomer to the cruising world, so I missed the times where (apparently, according to memories) every dining experience was 5* every night, all included in the fare.

 

I have been cruising since 1965. The food was 5* every night and included in the fare. Adjusted for inflation, the fare was much more expensive. There was no choice in dining. It was either the main dining room three times a day or a simple room service menu. Entertainment was almost non-existent. Activities were dull. Cabins were small, poorly lit, and utilitarian.

 

Cruising is much better today. People have a dining choice. Those who are satisfied with simple food can opt for that and get a vacation that's a bargain. Those who want 5* dining can pay a little more and still get a vacation that's a bargain.