SJSULIBRARIAN

Happy Anniversary and many more!!

Sometimes a guarantee is booked because that is the only way to book a specific cruise. Over a year out, a cruise I wanted was sold out and the only way to book it was by guarantee. I don't like guarantees myself but, in this case, if I want to take this cruise, it was the only choice in the category I want. I may eventually cancel because for the amount this cruise will cost, I do not like the uncertainty of waiting until check-in to learn my cabin.

Have dined in CO on the Konigsdam as benefit of Neptune Suite. Usually just breakfast as I like to dine in the Specialty Restaurants at dinner. I found the service to be really good and the staff gets to know you and your likes very quickly. I always have gotten the last two top at the back (I travel solo) now and it is quiet there. Also, it is easy to get to know others around you if you want to. Generally, if you go early, there is no problem getting a table whereas there has been on my sailings a huge line for the MDR. I recommend Club Orange for the dining experience.

I buy the HAL Platinum Protection plan only for the "cancel for any reason" not for the medical which as others have said is very low. I have used it several times and have been reimbursed promptly for the 90% of cruise fare- the most recent the 90% was on my credit card within 3 days. The excursions and meals bought took about a week.

Thanks for posting the new prices. My August cruise escapes them but not the December one. HAL should stop giving away the free meals in the Have it All promotions. That also increases the problem of getting reservations in the specialty restaurants.

Always enjoy GTVCruiser's San Diego photos especially since "Zonies" are suffering through the current heat wave.

But I don't think they have figured out how to implement the proposal. It could be years.

Prinsendam Holiday cruise 14-day Caribbean December 2018. Only time I was ever on the Prinsendam II during her last year, and it was absolutely wonderful. My first HAL cruise was on the Prinsendam I in 1978 (before she sank) Alaska RT from Vancouver.

Received my confirmation email this morning so took 24 hours. That's OK IMO. At least I got a response.

I faxed yesterday and normally I have gotten a response the same day but so far nothing. Is the fax # still 206-270-6080

Since I am on board the Eurodam next month, I am enjoying your review.

Am staying an extra day in Seattle and plan to visit the Chihuly Garen and Glass Museum. Is it safe for a woman alone to walk from the Seattle Marriott Waterfront Hotel to the Chihuly Museum? Thanks.

Have not been on the Eurodam recently so appreciated your tips on the Tamarind Bar and library. I will be on her in August.

Happy Canada to all our Cruise Critic Canadians!!

I too always get HAL's Platinum Cancel for any reason plan, paying for it just before final payment. I have used it several times as unexpected events do come occur. And you get a cash refund not FCC as with the Princess plan. But for health insurance I would go elsewhere as HAL's plan is minimal. The same applies to evacuation insurance which I think is beoming more and more critical especially on long cruises.

I would also like to know if they ever received a response from the President of HAL referenced in Post #457.

Wow. I didn't know this was possible. I think the service is great!

Occupancy may be near 100%, bookings may be high, but are the cruise lines making any profit? Does Carnival mention that anywhere in its various reports, conversations,?

It sounds like Club Orange Dining on HAL does not work like Club Class Dining on Princess. That was the point of my original question. I liked Club Class on Princess because I went to the dining room and there was a specific hostess for Club Class passengers, and I was taken immediately to the section set aside for those passengers. HAL should adopt the same procedure as there is no waiting.

Have done this tour and loved it. SilverKing Lodge is great and the seafood boil very nice. Highly recommend this tour.

I have found that in crossing the Pacific from the West Coast of the U.S. that the first two days out are the roughest seas. Then it calms down and becomes warmer.

Is there a specific section in the dining room for Club Orange diners on the non-Pinnacle class ships? If so, which dining room has it?

In my future I may have to think seriously about a TransAtlantic or TransPacific one way with a flight back. Isn't there someone on these boards who has figured out how to cruise only and do European cruises, etc? (Not a World Cruise)

Your experiences (and my age) remind me why I have stopped international travel. I am fortunate that we traveled internationally a lot in our youth. Not doing so does limit my cruising choices but I have learned to live with that.

Thank you for a very good review. So nice that your family enjoyed the ship and had such a great time!