BlackJack2

Are we still allowed one bottle of wine, (free of corkage charge), per person, at embarkation?  

Thanks!

On 5/1/2022 at 3:13 PM, DaveOKC said:

Yes, the number is 1-888-628-8107 or 206-626-7381.

 

HOWEVER, the problem is that you have to be very lucky to time your call within the sale period.  Call too early and they will politely tell you "nothing open yet".  Call too late and the cabins can be taken (especially true of Neptune upsells, less so for verandahs).  As mentioned in my previous post, good Neptune offers can go in minutes, and very often within a day or two.

 

While it can be done, if you book through a big box store you basically give up the upsell game.

 

Thanks Dave!  

On 4/28/2022 at 12:32 PM, DaveOKC said:

Neither - as big box stores do not pass on upsell offers (or so I have been told).  And HAL does not go around outside TAs for this.

 

Booking our cruise through a big box store - Is there a HAL phone number to call for upsells?

Just saw this article in the Houston paper - Princess Cruises returning to Galveston in December 2022. 

GALVESTON, Texas – Princess Cruises is returning to Galveston for homeport cruising after six years away, the cruise line announced Tuesday.

Ruby Princess will sail from December 2022 to April 2023, on a series of cruises from Galveston ranging from five to 11 days, calling mainly to destinations in the Western Caribbean, the cruise line said. The ship will also sail through the Panama Canal on two 16-day, ocean-to-ocean transits between Galveston and San Francisco. Cruises will be on sale April 7, 2022.

“Returning a ship to…Galveston makes a Princess cruise easily accessible to millions of Texans,” John Padgett, Princess Cruises president, is quoted as saying in the news release.

Any chance that Princess will do any sailings out of Galveston or Houston in the future? 

Last time I had to talk to HAL, through my TA, it took forever.  My TA said that they are super busy and warned me, up front, that it was going to take some time to get through.  I am going to guess that they do not have enough people employed anymore - but I am only guessing here!

I can get all the way in to my bookings and then it says: Unable to contact the server. Please try again later.  I cannot book shore excursions either.  

We paid $299.99 for the Premium package on the Eurodam in September 2021 - 24 day cruise.  We did not prepay, but purchased the first day onboard.  

Quick Question:  Why does HAL charge more, per day, for shorter cruises?  For example, the price per day for a 14-day cruise is $15.71 (Premium Pkg), but the price per day for a 25-day cruise is $12.  

If you pre-purchase the wifi package, does that purchase go towards your onboard spending for Mariner points?  Thanks- Betsy

We were on the Eurodam in September and October 2021 - so just a month ago.  We brought disposable plastic water bottles on and off the ship and the staff/security never said anything or confiscated them.  In fact, HAL provided one-time use, (disposable), water bottles when we waited for our pre-boarding Covid test.  

Just now, kazu said:

 

If you decide to book a balcony, remember generally speaking (depends on the path of the ship), the port side will be very sunny and the starboard side more shady.  Both do get sun, though 🙂 

If we book a verandah, we want afternoon shade - so starboard side??

Thanks for the info!  ~Betsy

We are booked in an Ocean View cabin right now but are considering upgrading to a Verandah for our next cruise, which is a Transatlantic from Barcelona to FLL.  Is it worth the extra money for a verandah for all those sea days?  Appreciate any advice!  

We were on the Eurodam for 24-days.   Mask wearing wasn't a problem.  Everyone wore them in the hallways, in the Lido lines, etc.  HAL provides a really nice, comfortable mask.  And if you forget yours, the crew has masks to give out.  Also, there were always masks at the Front Desk.  

In BB Kings, no one wore masks on the dance floor.  

Need any advice or help with the port of Limassol, Cyprus.  What to do?  What to see?  Any tours that can be recommended?

This port was just added last minute to our cruise and we leave in three days!  Thanks!

Thanks!!

On 8/21/2021 at 11:52 AM, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Also for those interested HAL also moved the final for the TA of the Eurodam, it is now stating September 30th. I suspect they are very uncertain if these Trans Atlantics will be sailing. I think their concern is the quarantine needed for crewing upon sailing in the US and they do not want to cancel the start up in Florida. 

Thanks for this info.  

If the final payment date is moved to Sept. 30, do penalties still begin on August 30th?  

Question regarding travel insurance - if you purchase travel insurance and then HAL cancels the cruise, do you lose the money spent on the insurance?  

Thanks!

Will a 24" suitcase fit through the X-ray machines?  We like to carry-on our luggage.  Feels great to get to the cabin and have everything put away before sailing.  

Thanks for the replies.  Does anyone know how big the shower is?  We've only been in cabins with a tub and shower.

We are on the Eurodam, in an E category cabin.  The E category cabin is designated “Shower Only”.  Does anyone know if this cabin is smaller than the other Ocean Views?  HAL has told us that all Ocean View cabins are the same size.  Why are most of the E category cabins “Shower Only”?  AND - how big are the showers?

Thanks!

We will be in Lisbon for one day, from 10 AM to 11 PM.  We've never been to Lisbon.  Can anyone give advise as what to do for the day in Lisbon? We'd like to get a feel for the city and visit the major sites.

Thanks!

If bookings are linked, will HAL allow the linked parties to sit at the same table for dining?  

Everyone has been addressing the issue of shore excursions.  What about the quality of the ship board experience?  

“Entertainment programs and restaurants will be designed to enhance physical distancing.”

Does this mean that the entertainment venues will be limited to just a few guests?  For instance, B.B. King’s Blues Club is always packed to capacity. How will this work?  And the pool area?  On some cruises it is impossible to find a chair.  

It seems that not only going ashore will be impacted in a negative way, but also ship board life.  

On 11/28/2020 at 7:19 AM, kazu said:

 

If you log into the HAL site and got to “My bookings”, you can look at the cost for the cruise of internet, wine packages, etc

 

Are prices on "My Bookings" page for wine packages based on Mariner Status or are those the regular prices and then I take off my 50% discount?

Thanks for the info.  We go through a lot of wine while onboard.  Trying to figure out if it's worth paying the extra money for the Black Friday sale with the drink package & internet included.