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Are there any particular cabins to avoid?

It’s hard for us to justify the 15k (30%) price increase from c/d to a/b.

First, is the a general topic for R Class cabin selection? (I didn't find one) Second, if the answer to the first is no, can you offer recommendations? We are considering the Oct. 24 79-day LA-Sydney cruise in an inside/outside stateroom. Thank you kindly, P.S. We are new to Oceania, having mostly cruised HAL and Princess.

The latest I have heard from an informed source for ‘25 is WC C on Zuiderdam and Grand Pole to Pole on Volendam.

The laundry package is an essential for us on longer cruises (>7 days). It easily cuts in half what we need to bring for clothes.

The food on HAL is never as good or as bad as reviewers say ... Personally, we were only disappointed one evening. In general, I found the steaks lacking, and I don't eat steak on a regular basis. On the other hand, my partner eats steak even less, and they had an excellent filet. I found that asking the waiter for recommendations generally helpful, as I was seldom steered wrong.

Your HAL PCC has access to information about each individual cabin as to exact size etc.

Customer service at its finest… and always remembered

Just as we have a WC in ‘24 and the Grand AU in ‘24, I think HAL will do the same in ‘25. WC A or C on Zuiderdam, and Grand pole to pole on Zaandam.

What leads you to guess Zaandam? what do you guess Hal does with Zuiderdam?

If we are reading your statement correctly, that Vista Suite does not qualify for double points, our experience on a recent Zaandam cruise is contrary. We definitely received double points for our 16 day Zaandam Vista Suite booking. No, we did not have HIA, as it was a mariner 'private fare' booking. We received 37 points for our 16 day cruise.

Our recent gty was assigned 11 days prior to sailing. there is always someone willing to pay for an upgrade. Our last two upgrade offers were outrageously high, more than double what we might have considered.

https://jansnookart.artspan.com/home

Bingo!

Yes, we experienced sporadic internet connections on Zaandam as well. Guest services acknowledged the issues. Hope they improve with next dry dock.

My previous emails to Mr. Antorcha have always been answered by someone in guest services, often with lengthy delays.

We were very disappointed in the quality of NY Pizza on the NA.

The problem with this transition is three fold, and both evolve around the nature of chamber music. In my opinion, it is best enjoyed in intimate venues. 1) The small LCS will be disappearing. The LCS we are used to and enjoy so much has been lost. 2) The size and potential amplification on the MainStage is contrary to the nature of chamber music. 3) For us, the LCS performances before the MDR were a perfect setting. Will we attend LC performances on the MainStage once or twice a week, certainly. Do we regret losing the nightly LCS performances before dinner, absolutely! Shame on HAL for not listening to its customers with this change.

We have found the MDR dinner food good to excellent on our recent cruises. We have only had one bad dinner meal. The portions are smaller, and that is appreciated. We have found the MDR desserts lackluster, with only a handful we would rate as good. We have found the MDR breakfasts fair to poor, with limited exceptions where we rate them as good. We have found Dive-In consistently good. We have found the pizza poor. We do not consistently use the Lido Market, and so we won't rate it. (fair)

To each their own ... for us HIA isn't worth it, unless we book early and it includes gratuities as well. We drink moderately, and a wine package will more than suffice. We don't do a lot of HAL excursions, and so the excursion money may or may not be of value to us. We don't NEED internet, although we will use it.

No, you simply walk in ...

Cabana pricing is for a range of days, and not strictly a set price per day if booking for the whole cruise. up to 7 days $399 8-10 days $499 11-15 days $599 16-20 days $699 beyond this I don't know the breakdown I do know for 28 days the cost was $1091 and for 35 days was $1434 It is likely priced similar to internet which is $319 for 32-41 days and $287 for 26-31 days. https://rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/HAL-Cabanas.pdf

We have never been kicked out of the Retreat. The attendants are there from ~9-5, plus setup and cleanup time (~8-6). We have gone up later in the evening without any problem.

It's a marketing gimmick to grab people's attention. There is nothing 'free' about it.

Category I on the Pinnacle Class ships will mostly have a sofa. These rooms are all near center elevator on decks 4-8.