boards

11 minutes ago, Patsy Flower said:

Does anyone know if reservations are taken for Anytime Dining? I know some cruise lines do.

 

Thanks in advance.

Yes they do.  We have done it quite often on several of our cruises where we have both open sitting.

We have had room service on several the ships we been on  debarkation day.

Would you please comment on the new job classification of "Cruise and Travel Director"   On our Koningsdam cruise last Oct.-Nov. 2018, they were two different persons.   Hoping that the position is well accepted by all, including the C&TD.

On 7/21/2019 at 10:05 AM, SilvertoGold said:

 

You are most welcome.  HAL's exchange pricing is all over the place.  Really huge differences, from at par to 32% difference between USD and CND.  It really pays to keep an eye on cruises that interest you.

Have a wonderful cruise in the fall!

I am disappointed to tell you that someone must have been reading our comments who has the power to make changes to the Hal website, because I cannot now get the prices in both US$ or Cdn$ this morning like I could when we were answering one another on the 21st.  It now shows only in Cdn$.   WHY???   What's the problem?

6 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Oosterdam had her most recent dry-dock between 20 March - 02 April last year (2018). HAL ships go into their dry-dock period on the avg every two and a half to three years so she is not due for a dry-dock this year since hat would be too early. It is her older Vista-class sister Zuiderdam that's going "under the knife" later this year in December

and the Noordam in Sept.

I am kind of jealous of them, but then when I remember the cost of a Neptune Suite, I get over it quick.  I think they deserve that kind of service.  Enjoy, looks great.

13 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

 

I am saying if I book in Canada through a TA or even on the HAL website, my pricing, in CND, is the same or close to the USD price. This is for many Alaska cruises for the remainder of the 2019 season.

Thank you.  I checked my cruise price in both and checked the Cdn against the exchange rate and Hal price is better.  I haven't checked that for a long time and am very surprised.  However I did get good pricing at the time I booked last year for the cruise we are on in the fall, so I think I got a good deal.  Thank you for bringing this to my attention.

1 minute ago, SilvertoGold said:

 

HAL is charging, for example, at par or close, in some cases:  100 USD or 100 CND, or sometimes about 108 CND

Are you saying if I book a cruise via the US Hal site, they would not charge the going rate?    I have in the past booked US on my charge card and I have paid the exchange of the day.   So how is it possible???

3 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

 

A lot of my CND pricing for Alaska this year is now at par or quite close.

How is that possible with rate about 1.30 to 1??  in Ontario.

I can go to Hal's website and not sign in and get the prices in US$, but as a Canadian, when I sign in, I get the prices in Cdn$.   Kind of sad the difference in the $numbers as a Canadain.

9 minutes ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

We have been to Nawiliwili twice and enjoyed it.  We did shore excursions the first time we were there.  The second time we went out on our own.

We enjoy going to "Nawiliwili" if for other reason than to say we have been there.   They have a Walmart there too.

41 minutes ago, Btimmer said:

Yes, that is the great perk especially for the longer voyages.

We agree.

On 4/29/2019 at 9:55 AM, Despegue said:

Is anyone actually wearing these pins?

Yes we do.  We are 4 star and very happy to have received the pins and the medallion.   Next step is a little of out reach for us.

On 6/16/2019 at 7:39 PM, Rosmerta said:

So the question is why are all breakfast courses served at once. It’s because for the vast majority of people breakfast is served and eaten as one course. If you want courses, such as a half grapefruit followed by eggs and ham and finally yogourt with muesli and berries to finish, you could order your courses one at a time. This is what I do at breakfast in the MDR, and also because I never know what I want until after a cup of coffee and some fruit. Bon appétit.  

 

We were on the Koningsdam a year ago January and found the food excellent. We brought good bottles of wine from home and thought the food was up to the quality of the wine we lugged on board. Sorry to hear it’s disappointing. 

Thank you.  Well said.  We totally agree with you.

They are called "Gala nights" now.

Sorry to bother.  I do already know about the suit or tux, which I have worn.   On our next cruise  this fall (26 days) I was thinking of dropping the suit and wear just nice shirt and tie and slacks (of course) on the "Gala Night" for my first time.   I just wanted a recent report from someone who has been cruising lately, what they saw, not what the "book says to wear".

Thank you

 What about a suggestion of what the men are wearing?   I know it has been discussed many times, but added to this thread will assist us too.

1 hour ago, 57redbird said:

Probably Kainoa - I know the spelling is wrong.

Yes - he was a great help to us when we had problems with our prebooked tours that were cancelled.

On 6/13/2019 at 6:43 AM, terrydtx said:

When we visited Maui for a week, the locals recommended Walmart for buying things like Hawaiian shirts, T Shirts, beach towels and other souvenirs. We found the same products sold at local tourist traps for half the price at Walmart. Walmart had a complete department for just Hawaiian theme products and it was packed.

On one of our Hawaii cruises several years back we were advised of the same thing,  The person was a very large man.

1 hour ago, Hawaiidan said:

To be honest your referencing the quality with the call back time...  Great     If that is all you want then fine.

However, the PCC can not  ever give you the  service and the benefits that are offered via a top producing Agent.

It is NOT  in HAL's best interest to give you a better deal than they give an agent. 

 

 Why? 

 

 Because the agent is non paid/ no salary and only gets money when he produces.    The PCC gets a salary and  while nice is not even in the same league.   

In truth,  I had no Idea how much I would have lost If I had booked direct.... it was an eye opener. HAL  will  support and give to an agent that works for free until he produces, way more than you have dreamed.

 

It is sweet to be with hal agent for 3 years.... I am sure it was  to you nice.      Ask, could I have gotten that and so much more is I went with a  non HAL  top producer???     Worth a thought....  

However, if you think the PCC is  as good as it gets great.... be happy.   

Just do not compare  what is out there  it may hurt..   

Yes we are happy with our PCC, we were also happy with our TA.  I am not  wanting to continue a discussion on the matter.  My comments were in no way meant to say anything bad about TA's.  Thank you

1 hour ago, Cruising-along said:

Don't know why you think a PCC wouldn't have the same.  Ours have always had immediate back up.

 

 

Our PCC has always returned our calls as soon as she can.  We have been with her for three years and appreciate very much the service she gives us.

33 minutes ago, Cajuntraveler said:

Our upcoming August cruise will be the first time we have sued Flight Ease. How far in advance of your flight is the Flight Ease ticket "ticketed".  My AA flight shows "ticket pending" on my frequent flyer record.  A HAL representative told me she "thinks" the flight is not ticketed until 24 hours in advance of the flight.  That seems to be cutting it too close in case of any errors in passengers names,  times, etc.  Thanks for sharing your experience.

Our flight is for Oct 2019 and we have confirmation dates as of March 2019 from Flight ease and Delta. 

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

If you bought the Orange Pass (available only on the two newest ships), you should get the better bag regardless of the cabin you're in. If you don't buy the Orange Pass, you should get the regular blue one. 

 

Thank you the regular one is what I was looking for, we use them for shopping often, no plastic bags to buy and get rid of.

1 hour ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

This is the Club Orange bag. When I was in a Neptune on Kdam this winter, I got the regular flimsy blue bag. I asked about the Club Orange bag because I was curious about the CO amenities compared to the NS amenities. I was told that only people who buy the Orange Pass get this bag, and that Neptune suites get the regular one. 

 

So yet another thing that varies from ship to ship and cruise to cruise...

 

 

 

Do the passengers in a inside cabin get this same bag?

Working fine on my booking now too.