3rdGenCunarder

I "tapped for more information," and I see that my disembarkation time has been assigned already. Talk about "thank you for traveling with us, now GO HOME!" Kidding aside, it's useful to know that for planning purposes. But do they give you an option to change it onboard? I think suites get to choose, but what about HIA or CO? So many variations on "priority" have me confused.

Broke my heart last winter on Eurodam to see a grand piano shoved into a corner, gathering dust.

How did that work? Did late seating go to the show before dinner and early sitting go at 8? Or were they counting on most people doing open dining and working it out for themselves?

I wonder if the change to "boarding time begins" is their way of accepting that people don't pay attention to assigned check-in times. It lets you know how long you'll be waiting if you show up at the terminal early. Has anyone boarded a HAL cruise anywhere that they checked the assigned group/time on the boarding pass?

And the burger is fantastic.

I was on K'dam when CO was new. Most tables were 2s or 4s. One or two 6s. Because it's open seating, I expected to not find a group to sit with. I didn't want to have dinner alone at a s-top, so I asked to revert to my original arrangement of fixed dining large table in the MDR. There was no problem arranging that, and I was still able to have breakfast in CO, where eating alone was fine (I'm not a morning person).

I don't care about the branding, either, although the LCS brought with it amazing quality. And thank you soooo much for reminding me of the days of the HAL Cats. 🙄

I wonder if they will keep the Billboard name. HAL has dropped a few contracts contract with outside "names."

I see the change you highlighted. I don't see "required Check-in time" unless that's the statement about how we have to be checked in 90m minutes before the 4:00 departure time. Didn't it used to be an hour prior?

I've had CO on a Pinnacle ship. This is Zaandam. I booked very early, within days of the cruise being posted. I requested early fixed. I've never had trouble getting that when I've booked early. I hate the nuisance of having to line up to change this on embarkation day. It really isn't a big deal, but HAL has made so many changes with this cruise that my patience is wearing thin.

And it isn't like we have to get up to feed the chickens. Walk a Mile is at 7 AM and Tai Chi is at 8. Not that I would do either events, but that IS early.

5:00??? Is that when first seating is, too? 5:00 is ridiculously early. What time is late seating? I can't see dining times on Navigator, and I'm annoyed that my boarding pass says I have open seating. I want a set dining time at a large table. I guess I have to get in the line and argue with the maitre d'. It's years since I've had to do that. I have CO. Does that help me get my preference? Looking at Navigator for my upcoming cruise (Feb 3), I see some shows are 7:30 and 9:00 and other nights it's 8:00 and 9:30 or 8:00 and 9:00.

I just updated navigator. It knew down to the minute how soon my cruise begins, but when I tapped boarding pass, I got one for Eurodam last January! So I signed out and signed in and got the boarding pass for my upcoming cruise. it says "Boarding begins at 12:00 PM/GROUP C. But if I look on the website, my boarding pass says check in is at 1:40 for Group C. The Navigator says I have Open Seating. That better not turn out to be true. I booked this cruise ASAP when it was posted and I always request early dining, large table. Does the computer default to open dining because I bought CO? Zaandam doesn't have a CO dining room.

I need to find somewhere new to make photo books. For years, I have used Walgreens photo services for calendars and books. I have been very happy with the results with books printed in a central lab and shipped to me or to a store. But they're changing their system. Most books, including the 8 1/2 x 11 that I make, are now printed in store. I've had some awful results with books printed in store. it all depends on who was working the night my book got printed and assembled. On top of that, there's a maximum of 30 pages. Are they kidding? I take long trips and a LOT of pictures. I have a book in "my projects" that I started 2 months ago. It's up to 86 pages, and I did the final touches last week, only to discover that they can't print it. CVS also prints in store, so they're out. Anyone have good results with Shutterfly? Another company?

I was afraid the cabins would be gone so close to sailing. You've had a significant downgrade and are owed a refund from the travel agency, so if nothing else, fight for that. Report them to the Better Business Bureau, even if/when you get your money back. Travel agents on here can comment on this, but what about reporting them to CLIA?

I usually add a few days pre and/or post cruise, so I don't use the cruise line insurance. I want to be covered door-to-door. I had to smile at the several remarks about this being creepy, but necessary. My emergency contact is my SIL, and before each trip I call her to remind her I'm emailing itinerary and insurance info. Also where the "black file" is. That's the file with all the important stuff, like will, deed to the house, bank accounts, power of attorney. We joke about it being the "morbid phone call."

4:00 is when the ship sails, and HAL captains like to leave on time. They won't leave before 4, but they'll expect you to be onboard by 3:30, maybe earlier.

Thanks! I'll report back with some details.

I agree with your first comment. I feel like if we aren't on a Grand Cruise, we're second-class passengers. I don't expect to see LCS on a HAL cruise again. They've had other rotatating entertainments (Cantare) and I never managed to be on a ship when they were. I've looked ahead at Navigator for my upcoming cruise (Zaandam) and the entertainment is not varied. Granted, 10 days out, the daily programs may not be complete. But I saw nothing listed for the main stage after "origin story" the first night. Entertainment is Ocean Bar Band, who play in Ocean Bar early and in Crow's Nest later. A Classical Duo who seem to repeat the same few programs a lot. I'm hoping this is "placeholder" copy and we'll actually get some variety. And a piano player in Mix. I could be very happy with this if the quality of the musicians is high. If not, I guess I'll be in the Wajang Theater watching "Barbie."

I have not had this experience, but I have dealt with a sudden illness (DH) while traveling. How much logistical assistance you will get from your insurance depends on the policy. I was fortunate in that Travelguard made all the arrangements to get us home "air ambulance" (Lear jet). We tend to think of travel insurance in terms of protecting the cost of the cruise. But that's "only money," as the saying goes. The other coverages are more important, evenif you don't expect to need them. Read everything carefully to make sure the insurance coverage is what you will need. Some policies will pay for a family member to travel to be with you in an emergency. Another item to look for is hospital choice. The basic insurance will take you to the nearest "appropriate" hospital. Travelguard (and probably others) offers a rider to say "your choice of hospital." The Amex card commercial applies to travel insurance, too. Don't leave home without it.

Before word got around that ships have internet, friends loved to do TAs because their boss and clients assumed they would be out of touch for a week. Bliss!

In the US we're asked to put in the card details. You win the bid, they change your cabin and charge your card. No going back.

Just to be clear, my bid is assumed to include the "solo penalty" and is the amount I will be charged? They won't double it?

So you've got a person who replied to you. That's a start. Keep asking them WHEN will she fix the issue. Ask who can go over her head and fix the issue if she can't/won't. Maybe forward the message from corporate to the agent with a message like "They say you will correct this, so please take care of it promptly."

How ever did we survive before the internet?????? It would be good for people to try a "device detox," perhaps in small steps, not all the time. I realize that many people have serious reasons to stay in touch, but it doesn't need to be 24/7. It's a vacation, be mindful of other options. I've often seen people on a Caribbean cruise, sitting near a window by the pool or in a bar and not looking out at the beautiful ocean and the brilliant blue sky, just staring at the little screen.