Grimsby

And when you book a plane fare and someone has gotten a better price for the same category seat; or a hotel room of the same category - and the plane and hotel are booked solid - you still think you should get a lower price? Really??? If the plane is sold out and the hotel is booked solid, why would you possibly expect a reduction in your rate?

Tampa Girl: You might want to take a moment and read my posting again. I did NOT request a price reduction or refund. Rather I am pointing out H.A.L.'s adamant stubborn refusal to even consider some small token, in the form of a bit of on-board credit, to an early booking customer for the dramatic decrease in price very shortly after they had charged final payment to my credit card. H.A.L.'s uncompromising, hard-nosed attitude was so surprising and is so different from the Holland America Line I remember. But it may just be a sign of the difficulties cruises lines are now experiencing trying to keep their ships filled while maintaining a reasonable profit margin.

I should preface this by stating that perhaps I have been very lucky to have two wonderful Travel Agents, but I am very impressed with how Holland America has handled two of my cruises.

Just wanted to share, since it's not often big corporations surprise us in such a good way.

 

And here is my very recent experience:

 

Our upcoming cruise will be our 20th, but 3d on H.A.L. We booked in April, and in November shortly after final payment was charged to my credit card, saw the advertised price drop by about $500. in total for the two of us. Same cruise dates, same stateroom class. Despite communicating several times with H.A.L. they absolutely refused to offer even a small compensatory on board credit. Their response amounted to: "We don't have to do anything for you, the cruise is sold out." This cruise will be the last on that line.

Our upcoming cruise will be our 20th, but 3d on H.A.L. We booked in April, and in November shortly after final payment was charged to my credit card, saw the advertised price drop by about $500. in total for the two of us. Same cruise dates, same stateroom class. Despite communicating several times with H.A.L. they absolutely refused to offer even a small compensatory on board credit. Their response amounted to: "We don't have to do anything for you, the cruise is sold out." This cruise will be the last on that line.

We always purchased a "coffee card" on Princess, and other lines. This sold for about $35.00 and allowed the holder 10 or 15 specialty coffees, and unlimited brewed coffees. I've been looking, but don't see this available on our upcoming Nieuw Amsterdam cruise. Does H. A. L. not offer these??

One Person's Travel Insurance Experience:

 

We had the misfortune to require medical assistance for my wife on our Princess cruise out of Fort Lauderdale in

December 2017. We also had the good fortune to have purchased Travelsafe Travel Medical Insurance, (available in the U.S. and Canada), before our departure. This is the only company I could find that covered treatment for pre-existing conditions, but only if you purchased the plan within 20 days, or less, following your initial trip deposit.

 

So, just a brief summary of our circumstances. My wife spent 26 hours in the ship's medical center, and was subsequently transferred by ambulance to a Fort Lauderdale hospital for further treatment when the ship docked. She spent another day and a night in hospital, and then we flew home back to Ontario Canada. The insurance company kept in contact with me throughout to ensure we had everything we needed.

 

The ship charged my credit card about $6,500 for "medical services rendered" before we disembarked. Fortunately the hospital agreed to invoice the insurance company directly. After returning home I submitted a claim for the cruise ship medical costs, a night in a Ft. Lauderdale hotel for me, meals, flight change costs, and some other miscellaneous expenses, all totaling about $7,000. This was paid about 10 - 12 weeks after the claim was submitted.

 

So, to quote a T.V. commercial of some years ago, and apply it to travel insurance: "Don't leave home without it."

 

NOT ALL TRAVEL INSURANCE PLANS ARE CREATED EQUAL, TAKE THE TIME TO READ YOUR POLICY BEFORE YOU BUY, AND CERTAINLY BEFORE YOU NEED TO USE IT.

"The boat is small enough we constantly ran into ............."

 

Your review was excellent, great commentary, thank you. We're sailing for the second time on "Coral" next weekend, (December 18), so I was happy to read all of your positive comments about this ship.

 

Now, I hope no one is offended, and I'm certain naval veterans reading the post were probably cringing. But Coral Princess is a SHIP not a boat. And if you need help distinguishing between the two, just remember: You can put a boat on a SHIP. You can't fit a SHIP on a boat!! L.O.L.

Hi there, we have thought about doing the uber route from a fort lauderdale hotel to

 

How easy is it to get picked up at Port Everglades for a ride to FLL? I'm reading rumors that UBER drivers don't like to come to the Port for a pick-up. Has anyone had any experience with pick up at Port Everglades after a cruise? Is UBER or LYFT better for this?

On the flip side of that, if you cannot put the drink down, you tend to drink it faster and may buy another...

 

The first night we went to the theater on "Royal" both of us ordered drinks. After finding nowhere to put them during the show, or when people were moving into and out of their seats, we never bought another drink in the theater.

I need some help, we are looking for a room under 200 for 1 night Dec 17 check out on the 18th. It will only be hubby and I cruise on carnival conquest...would like to find something that offers free long term parking 5 day parking with shuttle if not can use the park n go parking option...would like something close to the port..would love to be able to see the ships or yachts...and decent restaurants....any help would be appreciated

 

Check out Hampton Inn - Plantation. We just booked for December 17, $117. AAA rate, all taxes in. They offer no charge pick-up at the airport, and free one way shuttle, (you'll have to pay to get back), to the cruise port. Check their web site for parking fees.

 

You will, however, need to find a very tall tree and "super-duper" binoculars to see the ships from Plantation.

I live in Plantation and ................

 

We've booked our pre cruise stay at Hampton Inn - Plantation. Are there any decent restaurants nearby? Not fussy, my definition of "decent" can be anything upscale from a hot dog stand - (L.O.L.).

Sounds easy! After my experiences driving in Miami, much easier.

I like QLS. They are who I use.

Sent from my SM-N910P using Tapatalk

 

As an UBER rookie, (coincidentally born in Belgium some 70+ years ago), let me add my two cents, or .014 Euros worth

 

If you can access the North American Uber web site it may be fairly easy to set up an account from your home computer. You will have to give Uber your credit card information and download the app onto your smartphone.

 

As to shuttle service; I have taken shuttles from Miami Airport and Fort Lauderdale Airport, and at no time have I had an issue with them not wanting to take me to any particular hotel. There are some transportation companies that may not be allowed at airports, so you cannot take them FROM anywhere to the airport. As I recall I had to give the shuttle company the destination address so they could calculate my cost, and I believe I paid with a credit card on-line at the time of booking . However things turn out, enjoy your cruise and your stay in the American sunny South.

 

We were visiting Belgium a few years ago, and when my GPS told me to turn right, I almost ran our rental car onto a tram line in Ghent. So I think I'll confine my driving to Canada and the U.S. And I agree; I would not look forward to driving from Miami to Fort Lauderdale. Too much fast moving traffic for a stranger to comfortably find their way around.

We are considering the Hampton Inn-Plantation Does anyone know if shuttles are free from this location? Will need FLL airport to resort and resort to PE.

 

Just booked them this afternoon for a stay prior to our cruise in December. Their web page, (below), appears quite explicit about shuttle service.

 

From Hampton Inn - Plantation web site: "We're conveniently located near I-595, I-75 and I-95, and less than 10 miles from the Fort Lauderdale Airport with a free airport shuttle daily from our hotel in Plantation, FL. Our cruising guests will appreciate our free one-way shuttle to Port Everglades."

Rodeway is the best on your list. The others are just too far away if you are looking to save money.

 

Stayed at the Rodeway last winter. Positives: It was a good price. There is a roadhouse type restaurant right beside the hotel. No charge for pickup at the airport or to the port. The rooms are clean. The shuttles, bus or van, to the port, are well organized. Free continental breakfast. Negatives: Two floor hotel with no elevator. The desk staff were less than welcoming. Typical older style hotel/motel. When I checked for our cruise in December, prices were considerably higher, (about $250./night) than we paid.

 

This basic accommodation is worth about $120/night. At that price we might go back. But only if nothing close to, or even somewhat higher, than that price is available.

Hi,

 

I can't find CURRENT information about this - aside from the market that's at the dock in Puerto Limon, is there much to see if we walk a few blocks into the town? Anything of historical import, markets, etc?

What about the safety issue?

Thanks!

 

The last time we were in Limon I had to find a store to purchase some rechargeable batteries. I walked to a store in the business district, and although the lights were on and people inside, the door was closed and locked. I knocked and they first opened the inner door, then after looking me over, opened the outer gate which was made of metal bars, and I was allowed inside. Please draw your own conclusions about safety in this city.

We also will try to make that American Airlines 900a departure.The Regal gets in on December 18th.

Hopefully, we'll disembark early. The snafu for us will ....................

 

Last February Royal Princess was delayed 3 hours leaving the last port of call, the night before the scheduled arrival at Fort Lauderdale, because of a mechanical malfunction. Fortunately, the Captain was able to make up some of this lost time. Nevertheless, we were much later than expected arriving in Fort Lauderdale.

 

Because there is always this possibility of a late arrival, we never book a departing flight before noon.

Leaving on November 6. Just realized the 2 biggest Princess cruiseships (Royal & Regal) will be at Port Everglades together.

Has anyone had any experience regarding the boarding process with both ships docked at the same time? which terminal do they use, etc.

Boarding the Royal Princess last year was a loooooong process, so I'm wondering how would it be with 2 Princess cruises at the same time. :confused:

 

We sailed on "Royal" this past February. They delayed our boarding by up to 90 minutes because of delays disembarking passengers from the previous cruise. The line stretched out the terminal building for about 100 yards. Don't know how Princess will be able to handle two similar sized ships. Good luck!!!

We initially booked our December cruise in June for about $3,600, (about $1800/person). Since then I monitored the prices weekly and was able to reduce our fare twice. We're now past final payment date and our cost was reduced to $2,900, ($1,450/person). Advertised price is again back up to about $3,600 - $3,700.

 

It literally pays to do your "homework."

Some of the deals on Southwest lately have been crazy good. $89 to fly from fll to buf is nuts!

 

Check the price for flying from BUF to FLL and back in February. Instead of $89.00, it's closer to $890.00!!!!!! All airlines are charging about the same.

Have you seen any pictures of the new "Majestic Princess"? They plan to paint the Sea Witch logo on the bow. I say leave the ticky tacky hull art to NCL! I sure hope they don't plan on doing this fleet wide.

When we arrived at the pier for our one and only cruise on NCL, I thought we were sailing on a "circus tent". We've sailed with Princess probably about 10 times, and always thought of them as a "class act." Class can be defined as meaning "less is more." I'm not impressed with the new over the top look.

Because you are Canadian can you get better rates going through a U.S. agent?

 

No matter how I try, when I go to, the Princess web site, I'm always taken to the "Canadian" Princess site which shows prices in Canadian dollars. When I do the conversion to U.S. dollars, my long time T.A. from Florida is almost always hundreds of dollars less. I think Princess is trying to hedge their prices against currency fluctuations and erring on the high side. The really high side.

 

This has also been true for Royal Caribbean and Celebrity.

We live in Canada, but have used an on-line T. A. out of Port St. Lucie Florida for 15 years. They always have the best price, and to date, (just for this latest cruise), we have had two price reductions. The first was no charge, and the second, and subsequent changes, are $25. each. Over the years, every time I approached them with a lower advertised fare, they have always matched the listed reduction. Now in all fairness, I am the one checking for lower fares, but as soon as it was brought to the T. A.'s attention, changes were made, usually within a day.

 

As far as credits go, I am satisfied that we have received the the same, or better on-board perks as anyone else. Any questions are usually answered the next business day.

 

So, there are still some out there that care about their customers. And that is why I keep giving them repeat business.

].......people taking elevators up or down one floor.....really....too lazy to take stairs.....;)

 

Perhaps not physically capable.

We don't mind which airport we fly from, Heathrow or Gatwick, Heathrow is easier for us too. we have included a hotel in either Miami or Fort Lauderdale, I don't know which yet. If we book to fly direct to Fort Lauderdale, we could end up transferring to Miami to a hotel could we not? I don't know how Princess allocate these things. I was told its only about 20 minutes between the 2

Ground transportation between Miami and Fort Lauderdale is readily available - about $50 for a shared shuttle, and $75 - $85. for a private car. Prices are total, (not per person), and in U.S. $ And of course, there's the new upstart - UBER.

 

Look on these boards; North American Homeports, Florida Departures. We live in Canada and usually sail out of Fort Lauderdale, flying from a nearby U.S. airport. Sometimes it made more sense from a flight cost perspective to fly into Miami.

Thanks everyone for your prompt and informative comments on taxis @ the Fort Lauderdale cruise port.

Do the cabs pick up from all the hotels in Ft. Lauderdale to transport to the cruise port.........?

 

I am looking for similar advice, albeit transportation in the reverse direction; from the cruise port to the airport. Have read various less than flattering commentaries about the Fort Lauderdale taxi industry. Overcharging, dirty cars, longer than necessary roundabout trips, etc.

 

I can reserve a seat on the cruise line bus, but their drop-off point means hauling luggage, and a wife in a wheelchair quite a long distance. I think a taxi will drop us close to our airline check-in counter. Anybody care to offer comments or advice??