syesmar

What is an acceptable length of time to be away from the lounger enjoying the pool?

@Trish Traveler I am SO happy to hear about an upcoming Indonesian Tea! I used to enjoy them so much, as well as the Royal Dutch Tea.

Thanks to HAL for bringing this back!

Here’s a Thread with info on HAL’s teas.

9 minutes ago, 81Zoomie said:

…Never could find the expedited line….

We have encountered this before at AMS. Usually at security. Only once was at the check-in counter where passengers were attempting to re-book our canceled flight, staff ignored the AA Priority Lanes completely so there was absolutely no time savings. The next day when we eventually flew out, the lane was functioning and everything went smoothly.

While I have done this before and made it, the last time we traveled through Amsterdam the airport was not efficient. Though we were in Business Class, AA did not honor the Priority Lane for our canceled flight (to re-book), it was a free-for-all. We’ve also had issues in numerous trips not being able to access priority security lanes (my point is, even if you have some built-in strategies that should save considerable time, it doesn’t always work out).

We have done the train to the airport many times, and have flown in/out of Schiphol, Rotterdam, Brussels and Paris after cruises ending in the Netherlands. Last time we took a taxi to Schiphol (due to a time crunch) and rather preferred it.

Also, one cruise our planned disembarkation was 7am, but it didn’t begin until 8am due to some logistics hiccups arriving. 

Have a great cruise!

Wasabi and Soy Crusted Beef Tenderloin is my favorite entree.

I also enjoy the following Starters: Thai Beef Salad, Shrimp Tempura and Chinese Five Spice Baby Back Ribs.

Enjoy!

PS: what was the name of the dessert they used to have that looked like a giant fortune cookie and had chocolate ganache inside?

This Thread also has some opinions on this topic. 

7 hours ago, dobiemom said:

I would LOVE to have a bento box at lunch. 😏 

I remember when HAL used to have them!

Can anyone here share when they stopped offering the bento boxes via room service?

I know that some of the big box agencies have a “teacher rate,” too. I believe the rate may be combined with the OBC credit, as well, for extra savings.

This Thread has some first-hand experience with the Standby Program: 

38 minutes ago, OlsSalt said:

Be sure to look at the expanded vegetarian, and Indian menu items by request- to increase the variety of your choices.…

Do you just ask the server about the Indian items, or can a list be found somewhere? Thanks!

We had such a nice time in Homer! I would return in a heartbeat.

I will never forget seeing the area from a distance as we sailed, several days before visiting the port. Oh, my, the sky was simply perfect and the snow-covered mountains were majestic. I can remember being in such awe of the scenery.

3 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

...Appropriate expectations are key. HAL needs to drop that "approximately seven days" wording for sure.

Yes! They could also have a second, or even third, category of Standby if they are trying to fill it with truly last-minute passengers. They could keep those who are notified "approximately 7 days" out, but then if others are fine with having less notice, whether it be 4 days or 2 days, so be it. But at least be honest about the product people are purchasing in good faith! There is zero reason for this current situation to be so confusing. Do better, HAL!

6 hours ago, cbr663 said:

…Perhaps this is a case, as so often in large corporations, of one department not knowing what another does?  The marketing department may very well had thought that passenger would be notified within 7 days, but the Ship Inventory department simply cannot meet that standard….

HAL should ensure their website information is accurate, immediately. It’s so unfortunate that what is stated at https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/cruise-deals/standby-program is clearly not the experience of all customers. 

I would imagine some media attention on the current disconnect between what a guest is told initially, and what the reality is might make a difference. There is no definition of “approximately” that would conform to what has been expected of some standby passengers. 

2 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

I was told you can ask for one. They probably don’t want to print off more than they need. 

Thanks. On my last sailing in 2019, they stopped giving ATK recipe cards mid-cruise. Previously, the host would keep a file drawer with printed cards for each show. I can still access the HAL page on ATK’s website and retrieve recipes featured onboard here.

On 1/22/2024 at 12:30 PM, Rinderoo said:

…Nothing should ever be done to a cruise reservation that has been booked without client consent….

Years ago, I was price shopping and was very surprised to find that a big box agency had put a booking on hold without my consent. I only found out when I called the next agency on my short list to check their price and perks, and they said, “we see you have a booking already!” I was not amused….

7 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

On the Volendam now and there have been a few cooking demos...No charge, and no samples. 

Are they giving out paper recipe cards?

2 hours ago, Mary229 said:

…I was given a lousy room but after 24 hours onboard I was able to move to a far better cabin, gratis….

@Mary229 how and when did you request to move once onboard? Which department did you speak with? Thanks!

On 1/13/2024 at 6:45 PM, ontheweb said:

👍, that really says it all. In general, those who are late are late because they do not care about anyone but themselves.

I realized a while back that with some who have serious time management problems, it doesn’t matter what the excuse is. There will ALWAYS be one for repeat offenders, as there is a consistent error on their part to properly plan for the unknown. A meeting time is kind of a joke to their loved ones and colleagues, who pad the start time just to get them there in a reasonable time-frame. There shouldn’t always have to be 2 sets of times: one for the punctual, and another for the habitually tardy.

I don’t know how it can be corrected! Can anyone give us a good news story of someone previously always running late, but are now reformed? What got through to you/them to change your/their habits?

3 hours ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

And even if you ARE on vacation, you're not doing it wrong just because you're not doing it the way some internet jockey says you should.

In different seasons of my life, I may find various things relaxing over another. There have been trips where I just wanted to binge watch something, and that was relaxing to me at the time. Other trips, I didn’t want to miss a moment in a new port of call. On one land trip to the mountains, I found cooking my favorite foods relaxing.

At the end of the day, it doesn’t really matter what anyone else thinks I should or shouldn’t do.😀

1 hour ago, richwmn said:

do you by chance have the itinerary?

It is not published anywhere I can find.

I don’t have the itinerary, but this entertainer is on board the charter January 14-21: https://karengrainger.com/appearances.html

There are replies at this Thread: 

you 

Is a Shore Excursions representative still at the gangway for a couple hours each day once the all clear is given to get off the ship? 

Another way to find a representative is in the World Stage (or other shore ex meeting places) if shore excursions are meeting there before departing the ship.

@3rdGenCunarder thank you for this excellent information! Before the pandemic, Iceland was next on our list—though no reservations had been made, just materials ordered and trip research begun—and our plans got stalled. I’m hoping we’ll go sooner than later! 

1 hour ago, lucymorgan said:

…we would not have access to a lounge or regular loyalty event unless we booked a high level suite, so  I am wondering about opportunities to chat with other cruisers when you don't have that sort of benefit.   Any suggestions?…

In addition to the suggestions above, requesting to be seated with others at dinner would likely give good opportunities to chat.

On 1/9/2024 at 8:28 PM, cbr663 said:

…Seven days prior and almost anyone in the world could get there and I don't think that is the intention.

The T&Cs also state that guests who want the option to not sail should opt to go on the cruise waitlist instead.  

If HAL doesn’t intend to notify people “approximately 7 days prior” then they need to update the wording to be more accurate, or have a “B” option for those who could sail in an even shorter window (I would imagine there would still be some willing to do so, though certainly not all).

There is a vast different between 2 days and 7 days when it comes to preparing for a trip. The customer should be able to depend on a common sense definition of “approximately” and in Raybit’s case, it was not.