northernphoenix

CO upgraded us to a VQ; and we are also Thermal Spa aficionados, so the slightly smaller balcony is not a huge disappointment.  

28 minutes ago, RuthC said:

Plan to spend some time in Australia before boarding the ship. It is an interesting country to visit, and worth the time. Besides, it's a long trip. Consider breaking it up by flying from home to an airport of your choice, take a day or two, then continue your flight to Australia.
Either way will give you time to adjust to the time difference and the journey. 

I suggest business class for your flight(s), or at minimum premium economy. I have flown both to New Zealand and Australia, and the extra room was worth every penny; my flights were from the east coast to LA, stay overnight, then non-stop to Auckland or Sydney. 

We would use Vancouver as our point of departure, or arrival, depending upon the itinerary.  We do plan to extend our visit to Australia by cruise or landtour.  What did you choose?

DH has always had a visit to Australia on his bucket list; and we are now determined to investigate the HAL offerings.  Interested in anyone’s comments!!  TIA!

9 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

I'm just a bit on the cheap side and i just never go out for that pricy of a meal where I live.  I also don't like "fancy" food that much so that is lost on me.  I know people love the celler master dinners too. It's just nothing I enjoy.

Isn’t life grand…you, do “you”!

Indeed $80 CDN for Rudi Sel de Mer.  But I know that we would never have this excellent cuisine to enjoy in the Near North of Ontario; so I factor this into our reservation.  Am looking forward to this in September.

We have had two Alaskan cruises…both with Tuxedo for DH.  This is your experience…I have the most lovely photos of DH and his brother(deceased).  These memories and the whole gala experience are personal…

20 minutes ago, 2LoveBikes said:

About (found on website)

Holland America Line Privileges is an invitation-only membership where members can earn rewards for their common purchases. Through this special program, members earn cash back on the purchase of hotel reservations, resort stays, guided tours, select wines, and brand name merchandise. These Cash Back rewards get loaded onto a Holland America Line

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

That was the advertised program…we have a $650.00 cruise credit that seems to be an unknown (even to our PCC).  The most recent info from their website call centre is A) the program is being discontinued, and we will receive the 2023 annual fee plus $650.00 SOON; B: or (as of today) the call centre program membership staff had no idea what I was referring to….we have a long cruise relationship with HAL and this has become a thorn in my paw!!!

We purchased membership to this on a HAL cruise. It doesn’t seem to be a well know product.  

Does anyone have an idea of the status of this program??

Has anyone had experience of transferring a reservation made by HAL to a Travel Agent??  How might this affect the reservation ?

Does the purchase pre boarding become included in the onboard purchase for adding to cruise days : working to 4star status

1 hour ago, 0106 said:

You are close to the spa but do not get free spa access.  The balcony is smaller than regular verandahs.  Being on the 10th deck near the bow, you will feel some motion if the seas are high.  Spa stateroom amenities include: complimentary use of organic cotton bathrobes & slippers, iPod docking station, soothing color palette in-room slate table-top water feature, Yoga mat, pedometer for use aboard, mini-bar stocked one time with specialty waters, cut-fruit tray at embarkation, invigorating shower head, wooden bathmat, aromatherapy bath salts, room service Spa breakfast, in-room Spa menu and Spa concierge to book treatments.

Any examples of these menus??

My cousin and I have been upgraded to a VQ verandah using Club Orange.  I am seeing some references to these spa verandahs having access to the thermal spa on the Rotterdam.  Can anyone comment on this???( we would be beyond excited, since we did enjoy the thermal on the Eurodam)!!!

We have always made the choices as per your suggestions.  DH did note that on the Nieu Statendam  September of 2022 Quebec City to Boston, he did not experience any issues.  As much as i would like to book an aft verandah, this might not be a great idea.

DH has an issue with motion sickness.  We have always chosen midships verandah. Q: what could we experience in rougher seas for this itinerary?  

Received an upgrade to a spa verandah (VQ 10047) for our Sept16,2023 Norwegian cruise, Rotterdam. We were originally in VH4110 (partially obstructed).  We feel that this upgrade alone, was worth the Club Orange purchase.

2 minutes ago, Iamthesea said:

You have to ask for it!

 

I have been in  touch with my TA.  She says that she will give me an answer by Friday about being able to purchase Club Orange.  I gather that she doesn't know much about it and needs to check.  From what I have been reading on this board, getting in touch with HAL is a pain!   She is also checking on downgrading our stateroom to a VB balcony (kazu, she says that the Deck 4 aft staterooms are still VB's and we will save $20 each.  LOL)

The CO pass is on my booking invoice (TA contacted HAL and the pass was added.) There was no indication of the upgrade during the phone call. 

32 minutes ago, 0106 said:

@northernphoenix I called my PCC last week, she checked CO availability  and the cabin upgrade I wanted. Booked an obstructed verandah.   She took my credit card deposit and CO fee.  Before we hung up I had received my updated booking confirmation with my new upgraded aft cabin.

I used FCC for the initial deposit.  I will direct my TA to submit pamemt for the CO pass and then we can request the upgrade.  Many thanks!

We added the CO pass to our obstructed view balcony for September onboard the Rotterdam.  We can see a room on the online booking.  When would we see the upgraded balcony??? And i expect that the upgrades is not processed until the fare is paid in full ( or should my TA reach out now??)

On 11/23/2022 at 11:53 AM, scubacruiserx2 said:

On Wednesday September 28th we stopped at Skagway at 0700 - 2030 and we booked a guide named Thomas from Tours by Locals for a day photography tour to the Yukon .

 We stopped by the Artic Brotherhood and the Red Onion for a photo

 

 

And stopped at a small waterfall

 

 

 

We had the ultimate day trip with Dyea Dave…the exact opposite experience.  Sorry to hear that your day was not up to “Snuff”.

4 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

HAL does not offer a cheese plate to end the meal in the MDR any longer?  That is what I used to have about 50% of the time. (Most of the desserts do not appeal....)

As recently as September/23; I have asked and received a cheese plate.  Even though it is not included in a menu; a simple request is sufficient.  I am not fond of a sweet ending to a meal; and the cheese plate is preferred.

I would say that the hairdryer in room does not vary ( Neptune to Inside). I have medium length ( see Bob) and can say that the hairdryer was effective.

We have also enjoyed the luxury of a Neptune suite on two occasions.  I have also cruised in Inside, Lanai, and as recently as September in a Vista…I can say that we were disappointed in the configuration on the NS.  My next cruise (Sept./2023) will be in a basic verandah.  Any room works for me; but the placement of the couch and table for room service was very awkward.  The room was quite cramped.

1 hour ago, VMax1700 said:

Is this September 16th 2024? or September 16 thro' 24th 2023?

Or a typo (Sept 16 thro' 23?).

Just that we (and many others are waiting for Europe 2024 to be released by HAL.

Apologies Sept/2023.  I, too am waiting with anticipation for 2024!!

2 hours ago, DaveOKC said:

Sounds like you need a new TA.  You should have been charged at the time for CO and at the same time selected a new cabin.

I must say that this seems to be a rather harsh comment…i have ALL kinds of confidence with this TA.  The HAL rep added the CO without adding any fees for payment of the CO.  I will encourage my TA to investigate the choice of stateroom.  The invoice does refer to the CO charge. I used two $100 FCC; and did accept this as the invoice was offered.  The comments on this thread does confirm that the processing of the CO program is in need of some firming up by the cruise line