kimkencruzers

14 hours ago, CCFC said:

Found it Ocean Players Club – Global Casino Rewards Program

 

It does say this in the correspondence:

 

Please note: At the end of every voyage, we process any funds that were left in the player's bank account. Funds in excess of $25 will automatically be issued via a check to the address we have on file in a Carnival Cruise Line envelope.
Any balance below $25 will be processed manually upon request
 
If you still have not received the outstanding balance check, and it is outside of the 6 weeks, please submit a new request: Balance Inquiry. Our agents will review your case and advise any updates regarding your check.

Please provide the correct mailing address within the form to verify it was sent to the correct address. 

 

Thank you for the link! I filled it out and fingers crossed.  I also had refundable onboard credit left over, I thought that would go back on my credit card, but after everyone's responses maybe a check will be mailed.

7 minutes ago, PORT ROYAL said:

Try - Giving full details 
Executive.Correspondence@carnivalukgroup.com

 

But don’t mention “never cruise again”
 

Thanks for the email.  I mentioned "never cruise princess again" because that eliminates the chance to get the credit back onboard. Also, what details are missing? In Princess boards, mentioned ship name. 

Hi.  Does anyone know how to get a check mailed for what I "cashed out" from a casino machine? First time on Princess (and not a gambler) and I didn't realize I had to go to cashier to get what I "'cashed out".  I thought it went back to the room where I charged it from.  My fault for not checking Folio before I disembarked. After explaining the whole story to six different agents who don't have a clue, I'm ready to just let the money go, it wasn't that much.  I will probably never cruise Princess again since I didn't care for the Sky Princess. TIA

I can’t really recommend them because I am not going until July. This is their website 

https://www.ribsafari.is/  Hopefully someone will comment if they have been on it. Reviews sound very fun. 

Good to know.  I didn't look in all those cabinets and under the bed either, plus I was in the Caribbean lol.

4 minutes ago, Sea42 said:

In general, I spend way more time on my balcony in colder weather than when it's hot. Snuggling up with my blanket watching the waves is so much more enjoyable to me than broiling in the heat.

Does holland give blankets for the balcony in cold weather?

I seem to recall that I could remove the hangers from Rotterdam (VS 8188). Can anyone confirm its the same way for Niew Statendam (VS 8201 if it matters).  The reason I am asking is because we are taking Niew Statendam to Norway, Iceland and Scotland and I suspect we might have some wet clothes to hang from magnets in the ceiling to dry. TIA!

On 2/1/2024 at 10:35 AM, SuziCruises said:

Did you experience any noise from guests on the Lido deck above?

There was some significant chair scraping in the early morning from putting out the chairs. I’m an early riser so it didn’t bother me too much. Occasionally there are people moving chairs. Not a dealbreaker for me. Traffic in the hallway is practically nonexistent so that’s great. 

On 1/30/2024 at 2:20 PM, Nitemare said:

It is a small island.  Won't take 45 minutes to get from the further point to the tender dock, probably less.

 

I'd ask what the 2 hour includes that the 1 hour doesn't include.  There are lots of great wildlife opportunities on the island

 

You can also hike the volcano, shop in the cute shops and there are a couple REALLY good restaurants

I ended up booking the two hour tour and they did email me back and advise me that they would provide a refund if the ship didn’t dock. 

Hello,

We are in Port 8a-5p (Niew Statendam).  Tender.  The options seem to be (i emailed for more info or more times, but no response yet) a two hour RIB tour at noon or a one hour tour at 2:30 pm. Is the one hour tour cutting it close to tender back to the ship for a 5 pm departure? Is it even close to where the tenders are?

I am more comfortable with a noon-time tour, but is it worth the extra cost for a two hour tour, or is one hour enough? I'm also concerned about the weather, but I feel like the few spots would book up if I don't book now. There website does not explicitly state they will refund for cruise ship port missed due to weather.

Thank you in advance for your advice.

Random question: is there a way to hear the announcements out on the balcony or in the cabin? Seems like a great place to watch the fjords and awesome views but I couldn’t see a way on my last cruise to hear the announcements and I’m assuming they will have some naturalists on board in Norway/iceland?

Just now, mz-s said:

 

Gratuity is included, so tipping is not necessary. But yes, you are welcome to tip and you can do so either by adding the amount to the receipt you sign or handing over cash. Up to you!

Gratuities are included in the "free" drinks while playing in the casino? 

On 11/5/2023 at 10:44 AM, Old Fart Cruisers said:

 

Also, I once had get charged an "upgrade" few dollars because i ordered a drink not on the list that came with my offer in the casino

On 11/5/2023 at 10:44 AM, Old Fart Cruisers said:

Yes bottled water is included.  FYI You can order one alcoholic AND one non-alcoholic drink (a can of soda/coffee/water/Etc.) at the same time, but you can NOT order a non-alcoholic drink and a bottle of water or two cans of soda at the same time.

I didn't know this! Excellent tip! Question -  tipping in cash is what is appropriate here and USD is okay?

I was in VS 8188 in November and I am in love now.  I have reserved VS 8201on New Statendam in July and I hope it's similar.

I thought i was going crazy.. I believe Holland America just changed the itinerary for this cruise, removing Alesund. Thoughts on doing the entire B2B or just the first or second part? I agree about the waste of time to go back to Rotterdam in between cruises, but I don't want to miss any good opportunities before they are restricted. Thank You 

13 minutes ago, puppycanducruise said:

A couple of thoughts ....

It's easy to get from Amsterdam to Rotterdam, as a matter of fact, the train station is at the airport and runs often, don't let the travel from one city to another deter you.   This past spring we took a cruise from Rotterdam, flew to Amsterdam and took the train to Rotterdam then a cab to our hotel the day before the cruise.  Our hotel was a short walk to the ship. 

I guess you have to chose between a short visit to Norway or a stop in Edinburgh.

As to option #3, since it appears to be 2 7 day cruises B2B, you could take only 1 cruise and spend more time in the Netherlands before or after your cruise and still not be away from work for too long.  You could spend several days in Amsterdam, there's so much to see there, do a few day trips to other areas and still get to Rotterdam for the cruise.

Lots of decisions.

thank you, yes, I am not really deterred by the extra train ride, its just a small negative to list while trying to decide.  With any of the three choices, I would spend at least two nights extra in Amsterdam for sure. 

11 minutes ago, hallasm said:

Do not fully understand your comment with reference to size of ship. There are no size limitations for the UNESCO Heritage fjords - only emission. Size doesn't matter for the deep fjords.

Thank you for clarifying.  I appreciate it!

I'm still so torn, I don't know much about each port because I just started researching:

cruise      positives                                                        negatives

1             Better Scotland port?                                     Have to travel to Rotterdam

              Newest Ship                                                   Travel on July 4th to get there

              Overnight Reykjavik?                                     No visit to Akureyri?

              Slightly better for my vacation time               no visit to Norway

                  Early July

2         Second newest ship                                         less desirable Scotland stop?

           Easier to leave from AMS                                no overnight in Reykjavik?

           Get to at least see one Norway stop

           Akureyri?

3         Newest ship                                                     Back to back waste of time to Rotterdam

          Good Fjords which i understand will                 Have to travel to Rotterdam from AMS

                limit access after 2026 and I usually          Might never get to see this scenery

                don't have the budget for small

                vessels like Viking, etc.

Thank you for your responses.  This is a casino offer so that is why I have limited choices on only one particular line as well as vacation time restraints. 

Hi community,

Of these three cruises, any opinions as to which one stands out? Thank you for your thoughts. 

I'm back and just wanted to say I loved this cabin and it was worth every penny.  The only issues were that indeed as others have said there was a lot of early morning (and daily) chair scraping that did wake me about 6:30 am.  The other issue was the door is not a slider and its super duper heavy and slams shut.  Hard to get in and out and I consider myself a very fit 52 year old.  Quick access to Lido deck for coffee and great cabin steward named Edward. 

I'm back and the trip from curacao dreams was nice.  Fantastic pictures included! Only issue was that we had to wait like 15 minutes for some late people who booked thru trip advisor and they were told 10 am while booking direct with curacao dreams had 9 am which was the correct time and I think $10 cheaper so keep that in mind.

On 8/8/2023 at 9:44 AM, kimkencruzers said:

I'm trying to decide weather to take the ship tour or one from Curacao dreams.  Similar price. My hesitation is that the ship tour may be more crowded, but sometimes the private tours are at the same place at the same time anyway. Ship tour has a "light boxed lunch" whatever that is.

 

Thanks!

 

Edited: I looked more closely at reviews and Curacao Dreams comes with snorkel gear in both places and takes underwater pictures to send to you included.  That wins in my book.

I'm back and the trip from curacao dreams was nice.  Fantastic pictures included! Only issue was that we had to wait like 15 minutes for some late people who booked thru trip advisor and they were told 10 am while booking direct with curacao dreams had 9 am which was the correct time and I think $10 cheaper so keep that in mind.

37 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

We haven’t left yet and have the HAL tour booked on November 13.  I’m hoping we won’t be disappointed but us & friends cruising with us have signed up too with the HIA. 
I attached a photo of the one we signed up for.  Fingers crossed and hoping we see turtles!

 

i actually just went & read reviews about crowding where the beach & turtles are & the crappy boxed lunch.  Ugh.  
 

We will probably have to keep this tour but if it’s bad I’ll be using Irie Tours next time.  

 

I’ll try to remember to come back and report on our curaçao turtle tour