Tryingtocruise

I was planning on using my no foreign transaction fee Mastercard. If I have to use my American bank debit card, am I going to get hit with a transaction fee? Is there some prepay debit card that is an option? I'm not really excited about using my debit card as it doesn't offer the same protection as a credit card. For reference we are going to be in Amsterdam 6 days prior to our Fjord cruise, with maybe a day trip to Delft.

Thanks for all the info! DH and I decided to pass this time. Decided we would rather spend the money elsewhere. It's our first time on HAL so we figured we would experience the MDR and be "normal" cruisers for the first time. DH did say we would consider it for the next HAL cruise.

I'm thinking about inquiring about Club Orange for our July Fjord cruise on the Rotterdam. I know the biggest benefit is a cabin upgrade. I am also very interested in the priority boarding and small dining room but I'm not sure just those options are worth the additional cost. Right now we are booked in a standard Verandah cabin on deck 7 - category VE. If I can add on Club Orange, can my cabin upgrade be to an aft verandah or a spa verandah? If a spa verandah, are any spa accesses included? I also realize that Club Orange may be sold out. I'm just trying to figure out if it is even worth inquiring about. Thanks for the help.

Just a heads up - the Spirit is due to into a 6 week dry dock in early 2025. We'll be on the 2nd cruise after dry dock - Miami to Seattle through the Panama Canal. The first will be the TA cruise from Barcelona to Miami. I have no idea what they do on a dry dock this long, but I'm really hoping they will add some dining options like Teriyaki, etc. It may alter what is available in August 2025. If anyone has any insight into what changes could be made in dry dock, I'd love to hear it.

How old am I that I remember when that happened. I was in college in DC and we couldn't believe the US would invade a country like that.

So excited to see this. We're on the Spirit for 15 days - only 3 port days - next spring (Panama Canal transit) and I'm a little concerned about how much the Spirit has to offer. Looking forward to seeing your impressions. Have a safe trip!

Me too! It was fabulous!

It was fabulous. We went with the only goals of picking up the latest Passholder magnets and having one of those. Success!!!

We're going to WDW tomorrow just to try this:

So glad to hear this. We are booked for the Panama Canal cruise in March/April 2025 and I'm a little nervous about 11+ sea days. I can pack enough yarn for all the sea days but I'm afraid DH is going to drive me crazy from boredom.

Still happening. I thought maybe if I put a credit card # in, and only asked for the amount of the gift card to be paid it would take that first. Nope - charged the card, which I really didn't want. Left a message with HAL vacation planner. Very annoying.

Is it likely the train will be that crowded at approx 9:00 am on a Sunday? We can manage the amount of luggage I anticipate having but storing it on a train may be frustrating. Thanks.

We are booked on the HA fjord cruise next July. I was looking at the excursions that are up and a handful are already saying sold out. Is this possible or have they just not opened reservations yet? We are probably going to do independent excursions for the most part but we do have excursion credits to use and I'm wondering if I have to book something this early. Also does it mean I should book the independent excursion now in case they get sold out, particularly the Troll Road in Alesund? Thanks.

DH and I are on this cruise also. We're on the west coast of Florida so we'll drive over Saturday. Very relieved to have dodged the storm for the most part and it doesn't look like there will be any developing while we're gone. I'm relatively new to following these live cruise reports, but I really enjoy them. I'm too much of an introvert to reach out to anyone I recognize but if any of you see a fat, white haired woman knitting, that'll be me. Stop and say hi.

Nope - this is it.

I'm so excited to hear this. I just booked this cruise for 2025. I'm a little concerned about all the sea days, but I'll just have to bring an extra suitcase full on yarn and knitting patterns!

Never mind. I found it. The answer was stupid. 😂

I'm trying not to be an idiot but I cannot find anything on the HAL webpage about this. I even entered "AARP" in the search box and nothing came up. I looked at my Mariner profile page and I don't see anything there either. I also looked at the AARP page and don't see anything there. Am I blind or stupid? Thanks!

Thanks Greg! First I love your trip reports. I generally just lurk but they are great. Second, thanks for this. I have a foot injury so I'm trying to avoid long walks which is why I'm looking at Carnival's version versus an outside one. Last time in Roatan we took an independent tour and the walk to the meeting place is more than I can handle right now. The pictures from inside the boat is just what I was looking for. It looks like a great way to see the sea life. Thanks again! Billie

Hi - Has anyone done this excursion: French Cay Glassbottom Boat & Island Adven-tour. There are no reviews on the Carnival website. I'd love any information anyone can provide? Thanks!

So I was just looking at the AARP website. I qualify for membership (ugh) and the fee isn't a problem but I'm confused how one qualifies for discounted gift cards. I do not see them listed in the benefits section. Thanks.

I told my husband that was one of the main reasons I wanted to take a cruise out of Amsterdam. I realize the chances of him being there a minimal but I hope he is. He's such a nice guy. I met him a couple of years at Vogue Knitting Live.

I knew there was a reason I wanted to go Nova Scotia! (Of course, have SABLE myself. . . )

Me:

We live on the west coast right off of I-75 and always go to Miami the day before. I'm terrified of getting caught in a backup on Alligator Alley and not having an alternate route available. We stay at the Airport Hilton, find Cuban food for dinner and then head to the port in the morning. A little more expensive but much more relaxing.