TiogaCruiser

1 hour ago, TRLD said:

Do not know on HAL but Princess had this at times preCovid for locals near certain ports.

 

Since they share some back office not surprised if HAL picked it up.

 

Problem is while they have the program and you can sign up for it, which gives the cruise line a pool of customers to contact if they have a last minute opening, one may sign up and never even get contacted. Or get very few.

 

We are on the list for HAL since they started the program and have gotten contacted once for two cabins being available, both were gone before we could call in.

 

Having a program such as this is a wise decision to fill last minute cancellations, but does not mean that very many cabins get filled or are even available to the participants.

 

 

Different programs.

The HAL program (standby) requires payment in full at time of booking standby, and returns the money if you don’t get on. If you “clear the list” and decide you don’t want to go, no refund for you. You are committed when you book.  They don’t put a cabin up for offer and then you “call in” if you want it. 

So only ONE couple had a debit card with them? What about credit cards?

What in the world was the back-up plan of each of the others?

5 hours ago, Ileneilene123 said:

I think you are right … my PCC just doesn’t know about the policy yet. I’m so glad you’re sharing your experience — I’m completely new to cruising so I need all of the help I can get. Better to know the risks.
 

I’m going to ask her to doublecheck the policy. This has happened before —  I had to ask her to check the policy for Club Orange upgrades to the best available cabin in the Meta category. She was unaware. She checked & came back to confirm that I was right. It may be the same this time. 

She needs to join Cruise Critic 

12 hours ago, 1of4 said:

And it will just be DH and I as DD is working on her Master’s in Occupational Therapy and DS is about to graduate college with all the qualifications for search and rescue. He will be canoeing in Southern Maine while we are in The Netherlands. 
 

 

Welcome back to the Board!

My goodness, they’ve grown so quickly!

Hmmm

OP- what “medallion” are you referring to?

If it’s your keycard, you’re not going to get one. You’ll get a credit card like ID on your cabin door when you board. If you want a tracker that will open your door, book with princess.

If it’s the presentation medallion for various numbers of sea days, you’ll either get it in your cabin (most likely if it’s copper) or at an event you receive an invitation to (silver, gold, platinum)

If it’s copper, don’t be surprised if it shows up on your bed or your steward knocks on your door.

5 hours ago, chengkp75 said:

We don't dignify them with a separate term.  Pond scum does come to mind.

That’s actually a pretty nice term considering their history 

7 hours ago, Fouremco said:

Your post is puzzling. Furosemide is a diuretic used to reduce extra fluid in the body caused by conditions such as heart failure, high blood pressure, liver disease, and kidney disease. None of these are ladies-only conditions.

LOL. It’s not what I wrote ( and obviously didn’t read after posting.) iOS decided to make “lasix” into “ladies”.   And yes, I’m quite familiar with it, being an RN for 40 years and having been on it in the past.

And yes, lasix requires an rx in the US. 

Wow. Furosemide (ladies) Is on that list. 
 

In 2018 we were told to bring a copy of our passport (identification page) in color. Once onboard we were told if we didn’t have one to go to the FD and ask for one. ( We had to turn in our passports on embarkation.). We were told to carry the copy onshore- a staff member later said it was to make it easier to identify you should the need arise.

Sounds like you have a fun time in Vietnam.

On 3/19/2024 at 10:51 AM, Toad said:

I can’t believe you got a tux in a day! Amazing.

Maybe the tailor had a cup of that ultra- caffeinated ice coffee for breakfast. I think its tag line is “sleep is overrated”.

After my first I couldn’t get to sleep until after 4:00 am. But was it ever delicious.

4 hours ago, kazu said:

 

I have.  I was on Koningsdam over Christmas and New Year’s in 2022-2023.  At sail away the CD announced the number on board and it was MORE than what is listed as the K’s capacity. Koningsdam’s passenger capacity is listed as 2650.  There were 2900 on board on one segment and IIRC 2800 on the next segment.  I guess the ship made up for it with fewer crew.  Instead of 1025 crew, there were 795

 

 

Not much freeboard on that sailing, right?

7 minutes ago, mawvkysc said:

@crystalspin @FlaMariner I think my mistake was that I was looking at a closer in cruise. (May 11) on the We Choose option it actually had a room assignment.  But then when you click on you choose the only choices at that same price are that cabin and a few close by it. To get other locations there is an up charge. I guess a further out cruise it would just say We Choose and not have an assignment which would be a guarantee. 
 

I find non HAL booking sites much more user friendly. 

I’m not so sure that is a guarantee: it looks to me that if you accept what they “chose” you are in cabin 4003. If you choose then you get to specify which deck, then can see available cabins, and you can choose one of them instead.

Either way you are checking out with a cabin assignment. Not a guarantee that will be assigned close to sailing.

27 minutes ago, Menocchio said:

Huh. That's wild. Restricting a two bedroom to three people I could see. But five? Heck, that's starting to feel like a tight squeeze even for a big suite. That's actually more people than most families I know.

 

 

Maybe the next dry dock will see some cabins converted into bunk houses 😜🙄

16 minutes ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

What happens when a solo wants a cabin on a two-for-one offer? 

Prior to Covid I looked at several “special “ offers that were twofers. The cost for a solo was about 3x. On HAL, private sale 

So I wonder how many grandchildren will be booked into gramma and grandpa’s cabin and just not make it to the ship?

(3rd 4th sail free….)🤔

9 hours ago, LAX said:

How was your experience? If there are 3 guests in the stateroom, is there a way to specify a particularly guest as being the 3rd one (lower fare) so that the cost is lower?

LAX

 

I’m hoping someone with this experience will answer you. I was a solo both times.

The first time I canceled 4 days prior due to a close family member becoming ill. I was fully refunded (90% cruise fare) within a week. The second time was 2 hours before The Pause started. I received the refund about 6 months later ( like everyone else in line.) They also gave me the FCC, which surprised me as it truly was not part of the deal when I exercised my CPP.

The cost for platinum is roughly 10% of the cruise only fare. If you purchase air and/or a pre or post cruise tour through HAL the CPP covers all 3, but the price is based on only the cruise fare. 
 

I’ve exercised CPP twice.

5 hours ago, RuthC said:

Yes. If an area of the promenade is closed for tender use, work on the lifeboats, etc., that area is closed off from passengers, and that includes passengers who have cabins in the area. 
I expect if the entire promenade is closed off due to sea/wind conditions that also means ALL the passengers in lanai cabins as well are not supposed to go out via their cabin door. 

Wouldn’t that also be true if one was in a balcony cabin? (Meaning the sea/wind conditions)

I had a lanai once on Veendam (S class).

Yes, it was right at the foot of the bed (I’m not a large person- at the time I wore a size 4) and the “sofa” was really an oversized chair: my feet ( knees down) hung over when I napped on it. I ended up using the sliding door as my entrance instead of the “back” door. And that sliding door was really heavy for me to open.

8 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Since you do like vegetables, as we do, you will be happy to hear there is now a new menu item - vegetable of the day.   Since we both order them we are given a large bowl served family style for our table for 2

1 hour ago, jenp123 said:

If you like lots of veggies, I have always been able to ask for plain, steamed veggies.  They usually come out with an assortment each night and slightly different options.  

Love it! I’ll be asking for the steamed veggies next cruise.

The last 2 cruises ( both post Covid) there was a dearth of veggies- and what few were offered were sautéed or fried. For whatever reason there were tons of potatoes and beets. 😝 Beets!😝.
 

So a veggie of the day, or steamed veggies is a vast improvement.

23 hours ago, daisy-mae said:

That would be a great opportunity for a manager or the maître d to show a little flexibility, rather than embarrass a passenger. A little kindness can go a long way in cementing loyalty.

One cruise pre-Covid my Lanai neighbor, on her very first cruise, told me she had just gone to the MDR for lunch accidentally and found out it was invitation only. The MRM told her not to worry, there was room, and invited her in. She was so amazed and thrilled with her tile. I think HAL solidified a customer for life.

3 hours ago, kazu said:

 

Sorry, but the mariner’s lunch is back - at least on some ships.  We had it last year on the Rotterdam and there have been similar reports on LIVE threads as I reported on mine.

 

the menu was very improved from the past and the food was very good.

We had at least one also on Volendam last year towards the beginning of a 17 day cruise. It included 2 star mariners. We did not get any invitation and my medallion was delivered to my DH by our steward. 

When I took Amtrak the walk took 8 minutes ( with luggage.). That doesn’t count the 15 minutes I spent in the station to use the facilities and sit down with a soda.

Good Afternoon All

Lovely cool day here in SoCal. 
 

This looks like the market where I bought an authentic  Norwegian alpaca wool cap from Chile.

This one is for @kazu:

I thought of you and your battle with the local deer. It’s from Ana Wood.

On 3/13/2024 at 8:41 AM, bajae said:

I’m just curious how this move saves much money. I would think the cost of feeding passengers would be very similar no matter where they eat. IMO, this is more likely a staffing issue. Less staff is needed with passengers eating in the lido allowing more staff available for other embarkation activities. 

Agree 

43 minutes ago, jeh10641 said:

Fewer staff members, less cost.

I think it’s more likely “we only have x number of staff- do we serve some pax in the MDR or do we have more cabins ready when pax board and deliver more pax luggage in a timely manner?”