*Miss G*

Only one AARP discount and one Healthcare discount is allowed per booking. That may be why you only see one of each. Also, your TA will receive the HAL Booking Confirmation that @oakridger has posted an example of. You can request from your TA that they forward a copy to you, if you wish. I can’t recall who on this board does this, but maybe they will see your post and respond. I use a PCC so I receive the same as @oakridger.

You just reminded me of the time we were on Oosterdam! October 2022. We were in the World Stage and had found great seats. An older couple came in just before the performance and asked if they could have our seats!! I looked about and saw plenty of other seats they could choose, then turned to them and said “No.” They were in shock and I don’t know why! 😂

I have to agree with you on this. It used to be my favourite ship until our last sailing on it. While we enjoyed our cruise (how can you not love the Alaska itinerary!), the service and food just weren’t up to par. It has also dropped to my least favourite ship, and I love the Pinnacle class. As a result, I hesitate to recommend this ship to anyone. And, yes, I do realize that a change in management and crew will affect performance but I agree with @Mary229. There is something about this ship that is just “off”.

No, it had definitely Brexited. lol

Well, this should be fun. We’re doing France, England, France, England first. 🙄 We did an eastbound TA a couple of years ago, but disembarked in Southampton; last port Lisbon. I don’t recall an immigration procedure but, then, we’re all British so maybe they weren’t interested in us. I won’t make big plans! lol Edited to add: ^^That’s not to say that the immigration procedure did not happen! It’s just that I don’t recall. 😂

On HAL, they sell only guarantees if you are booking a partial segment of a longer itinerary. Once cabins are assigned to the full voyage passengers, they open up the rooms to others. At this point you will be assigned, offered a paid upgrade, or will be able to choose from what’s available.

Sorry. Another question for you, @VMax1700. Do you know how they handle immigration at Rotterdam? Our last port stop, coming from a TA, will be Dover, England, so a non-Schengen country.

Yikes! Thanks for the heads up! 😂 That’s great info and very helpful, @VMax1700. Thank you. I will book for 10:00am and if they’re early, that will work too. 👍

- Go to google maps and enter “Newcastle Central Station”. It should give you the one in the UK as first pick. - Click on “Directions” (1st pic) and enter the destination you have in mind. - Click on the walking person icon and it will show you the distance and directions. For instance, I chose to walk from the station to the cathedral et voilà. (2nd pic)

In the Neptune Suites on the Koningsdam, the chairs reclined and had foot stools.

Thank you, @VMax1700! Yes, the Rotterdam Cruise Terminal. I REALLY did not want to disembark on King’s Day but it was like herding cats trying to get six of us from three different countries, all with jobs and obligations, to get on the same cruise. 😂 I figured there’d be surge pricing for the taxi. 😠 Not happy that we have to reserve because that’s one more thing to coordinate. (And mess up.) What time did you reserve yours for? Not sure what time to tell them with trying to get us all off the ship and grab our luggage. Maybe the taxis dropping people off want to pick people up! (There’s always hope.)

A couple of times my NEXUS renewal was approved and the card sent to my house while I was out of the country. Never had a problem using the old card upon reentry.

That’s where it was in 2023, as well.

When I used a TA, I never received them. The first time I started using a PCC, I received one, and have continued to receive them to the present day. If you use a TA, you may want to ask them, because they are the ones who receive the offers and need to forward them on to you. And, yes, as @Nickelpenny says, they do send them to guarantee people. I am currently on a guarantee and have received one.

I wonder if your roll call will have the answer? I would be willing to bet that the shuttle takes you directly to the city centre. Perhaps it says in your booking under the excursion list for that day? Or maybe ask on the HAL board.

I got left behind for breakfast! I have been on only one HAL cruise where the clock wasn’t adjusted for port time. When we arrived at the Pinnacle Grill, the Maître d‘ told us they were closed and we had to go eat in the Lido. 😭

I went to @Nickelpenny profile and clicked on her badge. Hers was for a Holiday Sharing… which I guess explains the use of the gingerbread man. Mine are for live reviews, although not all of my lives were included so it’s anyone’s guess why only certain ones are chosen. If you go to this thread it will explain the different badges: FAQ: Badges

Without knowing what ship you’ll be on, I don’t know how helpful this will be, but… Last year we arrived in Newcastle by train. Our shuttle was directly across the street from the train station, so right in the city centre. You may want to ask on your cruise line’s board to get a definitive answer, though.

Absolutely I can do that! And thank you. You too! 🙂

I didn’t take it! I’m gambling on a better deal knowing that if it doesn’t come through I am good with what I have. (Except I don’t know what I have because I have a guarantee. I may be wrong! 😂)

Preferred location for the Family Cabana, for me, is port side. Preferred location for the 2-person cabana is port side ocean view as opposed to aft view. Port side: because it’s furthest from the entrance to The Retreat, so there is less traffic. Ocean view: because I prefer to look at the sea as opposed to the Lido Pool and jogging track.

I received a paid upgrade offer 7 weeks from sailing! That is the longest stretch I’ve received to date. Normally they come about 1-2 weeks prior.

I went ahead and chose the Rotterdam because it’s my next ship. I haven’t sailed on it, yet, but I’m an optimist. 🙃

And it also fits my night light! My experience is the same as Ruth. My husband uses it for his electric toothbrush and waterpik with no problem.

We were in a mini-suite on a Princess cruise and there was no pen or paper in the room. I went down to Guest Services and they gave me what I required. (Didn’t even occur to me to ask our wonderful room steward.) I spend a lot of time in hotels (currently in one now) and there has always been a pen and paper provided. Also, thanks to @nooligans for the Social Bar menu. All I have to say is … wow. (Actually, I had more to say but changed my mind.)