REOVA

10 minutes ago, WriterOnDeck said:

When you are on a laptop (windows or Apple), you just go to navigator.hollandamerica.com and sign on to the internet with your package. There's not an app for a laptop to my knowledge.

Correct. Use the website on laptops. Apps are for mobile devices. 

We would choose MSC Yacht Club for Carribean (but they are working on their private island so check itinerary as they may not include it next year, which is a treat). HAL would not be our first choice but not our bottom  either. They offer a generic cruise and we are not Pinnacle Class preferred cruisers but that would be your best bet if you choose Carribean with HAL. We prefer the smaller ships, longer itineraries that go to more exotic islands and yes we like more sedate cruising with more port intensive visits. 

6 hours ago, OlsSalt said:

My idea of HAL  cruising:  perched on the very comfortable teak loungers on the 360 degree newly refinished Promenade teak deck.

 

Yes. Sadly not so on the Pinnacle ships. 

11 hours ago, Mary229 said:

People say that but I am not a fan.  Gone are the sitting areas to cozy up with a good book.  Row of books seem silly to me, I can browse on my iPad.  Libraries are, historically, meeting areas, not simply rows of books. 

I agree that they look more like a bookstore than library with just a few chairs to sit in and not a place that lends itself to stay long. 

The chat feature is good for finding cruise friends and meeting up when yiu are not together on the ship. You do have to adjust your notifications as there can be a delay in getting notified. 

Try to call again and see if they will give OBC or other benefit by not rebooking. Some people have been lucky. 

The beer "cans" on the pool deck are a nice touch. Would be nice if they brought back barbecues on deck (I know it's no longer allowed) as the smell of grilled brats and pretzels would be a nice touch with the beer. 

It's not an upgrade to a different category. You only get upgrade within the Meta category you booked. Many people do it to pay the lower rate and try for a better cabin but some keep their cabin as a "better" cabin in HALs view is not always better in the passenger view. 

Your statement can be broken down into refundable (which balances will returned to your credit card at end) and non refundable (which you must use or lose it). But I doubt you will have trouble using the $200 OBC.

Also, you didn't ask but excursion credits (like with HIA) ARE passenger specific so each person has to use their specific amount as they are not combined to cabin statement like OBC. Just FYI. 

The lanyard and bags are nice suggestions as everyone would be able to get some use. One thing I always download from HAL website is a map of the cruise itinerary. Printing that with whatever else you want on a shirt, lanyard, bag, tag, etc. keeps the memories of where you went. 

3 hours ago, Btimmer said:

The upgrade fairy waved her wand and we are now in 1818 (a window stateroom).

Ahh so the gifts were really meant for someone else. Guess you have to leave them in the cabin. 😉

Call your TA. There is a form that you (and they) need to sign and they should be able to get it from HAL to transfer the booking. You only have a limited time after booking. 

Just now, pilot said:

This is what I thought.

 

So it sounds like I can log in her devices as long as I use my Navigator account?

 

 

Correct. You can use anyone's device on the ship, but you have to log in under your credentials. And then remember to log out when you are done. Which is harder to remember. 😁. In the old days when they charged by time, people would forget to log out and find a large bill. Now, even if you have a single plan and try to log into a device, it will ask you if you want to kick off the other device (unless you have a multi device plan). 

34 minutes ago, pilot said:

 

What I don't understand is their statement "...all must be using the same Navigator credentials ".

 

 

You each need a separate log in to Navigator app or HAL website if on laptop/pad.

The person that is logged in is connected to the plan purchased for that person/log in. So if you purchased a multi plan, everyone, on each device, would need to log into your navigator account to use the plan. Your wife could not log in under her account unless she has purchased a package under her account. A multi package only allows you (the purchaser) to log in on multiple devices but has to be logged in under the purchased account. Maybe one day they will allow access by cabin and allow multiple cabinmates to use the cabin wifi, but that would limit their profits (and overload the system). 

2 hours ago, mexico8 said:

Quite the surprise.   Good for you.   I think I read you a re 5* so you have earned all those gifts!

They actually are given to everyone on the Grand cruises. Glad they are bringing back the cabin gifts. The Grands are supposed to be special voyages and over the years (even prior to the shutdown) HAL cut back. But sounds like they are listening to feedback. 

Just from a cheapskate viewpoint (me), we used to just get 1 plan and take turns logging in as needed since we didn't use our phones except wifi calling (even with a teenager many years ago). Then we got separate plans so one of us was not "patiently" waiting to use the internet. And at times depending on where you are in the World, the ship does not have internet so we had a few days "wasted" and didn't splurge on wifi  (until HIA came with "free" internet). Definitely purchase a premium plan prior to boarding (as it used to increase on board) but it will depend on how often you need internet, what itinerary you are on and if you need 4 devices connected at one time. Each device would either share a login (multi device) or have its own login (single device) but I would think it would put more load on the bandwidth with four (again probably depends on ship and satellite) and may affect performance but have not tested it with more than 2 devices. 

The attendant that brings your food will not have access to the cabin, you will need to open the door. And they will need you to clear space on the table /desk / cabinet that you want the tray placed on. They just drop off the tray. They won't stay around and cut up your food and spoon feed you. Very disappointing 😞. 

If you want anything particular in your cabin (fruit, drink, snack, etc) let the room attendant or concierge know. Ask questions, otherwise you won't know. 

Maybe the OP is thinking about initial boarding for 4/5 stars and now includes CO and thought is was also onboard (which I don't remember ever seeing onboard). I doubt HAL will ever let 5 star be CO since they want to sell that "benefit" and it would crowd the restauranton Pinnacle ships. But they will have to do something since there are many more 4/5* onboard now, especially Grand voyages where the embarkation lines are shorter if you aren't 4/5 and there is no priority except for Neptune and above. Maybe they think we'll age out or go elsewhere. Reaching 4* laundry was a great perk but nothing beats haggling with customer service for 100% refund of your 5* meal at alternative dining. 😀 

Other than Neptune/Pinnacle Suites, you have to purchase Club Orange separately. 

You can bring a "reasonable" number of bottles onboard, of which all are subject to $20 corkage each bottle. If you carry on, after going through ship security there will be a table where they will count your bottles and put your name on a list. (Check your statement to make sure amount is correct). If you bring bottles in your portered luggage and it doesn't make it to your cabin, it's probably below deck in the naughty baggage room and you will get a call (when they get to it). Sometimes people are able to sneak bottles on, but not always. 

Looks like you have to book at least 10 days in a row. They offer various packages onboard (prices may be different) but you might have an option to choose time and/or 1 on 1 time if wanted. If you are spending time in port, you may not have time for a class if bought as a package. Also there are usually free "stretch" offered in morning and afternoon or group exercise classes offered onboard. You can also go when you want to use the facility on your own if dedicated. You can ask for help for using any machine if instructor is not schedule with another person or group. 

You will need to contact HAL, but if you are booking another cruise you can have t/a ask and include it. But for us the expiration date to use it is from when it's posted to your account as ours was posted 3 months after another passenger got theirs and we had a later use by date.  So no harm in it being delayed if you are not booking yet. As long as you keep that letter. Also the letter will usually say the number of days which is calculated at the daily base rate of the cruise you were quarantined so it may be less $$$ than what the future cruise cost is since prices increase. We just booked a lower category to cover more days. 

23 minutes ago, IPB4IGO said:

How do you cast to the cabin TV? I thought it was hard-wired to the ship's network, not connected via WiFi to the network we access.

I will try it again at end of month when on board. Is Bluetooth still available or is that deactivated also? 

So wonderful that the weather worked for you glad you were able to find some scenery to sketch for this part of your Voyage.👏

The entertainment will not be what you remember from the past.  HAL contracted with a dance group (Step One) , a singing quartet (Cantare) and "BBC movies" in the world stage. They got rid of their production team and stage performers. If you haven't seen these performances before (as they do the same routines rotating on all the ships so many are repetitive for those that cruise alot) they might be worth a look. For the longer Voyage there may be a comedian, musician, singer, etc brought on unless your 25 day is also sold as a B2B then you may have repetition on your cruise. Supposedly HAL is slowly adding more stage options (still behind other lines) so hopefully you will enjoy. Expect the worst and maybe be pleasantly surprised. 

She's arrived in Norfolk.