REOVA

But at least on HALs GWC you head West and gain time. Enjoyed that much better than Eastbound cruises and losing hours. 😁

Yeah, some of them think they know best and just "trying to help" 🙄 My TA now is just a ticket taker, so much easier and less hassle. Repeats what I ask for, reads the booking back and sends email detail. Done. 💯

The Spotlight shows were great when they had the HAL world stage band. And I agree, the movie fillers for World Stage entertainment is not expected on GWC. Know it is on regular itineraries but sad to hear this.

Good info. 👍 Of course they'll need to purchase wifi on ship to get notified during the long sea days....😁

You may be able to watch the first ten minutes on demand.

Same on Zaandam August 2022. Some of them also performed on World Stage with Step One.

Make sure they are experienced in cruises (and better if familiar with HAL) not just a generic travel agent. They should be your advocate in getting upgrades, benefits and even price reductions as they occur. I do all my own research on itinerary and cabin and then have a TA book to get additional credits/benefits. But our first GWC I did this and used a large national travel agency that had no clue about the cruise I was booking. What should have been a short visit to have them book my cabin and cruise took 3 hours to undo what they messed up. I no longer care about upgrades or having TA track anything (I can do that) so I go with best deal (price/rebate/credit).

Maybe on the older ships (we had them on Zaandam which was nice) but not likely on Pinnacle Class ships.

Rotterdam won't be much different, except movie in the Lido pool area, LCS in BB King stage and addition of Rolling Stone Lounge next to Bilboard piano lounge and the 3 (BB King band, Rock Band and Pianos) will alternate 45 minute sets most nights.

Sometimes it's embossed on the card and sometimes there is a little sticker (whatever letters they use). If it's a sticker, keep in mind it can rub off, especially if gets wet. But you are flagged in the system anyway if there is a question. (Just check your onboard statement every night to review any stray charges).

Loved the Brunches and yes very filling, even though small.

Glad Tina made it back to PG. Do you know if Joe Oakes and his wife are on board this year?

Check up in Crows nest (EXC).

On Pinnacle class ships, I recommend CO (especially if you are not 4 or 5*). The separate restaurant is not different in menu, except 1 different added entree each night) but the service and ambiance is much better than the large, noisy and sometimes chaotic MDR (IMO). You pay for CO when booking and choose your cabin (upgrade within same meta category unless you pay extra (may be discounted) for different category. The CO restaurant is not a reservation type, just walk in (or tell the host on the first night what time you want and they will look for you, although they cannot reserve a particular table...wink wink)

What specific info are you looking for?

If you got an email confirmation with your booking number, it will show in the email. Otherwise on the website click "already booked" with booking number or login. It will show what credits are included with the booking. You can also try to book a restaurant and it will list any dining credits available.

Usually a hole punch is done when your card is deactivated so be careful what you wish for. 😁 As mentioned there is a small slit in the cards if you looking for lanyard clasp or thread.

Depends on what ship you are on. You will have Step One dancers, Cantare singers (as opposed to the old HAL dancers and singers), BBC movie on mostly all ships. You may have 1 or 2 piano players (differs on ships) and possibly various dance floors (also depends on ship and itinerary).

Totally agree. One of the reasons we love the old HAL ships with the loungers on the wide teak decks and feeling of a real Ocean Liner instead of a hotel at sea. Being in the middle of the open Pacific (Pacifying) on sea days is still a favorite. BINGO. We see this on every ship and have mentioned it multiple times in surveys. Even asked a crew member if they consider washing below and then their face with same cloth. "Top to bottom" means just that. Thank you for your review and time, especially with the news from home.

CO usually upgrades within a meta category. What was the cost of CO for you?

So you got a balcony upgrade from an inside cabin by paying for CO? Was that during the free balcony promo? What was the cost of CO or upgrade?

I believe the OP was the referring to the clean clothes being put in a bag as opposed to folded neatly in a basket (with tissue paper) or hung up and covered like the 2 options on HAL. Does X provide option for hanging upon return?

Great news. Time to winterize 🥶 🧊

So you didn't have to pay for Club Orange in full when you booked it as it was rolled into final total payment for cruise? It looks like one paid a deposit until final payment due (with TA) and the other had to do full payment of CO when booked (with HAL direct) even before final cruise payment was due. I think it's getting clearer 🤪.

Yes. Looks like it but was curious as HAL never let's me book or pay direct (other than excursions and food) as they tell me payments have to go through TA. So this was probably considered as an add on which might explain having to pay in full as opposed to @Crew News which was rolled into the total price. Just trying to find the difference in procedure. Thanks for answering.