Linaeve

That first menu posted was unique for that day. The ones that RSWBADGER are posting and that are on the Roger Jett menu are the accurate ones. Any big MDR menu changes and final menus for the following year are typically completed July-September each year. Implemented for the seasons following. 🙂

You really can't judge HAL cruises based off a single night which is at the very end of their sailing season. It's really not a fair assessment. You would absolutely need a 3+ day cruise before you can judge them. Try a cruise during it's season that goes into international waters during it's sailing season. You'll get an idea of what a HAL cruise is actually like then. I venture you would have the same or worse experiene with other cruises for tha same 1 night cruise.

What everyone is sharing doesn't even just apply to suites. I have stayed in just a verandah and have always gotten it twice a day. This is standard for all rooms on their ships. As others have said some have started asking if you want it once or twice. Also, if for some reason you don't receive turn down service just ask your room steward and they will make sure it happens.

You aren't required but can. We booked a cruise for June 2024 for 4 of us. The HIA was included for 1 and 2 and we just added it for $50/day for 3 and 4 without issue at the time of booking. We got the elite one that includes the elite beverage package, the specialty dining night, $100 each for excursion as well as pre-paid gratuties.

If you reach out to HAL's accessibility department they can make sure there is a gallon of distilled water in your room for you for a small fee, I don't recall how much but this is different than the drinking water purchase. Guest Accessibility Department Phone: 1-800-547-8493 (locally at 1-206-626-7044) TTY: 1-800-254-8669 Email: GuestAccessibility@HollandAmerica.com Note that you can also bring some aboard but it has to be stored with the CPAP machine. As for the outlet, I believe there should be one close enough to the bed. I know my brother brought his on his last cruise with HAL and had no issues at all. Enjoy your cruise!

Thanks! That makes sense.

Also, if you are in a Neptune or Pinnacle suite it's also included.

I don't know how much Wifi is but yours shows $300 pp for excursions. That's much higher than the $100 pp I typically see. Still seems like an excellent HIA to me.

Thanks! I didn't see it when searching but I'll try again. I appreciate the info and your response! 🙂

Wow! What a steal in price though! Totally understand if you aren't wanting to pay it. We are staying in the PS next year. Definitely wish we could have just gotten an upsell offer like that though!

When did this take place? The PG menu in my Navigator for my cruise next year is still listing the fee. Do you know if someone posted an updated menu I could take a look at?

Ehh, I'm with the other commenter on this one. I've monitored HAL deals for a while, along with my folks. In my observation at least, the HIA that does NOT include the gratuties is offered more often than with them included. I think for most using the term "standard" as the most available and lowest level prevents misunderstanding, with the term "Upgraded" being with the better drink package and the gratuities included. Setting expectations is important and it would be better for new cruisers who might be reading these that if they have the HIA they should assume the lower level unless they know for sure or verify they have the upgraded package. "Standard" will tend to be what everyone assumes they have without needing to verify. Which leaves people upset when they don't check to see which HIA package they actually have. Just my two cents on the matter.

Unlike others, I understood what you were saying and was thinking something similar. It's one reason I have really only considered smaller ships if I were to do Antarctica. Thank you for sharing your perspective given your own personal experience! ❤️

Mine is simply missing classical music in a place where people can dance. I feel concerned for the OP if they require drinking and eating food made with spring water. The ship isn't cooking with spring water and even the bottled water you purchase may or may not be spring water. It's far more likely to be purified water and the water that is available for free is also purified. Perhaps check with your doctors and see if they are ok with you having the filtered water provided by the ship drunk from your own reusable water bottle.

This isn't true. When I cruised in 2009 it was 15 drinks total (alcoholic and non included in the total). Was the same in 2017. It's a big reason when my folks went in 2010 and 2017 they took a ton of soda with them (was allowed at the time) in addition to the drink package so they knew they had enough. Perhaps prior to 2009? Which doesn't feel like recent to me.

Next year will be my first cruise since having the pump installed. I have 4 sets of batteries, 1 set wearing, 1 set in an emergency pack that is always on me and then 2 additional sets left charging. Each set has a charge of about 17 hours. The wall unit is how I plug into power at night. The chargers are of course for charging the batteries. I am submitting all information through our HAL TA. I didn't even realize there was a "special needs" muster station, thanks! I'll reach out and I definitely plan to talk to someone on embarking to ensure they have all the information needed. Thank you so much!

I'm curious about space for lift support items. I have a pump connected to my heart. In case of an evacuation (given there would be time) I would have extra batteries, wall unit and charging unit. This takes up the room of a small suitcase. However, without those items I won't live longer than 20-30 hours. I mostly do Alaskan cruises and the closest hospital that can support my devise is Seattle. So if we are evacuating somewhere in Canada I will need those batteries in order to survive until I can be brought to a hospital. I know there is always a risk going on a ship,m especially for my own circumstances and I need to make that decision personally. But will I be in an arguing match with someone if I show up to a life boat with a small emergency bag telling them my life depends on it? I would have documentation of course as well.

Thank goodness! I am not a fan of Old Bay seasoning but I know it can be pretty common for seafood boils in some places.

Thanks, I actually had and they didn't know. Said they were going to check for me and haven't heard back yet (although they have been super kind with some other questions as well). Thank you all so much! I appreciate the responses!

Thanks everyone. Sounds like it may or may not be available. I will definitely talk to the concierges on arrival to see if it's an option and tip lots if it is. Thanks everyone!

Is room service available on embarkation day? Not sure if it matters but I'll be in the Pinnacle suite.

Hi All! I'm wondering if anyone has done the "wilderness Cruise & SIlverking Lodge Seafood Feast" in Ketchikan, Alaska. It has what looks like a fantastic seafood boil at the Silverking Lodge. However, I know a lot of places use Old Bay seasoning in their seafood boils and I am not a fan. Anyone know if they use Old Bay in their feast? Thanks!

Ok, so I read through the thread you linked to and I don't see anyone saying they got a $10k cruise for just port taxes. It appears the offers are for inside cabins, people MIGHT be able to call and pay for an upgrade to another room and they have to then pay for that amount. Additionally, it seems this is largely happening with very specific cruises and likely is due to the type of cruise such as respositioning and they aren't hitting capacity. They will lose money on empty rooms. While they may have to feed the individuals who reserve a room HAL is likely betting on those getting a free cruise will end up spending money in the casino, specialty restaurants, experiences, photos, gift shop, etc. That is where they are making their money. The ship is going the route and paying the fees whether the rooms are filled or not. This is how the hospitality industry works. Just like if you have an inside cabin and manage to get a free upgrade. No one else is paying for that, it's being offered because it's available, then they might offer that lower grade room to someone else for free to fill the space. Hotels do the same thing which is why you sometimes can get a free or discounted upgrade to a suite because they didn't fill the rooms. Or even flying, when there are open seats in First class and you can upgrade for $50 instead of paying the much higher amount up front. Are you upset at people who get those perks as well? I find it very very very unlikely that anyone (and if so, very very very very few people) are offered a cruise for free that is valued at $10k. I would be hard pressed to think any free cruises core value is more than $5k at most. Perhaps I'm wrong, but I would be absolutely shocked (unless there would be another reason like a high star or high casino usage, but certainly not for nothing). If I'm wrong, ok, but I would have to see it to believe it.

I love their Orange dreamsicle!

Thank you so much for sharing! I'm going next year but love to plan and seeing menus and programs for the same ship and same itinerary is just making it so much more exciting. The food overall seem to look good so far!