Grandmaanne7

We disembark in Boston and are looking to do a bit of sightseeing on the way to the airport.  Has anyone ever used Malden Car Services or Haz Luxury Limo?  Personal recommendations appreciated.  Thanks

@Alberta Quilter thank you! I will check this out!

35 minutes ago, Rubyfisch said:

So I've never done this, but one thing people have suggested is the water taxi will apparently hold your luggage. You could do that, stroll along the Green Way, get some seafood for lunch, and take the water taxi over the Logan.

Thanks!  We'll definitely look into that.

5 hours ago, Rubyfisch said:

Finally made it home - Boston traffic is ... Awful.

 

Well ... That's a wrap on this trip. Happy to answer questions if anyone has any. If not, I'll be back in August.

Glad you made it home safely.  Thanks again for all the information and entertainment included in your live review.

I have one question for Boston.  We will be doing the reverse of your cruise, ending in Boston, and were wondering if you have any suggestions for a quick city tour and drop off at the airport.  We are 11 people so doing it with HAL is almost $1800!  Seems a little nuts!  We've discussed dropping off our luggage at a hotel close to the cruise port and doing some city transit but I think transportation to and from the hotel and then to the airport will really eat into our time.  I've checked Viator and they don't offer anything similar.  We have a 4:00 flight.  Any suggestions?

10 hours ago, Rubyfisch said:

I haven't had any issues with this before tonight, but the smoke from the casino is really kind of annoying in Mix, which is were the best love music is ... It's kind of frustrating. I know people have lots of feelings about whether or not smoking should be allowed, but if it is, the casino really shouldn't be in the middle of the ship with no doors....

Totally agree! 

Thanks for all your informative and interesting posts. I have enjoyed following along. 

Thank you for your daily updates and so much helpful information.  I will miss following along with you.  Continued safe travels.

The article states that the shows debuted on one ship in February 2024. Looks like nothing will be added to my upcoming Volendam cruise. 

11 of us will be ending our cruise in Boston. Our flights don't leave until 3:30 and 4:00. The ship's excursion is expensive and doesn't sound overly exciting. Are there any recommendations for a reliable, reasonably priced service that could handle 11 people and their luggage and provide an interesting 3 to 4 hour tour with airport drop off? We are a multi generation group with a variety of interests so hopefully not hard to please. 

21 minutes ago, JeLy_Beanz said:

Which pkg do you have? We had the HIA and just got off the NS in February and the milkshakes were included we got ours at the gelato station - gelato was extra though. 

Thanks for this. Yes, we have the HIA package. I've been told that, on the Volendam, they are available at the Dive In and are included. I will have some very happy granddaughters!

1 hour ago, Real NHDOC said:

Usually there are two sea days on a 7 day itinerary and the cake event is on the second sea day. 

I understand that, however, since we only have one sea day on our upcoming cruise, will it be then or not at all?

If there is only one sea day on a 7-day cruise, will cake day likely be on that day or skipped altogether?

9 hours ago, Trapper44 said:

Not sure about ordering onboard Volendam. My suggestion would be to do as we did for our Granddaughter. We pre-purchased a drink card in her name for the cruise. She received a very nice card, with her name on it, to use during the cruise, and it served as a great souvenir of the cruise.

 

Thanks for the suggestion. We already have the HIA package. Hoping it will serve us well. It sounds like it will.

2 hours ago, richwmn said:

Currently on Volendam and would be happy to answer specific questions.

There is now freesytle machine on Volendam, only on the Pinnacle Class Ships (Koningsdam, Nieuw Statendam, Rotterdam). Coke, Diet Coke, and Sprite are part of the 'minibar' setup. Other Coke products are available from Bartenders. Please note that the 'minibar' is not part of beverage packages.

 

Thank you for offering to answer specific questions about Volendam. Are you aware if the milkshakes from the DIVE IN are included in the HIA package?

4 minutes ago, *Miss G* said:

 

Thank you so much! Obviously my TA doesn't deal with HAL very often. 

P.S. I love your signature! 😊

HAL newbie here. I have read that children eat free in specialty restaurants yet my TA informed me that we will have to pay $54 for my 12 year old granddaughter when we dine at Pinnacle Grill because she is the 3rd person in a cabin with the HIA promo. She will most likely choose the chicken strips off the children's menu so $54 seems a little excessive to me. Can anyone clarify for me? TIA

1 minute ago, crystalspin said:

I just learned that the Dive In (burgers, dogs, and fries on the Lido Pool deck) has shakes that are included in the HIA/SBP!!!

Wonderful! Thank you! Where did you learn this information?

15 minutes ago, RuthC said:

You could maybe try faking one? Get a big glass (perhaps at the bar), put in some soft serve ice cream, add some milk from the coffee creamer area, and have the ice cream server squeeze in a dollop of syrup? 
Then, try to stir it as best you can? Maybe using a knife, as it's longer than a spoon? 

The ingredients for a chocolate shake are there. 

That's a good plan B. It's unfortunate, though, that for the amount paid for HIA, one has to go to these lengths when milkshakes are right there. 

I assume, from your suggestion, that there is self serve soft ice cream. The grand-kids will love that!

13 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

@Grandmaanne7 I just had a thought, I understand it's not the same but what about a "Virgin Cocktail" like a Daquiri or other blended drink? There was a bit of a discussion about milkshakes a while back.

 

Yes, they certainly love their virgin Pina Coladas and chocolate monkeys. We'll make do, I suppose, but I did promise one especially all the milkshakes she wanted. They'll be delighted if they can get them.

24 minutes ago, Fouremco said:

As milkshakes are beverages, the exclusions for purchases on Half Moon Cay, Gelato and Dive In apply.

Can milkshakes be purchased/ordered anywhere else onboard, specifically Volendam?

1 minute ago, Blackduck59 said:

I'm sorry I didn't make the rules. I think that a child would have a soft drink package. I have the premium beverage package as part of my HIA package for our next cruise next year and I'm pretty sure milkshakes are not included. Perhaps someone who is on board any ship will be able to verify. 

My apologies. I did not mean to blame you. I'm just in shock! I had promised my granddaughter all the milkshakes she wants on our next cruise. I'm flabbergasted and less impressed with HAL by the day!

47 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said:

@Birdhunter67 and @deeeeeeem I think you will find the Milkshakes are NOT included in the drink package. I know it seems strange in that the price of the milkshake is less than $11.00 price cap on drinks. There are other things not included in the drinks packages but are below the price cap. Water in the twist top cans, certain sparkling waters and a few other things it's hard to understand.

Am I reading this correctly? A child with the HIA promo cannot get a milkshake? What's the purpose of having HIA?

8 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said:

 

I have never seen any other than the Have It All shore excursion credits.

Not the answer I was hoping for but thanks for responding. Hopefully, they're worth it. 

This is our first HAL cruise and I am wondering if HAL ever discounts or offers sales on shore excursions like Celebrity does. Thanks in advance. 

16 hours ago, Crew News said:

Here is a link to a recent Daily Program showing typical entertainment times.   Example Daily Program.

 

Of course each ship may vary.

Thank you.  That was very helpful.

We're very new to HAL.  I have checked the last several pages of this thread and was unable to find the answer to my question. What time is the entertainment on board?  If we were to dine at 8:00, would we be able to see the show prior to or after dinner?  Thanks in advance.