RuthC

Not in my experience. When my husband died two days before sailing, our TA did notify HAL. I did, of course, get a refund on the taxes and port fees, but nothing else from HAL. It was the travel insurance that was responsible for paying me for the cruise loss. If I had not had insurance I would have been out the entire cost of the cruise (except for the taxes/port fees), and getting me home, as well as repatriation of his remains.

Big HAL Boat. At least that's the first thing that comes to mind every time I see those letters together. Not a very flattering mental image, either.

You do realize, I hope, that the Rolling Stone Rock Room has nothing to do with the Rolling Stones, the band from the '60s. It is named for Rolling Stone, the magazine.

I've been to all of those ports multiple times. Each itinerary has a scenic cruise up a fjord to a small town. The ride back out is just as scenic, even when the weather has changed during the day. Truly, if you are looking for scenery, flip a coin. If a particular port interests you, go with the itinerary that has it. I am especially fond of Alesund and Bergen.

Yes, 'Main' is late seating for dinner, usually at 8:00 PM. It is a fixed table for both time and guests. Early seating is referred to as 'Early'.

Contact the Mariner Society in Seattle. Explain how you need 2 days to reach 4* status, which you will achieve with days alone on your next cruise. Let them know you will be continuing on (on the same ship, I presume? You didn't specify), and they should be able to make the arrangements for you to achieve your new status on the second portion of the back to back. You will likely need to confirm the arrangements once on board. I don't believe different booking numbers makes a difference, but you could ask when you're talking to the Mariner Society anyway.

I am a (very) experienced HAL cruiser, and couldn't agree more with your point. The ice in your drinks is made from the same water that comes out of your tap, so why on earth would you pay for water! If it's good enough to melt in your cocktail, it's good enough to drink.

Reportedly, the first part of your statement is about to change. It's been posted on this forum that HAL announced that it would start charging only the difference (plus tip) between the allowed amount toward the drink and the actual price. Drinks over the allowed 15, of course, will continue to be fully charged for.

One can't get down a passageway past a cabin if there is a tray outside the door if they are riding a scooter or in a wheelchair. There isn't room for the wheels to clear. So, the person on the mobility device has to knock on the door until someone answers it to take the tray back inside. The alternative is to ride backwards to a house phone and call them to bring it back inside.

Thank you for the review from the point of view of a disabled person and caretaker. It is helpful to have your insight. I know my own cruising days are too rapidly winding down, so you have given me much to think about.

Thank you! I'll go read it now.

Great itinerary! I really enjoyed it. Be aware, though that you are heading west to east, so lose an hour many nights. IIRC, there were also a couple of days when we also lost an hour during the day. Up that far north each time zone is fairly narrow, so it's not hard to cross two time zones in a day.

If you've never been to either place, then either one is a grand experience. The scenic cruising at North Cape usually comes after the fog has lifted, so is breathtaking to see from sea level. Visiting North Cape up top is better if the fog has lifted, but it hadn't the time I went out there. The visitor's center has a lot of interest, though. There's a lot to see in Honningsvag besides going out to North Cape, so it offers a great deal. But to go to Spitzbergen, and walk around in Longyearbyen, is exotic and unforgettable. Then, to have your ship head out going north, to seek out the Polar Ice Cap is exciting. I would love to do it again. The front of the ship was actually in the ice! I still get a thrill just thinking about it. And you don't know how many more years there will be an ice cap within reach on these exotic cruises. Take this routing while you have the chance.

1.)Water from the tap is fine for drinking; add ice from your ice bucket. It's the same water served at meals, and that melts from ice in your cocktails. 2.)Coffee is made from ground coffee beans. Not the best ever, but quite drinkable. You can also purchase various specialty coffees at Explorations Café. 4.)You can send a (cloth; it doesn't tear) bag of laundry for $20 (US; $30 Europe). You can also purchase unlimited laundry for $7/day times the number of days on your cruise ($9/day Europe). These are not 'specials', and are available every day until the day before the end of the cruise. Clothes come back washed, ironed, and either folded or on hangers (your choice). 5.) You purchase an Internet plan at one of three levels, each adding more sites you can access. The price depends on the number of days, and level you want. There are charts previously posted, and someone is likely to post again in reply to your query. 8.)Most cocktails are $10.95 each, plus tip. You can also purchase a Signature Beverage Package which gets you 15 drinks/day up to $11, or an Elite Package allowing for drinks up to $15. Tips are included in the package prices.

Absolutely, include Antarctica. If you are going to go all that way, you might as well see the prize. Which direction is more a matter of preference and timing. Heading east to west you are one hour closer in time zone to home, so that makes the return flights a bit easier. If you do Antarctica, you also get to ease into the continent when you start to see small pieces of ice in the water, they grow slowly larger, and eventually you see massive bergs as high as 300' and longer than you can imagine. It is very impressive. However, that also means that the icebergs in Chile are anticlimactic when you do get there. Now, going west to east you will be more impressed by the Chilean fjords, but less impressed as you leave Antarctica. I actually felt sad as it was visibly over so slowly. Really, though, it's closer to a coin flip as to which way is better. Do consider the long flights down and home when deciding which direction to sail. My first trip home was from Santiago, and it was a 33 hour 'day' from the time I got up on disembarkation morning until I arrived home. My second time was also from Santiago, but was a 36 hour 'day'. Third time was from Buenos Aires and I got smarter and took a non-stop to NYC, then a limo home to RI. Oregon is much different flight routing. Do plan to take at least one day, two is better, to recover a bit before the cruise. Time to recover after coming home is also necessary.

I have done many turn-around days in Europe, and they were just like any other port day for those of us staying on for the next cruise. This has happened in many different ports in Europe, too, including Amsterdam. All the turn-around days were treated the same way there. You can go ashore, or stay aboard all day, as you please. Now, all of my turn-around days were pre-covid, but I have not read of any changes in the standard procedure.

Internet is usually pretty good at sea, although you may find some dead spots in the Pacific when you are some distance from any islands. It happens. Some foods have room service charges, but otherwise no, no charges for any room service delivery. A tip is appreciated. Any adult can bring aboard a 'reasonable' amount of wine; 'reasonable' has not been defined. There is a corkage fee of $20/bottle, and you can bring the bottle to any public area you please. There's a 'late night' buffet about 10:30 (?), or so. Room Service is 24/7.

IIRC, when I accessed the free NYT site I was able to get to the daily crossword, as well as the articles we got in the daily newspaper. Has that changed now that the NYT doesn't sponsor the internet service anymore? I sure would miss the daily crossword puzzle.

Did you ask to be returned to your former cabins? Of course, that might be more difficult since there are two cabins that were moved, but I sure would put up a stink that I wanted my original cabins back, unless there was some very good reason for needing to move me. It's not like this is an upgrade, or anything.

Every adult at least 21 years of age may bring on a 'reasonable' amount of wine. 'Reasonable' is not defined, nor have there been any reports about amounts being challenged as 'unreasonable'. Every bottle brought aboard (with an exception or to) is subject to a $20 corkage fee. It does not matter where the wine is to be consumed. It is carried aboard, and you are to stop at a table to have the wine checked in, pay the corkage, and the bottle gets a sticker. You may then bring the wine on board, and consume it in private or public with no further charges. The one exception to the corkage rule I can think of at the moment is bringing back one bottle from a winery tour taken through HAL.

I have mobility problems, so always review tour descriptions thoroughly for suitability before I book. Then, shortly after boarding, I go to the Shore Excursion Office to confirm the suitability of what I have chosen. There are times I cancel, and select a different tour, while other times the tour will be fine for me. But just as often it is difficult to impossible to get a straight answer out of the Shore Excursion representative. Ask how far a given walk is, and the answer is usually something like 'not far'. Fair enough, but no help. But I ask how many yards/meters is a given walk, and I get the same 'not far'! That wasn't the question, but your 'not far' is my couldn't make it if you gave me all day! HAL not only has to give better descriptions of tours, based on the ability level of the passengers---not the staff, but they also have to be willing to take specific questions and get the specific answers to them. Making their best guess, or fluffing off concerns, does no one any good.

I once boarded the last couple of segments of the World Cruise in Barcelona. The check-in time was as normal, but the check-in area was empty of anyone, pretty much. There were people to take the luggage, and someone to ask so wheelchair assistance could be obtained, but otherwise no one but a handful of boarding passengers. We had to board the ship, and were directed to the main lounge where you entered, checked in, got your key, and exited on the other side. Very organized, and very quick. Off to the cabin to settle in as normal, but someone could do as they wished for the rest of the day. I haven't taken the Voyage of the Vikings in several years, so there might be much less turnover than when I did take it. But I do remember a time when there were enough passengers boarding that check-in was in the terminal.

Great! It would be a welcome review. When you do post it, will you please post a link on the HAL forum, either as a new thread, or a new post in this thread so we will know to go there? I don't normally read in the Disabled Forum. Thanks.

Excellent idea. Thanks. Coincidentally, I have an appointment just before I leave, so I could even bring a test with me if she would watch me take the test while we discussed what I'm there for. I know I'll be there at least 15 minutes.

Thanks for taking one for the team.