Alberta Quilter

When I log into Navigator, I can only see menus for the Volendam Grand Australia cruise because that's the ship on which I will be sailing later this year. I don't see any way to choose the ship in Navigator to see another ship's menus. I'm guessing that BermudaBound2014 could see the Koningsdam menus in Navigator prior to embarkation because she was booked on the Koningsdam.

I read it as pay $1500 to receive $2K to spend ONLY in the Effy boutique. Note the second last line of the Ts and Cs.

Include passwords to unlock computer(s)and important websites! Remember the young fellow who had the only codes to cyber fortunes when he passed suddenly? You don’t want to put your family through that…

It's a good thing to discuss with your spouse/travelling companion, too, in case one of you passes while on a cruise. We had a death on the ship in SA. That caused delays in Ushuaia due to the local authorities not being available; I think it was a weekend. The woman had passed a few days prior but the family wanted her repatriated as soon as possible, which was Ushuaia. My DM said to me that if it happened that she passed on a cruise, I was to continue the cruise so as not to delay the ship; she wouldn't care! Not sure how one would be able to continue a cruise after that, though... Thankfully, it didn't happen. It's good to hear of the support of fellow passengers and crew.

But won't you and your friend have separate statements/accounts even if in the same room? If so, you'll still have the clutter on the statement but there should be nothing to split out to your friend.

If the OBC came from HAL, it’s non refundable. If you purchased OBC for your use onboard, it’s refundable. TA OBC might be either/both.

You could try getting an up elevator, ride up to a high deck and then take it back down. I’ve had to do that before on disembarkation day.

I haven’t been on the NA yet but the only reason I would think it is preferred over the Noordam is because of Tamarind. I would choose any ship with Tamarind over one without. Even so, the Noordam is still a lovely ship. I would consider your flight arrangements in making the north/south decision. Perhaps the flights to/from Alaska, from Atlanta, are at undesirable times, although that might be alleviated by arriving/departing a couple of days earlier or later. I really don’t think there is much difference between north and southbound cruises, if you’re only cruising. If you’re considering a land tour, that would need to be taken into consideration too. I recommend doing a land tour first and follow with the cruise, which would mean a southbound cruise.

That’s disappointing. Was there a reason given for the cancellation?

You need to do the math based on what you would use. I have the same predicament. For me, it’s a no brainer to take the price drop ($1500/person) but not so much for my companion.

Wow, have a great time, Rich! I really enjoyed Isles de la Madelein! I hope you do, too.

I understand that but that all depends on whether or not your original booking is refundable or not refundable. If non refundable, then you're hooped, from what I understand. If refundable, then you should be able to re-fare.

If you booked with a non refundable deposit, that would explain the cancellation fee. Check your confirmation that you received from HAL or your TA and see when the cancellation period starts.

Yes, with one booking number, it is one cruise and your OBC should be good for the entire 14 days. Yes, you'll need to clear the ship on the turnaround day.

There are three different Fairmont Hotels in downtown Vancouver, just as gnome12 says. You'll need to be able to tell the driver which one you need. I understand about not being able to do the train. My suggestion is just to take a taxi. With the flat rate, it's quite simple and easy. No pre-arranging necessary.

@surgie, you may want to check out the YWCA Hotel in Vancouver. It's farther away from Canada Place but has more reasonably priced rooms and can accommodate larger families. It's recommended often here on CC.

Just a thought, but why don't you fly on to Victoria and rent the car there? That would save you the time, hassle and expense of the first ferry ride. Mind you, it can be a lovely ferry ride... Not sure what the conditions would be like in April, though. I'm no authority on flights from the UK but perhaps it might be less expensive to fly from the UK to, say, Calgary or another city with non stop flights, and then fly domestically from that city to Victoria. Rent the car, do your touring of Vancouver Island and then take the ferry from Nanaimo as planned. Whistler is lovely and we did enjoy the Sea to Sky gondola; yes, it was expensive. I don't need to do it a second time but I'm glad I did it.

I thought the monogramming was limited to three letters... But things may have changed since I got mine.

I believe the key words to use are refaring as opposed to rebooking. You want your PCC to check to see if your fare can be reduced to match the current offering. As others have said, you may lose some perks due if the promo you booked under is no longer available. Know what you have going in, and what is important to you. I'm sure (hope) your PCC will help you determine if the price drop is worth any loss in perks. Also, make sure that your new fare does not suddenly become non refundable (some have said that has happened). Good Luck!

Yes, guest services. I believe someone recently said that they have the full book of pictures whereas the Neptune Lounge doesn't.

Well that's a good excuse to book another cruise!!!

Seems odd to have happened... But couldn't HAL just charge the extra amount to your onboard account to bring it up to $16/day? Although if it's their error... I guess it depends on how much vacation time you want to spend fighting the error. For a few USD, I probably wouldn't bother.

I don't think you should judge HAL by a one night cruise. I've done the same cruise, in reverse, to easily get to Seattle for another HAL cruise on the same ship. The two cruises could not have been more different. At least try for a five day cruise (although those can also be party cruises) to get a feel for HAL. On a one day cruise, the crew is so overworked with all the changeover that they don't have time to give the pax any extra attention. I don't believe any extra effort is made in the food offerings either, on a one day cruise.

Choice of early, late or open dining is made at the time of booking the cruise. If you chose late dining, your dining time will be around 8 pm. Times will show on your cruise card.

The thing is that the crew constantly changes, including the Hotel Manager and Executive Chef. So the bland food and disappointing room service the Noordam had on a recent cruise will not be the same on the Noordam in the future, simply because there may be a better (or worse) chef or hotel manager at that time. So I don't understand avoiding a particular ship for that reason. The chef you had on the Noordam may be the chef on the next ship you cruise on so you may suffer the same bland food. I can understand avoiding a certain class of ships (or cruise line) because one prefers certain amenities over others but not something like food that depends on the crew to make it tasty and deliver it at the temperature it's supposed to be served at and in a timely manner. JMO