oceanmom

I see you are on the Rotterdam from Rotterdam to Boston! We are so honored that HAL chose to base their flagship here. Unfortunately we won't be able to sail her this year and it's likely a one-off thing. Enjoy your trip. If you've never been to Iceland, brace yourself as it's GORGEOUS! I've been twice on land trips and would go back in a heartbeat.

Rotterdam is doing an 18 night Viking Passage cruise July 15, 2017 Rotterdam to Boston. We've already booked our cabins!

We are looking forward to this itinerary (except ending in Boston) in 2017. Is there any reason to book a cabin on one side of the ship or the other for views or does the ship mostly sail too far out to see land around Iceland and Greenland? (And I suspect we'll also follow this cruise with the S. American one in another couple of years!)

Looked like a good deal except the price went up $1600 for an anticipated benefit of $1100 since we would not use the airfare. Guess I'll wait a little while and see if anything else comes along.

Hmm, guess we had an excellent travel policy through our home/auto insurer. We had to cancel due to a relative's health [who was not traveling with us] one week before a cruise last spring. The policy cost $524 and we were paid the full amount of the cruise ($9,000+), no deductible, no percentage.

I read someplace to buy travel insurance starting out with the amount of the deposit, then increasing the amount insured as you make payments on the cruise. Since the initial coverage is only the deposit, it is not that expensive.

We always book excursions online so we get what we want. Yes, you do pay ahead for them but when we had to cancel our cruise in May one week before leaving, our credit card was credited for port fees and all pre-paid excursions and Pinnacle reservations within 24 hours. The insurance for the cruise took a lot longer but we eventually got a check for the full amount.

My cousin and aunt did a Viking Tulip cruise about three years ago in a similar situation. They had a lightweight traveling wheel chair and were able to do many of the tours. They had a wonderful time.

Our 24-day cruise next May/June (really two 12-day cruises) was an additional $60 pp to include Explore 4. With the additional $300 OBC from Explore 4, it was a no-brainer. I also looked at booking the two 12 day cruises separately, including all the variables, and booking the two 12 day cruises would be an additional $550 total. I'm happy especially since the TA (one of those on-line, big box stores) is kicking in $1300 of OBC. (yes, I am an accountant.)

We purchased trip insurance through our home/auto insurance company who have a contract with Travel Insured International. Paid about $500 for $10,000 coverage. Had to cancel at the last minute due to a parent's illness. Just got the check today for the full cost of the cruise. It took time and paperwork but it paid off. That was the best $500 we've ever spent.

We usually find a card in the cabin when we board that says "A gift from --------- " with the dollar amount of OBC listed on it.

I'm on the Statendam this summer. Let me know if you'd like me to pick one up.

Jim Fischer is on the Zuiderdam through mid-February.

For our first Alaska trip, we're doing the 14 night roundtrip from Seattle this year. It seems to be a highly recommended itinerary by people on this board and not always offered if I understand correctly. Then some other time we'll do a cruise/tour since most people seem to want to go back to Alaska.

Just posting my thoughts.

 

So far the following ships can book Pinnacle in 2015:

 

Rotterdam

Veendam

Zaandam

 

I have seen a pattern form -- hopefully it will not come true.

 

Rotterdam -- then 2 ships were skipped -- Ryndam and Statendam.

 

 

I posted in this same stream (#8) several days ago that I reserved Pinnacle on the Statendam for June 2015.

Just booked Pinnacle on the Statendam for June 2015 today.

Driving to Seattle for a cruise next June. Looking for suggestions for hotel with a park/cruise option or parking near HA pier?

We had the little white slippers in our Cat. B Verandah on Maasdam in September.