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niceguyneastbay

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Posts posted by niceguyneastbay

    Celbrity vs HAL

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    I recently made 4 * with HAL. Thinking I should venture out and try something new.  I think HAL sailing to the Caribbean is stagnant with the same ports I would like to change it up.  I am hoping for better entertainment. It looks like Celebrity has more stuff to do on board.

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    Celbrity vs HAL

    in Celebrity Cruises

    Posted

    I am thinking of trying Celebrity next year after years of being with HAL.  I am trying to understand the difference in pricing between the two cruise lines and having difficulty trying to figure out why there is a wide gap in pricing.  ie Celebrity $1179 Ocean view  vs HAL $720  or  Celebrity $1499 Veranda vs HAL $792

     

    Looking at  Edge March 22 vs. Nieuw Statendam March 23    Eastern Carib March

     

    What is it that really makes Celebrity stand out besides a bit younger crowd?  What am I not seeing? Any tips and advice you can give me would be appreciated.  

     

    Tim

     

     

     

    Business Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) Goes Ex-Dividend In 3 Days

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    By reading the Shareholder Benefits, if you still want dividends you can have CUK stock and still get the benefits 

    Carnival Corporation (NYSE:CCL) stock is about to trade ex-dividend in 3 days time. You will need to purchase shares before the 22nd of August to receive the dividend, which will be paid on the 13th of September.
    https://www.yahoo.com/finance/news/carnival-corporation-nyse-ccl-goes-124017411.html

    • Thanks 1

    4★ Mariner Question

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Any 4★ know what the discounts are for the Greenhouse Spa & Salon?

     

    Never got any info when I was 3★.  I guess I was always waiting for the flyer that said,   we have a special offer for you Mr. 3★ but then again, I never asked 😞   I just use the Thermal Spa package.

     

    Just was curious. 

     

    Tim

    End of Year Specials

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Seems like there are specials all year long.  Now I want to book a cruise for March and there are no specials  UGG.  

    Hope they have something coming out for end of year or New Years .

    For our Mariners who track the specials, do you remember seeing deals for end of the year and start of the new year?

    Koningsdam - balcony depth by deck

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Excellent. Thank you everyone. Yes, we normally book on deck 4 in the aft - every ship seems to have a good number of quads back there and we like the extra room in the balcony when there are more than 2 of us out on the balcony. I had a look at some of the other balconies and it must have been a balcony on Deck 10 or 11 and I realized how small they were. Perfect for 2 maybe but definitely not 4.

    Have you been in Suite 4184 the aft-wrap around? If so, your thoughts.

    Tipping Longshoremen--do you or don't you?

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Hello all; in another thread Copper pointed out that longshoremen make a six figure income--certainly this was news to me, anyway. For all our cruises when arriving at the port in Ft Lauderdale, San Diego, or elsewhere (in the USA), I have always tipped the longshoremen who take our bags from the cab.

     

    Frankly, I have felt obligated to do so, as they stand there, not literally with their "hands out" but clearly (to me) signifying their interest in a gratuity. My concern is that if I do not tip them the $5 or so, my luggage may end up being stomped on by the proverbial elephant that they have out back :) and the cases may not even make my ship!

     

    Ok, kidding aside--what do you do? Tip, or not and if you do, do you feel "guilted" into it? Or do you offer a pleasant "thank you", and walk over to check-in?

     

    While I am happy to tip those whose income depends on it, for someone earning a six figure salary, I think they are doing ok, and can do without my contribution. Discuss...

    Yes I will tip . They are providing a service. Don't hate on them for having a contract that pays them a good wage.

     

    Anyone who lifts my bags from hotel drivers, to curb side check in porters they all get tips.

    Upsell... do you lose your OBC or Explore 4?

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    so close, and yet so far. Got a phone call last week (woke me from a nap!) with an offer to upsell to Neptune suite for approx. $900 pp for 12 day med cruise. I said yes (after a brief hesitation,) as we have never been able to afford a Neptune and the look awesomely wonderful! In the time it took for the agent to put me on hold to get a room assigned, she came back and they were sold out!! Bummer to raise my hopes and then disappoint me!! could not have been 5 minutes!!!

    Question, would I have lost our $175pp OBC? Our explore 4 we purchased??? just wondering.

    hopefully we will get this offer when my 91 year old mom and I are cruising the Caribbean! She would love it!

    I am a 4 star and this is the very first time I even had the chance!

    Did your upsell offer come exactly 30 days before your sailing or how many days?

    Question about Rome Signature Experience

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Just a quick question about transportation from Rome to Civitavecchia. If you were to take the bus that HAL provides, did you get any type of special services when checking in as having a special check in counter at the port or did you have to wait in line with everyone else?

     

    If you had to do it again, would you take the train or taxi to the port earlier in the morning so you could either walk around or shop for any last minute needed items?

     

    Any tips or good info you have to share is greatly appreciated.

     

    Tim

    Private Tour Company Greece

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Twice we've used Private Greece Tours dot com (Nikos Loukas) and been extremely happy with them. The first time a few years ago included them waiting for hours at the airport at night for our son to arrive in Athens after several delays from Asia, just to make sure he got to our hotel safely. The second was last October when we took a day long private tour from Athens to Delphi; the driver was an awesome guide who kept us engaged from the moment we stepped into the van. I can't say enough positives about the company and their drivers; I'm sure you won't be disappointed.

     

    Smooth Sailing! :) :) :)

    Thanks for the info. I will check them out.

    Booking Guru's Need Advice/Imput

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    I have a few questions/scenarios and I hope someone can give advice.

    1) If I book a cruise through a big box store and get the credits they are offering, can I have my PCC then take over the the booking?

    2) If I book a Veranda room, my room I really want is a Signature Suite or Neptune which is sold out, who gets those room first if they should open up? The person(s) that have a confirmed itinerary or the people who are just waitlisted with no itinerary.

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