oakridger

OP states their fare is nonrefundable.

I'll jump in here to say that California has banned plastic bags for quite a few years now and charges if you want a paper or reusable one. Where I live it has vastly reduced the plastic trash that used to blow around sticking in chain link fences by the freeways and road medians! It's not all going into the river/delta and bay waters either. 😁 Thanks for listening and now back to the Zaandam report...... ~Nancy

This all sounds wonderful. I feel it's a shame that the service all over the ship isn't like this. I'm beginning to think that the only way to consistently get this better service is to cruise on a more premium/luxury line. ~Nancy

The extra Club Orange entree referred to is an "additional choice" beyond the regular MDR menu selections of the day. In the MDR you may order extra entrees, sides, appetizers or desserts if you want. (of course, please only order what you can eat). The MDR and Club Orange offer some added cost entrees such as lobster and steak which will be charged for each order. ~Nancy

Any idea why such extensive changes so close to sailing? It's certainly not weather related. ~Nancy

@Keith1010 that winery looks like if Texas and Napa had a baby! I was just up in Calistoga (Napa Valley) for a few days last week and it was so peaceful and nice for a change of scenery. I had a balcony on my room overlooking the hills and I felt a little bit of that cruise ship veranda vibe! Yes, there was wine and cheese involved. 😁🍷 ~Nancy

Thanks for sharing this! At least their plane did get to BCN and not stuck in LHR only to go through the whole security and checking in mess again tomorrow!! ~Nancy

@BEAV I'm with Roy on loving this private rail car thing! Was it really a private trip or is this offered to the public at times? ~Nancy

Hallelujah @tobymurph!! Thanks for letting us know that your persistence paid off. Have a great cruise! ~Nancy

Has HAL been asked why they changed the route out of Vancouver going north? Is HAL only doing this temporarily for some specific reason? I'd like to hear their official explanation. ~Nancy

@Haljo1935 please recheck your info regarding transfer of bookings. This is the email I received from HAL for my last cruise in fall 2022: "Dear XXXX, Please complete, print, sign, and return the form by the fax or email listed. Please allow up to 10 to 12 business days for the transfer to be completed once form is sent back. We must have an electronic or physical signature on the form. Transfers must be requested within 60 days of creating a booking and cannot be paid in full. Please contact us with any questions. Kind Regards, TODD WORTHINGTON World Cruise Reservations Phone 800.522.3399" ~Nancy

Ha ha, good point @Mary229! Those relationship break ups in my past were a huge roller coaster of thoughts and emotions and leaving a long-time favorite cruise line certainly could evoke the same feelings!! 🤷‍♀️ ~Nancy

Those have to be the cutest and most original towel animals I've ever seen! How fun! ~Nancy

Please reread the link I posted for you in post #12 regarding the drink prices. Some of the prices are listed there. Also please reread the other link to @Crew News other bar menus and his post #15 about the other non-listed drink prices. Without the HIA package, the cost per day would depend on how many drinks you buy per day. Is that what you are asking? 5 Bud Lights per day @ $7.75 + 18% grats = $9.14 X 5 = $45.72 per day https://rogerjett-photography.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/Ocean-Bar-Menu.pdf Crows-Nest-Bar-Menu.pdf (rogerjett-photography.com) Also, as mentioned above, many others have purchased the HIA separately after booking. Please call again and ask someone else if trying it online on a different browser doesn't work. Here's where a good Travel Agent is very worth having!!! (And no, it really shouldn't be this difficult! HAL needs to train their staff much better!) Good luck, ~Nancy

What the rep told you is correct. A refundable fare is refundable until it gets into the final payment phases which then become only partially refundable. If you want to be refunded for cancellation after the final payment phases, then you will need Travel Insurance to cover a cancellation. (Which I recommend anyway) ~Nancy

I guess they would give a nicer ambiance than cans of Bud Light in the mini fridge!!! 😁 ~Nancy

As others have mentioned in the past, it sounds like it's best to wait until you board to purchase a wine package. You can see what wines are actually available on board, which can be very different than what is listed on the website. ~Nancy

@kaisatsu @cruiseaholic78 and @hallasm Ha ha on "Definitely depends on your idea of fun."!! Good point! I did check around and you are quite right about no other really direct options other than flying! I think I'll just fly to Oslo from Amsterdam and concentrate on Norway. I do plan on taking the train from Oslo to Bergen then getting on the Havila Castor for the coastal trip to Kirkenes and return. I was in Norway once in 2005 when I went on the same route on Hurtigruten. It was so great that I always have wanted to return for a more in-depth visit. The new coastal route ships from Havila look wonderful and are actually considerably less expensive than Hurtigruten is currently charging....especially as a solo. I hope Havila gets their other two ships sailing soon after all the problems with the Russia sanctions and financing, etc. I also plan on taking a ferry from Bergen to Balestrand or Flam for a couple day visit there. I have lots of time to spend in Norway so am glued to the Cruise Critic forums as well as internet research and YouTube videos. Thank you to all the Norway and Scandinavia locals who give so much of their time and knowledge to help us travelers find the best options! ~Nancy

I'll be arriving in Amsterdam next May by cruise ship then will go to Norway for a Havila coastal ferry trip. Rather than flying, I thought a ferry might be fun! I looked into the train route, but it requires quite a few changes of trains, which might be problematic for me as far as walking a lot and managing luggage. Any ideas from folks who have travelled between the two countries? @hallasm? Thanks, ~Nancy

Can you be more specific on which excursion you are asking about please? Are there bike rentals available in town without an excursion? ~Nancy

@CCJackdid you ask if it was possible to get a refund on the unused tickets? ~Nancy

There may be customs regulations against bringing meat/sausage into the US. Best to check on that before trying. Otherwise, you will just need to eat all your reindeer hot dogs while you are there!! 😁 ~Nancy

Excellent! I'll be watching for your posts and wishing I was touring Alaska too!! Hmmm.....why do I suddenly feel like having a beer? 😁🍺 Enjoy the trip! Thanks for sharing your experience, ~Nancy

This is why ships that have a retractable cover over the pool area have an advantage over those that don't. I often sat in the Lido pool area, rain or shine, to eat lunch. All of the HAL ships have the pool cover. ~Nancy

I agree that it is very interesting to me to see the art area you visited. I'd never heard of it! I will definitely get over there next time I'm in Miami!! Alligators give me the willies though......best to stay away. 😉 ~Nancy