oakridger

Refundable deposit but no extra "Have it All" perqs.

@mef_57 Also, in case you hadn't considered what time it gets dark in September, I recommend you take the 8am-ish train from Oslo so it will be light for your whole journey. I took the noon train, but it was June 3rd so was light until midnight. 😎 Havila does not supply Kleenex/tissues or hand lotion in the cabins. There is nice shampoo, conditioner, body wash and handwash. ~Nancy

@mef_57 Hello. Hopefully others will see your library and taxi questions and have answers for you. Have a wonderful trip! ~Nancy

@crystalspin I do wonder what HAL's reasoning is for keeping the Advantage Fare option "hidden" but available? If they don't want to offer it for some reason, that would be their prerogative. Any thoughts why they don't list it? Just curious! ~Nancy

@Nillah thank you for the link with the current 2024 information! ~Nancy

Cruisedeckplans.com has pictures of 6100. They are 2009 pics so show the older decor, but good enough to see what the odd shaped room is like!

@ghstudio they already decided to book the Zaandam. (See above post)

I see what you did there!!😁 ~Nancy

The report and all the very helpful Seattle Airport information will be so useful if I ever sail out of Seattle! I now know that Port Valet is the way to go!!! Thank you, ~Nancy

Delete ~Nancy

I became a bit worried last night when I saw that Gary Bembridge, the excellent YouTube vlogger who hosts "Tips for Travelers" just posted a glowing report about Club Orange! He has a HUGE audience and unfortunately it may make CO sell out even quicker for future cruises!😟 The problems of a popular sought-after service!! ~Nancy

I have always had an umbrella in regular veranda cabins on all the ships I have cruised on. I don't have experience with OV or Obstructed OV. Note that the provided umbrellas are very large golf type, which is great for keeping dry, but I don't want to carry one that size around in port "just in case" of rain. ~Nancy

HAL offers a full cruise unlimited laundry package and a "By the Bag" price. For the December Mexican Riviera cruise, the Unlimited package is $8.50/day. You must purchase the full cruise days for that price. By the Bag price varies from about $25 to $35 per bag depending on cruise location. It's a great deal! ~Nancy

Cruise Cancellation Protection Plan | Holland America

@Kiwi Afloat I didn't go on any of the excursions but agree with @doingourthing about the value of the talks and my observation is also that booking on board after knowing the weather is a good plan I will follow if going on this route again. I will make note here that it was just announced that starting in May of 2025 the ships will sail into Geirangerfjord starting on May 1st each year. Up until 2024 the Geirangerfjord route has always started on June 1st. I hope the May fares don't go up because of it though!! This new route change is a good addition! I loved the silent sail in on battery power! ~Nancy

@Flyinby You're going on another winter voyage! I still like the idea in theory but dang.....cold!!! 🥶 I loved the month spent in Norway (train, ferry, Bergen, Balestrand) and just got back two days ago to this 100°F+ heat...shock!! I plan on spending my travel time in new destinations rather than a return to Norway for the foreseeable future, but you never know........... ~Nancy

@travelberlin I have enjoyed reading your reports and always appreciate hearing different folks' experiences! Thank you!! ~Nancy

I boarded Castor on June 7,2024 and "They" (Havila) did not ask me if I had travel insurance or require any documentation as proof. I do have it and it's my first time purchasing a one-year plan from Allianz. If anyone has questions about my recent BKB experience that haven't been answered on the Havila website or here on Cruise Critic by the other wonderful trip reports, let me know. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience. I think the new open seating breakfast plan is an improvement that apparently started on Castor right after I sailed. ~Nancy

From the announcement: "New in Crow’s Nest Café on all ships, fresh-made poffertjes — a traditional Dutch treat resembling small, fluffy pancakes — will be available daily (not just on Dutch Day) for a nominal charge."

I read it as they are giving the stroopwaffel only on "Dutch Day"

On my May Zuiderdam TA I discovered the pared down room service menu as well. 😡 The quesadilla and cookies were my late-night favorites as well, and I was actually kind of ticked off that they were gone! It seems that the quesadilla is so easy/cheap to make that HAL would keep it on the menu rather than some other options. Thanks for this very well thought out and presented review @bundtkate! ~Nancy

I am guessing they are only trying to get answers based on Australian, UK and USA cruisers perspectives is all! As a targeted issue survey! Don't assume the worst! ~Nancy

@John Cruise Can't they pick up right in front of the Pan Pacific? (The hotel above the cruise terminal) ~Nancy

If Allen Marine is still running the excursion, I would call them directly and ask about the food for purchase offerings on the excursion. I called them a couple years ago directly with a different question and they were very helpful! This was my favorite Alaska excursion to date! Have fun! ~Nancy