WVU_Neal

2 hours ago, sulamyacov said:

We booked a tour in Costa Maya 

@Viator @ViatorTravel 

Costa Maya Reef Snorkeling Excursion +

Beach day by LaChilangaloense FreeShuffle

$69 each! So they are trying to sell themselves as a travel agent that can meet the standards of the cruise line as an alternative! 

Viatour is a tour consolidator, much like a travel agent. They sell local tours for the local companies, taking a commission on their sales. They sell tours all around the world.

Many non-cruise line tours require that you get your own transportation from the port. We took a delightful sunset cruise a couple months ago in Aruba, requiring a taxi to the tour location, easily done.

Tastes are different for each traveler. I prefer local tours to cruise excursions. Less expensive and usually fewer people.

Neal

Thanks for the ideas. Upon reading here and in the recommended Cruise/Travel Insurance forum, it looks like just two planned trips my not make it a good value for several reasons.

I did get referred to Trip Insurance Store as a good and knowledge broker for Travel Insurance.

Neal

What is your thinking about buying Annual Travel Insurance versus insurance for each trip? Our plans are to take at least two trips to Europe, one September, 2024 and another one already booked in April, 2025. There may be at least one more trip within that year.

At what point does Annual Insurance become the better option?

Neal

Minimum is $6 and the game is unplayable for me. A blackjack pays 6:5 rather than the expected 3:2. This is a significant disadvantage to the player. 

The only game that offers decent odds in the casino is craps. That's about all I play anymore in the casino unless there is a poker table/game.

Neal

On 3/18/2024 at 1:53 PM, Blackduck59 said:

Thank you for your enthusiastic report. I'm sure there are many who will be happy to read it. Hopefully the "talent" coordinators will be able to find more like Krista Meadows for the whole fleet. If so it would be a good first step to rebuilding the entertainment offerings on HAL ships.

On our last two cruises, October on the Zuiderdam and February on the Rotterdam, we found the entertainment excellent. On both ships, we loved the highly talented musicians in the 7 piece bands, complete with horns, that played lots of the "sweet soul music" from the 60s-80s. The dance floor was mostly full during their early sets. I love that music and was there just about every night.

Yeah, HAL has "upped their game" with the entertainment onboard.

On 2/29/2024 at 3:49 AM, Euby said:

Any suggestions on what to play that will allow me to stretch out my time best?  It's too easy to kiss away $50 (example) in a slot machine in a matter of seconds. 

 

I'm quite familiar with casino games as well as those on the HAL ships. I tend to play games that offer the player the lowest house advantage. That game would be craps. Best bets are Pass/Don't Pass and Come/Don't Come. Those bets offer 1.41% house advantage. Odds on those bets are at no house advantage. Craps is a lot of fun to play, especially when there is a full table. It's fast with a lot of action. The disadvantage is that it is too easy to get a lot of money out on the table. If you want to give it a try, and you should, definitely take some time and learn the game and the odds before you board. Learn the layout, the odds, and which bets offer you the best advantage.

You might try Roulette. I play rarely as the house advantage is around 4%. Slower than craps. I don't play slots. The closest would be video poker, but the games on the HAL ships have horrible pay tables.

Good luck to you.

 

46 minutes ago, mcrcruiser said:

We tend to see that the World Stage is used more often  with lectures , some single type acts on the longer cruises ,what has been your experiences ?

We were on the Rotterdam in early February. The World Stage is an excellent venue. On our 9 day cruise there were two excellent dance performances, a comedian, magician, and steel drum band. Decent entertainment as well as in the our music venues.

20 minutes ago, esimon said:

I always find it interesting that people who can afford a cruise which we all know isn’t cheap complain about nickels and dimes. But you’re allowed to do that in the great old USA. And I agree if you have a problem, put it on the survey at the end of the cruise.

One of the reasons I am fortunate enough to afford cruises is that I managed my “nickels and dimes” (as well as larger coins) quite well over the years. I lived well, and below my means. 
 

I am the OP here and simply dislike companies that tend to nickel and dime their loyal customers. Indeed, there are worse offenders than HAL-for the most part they do a great job. 

Just off the Rotterdam with Have It All. Does HAL really need to nickel and dime its customers by charging $11.50 for a cocktail when the SBP limit is $11? Seems a bit tacky for my tastes.

Come on naysayers. Remind me that it's only $0.59 extra and that I should not be such a cheapskate.

Neal

On 2/3/2024 at 3:02 PM, crystalspin said:

Other people really like the Ocean Bar and "Music Walk". Many are hoping that HAL brings back some classical music. I was impressed that there seemed to be enough venues for everyone! 

We just got off the Rotterdam last week. In talking with the Cruise Director, she mentioned that there might be a return of classical music in the fall.

1 hour ago, Caribbean Chris said:

I think it’s a good approach to do what you did - to state specifically what you would like to see happen for the issue to be resolved to your satisfaction.

That is the best way to resolve issues. Courteous and friendly. And knowing that I’m working with good people. 
 

I can be firmer with the indifference of so many customer service agents. 
 

Neal

17 minutes ago, Caribbean Chris said:

Just curious: In your original thread, you planned to ask for a bottle of wine for your trouble - or did the guest services agent arrange it as a gesture of apology without being asked? 

I gently suggested it. Did not make a point of it. Guest services was just really good. 

Back in early January, I started a thread voicing my concern about HAL Customer Service. It became quite a long thread with various opinions about whether I should ever both with such a trivial matter. 

The outcome was excellent, as I would have expected from HAL…

Sometime after boarding the Rotterdam, where I am currently located, I had occasion to stop by Guest Services on the ship. After the current matter was handily fixed, I asked the agent if she was able to assist me with my concern as she was the first Guest Services person I was able to speak with. Each agent on the Rotterdam has a notebook used to notate their discussion, and this person took notes. At the end of our conversation she asked that I allow her a few days to resolve this matter. 
 

After the weekend, I received a phone call in my Verandah cabin explaining that a refund of $11 would be added to my onboard account and that a bottle of wine would soon be delivered to my room. (The wine complimented a lovely meal in Pinnacle.)

And that’s the rest.of the story…

3 minutes ago, PSR said:

1 hour ago, WVU_Neal said:

I just checked and the complete link is below.

 

Mariner 3 stars get 25% of packages and bottles.

Mariner 4-5 get 50%

 

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/plan-a-cruise/get-ready-for-your-cruise/mariner-society

Expand  

 

I think you missed the “excluding” parenthesis

LOL. Indeed I did. Sheesh. I must read more carefully. 😀

I stand corrected. Thank you. 

On 1/17/2024 at 4:17 PM, Real NHDOC said:

Yes, the Mariner’s discount only applies to the Sommelier’s Suite packages, not to individual bottles. 

I just checked and the complete link is below.

Mariner 3 stars get 25% of packages and bottles.

Mariner 4-5 get 50%

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/plan-a-cruise/get-ready-for-your-cruise/mariner-society

Biggest problem with the game is 6:5 for blackjack rather than 3:2. I won't play those games/tables.

Neal

8 hours ago, NoShoes2 said:

Looking for a place we can check in on the happenings at home. 

Another possibility. Check to see if International Travel is included in your cellular plan with your carrier. I use t-mobile and free data and text is offered for hundreds of countries including the ABC islands.

Same as my Curacao post. 😎

10 minutes ago, Katefromupstate said:

 It’s $100 per person and doesn’t include anything but the use of the facilities.

Have they changed their rates? I read another post that suggested that the rate was $25 with a $10 food credit. I'd like to know as we'll be there end of January.

Actually it IS as I mentioned. Confirmed on their website.

https://chogogobonaire.com/beach/

Another possibility. Check to see if International Travel is included in your cellular plan with your carrier. I use t-mobile and free data and text is offered for hundreds of countries including the ABC islands.

Neal

6 hours ago, POA1 said:

Then, turn Wi-Fi on. At this point, the T-Mobile calls and text over Wi-Fi should work like a charm. You won't pick up the land based cellular services because that radio is off and not listening.

Just to be certain here. You are saying that if I have WiFi on the Rotterdam (in less than 2 weeks) and have Airplane Mode On and WiFi Calling On, I will be able to make calls and texts while at sea and not in port. That makes sense, I just wanted to verify.

20 hours ago, twoshay said:

Anyone else having a hard time getting through to talk to a real human being on the customer service line?  I have tried a couple of times today with waits over a half an hour with no success.

My experience also. 

On 1/6/2024 at 8:40 AM, Cuttersmom said:

So our cruise is 1/26-2/4. Will they start charging the new rate on 2/1? Or will it stay the same since the cruise commenced before 2/1?

I was wondering the same thing. You must be on the Rotterdam.

Neal

6 minutes ago, Real NHDOC said:

So, upon receipt of such a notice I would immediately dispute the charge and protect my right to dispute it by doing so. If the credit card company asks if you tried to resolve it say yes, but was told it would take longer than the dispute window allows for them to respond. 

Doing a credit card dispute is in essence a “nuclear option.” In this case, not worth the effort. In a more recent one, might be the solution. I returned a $500 product to the vendor with their RMA. Received an email that my refund would be delayed. After a couple of weeks and a promise that the refund would be received, I told the vendor on Friday, if I don’t see the refund in a week, I will file a dispute, one that I will easily win, having all the documentation that the item was returned.

1 hour ago, Frustratedfirsttimer said:

While we enjoyed the service while onboard, post-cruise customer service has been disappointing and frustrating.

I am the OP. That is the whole point of my post. 

20 minutes ago, HamOp said:

So on your next cruise you could:

1. Steal a towel

2.  Knock off $11 from daily service charge

3.  Order an extra dinner (and don't eat it)

4.  Flush a bunch of paper towels down the toilet 

5.  Run your hot water for 4 hours.

(Note:  All of the above are presented "tongue in cheek")

 

 

 

I could do any or all of those things…😎

or…(as I used to tell my kids when they had great ideas like these)…

I could stick toothpicks in my eyes. 😎🥸😀

Just having fun.