five.

Yea, I saw that website and example for verandah: Disclaimer: * Size may vary, see details below. And under details it had: Cabin size ranges from 220 to 420 square feet including verandah. I was looking for specific dimensions for each stateroom. That website is definitely the best I've seen though.

Carnival offers a website (goccl.com) that includes exact dimensions of rooms and balconies. I've looked and searched and don't think that exists for HAL. But thought I would ask to be sure. The closest I've seen for HAL are the ranges that are provided for each category (Approximately 222–231 sq. ft) on the deck plans pdf.

That's good to know, that it's not exactly the norm. I have no idea what goes into the formulas that decide the free room in the first place and all. When we reported to the future cruise desk, everyone that was there with a similar card were similar ages, so it seemed like they were targeting the younger demographic. We are early 40's. I would not have accepted the $849 PP offer, that's a joke. But $149 PP, was enough for me to go for it and I'm pretty cheap. Other money spent: $658 Spa Verandah $399 Retreat Cabana $207 Rudi's and Pinnacle Grill $298 Thermal Suite 7 day So a "free" vacation has thus far cost us over $1500. But after the recent Alaska cruise that was triple that with flights, I'll take it.

We have a cruise planned for Nieuw Statendam leaving on 3/11. We received an offer on 2/3: The original cabin was a free interior that was offered last May while on an Alaska K'dam cruise, here is the letter and associated cost for upgrades: So at the original booking, a verandah would have been $1260 to pay for the upgrade at that time. It's hard to complain about a $300 balcony. All in with taxes and port fees, the room itself is costing us $658. We have also paid for spa access and a retreat cabana for some additional cost.

Yea, that was the video I saw when I booked it. Just looked like a regular balcony, didn't really notice that it was shallower than normal. I think it'll be good enough. Wife is excited about the location, so we'll probably keep it.

Nieuw Statendam

We received a limited upgrade offer for our free cruise in March and accepted a VQ balcony for $149 per person. I later learned they have tiny juliet balconies, so I'm not sure about my decision. But still happy they are near the spa and the retreat area, since we have access to both of those areas. My main question is what is meant by category VQ to VF? Is it alphabetical: VF, VG, VH, VI, etc? until VQ? Or is it by floor as in VQ (panorama deck 10) to VF (beethoven deck 4)? I later found this diagram on cruisdeckplans and feel like a bit of an idiot since it's right there on the side and seems to go by floor and feel like it's a bit obvious now, but just want to confirm:

The last night of the cruise it will close earlier, 5 or 6 if memory serves. So they can get ready for the next cruise.

Royal bid is not a thing. But they do upselling (paid upgrade), you can read through this thread: Particularly this post and wait until you're a few weeks away from the cruise:

I feel like that's a personal decision. Some people can't cruise without the drinking packages and such. For us, it's the spas and pools.. we've reached a point where it's a requirement. So all of the newer Carnival ships (Vista class) are out, simply because they are a joke in the spa area. You just have to decide what's important to you, where you find enjoyment on the ship. I do wish there was a spreadsheeet somewhere across cruise lines that showed which ones had large proper thalassotherapy pools. Also looking for land based resorts that have them. My wife loves them and the heated loungers.

That sounds correct. There is a chance that last cruise day may fluctuate, I feel like ours was either 6 or 7. It is so they can clean between cruises. Or that is what I was told when I asked. Our routine had been to end the night in there.

We ordered bottles to the room pre-cruise so didn't have that problem. But yea, that is getting to be a more common problem across cruise lines as hours cut back in the buffet areas. You essentially have to find the open areas and go get water, buy water, or get a bunch of small cups from a bar. I really wish they would have designated bottle refill stations, the hands free kind.

My wife has started joining booking specific facebook groups and has much more luck with roll calls than I've ever seen on here. Maybe a few of my early ones were active, but recent ones not so much. Whereas her facebook groups are non-stop. Of course Carnival and RC have always been more active on there as well. I think with HAL she may have joined one that was ship specific, the Koningsdam for us.

The latest post in this thread has one method, involving purchasing OBC before hand. If you are not past final payment, you can always use it for payment of the cruise itself.

@Mary229 Never even knew dental glue was a thing. You should create a packing list post, essential / first aid type list. What other things do you take on board?

No, you show up and give them your room key and they give you a badge for door access. When you're done with the facilities, you trade back. You come and go at your own leisure. As often or for long as you like. I mean there are some common courtesies if there is a line or something, but I've never ran into that.

Can confirm that it's live on HAL's website. No mention of it, but if you add a $250 card or more to your cart, it adds the bonus card.

Thank you for that clarification!

Thanks for this review. I don't know if I knew that PG offered a lunch on port days or I just forgot. So that will be another option for us. Thanks!

Well I had a thread the other day asking about discounted specialty dining. This might be an alternative. Thanks for the heads up. I assume this is just via HAL website and similar to this old thread from October.

Ambulatory Accessible rooms are designed for use by guests with mobility disabilities who do not require the regular use of a wheelchair, scooter, or other similar assistive devices. These rooms provide some accessible features. Ambulatory accessible is a bit different than fully accessible, all of those grab bars and seat in the tub, does look like an AAC.

Alright, thanks for the info. I had in my memory that this past May I had gotten a discount, but went back and found receipt in email and nope, we paid full price. Thanks all.

We have a cruise in March and will do some specialty dining while on-board. I had waited on Black Friday and Cyber Monday, thinking they would have been discounts of some kind, but the "discount holidays" came and went and they all stayed at regular price: Canaletto - $22.40 per person Pinnacle Grill - $46.00 per person Tamarind - $34.20 per person I know that nobody can see the future, but based on past deals, anything else on the horizon that I might not be aware of? Otherwise, I will probably go ahead and pay the regular prices and get everything locked in.

Per person per day? Or just $400 more total?

Assume this was via email?