Euby

When I called to buy CO and asked about the upgrade, the Rep seemed surprised that any CQ were available and said, "those cabins are huge." LOL

F category is not a Family Oceanview (Suite). Those are FA & FB. I was able to get a larger Oceanview (CQ).

Thanks Dave! I was able to get the Club Orange and upgraded from my previous F cabin to a CQ cabin for $275 ($25pp/day). I think that is well worth it for the upgrade alone.

Normally, I book a particular cabin. However, for my cruise at the end of the year (using a casino offer), the only option was an Oceanview Guarantee. According to my booking it shows F as the Stateroom. This is on the Nieuw Statendam. When I looked at deck plans, F Cabins are only on Deck 1 and there 5 of them. If I were to purchase Club Orange and try to upgrade room Category, what letters (categories) would be considered an upgrade? Is it higher in the alphabet (G, H - which I don't really see - or is it cabins that have FA and FB or the C, D, or E categories). Categories within categories can be so confusing. It seems that almost all of the Oceanview Cabins are on Deck 1, which I'm not really fond of (from previous experience). I'm guessing that they don't often bump Oceanview Guarantee up to Verandah cabins. I've got a few hours before I can call them, so was just trying to get some idea of what to expect.

They NFL has a channel in your cabin. It will only show the live game, so not able to watch it after the fact.

If you have a Target and use their Red Card, you can purchase them at 5% off either in store or on-line.

I use one of these at the end of my lanyard. I like that it can hold both my beverage card and cabin card. Rigid Open-Faced Black 2 Card Holder (P/N AH-150) and more Rigid Plastic Holders at SpecialistID.com

@cruzer0007 You can notify HAL ahead of time if you will need assistance with embarkation and debarkation. This is for assistance only. They will not provide the wheelchair (that is a separate company). Contact HAL via GuestAccessibility@HollandAmerica.com. They can help answer any of your questions. Also, it may be cheaper to rent a mobility device from a local DME store and use for the entire trip.

Have you ever used it when you had a post-cruise stay for a day or 2? How did that work?

@DaveOKC- I tried to send you an PM, but it wouldn't go. Can you answer this for me? Do they just say Oceanview is $X, Verandah is $Y, and suites are $Z? What's the best way to know if that is a good price? Just compare the price difference between the categories based on the HAL website?

I can answer part of #10. I used the luggage direct on a cruise last December. I had a pre-cruise overnight in Fort Lauderdale, so I had a carry-on with me. My cruise suitcase I booked (via phone) with luggage direct. It arrived at my cabin without any problems even though I flew in a day early. I can't answer the part about cabin to home airport as I didn't book that.

I'm curious as to the mechanics of this. Do they just say Oceanview is $X, Verandah is $Y, and suites are $Z? What's the best way to know if that is a good price? Just compare the price difference between the categories based on the HAL website? I currently have a casino offer with an interior cabin booked for a trip in 16 days. Wouldn't mind getting a larger cabin if it's reasonable. Especially since it appears that the ship is only 1/2 full.

Darn it... Now, I'm hungry. Seriously though, I may need to be making my evenings last trip back to my cabin via the Lido on future cruises.

Figures... I just received the 3 Binax eMed test kits that I ordered for my 3 upcoming cruises. Ah well, sounds like I'll have to use it for my Alaska cruise at least since we have a stop in Victoria.

bump

December 26, 2022 Nieuw Statendam  11-Day Southern Caribbean Wayfarer AND March 25, 2023 Zaandam  10-Day Mexico & Sea Of Cortez 

That picture was from the Crow's Nest on the Westerdam (pre-Covid). However, I have sailed last December (2021) and was able to order it in the Ocean Bar and Lido Bar. The Lido Bar had to get one of the ingredients from another bar. So, I would say you can probably order it ship-wide. It just might take a little longer if they have to go to another bar for something.

I guess that I wasn't very clear. The cruise is out of Fort Lauderdale. The pre-cruise hotel offered by HAL is in Fort Lauderdale. (Miami not available). The transfers page shows Miami to Fort Lauderdale. I would like to know people's experiences that have used the HAL supplied transfer from MIA to the Ft Lauderdale hotel. I know that I can get my own hotel in either Miami or Fort Lauderdale and take an Uber. However, traveling solo with a mobility device made that experience more stressful than I want. Been there, done that, would like to avoid it in the future.

Has anyone used the HAL provided transfer/shuttle from Miami Airport to a Holland America pre-cruise hotel in Fort Lauderdale? What was your experience like? I know that there are cheaper options available. However, for my set of circumstances, it is better to take a non-stop flight (which means Miami). I've reviewed posts in the Florida Departures, but I'm wanting a more HAL-specific answer. Thanks!

Just wanted to share with my casino offer "family". My boss approved my PTO requests for end of December and end of March. I'm taking advantage of the casino offers. I booked 2 cruises (refer to signature) for less than $900 that normally would have been over $6700 otherwise! http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dyqZHRfAQNg/VMap9QhZR9I/AAAAAAAACOE/-qvRv6LcoCs/s1600/FrogAlligator.gif

That picture was from a bar menu in the Crow's Nest (now the Explorer's Lounge). I was able to order it at any bar while onboard the Nieuw Amsterdam this past December. Well, any bar that I ordered from, which was the Lido bar and Casino bar primarily.

My favorite drink to get is the Frosty Chocolate Mint Buzz. Think alcoholic chocolate mint shake. YUM! The picture is from pre-covid cruise, but they still will make them!

Just to add to what oakridger said... Some of these "express" companies are just out for the money. Others can be a front to steal your identity. I always use the government sites. My sister recently had to get my nephew a new passport (change from minor to adult) and the government themselves offer an expedited service for a fee. So there really isn't a reason to use a 3rd party company.

Let me add this to the "logarithm" conversation. My upcoming cruise is a "free-cabin" casino offer. However, I do not play at the tables or machines. I play BINGO at each opportunity at the highest package available. I also received another "free-cabin" offer that I'm considering for next year. So I somehow got on the list. I hope that I stay on it, because it really helps me afford to cruise as solo.

@Cruise Suzy- Thanks so much for posting this! I may have to rearrange a few dining reservations, so I can indulge in some fun & games. LOL