love_the_sea

On 10/23/2022 at 8:57 AM, CruiserBruce said:

I was asked to review all the excursions on our NS cruise this July/August, and did review them. But not sure where the reviews go and can be viewed.

I have received emails from HAL just this past week asking me to review the 3 ship tours we took on our recent repositioning cruise from Montreal to Ft. Lauderdale on Zaandam. I submitted reviews and one reply told me my review had been posted. I can't see it since I don't have access to those particular cruises. However, I have begun researching tours for three cruises I have booked for next summer and many of those excursions have multiple reviews. They are varying years old, but give me some idea of the nature of the excursion and the physical difficulty. I ignore the comments about the tour guides as they are likely to be different. 

I was recently on the Zaandam. Yes there was a "request card" in our cabin but our cabin steward said we had to choose between morning or evening service. He did explain that on Dressy Nights we would get chocolates. I kept a copy of the card and now upon rereading it, it appears that we could have requested evening turndown service as an addition to our morning service. We both decided we wanted morning service (we didn't want to make up our own beds!). We hung up our towels on the pegs on the bathroom door but they were almost always replaced anyway and we did get good service. But I missed the days of returning to the cabin after an evening "out" and having the low lights on and the room all tidy. Now I realize I could have asked for both. If I thought HAL would hire enough staff to not totally overwork the cabin stewards I would gladly ask for both! Actually the card lets you ask for other items and I think it is a nice touch. 

On 10/21/2022 at 4:11 PM, KroozNut said:

Zuiderdam does not have the NY Pizza/Deli venue, which is where HAL's best pizza (in our opinion) comes from.

But pizza is usually available in the Lido buffet area, and it's okay. Not even close to NY Pizza/Deli, but just okay.

I am surprised that it is only available in the Lido (same as Zaandam). I was on the old, small Rotterdam in the fall of 2019 and there was a pizza bar outside on the back of the ship where the Sea View pool was.  My recollection is that it was a New York Pizza place. It was good pizza and you could customize it unlike the pizza in the Lido. 

On 10/27/2022 at 6:52 AM, Roz said:

It's as though norovirus doesn't even exist.  Remember when it has a huge honkin' deal?  All kinds of precautions and warnings.

I also was surprised at no questions about vomiting or diarrhea. No questions at pier; just the 72 hour pre cruise questionnaire which as I recall was about covid symptoms. No covid test (we boarded in Montreal the day Canada lifted the testing requirement.) 

On 6/4/2022 at 3:51 PM, nyold said:

But both in the old and new rooms there were envelopes with 2 sets of keys, all working.

Thanks so much for this review with all the information and pictures. I am doing the final cruise of the season, Montreal to Fort Lauderdale. Seems like a lot has changed since I last cruised on HAL in the fall of 2019. Sounds like you have to have the Navigator app for excursions? No excursion tickets? 

And of course the whole boarding process with the Covid tests etc. is different. You mentioned in one of the early posts that "room keys were in the room" (see quote above). This seemed strange to me as always before the room key is a card that you get at check in and that you have to show to security to get on the ship. In fact every cruise I have been on (HAL and other lines) was that way. Can you explain? Thanks. 

Think it depends on whether it is a true B2B or a Collection cruise (I think that is what they call it). I am signed up for a 28 day cruise next summer that is actually a series of B2B cruises but I have one booking number. In that case I don't think Mariner status would change. I am doing a short cruise this fall to get my 9 nights for 4Star.

1 minute ago, ChinaShrek said:

You could easily resell them on Ebay and still make a handsome profit.

I thought I saw that they could not be resold?

On 4/21/2022 at 1:31 PM, vinonme2 said:

I would seriously consider purchasing these cards for my upcoming Hal cruises however, the cards are only good for Hal and not eligible for a cash refund. I am the only one in my family that cruises and if I were to no longer cruise, the cards would not be worth anything.  Even though the 10% bonus on each card is extremely tempting, the thought of not getting a cash refund makes the offer very iffy for me.  

Thanks for sharing this thought! You make a good point. If my final payment was due very soon it would make sense to purchase these cards and use them for that. But my final payment is about 3 months away. These days it seems like a lot can happen in 3 months! 

Has anyone sailed in a Single Ocean View cabin? From the diagram it appears there is nowhere to sit except on the bed. And no desk. Is that correct?

I cancelled a May 26 Canada cruise that I had made full payment on without HAL cancelling (even though most of the ports were Canadian and we wouldn't be going there). I wanted to get all of my payment except for the deposit back. At the same time I also cancelled the 2020 World Cruise anticipating getting my rather large deposit back. The cruises are no longer shown on my account on Holland America but I have heard nothing about a refund. The cancellations were done March 20.  A few days before that I had cancelled my excursions that had been booked online and those refunds were processed within a couple of days.  I have now just "written off" the almost $5,000 that HAL owes me as a bad debt.  There are many on this site that have expressed that we who wanted money instead of FCC were being disloyal to HAL.  I am sorry, although I have thoroughly enjoyed my many HAL cruises (I lack 9 nights of being 4 stars), my relationship to them was a business one and I am very upset that it appears they are just ignoring me.  The least they could do is tell us we aren't going to get our money and not just leave us hanging. 

2 hours ago, strickerj said:

That's great news! I wonder if it applies to an Air Canada flight originating in the U.S.? (Their governing body has determined that a credit is acceptable in lieu of a refund so long as it isn't unduly restricted, which has been interpreted as good for at least two years.)

Don't know about flights originating in US but I had flights from Montreal to Atlanta booked Feb 13 of this year for a return from a cruise to Montreal. I just checked Air Canada's web site and since my flights aren't cancelled I only get a credit for one year, but with no change fee.  I will just be out that money since I don't plan to travel anywhere in the next year. 

On 4/3/2020 at 1:15 PM, cruzingnut said:

 

No, they have not.  We on the Amsterdam got off the ship in Fremantle, Australia and had to pay for our own flights home if we hadn't used HAL for flights TO the cruise when it began in January. 

 

Linda R.

I understood from various blogs written by passengers on the World Cruise that HAL was giving you $1250 toward your flights home. Seems like your travel insurance would also pick up some of the cost.  

14 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

The important thing is now where the ship is flagged.  

The important thing is  how to help those in need on board the ship.

There will be plenty of time to point fingers after this is over.

I believe you misunderstood my post.  I was trying (I guess unsuccessfully) to point out how impractical it would be to send the Zaandam and the Rotterdam to The Netherlands for help.  We need to help them hear in the US.  I don't understand why you thought I or anyone was pointing fingers.

5 hours ago, RocketMan275 said:

Says they must seek assistance in those countries first.

What happens if those countries refuse?

Easy to say, they would then refuse to allow them to dock in US.

However, the outcry would quickly become overwhelming.    

That means the Zaandam would have to seek help from the Netherlands since that is where it is registered. I may be mistaken but I believe all Holland America ships are Netherlands flagged.  

17 hours ago, tennisbeforewine said:

Monday, March 30, 2020 - Quarantine Day #7

San Luis Obispo, California (Home Sweet Home)

 

It's strange that one can be on one side of the globe one day and, 36 hours later, on the other side.  That's the way our (partial) round the world adventure ended, and we consider ourselves incredibly blessed to have it end the way it did.

 

 

 

We cannot say enough about Captain Jonathan and the way he handled this crisis.  He was calm and collected, dealt with an ever-changing HAL office in Seattle, and even though he was getting virtually no sleep and was under incredible pressure, he was pleasant to everyone and patiently answered all questions - reasonable and not - put to him.  The crew deserves  every kudo I can give them.  Not knowing what was happening to them, they still dealt with the passengers with grace and courtesy.  I know that many passengers are quite vocal about their "terrible" treatment on the ship; we  found that many of these people were negative throughout the cruise.

 

 

 

Yes, we DO realize how fortunate we are.  Our ship was virus-free, we stayed two days in what seems now like a pre-apocalyptic Perth, we arrived home safely - but to a new reality, with which you all can identify.  We've now completed week one of our quarantine, thanks to good friends who brought us groceries, brought us take-out dinner, and have made us more offers than we can accept.  Yes, it's strange to "attend" church online, and when our friends bring offerings they stay six feet on the other side of our garden gate, but we're here, we're healthy, and God-willing, we'll get to the end of this horror story soon.  

 

Take care, stay healthy, and STAY HOME!  It's not just our lives that are in danger; it's also our entire medical community and our at-risk citizens.  

 

 

 

 

 

 

Thanks for your great post.  It was so nice to follow along with you on the World Cruise. You were always so upbeat and positive and that continued to the end.  Thanks for your closing words.  Even now people are continuing to ignore how serious this is and endangering not only themselves, but also the lives of others and potentially overwhelming our medical community.  Hope to maybe meet you on the 2022 World Cruise. I had planned to do the 2021 but decided against it for health and financial reasons. 

2 hours ago, golfer1903 said:

If I cancel before they cancel it won’t I lose my money as I do not have any info about a even credit. As I am way past final payment 

You won't lose all your money.  And frankly I would rather have most of my money than FCC.  HAL isn't really advertising this but I believe they have to honor the Cruise Contract.

You should read this on the Holland America web site:

Effective with Summer 2020 voyages, the revised policy is as follows:

GRAND WORLD, GRAND VOYAGES, ANY SEGMENT OF A GRAND WORLD OR GRAND VOYAGE, 28+ DAY HAWAII, TAHITI & MARQUESAS, AMAZON EXPLORER, INCAN EMPIRES (INCLUDING SEGMENTS), 30+ DAY TRANSATLANTIC VOYAGES AND ANY SEGMENT OF A 30+ DAY TRANSATLANTIC:
120-91 days before commencing travel: an amount equal to deposit requirement;
90-76 days before commencing travel: 60% of full fare;
75 days or less before commencing travel: 100% of full fare.

ALL OTHER VOYAGES 7 NIGHTS OR LONGER:
90-64 days before commencing travel: an amount equal to deposit requirement;
63-43 days before commencing travel: 50% of gross fare;
42-22 days before commencing travel: 75% of gross fare;
21 days or less before commencing travel: 100% of gross fare.

Here is the URL: https://www.hollandamerica.com/en_US/legal-privacy/cancellation-policy-US-default.html

So happy to hear you made it home without too many problems.  I have been following your blog but also read your posts here to see the comments.  I will miss your daily posts. I, too, have enjoyed the trivia and always tested myself. I will have to study!  I have a "hold" deposit for the 2022 World Cruise (canceled my 2021 WC because I am afraid things won't be settled down by then).  Hope we are shipmates in 2022. Even though I am not a knitter, I would love to meet you in person!  Take care and stay well!

11 hours ago, Scrapnana said:

I am posting updates on my blog as I make my way home.  I figure I will forget most of it after 24 hours of flying and almost as much in airports, so I decided to update as I go.  8.5 hours to boarding.

 

https://2020halgwv.blogspot.com

Thanks.  You feel like an "old" friend after following you for so long.  Please keep us posted.

You have a great attitude! I have enjoyed following you on your journey.  It is sad that it had to end prematurely but life is turned upside down for us all.  Good to hear that you were able to get off the ship and go to a hotel and that you have good flights booked.  Take care and let us know when you get home.  Will miss reading your posts!

A friend and I were talking last night and I "jokingly" suggested a cruise ship would be a good quarantine place for those who were infected.  In land they are building special places to put trailers. I had no idea that someone would really come up with that idea!  

On 3/16/2020 at 9:23 AM, Scrapnana said:

Don't let this put you off world cruising.   It is a fabulous experience and this is a very rare (thankfully) incident.

It is not just what you have been through.  It is also a financial decision at this point.  This has just pointed out how uncertain things are.  Maybe 2021. 

Wishing you safe travels home. 

I have been following your blog, 128 Days Around the World, but didn't connect it and you to your cruise critic name. I have really enjoyed your blog posts, especially the trivia questions.  I test myself every day! I feel so bad for you and your fellow World Cruisers. It is bad enough here at home, but at least I am in my cozy home not in another country not knowing how or when I will get home.  I am signed up for next years World Cruise, but now having second thoughts. 

Great pictures. I love Sydney. 

Looks like you will have an overnight in Perth.  I did a circumnavigation cruise of Australia two years ago and we docked at Fremantle for Perth.   Fremantle is small and has one or two shuttle bus routes that as I recall were free and go to the various attractions in town. We walked all over the downtown area and it is quite charming. Perth is a comfortable train ride from Fremantle and the station was very close to where we docked.  We loved Perth. . . took the Hop On Hop Off Bus there. 

Wow!  Great picture of the iceberg.  Must have been awesome to see it "in person"!  And I noticed in the pool picture that you had blue skies.  That must have been nice.