CruiserBruce

There is probably one on most every corner. There certainly is in many Irish towns.

You are fortunate.

That is crazy talk!!

The dress code doesn't change between ships. It is fleetwide.

Don't use Viator, even if they had tours. They are a broker, not a provider. Lookover on the Ask A Question board. An old thread has popped up...not good. Our experience was mediocre at best.

The driveway is a "U shape" but there are two separate exiting channels. Most drop off is done immediately in front of the building. Buses drop off in one of the exiting channels...you have to walk a short distance to the front of the building. Ubers and taxis drop off at the front of the building. However, you have to shuttle (or walk...its not too far) to a staging area to get an Uber. Taxis line up in one of the exiting channels. Have only been there with one ship, so can't give you any info in that field.

Have stayed at the Hampton. Great hotel in a very good location. Haven't stayed at the Intercontinental, but wouldn't that be a more expensive hotel?

You didn't have to book the cabin with the Have It All package, right? No one is forced to book with Have It All. Everyone in the cabin over 18 has to have the drink package, if anyone in the cabin has it. Yes, everybody in the room will have access to the Neptune Lounge.

Usually you can disembark within minutes of the actual docking. Unless there is an unforeseen complication.

"Best" in what way? Been there in both months a few times. October is the lessor in terms of tourism traffic. Cruises of that type are offered in those months because ships are heading to or from Alaska season.

The OP is talking about transferring from the airport to the ship. At least that is my understanding.

I guess contacting HAL would be a good idea, or if you used a travel agent, contact them. Other options include just going to the airport terminal and hanging out by baggage claim looking for a HAL rep...or a rep from any other Carnival Corp cruise line. The benefit of saying you were arriving on a flight that morning is that they would be visible, looking for you.

And you are not staying at a hotel provided by HAL?

Yes, the pool will be heated.

What time did you tell them your flight arrives? They will provide the transport based on demand...so if you told them you arrive at 9am,they will be prepared to transport you at 9am. You should have provided this info when you booked the transfer, even if you fly in the previous day. In that case, most will fake an arrival time close to the time they can be at the airport and ready for transport.

I would look on your Roll Call...see if there is anything there that you could join.

Thanks @oakridger. Guess my word doesn't mean anything. Or the many other discussions on the topic.

The "best" way? Private helicopter. Second best, limo with champagne in the back.

And we have also flown all over the world on UA, including Europe (and are 4 weeks from a flight SFO-AMS on United). A backpack like kids use for books will work if its not too stuffed. By the way, that style "daypack" was was I was referring in my earlier post, and similar to what we carry. But we never jam it full, unless a jacket needs to go in it for a short term issue.

And it has been my experience that suites, particularly in B2B situations get assigned earlier....we had one at 28 days. But we have also had the assignment at 8 days in a similar B2B Neptune situation.

Definitions of a "backpack" are quite vague....I mean I have hiked for two weeks in the high Sierras with a "backpack" with everything I needed...food, tent, sleeping bag, clothes, etc. And it DEFINITELY would not fit under a airline seat. Your mention of a "drawstring" backpack (I would call that a small "daypack") is better. Yes, those, and other small day packs, fit under the seat...we travel with one frequently. But nothing bigger will fit under the seat.

As mentioned frequently here, when you dock, there will be a booth on the dock selling various excursions. Can't promise you what you would like to do will be available, but maybe...

A little reading around the board would get you a lot of info. Dive In is free. Pizza is free. Dutch Cafe is mostly free...think they have a couple of extra charge items, like alcohol. What food is free is different on the two ships mentioned in the title of this thread, as these are two different models of ship, and the Statendam has more places to eat, both free and extra charge. HAL doesn't have "formal" nights anymore, they are called "dressy", and a much more relaxed dress code. How many dressy nights will depend on the length of the cruise.

Shouldn't have any problem with the Uber, but be aware you need to go to a staging area, called LAXit...check the LAX website...to meet both your taxi, or your Uber.

@POA1, there must be an adult listed in each room, so I am not sure why HIA couldn't be applied at least to that adult.