EngSet

I 've always called. And with this new website who the heck knows!! :p

Thanks!

Yes indeed. I think you have to have an account with your info which they can set up right there on the phone. I generally put a hold on cabins, firm up plans with the FatCat tribe, and make my deposits 2 to 3 days later.

Thanks! Am I understanding correctly that courtesy holds can only be done on the phone vs. online?

When I have been blocked on HAL's web site from selecting cabin and also from seeing what is available, I go to some of the online TA sites to check availability. Doesn't help you actually book; but, has helped me when I want to see what is available.

Also, make sure you don't have any ad filtering software blocking the site.

Also, after clearing your browser cache, close out of the browser, then reopen it.

If none of this works with multiple browsers, it is probably the web site.

Another thought-We found that when on a mobile device and the mobile version of the Web site, we could select a stateroom. Just not when on regular web site with laptop or desktop. You might try a mobile device.

Related to comment made by OP-You mentioned a courtesy hold. Does HAL do those? Thanks.

It most likely is the web site. I had trouble with different browsers, too, about a month ago. Then, a week or so later it worked.

We checked security settings of our filters and antivirus, cleared the browser cache and cookies, etc. Nothing helped. We emailed HAL; no response. Then, a week later it worked.

Advise clearing browser cache and making sure pop up blocker turned off. If that does not work, probably the web site.

Confirming it was smoke-free in May. There was only one smoking area on the entire ship and it was outside (starboard side outside the buffet).

 

This policy is what tempted me to try HAL, so I hope they expand it to the whole fleet.

Thanks for confirming this change.

Just returned from the Nieuw Amsterdam and it is indeed smoke-free in the casino. A definitely plus to us when making our future cruise plans.

Thanks, Italy52! Makes a difference for many in our travelling party as well.

It was in late February/early March of this year. And I have to say that that the casino was the most crowded we have ever seen a HAL casino in over 10 years of sailing on HAL.

 

 

Sent from my iPad using Forums

Thanks for sharing this info. One of our travelers has very, very sensitive lungs and this will news will be a big relief to them.

Appreciate all of the super-fast responses from everyone---love this board! :-) My apology for not responding to the replies faster...schedule today was uber hectic.

My biggest challenge is going to be waiting until next summer for this cruise and not caving and going a year early. ;-) From all the great reviews as of late re: the NA, it is very, very tempting to just grab a last minute stateroom this year and go.

Wishing all a nice night,

EngSet

Greetings- Trying to confirm if the Nieuw Amsterdam's casino is 100% non-smoking. (Info on Hal Web site seems inconsistent; thus, if anyone can confirm, much appreciated.) Sent an email inquiry to HAL a week or so ago, but, no answer as of yet.

Wishing all a great day,

EngSet

I can't answer your question, but I an say that you are in for a wonderful treat! We just did this cruise and it was phenomenal! You are very lucky and you made a great choice!

 

I booked through a TA and told him that we were interested in an upsell...and kept reminding him of that, and in fact, we were able to score a great one 11 days before sailing. So what ever box you decide to check or not check, make sure you have a personal conversation with your cruise planner or TA about your interest in upsells.

EeyoreRN- Saw your thread re: your cruise- great info and photos. :-) So glad you enjoyed your trip.

I would keep in mind that with upsell offers, you have to accept them... You are given that choice.

Upgrades, if your booking allows, can be done spontaneously by the cruise line.

 

If your cabin is the very top category of inside... Then you can only move up.

But, as you said, you might appreciate your inside more than an OV.

 

I would guess that an upsell would at least be to some type of balcony.

But, I could be wrong... would anybody pay an upsell fee just for OV????

Thanks, Wishing on a Star. Sometimes I erroneously use "upgrade" when I am thinking "upsell." Sorry for any confusion and thanks for clarifying/pointing out the difference.

Thank you all for the quick replies.

We booked directly with HAL via their website.

We are really excited about this itinerary. I was torn between this voyage on NA and one on the Eurodam. The Eurodam goes to Sitka which is on our visit list; but, this Voyage from Vancouver has the inside passage twice, plus Glacier Bay and Tracy Arm.

As far as the stateroom, if no offers come our way, we'll be fine and will not be disappointed. While I'd love a view or a balcony, sleeping in a very dark room is also a huge plus- thus, was very torn regarding the type of stateroom.

The NA appears to have some wonderful spaces from which to view the scenery; thus, I am sure it will be wonderful- upsell offers or not. :-)

Politely jealous of all those sailing this summer. :-)

Thanks again to all who replied.

Greetings- Just booked NA to Alaska in Summer of 2019- Yahoo!

Question- During the booking, had option to mark if one was flexible with Stateroom choice, or, "No thanks" and need specific stateroom.

Do not want to lose the booking for one of the larger insides on Main Deck (i.e., would rather have the larger inside vs. an obstructed view, etc.); but, do not want to take the opportunity for upgrade for modest cost out of the realm of possibility either.

Does anyone know if marking "No thanks, need specific room" will result in zero contact from HAL should they be offering upgrades for additional $ over the next year or so?

Appreciate your thoughts and experiences around this topic.

Thanks,

EngSet

Thanks, Cruisegal84 and CM1984! (I have been searching online to see if anyone has posted photos of the Eurodam since this most recent dry dock; but, have not found much.)

Appreciate the info. :-)

Side note- I just saw another thread on the HAL message board by Scubacruiserx2 with some photos---will be checking that out---but, I think those photos are from May of 2017. Nice photos, though.

Thanks again for the info.

CM1984- Thanks for posting your review! Glad you enjoyed your trip. I believe that the Eurodam came out of drydock not that long ago. (Memory in a.m. before sufficient java not so great! :-)

Any comments/thoughts are the changes? IE Did the look or feel seem different than photos of the Eurodam that you saw pre-drydock? (I have not sailed on the Eurodam before.)

Thanks again for posting your review.

-EngSet

Thanks for posting during your trip. Looking forward to your updates.

Ceilidh1---Thanks so much for all those photos! Much appreciated. :-)

Celidh1- Thanks for sharing your cruise experience. Glad you got to enjoy the trip, even if it was a brief one.

Forgive me for asking, but, any chance that you have some photos of the ship? I believe the Eurodam was recently in dry dock and I have been super anxious (and, not so patient apparently :-) to see some of the post dry dock photos. Thus, hoping you might have a few.

Again, glad the trip ended up going well.

Thanks, Turtles06 and Dave for the additional info on the Signature Experience and how/when it was offered to folks.

:-)

Good morning, all! :-)

Regarding the Signature Experience and the mention that is was "offered" for free - was this offer part of the terms of the original booking (thus, simply included in the fare); or, were you contacted after booking and offered the Signature Experience?

Thanks!

-EngSet

The K-category cabins on Main Deck are aft of the aft elevator. It doesn't matter which side of the ship you choose, since there is nothing producing noise above them.

 

The J-category cabins on starboard, half-way to mid-ship and back, are the most quiet. On port side they are under the Queen's Lounge, and you will hear the music at night in at least some of them. Closer to the forward elevator on port side can be fine, though (I have been in one of those). I would be careful about the starboard cabins closer to the forward elevators, as they are under the Billboard area.

 

The I-category cabins on Deck 8 (I don't remember the deck name, sorry) are also large ones.

I don't know about the other I-category cabins on the other decks.

 

Beware, the other insides, including the J- & K-cabins on other than Main Deck, are tiny.

Thanks for the reminder re the size of the J and K cabins that are not on the main deck. One thing that is appealing re the larger cabins minus the window is that they really do look pretty spacious.

Thinking of the Nieuw Amsterdam or Eurodam for an Alaska cruise this September or next year.

Thanks again for the info.

I knew I had read some about these larger cabins on the boards, but, was having trouble finding the info. Then, remember to search under J and K, vs. just "inside staterooms."

Thanks, Carole and RuthC for the additional advice- much appreciated.

Will study the deck plans a bit more today.

Wishing all a great Saturday,

EngSet

You might want to try halfacts.com they have a wealth of information and fotos.

Rosalyn

Thanks! :-)

Did another search and did find mention of the J and K insides on the Main Deck of the Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam as being some of the larger interior staterooms.

Also, found suggestion to stick to starboard side cabins (the J and Ks on the Main Deck) if noise an issue for light sleepers.

Any other guidance re: the larger interior cabins? Thanks. :-)