Roz

Well, yesterday I begrudgingly purchased the premium internet plan at the increased cost. I'm not happy about it, but I need it. I'll let HAL know of my unhappiness on the post-cruise survey, just for my own personal satisfaction. @Laminator and @kazu, thank you for the excellent explanation of HIA for solos. I had no idea it was available. I assumed I would have to pay double.

@Gourmet Gal, I didn't want to hijack Lois' thread so I created another one. You said "Once you’ve sailed with Tauck you will be offered a complimentary hotel night, including breakfast, before or after your future cruises. Nice perk." I sailed with Tauck for the first time last December. When I came back home I contacted my TA and had her book 2 more Tauck cruises for me (back to backs). She didn't say anything about a complimentary hotel night, and I don't recall seeing anything on the Tauck website. Where is this information? Last December I didn't stay at the Tauck hotel ($500 per night! 😲) and instead stayed at a Hilton property that I paid for with points. I'm flying in 3 days ahead again, so if I'm eligible for a free night it may or may not work for me as I don't want to have to change hotels if the Tauck hotel is too pricey for my budget.

@3rdGenCunarder, great ideas!

@Lois R, it pays to comparison shop. With the 2 lines being more alike than different, I wouldn't pay double for Tauck, even with an extra night.

I'm staying at a Hilton property in Buenos Aires precruise. What do I need to bring with me so that I can charge my Android phone and tablet? I asked this question on my roll call thread but the answers were confusing. One person said the concierge will have what I need but how can I be sure of that?

@kazu, are you saying HAL only charges you for 1 HIA package?

I understand dynamic pricing when it comes to airline tickets and cruises. I just wasn't expecting these price surges for things like internet and laundry a week before I fly out for my cruise. Guess I'm not as sophisticated as some of you.

I'm sailing solo, and the HIA just doesn't work for me.

The same thing happened to me. Why provide an e-brochure when it's not accurate?

That may be the case, but why should someone who purchased the plan yesterday get the same higher transmission speeds as someone paying the higher price today? I'm not upset with you for supplying this info, I'm angry at HAL.

I didn't check that because this will be my first cruise as a 4-star Mariner so it will be free.

I mistakenly thought that prices were locked in on pre-purchases to encourage passengers to do that. I guess I was wrong. So if I understand things, there will be passengers paying different prices for ship excursions, add on dining, spa treatments, etc. I wish I never booked this cruise. Everything is out of control.

I'm considering purchasing a premium internet plan for my upcoming 31-day South American cruise. The premium internet plan was $287.99 yesterday and today it's $351.99. What's up with that??? HAL is really ticking me off.

@Lois R, Paris will blow you away. I felt like I was on overload. So much to see and do and take in. Like @Gourmet Gal, I'll be interested in your impressions of Tauck vs. Uniworld.

That's not a far out idea.

If you want to cruise on the Danube, there are many river cruises that start in Budapest which is a major European city. At the top of this page are "stickies" that contain a wealth of information about the various cruise lines.

I agree that if the pandemic didn't hit when it did, Uniworld could have made a go of it. I was thinking of trying U and I was in my late 60s at the time. I welcome something different.

HAL also gives preference to large tour groups so they can eat together at the same time.

I remember that. 😁

@notamermaid, thanks for the update. No, I'd not heard this. I still think it was an interesting concept. Seems like Uniworld just wanted it to quietly go away.

Somewhat related, I've tried to figure out how the Dutch Cafe could be retrofitted onto the Vista class ships.

All the Baltic ocean cruise itineraries have obviously dropped St. Petersburg, so what there was of Russia's tourist industry has been decimated. I took 5 semesters of Russian when I was 60+ and was looking forward to someday visiting there.

I recommend the Sofitel Chain Bridge in Budapest. Great location and breakfast.

@SilvertoGold, you described it perfectly! That's also been my experience.

My experience with Canada Place is that it's a madhouse. They act like they've never processed passengers thru there before. Can't seem to handle debarking and embarking passengers at the same time.