My children also like HAL better than all the others except for Disney.

We took a taxi to the airport in Quebec. It was around $60 for the 2 of us last month.

Oh no, My bad!  so sorry. I just checked on You Tube and there is a really nice review of V6052 which is the same cabin as V6049 on the starboard size same ship. We had one of these on Koningsdam and it was great. I actually just booked v4061 on NS for my next cruise.

5 hours ago, FrankieSue said:

We recently stayed 21 days in VH 4118 on Rotterdam (bump cabin) it was the BEST cabin ever; very quiet, just up from the Dutch cafe, and close to almost everywhere we wanted to go…. halfacts has photos of 4133 (starboard) identical cabin…. I would highly recommend those cabins… the noisy cabins are further forward… the area of 4118 is very, very quiet….

Yes, I can see the deck plans and those rooms look good. I initially used deck plans to make a reservation for VH4061 because this is a transatlantic cruise and I don't plan on spending much time on the balcony, however, I wanted the doors available for light and weather check. I originally had thought it was a good location because the music venues are 2 decks underneath. Then I remembered the open atrium I had seen on sister ship Koningsdam. That's when I started to investigate noise issues and found just one review. My instincts were right! It pays to do "due diligence" in researching cabin location (if that is important to you---and it definitely is for me).  My husband would not have been bothered by the noise, but I definitely would have been miserable, and you know what they say!!! HAPPY WIFE= HAPPY LIFE! Thanks to AVA, HAL representative, she deserves a raise for really listening.

Well, I have good news! My TA is out of office, so I called HAL directly and explained my situation. Ava was so courteous and helpful! I was able to rebook to a more desirable room at just a few hundred$$$ more. So pleased with the customer service this time!  I was able to do this because I had originally booked this cruise direct.

2 hours ago, Mary229 said:

Did you book a non-refundable fare?  If your deposit is refundable go ahead and rebook. If you are moving rooms there is no reason to stick with the deal you have.  If

It is less than 90 days to sailing. My TA is working on it.

Thank you everyone for posting your experience. I emailed my TA again today to see what might be done. HAL wanted another $1040 to move to a regular balcony elsewhere on the ship. I thought this was excessive price because right now a new booking is less than what I would pay.  I am not looking for a freebie, just a fair and reasonable accommodation, since I booked this cruise over a year ago.

We did a very relaxed extended family Alaska cruise on the Koningsdam 2 years ago. My grandchildren still talk about it being their next favorite to Disney.  Our ages ranged from 10 to 70 and everyone had a great time. The dressiest my husband got was to wear a collared shirt and khaki pants to dinner. a very big hit was going to the Dutch Cafe and The Crow's nest.

I am looking for reviews from people who have stayed on Deck 4 Pinnacle ship (Nieuw Statendam) in rooms 4055 to 4075.  Has the noise from deck 2 Music venues bothered your rest late at night?  I am a light sleeper and read just one review that stated it was a problem every night. Now I am worrying about my upcoming 14 night cruise. I could just "bear with it' for a night or two, but 14 nights would put a real strain on me. My TA said she has not heard of this being a problem.  I would like to hear from others who have actually stayed in these cabins and get their input. Thanks to anyone who is willing to share their experience with me.

33 minutes ago, ssb said:

Try Discount, Lighthousec, Ez , Patriot,   Port , Port of Galveston 

Thanks, I found most of them are in the $160 to $200 range for 1 week.  If you get one with no shuttle it is $136, but then you have to pay for an uber or walk a loooong way with luggage.  I found none for $100. I paid $90 for covered parking last December with a shuttle.  I guess we have to help pay for the new terminal since the parking companies have to pay each time their shuttle enters the cruise terminal. I heard it is beautiful.

We should not be speculating. This family is grieving right now. God Bless them.

On 8/26/2024 at 3:01 PM, ChristieP said:

Honestly, I would stay wherever you like in either Galveston or Texas City, and use one of the secured parking lots near the cruise pier. If you park at a hotel, your car will be in an open, unsecured lot while you are gone. It could be broken into, or vandalized. The secured parking lots are usually around $100 per car for a week, and they all have shuttles that drop you off right at the pier. I have cruised with a group of 10, and that is what we did. 

Can you tell me which lot is $100 for the week?  I can find only $200 lots for 7 nights!  Quite a big increase from last year.

Haven't sailed RC in many years and booked a cruise with DH and DD (18) for January, so I have been taking advantage of all the great info on these boards.

How do I go about reserving seats for shows on "Harmony OTS"?  Are there any other tips that I may need to know about?  Thank you!

8 hours ago, Cruisemeister2002 said:

I fear exclusivity whereby you go back to the Titanic style where you have different class accommodation, even decks, dining and even elevators exclusive for some. It's getting that way now. Myself being a ordinary working class person started cruising back in 2002. We got an outside cabin, decent steaks in the MDR, available on request if you didn't like anything else on the menu. You didn't have to have a package to get drinking chocolate. Tours of the Bridge and Galley were free, a chocolate on your pillow at night. The ladies had toiletries in a little bag and they had a chocoholic afternoon in the MDR where the chefs put together all sorts of delicious desserts, cakes etc. No extra charge. I could afford this cruise. Now it's extra for this, extra for that. Have a spa treatment and they want to sell you some sort of product or another treatment. Yes I know you can say no. But you are on holiday and you don't need to feel pressurised into buying anything. But everything is geared to removing as much from your pocket possible.

Well said

I just returned from the Zuiderdam. On deck 4 there were scooters parked in the hallway every night.

We stayed for another night in Quebec . It rained the entire time. It was still quite charming if not wet. We walked around in the rain and had lunch near our boutique hotel while waiting for our room to be ready. We stayed at Hotel Marie-Rollet. Fabulous location! Had a few Irish coffees to warm and dry out.

We r on this cruise now also. Here are my top tips: if you are going to the casino, do so on the first 3 nights only. The payout gets poorer as the cruise progresses. Really evaluate any of HAL’s excursions. We did 2 and very sorry we did. Peggy’s cove is not worth it imho. The PEI excursion to the lighthouse and winery is very poor as well. Try using independent tour operators for a better experience. The food and drinks are good. If you like good wine, be ready to spend a few dollars more on each glass. Do not miss the comedy show, very good. The service is wonderful, all employees are working hard and they make this trip enjoyable. Get ready to stumble over scooters left in the hallways overnight. Oh, get ready to hold your nose when using the hallway to the Billboard and Rolling Stone lounges.

On 7/30/2024 at 7:25 PM, paddingtonbear said:

The ports I'm concerned about are Halifax and Portland. 

In Halifax we really want to do Peggy's cove before the crowds.  There is what looks like a great private tour by tripshepherd.com/tours/peggys-cove-express has 24hour cancellation but if you cancel after that you only lose $50 pp.  I don't want DH driving on the wrong side of the road. 

 

In Portland we were looking at realportlandtour.com/home

It has 24 hour cancellation.  It's $65 pp including tax. 

 

I think we've given up on an excursion from Sydney to the Cabot Trail. 

 

 

Be careful in choosing Peggy’s cove . You have been warned

On 6/18/2024 at 3:39 PM, tarrenel said:

We will be on HAL and would like to go to the Island Falconry tour but don't want to do the ship's excursion to it. Is there any transportation that would take us from the ship to Island Falconry?

Whatever you do, please take time to review any HAL excursions. We r on Zuiderdam now and the 2 we have been on are dismal. The 2 we booked independently were brilliant and cheaper!

Whatever you do, skip any ship excursion to Peggy’s cove!! Take notice, you have been warned. I wish reviewers before me had been more truthful in their reviews. We were dupped into this snoozefest, long ride and only 15 minutes to look around! Total waste of a great port! 

9 minutes ago, latebuyer said:

Thanks. I am debating going to legal seafoods or james hook for lunch. Legal seafoods has a special with a cup of clam chowder and a petite lobster roll.

The location was very convenient to the Seaport Hotel and we loved the menu choices. All of the selections were fresh and well prepared.

We ate at Legal Seafoods, despite advice and we are glad we did. Had a very memorable delicious meal. The crabcakes, mussels and scallops were outstanding. The ambiance , view and service was very inviting. Oh yeah, do not miss the lobster bisque.

We just did Blackwood tours in Sydney…. Outstanding!

! I have great news! I just went to guest services and the problem has been resolved!  It was a miscommunication from Corporate ( not surprised, that is what I suspected). My account is corrected and YES, gift cards can be used for the casino! Wish I had this resolved yesterday as I allowed it to ruin my experience, however, today is a new and gorgeous day here in Sydney, Nova Scotia!