Sorry if this is a repeat, just got home and haven't had time to read through all the posts.  I just spent 21 days on the KDam and I just don't have enough great words for HAL as to how the 2/23 and 3/04 cruises were handled. They were just GREAT under the worst of circumstances.  The ship was kept sparkling clean from top to bottom and we had NO cases of the virus.  The captain keep us updated as to what the different islands were doing and when St Kitts would not allow any ships to dock made arrangement to go to Antigua only to have them turn us away at the very last moment.  Everyone on board received a $100 obc for something that was certainly not HAL's fault. The Kdam is now going to head around SA to reposition for the Alaska season.  Employees who were either at the end of their contract or very close have been sent home but the remainder will consider along with the ship.  Since there will be no passengers hopefully all those hard working people will get a bit of rest over the next 40 some day.  As always there were passengers who complained the entire trip over the most inane things but for the most part passengers were upbeat and "going with the flow".

More later but in MHO HAL rocks!!!

Many thanks to all.  We are in good shape as I already entered my CC number when I did the on-line check in for both of us.  DD is aware of that so YEA I get to sit in my lounger by the pool a bit longer.

I'm having a senior moment 🙄 and just can't remember the exact check in procedure.  I'm taking a BtoB sailing on the Koningsdam on 2/23 and then my DD will join me on 3/4 for the second leg.  I've registered the CC for both legs against my Credit Card.  My question deals with when DD checks in on 3/4 will they want to see that CC?  I can and will get off and meet her in the check in area if I need but would prefer not to do so.  So, somebody with a better memory than I please advise. 

Gee thank you all so much for this information.  Over the last 12 years we have always driven to our departure port but this year I find myself flying to/from.  I followed the link provided and got myself and DD all signed up.  I sure won't miss the "Where's My Luggage" game in the least followed by the hunt for a porter.  😄

SLOTheta look under the ends of the beds for drawers.  Also, unless they have changed the love seat there are also 2 drawers there too.

Go to HAL's web site and bring up your booking.  

Select Purchase Gifts & Indulgences from menu on left hand side of screen.  

Select -  GIFTS & INDULGENCES

Select - Shipboard Credit

Select - 

Enter -

1 hour ago, frankc98376 said:

How well I remember sliding as far down in the seat as I could and holding a magazine in front of my face thinking "please don't see me" 😁 

41 minutes ago, freestyling said:

Ha..to this day I hate making eye contact when the gate agent boards the plane before securing the door! Nothing worse than getting pulled at the last minute from the plane. Oh the joys of non rev travel. 

Yep, been there done that.  I was fortunate that my job, for a period of time,  gave me the ability to see in advance the "actual" number of bookings compared to the actual number of seats on any flight sometimes causing a change of plans on my part.  When I changed job positions within the company that capability was never taken away from me and so I retained a slight edge.

I'm so enjoying being able to take this cruise with you - as I always do.  So many thanks for taking time out of your "vacation" to do your detail posts.  Please continue to enjoy!

Now I will admit it was years ago but when I was an airline employee the first rule we were told about was DO NOT TALK about interline fares and discounts.  The second rule was that nothing was guaranteed.  We could be asked to get up and deplane as there was a full paying customer that needed our seat and smile while you did so.  When it came to interline cruises one could pack their bags, head to a pier and find themselves still there as the ship pulled away.  It's a shame the OP doesn't appreciate the opportunity he/she has, take advantage of when he/she can and keep his/her mouth shut.

Just a thank you for all who have responded to my original post.  I will go ahead and book this in advance and also see to it that DD reads all the posts for the helpful hints as to how to use the service.  She will be greatly relieved she can be in touch with kids 24/7.

Thanks again!

Will be sailing on the Koningsdam 3/4 an 11 day cruise and am taking my adult daughter with me.  She would like to be able to keep in contact with her 3 kids of varying ages during this cruise.  She will have the Verizon international plan on her iPhone that she can use at most of the port stops but she would be more comfortable being able to contact them from the ship at all times.  I've checked the internet plan offered by HAL in advance of sailing and they have a PREMIUM INTERNET PLAN for $151.99 that can be booked in advance.  Should I just go ahead and reserve this now or wait until she boards the ship?  We have a bundle of OBC either given at booking and an additional $500 (thanks to you great CC members) that I got as a result of the AmEx offer.  The important thing is for her to have the service and I'm not of the mind to worry about nickels and dimes at this point, just want to do what is really the best under the circumstance.  

So bottom line is Do I book it now or wait until onboard the ship?

Many thanks in advance for your help. 

Added the offer to my card on Sunday 11/17.  I then went into HAL's site and purchased 5 X $100 OBC for a total of $500.  I just checked my American Express statement on-line and it shows  

Yes, 5 x $100 is correct. Yes if you cancel you will get it back.  I really do not think you can double up as I believe it is one per "account" not one per each issued card but - I'll have to dig out my paper work to be certain.  

Many thanks for the link to use.  I have a Hilton AM EX and that site accepted it and added the offer to my card.  I then went to HAL site and purchased $500 OBC.  I then received email telling me my purchase qualified for the $100 back.  Can't imagine just how AM Ex would have any idea as to when I booked my cruise (last spring) but guess only time will tell as my cruise isn't until March.  Heck, we'll spend the OBC anyway and if it ends up only costing us $400 all the better.  So- thanks again for the link! 🙂  

Beachnut53 I believe you are going on the Nieuw Statendam  and if so you will find an abundance of outlets through out your stateroom.  There’s plenty of power in the room. Each night stand has US and USB outlets. The desk has USB/US on the right, USB/Euro outlets in the middle, and another US/Euro outlet on the left. Each bath has a shaver outlet.

And, just so you are not checking you real "snail mail" mailbox daily, be aware HAL does not actually "mail" documents.  HAL expects you to use your electronic equipment to access them and then your printer and paper to print them.  BUT, since you said you were using a TA they themselves might print them out and mail them to you once you have completed all the necessary on-line registration.  Mine does just that along with more baggage tag holders.  I have enough of those that I could start a tag holder shop! 😮

Like the majority, keep it neat but have never "cleaned" with any product.  After all our cruises on either Princess, HAL or others we have never gotten ill.  We just practice that wash, wash, and wash again our hands.

When we booked on board in March for 2020 we got the above OBC plus OBC equal to the "Welcome Home" offer we would have gotten had we waited until we did actually return.  For us it doubled out total HAL OBC.  Since we have been home we have had our TA re-fare out cruise twice for better base fares & perks and at no time have we lost our original OBCs.  I have read that some have not had the same situation.   

ALWAYS, ALWAYS check more than once if you don't get an answer you like!  Our TA called HAL yesterday afternoon to see if we could get the free HSC on our two booking 2/23/20 and 3/4/20 and was told "No, it is for new bookings only."  She called HAL again this AM and without any controversy was immediately given the free HSC on our bookings.  No loss of OBC or any change to our deposits.  YEA, life is good!😀

Yes please Copper tell us what that "strange" stuff on that plate was.

19 minutes ago, ktbraun said:

Thanks for the responses!  We loved the cruise to Alaska...may just have to try the Caribbean next! 

We have gotten to the point where we treat our Caribbean cruises the same as one would an All Inclusive resort.  With a couple of exceptions we don't even get off the ship at most ports.  We have a couple of times done a "day package" at certain hotels right on a beach but in all honesty those still tend to make a day a bit hectic with all the getting to and back one must do.  It can be rather nice to sit by the pool just relaxing onboard while most others are out attempting to spend lots of money at jewelry stores or just site seeing.   Now, in all fairness, I will admit we live 5 minutes from the beach here which stops us from hunting ones down on the visited islands.  

Bravo!  Well said.

Certainly agree with what kauz has said.  Not worth the extra money.

We really do enjoy some piped in music at the Sea View pool.  They used to have a good variety of music and kept the volume at level that did not disturb most people.  We also enjoyed the Music Trivia played at least once on a sea day out there.  Based on the number of people who gathered to play I'd say it was enjoyed by many other.

Heck, we may be old(er) but we aren't dead either! 😏

Or you can call Ship Services at 1-800-541-1576, in advance of your cruise giving them any credit card number you would like.  I would though ask them to send email confirmation as it will not appear on your other documents. When you fill out your 1st laundry slip just mark "unlimited" and add a note "prepaid".