New to Holland America? This is for you...AKA "HAL For Dummies"

[0106]

12 minutes ago, mynameisjonas said:

Does anyone know if they have gluten-free buns? I'd love to have one of their burgers but I am celiac.

They have gluten-free buns at the DiveIn.

 

You may find this thread helpful.

[mynameisjonas]

1 minute ago, 0106 said:

They have gluten-free buns at the DiveIn.

 

You may find this thread helpful.

 

Thank you so much! I will check out this thread 🙂

[SUESEABE]

@mynameisjonas  Another gluten free thread:

 

 

[Ileneilene123]

I am looking for a link to purchase shipboard credit (OBC). I have been having a lot of trouble with the HAL website so a direct link would be greatly appreciated. 

[islandwoman]

21 minutes ago, Ileneilene123 said:

I am looking for a link to purchase shipboard credit (OBC). I have been having a lot of trouble with the HAL website so a direct link would be greatly appreciated. 

Sorry, I can't help you with that as I don't have such a link.  But I would like to ask you a question:  Why would you want to purchase OBC?  Do you get a discount or what?

[Ileneilene123]

41 minutes ago, islandwoman said:

Sorry, I can't help you with that as I don't have such a link.  But I would like to ask you a question:  Why would you want to purchase OBC?  Do you get a discount or what?

I would like to use HAL gift cards to purchase OBC for our cruise. 

[islandwoman]

Just now, Ileneilene123 said:

I would like to use HAL gift cards to purchase OBC for our cruise. 

I think that you can use HAL gift cards to pay your bill onboard, but I haven't done that myself.

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/plan-a-cruise/giftcard   :

"Gift card funds are in US Dollars and can be applied to bookings in US Dollars and any pre-cruise or onboard purchase."

 

I know that you can use them to pay for your cruise if your TA is willing to deal with them. I have done that.

[crystalspin]

On 3/29/2024 at 10:59 AM, Blackduck59 said:

How hard is it to sit through the SAFETY video? Seriously people it's not like it is a 2 hour epic.

I watch the safety video (as well as the flight attendance demo) as if my life depended on it, because, you know...

[Ileneilene123]

25 minutes ago, islandwoman said:

I think that you can use HAL gift cards to pay your bill onboard, but I haven't done that myself.

https://www.hollandamerica.com/en/us/plan-a-cruise/giftcard   :

"Gift card funds are in US Dollars and can be applied to bookings in US Dollars and any pre-cruise or onboard purchase."

 

I know that you can use them to pay for your cruise if your TA is willing to deal with them. I have done that.

Thank you — all good suggestions, but this time I would like to purchase shipboard credit with the gift cards. Would like to do this online, otherwise I’ll give HAL a call. Thx. 

Edited April 15 by Ileneilene123

[QuattroRomeo]

2 hours ago, Ileneilene123 said:

Thank you — all good suggestions, but this time I would like to purchase shipboard credit with the gift cards. Would like to do this online, otherwise I’ll give HAL a call. Thx. 

The link that islandwoman provided takes you to this:

https://www.buyatab.com/gcp/accessible/?id=5142&page=physical#customize

 

Is that what you need?

[Sea42]

9 hours ago, Ileneilene123 said:

Thank you — all good suggestions, but this time I would like to purchase shipboard credit with the gift cards. Would like to do this online, otherwise I’ll give HAL a call. Thx. 

Once you log in on the website, go to Manage Your Booking, select the cruise and then under Extras you can purchase the OBC. I can't provide a general link because you have to be logged in and purchase thru your booking.

[Ileneilene123]

1 hour ago, Sea42 said:

Once you log in on the website, go to Manage Your Booking, select the cruise and then under Extras you can purchase the OBC. I can't provide a general link because you have to be logged in and purchase thru your booking.

Thank you so much for explaining the steps to purchase OBC on the website. Unfortunately, I have been unable to access Manage My Booking online. It’s been a continuing issue. But at least now I know how to purchase OBC once I am able to fix that! Thx. 

[Sea42]

2 minutes ago, Ileneilene123 said:

Thank you so much for explaining the steps to purchase OBC on the website. Unfortunately, I have been unable to access Manage My Booking online. It’s been a continuing issue. But at least now I know how to purchase OBC once I am able to fix that! Thx. 

That is so frustrating! That sees to be an ongoing problem for many people. I don't understand why this is such a big deal for the IT dept. of HAL to figure out these log in issues.

[Ileneilene123]

12 minutes ago, Sea42 said:

That is so frustrating! That sees to be an ongoing problem for many people. I don't understand why this is such a big deal for the IT dept. of HAL to figure out these log in issues.

Thank you. This is our first cruise & it’s been very difficult not to be able get access our account or manage our cruise. I know we are not alone, but still very frustrating. Many people have posted various fixes here on CC and elsewhere and so far none of those have worked for us. We are a group of 4 with 2 different bookings and not one of us can get in on any of our devices. I may ask my daughter who’s in her 20’s to give it a try — she’s always been the IT department for our family. 

[Sea42]

8 minutes ago, Ileneilene123 said:

Thank you. This is our first cruise & it’s been very difficult not to be able get access our account or manage our cruise. I know we are not alone, but still very frustrating. Many people have posted various fixes here on CC and elsewhere and so far none of those have worked for us. We are a group of 4 with 2 different bookings and not one of us can get in on any of our devices. I may ask my daughter who’s in her 20’s to give it a try — she’s always been the IT department for our family. 

It just shouldn't be that hard but getting your daughter's input wouldn't hurt.

Good luck!

[YourWorldWithBill]

1 hour ago, Ileneilene123 said:

Thank you so much for explaining the steps to purchase OBC on the website. Unfortunately, I have been unable to access Manage My Booking online. It’s been a continuing issue. But at least now I know how to purchase OBC once I am able to fix that! Thx. 

There are many comments on various threads about the problem with HAL IT. Try using a different browser. Sometimes that helps.

[Toofarfromthesea]

1 hour ago, Ileneilene123 said:

Thank you. This is our first cruise & it’s been very difficult not to be able get access our account or manage our cruise. I know we are not alone, but still very frustrating. Many people have posted various fixes here on CC and elsewhere and so far none of those have worked for us. We are a group of 4 with 2 different bookings and not one of us can get in on any of our devices. I may ask my daughter who’s in her 20’s to give it a try — she’s always been the IT department for our family. 

 

Have you tried the incognito workaround?

[tupper10]

We have the HIA package and I am wondering how to use it to get waters in our stateroom. Do I have to go to the bars for bottled water and then bring it back to our room?   TIA.

[Ileneilene123]

28 minutes ago, YourWorldWithBill said:

There are many comments on various threads about the problem with HAL IT. Try using a different browser. Sometimes that helps.

Yes. Everyone has been very generous with suggestions and with describing how they resolved their similar issues with the site. Haven’t hit on the right solution yet. Trying a new browser didn’t work for me, unfortunately. 

Edited April 15 by Ileneilene123

[Ileneilene123]

16 minutes ago, Toofarfromthesea said:

 

Have you tried the incognito workaround?

Thank you. I did see the Incognito work around posted here on CC but it didn’t work for me, unfortunately. I just found a post from last year with additional suggestions for trouble shooting that I will try tonight. Fingers crossed 🤞 

[Dismomx5]

18 minutes ago, tupper10 said:

We have the HIA package and I am wondering how to use it to get waters in our stateroom. Do I have to go to the bars for bottled water and then bring it back to our room?   TIA.

Yes, you will get the cans of water at the bars and take them back to your room. We always picked up a couple on our way back to the room at night.

[tupper10]

1 minute ago, Dismomx5 said:

Yes, you will get the cans of water at the bars and take them back to your room. We always picked up a couple on our way back to the room at night.

Thank you.  

[objko]

5 hours ago, Ileneilene123 said:

Thank you. I did see the Incognito work around posted here on CC but it didn’t work for me, unfortunately. I just found a post from last year with additional suggestions for trouble shooting that I will try tonight. Fingers crossed 🤞 

I have had trouble getting to my bookings by using the Manage Your Bookings link.  What works for me, at least for now, is logging into the HAL website, going to the top right corner and clicking on My Account.  The screen that comes up has 3 options: My Profile, My Bookings, and My Cruise History.  I click on My Bookings then click on the Bookings number of the cruise I want to manage and it takes me to the page with itinerary, shore excursions, and the rest of the options for that cruise.  I'm using Safari on a Mac.  GOOD LUCK!  

[Ileneilene123]

35 minutes ago, objko said:

I have had trouble getting to my bookings by using the Manage Your Bookings link.  What works for me, at least for now, is logging into the HAL website, going to the top right corner and clicking on My Account.  The screen that comes up has 3 options: My Profile, My Bookings, and My Cruise History.  I click on My Bookings then click on the Bookings number of the cruise I want to manage and it takes me to the page with itinerary, shore excursions, and the rest of the options for that cruise.  I'm using Safari on a Mac.  GOOD LUCK!  

Thanks for the suggestions. I am unable to click on the Account button to open anything at all. It’s a completely dead link. Not sure why.
 

I am able to go to Manage My Cruise but cannot open anything once I select a booking . I have what has been described on CC as a “white screen” problem. Everything opens to a blank white screen. There’s a current thread going on this issue that I’ve been following and I also found an older post with suggestions that I will try tonite. 
 

Ironically, the Make a Payment link works just fine. I was able to pay the balance for the cruise. No problem. 🤦🏼‍♀️ 

Edited April 15 by Ileneilene123

[SUESEABE]

@Ileneilene123

Something to keep in mind:  If you pay with HAL gift cards and you

have unused OBC left,  you will get any refund back on HAL gift cards.  Safe Travels!

Edited April 16 by SUESEABE