Jump to content
Cruise Critic Community

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

Host Walt

By Host Walt,
in Holland America Line

 Share

Recommended Posts

UM-Fan

UM-Fan

Posted
Posted
Small word of advice. Check the reservation as soon as you are onboard and if the time is not one you like, head to the PG manager and see if it is possible to change it. It can happen but you need to move quickly IMO.

 

Even if you have to pay for two, it should still be a nice evening hopefully

 

Thank you for the advice. Being a HAL newbie I wasn't sure if they would make the reservation for all four of us or if we could even change the date and time if we wanted to. I am more then willing to pay for the other two meals so we can all dine together, but not sure what the reservation will be. Is there anyway to check the reservation prior to boarding the ship?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kazu "Live from...." Rare

kazu

Posted
Posted
Thank you for the advice. Being a HAL newbie I wasn't sure if they would make the reservation for all four of us or if we could even change the date and time if we wanted to. I am more then willing to pay for the other two meals so we can all dine together, but not sure what the reservation will be. Is there anyway to check the reservation prior to boarding the ship?

 

Sorry, there is no way to check it. From only my experience when I got a "freebie" to the Canaletto, it was at a ridiculous hour (for us). I was able to get it changed.

 

The cards are onboard and then you find out when it is.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Gallivanting Souls

Gallivanting Souls

Posted
Posted
The MDR is open for lunch for mariners (anyone that has sailed on a CCL ship in the past) on most occasions. Otherwise, there is the Lido and the Dive In on embarkation day.

.

 

Am I putting too much thought into this? Is this what you meant?

I will have sailed 3x's on Princess (a Carnival Corp ship), 1x on Carnival and this will be our first time on HAL. Do we qualify??? On Princess anyone that is in the know can eat in the MDR the first day for lunch. Mostly people who read CC or have sailed Princess before :D

 

I am sure I will have many more questions, as first time HAL sailor here! :eek:

Thanks in advance!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Gallivanting Souls

Gallivanting Souls

Posted
Posted
The MDR is open for lunch for mariners (anyone that has sailed on a CCL ship in the past) on most occasions. Otherwise, there is the Lido and the Dive In on embarkation day.

.

 

Am I putting too much thought into this? Is this what you meant?

I will have sailed 3x's on Princess (a Carnival Corp ship), 1x on Carnival and this will be our first time on HAL. Do we qualify??? On Princess anyone that is in the know can eat in the MDR the first day for lunch. Mostly people who read CC or have sailed Princess before :D I guess if I would have kept reading, I would have answered my own question.

 

I am sure I will have many more questions, as first time HAL sailor here! :eek:

Thanks in advance!

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Crew News "Live from...." Rare

Crew News

Posted
Posted (edited)
Am I putting too much thought into this? Is this what you meant?

I will have sailed 3x's on Princess (a Carnival Corp ship), 1x on Carnival and this will be our first time on HAL. Do we qualify??? On Princess anyone that is in the know can eat in the MDR the first day for lunch. Mostly people who read CC or have sailed Princess before :D

 

I am sure I will have many more questions, as first time HAL sailor here! :eek:

Thanks in advance!

 

Historically, anyone who has sailed at least once on a Carnival Corporation Line is considered a "one-star" Mariner and invited to the Mariner Embarkation Lunch in the Main Dining Room. There have been reports that is lunch is being phased out.

 

Other places for lunch on Embarkation Day are the Lido Restaurant (Deck 9), Taco Bar by the indoor pool (Deck 9), Dive In by the indoor pool (Deck 9), or pre-made sandwiches at the Explorations Cafe by the Crow's Nest forward.

 

I see you will be on the Eurodam. Here is my photographic tour of the Nieuw Amsterdam, sister ship in almost all manner except furnishing to give you an idea of life aboard ship:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-nieuw-amsterdam-on-board-images/

 

Feel free to ask questions.

Edited by Crew News
Link to comment
Share on other sites
kazu "Live from...." Rare

kazu

Posted
Posted
I've sailed on Princess twice and this is my first on my HAL. My invoice/itinerary shows me as 1 star mariner. My friend was on Princess once and she shows as a 1 star also.

 

If you have sailed on CCL lines, then yes, you are a one star mariner. :)

 

that's absolutely correct. You start with 0 days, but you are still 1 star and can take a small advantage of that :)

Link to comment
Share on other sites
Gallivanting Souls

Gallivanting Souls

Posted
Posted

Thank you! I will check out the tour!

and for the heads up about the stars, kazu!

 

Historically, anyone who has sailed at least once on a Carnival Corporation Line is considered a "one-star" Mariner and invited to the Mariner Embarkation Lunch in the Main Dining Room. There have been reports that is lunch is being phased out.

 

Other places for lunch on Embarkation Day are the Lido Restaurant (Deck 9), Taco Bar by the indoor pool (Deck 9), Dive In by the indoor pool (Deck 9), or pre-made sandwiches at the Explorations Cafe by the Crow's Nest forward.

 

I see you will be on the Eurodam. Here is my photographic tour of the Nieuw Amsterdam, sister ship in almost all manner except furnishing to give you an idea of life aboard ship:

 

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/travel-2/ms-nieuw-amsterdam-on-board-images/

 

Feel free to ask questions.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
deeko

deeko

Posted
Posted

Hi again......advice needed.

 

Just books a last minute cruise on HAL. Trouble is my tuxedo is about 1000 miles away in my wardrobe as I am in my holiday home.

 

So can tuxedos be hired on board HAL ships. I seem to remember it was possible in the old days on Princess??

 

Never needed to before but this spur of the moment booking has me worried about "formal" nights.

 

Advice...experience ....very welcome.

 

Thanks all.

 

Deeko

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kazu "Live from...." Rare

kazu

Posted
Posted (edited)
Hi again......advice needed.

 

Just books a last minute cruise on HAL. Trouble is my tuxedo is about 1000 miles away in my wardrobe as I am in my holiday home.

 

So can tuxedos be hired on board HAL ships. I seem to remember it was possible in the old days on Princess??

 

Never needed to before but this spur of the moment booking has me worried about "formal" nights.

 

Advice...experience ....very welcome.

 

Thanks all.

 

Deeko

 

you can order a tuxedo - just call ship's servies.

 

On board might be tricky for fit - I would order in advance and they might not have choices on board it they have them.

 

Now, if you don't HAVE to wear a tuxedo, you can just take a nice suit or even a sports jacket. The "formal" atmosphere has been lowered a bit. You will still see tuxes but not a lot.

 

But if you like wearing them (and it does save on luggage) just call with your size and they will take care of you. It's not a bad price (IMO) depending on the length of your cruise. Longer cruises it makes more sense.

 

hope this helps :)

Edited by kazu
Link to comment
Share on other sites
IRL_Joanie

IRL_Joanie

Posted
Posted (edited)
Hello,

 

First time HAL cruiser wondering if hot chocolate powdered packets are available on board (Eurodam) or whether I should pack my own? Thanks.

 

Yes they are available on board. I get mine in the Lido at the drinks station:) But I am sure all the other dining venues would have them as well along with the Explorations cafe.

 

Welcome to HAL:)

 

Joanie

Edited by IRL_Joanie
Link to comment
Share on other sites
IRL_Joanie

IRL_Joanie

Posted
Posted
Thanks for the quick response! That will save me room in my luggage. I'm dreaming of sitting on my balcony with a cup of coffee and mixing in a hot chocolate pack to make a mocha. Pure bliss! :)

Glad to be of help:) I order a pot of coffee and do just that:) You can order coffee and Hot Chocolate from Room Service (Free) and have it within 30-45 minutes if you want to. I order coffee for 2 and hot chocolate for 1 or 2 (depending if I want chocolate after my coffee.) Room Service will deliver you the coffee in one Carafe and Hot Water in another with 1 packet of Hot Chocolate mix and 2-4 cups (however many servings of Hot Chocolate you ordered plus usually 2 cups for the coffee.

 

Joanie

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kazu "Live from...." Rare

kazu

Posted
Posted
Can/will money spent and/or "Cashed Out" in the Casino be charged against any nonrefundable OBC?

 

If you mean, when you charge to your room on the slots, yes it will be charged to your obc - whether it's non refundable or not. Did I read your question correctly?

 

When you "cash out", they give you cash, they don't credit your account.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
qsuzi

qsuzi

Posted
Posted (edited)
If you mean, when you charge to your room on the slots, yes it will be charged to your obc - whether it's non refundable or not. Did I read your question correctly?

 

When you "cash out", they give you cash, they don't credit your account.

 

Based on your previous input I understood you could enter an amount in the machine and after a few plays or later "Cash Out". I did not try it last week in the Westerdam Casino because another player told me nonrefundable credit could not be cashed out. I will try it next time onboard. Thanks.

Edited by qsuzi
Link to comment
Share on other sites
kazu "Live from...." Rare

kazu

Posted
Posted
Based on your previous input I understood you could enter an amount in the machine and after a few plays or later "Cash Out". I did not try it last week in the Westerdam Casino because another player told me nonrefundable credit could not be cashed out. I will try it next time onboard. Thanks.

 

Interesting. I have had non refundable and refundable obc. I just charge to my room. Never been an issue for me. I don't think the cashier looks to see what you used on the slots? Maybe you had better wait for someone else to post if you were told that. I've never had a problem ever. And since non refundable is used first, I would have thought I would have?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
dakrewser

dakrewser

Posted
Posted
Based on your previous input I understood you could enter an amount in the machine and after a few plays or later "Cash Out". I did not try it last week in the Westerdam Casino because another player told me nonrefundable credit could not be cashed out. I will try it next time onboard. Thanks.

 

The cashier can't see/doesn't look at your acct. You hand in a slip from the machine, the cashier gives you cash (or chips, if you prefer). Nothing to do with your OBC.

Link to comment
Share on other sites
qsuzi

qsuzi

Posted
Posted
The cashier can't see/doesn't look at your acct. You hand in a slip from the machine, the cashier gives you cash (or chips, if you prefer). Nothing to do with your OBC.

 

I appreciate your response but will you please confirm how I now understand the information. When you use your card in the casino you can enter an amount and that amount will be charged to your account and will be first covered by nonrefundable credit if you have a sufficient amount to cover it. When you cash out and hand the slip to the cashier they give you cash or chips and there is no further record on your account?

Link to comment
Share on other sites
dakrewser

dakrewser

Posted
Posted
I appreciate your response but will you please confirm how I now understand the information. When you use your card in the casino you can enter an amount and that amount will be charged to your account and will be first covered by nonrefundable credit if you have a sufficient amount to cover it. When you cash out and hand the slip to the cashier they give you cash or chips and there is no further record on your account?

 

correct

Link to comment
Share on other sites
kazu "Live from...." Rare

kazu

Posted
Posted
I haven't rec'd a slip from the slots. I've cashed out on my card and have presented my card to the cashier. At that point I've been given a piece of paper to sign off.

 

Good point.

 

Yes, the slip paper is given at the cashier and they give you a copy to keep (if you want it).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Please sign in to comment

You will be able to leave a comment after signing in



Sign In Now
 Share
Go to topic listing
  • Forum Jump
    • Categories
      • Welcome to Cruise Critic
      • New Cruisers
      • Cruise Lines “A – O”
      • Cruise Lines “P – Z”
      • River Cruising
      • ROLL CALLS
      • Cruise Critic News & Features
      • Digital Photography & Cruise Technology
      • Special Interest Cruising
      • Cruise Discussion Topics
      • UK Cruising
      • Australia & New Zealand Cruisers
      • Canadian Cruisers
      • North American Homeports
      • Ports of Call
      • Cruise Conversations
×
×
  • Create New...