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

[mllewis48]

I actually had come here with a question and got sidetracked. :o

 

 

 

When I booked my cruise through my PCC, I requested late/main dining. I've decided I'd prefer open seating. I just sent him an email and got an auto-response that he's out until next Monday.

 

 

 

Since we're already under 1 month from sailing, it's quite possible that Open seating is not available, but I'd like to get my request in now, if possible.

 

 

 

On Carnival, I can log into my reservation and change my dining preference. I don't see that I can do that via HAL's website. Am I just missing it or is it not possible to change things like dining time (or bedding arrangements) online?

 

 

 

Don't believe you can do changes on HAL's site and quite frankly if opening that type of change on a website, such as you say with Carnival, may be very confusing. Could over book either choice? IMHO

 

 

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[kazu]

I actually had come here with a question and got sidetracked. :o

 

When I booked my cruise through my PCC, I requested late/main dining. I've decided I'd prefer open seating. I just sent him an email and got an auto-response that he's out until next Monday.

 

Since we're already under 1 month from sailing, it's quite possible that Open seating is not available, but I'd like to get my request in now, if possible.

 

On Carnival, I can log into my reservation and change my dining preference. I don't see that I can do that via HAL's website. Am I just missing it or is it not possible to change things like dining time (or bedding arrangements) online?

 

No option on HAL's website for that.

 

It is easy to change to Open Dining and it can even be done on board.

 

But, it you would like to put your mind to rest call your PCC's phone number and press 0 (or whatever the code is for immediate assistance). I am sure another PCC could help you with this.

[NCTribeFan]

Thanks, folks. Carnival must have some sort of limit within the booking engine. If you select a time that's already full, it will put you in as waitlisted. I'm sure they incorporate lots of leeway into the system. I'm Platinum, and while our dining requests aren't guaranteed, we do get priority. Of course, they won't know how many Platinum/Diamond will be sailing on any particular date until they sell out.

 

When you board and get your card, it will show your dining time and table, if "set" dining is selected. If you don't get what you want, the Maitre D is available for a couple of hours in the afternoon that first day and will try to work out something if you want to change. Occasionally, it won't be that first night, but I've never had a change refused. They really try hard to accommodate everyone's requests.

 

I'll just call and see if I can get it switched now. I like to take care of as many things as I can pre-cruise. Thanks again!

[NCTribeFan]

And...

 

I didn't even have to call. One of my PCC's co-workers must be covering for him and just sent me an email that she had changed my dining and was sending a confirmation.

 

:D

[kazu]

Thanks, folks. Carnival must have some sort of limit within the booking engine. If you select a time that's already full, it will put you in as waitlisted. I'm sure they incorporate lots of leeway into the system. I'm Platinum, and while our dining requests aren't guaranteed, we do get priority. Of course, they won't know how many Platinum/Diamond will be sailing on any particular date until they sell out.

 

When you board and get your card, it will show your dining time and table, if "set" dining is selected. If you don't get what you want, the Maitre D is available for a couple of hours in the afternoon that first day and will try to work out something if you want to change. Occasionally, it won't be that first night, but I've never had a change refused. They really try hard to accommodate everyone's requests.

 

I'll just call and see if I can get it switched now. I like to take care of as many things as I can pre-cruise. Thanks again!

 

And...

 

I didn't even have to call. One of my PCC's co-workers must be covering for him and just sent me an email that she had changed my dining and was sending a confirmation.

 

:D

 

The same situation on the cards with HAL. It shows your dining time and table (if fixed). And yes, you can go to the dining room manager to see about changing :)

 

Good news on your PCC. Happy to hear it was all worked out for you. Much easier to change from open than to fixed ;)

[NCTribeFan]

Me again. I thought I'd read this before in the thread but cannot find it now.

 

I sent a fax yesterday morning at about 8:30 with my CCL share info. Do you typically get an email response from HAL letting you know they received it?

 

Any "typical" time frame for when my OBC will show up on my booking?

[kazu]

Me again. I thought I'd read this before in the thread but cannot find it now.

 

I sent a fax yesterday morning at about 8:30 with my CCL share info. Do you typically get an email response from HAL letting you know they received it?

 

Any "typical" time frame for when my OBC will show up on my booking?

 

I typically get an email response from World Cruises within an hour (from their opening of time) of when I sent my fax. You do need to include your email address in the fax you send them.

 

I use a TA so can't see my OBC but I know that it is there. My TA tells me it shows up very quickly - within 24 hours at the most. I just take the email I get from CCL with me, in case ;)

 

 

You might want to check your fax # and if your email was on it and all that good stuff and re-send to be safe? I have always found them very fast to reply.

[qak]

I can't remember - our last cruise we gave the kids no ability to charge items on their room card.

 

At what point to we do this - online, at check-in, or on board?

 

Can you limit their ability to certain things eg let them buy drinks but can't buy in the shops? Or set a $ amount they can spend, whether in total or per day?

[Crew News]

I can't remember - our last cruise we gave the kids no ability to charge items on their room card.

 

At what point to we do this - online, at check-in, or on board?

 

Can you limit their ability to certain things eg let them buy drinks but can't buy in the shops? Or set a $ amount they can spend, whether in total or per day?

 

I would recommend a paid Non-Alcoholic $50 Beverage Card for the kids. They can share the card up to its limit.

 

Whatever amount that is not used will be credited back to your stateroom account (our unused portion was credited back on the Zuiderdam last week).

Edited December 7, 2016 by Crew News

[SleeplessinTo]

Me again. I thought I'd read this before in the thread but cannot find it now.

 

I sent a fax yesterday morning at about 8:30 with my CCL share info. Do you typically get an email response from HAL letting you know they received it?

 

Any "typical" time frame for when my OBC will show up on my booking?

We sent in the fax for shareholder benefit last week and followed up with a call today, they confirmed it has been applied to our OBC and that the change was made the same day that the fax was sent (faxed on Dec 1st). We didn't think to include our email address in the fax so the call was always the follow up plan :) Next time!

[NCTribeFan]

I typically get an email response from World Cruises within an hour (from their opening of time) of when I sent my fax. You do need to include your email address in the fax you send them.

 

I use a TA so can't see my OBC but I know that it is there. My TA tells me it shows up very quickly - within 24 hours at the most. I just take the email I get from CCL with me, in case ;)

 

You might want to check your fax # and if your email was on it and all that good stuff and re-send to be safe? I have always found them very fast to reply.

 

We sent in the fax for shareholder benefit last week and followed up with a call today, they confirmed it has been applied to our OBC and that the change was made the same day that the fax was sent (faxed on Dec 1st). We didn't think to include our email address in the fax so the call was always the follow up plan :) Next time!

 

I sent the fax from work but included my home email. Checked both my spam folders at home and here at work and nothing there. I hate to keep referring to Carnival, but with them, I can send the info via email. I get an almost instant auto-reply that it was received, then an email telling me the OBC was applied, usually in under 48 hours.

 

Since I booked directly with HAL through my PCC, I should be able to see the OBC somewhere in my docs, right?

 

And now I can't get to my docs. :(

 

I click on the Docs icon while in the check-in section and absolutely nothing happens. Tried using IE and Chrome (my default).

 

Well, that's weird. I logged out, then went back to HAL's website via the link that was in the email I received stating my dining had been changed, and now, on that same page, when I click Docs there's a link.

 

And now it's gone. While I was typing here, it went away. And I can't get it back.

 

Ain't technology great! :p

[OVgirl]

I sent the fax from work but included my home email. Checked both my spam folders at home and here at work and nothing there. I hate to keep referring to Carnival, but with them, I can send the info via email. I get an almost instant auto-reply that it was received, then an email telling me the OBC was applied, usually in under 48 hours.

 

Since I booked directly with HAL through my PCC, I should be able to see the OBC somewhere in my docs, right?

 

And now I can't get to my docs. :(

 

I click on the Docs icon while in the check-in section and absolutely nothing happens. Tried using IE and Chrome (my default).

 

Well, that's weird. I logged out, then went back to HAL's website via the link that was in the email I received stating my dining had been changed, and now, on that same page, when I click Docs there's a link.

 

And now it's gone. While I was typing here, it went away. And I can't get it back.

 

Ain't technology great! :p

 

If you log into your cruise booking on the HAL site, then go to the payment page, you should see the total amount of your OBC. I think the shareholder credit will be rolled into that total amount. Or just send off an email to your PCC and they can check for you.

[islandwoman]

What's the best way (most efficient time and money-wise) to earn 4* (200 days) Mariner Status for passengers who have never sailed HAL before?

We prefer long cruises and could really use the laundry benefit, especially since some Holland America ships don't have laundromats :eek:

 

How did you all handle your laundry on long cruises before you achieved 4* Mariner status?

[kazu]

What's the best way (most efficient time and money-wise) to earn 4* (200 days) Mariner Status for passengers who have never sailed HAL before?

We prefer long cruises and could really use the laundry benefit, especially since some Holland America ships don't have laundromats :eek:

 

How did you all handle your laundry on long cruises before you achieved 4* Mariner status?

 

You get double credits if you book a suite. Don't let the word "suite" throw you off. On the small ships, a verandah is a suite. If the word "suite" is in the cabin description, you get double credits. You don't need to be in the most expensive cabins to get it :)

 

As to laundry, if you are on the smaller ships, there is self serve laundry if you want to do it yourself. All the ships have a laundry package which is not unreasonable IMO. You can get unlimited (around $7 per day excluding European and exotic cruises) or you can get it by the "bag" (all you can stuff in the bag) for $20 on average (excluding European and exotic cruises).

[MisterBill99]

How old is the crowd on HAL cruises in the Caribbean, in general? Presumably most people here know that HAL's reputation is for getting a very old crowd. The only time we've been on HAL it was in Alaska and it was probably a younger crowd than usual because there were many multi-generational families on board. We're thinking of booking Eurodam on 3/4/17. My wife and I are both 61 so I have no problem with "mature" but don't want a cruise where half the crowd is using walkers (no offense to anyone here who uses one).

Edited December 7, 2016 by MisterBill99

[MisterBill99]

What's the best way (most efficient time and money-wise) to earn 4* (200 days) Mariner Status for passengers who have never sailed HAL before?

We prefer long cruises and could really use the laundry benefit, especially since some Holland America ships don't have laundromats :eek:

If you have the money to be worrying about how to get to 200 days, then I don't see why paying for laundry is a concern (even if you have to pay for them to do it for you). You'll spend a lot more on the cruises to get free laundry than you'll save.

[islandwoman]

If you have the money to be worrying about how to get to 200 days, then I don't see why paying for laundry is a concern (even if you have to pay for them to do it for you). You'll spend a lot more on the cruises to get free laundry than you'll save.

Yes, of course. But you get cruises for your money, not just credit for Mariner days.

I'd rather spend my money on more cruises than on laundry.

[islandwoman]

You get double credits if you book a suite. Don't let the word "suite" throw you off. On the small ships, a verandah is a suite. If the word "suite" is in the cabin description, you get double credits. You don't need to be in the most expensive cabins to get it :)

 

As to laundry, if you are on the smaller ships, there is self serve laundry if you want to do it yourself. All the ships have a laundry package which is not unreasonable IMO. You can get unlimited (around $7 per day excluding European and exotic cruises) or you can get it by the "bag" (all you can stuff in the bag) for $20 on average (excluding European and exotic cruises).

 

Good to know. Thank you, kazu.

[kazu]

Good to know. Thank you, kazu.

 

You are most welcome. I forgot to say that whatever you spend on board or online pre-ordering (excluding casino) also counts for Mariner days. $300 for each day (includes your HSC) with a max of $300 per day (ie., 7 day cruise - $2100 will get you 7 days, more still just gets you 7 days). So, it all adds up quickly ;)

 

I doesn't matter who spends the $, the first two passengers in the cabin get the credit. Also, if one of you started cruising before the other and reach your desired status, both of you get the benefits. :)

[Btimmer]

Before we were 4*, we did all our laundry in the sink.

 

 

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[kazu]

Before we were 4*, we did all our laundry in the sink.

 

 

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Might work for a Caribbean but when you have to layer, etc in Europe and elsewhere, I let HAL take care of it ;)

 

 

In fact, I have always let HAL take care of it. I'm on vacation. I do my "delicates" but everything else is sent out ;).

[NCTribeFan]

Well, I'm disappointed. My shareholder OBC was denied because I booked under a casino rate. :(

 

Yes, the rate was great. It's the only reason I could afford to book the cruise, especially since I'm going solo.

 

I know they're totally different lines, but Carnival gives the s/h credit to everyone unless they book interline. People who are sailing in free cabins thanks to their prior casino play still get their shareholder OBC.

 

Oh well. It's been a good investment for me. Got the timing right for once and bought when it was at the bottom in late 2008 and have received OBC on every sailing since then (probably about $2k worth). So, can't complain too much. I may just go buy myself a $100 OBC as a Christmas present to me and pretend it was a gift from Santa. :p

[Btimmer]

Might work for a Caribbean but when you have to layer, etc in Europe and elsewhere, I let HAL take care of it ;)

 

 

In fact, I have always let HAL take care of it. I'm on vacation. I do my "delicates" but everything else is sent out ;).

 

Because of the type of clothes we bring (quick drying fabrics), we could use the sink easily even on longer non-Mediterranean cruises.

 

But, no longer! :-)

[islandwoman]

Well, I'm disappointed. My shareholder OBC was denied because I booked under a casino rate. :(

 

Yes, the rate was great. It's the only reason I could afford to book the cruise, especially since I'm going solo.

 

What's a "casino rate"?

[kazu]

What's a "casino rate"?

 

Specials given to some because of. Their "donations" in the casino. Can be a really cheap cruise (only a few of those offered) or a discout. In the fare.

 

 

Well, I'm disappointed. My shareholder OBC was denied because I booked under a casino rate. :(

 

Yes, the rate was great. It's the only reason I could afford to book the cruise, especially since I'm going solo.

 

I know they're totally different lines, but Carnival gives the s/h credit to everyone unless they book interline. People who are sailing in free cabins thanks to their prior casino play still get their shareholder OBC.

 

Oh well. It's been a good investment for me. Got the timing right for once and bought when it was at the bottom in late 2008 and have received OBC on every sailing since then (probably about $2k worth). So, can't complain too much. I may just go buy myself a $100 OBC as a Christmas present to me and pretend it was a gift from Santa. :p

 

Was this a dirt cheap cruise. - casino offer? Or was the price just discounted please? Curious as we got a bit of a discount on our cruise from the casino and still got the shareholder OBC. For our Rotterdam cruise. Hoping I will get it for the Prinsendam cruise too ;) (too soon to request that one since it is in 2018). Thanks :)