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

[MisterBill99]

I can only think of one reason and that would be if you're trying to meet a pending spend requirement in order to receive a sign-up bonus for a new credit card.

I'd like to know what other reason there could possibly be.

 

 

Or if you have a special offer on your credit card. For example, there is currently an AMEX offer for $100 back when you spend $500 on Carnival brands, which includes HAL. I had many cards with the offer, so in addition to splitting my cruise payment across 5 cards, I also purchased $1500 in OBC across 3 cards to save another $300. The odds of my spending all of that are very slim, but I can get the OBC refunded after the cruise.

 

Here's the link to the thread discussing the AMEX offer.

[richwmn]

We've just booked our first ocean cruise (Alaska in August) yesterday and trying to learn as much as possible over the next 5 months. Why would one purchase obc's rather than just have any purchases applied to your account and settle up the last night? Or is it a budgeting issue trying not to overspend?

 

I can only think of one reason and that would be if you're trying to meet a pending spend requirement in order to receive a sign-up bonus for a new credit card.

I'd like to know what other reason there could possibly be.

 

 

We each have our own reasons for how we pay for the cruise and on board expenses. One of the beauties of our system is that you don't have to understand why I chose to pay for things the way I do.

 

Many people have had trouble in the past with credit / credit cards and don't want to fall into that trap again. They might have plenty of money to take a cruise and pay the expenses incurred so the common response that if you can't afford it you shouldn't cruise doesn't wash.

 

Another reason to pre-pay expenses is that when you leave the ship, the transaction is over, no credit card is given to add additional "found" charges to.

[Whistlerski]

Hello complete newbies here! We are debating buying a beverage package. Can anyone give us an idea of prices so we can determine if the package makes sense

- glass of house wine

- rum and coke

after diner liquor like baileys or kahlua

 

And can we

[PDXgranny]

Hello complete newbies here! We are debating buying a beverage package. Can anyone give us an idea of prices so we can determine if the package makes sense

- glass of house wine

- rum and coke

after diner liquor like baileys or kahlua

 

And can we

 

 

Doesn't sound like a package would save you anything. A 7 day cruise would be about $450 ea for bev pkgs - $900! If you're drinking 3 alcoholic bevs a day (about $8-11 ea if you're not into top drawer stuff) you're looking at about $24-33/day. But the pkgs also include non-alcohol bevs too.

[asebastian]

Hi, just checking if we still get double Mariner points for booking the Vista suite on the Zaandam (14-day Cruise+Land tour to Alaska). Not sure what the policy now is. Thanks.

[Crew News]

Hi, just checking if we still get double Mariner points for booking the Vista suite on the Zaandam (14-day Cruise+Land tour to Alaska). Not sure what the policy now is. Thanks.

 

All suites get the double Mariner points.

[Whistlerski]

Any idea how a bottle of wine is treated if you are on the '15 drink per day " beverage package?

[Whistlerski]

Thank you, Ruth, you and Kazu helped a lot! Going to buy my beverage cards now! Thanks!

 

Newbie here what is the difference between beverage cards and beverage package?

[RuthC]

Any idea how a bottle of wine is treated if you are on the '15 drink per day " beverage package?

Purchasing a bottle of wine comes outside the Signature Beverage Package. It's an additional expense.

Newbie here what is the difference between beverage cards and beverage package?

A beverage package, whether purchased or through Explore 4, allows you to have up to 15 drinks per day, when each drink is $8 or less. There is another package with higher drink prices, for a higher cost.

Each is a good deal IF you are going to drink enough, on average, to make it worthwhile.

A Beverage Card is like a smart card that holds a purchased value of $50, $100, or (all of a sudden can't remember) to use for drinks. There is no "bonus" amount.

The "value" is that there is one purchase slip to keep track of, which makes it easier to proof out your bill at the end of the cruise. If you purchase every drink on your cabin card, there is a separate purchase slip every time.

[noone]

New to Holland and haven't cruised in many years. Noordam Va5088. Hope we will be able to see whales if they go by the ship even though we are deck 5 above lifeboats. Told TA wanted unobstructed view. She says it is. Btw I get motion sickness even in a car so we are midship on purpose.

 

Is parking at the pier safe?

 

Is the tender easy to get on and off? I have poor balance.

 

We plan to purchase bottles such as Baileys to drink in our cabin. Is there a less expensive way to purchase or should we order from wish list now? I can't tell if prices are different on embarkation day or by using room service or the bar to order. We usually buy Carolands which is less pricey than Baileys but I don't see it listed.

a drink package seems too much for the amount we will drink.

How should we have pet sitters contact us in case of emergency? Hate to leave cell phones on due to roaming charges.

Thank you for your responses in advance.

[islandwoman]

A beverage package, whether purchased or through Explore 4, allows you to have up to 15 drinks per day, when each drink is $8 or less.

What's "Explore 4"?

[islandwoman]

Hope we will be able to see whales if they go by the ship even though we are deck 5 above lifeboats.

Take a whale watching excursion in Juneau. Read the details on HAL's "Journeys Ashore" - some of these guarantee whale sightings.

[kazu]

What's "Explore 4"?

 

Explore 4 is a promo package that HAL offers at certain times on certain cruises. It includes things like drinks up to a certain $ amount, HSC, etc.

[kazu]

New to Holland and haven't cruised in many years. Noordam Va5088. Hope we will be able to see whales if they go by the ship even though we are deck 5 above lifeboats. Told TA wanted unobstructed view. She says it is. Btw I get motion sickness even in a car so we are midship on purpose.

 

Is parking at the pier safe?

 

Is the tender easy to get on and off? I have poor balance.

 

We plan to purchase bottles such as Baileys to drink in our cabin. Is there a less expensive way to purchase or should we order from wish list now? I can't tell if prices are different on embarkation day or by using room service or the bar to order. We usually buy Carolands which is less pricey than Baileys but I don't see it listed.

a drink package seems too much for the amount we will drink.

How should we have pet sitters contact us in case of emergency? Hate to leave cell phones on due to roaming charges.

Thank you for your responses in advance.

 

For your question on your bottles of Baileys, it makes no difference if you order on line before you sail or on board. The price is the same. The benefit to ordering on line (or from your wish list) is that the bottles will be in your cabin if you so wish on embarkation. There are bottles available on board that the on line site doesn't show, so, in your case, if you prefer Carolands, you might want to wait until you get onboard and see if the bar has it on board.

 

There are emergency #'s that HAL provides so that your pet sitter can contact the ship. There is a charge for the call, but it's nominal considering it's an emergency. You can get it on the HAL site on the faqs page and common questions or, if you want go to my signature and click one of my spread sheets and the last or second last page has the emergency instructions.

[Mtngirl2]

How do you get tickets to see the shows at night? Is it difficult/usually sold out and is it extra cost or are those always included? Any tips or tricks we should know?

 

No problem with the shows. No reservations and no extra costs. I would suggest that if you have a favorite place to sit, get there early. Bring a book with you while you wait! The shows are fun and enjoy!

[Wezzie & Mike]

Hello Everyone;

We really love Cruise Critic as being a great “go to source” for questions, ideas, & suggestions.

We are taking our first HollandAmerica cruise (14-DayGreat ALASKAN Explorer) aboard the Amsterdam departing July 17th.2017.

We believe there will be 4“Cruise Elegant” nights in the main dining room. Would anyone know exactly which nights those would be? As we would like to also book a dinner in one or more of the specialty restaurants, but do not want to conflict with a fantastic night in the MDR.

[Crew News]

Hello Everyone;

We really love Cruise Critic as being a great “go to source” for questions, ideas, & suggestions.

We are taking our first HollandAmerica cruise (14-DayGreat ALASKAN Explorer) aboard the Amsterdam departing July 17th.2017.

We believe there will be 4“Cruise Elegant” nights in the main dining room. Would anyone know exactly which nights those would be? As we would like to also book a dinner in one or more of the specialty restaurants, but do not want to conflict with a fantastic night in the MDR.

 

Until someone else goes on your same cruise this season, there are some thoughts on how to narrow down the days.

 

 

• Gala Nights will never be on the first or last cruise days.
  
• They are not normally on days when you are in port during the evening dining hours or on Le Cirque/Sal de Mer nights.
  
• They will never be on consecutive nights.
  
• When possible, they are usually on Sea Days
  

The above should get you started in your planning. If you make a reservation online, you can always cancel for a complete refund before you cruise or change the reservation once you board the ship.

 

Good luck with your planning.

[BaileyPups]

Hi Thanks to all contributors for such useful information. We are travelling on the Westerdam from Venice to Barcelona and return on 23rd May and I'm hoping for some information on the following:

Is roulette played in the Casino?

If I purchase OBCs can these be used in the Casino?

If I ask for $200 at a casino table is there a surcharge (I read somewhere that there is a cash advance charge of 3%) even if using the on board credits that I purchased prior to embarking?

I noticed that a lot of contributors enjoy room service. Is the table on the balcony large enough to eat from or is there an inside table that is more comfortable. I'm travelling in VB5139 if anyone has any knowledge of that cabin.

We've travelled on different lines but never on HAL before and we're looking forward to the new experience and amazing itinerary. Many thanks in advance for any advice/information.

[Telejoke]

Thanks ALOT for this sticky thread. I'd like to know if the balconies on Noordam deck 10 (VB 10019) are big enough for a couple to enjoy their room service meal. I've heard they're very small.

 

We're on the Starboard side on a cruise from Seward to Vancouver. Is there a view of anything but ocean on this side of a southbound ship?

Edited March 15, 2017 by Telejoke
Added info and second question.

[islandwoman]

I keep running across posts on other threads about the typical passenger on Holland America cruises. This morning I saw one that referred to HAL ships as "floating nursing homes". DH and I are retired and in our early 70's. We'd rather tour and attend lectures than stay up late for the disco. We're too old to burn the candle at both ends, but we're not escapees from a nursing home.:evilsmile: Would we fit in?

[RuthC]

I keep running across posts on other threads about the typical passenger on Holland America cruises. This morning I saw one that referred to HAL ships as "floating nursing homes". DH and I are retired and in our early 70's. We'd rather tour and attend lectures than stay up late for the disco. We're too old to burn the candle at both ends, but we're not escapees from a nursing home.:evilsmile: Would we fit in?

It sounds as if you would. HAL passengers may tend to be older, but are still very active. Even those of us with mobility problems are still getting out there and seeing the world.

[sailorgirl]

I keep running across posts on other threads about the typical passenger on Holland America cruises. This morning I saw one that referred to HAL ships as "floating nursing homes". DH and I are retired and in our early 70's. We'd rather tour and attend lectures than stay up late for the disco. We're too old to burn the candle at both ends, but we're not escapees from a nursing home.:evilsmile: Would we fit in?

 

Late 70s. Husband goes to gym. We attend lectures and shows. Daily walk the promenade deck. Go on excursions. But go to bed early so that we can indeed enjoy all those activities the next day.

[jhsocal]

oosterdam cabin SS6099. Anyone have any comments about this cabin or a very similar one? Pictures make it look fairly spacious. Thank You!

[Happily@Sea]

oosterdam cabin SS6099. Anyone have any comments about this cabin or a very similar one? Pictures make it look fairly spacious. Thank You!

 

I haven't been in this particular cabin but I did spend 2 months in a similar signature suite on Westerdam. Many more drawers and larger desk area, an extra window [more light], larger sofa, more room to move around, bathtub + and extra shower stall [even though stall much smaller than the shower-only rooms elsewhere on the Vista Class ships], two sinks in bathroom, balcony is larger with full size table and chairs and loungers.

 

Closets were the same as other regular veranda rooms.

[Telejoke]

I keep running across posts on other threads about the typical passenger on Holland America cruises. This morning I saw one that referred to HAL ships as "floating nursing homes". DH and I are retired and in our early 70's. We'd rather tour and attend lectures than stay up late for the disco. We're too old to burn the candle at both ends, but we're not escapees from a nursing home.:evilsmile: Would we fit in?

 

Oh my! I've seen posts that were at least an effort at greater subtly, like "targeted to more 'mature' cruisers" :-)

 

We're in our early 60s, and I'm a disabled veteran. But I've not thought of us as too old to have a good time on a cruise. Probably will skip the disco, though.

 

We have not been on an HAL cruise, but have heard from others who are younger than us (as in my adult son and his wife, among others) who have nothing but good things to say about the line. I hope you go -- and show your young at heart.