Join Pete and Judy on their FIRST World Cruise on the Amsterdam

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Pete - I am having trouble again with reading your blog. I clicked on the link and it took me to the page that said "fort Knox" I clicked on it and it brought me to the page with you holding the casino chips. I clicked on where it said "People asked me how much..." and it takes me back to the red "ft knox" pic. What am I doing wrong?

 

 

 

When you are on the Fort Knox map....scroll down to see the rest of the post. You should see a slide on the right side of your screen. Or press the down arrow or the page down key. The post is in the area below the map.

[SJSULIBRARIAN]

I clarified my first world cruise cost post to show a table that estimates the cash value of the early booking perks. Here is a LINK to the new table.

 

Thank you for putting together these tables - very interesting and informative.

[TiogaCruiser]

Really enjoyed the video. Great moments, well put together. I like the cook crying while he's cutting onions.

 

For anyone who has never done video editing- it is incredibly intensive work with lots of "chair time". It takes tons of time to get a really nice (short) product. That doesn't include the shooting time either.

[Tampa Girl]

Not Pete but I took three 28" suitcases and a 22" carryon for a 118 day world cruise. I came home with one more. I know people who have gone with one suitcase and one couple who had 16. It all depends on what you feel you need. Just keep in mind the size of your cabin!

 

Was that per person or for the two of you? And isn't it possible to have excess luggage stowed?

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Was that per person or for the two of you? And isn't it possible to have excess luggage stowed?

 

 

 

That was for both of us. They did store our luggage. There is no guarantee they will do this, but I think chances are yes. If you ask HAL in advance they will probably say no, but many they will probably do it once onboard.

[Scrapnana]

Was that per person or for the two of you? And isn't it possible to have excess luggage stowed?

 

That was just for me (I usually travel solo). The carryon and the fourth bag I came home with (totally soft-sided) fit in one of the larger cases. I was able to get all of them under the bed.

[KirkNC]

Hi Pete,

 

On your blog when you list the various packages you can buy beforehand, do I assume correctly that you also get to apply your Mariner discount? So for example the 5 Pinnacle dinners would end up costing a 4 star $58?

 

Thanks,

[KirkNC]

Not Pete but I took three 28" suitcases and a 22" carryon for a 118 day world cruise. I came home with one more. I know people who have gone with one suitcase and one couple who had 16. It all depends on what you feel you need. Just keep in mind the size of your cabin!

 

We are hoping to make it with four suitcases and one carry. We are driving to FLL so that helps.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Hi Pete,

 

 

 

On your blog when you list the various packages you can buy beforehand, do I assume correctly that you also get to apply your Mariner discount? So for example the 5 Pinnacle dinners would end up costing a 4 star $58?

 

 

 

Thanks,

 

 

 

I think so, but can't be sure. I would confirm with Seattle beforehand.

[Cruise NH]

We are hoping to make it with four suitcases and one carry. We are driving to FLL so that helps.

 

I hate to be nosy..but are you storing your car somewhere for the duration of the cruise or is someone just driving it back for you?

[KirkNC]

I hate to be nosy..but are you storing your car somewhere for the duration of the cruise or is someone just driving it back for you?

 

We are taking a rental car, $125 one way plus gas.

Edited June 19, 2016 by KirkNC

[Gail & Marty sailing away]

We are doing the same renting a car each way

[Fred321]

I think so, but can't be sure. I would confirm with Seattle beforehand.

 

Best of me recollection they will charge you full price when you purchase it online and then refund the difference on your statement once aboard.

[USN59-79]

Best of me recollection they will charge you full price when you purchase it online and then refund the difference on your statement once aboard.

That was our experience on the 2014 WC. The reason we did it was that they had just increased the price and we locked in the old price.

[KirkNC]

Best of me recollection they will charge you full price when you purchase it online and then refund the difference on your statement once aboard.

 

Yes that's what I would expect, just like if you prepay pinnacle.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Part 3 of my "How much does it cost to go on a world cruise" is now posted. I have included an excel spreadsheet. LINK

 

 

Onboard Spending - Tables and spreadsheets on the blog - they don't post well here.

 

In this section we will take a look at how much you spend onboard once you are on the cruise. I’ll save shore excursions for the next section.

 

Before we dig in, let’s take a look at a fast way to estimate your shipboard account at the end of your cruise. For this method you calculate your average daily spending on your previous cruises and then use that average to calculate your future spending. For this we assume that your daily spending on previous cruises is a good predictor of your daily spending on future cruises. But is this a good assumption? Will you spend more or less per day on a longer cruise than on a shorter cruise?

 

One easy way to do this on HAL is to go to your account on Holland America and then go to your “My Mariner Status” page. Below is the data from my account. You will see a table similar to this in your account except you won’t see the column labeled spending ratio as that is my own calculation. The spending ratio is a ratio of the number of actual days vs onboard spending credit days. This column also includes spending before the cruise if you bought HAL excursions or indulgences in advance.

 

More on the blog

 

Tables and spreadsheets on the blog - they don't post well here. A link to the calculator post is also under the World Cruise Reference section. You will need to be on a PC to work the calculator - Tablets may not do it, but I didn't check android devices. The calculator is in Excel, but you don't need excel to make it work.

 

http://www.theinsidecabin.com

Edited June 21, 2016 by The-Inside-Cabin

[Kooolmomma]

Part 3 of my "How much does it cost to go on a world cruise" is now posted. I have included an excel spreadsheet. LINK

 

 

Onboard Spending - Tables and spreadsheets on the blog - they don't post well here.

 

In this section we will take a look at how much you spend onboard once you are on the cruise. I’ll save shore excursions for the next section.

 

Before we dig in, let’s take a look at a fast way to estimate your shipboard account at the end of your cruise. For this method you calculate your average daily spending on your previous cruises and then use that average to calculate your future spending. For this we assume that your daily spending on previous cruises is a good predictor of your daily spending on future cruises. But is this a good assumption? Will you spend more or less per day on a longer cruise than on a shorter cruise?

 

One easy way to do this on HAL is to go to your account on Holland America and then go to your “My Mariner Status” page. Below is the data from my account. You will see a table similar to this in your account except you won’t see the column labeled spending ratio as that is my own calculation. The spending ratio is a ratio of the number of actual days vs onboard spending credit days. This column also includes spending before the cruise if you bought HAL excursions or indulgences in advance.

 

More on the blog

 

Tables and spreadsheets on the blog - they don't post well here. A link to the calculator post is also under the World Cruise Reference section. You will need to be on a PC to work the calculator - Tablets may not do it, but I didn't check android devices. The calculator is in Excel, but you don't need excel to make it work.

 

http://www.theinsidecabin.com

 

Thanks Pete--see you on the 2018 WC

Mary Lou

[Cruise NH]

Great info as usual. I haven't tried out the spreadsheet yet, but I will.

 

I have a question about the internet minute packages. Do they re-offer those at the beginning of each segment?

 

Thanks again.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

Great info as usual. I haven't tried out the spreadsheet yet, but I will.

 

 

 

I have a question about the internet minute packages. Do they re-offer those at the beginning of each segment?

 

 

 

Thanks again.

 

 

 

No....but I suspect if people asked they may have offered it on request. But it was not public, if they offered it, at all except at the start.

[rafinmd]

To the best of my knowledge those packages are available anytime. When you run out of time on your current package, you just buy another one. Does anyone have different information?

 

Roy

[The-Inside-Cabin]

To the best of my knowledge those packages are available anytime. When you run out of time on your current package, you just buy another one. Does anyone have different information?

 

 

 

Roy

 

 

 

My mistake, the packages are available anytime. I was thinking about the 10pct bonus that was only offered once. If you bought 1000 minutes, you got 1,100. I only saw that once.

[The-Inside-Cabin]

I updated my blog with some more information about how to save money on your internet expenses during a world cruise. I spent A LOT on internet and learned some valuable lessons. Here are the highlights:

 

• Get your device working correctly before you leave.
   
  
• Take advantage of sign up bonus opportunities.
   
  
• Make sure you have a good Wi-Fi connection when you log on.
   
  
• Make sure the SHIP has a good connection and is not too “crowded” with other users
   
  
• Don’t forget to logoff
  
• 
  
• Get a travel router to be able to connect multiple devices to the internet thru a single ship board account.
  

 

more details on the blog at http://www.theinsidecabin.com

[RJ2002]

I updated my blog with some more information about how to save money on your internet expenses during a world cruise. I spent A LOT on internet and learned some valuable lessons. Here are the highlights:

 

• Get your device working correctly before you leave.
   
  
• Take advantage of sign up bonus opportunities.
   
  
• Make sure you have a good Wi-Fi connection when you log on.
   
  
• Make sure the SHIP has a good connection and is not too “crowded” with other users
   
  
• Don’t forget to logoff
  
• 
  
• Get a travel router to be able to connect multiple devices to the internet thru a single ship board account.
  

 

more details on the blog at http://www.theinsidecabin.com

 

Thanks for these ideas. Hadn't considered a travel router to connect multiple devices.

[dchip]

I updated my blog with some more information about how to save money on your internet expenses during a world cruise. I spent A LOT on internet and learned some valuable lessons. Here are the highlights:

 

• Get your device working correctly before you leave.
   
  
• Take advantage of sign up bonus opportunities.
   
  
• Make sure you have a good Wi-Fi connection when you log on.
   
  
• Make sure the SHIP has a good connection and is not too “crowded” with other users
   
  
• Don’t forget to logoff
  
• 
  
• Get a travel router to be able to connect multiple devices to the internet thru a single ship board account.
  

 

more details on the blog at http://www.theinsidecabin.com

 

Thanks so much for all the wonderful information you have given us throughout your cruise!!

 

I have never heard of a travel router. I went on Amazon and found the exact one you have (before I looked at your blog).

 

My question is this....can I just use it to transfer photos from my iPhone to a flash drive? This would solve my backup dilemma without having to buy a laptop. :eek:

 

Cheers, Denise

[Scrapnana]

I always take a screen shot of the page that comes up when you log off. If you ever have minutes "vanish" it is a way to show you logged off (I had this happen and got the minutes back).