Live From Nieuw Amsterdam Through the Panama Canal Followed by One Week in the Caribbean

[Crew News]

7 hours ago, billbunger said:

THERE’S NO JOY IN MUDVILLE

 

We heard back from the Future Cruise Consultant regard our FCC and this is what we were told. 
 

 To use the 25% Future Cruise Credit towards the February 2025 cruise, we would have to rebook the cruise, ( we booked it onboard on October 2, 2023) if we rebook we would loose the HIA upgrade with premium internet, elite beverage package and crew appreciation. We would loose the upgrade because that offer expired on September 30, 2023. Note above,

the date we booked the cruise. 

 

We still have no idea what our cruise credit would be as it has not been posted to our account on the HAL website. If we don’t rebook we will have an FCC on our account for a year. HAL’s logic makes no sense to us on this one. Making us rebook a new booking to loose the perks so we can rebook the new cruise with a likely FCC of a few hundred dollars is just plain silly. 
 

We will wait for a few more days to see what dollar amount gets added to our online account before we pursue it any farther. 

Thanks for the update. The devil is in the details. 

[taxmantoo]

8 hours ago, billbunger said:

THERE’S NO JOY IN MUDVILLE

 

We heard back from the Future Cruise Consultant regard our FCC and this is what we were told. 
 

 To use the 25% Future Cruise Credit towards the February 2025 cruise, we would have to rebook the cruise, ( we booked it onboard on October 2, 2023) if we rebook we would loose the HIA upgrade with premium internet, elite beverage package and crew appreciation. We would loose the upgrade because that offer expired on September 30, 2023. Note above,

the date we booked the cruise. 

 

We still have no idea what our cruise credit would be as it has not been posted to our account on the HAL website. If we don’t rebook we will have an FCC on our account for a year. HAL’s logic makes no sense to us on this one. Making us rebook a new booking to loose the perks so we can rebook the new cruise with a likely FCC of a few hundred dollars is just plain silly. 
 

We will wait for a few more days to see what dollar amount gets added to our online account before we pursue it any farther. 

Don't waste your time trying to deal with a Future Cruise Consultant.  They are notoriously the least knowledgeable person on board about anything.  Just wait until you are back at home and deal directly with someone at HAL headquarters guest services or through your travel agent.  I am positive the result will be a different answer and a better solution to your situation.

[billbunger]

6 hours ago, taxmantoo said:

Don't waste your time trying to deal with a Future Cruise Consultant.  They are notoriously the least knowledgeable person on board about anything.  Just wait until you are back at home and deal directly with someone at HAL headquarters guest services or through your travel agent.  I am positive the result will be a different answer and a better solution to your situation.

After dealing with the two cruise consultants that is what we will be doing when we get home.  Thanks for the input. 
 

I have not needed to call HAL for years.

When looking at the contact information on the Hollander America web site they do not list an actual guest services number. They do have a Guest Reservation Services number can any one tell me if that is the group we should be calling? TIA

[LAFFNVEGAS]

4 hours ago, taxmantoo said:

Don't waste your time trying to deal with a Future Cruise Consultant.  They are notoriously the least knowledgeable person on board about anything.  Just wait until you are back at home and deal directly with someone at HAL headquarters guest services or through your travel agent.  I am positive the result will be a different answer and a better solution to your situation.

I totally agree, wait and talk to HAL reservations, although call late in the day closer to 5 Pacific time, you will get HAL Reps that are not Over Seas Call center Reps. Let's just say I and pretty sure they will most likely push it out to add to your March 2025 cruise without rebooking. 

[57redbird]

Our HAL PCC is terrific!  We had cancelled a cruise due to the original Covid mess & our FCC was to expire on 12/31 -- don't remember the year.  We booked a cruise for Feb//March of the next year & he was able to move our FCC's to that cruise.

The HAL phone # for PCCs is 1-206-626-7350 --- just stay on the line for an available PCC & hope they can help you to your satisfaction.

[Booklady6635]

1 hour ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

I totally agree, wait and talk to HAL reservations, although call late in the day closer to 5 Pacific time, you will get HAL Reps that are not Over Seas Call center Reps. Let's just say I and pretty sure they will most likely push it out to add to your March 2025 cruise without rebooking. 

I have the name and direct line for a very good PCC. If you want it - you could email me and I could forward it to you. I won't post my email here just yet - not sure if that is kosher. Our disembarkation is Fort Laudedale - so just another day to go ☹️

[Crew News]

Two days ago, I tried the Canaletto Fresh Fish special, snapper, and thought the presentation was quite impressive.  I am still trying to determine why the restaurant was packed for the first time on this 15-day cruise.  Last night, the Canaletto special was Grilled Tenderloin (Filet Mignon) with red onion jam.  The nearly fork-tender filet was a notch above the PG filet.  To date, I have collected food photos of my Canaletto meals to show future diners the new menu items.

 

Today was a Mariner medal ceremony followed by a limited Mariner Luncheon.  It was reported that Mariner Luncheons would be only for cruises 15 days and longer with attendance limited.  My guess was a bit over 100 attended. 

 

Tidbits:

In gathering information for those joining the ship on Saturday and how to use their new $250 OBC, I have tracked down information that is applicable to all cruisers wishing to use OBC rather than pre-booking and then getting refunded any discounts.  Specialty Restaurants cannot switch prepaid meals to OBC.  As the Front Desk described to me today, before dining The Front desk can refund any prepayments without cancelling a reservation and the prepayment amount will be placed in the “refundable” category of your account.  Your dining bill will be paid by OBC in your “non-refundable” account.  At the end of your cruise, the amount in your “refundable” category amount will be credited back to the credit card on file. 

 

In summary:  The process includes prepaying (even for 5 Star free meals), get full refund from Front Desk (without cancelling reservation) before the meal, pay the restaurant with OBC, and receive balance in “refundable” account applied to the credit card on file.   

 

I spoke with the Hotel General Manager and was assured ship officers would be attending the Meet & Greer next Sunday.

 

The network connection from my aft stateroom is slow and spotty (1.84/0.69 Mbps).  Whatsapp calls are frequently dropped.  Hopefully, the speed next week will be better.  Saturday and Sunday while stuck in port will be a chance to download and install a lot of large software updates with my phone internet connection.

 

New shore excursions for next week are still not available.  The on-board Shore Excursion desk is closed and will be open tomorrow for only one hour while the HAL website is not yet updated with new destinations.  If no shore excursions appear by tomorrow, hundreds of embarking passengers will be in the Deck 9 Shore Excursion line and blocking access to Crow’s Nest barista.

 

More later.

Edited October 19, 2023 by Crew News

[crystalspin]

33 minutes ago, Booklady6635 said:

I have the name and direct line for a very good PCC. If you want it - you could email me and I could forward it to you. I won't post my email here just yet - not sure if that is kosher. Our disembarkation is Fort Laudedale - so just another day to go ☹️

We can't share PCCs just like no Travel Agent posting. Safe sailing!

[CruiserBruce]

We had the Mariner lunch on a 11 day cruise in September. 

[CruiserBruce]

1 hour ago, Booklady6635 said:

I have the name and direct line for a very good PCC. If you want it - you could email me and I could forward it to you. I won't post my email here just yet - not sure if that is kosher. Our disembarkation is Fort Laudedale - so just another day to go ☹️

No, sharing emails is not kosher.

[canadarocks]

@Crew News hopefully you'll share your photos of the Fish & Beef Tenderloin here.

 

Can you please find out if a 3,4,5* Mariner pre-books and therefore prepays for a specialty restaurant, is HAL still refunding their respective Mariner discount as refundable OBC? I'm hoping what you describe above with having to cancel and then re-book is not the new rule.....

[Crew News]

Just now, canadarocks said:

@Crew News hopefully you'll share your photos of the Fish & Beef Tenderloin here.

 

Can you please find out if a 3,4,5* Mariner pre-books and therefore prepays for a specialty restaurant, is HAL still refunding their respective Mariner discount as refundable OBC? I'm hoping what you describe above with having to cancel and then re-book is not the new rule.....

They are refunding the respective discounts to your refundable account which is not used until the non-refundable account is empty.  My description above is primarily for those without discounts.  It is a good method though to follow to prepay for free 5 Star meals and not fight for the full refund.

[canadarocks]

Thanks, so glad they haven't changed that. I plan to pre-book to get the days and times I want, and then spend the 50% OBC refund on a wine package. 😊

[billbunger]

FUN IN THE SUN

 

The repair work has begun on the damaged azipod. There are divers working in the water as I type, going by some of the material on the dock they will be replacing some seals. 

 

Walking through the Lido I just saw granny in line for food wearing only her bathing suit and there are some passengers drunk already and others not showing up to their muster stations. Me thinks this will be an interesting three days in Fort Lauderdale. We are skipping out to Miami tomorrow so may miss some of the eye candy and boozing. It’s going to be an interesting seven days. 

[POA1]

On 10/19/2023 at 5:20 PM, Crew News said:

As the Front Desk described to me today, before dining The Front desk can refund any prepayments without cancelling a reservation and the prepayment amount will be placed in the “refundable” category of your account. 

Welcome to sunny Fort Lauderdale! Slightly off topic, but does that rule apply to advance prepaid specialty dining? For instance, we prepaid a few meals at full price but should get half back for being 4*.

[POA1]

16 minutes ago, POA1 said:

Welcome to sunny Fort Lauderdale! Slightly off topic, but does that rule apply to advance prepaid specialty dining? For instance, we prepaid a few meals at full price but should get half back for being 4*.

I chirped. You already answered this. I was behind in the thread.

[Crew News]

5 hours ago, POA1 said:

I chirped. You already answered this. I was behind in the thread.

After years of my own and others fighting for discounts after prepaying, having the proper procedures explained by both the Front Desk and a Specialty Restaurant Manger gives a clear picture for converting prepays to OBC. 

 

I will no longer wait to make reservations onboard to use my OBC.  Now, I will prepay, cancel payments once onboard without cancelling the reservation, and just use OBC, or no OBC for the 5 Star free meals. 

 

This conversion process was quite a light bulb moment and ranks almost as high as cashing OBC in the Casino for a few years.

 

[mexico8]

On 10/9/2023 at 7:56 PM, Crew News said:

Day 03 began under cloudy skies and afloat on bumpy seas.

 

This was a sea day that offered time for me to gather information as well as the first Dressy night.  This was also a Sunday Brunch Day, served only on longer cruises.  The menu included Mexican lunch dishes as well as breakfast specialties.  I was surprised to see a full MDR.

 

Based on a MDR invitation from the Hotel Assistant General Manager, I cancelled my PG lunch at 12:30 PM looked forward to the 5:30 PM MDR dinner and the chance to gather more information.  As a first time “officer’s table” guest, I was surprised that my host was the Human Resources officer who was unable to answer any of my little notebook’s written questions.  I did learn that each category of employees has different contract lengths.  Two of the guests were travel agent reps promoting their private tours and the Seaborne line.  Other than talking with the other two couples, the value of the event was the free Diet Coke.

 

As I spoke with several crew members, it was a chance to relive our shared 13-degree listing of the ship in the Gulf of Alaska last May. 

Tidbits:

 

Drydock for the Nieuw Amsterdam will be from December 1 to 15^th.  I will try to get a summary of what will be done.

 

As posted earlier in this thread, rain is projected every day of this cruise.  My aft balcony is 2/3d covered so will be fine as the ship goes through the canal locks.

 

On the first cruise evening, I asked if the Late Snack had potato chips.  The Lido Market offered, and I accepted, a large bowl of potato chips at the start of the Late Snack meal for the rest of time aboard.

 

HAL has decided to start rotating senior staff to other ships rather than let them homestead.  This includes Captains and Hotel General Managers who will no longer be synonymous with a single ship.

Despite my phone being in airplane mode, a spam call still rang on my phone this morning. 

 

When the room lights are turned off (not the main power), so are the electrical outlets above the desk leaving my phone at 80% before a needed fast charging.

 

More later.

I have a mobility scooter and I think the power worked above the desk when I was charging my battery during the night.  We would plug it in before going to bed and during the night when I got up to use the bathroom the battery would be charged so I would unplug it.   

 

I am surprised by your comment that the power does not work when the lights are off.   I did not find that on other ships we have been on, HAL and Azamara etc. 

[mexico8]

On 10/15/2023 at 6:31 PM, Crew News said:

At the time I went to bed, the weather forecast for today in Costa Rica was heavy thunderstorms beginning at 8:45 AM.  I opted to bypass my visit to the canals and slept late.  Of course, the weather turned out to be just partly cloudy.  Oh, well.

 

In my attempt to evaluate the new Canaletto specials, I tried the veal chop special last night.  As an appetizer, I selected the meatballs and was surprised to receive three 3-inch diameter veal meatballs that would have qualified as an entrée in any restaurant.  The entrée veal chop looked to be half the size of the famous PG tomahawk streak. The chef insisted it was 12 oz but my estimate was 16 oz. 

 

Even eating only half of the meatball appetizer, I could only eat half of the veal chop.  Next time, I will skip the appetizer.  The chocolate tart dessert was three kinds and textures of chocolate.  It was more than could handle after my previous two courses.

 

My waiter continued his card tricks for customers and promised some new ones when I see him again on the Eurodam in February.

 

Approximately 15 officers had their once-per-month free Specialty dinner last night in the Canaletto as it is preferred over the PG.

 

Tonight is a lamb chop that surely cannot be as large a portion as my Ossobuco and veal chop.

 

Tidbits:

As I posted on another thread, the Canaletto is closed fleet-wide on Embarkation Day to open more tables and servers in the Lido for “steak night”.  The congestion in the MDR for “anytime” dining has required a long wait on Embarkation Day and this change is to relieve the long lines at the MDR.  It is the same men for both the Lido Market and MDR but the Lido advertising brings in more evening diners.

 

Yesterday was inventory day for the ship to count glassware, linens, etc.  It seems that the company that makes the bathroom glasses is now closed making inventory management of them critical.

 

Room Stewards are now responsible for minibar Beverage services on Embarkation Day which makes sense that my removed minibar contents went to the drawer under my bed and not picked up by Beverage staff,

 

Today, my Room Steward removed any minibar items expiring in the next month.  When I asked if they were headed for the trash, I was told that they would be disposed of in the crew party next week.

 

My Room Steward has a small magnet that attaches his clipboard to a spot beneath my TV each day as he cleans.  I will see if I can find some online,

 

Specialty Restaurants continue to be at the most 2/3d filled each night.  It might be a good time for HAL to add some Specialty Restaurant usage opinions questions to the final surveys.

 

After tonight, I will have two more nights to complete my new Canaletto menu reviews.

 

The interior of the ship feels like a refrigerator to me.  I alleviate the condition by wearing a sport jacket to dinner each evening.

 

I have updated the Canaletto menus and annotated what cruise days each will be served.  For longer cruises, the cycle restarts on Day 12:  Canaletto Menus

 

Tomorrow is a sea day followed by Panama Canal day.

 

More later. 

I  agree with you about  how cold the ships are.   I wish it would be warmer.

[Cyberhwk]

Man, come up to floor 6.  We can't get our room cold enough. 🥵

[keeponcruising]

14 hours ago, Crew News said:

After years of my own and others fighting for discounts after prepaying, having the proper procedures explained by both the Front Desk and a Specialty Restaurant Manger gives a clear picture for converting prepays to OBC. 

 

I will no longer wait to make reservations onboard to use my OBC.  Now, I will prepay, cancel payments once onboard without cancelling the reservation, and just use OBC, or no OBC for the 5 Star free meals. 

 

This conversion process was quite a light bulb moment and ranks almost as high as cashing OBC in the Casino for a few years.

 

Do you cancel the payment at guest services or do you log into the Navigator App to do it.  I'm trying to figure out exactly the procedure.  Thanks and enjoy the second half of your cruise!

[Crew News]

52 minutes ago, keeponcruising said:

Do you cancel the payment at guest services or do you log into the Navigator App to do it.  I'm trying to figure out exactly the procedure.  Thanks and enjoy the second half of your cruise!

Cancel payment only at Guest Services

[canadarocks]

So how are you spending your unexpected weekend in Fort Lauderdale Roger?

[Shalandara]

17 hours ago, Crew News said:

After years of my own and others fighting for discounts after prepaying, having the proper procedures explained by both the Front Desk and a Specialty Restaurant Manger gives a clear picture for converting prepays to OBC. 

 

I will no longer wait to make reservations onboard to use my OBC.  Now, I will prepay, cancel payments once onboard without cancelling the reservation, and just use OBC, or no OBC for the 5 Star free meals. 

 

This conversion process was quite a light bulb moment and ranks almost as high as cashing OBC in the Casino for a few years.

 

So, do you think this is the better way to deal with all prepays?  I'm thinking beyond the specialty dining and looking at things like excursions, spa, packages, laundry, what have you?

[Woodfaerie]

On 10/21/2023 at 2:09 PM, billbunger said:

FUN IN THE SUN

 

The repair work has begun on the damaged azipod. There are divers working in the water as I type, going by some of the material on the dock they will be replacing some seals. 

 

Walking through the Lido I just saw granny in line for food wearing only her bathing suit and there are some passengers drunk already and others not showing up to their muster stations. Me thinks this will be an interesting three days in Fort Lauderdale. We are skipping out to Miami tomorrow so may miss some of the eye candy and boozing. It’s going to be an interesting seven 

Haha, so true! I see lots more drinking going on than I have observed on previous HAL sailings. I was approached by 3 highly intoxicated passengers asking me if they had to do the muster drill in order to "get our OBC comp"! Guess they thought I was a crew member? (perhaps their Mai Tais were talking) They apparently didn't hear the repeated overhead announcements looking for the rogue non compliers.

 

$250 OBC? Setting my alarm to get to the shoppes the moment they eventually open!