~Cruise Critic Group Cruise To Alaska ~ Amsterdam May 2010~

[pspercy]

"a bad day at sea beats a good day on land anytime!"

 

Maybe on a cruise liner, but not always on other vessels:eek:

[LEtue]

Good morning everyone! I'm hoping we get the go ahead today :D

[wingding]

Good morning everyone! I'm hoping we get the go ahead today :D

Here's hoping that today is the day!!!!

Question: I am going to need a handicap room for my Sister and BIL, should I be worried as to avaliability? Just wondering.

[LEtue]

Here's hoping that today is the day!!!!

Question: I am going to need a handicap room for my Sister and BIL, should I be worried as to avaliability? Just wondering.

 

Probably depends on what type of cabin they want - inside, outside, or balcony. Once you know you may what to call Holland America and ask.

[Tinknock50]

Here's hoping that today is the day!!!!

Question: I am going to need a handicap room for my Sister and BIL, should I be worried as to avaliability? Just wondering.

 

I woudn't take the gamble and wait. There aren't that many handicap cabins and it would be a shame if they couldn't go on this cruise because they were booked up!

 

Remember, you can book one now direct with HAL and switch over to the group or another TA by making a simple phone call to HAL to switch it. Don't worry about the price HAL charges now, because you will get the discount when you switch. You are not locked into anything....you can even change catagories later.

 

I have had to cancel a cruise before because a handicap didn't open up and my Mom can't cruise without one.

[emliss]

Hi All,

Been "lurking" for a couple of days. Saw this HAL itinerary a few weeks ago and got excited. Really like the Kodiak, and Homer ports. Had planned to book later this year for the end of August 2010, but this cruise looks too good to pass up. This is our 2nd cruise to Alaska (2nd cruise ...period). We went RC Southbound in 2007 after an 8 day independent land tour.

 

WINGDING, that trip was, in part, to celebrate my retirement from the NJ Department of Transporation after 31 years of service.

 

My DB, DN, DM, and DH and I are watching to see what the pricing will be on this group cruise and we may decide to go in May, not August. How does cabin choice work on a group cruise? I have specific cabins in mind and wonder what the chances are of getting them through a group.

 

Later,

Emliss

[LEtue]

Hi All,

Been "lurking" for a couple of days. Saw this HAL itinerary a few weeks ago and got excited. Really like the Kodiak, and Homer ports. Had planned to book later this year for the end of August 2010, but this cruise looks too good to pass up. This is our 2nd cruise to Alaska (2nd cruise ...period). We went RC Southbound in 2007 after an 8 day independent land tour.

 

WINGDING, that trip was, in part, to celebrate my retirement from the NJ Department of Transporation after 31 years of service.

 

My DB, DN, DM, and DH and I are watching to see what the pricing will be on this group cruise and we may decide to go in May, not August. How does cabin choice work on a group cruise? I have specific cabins in mind and wonder what the chances are of getting them through a group.

 

Later,

Emliss

 

You should be able to pick your cabin so I don't think that is an issue :) Welcome and hopefully we will be official soon!

[LEtue]

Time for another update....and let me know if I left anyone out!

 

Linda (LEtue) and Margie(hmstins)

Sillyjilly

Marian (BldLvr) & DH

Joanne (JoKen1)

Snook & DW

Laurie (lstrong)

Mash1 & DH

pspercy & DW

cruisinbanjo & Mrs Banjo

farkle& DH

TravelinGrandma & DH

Chelly

LVSue & SIL

Syran & DF

papergypsy & DH & DD

Sean (Tinknock50)

wingding & DW, Sister & BIL

Sue (bjbear)

Donna (PT Cruisin)

Janie (tjcletsgo)

Rose (azrose) & Steve

Phyllis (phyllisrf)

Susan (FurryPetMom)

Diane (DizzyDallasDi)

Eric (eaglesfan34)

Michele (furniturelady)

katybird

Kim (bellamom6)

emliss

 

Here is what we're planning so far:

 

Group Hotel Rates

Pre Cruise Dinner & Get Together

Group Transportation to the Ship

Sailaway Gathering - "Say Goodbye to Seattle"

On Board Get Togethers - this could include the days we are viewing Hubbard Glacier or sailing in Tracy Arm?

On Board Acitivities - casino slot pull, scavenger hunt, gift exchange (something from your local area?)

Trivia (could even be Alaska or Ship related)

"On Deck for the Cure" walk to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation

[bellamom6]

Time for another update....and let me know if I left anyone out!

 

Linda (LEtue) and Margie(hmstins)

Sillyjilly

Marian (BldLvr) & DH

Joanne (JoKen1)

Snook & DW

Laurie (lstrong)

Mash1 & DH

pspercy & DW

cruisinbanjo & Mrs Banjo

farkle& DH

TravelinGrandma & DH

Chelly

LVSue & SIL

Syran & DF

papergypsy & DH & DD

Sean (Tinknock50)

wingding & DW, Sister & BIL

Sue (bjbear)

Donna (PT Cruisin)

Janie (tjcletsgo)

Rose (azrose) & Steve

Phyllis (phyllisrf)

Susan (FurryPetMom)

Diane (DizzyDallasDi)

Eric (eaglesfan34)

Michele (furniturelady)

katybird

Kim (bellamom6)

emliss

 

Here is what we're planning so far:

 

Group Hotel Rates

Pre Cruise Dinner & Get Together

Group Transportation to the Ship

Sailaway Gathering - "Say Goodbye to Seattle"

On Board Get Togethers - this could include the days we are viewing Hubbard Glacier or sailing in Tracy Arm?

On Board Acitivities - casino slot pull, scavenger hunt, gift exchange (something from your local area?)

Trivia (could even be Alaska or Ship related)

"On Deck for the Cure" walk to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation

My DH Fred and DD (will be 8 by then!) will be with me as well! We leave this Sat on the Westerdam, cant wait!

[LEtue]

Kim, thanks for the update! Have a great time on your cruise :D

 

 

Linda (LEtue) and Margie(hmstins)

Sillyjilly

Marian (BldLvr) & DH

Joanne (JoKen1)

Snook & DW

Laurie (lstrong)

Mash1 & DH

pspercy & DW

cruisinbanjo & Mrs Banjo

farkle& DH

TravelinGrandma & DH

Chelly

LVSue & SIL

Syran & DF

papergypsy & DH & DD

Sean (Tinknock50)

wingding & DW, Sister & BIL

Sue (bjbear)

Donna (PT Cruisin)

Janie (tjcletsgo)

Rose (azrose) & Steve

Phyllis (phyllisrf)

Susan (FurryPetMom)

Diane (DizzyDallasDi)

Eric (eaglesfan34)

Michele (furniturelady)

katybird

Kim (bellamom6), Fred & DD

emliss

 

Here is what we're planning so far:

 

Group Hotel Rates

Pre Cruise Dinner & Get Together

Group Transportation to the Ship

Sailaway Gathering - "Say Goodbye to Seattle"

On Board Get Togethers - this could include the days we are viewing Hubbard Glacier or sailing in Tracy Arm?

On Board Acitivities - casino slot pull, scavenger hunt, gift exchange (something from your local area?)

Trivia (could even be Alaska or Ship related)

"On Deck for the Cure" walk to benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation

[Tinknock50]

My DH Fred and DD (will be 8 by then!) will be with me as well! We leave this Sat on the Westerdam, cant wait!

 

Bon Voyage!

 

Have a great cruise!

[bellamom6]

Bon Voyage!

 

Have a great cruise!

Thanks! I have packed and re-packed now 3 times! I managed to get everything into carry ons!! Tip...REI sells these amazing vacuum (think Space Bag) bags that compress everything, you do not need the vacuum. I was pretty impressed with my packing ability on this one and saving the $$ on not checking bags to spend in Alaska!

[LEtue]

Thanks! I have packed and re-packed now 3 times! I managed to get everything into carry ons!! Tip...REI sells these amazing vacuum (think Space Bag) bags that compress everything, you do not need the vacuum. I was pretty impressed with my packing ability on this one and saving the $$ on not checking bags to spend in Alaska!

 

Okay, what did I miss. What is REI?

 

I always forget about my space bags and really need to get them out and start using them again. You may have found something better though so let me know the name of the store :)

[LEtue]

Happy Friday everyone.

 

I just sent Laura a follow-up in response to her email of last Thursday. Just in case we got lost in the shuffle....so stay tuned.

[pspercy]

Okay, what did I miss. What is REI?

 

 

http://www.rei.com/ Sporting/hiking/camping gear and the like.

[pspercy]

They call them "compression bags" http://www.rei.com/search?query=compression+bag

[bellamom6]

They call them "compression bags" http://www.rei.com/search?query=compression+bag

They work awesome! Even my husband was impressed 2 girls only 2 bags!

[LEtue]

Thanks! Now maybe I can pack my pillow too :D

[pspercy]

Was fooling around starting a booking on the HAL site itself.

 

Just like some of the online TAs, it offers only units on the lowest deck when requesting "E" or "F", for example.

 

I guess I thought you could click on a cabin on the deck you want - kinda like on an airplane seating chart :confused: Apparently not !

 

Presumably you have to call them to get anything different than the online "best possible" selection.

[Tinknock50]

Was fooling around starting a booking on the HAL site itself.

 

Just like some of the online TAs, it offers only units on the lowest deck when requesting "E" or "F", for example.

 

I guess I thought you could click on a cabin on the deck you want - kinda like on an airplane seating chart :confused: Apparently not !

 

Presumably you have to call them to get anything different than the online "best possible" selection.

 

pspercy,

It's another one of the "improvements" to the HAL site. Before you could have the option of entering a prefered cabin number. Now you can't. Seems you have to call now.

 

Another bright idea from the person who came up with rolling in transfers without asking you.:rolleyes:

[LVSue]

Has this really been going on for over a month??? Do we have to wait over another weekend? Arghhh!! Grrrrr!! Do I book my Paris tickets or not???

 

(Sorry, I'm in my second childhood and terribly impatient.)

[Tinknock50]

Has this really been going on for over a month??? Do we have to wait over another weekend? Arghhh!! Grrrrr!! Do I book my Paris tickets or not???

 

(Sorry, I'm in my second childhood and terribly impatient.)

 

I know the feeling.

 

Maybe we should start contest.....Guess when the group rates will come.

I say a week from today....any other guesses?

 

Actually, I don't know why I should be concerned. I already have the cabin I need booked through HAL. I can lesuirely switch to someone else at any time

[katybird]

We have never cruised on a group cruise.

 

How much less are groups rates usually? Is it significant? I'm sure it varies depending on many factors so don't know if this can even be answered.

[Tinknock50]

We have never cruised on a group cruise.

 

How much less are groups rates usually? Is it significant? I'm sure it varies depending on many factors so don't know if this can even be answered.

 

I have never sailed on a group cruise either. I think the best bet is to get some quotes now so you can compare when the group rates become available. I am really hoping the group rate is less. My gut tells me it may not be, but I can dream. :)

[katybird]

I have never sailed on a group cruise either. I think the best bet is to get some quotes now so you can compare when the group rates become available. I am really hoping the group rate is less. My gut tells me it may not be, but I can dream. :)

 

Yes, I have several quotes. It is always a good idea to do your homework!

 

It will be very interesting to hear the group rates.

Katy