Odds and Ends

Just a few things as the last few days slip by.

1) I received another upsell offer from Holland America.  My first one was to go to a balcony (Vista Suite as they are called on Amsterdam) from my ocean view cabin for $12,000.  Evidently the computer (which likely generates these offers) didn't understand that if I turned down this offer, I was not going to accept one at a higher price.  My second offer was for $14,698!  No surprise that it too, was turned down.

2) The people on my Cruise Critic roll call are a talkative bunch and at least ten of us are writing blogs.  There will also be a "Live" thread on Cruise Critic. 

I am hoping that some of those who do not want the commitment of time and money to write their own blogs will contribute to this "Live" thread.  It is also a great way to read about different experiences all in the same location.  Anyone can read this thread on Cruise Critic ( https://boards.cruisecritic.com/showthread.php?t=2578061 ) but if you want to respond, you must join.

Before we set sail on Thursday (!!!), I will add the addresses of the other blogs for anyone who wants to keep up.  Look at the "Blogs I follow" at the bottom of the page.  I also have blogs on the list for the 2018 Crystal and Princess World Voyages.

3)  For those of you who might be new to blogs, scroll down to the bottom of the page.  There you can sign up to get an e-mail every time I post something new.  Keep in mind there can be hours or even days when the Wi-Fi is very poor or even non-existent and I might not get to post every day.  Eventually they will show up.

4) Due to the vagaries of Wi-Fi at sea, I have not been very good at responding to comments left on the blog in the past.  My goal is to try to do better this time around.  Please don't feel slighted if I don't always succeed!

Smooth sailing until next time!

The Devil is in the Details - Part 2

What am I going to see? – At each port you must decide what activities you are going to do.  The cruise line offers hundreds of excursions on a world voyage.  You can also set up private excursions (you or someone on your cruise contacts local tour operators) or just go out and explore on your own.  For this cruise there is a fourth option.  My travel agency sponsors a number of excursions that are fairly similar to the HAL ones but are slightly cheaper and, for the most part, have smaller groups. 

In many ports that I have been to previously I often “do my own thing”.  Also, if the port city has a “Hop-on, Hop-off” (HOHO) bus tour I will frequently do that.  These are great because you get to see the major sights with commentary and can get off at any stop where you want to explore more and then get back on a later bus.  I am planning on going on at least two HOHO buses. 

I also take some private excursions set up with people I meet on-line on Cruise Critic.  I have signed up for five on this cruise.

For the majority of ports on this cruise I will be taking ship excursions.  The huge plus for a ship excursion is that the ship will not leave you behind (yes, it does happen – check out some of the You Tube videos of “runners” trying to make it back to the ship) if your tour does not come back on time.  The ship excursions are the easiest to do because they plan everything although they are almost always much more expensive than the other choices. 

I often wait until I am onboard to purchase my ship excursions because you often hear suggestions from others onboard as to what is good and what is not.  The only ones I usually book in advance are ones that I would be very upset if I did not get to do (sometimes these excursions fill up fast).  Planning for excursions usually starts shortly after booking for me.  I make lists and add and delete over the weeks and months before the cruise.

My cruise is 113 days long – does that mean I have to bring 113 outfits? - Of course, the answer is no.  Ships have laundry and dry cleaning services available for a price.  Most of the ships that do world voyages also have self-serve laundries.  On my first world cruise I would set aside three to four hours to devote to waiting for a washer, using the washer, waiting for the cycle to end, waiting for a dryer, and then waiting for it to finish.  Then I had to take everything back to my cabin to fold or hang up (and some of it was so wrinkled I had to go back and wait for an iron).  About half way through the cruise I got resentful of “wasting” those hours.  After all, if I want to wash clothes I can do it at home!  That is when I started sending out my laundry.  On HAL they offer a small bag (in which I can stuff 15-20 items) washed and pressed, coming back folded or on hangars (my choice) for about $20.  They also offer an unlimited laundry service for a set price.  I opted for the unlimited this time and I already purchased it (I thought it was a real steal for $189).

Medications - Everyone I know on a world cruise takes a small pharmacy of over the counter medications.  Some of these are hard to impossible to get when you need them so it is better to pack them “just in case”.

Most people who have the time and money to do a world cruise are older and with that comes a variety of issues that require prescription medicines.  You can usually work with your doctor and prescription plan to get enough for your world cruise.  Luckily, I don’t have to take any prescription meds.  I did have my doctor prescribe antibiotics for the infections to which I am prone.  Going to the ship’s doctor usually costs about $100 just to make the appointment and more for any meds you might be given and any subsequent visits.  Also, on my first world cruise the medical center ran out of almost all medicines before the four months were up so I like to go prepared.

The dreaded “V”s (vaccinations and visas) – Most itineraries do not require any specific vaccination (although if you look at the CDC website you would wonder if it is worth leaving home).  My first world cruise required none but for this one a yellow fever shot was required for entering some of the African countries.  I also spoke with my doctor to see what he would recommend.  Since typhoid is common in many of the countries, I took a series of (very expensive even with insurance) pills.  We discussed malaria pills but he said dousing myself in Deet bug spray should do the trick since I will not be spending a night off the ship.  He also suggested inoculations that were not specifically travel related but important to keep you healthy anywhere – Prevnar, Shingles, and a flu shot.

For most countries who require a visa (great way for them to make money), the ship can procure your visa and add the cost to your onboard account.  There are a few countries that require each person to apply for their visa in advance.  You need to fill out a very detailed application on-line and send your passport (or if you live close enough, visit their consulate) along with passport size pictures of yourself.  India, China, and Brazil seem to be the worst ones to get.  I had to do India and China on my last WV.  Luckily, the only visa I had to get in advance this time was for Australia and it is a simple on-line application which gives you an ETA which is electronically linked with your passport.

Mail - Lots and lots of mail will accumulate over the course of four months.  The postal service will only hold mail for a month.  You can pay about $20 per week to have the USPS box up your mail each week and send it to someone you designate.  On my last world cruise, my daughter picked up my mail (she only lives 2 miles away).  This time I am going to stop the mail twice and she will pick it up the other times.

Anything I forgot to cover?  Let me know if you have any questions.

Smooth sailing until next time!

The Devil is in the Details - Part 1

Whenever going on vacation there are numerous details that must be considered, planned for, and completed.  On a World Voyage that number multiplies.  I have broken this post into two parts as it turned out much longer than I had originally envisioned it.

How do I book my cruise? -  Basically there are two ways to book a cruise – you deal with the cruise line directly (on the phone or on-line) or you have a travel agent do that for you.  Some people prefer booking their own because they then “control” their booking whereas if you use a travel agent (TA) you must go through them (the cruise line will not talk to you directly).  I have always used a travel agent.  Back in the dark ages (pre-Internet) it was basically the only way to go.  There were dozens of brick and mortar travel agencies where you could pick up brochures and get advice.  Now these are becoming slowly extinct.  Today many people who use a travel agent use one they have never met with whom they talk on the phone or through e-mails.  My last TA was in Maryland and my current one in Seattle, Washington.  One major advantage of a travel agency is that you often receive perks you would not get booking yourself (see my post on “Why I Chose HAL”).  I also feel that the TA knows the ins and outs of dealing with the cruise lines and if there are any problems, knows who to talk with to solve them.

Insurance – I used to travel all over the world with no insurance.  Like many young people, I thought since I was healthy I didn’t really need it.  Once I retired and was on a fixed income, I realized that any illness or accident could bankrupt me.  Medicare does not cover me outside of the country and neither does my supplemental insurance so travel insurance is a necessity.  I often use insuremytrip.com or TripInsuranceStore.com to compare coverage and costs.  In buying travel insurance you must decide what is important to you.  For me, I want good medical coverage, emergency evacuation (like a helicopter picking me up and taking me to a hospital), repatriation (returning your remains in case you don’t make it through the cruise – on my first world cruise we had at least four people pass away before it was over), and cancellation coverage (after final payment the cruise line only refunds a small percent or, if very close to departure, none of the cost of the cruise). On a thousand dollar cruise I could afford to lose that.  On one that costs tens of thousands, not so much. Travel insurance often costs 8-10% of the cost of your vacation and that percentage increases dramatically as you age.

Money Matters – I pay my bills on-line, have automatic payments, or pay a year at a time so that is easy. 

Since world cruises often start in early January and run past April 15, how you are going to complete your income taxes has to be considered.   Some people who take world cruises file for extensions so they can complete there taxes upon returning home.  Before my first world cruise, besides writing a will, I gave my daughter power of attorney.  Because of this she can complete my taxes for me (and she is nice enough to agree to do it!) and take care of anything pertaining to my house.  I also had her added to my bank accounts. 

As to cash to spend in the various countries, I usually get money from an ATM.  They are usually easy to find (sometimes even in the cruise terminals) and you will get the best bank rate for currency exchanges.  Traveller’s Cheques have just about gone the way of the dodo.  Some cruise lines will not accept them as well as many merchants.  You can also get currency before you leave home through a local bank.  I bank at a credit union that does not deal in foreign currencies so I have to get mine at AAA.  This is usually the most expensive way to change money because exchange rates are horrible and they often charge a handling fee.  Luckily, many countries (especially in tourist areas) are happy to take US dollars. Most stores and restaurants take credit cards so often you don’t need any of the local currency.  (Be sure to ask your credit card company if they need to know where you are traveling so they don’t block your account.)  You can also usually get local currencies on the ship but again the exchange rate is very much in their favor.

Stay tuned for Part 2.

Smooth sailing until next time!

Luggage Pick-up

As mentioned before, one of the perks that Holland America offers to full World Cruisers in certain categories of cabins and who book at least six months early is luggage pick-up.  If you are in a suite you may send as many cases as you wish but for my cabin the limit is two.  There is no maximum weight.  There are restrictions as to what you can ship.  No valuables, alcohol, tobacco products, weapons, electronics, hazardous materials (which includes aerosol cans), combustible materials, recreational equipment, or medical equipment is allowed.  

My pick-up date (and from talking on my roll call, everyone on the cruise's) was December 18 between noon and 4 pm.  I was sent an envelope from Fed-Ex at the end of October with special labels in it to be attached to my luggage and further instructions.

The FedEx driver arrived on the 18th at about 12:15 (again almost everyone on the roll call had about the same pick-up time) and he had both bags in the truck and was on his way by 12:20.

Using the tracking information I found that both bags had arrived at the sorting facility in Fort Lauderdale by Tuesday afternoon and delivered to the warehouse (to be stored until the ship arrives on January 4) by 2:19 pm on Wednesday the 20th.

Holland America also pays to send the two cases back at the end of the cruise.  It is certainly going to be nice not to have to schlep three big cases and a carry-on through the airport like I had to do on my first world cruise.  I may get so used to this that I will pay to have the cases sent if I don't get it included in my booking!

Smooth sailing until next time!

Documents

On Monday, December 11, I received a phone call from my travel agency saying that my cruise documents were being sent by FedEx and should arrive on Wednesday.  Just at the stroke of noon on Wednesday, the FedEx man delivered them. 

In the HAL vs. Cunard comparison, HAL definitely wins on presentation.  Cunard’s documents came in a large bound booklet with the luggage labels in the back – too large to take with me.  HAL’s comes in a reusable travel wallet and is the right size for packing.

In the packet was a mix of notices from HAL and from my travel agency, including…

• A note from my travel agent
• A spiral bound book with information about the cruise and luggage tags
• Information about arrival in Fort Lauderdale (where I will be picked up and taken to the hotel)
• Information about the cocktail party and dinner the night before the cruise sponsored by the travel agency
• Phone numbers and addresses to leave for family members at home
• A booklet entitled "What you need to know before you go"
• And, most important, my boarding pass

When I first pre-booked this cruise it was 85 weeks away and now there are less than three weeks to sail-away!

Smooth sailing until next time!

Cruise Critic

Disclaimer - this is basically the same post about Cruise Critic that was on my first WV blog (why reinvent the wheel?).  I have edited it somewhat. 

You will see a number of mentions about Cruise Critic as the cruise continues so here is a little background information.

Love to cruise?  Do you know about Cruise Critic?  The name may be confusing, making you think it is nothing but people complaining about their cruise.  But actually, Cruise Critic is a community of people interested in cruising.

 

Many people find Cruise Critic when they are looking for reviews about a cruise/cruise line/ship.  If you are reading the reviews, remember to take them with a grain of salt.  They are very subjective – what one person finds unforgivable might not bother another person.   Very few cruises are going to be totally horrible or totally fantastic.  A good rule is to eliminate the top 20% and the bottom 20% of the reviews.

 

For me, the best part of Cruise Critic is the “Community”.  This is where you will find dozens of forums covering just about any aspect of cruising.  Here are just a few of the forum topics:

First Time Cruisers

Disabled Cruise Travel

Solo Cruisers

Cruising Technology

World Cruising

Photography

Most of the mainstream cruise lines have a separate forum where you can ask (and answer) the questions of fellow members.  Sometimes these discussions can become very heated and the board moderators have to step in and encourage everyone to “play nice”.

There also are “Roll Calls” where people who are going to be on the same cruise can chat with each other.  Roll Calls are interesting as some of them become very popular and others just sit there.   I have been very lucky to be on some great roll calls.  We have discussed all kinds of topics of interest as well as getting to know each other.  Although I am traveling solo, I do not feel like I am traveling alone because of all the great people I have met on the roll call.  On most roll calls a "Meet and Greet" will be set up so the people who have been talking on the internet for months can finally meet in person. 

If you need to find out information about your ports of call, there is a forum for that.  This is a great place to find out some of the best places to visit (or avoid) as well as reputable excursion providers.  Cruise Critic is owned by TripAdvisor which is another great site to learn about the places you will be visiting.

One of my favorite forums is the “Cruise Fashion and Beauty”.  Almost everyone on the forum is positive and helpful (even if they disagree).  There is even a recycling thread where people offer clothes, shoes, handbags, etc. that they have grown tired of, don’t fit any more, or they are just downsizing their closets.  If you are the lucky recipient of an item all you have to do is to send a check for the shipping to the giver and post a picture of yourself and the item on the thread.

So, if you are interested in cruising, give Cruise Critic a try.  http://www.cruisecritic.com/   You can read all the information but must register in order to post.

Smooth sailing until next time!

Interesting Information Arrives

As the days dwindle until the cruise begins, more and more information has arrived.  My FedEx suitcase labels arrived in preparation for the December 18 pick-up.  I also had a long detailed e-mail from HAL about the cruise.

First of all, the Captain and Staff have been announced.  If you have ever been on HAL these names may mean something to you otherwise you might want to skip this section.

CAPTAIN: Jonathan Mercer
HOTEL DIRECTOR: Henk Mensink
CHIEF ENGINEER: Harry Drabbe
CHIEF OFFICERS: Thomas van Benthem / Jan Smit
CRUISE DIRECTOR: Hamish Davis
GUEST RELATIONS MANAGER:  Christel Mensink
PURSER: Peter Wallis
EXECUTIVE HOUSEKEEPER:  Shiv Charan
CULINARY OPERATIONS MANAGER:  Ivan Ivanov / Florin Dragomir
EXECUTIVE CHEF: Petr Nozaki
DINING ROOM MANAGER:  Phillip Stolte
BEVERAGE MANAGER:  Twinkle Pastorfide
FUTURE CRUISE CONSULTANTS:  Lynn Lehr & Larry Lehr
EXC TOURISM MANAGER:  Nyron Peters
DESTINATION SPECIALIST:  Barbara Haenni

Also joining you the cruise are Guest Staff that will include Priest, Minister, Rabbi, Bridge Instructor, Dance Instructor, Dance Hosts, Guest Speakers and more.

There has been a great deal of discussion on Cruise Critic about the cutbacks on HAL and job positions that have been eliminated.  This same discussion goes on for almost all the other lines because cruising is ever evolving and it is not the same as in "the good old days".  Some of the activities that are no more on other cruises will still be available on the World Cruise.  Here are some of them.

ENRICHING EVERYDAY ACTIVITIES - Our talented crew will introduce you to a daily supply of new activities, from the kitchen to the ballroom. Our list of qualified professionals includes:

A tai chi instructor

Dance instructors

Watercolorists

Arts & crafts instructors

Digital Workshop powered by Windows®

BBC Earth Experiences

Culinary and hotel-related demonstrators

Bridge instructors

THINGS HEAT UP WITH AMERICA'S TEST KITCHEN Join us on a culinary-themed cruise where you will be able to explore new recipes and cooking techniques with leading America's Test kitchen cast members, editors, authors and celebrity chefs.

Finally, we received the list of Theme Events and Celebrations.

GRAND WORLD VOYAGE ACTIVITIES GALORE With so many thrilling onboard activities to look forward to, you may be wondering just what to plan for – and how to pack! Here’s a helpful guide to what you can expect at sea.

GALA CELEBRATIONS AND THEME NIGHTS Pull out your ball gown, top hat or tropical shirt. Holland America theme nights are guest favorites and we’ve already planned a list of them, giving you ample time to prepare. We encourage you to “dress the part.”

THEME EVENTS We will feature the following theme events: January 4 Complimentary Bon Voyage Sail Away on Lido Deck (meet up with all your friends on board as we depart on the Grand World Voyage 2018)

January 7 Captain’s Welcome Aboard Reception and Black & Gold Dinner (our first Gala Night, complimentary pre-dinner cocktail party with staff introductions followed by the Black and Gold Dinner)

January 8 Panama Hat Night (celebrate your upcoming transit through the canal, hats provided, or bring your own)

January 11 Mystery Celebrity Chef Dinner* (a very ‘fluid’ concept, so be prepared for the unexpected)

January 12 Dutch Dinner (a fun and typically Dutch themed dinner)

January 13 Sommelier Dinner* (gourmet food and wine pairings)

January 15 Black & Silver Masked Ball (Gala Night, the first Grand Ball in the Queens Lounge, masks to be provided, or wear your own “maskerpiece”)

January 17 Moulin Rouge Dinner (French infused and seductively styled)

January 18 Rudi's Sel de Mer (pop-up restaurant concept in the Pinnacle Grill of classic French Mediterranean dishes with a contemporary twist, cover charge applies)

January 20 Tropical Paradise Dinner (kick back and dine between lush 'palm trees')

January 24 Polynesian Cook-In (Polynesian feast of food and entertainment in the Lido areas)

January 31 "Mad Scientist" themed Sommelier Lunch in the Pinnacle Grill (Gourmet food and wine pairings with a twist, fee applies)

January 31 Bowlers & Bumper Shoots (Gala Night, enroute to Commonwealth nations)

February 5 Superbowl (the event is “on” in the Queens Lounge, reception permitting)

February 6 Maori Kai Food Festival in the Lido areas (celebrating Waiting Day by showcasing the best of local food and culture)

February 7 Rudi's Sel de Mer (pop-up restaurant concept in the Pinnacle Grill of classic French Mediterranean dishes with a contemporary twist, cover charge applies)

February 8 Under the Sea Dinner (Gala Night with aquatic theme and a focus on seafood)

February 13 Mardi Gras (eat, party and celebrate the merriment of Fat Tuesday)

February 14 Valentine’s Dinner and Ball (Gala Night to celebrate love at this time-honored Queen’s Lounge Ball)

February 16 Chinese New Year Celebration (The Lido Restaurant will turn into China Town for dinner)

February 21 Aussie Outback Cook-In (Fair dinkum fun and casual outback tucker from Down Under in the Lido areas)

February 22 Mystery Celebrity Chef Dinner* (a very ‘fluid’ concept, so be prepared for the unexpected)

February 24 Pan-Asian Dinner (Gala Night, combining culinary delights from Indonesia and the Philippines)

February 25 Sommelier Dinner* (gourmet food and wine pairings)

February 28 Rudi's Sel de Mer (pop-up restaurant concept in the Pinnacle Grill of classic French Mediterranean dishes with a contemporary twist, cover charge applies)

March 1 The White Dinner (Gala Night, all-white clothing theme symbolizing purity and elegance)

March 4 Secret Garden Dinner (enjoy the mystery and wonderment of this floral inspired dinner)

March 11 Red Lantern Dinner (Gala Night, time honored theme to match your Asian wardrobe for this evening)

March 12 Mystery Celebrity Chef Dinner* (a very ‘fluid’ concept, so be prepared for the unexpected)

March 16 Makansutra Dinner in the Lido areas (featuring all the local food stalls that Singapore is known for)

March 17 St. Patrick’s Day (partake in the “wearing of the green” and look for that pot of gold)

March 19 "Lunch in the Dark" themed Sommelier Lunch in the Pinnacle Grill (Gourmet food and wine pairings, fee applies)

March 19 Indian Dinner (Gala Night, and a chance to wear your Indian garb and taste the many flavors Indian cuisine has to offer)

March 22 Sommelier Dinner* (gourmet food and wine pairings)

March 24 Seafood Grill Dinner in the Lido areas (fresh seafood galore prepared and presented in local style)

March 26 A Classic Gala Night (Gala Night, a chance to dress in near-bygone style)

April 1 Easter on Amsterdam (Gala Night, enjoy Easter for all its splendor to include traditional classics)

April 7 African Braai in the Lido areas (Africa’s own grilled and local specialties)

April 8 Sommelier Dinner* (gourmet food and wine pairings)

April 9 Out of Africa Dinner (Gala Night, relive the movie scenes of Robert Redford and Meryl Streep)

April 10 Mystery Celebrity Chef Dinner* (a very ‘fluid’ concept, so be prepared for the unexpected)

April 11 Rudi's Sel de Mer (pop-up restaurant concept in the Pinnacle Grill of classic French Mediterranean dishes with a contemporary twist, cover charge applies)

April 13 King Neptune Ceremony (daytime event to commemorate a sailor’s first crossing of the equator)

April 14 Fabulous Las Vegas (Gala Night, and "what happens on Amsterdam, stays on Amsterdam")

April 18 Double Dutch Dinner* (celebrating our Dutch heritage)

April 21 The Magic of Motown (dress the part and dance to this Soul-Pop era music in the Crows Nest)

April 22 Breakfast for Dinner* (yes, you read it right, breakfast in all its glory, served for dinner)

April 23 Mariner’s Appreciation Night (final Gala Night, to include pre-dinner cocktail parties in the Queens Lounge honoring your Mariner status)

April 25 American Cookin' Dinner in the Lido areas (all your classic favorites with trimming and helpings galore)

April 26 Chef’s Farewell Dinner (culinary excellence in the La Fontaine Dining Room)

April 26 The Grand Farewell Night (Queens Lounge event with a special Guest Entertainer to close in Grand style)

April 27 International Favorites Dinner (summing up our culinary journey with all-time favorites)

*Limited to the Pinnacle Grill only, by onboard reservation only, US $79.00 all-inclusive set-price cover charge (including Bar Service Charge). We recommend making your booking(s) at the start of your voyage.

And in case you are wondering, I do not bring clothing to go with all of the themes (I didn't on my last WV, either).  Most people don't but it is fun to see those who do.

Smooth sailing until next time!

Cancelled Ports

On a cruise you are not guaranteed to go to all of the ports on the original itinerary.  On my 2014 WV we were supposed to have two ports in Egypt but because of the political upheaval there they were cancelled and we went to Israel instead.  (I was quite glad about that because I had been to Egypt but not Israel.)

Sometimes ports are cancelled because of weather.  On my South Pacific cruise in 2016 we had two ports cancelled due to rough seas.  Both of these were places where you have to get off the ship onto a tender that will take you to the port.

We just had our first port cancelled.  We were supposed to go to Madagascar (I was really looking forward to seeing the lemurs) but there is an outbreak of pneumonic plague there and HAL decided not to take any chances and replaced it with Reunion Island.  This is a very small island to the east of Madagascar.  It is the place where the first debris of Malaysia Flight 370 was found.

We have at least ten ports that require tenders so the number of cancelled ports may increase.  Also, our last port is San Juan, Puerto Rico.  As slow as things are going there they may not be ready for cruise ships by then.

Smooth sailing until next time!

Why HAL?

Some friends were surprised when I told them my world voyage was going to be on Holland America (HAL) rather than Cunard.  After all, I had a wonderful time on my Cunard world voyage, loved the dressing up in the evening, the British ambience on board, and of course, my balcony.  So why did I switch to Holland America for this cruise?  There were a number of factors which influenced my decision.

In my first blog I explained how I ended up deciding to cruise on Cunard.  My first choice had been HAL but the balconies were almost $30,000 more than on Cunard (which put them way out of my price range).  For this world voyage I decided I was fine with an oceanview cabin.

For a number of years I have been reading blogs by world cruisers on HAL.  After taking three cruises on Holland America, I knew that I would enjoy a world cruise with them.  Although I don’t think you get quite as good a mix of nationalities on HAL that you get on Cunard, there always seems to be many Canadians (more than I have seen on Cunard) along with a few other nationalities.

The world voyage begins and ends in Fort Lauderdale which is very easy (and fast) to get to from home.  Jetblue has two non-stop flights a day between Richmond and FLL and they take about two hours.

I had heard many good things about a travel agency in Seattle called Cruise Specialists.  They give a number of perks for world cruisers that AAA (former travel agency) do not – on my first world cruise AAA gave me $200 onboard credit and a bottle of wine.  I asked some people I met onboard HAL if they used Cruise Specialists and how they liked them.  Heard only positive comments and was given the name of a specific agent who came highly recommended.  Cruise Specialists provide the following for HAL world cruises.

·      $200 OBC or $200 off the excursions they offer (which usually are a little cheaper and with smaller groups than the ones HAL sponsors)

·      Pre-cruise hotel overnight stay

·      A special cocktail party and dinner the night before the cruise

·      Transportation from the airport to the hotel and the hotel to the ship

·      A windbreaker and choice of a tote bag or small messenger bag

·      A voyage host (or hosts)

·      Private onboard events and gatherings

·      (Saved the best for last) a 6% discount on the cost of the cruise (minus taxes and fees, of course)

Holland America also gives perks for certain categories of cabins and for booking by June of the year before the cruise.  These include the following:

·      Fed Ex pick up of two suitcases to be delivered to the ship and returned to home afterwards

·      OBC based on category of cabin (I get $350 + $150 for booking shortly after my last cruise)

·      Pre-paid gratuities (a savings of about $1400)

·      A 3% discount on the cost of the cruise (minus taxes and fees again) if paid in full before June 1, 2017

Guests in suites get even more benefits.

Due to missing ports and changed itinerary, HAL gave everyone on the 2016 South Pacific cruise a 12% credit of the cost of that cruise to be used on a future cruise.  For me, that was just over $1000 and helped to bring down the cost of the world cruise.

As of now, I think the thing I will miss the most about Cunard is the dress code.  I really do like “dressing” for dinner and especially the formal nights.  HAL has watered down formal nights to “Gala Nights” where there are a few more restrictions in the main dining room but formal wear is optional.  I have read that the people on the world cruise tend to be dressier than on shorter voyages.  I still plan on taking my formal wear (a few less items than on Cunard) and enjoying “dressing up” in the evenings.

Stay tuned to find out how HAL stacks up against Cunard!

Smooth sailing until next time!