Veendam Ducks and DITs!!!

Charles

Captain Weather
If I remember correctly, if you pre-book an excursion you cc is charged right away. If you cancel before the date of the cruise, HAL issues a credit to your cc. If you cancel before the excursion, and while you're on the ship, you get a credit to your onboard account. I'm sure there is a complete explanation somewhere on the HAL site.

c
 

audrey

Staff Captain
I have only booked the tour of new york at the end of the cruise they say that gets booked up fast and I don't want to have to spend the whole day at airport. I am going to wait to get on the ship to book everything else to see what everyone else is doing.
 

Judi

Environmental Compliance Officer
Holland America charges immediately when you make your reservations for shore excursions/dinners. Here's the blurb about cancellations from their ebrochure:

Rates and descriptions are current as of the printing date. Prices are subject to change without notice and descriptions may vary from the actual tour provided. All cancellations that are made less than 5 days prior to cruise departure are subject to a 10% cancellation fee. There will be no exceptions. In addition, if you cancel your tour reservation after the booking deadline stated in the Shore Excursion Planning Form on board, or if you cancel a Signature Collection private vehicle tour, a 100% cancellation fee will apply since transportation and services will have already been arranged.

Hope that helps everyone!

QUACK QUACK QUACK!!!
 

suek113kow

Lecturer
Tendering

Does anyone know how often the tenders leave to go to St. George? I'm hoping to get on the earliest one, but on vacation my DH likes to sleep in.
 

Judi

Environmental Compliance Officer
Sue, I've never tendered into St. George, but they usually have more than one and run constantly.
 

msbuster

Massage Therapist
I read somewhere that the St Georges tenders hold 700 passengers. Does the ship run any tenders as well? Any idea how long the round trip takes? It's too bad ms V can't make the run in through Town Cut, it is very impressive on a ship!
 

suek113kow

Lecturer
I agree, it was a beautiful thing to experience. The last time I cruised there was in 2000, which was so very long ago. Where does the time go, I felt like it was yesterday. They are not kidding when they say the older you get the faster the years go. :biggrin:
 

Beryl

Trivia Specialist
Thanks Earl...and Judi for digging out that info for me. Clearly I will not be pre booking any excursions...as I said I think we will just strike out on our own..guide book in hand! Earl...good news about the Pinnacle Grill and generally being able to book reservations once aboard. I shall discuss with my buddies and see if they want to do that and we will get on it as soon as we board if we decide it's a not to be missed thing (which I doubt). I am sorry that the Chef's Dinner is not going to be offered on this sailing. I know we would have signed up for that in a heartbeat...both my DH and my friend's DH are quite good chefs themselves!

Remember the photos of that "rust bucket" that ran aground in a storm awhile back...that was the HAL tender...I wonder if they fixed it or replaced it. I'm hoping for replaced as it did not look good at all!!!
 

jk

Staff Captain
I may be wrong and I hope that I am but I thought that I read that it was an hour each way for the tender trip.
 

suek113kow

Lecturer
The Duck Crew countdown icon is a wonderful reminder that time is moving and that we will be going on this wonderful trip in less than three months. I have really enjoyed it, I don't know who came up with it but it's great.
 

Calgon1

Awaiting results of mental evaluation
I joked about this back in December, when Mama Duck took her fall. But, now, I'm thinking that, just perhaps, we may really need to consider the interventions below. Soley for her own protection, of course ...

BubbleWrap.jpg
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Calgon1

Awaiting results of mental evaluation
Just found another venue for 'touristing' in NYC ...
Enjoy "The Ride": $1.3 Million Tour Bus Debuts in NYC - Carry On | Travel + Leisure

Here's their hype:

"THE RIDE takes everything that makes New York, New York and kicks it into overdrive.

Riders will board THE RIDE, a super-sized, technologically amped up vehicle that travels the streets of New York. With stadium-style, sideways seating and massive windows, Riders have front row seats to the big city.

You never know what you’ll see or who you’ll meet along the 4.2-mile route. No matter how many times you take THE RIDE, it’s never the same show twice.

From Grand Central to Central Park, THE RIDE provides a look at New York and its people in a way that you’ve never seen before. You’ll laugh, you’ll be wowed, you might even learn something."

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Mixed reviews -

:doubledown: Lucaseln — Jan. 6, 2011 10:10am EST
"Taking this bus was like throwing money out the window. This isn't an experience. Here's a better idea, get a walking guide and walk the city. You'll see many more sites and many more interactive characters than on this bus ride. The few facts about NYC I learned were not anything special. You're better off taking a real walking tour of NYC with someone who knows the history of the city and isn't an actor pretending to be a Columbia Graduate. Thumbs down."

:doubleup: Fdrichie1 - Oct. 2, 2010 8:31 EST
"I had a fantastic time on "The Ride" The tour guide actors were fantastic as well as the star of the show "The Ride" Thats what he likes to be called. I dont want to spoil all the fun but it is highly interactive. I am a native New Yorker and have taken tours here in there. I expected to have a well informed tour of the but I never expected all the fun. You don't know me bt please treus me with this recommendation, if your going to take a bus tour or want a fun evening definately or want both ask "The Ride" if you can come aboard. PS - I think Scott and Jackie like each other. Take the tour you'll understand."
 

msbuster

Massage Therapist
HYDRATION AND LIBATION QUESTIONS
I'm considering prepaid drink cards. Is there anything non-alcoholic that is offered gratis? Juice, milk, coffee, etc? I'm not a soda drinker and I am wondering if I need a non-alcoholic drink card.
Can anyone tell me whether the wine packages are exempt from that high corkage fee if I bring a bottle purchased in a package to the dining room?
Finally, is it true that you can bring up to two bottles of wine on board per stateroom?
 


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