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Petronillus

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  • Posts

    770
  • Joined

About Me

  • Location
    Glen Ellyn, Illinois
  • Interests
    social (non-competitive) ballroom dancing, mystery/detective novels, thrillers
  • Favorite Cruise Line(s)
    Holland America Line
  • Favorite Cruise Destination Or Port of Call
    St. Petersburg, Russia

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Petronillus's Achievements

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Cool Cruiser (2/15)

  1. Wow, I feel like I've melded minds with this person. Further thoughts: 1. I've found that after maybe 5 Caribbean islands, they all sort of blend together. They seem to have similar histories and similar sights to see. Martinique stands out only because our guide was so proud that Martinique is an integral part of France, with its own deputies representing it in the French National Assembly, and so proud to point out how nicely paved their roads are. 2. I will always get off at Half Moon Cay for the sting ray attraction. The folks manning the pen are congenial and the animals are remarkably beautiful, peaceful, and patient. Otherwise, I agree. The best thing is to stay on board, bask at poolside, and enjoy the other amenities.
  2. This is the best news I've heard on this front since they pulled the plug on LCS. When we did our Norway cruise last July aboard Rotterdam the LCS signage was still on display, rubbing salt into the wound. The notion of a high-caliber piano/cello/violin trio having their own free rein over a classical, semi-classical, and fusion repertoire is attractive.
  3. My solution is passive-aggressive. You put down whatever it is you're reading, and then lean over to show that you're actively listening. If that doesn't work, start interjecting your own comments since the offender has plainly turned a private conversation into an open discussion.
  4. It's probably another case of YMMV, but our experience in February aboard Westerdam was just the opposite. The incomparable Krista Meadows invariably put on a high-caliber show with engaging performances, all by her lonesome self. I started a separate thread shortly after to register my approval. Perhaps Krista is indeed incomparable, and others just can't match the secret sauce that makes her special. I hope for HAL's sake, and ours, that's not the case.
  5. Hear, hear! I wonder how many people in the 19th century used to say, "Oh no! Not Beethoven's 9th again!" I'm not saying future generations will remember the Step One Dance Company routines like we revere the Beethoven symphonies. But I do think that their four programs should be viewed and enjoyed as choreographed artworks akin to ballet. On our recent 28-day cruise aboard Westerdam, the Step One dancers performed each of their four programs twice. For us it was our first time with the one called Move. I was astounded at how well the choreography, staging, and effects adapted to suit Westerdam's proscenium stage. We were particularly graced with three top-notch couples who were equally balanced in their virtuosity. That's not always been the case. It SODC has gone the way of LCS, I need to brace myself for another major disappointment. BTW, I am of a wholly different opinion w/r/t BBC Earth. If I never have to see those infernal snakes again, I'll count myself lucky.
  6. I usually order a double, so the limit on my signature package really comes to 7½ drinks. I've yet to bump into the limit. What a temperant boy am I!
  7. I suspect that what you've just detailed explains why my fellow passenger regretted not having booked 3 nights.
  8. DW & I drink enough to at least break even on the beverage package. For me the main thing is feeling carefree. Not for nothing was my Dad born and raised in Scotland.
  9. On our most recent cruise one of my fellow pax said that if he had it to do over he would have booked one of the cruisetours including 3 days in Denali. I didn't press him for details but he said that 2 days just wasn't a long enough time. It made enough of an impression on me that I resolved to choose an itinerary giving us 3 days (when the time came).
  10. I hope I'm not quibbling but my primary incentive to purchase the Club Orange option is that at the time of booking, with Club Orange you select the lowest-cost cabin available in your category (verandah, ocean view, etc.) and then upgrade to any other available cabin in the same category at no additional charge (i.e., other than the fare for the initial choice and the extra cost of Club Orange). For DW & me, all the other CO perqs are gravy.
  11. We're still basking in the afterglow of 28 days ohboard the Westerdam cruising Asia-Pacific. HIA gave us the signature package, and I had my set of drink preferences (a rather small number and narrow range). I never once found, regardless of venue, that my charges varied. On those rare occasions when I ordered something above the signature-package limit, the server always told me what the upcharge would be.
  12. As of last month Chivas Regal was available at most bars onboard and did not exceed the $11 signature package limit. I think that all the single malts were above our pay grade. At home my favorite tipple is Ardbeg Uigeadail, but on board high-end blends are satisfactory. I wasn't on the lookout for single malts but IIRC the stop shelf had Glenfiddich, Glenmorangie, and the like.
  13. Last month, on Westerdam, we had the Signature package and were barely grazed by the recently increased prices. My bloody Marys were at or below the cutoff, and same for my Bombay Sapphires. Our Chivas Regals were also within the limit. For a couple of days the Crow's Nest was out of Chivas; when we switched to Johnny Walker Black, the upcharge was something like $0.59.
  14. We just spent 28 days in 4179 on Westerdam. The only complaint I have about the cabin is over the dearth of electrical outlets. When we arrived a power strip had already been supplied, and we put it into use immediately. The verandah was deeper than any we've enjoyed previously. Our verandah door was about three feet back from the railing of the 5th-deck cabin above us. We had occasion to shelter under the overhang from time to time. We weren't bothered by either the vibration or the sound of the engines. The view of the wake was delightful. The most pleasant memory was viewing Mt. Fuji in all its splendid glory right smack off our verandah, for the entire time we were berthed.
  15. There's something in OP's original post that has me confused. Is there a Pacific Coast itinerary that reaches both Alaska and Mexico? I couldn't find any on the HAL website, am wondering if it would be two back-to-back bookings we'd have to cobble together ourselves.
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