Dismomx5

Thanks for the ride, Jacqui. I've enjoyed the information that you shared, but am happy to not be on the cold decks. 🙂 Safe travels home!

22 minutes ago, islandwoman said:

How long after a cruise does HAL add those mariner points to the passenger's online account?  We disembarked from the Koningsdam on April 26.  While we were still onboard, we received a note saying that we had earned the next Mariner level, but my online account is still showing the same points and star level that I had before the cruise.

It will usually take 7-10 business days to update, however, I have heard some complain that their mariner account didn't update that quickly.

26 minutes ago, kazu said:

A lazy morning. We were too late for the Pinnacle Grill breakfast so had to hit the Lido.  We both decided on a splurge and a real “healthy” breakfast.

 

 

The sticky buns on the ship are really good.

I love the sticky buns. 😋  I like to think of mine as healthy since I always have some protein added aka pecans 😂.

4 hours ago, 1of4 said:

Honestly, I find hiking poles more stress on my shoulders and back because they are taller than my cane. I can’t walk outside my house without using a cane because of balance issues. So I have been told collapsible canes are not for me as I do put weight on it, not just casually place it down while walking. That said, canes need to be fit to you for proper posture. Too tall and they become a walking stick; too short and you walk slumped over. I just worried about your question “are they strong enough to support me”. Think what you will do if one breaks and if that would ruin your vacation. My occupational therapist said no to collapsible for me. 

Thanks for your insight. I don't actually use them for 'support' as much as a tool to reduce the weight bearing on one knee as I walk. I had my first folding cane give out at the airport on one trip. It was a tough slog through the airport, but I wasn't incapable. I now have a second cane in my carry on in the event that my cane were to give up the ghost while on vacation. The second one came in handy last summer when my sister tripped in a hole in Cornerbrook. She was bedridden for one day, and then was able to use the cane for the next couple days on the shore excursions.

1 hour ago, kazu said:

I took my cane on the plane last time.  It folds like the poles.  this time I will use one of the poles since my back stays straighter.  I fold them up and stick them in the pocket of my personal item.  fits just tine.

I use a folding cane for support when I anticipate that my knees will start to act up. Do you find the walking sticks as sturdy? That is probably my worry. Are they strong enough to support me? If so, maybe I should give them a try. I think that walking sticks would be less stress on my hands/wrist and shoulders.

I must have missed the plane, becauseI joined your cruise notes as you hit Newport. I'm glad that you got the dinner situation sorted out. 🙂 We enjoyed the Mix on the Volendam last year as well. Have a great time, you Merry Widows!

18 minutes ago, tupper10 said:

We have the HIA package and I am wondering how to use it to get waters in our stateroom. Do I have to go to the bars for bottled water and then bring it back to our room?   TIA.

Yes, you will get the cans of water at the bars and take them back to your room. We always picked up a couple on our way back to the room at night.

1 hour ago, Navybikermom said:

I usually let it run while putting my stuff away. I can glance at it when necessary, and listen when my head is in a closet. But then, even though I have flown many, many times, I still politely watch the flight attendant when they are doing their safety briefing. 

Agreed. That's how we do it. I learned on the cruise we just finished that you have to watch it every 30 days, so we got to watch it twice.

On 3/26/2024 at 11:23 AM, Haljo1935 said:

That is correct. Note TV will not work on any other channel until you play the safety video.

Also note, that if you watch some and turn it off.....you have to start all over again. 😉 

22 minutes ago, HappyInVan said:

 

 

Excellent! Thanks so much. Now, we have the facts.

 

Looks like what any pax does, will have a negligible effect on crew compensation. Either withholding gratuity or adding to the pool. As I suspected, cash is king. I'll go that route to reward our service heroes. 👍

 

 

Since we know that the only way to ensure that those service heroes get to keep your gift of money is to keep the gratuity on your account, I'm glad that you are going to do that. 👍 I do the same. I pay the gratuity (would never think to remove it!) and ADD tips to those that I see-stewards and servers, put money in the laundry bag for the laundry, and even a couple of dollars to those I see regularly shining the elevator. 

I am hoping that they get this online sooner than later. Mine expires in January 2025, so I need to be looking at that after we get back from our cruise in March, because we have cruises booked February-April next year.

How many ships are disembarking today?

39 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Bringing something with sleeves is a great idea - I've been wearing a lightweight long sleeve shirt like a jacket around the ship. So much so, people probably think I wear the same clothes everyday, lol. I do not need it in the library,  though. Thermostat in the cabin stays about in the middle. The line may be hard to see.

That's a GOOD line to see. 😉
 

41 minutes ago, richwmn said:

The total amount of all HAL/CCL provided onboard credit shows up on your Booking Confirmation, AKA Invoice or Guest Copy. Unfortunately not all travel providers forward this information to you, you must ask for it and sometime push as your agent might not know what it is.

 

For a discussion, see this thread.

 

 

Thanks! I'll maybe have her do that in the new year for the February cruise.

Can someone direct me to where you see this on your sailings? Mine have never shown up
"in my account" nor on any sailing page, or on my invoices. I'm always "surprised" when I walk into my cabin and check the OBC on the t.v.

Just a quick pop in to let you know how much I appreciate all the people that keep this thread running each day! I may not post, but I am still around! May the joys of Christmas fill your hearts with love and peace.

Have a wonderful -and smooth-sailing!

Thank you for taking us along, @LAFFNVEGAS. Safe travels home.

I'll have the yuzu margarita to start my evening, with lots of their fresh buns, followed by sunchoke soup (hot please!) and the grilled asparagus. For the main, I'll have tenderloin (hubby isn't fussy on steak, so I get it while I can). Could I please have just a taste of the cauliflower steak? I've never had it, but I'd like to get a sense of what it is. Thanks. to the kitchen staff! For desert, I'll have the cheese plate, a Baileys and pot Sleepytime tea!

17 hours ago, Cruising-along said:

Oh boy, dinnertime!

 

I'd like 

Baby beets

Crab cake

Prime rib

Hazelnut mousse cake

 

 

So these were my choices....until

9 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

I'll have the sushi and coconut crusted shrimp to start. I think a Riesling with these.

The prime rib (medium) and add the beets from the appies section (horse radish thing on the side)

Pair a Cab Sav with the main.

Ricotta raspberry tart for desert.

I think blueberry tea to finish.

So now, it will be the coconut shrimp and beets followed by the prime rib and coconut shrimp, and a fruit plate for dessert. I'll take the sweetest merlot available before/during the meal and Sleepytime tea with my fruit plate.

I've always like the Wasabi cocktail (or 2 or...) but tonight, I'll try the Momokawa Pearl, please. Satay sampler and the Jewels of the Sea for my appetizer followed by the tenderloin. For dessert, I'll have the mango posset.

I'll have my usual moscato (a double tonight please), the shrimp cocktail AND the soup (I LOVE HAL's soups), followed by the filet with shrimp Newburg, and a fruit plate for dessert please-heavy on berries and watermelon. Sleepytime Tea, and I'm off to the World Stage to see. . . .

2 hours ago, Navybikermom said:

I would have mimosas, goat cheese/berries, and eggs Benedict! I dearly love biscuits and gravy, but the ones I’ve had at their brunch are just not right… 😣

Exactly my choices as well.

Croquette, pot roast and the meringue for dessert. A glass of moscato before dinner and some Sleepytime tea with my dessert.

Bon Voyage to you and your fellow passengers. Smooth sailing for all!