Mytime2014

My time,

Love your avatar! RTR!

 

Thank you! I just got my crimson and houndstooth jacket and sunglasses in time for the trip

 

Think I should get an "A" for my door?

 

RTR

[quote name='jocap']No, we're no longer interested in the big tables nor the set hours, and even freedom dining can be a noisy experience. We like to be able to eat when we want, but this year we tried a cruise line which expected you to BOOK your freedom time- we lasted one night! That's no use to us....we eat little, and rarely any puddings, so this last cruise became one of grazing whenever we wanted.[/quote]


the idea of the big table/strangers/extended meal is something I didn't think about before coming to CC. My friend has cruised and she likes that, so I just went along. I'm hoping we have friendly tablemates who like to chat a little but get on with the meal...otherwise, we will have to revisit the plan! If I were sailing alone [next time maybe] I would definitely not take a fixed time.

OK' date=' please allow me to rephrase my reply; I would not let mealtime interfere with excursion timing. Dining time has the luxury of flexibility. FWIW, last June DW and I had a great dinner with an impeccable view at the top of Mt Roberts:

 

http://www.goldbelttours.com/mount-roberts-tramway/timberline-bar-grill/[/quote']

 

That sounds good! I think we have time at the end of our excursion to make it up there - BUT with almost 10000 fellow travelers in port at the same time....it may be a little busy that last hour before sail away

Here you go, its about the low class dawgs who don't pay top price :rolleyes::rolleyes::rolleyes:

 

What do you mean by "Cheapens the experience?" If someone is lucky enough to pay a less then what I paid for comparable accommodations, how would that "cheapen" MY experience?

 

 

That's what I thought....it might make me mad {at me!!!} that they were enjoying the same view and food and cruise for hundreds less.... and make me work to find how they did it. I know I could have paid less for my cruise if I could be more flexible/last minute kind of planner, but I work in an office where its hard enough to get a week vacation, so when the plan came together and the time was available, I grabbed it!

 

If I meet the person who gets the same cruise for half what I paid, I'll be happy to learn their method, but rubbing shoulders with them in the Lido or the Crow's Nest is not going to diminish my enjoyment. Meeting that grumpy person anywhere would probably diminish my enjoyment but hopefully they will stay in their expensive room!!! :rolleyes:

There's a great post on the Alaska board about minimalist packing - just reading it cut my list by one third

I can't believe the audacity of someone inviting themselves on a cruise without discussing it with the other party. Never mind HAL and their policies - what kind of relative/friend does that? Surprise, we're going with you....maybe you had planned to take along a little something something and that was your place to get out of the rut and crossdress, playact, or have an orgy

 

Do people not consider that maybe they weren't invited because you wanted to be alone?

I guess I may be a little guilty of some of the things people have mentioned. I travel solo, and look for bargains. Now I don't talk about how much I spent, but sometimes during the course of a conversation people may ask why I chose this particular cruise and the answer is simply, "I got a great deal!"

 

I've mentioned my low-deck oceanview cabin and the photos I've taken of the waves crashing against the window during rough seas when my tablemates mentioned they couldn't use their balconies ;) I don't think any offense was intended or taken.

 

Only once did I encounter a suite snob. I actually felt sorry for the woman. She seemed unhappy.

 

 

This is what I have determined from reading those posts. I was just surprised that someone who spends the money early in order to reserve 'that' suite finds that it cheapens HER experience that people wait, hoping prices will drop and then take the lower price. Anyone could do the same thing if they don't have to have "that" room/service. Its a choice!!! Anyway - I hope I don't run into that unhappiness or even the braggarts - I do, I can move on [and try not to be my sarcastic agitating worst!!!]

Update: I added additional photos to the gallery along with the reviews for each dish. Also I added those posted here, thanks! :)

 

 

Food Porn Gallery

 

Enjoy!

 

Nice - I followed the suggestion and was able to see the comments!

 

Needless to say, I'm now watching EVERY DAY for one of those uber-low-cost specials for myself :D

 

One reason I would like to be self-employed, so i can take advantage of special deals. I've thought about planning vacation based on off season ships sailing from Galveston and take a chance getting a solo at the last minute.

You just read what???

 

I'll claim the opposite - the presence of people who comment (or worse, who gloat) about the deal they got and/or how little they paid ruin my experience. Why do people insist on talking about the cost of things? I don't care how much or how little you paid. I can't imagine why you think I want to hear about it.

 

I'm sure the forum rules would prevent me from posting a link to the specific thread, but yes, it was said that it diminished the quality of that person's experience because some people book last minute for 400 dollars,

Disclaimer - I paid the full price for my initial booking as offered in February for an obstructed OV and got a decent offer for an upgrade last week. I would not have paid full price for a balcony because it was not in my budget.

 

If I had a more flexible work schedule and could take time off whenever - I'd wait until last minute and go for those bargains if they exist. Why not pay 1/3 of what someone else paid if its available. Now that I think about it - its not me who has the problem for taking advantage of a bargain if I can get it....

Hopefully you can label the pics with meal and menu item. I love looking at food porn!

I'm at Cosco at the least every other week so it's not a problem for me to take things back. Also, I pretty much know that Gloria Vanderbilt pants and jeans fit me perfectly. I really don't buy too many clothing items at Costco. But whenever they have Gloria Vanderbilt jeans or capris...especially at $12.99...I grab them in every color, which is what I did recently. Her clothing is made of good quality fabric and are nicely made. I'm happy with my new capris and plan to take them on my cruise next month.:D

 

Wish mine had them - do they fit the same as the jeans? cause I know my size in the Amanda jeans.

Do you mean this person has a suite and is looking down on the riffraff in a common balcony? If so, most people on the ship neither know nor care what type of cabin another cruiser has. We have met many wonderful people who had suites and many other wonderful people in inside cabins.

 

While there is always a jerk in any crowd, I hope you manage to avoid them

 

I've been spending too much time on the boards anticipating my cruise on the 5th and it seems like the people who spend the most time on the boards are the critics [in a negative way!] I don't expect to run into many of "them" on my cruise and will do my best to steer clear. I just could not believe that comment.

 

My observation - the loudest of the complainers are just not happy people - I mean, how can you cruise in the best suite available and find nothing good about anything....

 

Just read this and it really ticked me off....people who pick particular spots/experiences on a ship feel that the presence of people who pay less cheapens their experience on the cruise. Really? You could pay less and just not get your free laundry, special coffee/snacks all day....how does my presence on that ship - because I followed a budget, didn't demand a particular spot, and priced shopped cheapen your experience.?

 

OMG reminds me of my ex who didn't want to live on the same road as a mobile home - even if it was 5 miles away out in the country.

 

Honestly - if most people on a cruise are like these few prima donna, high maintenance people, this will be a first and last for me. Hopefully tho - most people will just be happy to be on a ship headed for Alaska. If not, my balcony will be my respite [which I got a VERY good upgrade price for, did not pay full price!!!]

Aw screw them! :p I'd just give a dirty look back. I really dislike ball caps or any kind of hat for that matter on a man in the MDR. That's where I direct my dirty looks. Children and a camera don't bother me, IF the kids are well behaved.

 

 

Amen!!! well behaved kids make me teary eyed for when my son was a wee one - he loved to go out...now he eats too much for me to take him often!!!

[quote name='sherilyn70']IMO, no it was not. The conversation and atmosphere on both formal nights really was no different than the ones we wrote dark jeans and a nice shirt to. The filet mignon was really sad at about only a 1/2 inch think (if even that). I couldn't believe it, the only time I've seen one that thin was when my mother would ask to have hers cooked extra well done and they'd have to butterfly it. They should have been embarrassed to serve that.



Sent from my SCH-I545 using Tapatalk[/quote]


Your opinion is what I have seen a lot of - it seems like the food is hit or miss, average or average +. And that's okay because I'm not paying for a 5 star cruise.
If I could afford the 5 star cruises, I would go formal because if I had that kind of money, I wouldn't have to worry about the cost of dress and all the accoutrements - and I'd probably not be working like a dog to get to take ONE cruise!!! Still, I can't wait to get onboard and enjoy everything there is to enjoy.

LilacCruiser - how am I possibly going to get through the next 290 hours after reading this?!!!

:confused: So why not find a cruise line that suits you better?

If HAL's food is so disappointing to you, why sail with them? :eek:

 

 

 

I haven't even been on a ship yet. I had questions based on reviews.

My comment made as simple as I can make it - is the quality of the food and service deserving of a formal setting?

 

or is the 'OMG you got to be formal' from a remnant who think things should never change and by George if they dressed up in ______ - we should still do it now.

 

FWIW I'm not looking for 4 or 5 star [so I'm sure I am not going to be disappointed]...but I'm not going to buy, pack, and maintain formal wear for 2 hour period of time every other year. HOLLAND AMERICA says slacks and a dressy top are okay - I can do that.

Lets get this poster a job in the diplomatic corp!:D

 

 

yeah, like that would work - I'd be busted the 1st hour for all the eye rolling...it has been my downfall most of my life. :rolleyes::rolleyes:

A serious question to all of those who partake in formal night. Does the quality of the food in the MDR today match the quality of the formal night dress code? From what I read here that does not seem to be the case. Although my wife and I are 4 star mariners we have never once eaten in the MDR and never intend to.

 

My wife and I on occasion get dressed up for dinner at home. The check for those occasions is more than an inside cabin costs for 2 people for a 7 day Alaskan cruise from what I am seeing of HAL's rates now. $299 for an inside cabin on the Oosterdam for a 7 day cruise. Jeez that's cheap!!!

 

I guess what I am trying to find out is if the food is special enough for all of the hoopla of a formal event.

 

This has been my question when reading reviews of the food and the service, thinking of the banquet hall environment [NOT my favorite part of being the commanders wife!!!], the quality of food described as MAYBE 2-3 star quality [by description only - plating doesn't improve the taste], all as you mentioned.

if you divided the middle of the road fare x 21 [just meals] I can spend that much on a decent night of sushi and drinks - and not even have to dress up!! I don't wear formal wear to Chili's or the local ethnic restaurant and that's what the menus look like to me. I mean - it looks good, but if it's not hot/cold/awesome service, then it's not a "Formal" environment.

 

Having sailed Noordam three times, I agree that she is lovely. Of course, I only saw OP's comment because, on a slow morning, I decided I had the time to find out what a thread titled "Now I understand" was a bout. I wish that titles were slightly more specific - I suspect that I might miss a number of interesting topics because of "hookless" titles.

 

 

did someone hack your account? I'm sorry we aren't all up to your standards....

thank you for sharing your experience. I will be there on July 5th

When you bring, and use, your own tea you are not using the line's tea which is available to you at no charge. The big difference which, as a Mountain Dew lover, might escape you is that you do not tote around many pounds of liquid-filled cans - rather jus a few ounces of dried leaves.

 

And tea is so much more upscale....besides, I thought the issue was that some of us were so stiff-backed that they couldn't/wouldn't try something else, as opposed to {what was the word?} spineless who would go along with anything. And in this case - it is something the line doesn't provide.

 

Not much escapes me.

the mt dew lover here had a wee giggle because it's okay to bring your most favorite tea and coffee, but don't you dare be picky about the soda. :D