Sheila2

Hi Dave,

We are boarding the day you get off.(if they can get you off!). I have enjoyed your cruise vicariously and want to thank you for an amazing experience. Your pictures are amazing. I also want to thank you for giving me so much detail that I have had to accept that I waited too long to do this cruise and now my health will not allow it. At least I got to go with you, so many thanks for that.

smooth sailing until you are safely in Boston.

Sheila

Hey canadianbear,

i’ve been trying to contact you but nothing works. My new email is sheilarules49@rogers.com.

Tom: My apologies. I didn’t think you were trying to flame me. My comment was general and I should know enough to stay away from this thread, but I had a question . I will never defend smoking but as long as I follow the rules I don’t think it’s necessary to insult my choices, poor though they be. Sorry, off my soapbox now.

Thank you Larry for trying to help. I was reluctant to post my question because even when you follow all the rules it seems to me that people just hate smokers and nothing will make them happy. Apparently it’s more fun to flame us.

Hi Tom,

We do have the same thing and I have the highest dose. At worst I’ll be cranky and at best it won’t happen. Thanks

Sure I’ve considered patches and will have some but according to my doctor they deliver a fraction of the nicotine in a cigarette. My traveling companion may not be too happy with me and I’m sure there will be some cheating going on but it won’t be me! I’ll just hope it doesn’t happen.

I have a question that may have been answered in these 12 pages somewhere so I apologize if I’m repeating.

what happens when the outer decks are closed due to bad weather? Do we have any recourse or are we expected to do without? For anyone who hasn’t been on the Koningsdam, it has a great smoking area on the aft lido. Anyone have details about Zuiderdam?

Thanks for any help.

Sheila

Thanks CarrieAP,

I will do everything you advise. FWIW my doctor said we’re breathing the salt, the water is fine and you can’t really avoid the food. Add heat and humidity and you have a recipe for swollen ankles. I agree, I hate not wearing pretty shoes. But when I read all the threads on this subject I realize we are definitely not alone. I’m not even sure I can get the compression socks on but I’m sure going to try,especially for the plane where it all starts. I don’t normally drink but if the pain is severe I may start!

Good luck on your cruise.

Thank you for answering one of my questions-yes I should bring paperbacks to leave on the Kdam and am I right that they should be left in the “library “ in the Crows Nest? I’ll bring as many as my luggage will allow.

As devil’s advocate I should add that I do feel that this is a good way to spread illness so wash your hands carefully!

Thanks for the replies. I’m grateful you even found this post.

Smooth Sailing

Thanks. I have the arnica gel as well. I appreciate your reply.

Hi,

I bumped this old post because I need help. I’m going on my first cruise in over 8 years and the first since I developed peripheral neuropathy. My feet and legs are painful at the best of times and I have always had severe swelling in my feet and ankles-read cankles-on cruises, so I hate to think what will happen this time. I can’t dry brush as I can barely stand to touch my feet and lower legs. I’m far less active than I was in 2009. I have essential oils and have seen them work on a variety of problems. I have compression stockings, black cherry capsules, a prescription diuretic . Will elevating my feet on the hotel wall help (we’re going a day early) and then elevating them in bed on the ship, along with gentle upward massage of this lotion with my hands be enough?

I had such awful pain before and I don’t know if I can stand it now. My daughter’s skin once split open on her ankle.

My doctor knows all of this and I’m not at increased risk for a DVT UNLESS I don’t move around. I can do ankle flexing and circles and I have the famous inflatable footrest.

Is there anything else I should do?

Thanks,

Sheila

Bmp

Hi Ruth C. Love your posts. Maybe you've found a reason to try Koningsdam! Would love to meet you someday.

Thanks for your help. Can't wait!

Okay-colour me stupid but can I just plug the heating pad in in next to the bed?

CanadianBear, I apologize for misquoting you.

Does this mean that a heating pad would be a no-no?

We are booked on the Nov.29,2017 11-day Southern Caribbean itinerary. It is an Oprah-themed cruise but she will not be on it. According to Canadian Bear Gayle King will be on it. I didn't know it was this when I booked it and like you, have been concerned about invasive activities. However,I think they will be easy enough to avoid. If you're going after this date I'll come back and report.

Swimsuitsforall is on Zulily tomorrow august 11,2017.

Just in case anyone needs to know.:cool:

I spent yesterday on the phone to no avail. HAL can't change the currency without cancelling and rebooking.

My fare is not nonrefundable but I would lose my deposit and wipe out any benefit.

Thanks again for your help.

Sheila

Sorry Pam, I forgot to tell you that the Canadian exchange rate adds 25-30% depending on the day.

Hi hi everyone,

First I'll answer some questions. Yes Pam, I did book a suite. No the price does not include gratuities. It is not HAL's insurance but a policy through the agency. I had some serious concerns when I read it but they were dismissed with a " Don't worry about it". The link to the insurance that was in my contract has disappeared so I can't check again. One was that the policy clearly stated that all travellers must be U.S. Citizens. To this I was told that the only province excluded was Quebec. Another was that pre-existing conditions would be covered providing certain conditions were met. When I questioned that the answer was that condition was that you pay for the insurance on your final payment date. The$700 is for 2 women in their 60's,cancellation and medical. Not cancellation for any reason but pretty good. Sorry to be so long-winded but it seemed some clarification was required.

Anyway, I called my "big box" travel agency and was told that based on the fare I paid the OBC would be $735.vs$100 both in U.S.$. I need to transfer my booking to HAL ,get it changed to $Cdn. And then transfer it to the other agency.

Yes my confirmation does state that I have booked a non -refundable rate. It's down between transfers and Diections and Parking.

I admit that this was an impulse buy. My daughter died in February and I didn't do my homework. Whatever happens I am grateful for all the help I have received here and will certainly be better prepared the next time. Thank you all for your help. I've learned a lot.

Sheila

. .

This is my second try at posting this. I haven't cruised since 2009. I booked a cruise with what I thought was a reputable online agency. Their quote was virtually identical to HAL's albeit in a different format. I received $100 in OBC, $50 pp. after reading all five pages of this thread I guess I got a lousy deal. I don't even like to think about what it will be in$CDN. Should I go back to the TA and question the OBC or just accept my own stupidity? I'd appreciate your advice. Thanks.

Sorry-I forgot that the price was $8900 U.S. plus $700 for insurance. They knew it was non-refundable but only said the deposit was until I tried to make a change. Okay, done now.

Hi,

This is all very interesting. I haven't cruisedor had a vacation since 2009 and I guess I've "dumbed down" since then. I booked anaft wrap Neptune suite on May 10,2017 for a Nov.29, 2017cruise-11 day Southern Caribbean Medley and paid 4309 before any taxes oh pp.

This was through an internet TA and I only got $50 pp in OBC. Do you think I should go back to the TA? Unfortunately I have to pay in Canadian $. Also I had to pay a$600U.S deposit which she told me was non-refundable as if they all were. I was surprised when the rates dropped and I was told I couldn't get it because of the non-refundable rate. It wasn't that great and I don't know what if anything I should do. Thoughts?