roses313

Today, May 8th we would have been in Dublin Ireland and starting our 10 day British Isles cruise (on another cruise line). Well perhaps another year.

Just came across this discussion and thought I'd put in my thoughts as well.  We live in the Niagara area (Canadian side) and are often in Niagara Falls.  You have received much advice, and only you can decide what you will finally do.  As someone who lives in close proximity to the Falls, my question to you is...why would you even try to do  the side trip to Niagara Falls in one day?  You would end up spending most of your time in transit, and by using various modes of transportation convenient connections are not always possible.  If you are interested in the Niagara area, then a separate trip would be the most relaxing way to do it.

My advice to you is fly into Buffalo NY and use an airport transfer i.e. Niagara Airbus to come across the border and it will take you to your hotel.  Yes, crossing the border may take awhile, but buses  seem to go into a priority lane and it's quite quick...less than an hour from the Buffalo Airport to Niagara Falls. There are local tour companies in Niagara for visiting the area including Niagara-on-the Lake.

To get to Quebec City...there is a commuter plane from Niagara to Toronto City Centre Airport, however that will get you into downtown Toronto and a very long way from Toronto Pearson Airport.  The more efficient way would be to once again use Niagara Airbus which will take you directly to the airport.  We take it all the time, and depending on the time of day about 2+ hours.  This way you totally bypass downtown Toronto, and that will save time. Train schedules to Toronto from Niagara are improving but do not run frequently and make many stops.

There are several options for air travel from Toronto Pearson Airport to Quebec City, only a few direct flights with most flights requiring a change of planes in Montreal.  

All this is doable in a day, providing all the connections work in your favour.  Please leave yourself some time to visit Quebec City, which is a very charming old city.       J.

Just came across this discussion and thought I'd put in my thoughts as well.  We live in the Niagara area (Canadian side) and are often in Niagara Falls.  You have received much advice, and only you can decide what you will finally do.  As someone who lives in close proximity to the Falls, my question to you is...why would you even try to do  the side trip to Niagara Falls in one day?  You would end up spending most of your time in transit, and by using various modes of transportation convenient connections are not always possible.  If you are interested in the Niagara area, then a separate trip would be the most relaxing way to do it.

My advice to you is fly into Buffalo NY and use an airport transfer i.e. Niagara Airbus to come across the border and it will take you to your hotel.  Yes, crossing the border may take awhile, but buses  seem to go into a priority lane and it's quite quick...less than an hour from the Buffalo Airport to Niagara Falls. There are local tour companies in Niagara for visiting the area including Niagara-on-the Lake.

To get to Quebec City...there is a commuter plane from Niagara to Toronto City Centre Airport, however that will get you into downtown Toronto and a very long way from Toronto Pearson Airport.  The more efficient way would be to once again use Niagara Airbus which will take you directly to the airport.  We take it all the time, and depending on the time of day about 2+ hours.  This way you totally bypass downtown Toronto, and that will save time. Train schedules to Toronto from Niagara are improving but do not run frequently and make many stops.

There are several options for air travel from Toronto Pearson Airport to Quebec City, only a few direct flights with most flights requiring a change of planes in Montreal.  

All this is doable in a day, providing all the connections work in your favour.  Please leave yourself some time to visit Quebec City, which is a very charming old city.       J.

I had a few of them yesterday...none today.  Very strange.

We are also on the TA next week.  I too am figuring out how many books to take.  DH prefers a reader, but I still like paper books.  We were on the Westerdam in April and there was a bit of a book exchange going on so maybe something like that will take place on the TA.   

Yes, it's different and will take some getting used to.

Checked Oosterdam Roll Call for upcoming cruise and it's still under construction.  

I can definitely relate to the posts from those who have a lactose intolerance. In the morning, in the Lido there is lactose free milk. It is not self serve, so a staff person will pour you a glass. It's at the station where there are other small containers of milk.

I have asked, but so far no indication of lactose free ice-cream, cheese etc. For several years now I have made a point of commenting on this in the cruise survey, but HAL does not seem to make this accommodation.

When there is no lactose free products, I take a "lactose enzyme" just before eating. There are several different over the counter brands. This was recommended by my doctor. Have done this for years, and it works for me. I always carry a small pill box

of them.

Lincoln Center performances can't be compared to Adagio. On Adagio cruises we too enjoyed our pre-dinner drink listening to the Adagio performers. With Lincoln Centre it's entirely different, yes it's a scheduled performance and definitely not conducive to your pre-dinner drink. Given that, we absolutely love the Lincoln Center performances, especially on sea day afternoons.

Share the same thoughts about too much repetition on longer cruises.. Was surprised to learn about how "programmed" their program is...no room for inserting anything that would be relevant to the cruise/special day etc.

IMO the popularity of the LC almost warrants a larger venue and definitely in a different location on the ship. We will be on the Oosterdam TA next month and looking forward to their performances. Just have to remember to go about 30 minutes before the performance to get a seat.

Not a fan of bread pudding.

Love the cookies in the Lido. Never met a cookie I didn't like.

This topic of appropriate dress for Gala Nights comes up on a regular basis. I find the posts interesting and wonder why folks get themselves in such a snit about Gala night attire. The cruise is supposed to be relaxing time...so enjoy. Wear what you are comfortable wearing. If you are not comfortable wearing a suit, then don't. Just remember you are the paying customer and you will probably never see any of the other cruisers ever again.

When we first started to cruise, yes we dressed up for the formal nights. Mind you no tux or gown, but suit and fancy dress. As the years went by, we said "why", and gradually changed to a somewhat casual attire...a sport jacket, (sometimes). If no sports coat...a dark sweater and collared shirt. For me, nice dress or dark slacks and fancy top.

Horror of horrors we have both worn dark wash jeans to the MDR, but not on Gala Night. The sky did not fall, and no one said anything.

All this to say, dress in whatever you feel comfortable wearing, enjoy your dinner, the evening and the conversation with your table mates. We should not judge others by what they wear, as we have no idea of their circumstances. Once on the cruise everyone is equal and should be treated as such. We are all paying customers.

We are on a TA in November from Barcelona to Ft Lauderdale so appreciate the feedback from those who have done the crossing at that time of year. Will be prepared for a bit cooler temperature in Gibraltar, and I assume windy as well.

I figure the chances are quite good the weather will be mild as we approach Florida. Always good advice to recommend layers because the weather being what it is will be what it is.

Once the Christmas music starts, it just continues.

Several years ago we were on the Eurodam in mid February. There was background music in the Canaletto, and much to our surprise Christmas music suddenly started playing for a few songs. We were told the music is on a loop, and they have no control over changing it????

I usually join the roll call for our cruises...to obtain/share information on pre and post cruise hotels, the ship, and the ports. We don't tend to join private tours, just not our way of cruising.

I'm usually quite disappointed in the M&G's for various reasons. Folks arrive at the location, and then just sit in one place and maybe chat with the person(s) next to them. There never seems to be any mingling, so I have rarely been able to actually meet with those who participated in the Roll Call. Often the M&G is nothing more than members still making a pitch for private tours.

On an upcoming 2019 TA, there is already quite an active Roll Call (mostly for private tours). A M&G is already planned, but the organizer is quite adamant that only those who provide her with much personal information will be invited. In all our years of cruising have never come across this. So, although I check in with the roll call to read the posts, I have no intention of "joining" the Roll Call.

On the other hand, on Celebrity the roll calls are very active. A few years ago on a cruise from Hawaii, many of us got together pre cruise for drinks/dinner. We made contact at that event with folks and continued on board to have drinks/dinner while on the cruise, and a good time was had by all.

I don't eat liver and onions on a regular basis, but do enjoy it from time to time. Must say, if you are a fan of liver and onions you will certainly enjoy it served in the MDR. It was prepared to perfection.

We also enjoy lunch from the dive...nothing better. The cookies by the ice-cream station are so-o--o good, and just so easy to walk by during the day and take one or two.

We are on the Oosterdam TA cruise from Barcelona to Ft Lauderdale. Originally booked on the K-Dam, but we too found the itinerary not very interesting. We switched to the Oosterdam in early January of this year, and to a Signature Suite. There was still considerable choice of suites at that time. We are not part of any group.

if you want nonstop activity...then go Celebrity. The only quiet place on Celebrity to read is in your own cabin. Found the tables in the Celebrity (Solstice) MDR so close together you could quite easily mistake the cutlery on the next table to be yours.

Guess what I'm saying is it all comes down to what kind of onboard experience you want.

In our opinion, Signature Suites are now preferred over a regular balcony cabin. We like the extra space, especially the vanity by the window. Two sinks in the bathroom and a walk in shower are now a "must have".

We have been in regular cabins, so have some basis for comparison. The Signature suites make a long cruise more pleasant, and isn't that what cruising is all about? We have a Signature booked for the upcoming Oosterdam transatlantic. The Signature experience is a nice bonus. I agree no one really cares what kind of accommodation you have. In all the years of cruising it has never been a subject of conversation with other cruisers.

Not interested, at this point in trying a Neptune, but who knows.

Find the tote bag useful on the ship...to put our books, sunglasses etc to go to the pool. Equally as useful to take on shore...good for purchases etc. I leave the bag on the ship and do not bring it home.

Agree with the posters...the merchandise in the revamped shops is "terrible"...not appealing. T-shirts have a garish logo, and the quality seemed to be inferior. Can't comment on the jewellery section, as I wasn't in the market for a Rolex watch.

On the recent Westerdam Circle Hawaii cruise there was no Hawaii specific merchandise, but several days before returning to Vancouver, Alaska merchandise appeared in the shops!

A great big "Thank You"!

DH uses the Elemis provided products, and has no problems. I bring my own soap, shampoo etc. On one cruise I decided to try the Elemis shampoo and conditioner. By the time I got to dinner I was catching my scalp something terrible. Barely finished dinner...went back to the cabin took another shower/washed my hair and was good to go for the rest of the evening. Like someone said...different strokes for different folks.

bennybear...oh yes the gift exchange...a total waste of time. Intended, I'm sure is to be an "ice breaker", and get people chatting. Well, at that Zuiderdam M& it didn't happen. I'm also of the opinion that if there are name tags, we should put our CC identifier, because that is the only way we know other RC folks.

Looking forward to the M&G on the Westerdam, and hope it all goes well.

Maybe our paths will cross at some future M&G.

At the M&G on a recent Zuiderdam cruise there were several pitches for private tours that were still seeking participants. As a result not much opportunity for the CC members to in fact meet and mingle.

Another pet peeve I have about M&Gs is that everyone finds a seat and in fact do not "mingle'. Yes, there should be some seats for those who are unable to stand and mingle. As a result, you come away with having only chatted with the person sitting next to you...maybe.

Sure hope the M& G at the upcoming 'Circle Hawaii" on the Westerdam does not have private tour sales pitches and allows for the members an opportunity to meet each other.

Even before all the news about security issues with personal data, I would never provide my personal information (cabin#), last name etc to anyone on a RC, for whatever purpose...M&G notification, private tour etc. I agree some of the CC members are deemed to be trustworthy in the handling of the information...but the RC is available to everyone who is a CC member...so you just never know.

Found the conversation very interesting and timely.

Next week we are on the 17 day circle Hawaii. I joined the Roll Call and will go to the M&G, which is on the first sea day. The RC was fairly active, but definitely dominated by a few. Will be interesting to see if they also turn the M&G to be all about themselves. We go to the M&G for the social aspect...it's only an hour, and we have met some very nice folks with whom we have shared drinks during the cruise.

Lots of organizing private tours, in which we never participate. Just not our thing. Not interested in spending a day touring with 6-8 people whom we don't know and with whom we would not be compatible. We prefer the HAL tours. True they may not be for everyone, but the work for us.

This has already been mentioned, but we also bring a small roll of duct tape...because you never know.