mysticsailor

I agree with you. We always tip weekly in the main dining room, why should we be different in the Pinnacle?

Glad you excluded the caribbean. Living in Florida the similar climate does not call me.

Mediterranean, as long as a transatlantic is attached. Many port intensive days require the 6 days or so crossing the Atlantic to recover. Those ocean breezes and a good book, along with HAL's ample wine cellar, does just that.

Alaska would be my second choice. Wow, the constant scenery can't help but awe.

Our 50 day cruise Oct. 2015 was a B to B and we did not have to repeat the muster.

I always eat in the Canaletto at least once every cruise, mostly because I enjoy the quiet relaxing atmosphere, and the food is usually satisfactory. Unfortunatlly not so on the Zuiderdam last December.

The tomato sauce tasted like it was created by a person who never heard of Italian. On the other hand my travel partner said the seafood appetizer was delicious and the dining room manager said it was available as an entree also. If you stick to seafood you will probably be fine.

In addition to other good advice already given thought you might like to know that the Canalitto house Montepulciano D'Abbruzzo (low $20's) is available in the main dining room even though it is not listed on the menu. We drank it all the way across the Atlantic Oct. 2015 with no damage to our taste buds. Of course, now that we are 4 star, other wines with the 50% discount now frequent our glass. But we still drink the Montepulciano for old times sake (and enjoy it) when dining in the Canalitto.

FWIWD: the only rude staff we have ever encountered on HAL was in the Zuiderdam Pinnacle. That wine steward almost refused to procure our unfinished bottle, Spellbound Merlot, from the dining room. He even said it would take a while to go find it. We found that odd as our dining room wine steward promised us it would be waiting for us in the Pinnacle (as happened on other cruises). We believe our wine was there all along. So, like another poster mentioned, wine from the dining room to the Pinnacle might not always be a smooth situation. And yes as POA says, being nice goes a long way. Maybe we were nicer crossing the Atlantic. :halo:

Instead of a nightlight, which is on all the time and will use quite a bit of battery life, why not just bring a small flashlight? Keep it on the nightstand, and take it with you for those middle of the night excursions. Just enough light to find your way, without fully waking you (or anyone else) up.

That's too easy! LOL. Yes, a flashlight makes more sense. You would of thought, after seeing my grandfather trecking out with a lantern late at night, I could have come up with that myself.

Thanks Ms. C., life can still be simple!

I had same question so emailed my PCC. She said only the $300 would be forfeited.

Normally on cruises we take a nightlight for use in the bathroom outlet. However on the Maasdam, same class as Veendam, the outlet was 'off' with the ceiling light.

Our solution for Maasdam nighttime bathroom trips, without the florescent light blast, was to use battery votive candles which had to be replaced often. Because the upcoming Veendam cruise is 49 days we hope to avoid the many necessary votives.

A big thanks to all you wonderful cruise critic members for sharing so much useful information.

re Super Glue typo: meant package of 4

My lists mostly pertains to longer cruises:

STRING: ties the over the door shoe rack to the bathroom door so it does not flap when door open and closes

MASKING TAPE: tape multiple items together packing keeping suitcase neat

SUPER GLUE: ($ store) package of $ single use mini tubes. I have used it on each of last 2 cruises, once for minor repair of shoes and also a loose lens of my glasses.

CALCULATOR: ( $ store) takes up almost no space and is so much easier to use than the one on cell phone, tablet, etc.

HIGHLIGHTER: identifies/reminds of activities on daily program

INSULATED BEVERAGE GLASS/MUG: ship’s are much too small

INDIVIDUALLY WRAPPED HAND WIPES: easily tucks into pocket when leaving ship

MINI COMPOSITION BOOK ($ store): fits any pocket. I use it to make notes ashore useful for return trips. Also record staff names and keep track of extra gratuities

PREPRINTED ADDRESS LABELS: simplifies mailing post cards, etc. home

DISPOSIBLE PONCHOS: easier to carry than umbrella

COLLAPASABLE CLOTH STORAGE CONTAINERS: ($ Store) keeps closet shelves organized for undergarments, etc.

MAGNETIC EMERGENCY LIGHT: (harbor freight) attach to inside stateroom door; use as dressing light without turning on bright light disturbing mate

NYLON JACKET: light and heavy weight for repelling moisture when caught in showers

COMMAND HOOKS: install/remove easily

DRY ERASE BOARD: ($ store) easily leave request for room steward

GOO GONE: for removing adhesive left by dry erase board. Transfer from large bottle into 2oz size.

I've cruised both directions multiple times, although westbound more often than eastbound. Westbound gets the longer days (more sleep), and the shorter flight at the end of the trip---when I just want to get home. On a westbound trip I get the hard touring, traveling, see everything, appreciate! stuff out of the way, then get a chance to unwind and relax. Or collapse, depending on just how much appreciating I did. ;)

To me, eastbound takes all the advantages of westbound, and turns them into negatives.

I have found the weather at least comfortable, and up to warm and even hot, in October and the first half of November.

Well said, as always. You are full of....common sense.

If you are ever on a same cruise you can be sure of a box of chocolates in appreciation of all I have learned from you. High five! --Charles

Your 4-star benefits will not take effect during this cruise, unless it is a Grand Voyage. We were given our 4-star pins, however, at the end of the voyage.

That is not quite correct. You will also get next star benefits during a cruise IF your cruise is not a Grand Cruise but also sold in segiments AND your star status changes during the FIRST segment.

You must do your homework: contact the Mariner Society before the cruise, have them confirm the status change in your Mariner account and a few days before the first segment ends ( keeping in mind the Mariner Society is not open Sat. & Sun.) and request the change onboard. The front desk then emails Seattle for permission to upgrade your benefits starting the FIRST day of the SECOND segment.

Thist happened to me Oct. 2015 and also my star benefits changes (Free Laundry!) this Oct., the same cruise, a double transatlantic crossing, The Atlantic Adventurer.

Not splitting hairs, just want everyone getting extra Mariner benefits as soon as possible. Congradulations on four stars, to you...and me!

My mistake. 2015 not 2014

Older ships with Vista Suites also qualify for double cruise days, at least they did when I sailed on the Maasdam Oct, Nov and Dec 2014

We just finished a 10 day cruise on the Zuiderdam Dec. 21, Signature Suite 8094 and were very pleased. That suite is in the bump our portion of the ship and has greater square feet inside and a larger balcony--same price! Yes there are some MINOR worn areas on some furniture pieces but it in no way marred our cruise experience.

I find it puzzling sometimes to read others critique of a ship I have just sailed on and their notations of disrepair. Perhaps they have fantastic vision or perhaps my standards of comfort are more relaxed.

The service in the Lido breakfast and lunch is better than ever and as always dinner in the main dining room and Canaletto. Not so the Pinnacle this time. First time I have ever left there after wonderful cuisine and a sour taste in my mouth. Both wine steward and waiter were condescending. Having this happen twice, same night, I feel is a reflection on the Pinnacle manager. Of course in the after cruise survey this was dully noted.

By all means feel comfortable with the ship's condition. I would cruise her again in a heartbeat, leaving my Pinnacle enjoyment for other ships!

Because I have also prepaid the Signature Dining package I called the Mariner Society direct with that question. Quote: "even though you prepaid a discount price for upscale dining your Mariner discount will still be applied as an onboard credit posted to your account after dining." Hope that clears any confusion.

5 T/A under my belt. 2 April, 1 Oct, 1 Nov, 1 Dec which was the smoothest, but all were calm. Have seen much rougher seas in the mediterranean. Statiics are in your favor, enjoy!

While on our longer cruise last fall the toiletry shelves on the Maasdam Bathroom one wall was woefully inadequate. This thread re magnetic lights got me thinking...

I pulled some narrow plastic drawer trays out of the kitchen and placed 4 bar magnets from Harbor Freight (2 for $.99) 2 on inside and 2 outside of one tray side, 4 total, and up against my refrigerator. It held beautifully. This was an 8 inch drawer tray. I will use 8 on the longer tray and expect it to hold also.

Love the tips. Thanks to all.

You are welcome Betty.

In the two years I discovered CC I have learned far more from your generous ideas posed. So Double Thanks back to you!

Charles

Although the web page says 3 day sale ending 9-11 when I printed my coupon it says "expires Sept. 30."

Also instead of printing the whole page of coupons put your cursor on the LED light coupon, right click, copy and paste the single coupon into Word. For some reason the coupon would only copy in 1/3 parts, but you can still reassemble it in word.

I plan to use mine not only by the bed but two more by the entry dressing area so as not to wake my mate as I rise earlier.

Great tip re these HF lights. Thanks for the enlightenment!

I carry a ‘Mini Composition Book’, cloth bound and found in Dollar Stores, which measures only 3.25 x 4.5 inches, 50 pages, and is only 3/8 inch thick, fitting easily in all pockets. When meeting new personal I have them print their full name and the name they wish to be addressed by. Then when filling out Let Us Know cards and the email survey I know that correct spelling will ensure the exact crew member is appropriately credited.

This booklet, which I carry the entire cruise, is also handy for recording wine notes, tips from crew and passengers, scheduled activities, and shore discoveries for future cruises. Keeping a paper clip on the back cover ensures safekeeping for receipts, etc. received.

Also on longer cruises I tip regularly so here I also keep a tally of gratuities for each employee as my memory could possibly trick me causing a favorite employee to miss out.

Thanks all CC members for your tips…my time to share.

Shrimp boat is %100 correct. Definitely contact the mariner society before your cruise. They verify and flag your acct for the new status so that when the ship front desk, per your request, contacts mariner for permission to change your status, it proceeds smoothly.

Remember the mariner society is closed weekends. Take that into consideration for the communication between ship and shore. In my case the mariner society told me to request change from ship front desk BEFORE ship segment completed as it fell on Saturday or Sunday. Enjoy!

Which in and of itself is no proof that they are not disabled, and in need of the handicap placard.

 

People on land and on the ship may not always appear disabled, though they are. It is not the place of any casual observer to decide if they need whatever amenities they have.

For instance; my partner was told by his Dr.' time for a handicap tag.' While me, 10 years younger and very agile for my age, also his driver, most always jumps out of the car after parking to go inside and get him who I had dropped off at the door!

Well said Ruth, as always!

We got new luggage!!!

 

Thought this might be fun, What markers do you use?

 

We have the ugliest red fabric bags and marked both, one with a huge M & the other with a P. Both bags also we fluffy balls

 

New bags we were talking about painting the wheel rims, what's your system

Painting the wheels would certainly be unique but not sure how effective that would be helping you locate your luggage as the wheels will be low in your sight line with the bags lined up in mass.

When retiring and starting to cruise I soon realized that what worked on an airline luggage carrousel was not so effective in a cruise terminal with a thousand other bags. I stood there looking over the room and asked myself what colors/markers is no one else using. Red was most common color and cloth the material.

Later when spotting yellow shopping bags from Dollar General, I knew that was my unique marker. I split one in half, tied each half on both luggage handles and presto, instant bag identification in a sea of thousands. But the joke is on me...now I spend my time helping friends find their oh-so-proper bags!

FYI our roll call is started and two members are starting to organize tours. Check it out under 'Veendam oct 20, 2017.'