retired714

Celticduchess - We were on the Zandaam a few years ago during the NFL draft. They had it on the TV in a lounge with a bar (not sure which, it has been a while) but it made it pretty interesting for my DH because of the different perspectives. So if it's on ESPN or other station the ship gets, they probably will.

The OP on the Westerdam said she asked about a rollout to the other ships and they don't have a schedule yet.

A couple people on the Westerdam now (sailed 3-21-15) posted that they got $99 unlimited for their 7 day cruise. So hopefully they keep the lower price. Seems they are testing to see what works best.

indie babe - My Daughter is on the Westerdam right now, too! In addition to the Unlimited Premium Plan there are other options offered which are great! She paid $25 for the week for the access that is for another Media Site and has the private messaging system. We have been communicating through that instead of texting and can also send pics, etc. through it. It has been very successful! They are also offering the same thing to include email for $60 and both are Unlimited.

This would be incredible for a cruise too! Thank you for sharing!

Most states in the US have required at least two years of a foreign language as a requirement for graduation for about 15 years now.

Washington state does not require foreign language for graduation, however Washington public universities do require 2 years of high school or college level foreign language for admittance.

That said, I was a supervisor in a call site for 15 years and there were fairly frequent callers from the U.S. that my employees had a hard time understanding due to regional accents.

One thing to remember, when you are on the ship you are not eating at home, or driving your car. That should free up some funds or at least know there will be some in your bank account when you get home. Sorry this happened, but as much as possible relax and enjoy your trip!

Are you cruising into Glacier Bay? We saw lots of bears - yes bears, not whales! there. They were all over the rock & ice. It was great watching them

Oops - duplicate

Mr Rainier is beautiful! Lots of easy hiking trails, water falls, animals. Usually at Paradise, there is still some snow in late June, but probably not this year. There is an old fashioned railroad out of Elbe, WA that takes you through some really pretty country. Information on the Web about it if you Google Mt Rainier.

If your dad likes music at all, the EMP is great. My brother has been playing a stand up bass for about 55 years. I'm not a musician in anything from - but when we went there - there was a wonderful display of string basses from beautiful concert ones to ones played in 20s & 30s jazz bands and some of the first amplified ones.they get new exhibits fairly often and the do a good job of something for everybody. Also the Seattle art museum generally has something going on. Besides baseball, the Seattle Sounders Soccer team is fun to watch when if they are playing (in the football stadium right next to the baseball stadium).

I have the hardest time finding a swimsuit that looks good on me. My weight is mostly hips and legs. My top is size 18/20 with pretty much nonexistent bust, hips are 26/28. Legs should never be seen. Any suggestions on what to look for? Tanks never stay down.

Swimsuits for all has good reviews and they have separates. I have two swimming suits that are a blouson top and shorts, like board shorts. They are really comfortable, and I've received complements. I personally prefer the shorts to a skirt. Take a look! Have fun on your cruise!:D

Oops sorry, I had the wrong page up & thought this was a current post

Thank you so much for taking us on your cruise and sharing your adventures!

I currently have Teva and Rocket Dogs. I wear them both a lot. The Teva ones are 2 years old and still fairly good condition. The Rocket Dog were purchased last year spring and still in excellent condition. I recently purchased a pair of Cobian for an up coming cruise. They are really comfortable and at this point they look like they would hold up well. I wouldn't hesitate to wear any of them for an excursion day. :)

No pay, no work.

 

Very simple. Nobody here in Belgium would work for even a day if salaries are not received on time.

 

Not paying salary is voiding any contractual obligation to come to work.

Despegue, if US Federal employees were so allowed to not work, that might make approving a budget a higher priority for our Houses of Congress! But no more politics, the crisis has been avoided for 3 weeks. Let's talk about going on a trouble free cruise!:D

The TSA employees will get fired if they don't show up to work. For those old enough, remember when they fired all the Air Traffic controllers for going on strike in 1980? In 2012, my boss (a 2nd level supervisor with 25 years federal service) was notified that if she was 'deemed essential' for furlough in Oct., and didn't show up, she would be fired. She was in the middle if a long planned cruise to the Mediterranean. Fortunately for her we we not essential. We already had 3 unpaid furlough days that year that were NOT reimbursed, then we're off work 17 days. Yes employees did get paid for end of Sept during that time, but didn't know if they would get reimbursed when they were called back to work or how long they would be off. So with that pay check they had to make a choice to pay rent/car payment/utilities - or save the money in case that was all the get for - who knew how long. And the Essential employees (TSA) had to make that decision while being required to report for work every day.

The first cruise ship I was on was the Lurline. In April 1963. My parents were going to Hawaii. That wasn't the first time they sailed in that ship. They went to Hawaii on it in the spring 1941 with my older sister was a year old. My dad was working for the corp of engineers. My mother & sister came back in late 1942 again on the Lurline. That trip was really a adventure because they were evacuating as many civilians as possible on each trip. So there were 4 people in addition to my mom & sister (who by then was a VERY active 2-1/2 year old) in a tiny cabin. Before the 1963 trip, my mom was showing us around the ship and explaining how various places had been different use for the 1942 trip. One of the staff heard her & asked if she had sailed on that ship before, and she told him when. They got to sit at the captains table for dinner - so he could hear the story.

Earl and Marcy Walters - we are sailing on the Westerdam April 11,2015, Fort Lauderdale to Seattle. This is our 3rd HAL cruise, second on the Westerdam. First time was to Alaska in 2002.

From the west coast, passports have been required for at least the last 6 years. We went to Hawaii from Seattle in 2008 and passports were required to board the ship. Now I think you need documentation (passport) to get back in to the US.

The first time we ate at the Pinnacle, we were invited by table mates who were celebrating an anniversary and wanted a party. They requested a day or so ahead and the manager was very accommodating. So it doesn't hurt to ask if you meet new friends.