cccole

I did express my concern about the Host/Hostess in the MDR seating a single person at a table for 8 in the MDR and leaving them there with no one to join them. I think that should have been handled at the MDR host/hostess station. In your post #10 you did not indicate that your wife and you do not spend $1000s (as others do) to dine with others just meant the MDR. Thanks for letting us know that you welcome others at your table in the Lido. And, since "you don't really need to speak to your new tablemates" it's a win win for you and whomever sits at your table. Cherie

Hi Liz, I can't remember the exact times but will try. Adrian met us at the tender port and we went in a 5 passenger Land Rover (I think a LR) to begin our adventure. It was about 15 minutes on a tar road to the entrance to his farm. After taking care of financial details we then began the tour to see penguins. I think it was about an hour to our first penguins, the rock hoppers. The drive thru the property is fabulous, and I had never known of glacier rock fields. There are a couple stops with the rock hoppers, and they are so "comical". The babies are also adorable. One of my favorite stops was going to the beach with the King penguins. It was amazing. I have so many photos and videos. I do not remember what time we returned to Stanley, but we enjoyed lunch at a restaurant prior to taking a tender back to the ship. We chose not to travel 2 hrs each way to Volunteer Point and are so happy we chose Kidney Cove Tours. While driving around the property it was great. Let me know if you have other questions or would like any photos. You'll have a great adventure with Adrian. Cherie

We live in Southern California and have no desire to spend 5 days going to/from Hawaii on an ocean that is not necessarily scenic or warm. I love being on a beach and cruising, but would not do the cruise from San Diego. If you want to cruise the Hawaiian Islands you can do that on the Pride of America, NCL. Then the 10 days you would have spent in the middle of the Pacific can be spent before and/or after the cruise exploring the beautiful islands. JMO, but we visit Hawaii 2-3 times a year. We have visited the Panama Canal but not transited it, that would be amazing. Cherie

I hope you can find a private tour/ride to the airport that includes something you will not have seen prior to the cruise. I would be surprised if you cannot find a guide to meet your needs and provide a fabulous end to your cruise. Cherie

Does Neptune have a different room service menu? I didn't see one when on the Oosterdam for 3 weeks. Maybe just the ship you were on? Thank you, Cherie

This Senior Pass includes any National Park in the Hawaiian Islands, including Pearl Harbor. No need for a tour guide to charge you for something you do not need. Cherie

And, I'm sure this is normal with most TAs... they give you an amount of OBC. A bonus for us. JMO. Cherie

Mine also. He can make or change excursions, dining reservations, spa reservations, and anything else. And he is not "out of the office" after 5 pm and on weekends. Cherie

Gsel - We were AA first choice customers for years until things seemed to go south. We have friends who were AA flight attendants, pilots, and DFW and LAX airport managers (not sure if that is the right title). The entire industry has changed, but if I worked long enough for AA and had flight benefits I would not hesitate. There are a couple airlines that I will book without hesitation, they are not U.S. based airlines. Thank you for reminding us to pack our carryon with what we need. When I fly to Hawaii I always have flip flops, sun screen, bathing suit, and cover up in my carry on. Thanks again for the good info. Cherie

Time to get a great TA? JMO. Cherie

We had 3 specialty restaurant meals and used 2 in Pinnacle and 1 in Canaletto. I wish we had used 2 in Canaletto. The Pinnacle was fine but we loved Canaletto. At least on the Oosterdam the Canaletto seems to have improved incredibly. I have not been on a ship with Tamarind but would also love to visit that restaurant. If you have to use one meal at Pinnacle is it possible once on board that the Neptune Concierge could change it to a lunch rather than a dinner. I know the lunches are limited to sea days but they sound wonderful. In our experience the Neptune Concierges can often work magic! Enjoy your cruise, Cherie

Did you get your Neptune suite? Hope so. Cherie

Is there a roll call for your cruise? Also you could post on the Northern European ports forum for suggestions from people on other than HAL cruises. Just a suggestion, Cherie

That is a good reason to book FE if they do not change flights. Often when booking direct with an airline you can book an open jaw or multi destination ticket that also give you flexibility. I know that you are an experienced traveler but not everyone knows about open jaw/multi-destination tickets. I prefer booking direct with the airlines but that is just me. JMO. Cherie

Amazing how Flight Ease was touted as amazing by some on CC who are now saying...not sure. Anyone booking FE should be aware of the booking details. Often airlines are comparable in pricing and schedules. JMO. Cherie

Does your cruise have get togethers for solo cruisers. I recently had a friend who cruised solo and enjoyed this group and had a great time. I don't know if on your roll call you could connect with other solo cruisers. Cherie

But you don't need to dine with others in the MDR or specialty restaurants, just let the Host/Hostess know. And, you meet "strangers" in the bar, enjoy a beverage and they decide they don't want to share a dinner table with you. Great you are not offended. The only place it is a problem is the Lido. And, there are many on the same cruise as you who are possibly spending more than you. HAL is not a private yacht in any category of cabins. JMO. Cherie

Thank you SeaMatesNYC, I thought that every HAL excursion I looked at had a deadline for canceling the excursion. As OP mentions this is just a "regular bus excursion", nothing more. I still think if OP has a question about their specific excursion cancellation date they should contact HAL, their TA, or their PCC

Have you contacted HAL? When booking a ship's excursion you are usually given the number of hours prior to the excursion you can cancel without a penalty. Is this not indicated on your booked excursion? I know that on our January cruise you could cancel while on board. I don't think it matters whether on board or prior to departure, just cancel within the mandatory cancellation time. I would contact HAL, your TA, or your PCC. Cherie

I agree if you are in the MDR, or a specialty restaurant, because you would have told the host/hostess that you do not want to share. However, if the tables in the Lido are chock-a-block at prime time dining times and someone wants to sit at your table...I consider it rude if you say "no". The Lido is extremely busy at certain times so if you do not want to share a table possibly a different time would be appropriate. You are not on your private yacht, you are not in a specialty dining area, and if someone needs a place to enjoy their lunch or dinner, what's wrong with that? I think that erring on the side of inclusion rather than exclusion is important. But that is me, and it is the way I was brought up. I totally understand there are times when you do not want to share a table, but when traveling with 1500 of your best friends this may require some compromise at certain times, in certain venues. JMO. Cherie

Roz - I am shocked at you experience on the Noordam. I can't imagine a fellow passenger saying "no" when you wanted to share their table. Unbelievable. I would assume that if someone or someones came up to us in the Lido and asked if the seats were available our response would be "Of course, please join us." I am shocked that people can be so rude. First, in the MDR for dinner we would have welcomed others at the table we requested on anytime dining, usually a table by the window, and we were given a table for 4. Second, I am more shocked that the MDR staff would seat you at a large table by yourself. I wouldn't change my schedule for food! We eat late and enjoy the late show. If you are ever on a cruise with us you are always welcome at our table. Cherie

Thank you for the info re taxis. Also that photo of the eagle coming in for a landing is award winning in my opinion! Cherie

Instead of a $50 shuttle provided by the city could passengers access Uber/Lift or taxis? $50 pp shuttle seems to discourage passengers from visiting the city center and spending money. JMO. Cherie

For us it has depended on the port whether they pay attention to alcohol in your carry on or luggage. But it wouldn't be a big deal to me to pay HAL $20 to have a nice bottle wine in the cabin or dining room. Unless you get the 4 or 5 * mariner discount, why not bring on your own wine? And, you bring on more than one bottle. JMO. Cherie

Let me know if you do not get the photos or want videos. You are in for a great adventure. Cherie