crzmomc2

Yeah Avalon use to use meeting points for all their cruises and now more often than not they go directly to the ship.  Docking location will be announce 24 hours prior to embarkation in the AvalonGo app.  Rooms aren't ready until closer to 3pm  You guys enjoy your trip and take a thousand pics!!!

On 3/13/2019 at 7:00 PM, mhb1757 said:

We are booked on the Tulips of Northern Holland cruise in late April. We had free air via a promotion offered back when we booked. We have used Avalon air on a previous cruise and weren’t that thrilled with the arrangements but we fared much better this time. We are on Delta both directions nonstop out of Minneapolis (and as a FYI there has been some erroneous info posted above about Avalon air. We were able to select our seats as soon as we were notified of our flights, we do get frequent flier miles, they are Y fares NOT the basic economy fares and we are upgrade eligible since we have medallion status on delta).  

 

Anyway, our flight arrives at 8:15 am and since we are using their air, transfers to the ship are included. The ship apparently will be docked in Haarlem so my question is: Will they take us directly to the ship in Haarlem that early or take us to a hotel in Amsterdam to await an afternoon transport to the ship?  There is an optional tour to Zans Shanse that leaves at 1:00 but there is no mention in any of the documents whether we will go straight to Haarlem or remain in Amsterdam. 

We want to get to Haarlem ASAP because we have a couple of places we want to visit there prior to the all aboard at 5pm. With Viking they always take you straight to the ship from the airport regardless of what time you arrive but I know Avalon usually buses everyone to the ship together later in the day from a central meeting point. 

 

If if they do take us to an Amsterdam hotel from the airport would it be possible For them to take our luggage to the ship so we can hop on the train to Haarlem from the airport and then get to the ship on our own?

I believe on this one they'll take you directly to the ship... you'll be able to ditch your luggage, grab some snacks and head out to do some exploring on your own until your excursion.  I'll double check for you in a little bit!  

The secret to getting seats has nothing to do with Avalon really and everything to do with the carrier.  Delta and United are both great about seats but all the other airlines are getting ridiculously stingy about seat assignments.  Avalon does not book basic economy.  Stick with Delta and United and you'll be good to go... I know that's not always so simple depending on where you are flying to/from.

Yeah we use to eat at chili's and thought we were doing good by getting fajitas and just eating the meat and peppers and toppings... Apparently their maranade is basically pure sugar. IHOP omelets have pancake batter to make them fluffier... Ugh... Its hard to eat out. We've found some staples and try not to stray from them (Popeye blackened chicken and wingstop are some favs) but vacation is a whole new challenge! You're doing great and don't be surprised if your weight loss doesn't slow down at all next month!

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Definitely use a good travel agent that will call in and compare schedules for you. Like Franksi said... It's not a take it or leave it deal. The completely free air will usually have a long layover but there are typically upgrade options that are very minimal for a much better schedule. As for seat assignments... Look for united and delta without code shares (operated by another airline). It's getting harder and harder to predict when seat assignments will be available but a good travel agent will call in, have avalon drop flights onto the booking check if they show airport check in only and drop if they are and add new ones until they get what you're looking for. But avalon hasn't done a free air promo in a long while so jump on it fast!!

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Awesome I'll try that! Ikea has those for $3! I'll definitely pick one up before my trip!

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For those bringing butter how do you transport it? I would love to bring it for my bulletproof coffee and mix it up in my frother but the butter sticks seem like they would be such a mess. I considered just getting the coffee package on Royal so I wouldn't have to need with it but not sure they'd have sugar free options or heavy cream. I suppose I could use ghee instead of butter and it comes in a jar.

Would my electric frother get me in trouble?

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My drink of choice is vodka with soda water and a lime. My husband prefers it with a lemon lol. We steer clear of tonic because of the sugar or sugar substitute. What you might be able to bring that's a bit easier to carry on are those sugar free drops to add to your water. I saw some recently that were mojito flavored. Order a vodka soda and add a couple drops of those in voila! Keto Mojito!

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Hi All,

 

I started a low carb eating lifestyle about 2 months ago. I’m down 20lbs but I’m having a hard time getting my carbs down to 20 grams/day. I’ve been averaging 35/day. I use the Lose It! App and track everything I put in my mouth. I don’t eat breakfast, around 11 I’ll have 2oz cheese with a celery stick, lunch is minimal too. Dinner is healthy protein & veggies. I’m losing consistently, but wonder if I could do more. I test and I’m not in Ketosis 🤨 although I do not eat anything with sugar! Did I mention that I read Every label. Oh, but I do love a 3/4 c of sugar free pudding made with 2cups heavy cream/1 cup water.....could this be the reason?

 

Any advise?

 

Kim

Kim it could be the artificial sweeteners in the sugar free pudding that's knocking you out of ketosis. Some people are more sensitive to it than others. Or it could be protein. Ketosis is when you're body is using fat s is energy source. If you take in too much protein the protein turns to glucose and you're still using glucose as the energy source. Tracking really does help. I use the carb manager app.

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"Budapest sightseeing is from 8:30 to 11:30 am and includes heroes square, the hilltop castle complex with Mathias church and several bridges... it gives a little run through in the itinerary but not many details. In Vienna sightseeing is from 8:15 to 11am and includes the hofburg imperial palace, Vienna boys for choir, Vienna opera house and st Stephen's cathedral. Again kinda vague on inclusions but hope that helps!"

When you say the tour "includes" these sites, am I correct that they simply drive by the places that you mention? Or do they stop and take you inside? (I ask because we're returning to Vienna after the cruise, and I'm trying to plan what we should do upon our return, and it will be helpful to have a sense of what we will already have done during the Vienna port call.)

Hope that helps!

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Budapest sightseeing is from 8:30 to 11:30 am and includes heroes square, the hilltop castle complex with Mathias church and several bridges... it gives a little run through in the itinerary but not many details. In Vienna sightseeing is from 8:15 to 11am and includes the hofburg imperial palace, Vienna boys for choir, Vienna opera house and st Stephen's cathedral. Again kinda vague on inclusions but hope that helps!

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Baya you will likely have to pay for distilled water in the hotel portions... it'll be available but at an additional charge.

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Avalon use to do meeting points for all their cruises but just made the change this year to direct embarkation except for cruises that are farther from the airport. Ex. Basel & Weisbaden.. those will meet up at the airport hotel typically and transfer to the ship. With the change, your dox will come with your possible docking locations and at 24 hrs prior to embarkation your docking location will be set and published online for you or your travel agent to see here https://www.avalonwaterways.com/ports.aspx

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Thanks Cobbie and Suzanne. I know they will go to our TA, but just wondering. They say on the My Avalon site that the e-docs will be available between 2-3 weeks before the cruise, and I am hoping she won’t hold onto the package until then. I will email her when it gets closer.

 

 

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