gknep

So much this. I have gotten to know one or two bartenders on a number of different cruises and been treated very well by them absent any tipping. I have tipped them in cash at the end of the cruise. I have found the bartenders in the whiskey bar on the Encore on multiple sailings to be excellent.

I can tell you from experience that on Glacier Bay day during multiple Alaskan Cruises the Laser Tag area was nearly empty and I got some great views and pictures from it.

I was kind of up set by this, but then I thought about it and I'll take the smaller Observation Lounge if it gets rid of the laser tag and adds a spice H20.

I've come to the conclusion that I love meeting other people and talking to them at the bar. For some reason that does not translate at meals where I don't really want to make small talk with people I don't know.

May 5-12

I got priority tags in the mail a few days ago for an Encore sailing in May. Regular Club Balcony and platinum. My parents on the same cruise and in a Haven Aft Facing Suite got nothing.

I still enjoy actually reading books. I cannot get the hang of listening to them on a regular basis.

If you have Platinum of above status on NCL you also get 2 free specialty dining meals. One with a bottle of wine.

Jan 4 2025 Konigsdam 7 Day Baja Peninsula

I've been on the Encore a few times. Had great meals at Ocean Blue, Onda, and Le Bistro. I was less impressed by Los Lobos just because I get great Mexican food where I live. Cagney's has been fine but not outstanding. Aside from the specialty dining the Indian food at the buffet is not to be missed.

This has been a really interesting thread for me to read. I've been on HAL and NCL multiple times. We leave on Tuesday for our first Princess cruise. From what I'm reading it sounds like Princess sits in a nice middle ground between HAL and NCL in terms of activity level, entertainment, and service.

That was not my experience of the chocolate surprise on a September cruise on the Zaandam.

On my September cruise from Montreal to Boston you could sign for dinks in the Neptune lounge and they were included in your HIA package.

I've done both in the past and prefer Glacier Bay by far.

Slainte Margarita: Irish Whiskey, Cointreau, Lemon juice, Agave Syrup. There used to be a martini variant on the menu that they will still make on request. It has gin, vodka, and Grand Mariner in place of vermouth.

We were on the Zaandam Sep 3-13 and the cards were not prepunched. They did punch the cards on disembarkation day to show that we had cleared immigration and customs.

Yes there are daily happy hours. There should also be organized tastings (beer, and wine) and a mixology class. All for an extra fee of course.

The Martini Bar is next to Mix on Deck 5. They don't print up any special menu, but they can make all kinds of variations of the martini. A couple of my favorites from past HAL cruises are the 0010 Martini which is Tanqueray 10, vodka, and Grand Mariner. It is served up with an orange twist. Another one is the Slainte Margarita which is made with Irish Whiskey, orange liquor, lemon juice, and agave syrup. They also do a chocolate martini that was well received by those who ordered it.

Just checked my pictures. Those were still on the bow during our cruise.

Marlon in the Martini bar is the best. I got to know him a little and was not signing receipts. It was a little funny. If I was there with other people and we all ordered drinks. Everyone else got receipts to sign but me.

Divers and thrusters in Halifax. They kept running into setback which postponed our departure until 2AM. The repairs have been reportedly been ongoing in different ports for a while now. Cruise was still great.

Got off the Zaandam yesterday. We missed two ports (St. Anthony due to rough seas and Bar Harbor due to repairs running long in Halifax) and still had a great time. The fog horn ran almost constantly during our cruise as well. Every two minutes or so by our timing. Great ship and wonderful crew.

I'll be on the Zaandam when it returns to Quebec on Sep 4th.

Thanks. I've done many Alaska sailings and a few on the Mexican Riviera. This will be our first time doing this route.

I look forward to your reports. We board the Zaandam on Sep 3.