HermmyGranger

Rotterdam September 16-23 - Viking Sagas My mother and Me Celebrating her 85th birthday

My mother and I had anytime dining and we had no trouble getting a table for two anytime we went.

I will be traveling with my mother for two weeks prior to our cruise next September. I'm wondering if the spa is open on embarkation days to book a hair styling for her as she will be wanting one straight away or if she'll have to wait for the morning of day 2.

Thanks for the video link. That answered so many questions. 🙂

This is going to be a really odd question, but on the Rotterdam, in the Neptune suites, does anyone know if the new showers have shower doors or just shower curtains?

Is it possible to find out how many people are scheduled to be on any specific cruise?

1. We have open seating (which I like because we're not locked into a specific time), however, can we request an area with a server that we like when we check in for dinner, knowing that it may or may not be available? 2. Do they offer digital versions of the ship's photos that are taken? 3. Does the kitchen ever accommodate special occasion requests (special cake, etc.) if made far enough in advance? 4. Anyone know if the coffee makers in the Neptune Suites are drip or pod type? If they're pod, do you know what type of pods they accept?

This is by far the best answer I've gotten. I'm taking it to heart and will tip accordingly. Fingers crossed for a pangolin. 😄

Here's the link to the testing location in the Vancouver airport. https://covid-medical.ca/yvr-rapid-testing/

This is the link to the testing facility in the airport. We are sailing in June and we've already booked our reservations for testing on our return. https://covid-medical.ca/yvr-rapid-testing/

Is that per steward or for both? Just curious.

Thanks! This does help a lot. It's around what I was thinking, but I like to check. Funny story, when I was in high school, my parents took me on a graduation trip with a friend to London and France. This was back in the 80s and the dollar was crazy strong. Each morning a handsome, friendly young Frenchman brought our free continental breakfast. I would then grab a handful of change for a tip. When I got home, I realized, that with the current exchange rate and the fact that they have 1 Franc coins, I had been tipping him about $8-10 a day for our free breakfast. No wonder he was always on time and smiling. So now I like to have a rough idea of what is somewhat acceptable. I want to tip fairly, but I'm not made of money. 😄

So, I'm going to start this by saying, I am fully aware that because crew gratuities are a set amount that no additional tipping is actually required. This is to those people who want and usually do to tip additionally for someone who has gone above and beyond. We are going to be in a Neptune Suite on our next cruise (a first for all of us). Because there are three of us, we will need to have the sofa bed made up twice a day (pulled out and then put back). Also, because it is my son's first cruise and he's going to study to be a zoologist, I'm sort of hoping the steward will do towel animals for him each night. All that being said, I'd like to plan to tip our steward a bit extra. How much do you usually tip extra for the cabin stewards, if you are choosing to do so. I know anything would be nice, but any advice previous travelers might have would be greatly appreciated. Also, is it generally recommended to tip the Neptune Lounge concierge or is that what the higher suite rate gratuity is for?

I have to ask: what is the YumYum man?

That's where I was looking (his stuff is so great), but the MDR dinner menus are fairly concise. I'm just wondering if you don't like anything specifically showing on that menu, are you just out of luck and head to the Lido or are there some "regulars" that you could request (grilled chicken breast, steak, pasta, etc.).

I know I've seen posts on this before, but I can't seem to find them right now. I was looking at the nightly menus for the MDR and I'm wondering if there are standard options that are always available every night, but that are not listed on the menu itself? And just how much customization can you ask for on dishes? I'm assuming you can nix side dishes, but can you ask for things without the stated sauce and such?

We have just upgraded from the Signature Suite for three to the Neptune Suite for three. Can anyone tell me how comfortable the sofa bed in these suites? The "singe" sofa in the Signature Suite didn't look to bad, but the Neptune pull out bed looks like your standard, super uncomfortable sofa bed. Anyone (adults) spend anytime sleeping on one? Also, if you have a Neptune Suite, is there any reason to have Club Orange? I bought it when we were in the Signature Suite, but now I feel like it might be redundant.