HermmyGranger

24 minutes ago, vicd1969 said:

Second vote from me about the Dive in fries - at least the ones on NA sailings. The ones I had on my Norway cruise were Dutch-style fries and not addictive at all.

What are Dutch-style fries? How are they different?

The last time I travelled internationally out of Amsterdam, you didn't go through security until you were basically at your gate. This meant you could not purchase any liquid (water) to take on a long-haul flight because there was nothing after security except getting on the plane. Can anyone who has travelled recently tell me if this is still the case. I usually take at least one bottle of water with me so I won't be reliant on the flight attendants.

I am set to cruise a 7-day Rotterdam out of Amsterdam in September to Norway. I have two questions.

1. Do people on European cruises dress up more than cruises in Alaska (my only cruising experience).

2. Can you get iced tea? This may sound like an odd question, but I spent six weeks in London with nary an iced tea to be found. It's really my primary beverage.

If you haven't already procured a container, we used a salt urn for my father. He was in the Coast Guard for 26 years so we had our local CG spread his ashes off the Oregon coast. The urn was actually quite beautiful (it was shaped like a vase and looked like Himalayan pink salt) and completely biodegradable.

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.

16 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

Cruise Deck Plans shows glass-door showers with a separate tub for SA7115, SA7086, SA7082, SA7060 and here is a video with bathroom footage at about the 4minute mark:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr8CVDer4u4

 

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?

1 hour ago, NavyCruiser said:

According to my Commander in Chief:  Just pay your fair share!!!

That means 32% - 37% of cruise fare, pre port taxes, depends on what kinda towel animals the room steward made for your zoologist son. 

But just for him, since he's obviously free-loading 3rd person in your cabin.

If the towel animal is just simple invertebrates, 32%, or $288 for the week.

If it's simple reptiles & fishes, 35%, or $315.

if it's complex mammals, 37%, or $333.

 

 

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. 😄

13 hours ago, Crew News said:

My fingers are crossed that someone will post a photo of the storefront to make it easier to find and if walk-ins are possible.

Here's the link to the testing location in the Vancouver airport.

https://covid-medical.ca/yvr-rapid-testing/

13 hours ago, Crew News said:

I carry two test kits from Optum with me in case I cannot find a test location.  There is a test location in the Vancouver airport but I have not found it yet.

 

Most passengers would gladly pay for a test while onboard if HAL offered it.

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/

53 minutes ago, Lady Chew said:

We have always tipped our cabin stewards $50 a week, regardless of length of cruise or type of stateroom

Is that per steward or for both? Just curious.

19 minutes ago, twodjs said:

If everyone says it's up to you, that doesn't help the OP. On a 7 day cruise, we set aside $20 for each of the Neptune hosts - there are two. And we plan on $40 and $30 for our two room stewards - there are two. Everyone has their own comfort level. We also bring small thank you cards for each. Remember that filling out a comment card for anyone who provides exceptional service during the cruise can make a HUGE difference in their future on the ship.

Hope this helps.

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?

40 minutes ago, Mary229 said:

I had turn down service even though I requested single daily service.  Chocolates were only on gala night, lobster tails were available at every gala night.  I missed the YumYum and even volunteered for the position. I did notice far fewer flowers which may be supply chain issues. 
 

I will hold out on declaring the permanent end of some services but I know there will be changes.  
 

my lament is it appears cruising is becoming more and more a vacationer’s holiday than a traveler’s choice 

I have to ask: what is the YumYum man?

7 minutes ago, Florida_gal_50 said:

Roger Jett has a wonderful site with a lot of menus.  Here is the link to his site 

 

https://rogerjett-photography.com
 

There are items available every night and you can do some customization.

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.

I made appointments for this as soon as I heard this might be an issue. Do you think that if our appointments are 3 hours before our departure that it's enough time? They recommend four, but that would be the same time we're supposed to disembark, so I don't think its really possible.

Are Covid tests required to fly out of Vancouver on our return home? I can't seem to find accurate info anywhere. Lots of talk about getting tested prior to cruising out of Vancouver, but nothing about the return.

On 5/2/2022 at 12:22 AM, BeachBum47 said:

Thank you for all this great info. I am thinking about taking my 82-year old mom on this cruise in June. In your opinion, is it a good idea to pay a little extra for a balcony cabin, rather than oceanview? I definitely don't want an inside cabin, but I was thinking it might be too cold to be outside on the balcony? My mom has always done inside cabins, whereas I usually do balcony... 

 

By the way, as a Canadian, I want to apologize for the ridiculous ArriveCAN app. It's so irritating. 🙄

We loved having our balcony. My 80-year-old mother liked being able to sit on the balcony and watch the glacier without having to go on deck.

5 hours ago, quack2 said:

Will someone please explain the difference between pants and trousers. 

In the UK and other environs, pants are what you wear underneath your trousers.