sandiego1

One of the best parties we’ve ever attended on a HAL ship. So fun to dance and mingle with the crew!

The policy is very clear and is listed above. What IS confusing is people who misquote the policy or list OLD information such as 2 bottles allowed.

The singers and dancers are leaving the ship on 5/12 at the end of the World Cruise. I asked the Production Manager Gene yesterday during the block party.

Pete- very cool that you were on the Midway that is now a museum in San Diego!  I didn’t know that. 

Peter lost a crown just before we got to Papeete. The cost to re-cement it… $18.20!

You can send the garment to the laundry for pressing only.

On 2/11/2023 at 2:24 AM, Cruisercl said:

Hi Rich,

I am continuing to follow along. 

Very interested, of course, in the Australia ports and activities.

There seems to be a pretty good variety of things offered to do, on the ship. Saw a few things I would like to do, maybe learn how to play Pickle Ball...IDK ...lol.

Thanks again for sharing your voyage with us.

Take care and stay safe. 😊

Caron

Learning to play pickleball on a moving ship isn’t a good idea. Too many people get hurt that way. If you want to learn, I suggest you take lessons on solid ground before attempting to do it on the highest deck of a moving ship.

Not allowed

No one know what ship will be used for the 2025 WC.The itinerary could change too. It’s all speculation until it’s announced in the Spring. The Future Cruise Consultant told me HAL hasn’t finalized any decisions but is looking at the survey results as well as the Cruise Critic survey comments about the itinerary.

I don’t think HAL will switch back to Zaandam. There were a lot of unhappy people when the WC ship switched to the Zuiderdam and people couldn’t get their favorite cabin. I doubt HAL wants to go through the hassle of moving everyone around again.

Congrats on your Derby hat win Pete!

May be useful for others, not for me

8 hours ago, billslowsky said:

If you're paying $2300 per month then your income would have to be over $300,000.

I am not comfortable discussing my income on this forum.

4 hours ago, billslowsky said:

Apply for an ARPA subsidy.  It limits the premium to 8.5% of your household income regardless of how much you make when you buy an ACA plan on an exchange.  It's been available for several years.

I am aware of the subsidy.

19 hours ago, oakridger said:

 

I honestly didn't realize just how much larger the Vista Class (Zuiderdam) ships are than the Rotterdam (Volendam) Class!  Wow!  Thanks to @Essiesmomfor posting.

 

~Nancy

While the Zuiderdam is about 150’ longer than the Volendam, the Volendam was already lowered when the photo was taken. So it appears much smaller.

I agree. The font is very difficult to read on my iphone. The lines all mush together.

7 hours ago, Donald said:

When you contract COVID on a cruise, is it really a good idea to medically mask the symptoms, avoid a doctor’s visit, and continue to infect your fellow passengers and the crew ?

We are bringing meds on our cruise to help alleviate symptoms of COVID to help us feel better. Not to mask symptoms or to infect others. We would quarantine in our room and notify medical. The concern is the ship doesn’t sell all of the OTC stuff one may need if ill. You can get prescriptions filled at medical, but not necessarily all the OTC you would need.

smoking is not allowed in the casino on Zuiderdam.

I have had CC compromised several times. Never has the CC been out of my immediate possession or in a safe. Nevertheless, the #s have been stolen and used for purchases by others.  
 

Just happened to my DH last wk. He has a BofA card that we keep locked up at home and only use to book flights on a particular airline. He hasn’t used the card since Sep of 2021! Yet the # was used to make fraudulent purchases and he was contacted before they went through.

Entirely possible that the staff did NOT steal the CC #s. I wouldn’t accuse them automatically.

I’m not Kathi, but yes, it’s Toto

$2300/month for a Blue Cross plan with $7k deductible pp! Just turned 61 and DH about to turn 60. It’s our largest monthly expense in retirement 

1 hour ago, lenquixote66 said:

I personally prefer conventional insurance with a $200.00 deductible .

Yeah, I’d LOVE that deductible. As it is, we are paying $2300+ month for health insurance. Too young for Medicare

2 hours ago, lenquixote66 said:

A friend of mine who worked for a TV network has an HDHP with a $2500.00 deductible.

That’s a good one. HDHP are usually higher. Mine is $7K/pp 🙁

With our 50% off, the middle package is $25/bottle including the new 18% gratuity. The bottle we bring on the ship will be more than $5, so more expensive for us to pay corkage than to just buy another package 

4 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

I don't believe there is sampling! But I would think you could buy one bottle and then decide between 'level' of package....

 

Your package does not have to be all one label if that's what you mean -- unless you are like @sandiego1's husband and only like a specific type of wine and only one is in the selection.

 

 

You can buy a non discounted single bottle of wine to try.
 

I believe there are about 7 different whites and 7 different reds in each package. Typically 1 bottle of different types of wine in each package (i.e. 1 Chardonnay, 1 Cabernet…).

DH will drink other reds if he has to, but prefers Pinot Noir. He’ll occasionally get a Chanti or other bottle depending on his meal. 
 

I don’t drink so don’t know much about wine 😀