packercruising

Seriously important questions! 🙂 Where is the soft serve machine and do they serve smoked salmon for beakfast at the buffet?

DW came up with a good solution for dealing with our luggage, since she will be in a mobile scooter. Since we are right across the street from the terminal, I will take the check in baggage 1st and then come back and we will only have the carryons to deal with.

3 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

I moved to the other cabin Jan 2 (13 days into the cruise). Both cabins were starboard.

What cabin will you be in?

We will be in 4045. That dog on the plane looks like one we used to have. I am also one that will goo up to perfect strangers and ask to pet their dog.

14 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Inability to enjoy my 1st cup of ☕ (and 🥓) watching the sunrise and ending it w/a glass of wine at sunset each day was my biggest (really only) concern about having an inside cabin.

Honestly, I did miss it; not gonna say I found other places to go instead, cuz I am not a get dressed at crack-thirty and leave my room kind of person. So, my days started a bit later than usual. I had my 1st cup while getting dressed then headed to breakfast to enjoy the morning views.

I spent a lot of time in the library, the spa, the empty bars (Billboard Onboard has a sofa in a corner that was always available) and Crow's Nest enjoying the window views. As planned, rarely was I in the cabin during daylight hours.

Safe travels, enjoy your cruise!

At what point in your cruise were you moved to the balcony? If that is starboard, it looks close to the cabin we will have in a few weeks.

Thank you! DW was very concerned about crossing there with her mobility scooter.

On 1/6/2024 at 1:27 PM, SybilUnrest said:

Yes- only way it could have been more convenient is if it had been located in the terminal. 
 

View from the elevator this morning was a delight. 

Will we be able to cross there with our luggage and a mobile scooter?

13 hours ago, jeh10641 said:

We worry about tripping over stuff on our way to and fro. I am going to look into motion sensor night lights that a lot of You Tube Cruisers mention. You can reach me at BOOKSFORLESS@prodigy.net Thanks for the great stories.

Jim

We always bring night lights. I hope the sensors can be turned off. Sure to wake up your spouse.

3 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

My group, Brown 1, was called about 15 min early. I got on the shuttle about 810am and now heading to airport at 816am. Finding luggage was easy - it's after facial recognition, which worked smoothly.

Escalators were not working, so it was wait for an elevator or take the stairs to get from ship to facial recognition line. That was the longest part. So disembarkation was a snap. My knee would have appreciated an escalator, but if you're prepared, it's fine.

Disembark schedule

Elevator line

Facial recognition line 

No waiting for CBP agents

 

This is not good news for those with wheel chairs, mobility scooters, etc.

3 hours ago, SybilUnrest said:

I’ve been delighted to follow along and am even more delighted to wake up to the ship parked right across the street from my hotel- can’t wait to embark! Safe travels home.

Wyndam Bayside? That is where we will be staying.

3 hours ago, boards said:

we were in 4033 transatlantic cruise and is was great.

We have never done a TA, but we really like sea days.

9 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

730am T&CD Kristen says we've been cleared and called for self assist. We're starting to clear out.

Thank you so much for taking us along! We will be embarking on Jan 30.

7 minutes ago, VMax1700 said:

great room!

https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/4045-koningsdam/

Wow, thanks for those pictures! I have watched the video a few times. We had a different balcony cabin, but DW uses a mobility scooter and we would have had to lift it over the bed every time she used it. 4045 should work great!

9 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

I did set it outside - this morning is the first time I've seen him and I didn't mention it, but it's ok. I was just a little odd.

Sounds like no extra tip for him. On an 18 day cruise, they ought to be available.

19 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

Feedback regarding an inside cabin - I'll do 2 w/1 on my specific cabin and then another on inside cabins in general.

 My cabin was located on deck 4 forward starboard.

We will be in 4045 in a few weeks.

On 1/4/2024 at 5:38 PM, Haljo1935 said:

Mama Mia - here we go again 🎶

No, not happy Abba songs and fabulous Meryl Streep kind of Mama Mia. The really are you serious, that's a sad swing and a miss kind of Mama Mia that I do not want included on my list of firsts.

Opened cabin door after relaxing spa time and YAY was greeted with a HAL chocolate 🍫 😋 only to wonder if Steward left it to cushion the blow of me having to deal with the morning's breakfast tray 🤔 which he also left.

So, things happen and maybe he forgot, but he moved it from the table in front of the sofa to the bed, placing it on top of the blanket that he had spread out after making the bed.

Although there was an unrolled silverware napkin indicating perhaps I wasn't finished (there were 2 on my tray & I really only need 1), I think the empty bowl, empty plate and empty cup might have indicated otherwise. Oh wait, in fairness to Steward, I may have wanted to snack on the tomato later, so best leave it. 🙄

Surely, he would have seen it in a final sweep of the room before he left 👀 My untrained, non-professional eyes saw it in a very brief sweep on entry. Ugh😳

First time this has happened. Is that unusual that I've never before returned to a dirty tray so late in the day (it was almost 3pm ships time) in almost 50 cruises or have I been fabulously lucky and should have been buying lotto tickets?

 

Absolutely not worth mentioning to anyone on the ship; it really is a small thing that doesn't ruin my cruise. It's just a little odd based on my experience. I showed you guys since you're along for the ride and thought I'd take a very random poll to see how often it happens 🤔

Looks like he might have been planning to take it, but for some reason had to do something else 1st, so he put it on the bed. No clue about the chocolate. We would have just put it outside the door and asked him about it later.

In general, we avoid shops specifically numbered on the port maps. They probably didn't get special attention for free. This has been 100% true in the Caribbean and may not be true here, but we have found the other shops more interesting.

5 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Here are a couple more menus - all from the Lido

 

 

 

 

 

 

Awesome, thank you!

Here’s what’s included in the Signature Beverage Package on Holland America
Everything included in the Alcohol-Free (Quench) package is also included in the signature beverage package.

BEER & CIDER
Amstel Light
Coors Light
Corona
Corona Premier
Dos Equis Lager
Guinness Irish Stout
Heineken
Heineken 0.0
Heineken Light
Hoegaarden
Lagunitas IPA
Lagunitas Lil’ Sumpin’ Ale
Michelob Ultra
Miller Lite
Molson Canadian
New Castle Brown Ale
Samuel Adams Boston Lager
Rekorderlig Pear
Rekorderlig Strawberry Lime
Strongbow
Truly Wild Berry

WINE & PORT
Arboleda, Carménère
Beringer, White Zinfandel
CSM Mimi, Chardonnay
CSM, Riesling
Clos du Bois, Chardonnay
Columbia Crest Estate, Merlot
Crios, Malbec
Danzante, Pinot Grigio
Domaine Chandon, Brut
Domaine Houchart, Rosé
Dows LBV, Port
Errazuriz Estate, Cab. Sauvignon
Frescobaldi, Chianti Castiglioni
Frescobaldi, Sangiovese
La Marca, Prosecco
Laurenz, Grüner Veltliner
Le Grand Courtage, Brut Rosé
McPherson, Shiraz
Nobilo, Sauvignon Blanc
Pian di Remole, Bianco
Robert Mondavi PS, Pinot Noir
Sandeman Ruby, Port
Sextant, Zinfandel
Simi, Sauvignon Blanc
Smith Woodhouse Reserve, Port
Spellbound, Cab. Sauvignon
Sterling, Merlot
Warre’s Otima, Port
Warre’s Warrior, Port
Zonin, Moscato

GIN
Bombay Original
Bombay Sapphire
Hendrick’s
New Amsterdam
Nolet’s Silver
Tanqueray 10
Tanqueray
RUM
Appleton Signature
Bacardi Superior
Captain Morgan
Goslings
Malibu
Mount Gay
Myer’s
Pyrat

SCOTCH
Johnnie Walker Black Label
Johnnie Walker Red Label
Aberfeldy 12yr.
Ballantine’s
Chivas Regal
Cutty Sark
Dewar’s 12yr.
Dewar’s White Label
Glen Deveron
Glenmorangie
J&B
Laphroaig 10yr.
TEQUILA
1800 Reposado
Cabo Wabo Blanco
Cazadores Reposado
Herradura Reposado
Jose Cuervo Gold
Jose Cuervo Silver
Patrón Silver

VODKA
Absolut
Belvedere
Finlandia
Grey Goose
Ketel One
New Amsterdam
Skyy
Smirnoff
Stolichnaya
Tito’s

WHISKEY
Buffalo Trace
Bulleit
Canadian Club
Crown Royal
Jack Daniels
Jameson
Jim Beam
Jim Beam Red Stag
Knob Creek
Knob Creek Rye
Maker’s Mark
Seagram’s 7
Seagram’s VO
Wild Turkey
Woodford Reserve

CLASSIC COCKTAILS
Americano
Aperol Spritz
Bloody Mary
Caipirinha
Cape Cod
Champagne Cocktail
Chi Chi
Collins
Daiquiri
Gimlet
Grasshopper
Greyhound
Harvey Wallbanger
Hot Toddy
Kir Royal
Long Island Iced Tea
Mai Tai
Manhattan
Margarita
Martini –House
Mint Julep
Mojito
Negroni
Old Fashioned
Paloma
Pisco Sour
Planter’s Punch
Rum Punch
Salty Dog
Sazerac
Sidecar
Singapore Sling
Vieux Carré
Weng Weng
Whiskey Sour
White Russian

DALE DEGROFF
COCKTAILS
Another Shade of Greyhound
Bee’s Knees
Blue Florida
Blue Ice
Brilliante
Brooklyn
Classic Negroni
Cosmopolitan
Fashionista
Flor De Jerez
Gallery Gimlet
Hemingway Daiquiri
Miami Beach Spritz
Patrona Poloma
Penicillin
Perfect Manhattan
Pusser’s Painkiller
Red Stag Derby
Rotterdam Martinez
Strange Brew
Trader Vic’s Mai Tai
Tuscan Lemon Drop
Whiskey Smash
Yuzu Margarita

41 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Grand Dutch Cafe beer menu.

Rolling Stone had mixed drinks on it, you. Did you see them?

Yes, thank you!

1 hour ago, Blackduck59 said:

Quick answer yes. The signature beverage package (which is usually the one in HIA) is $11.00 max per drink and a total of 15 drinks a day (alcohol and non alcohol combined). The elite package that is sometimes part of an enhanced HIA has a per drink limit of $15.00 and the limit is 15 alcoholic drinks

and unlimited soft drinks including specialty coffees.

Apparently there have been some recent price increases on beverages that take them over the current HIA price cap. There has been some speculation that the price cap will be raised to cover the drinks that were under the cap but aren't now.

That is part B of the question. How much are they charging for drinks? I only drink beer, so it isn't a problem. DW drinks mixed, though. I will search for that. Thanks!

We have the Have It All package. Is there a price limit on the drinks?

2 hours ago, Haljo1935 said:

 

Thanks for checking on me - phone died at an inconvenient time (is there ever really a good time?) then I had issues connecting. But I am finally here!

Boarding was ridiculous - San Diego needs to follow some other ports and figure out there IS a better way. The lines were already looooong when I got there; 1st time I ever played the Star Card and said "I'm not waiting" and "no, thank you, I'm not standing in any of those lines" - I showed my stars and kept on moving. So I was onboard about 10 minutes after they called for the first group. Of course, with a dead phone, I couldn't tell you. 😏

Was there more than one ship in port? I read that it gets really congested if there is more than 1 ship in port.

We are sailing Jan 30. Thanks for the updates!

Happy Anniversary! 

As you can see, NCL allows folding mobility scooters in a standard stateroom if they fit through the door. Or did I read that wrong.

This is on NCL's website concerning motorized scooters;

Motorized wheelchairs and scooters are allowed in our accessible staterooms provided that they are powered by gel-cell batteries and the chargers must be adaptable to 110 volts. Should you choose a stateroom that has not been designated as accessible, you will need to bring a collapsible wheelchair, or if you have a motorized wheelchair or scooter, the width must not exceed 26 inches to enter the stateroom door. All scooters and wheelchairs MUST be stored in the stateroom.

That is a good idea, to contact the mobility department.