yarnsinger

We found it wasn't a big deal to be logged on as the primary passenger on both of our devices. The advantage was that we could sign up for a four-device plan, which gave us each two to use (phone and iPad). The disadvantage was that we couldn't communicate individually through Navigator, but since we were able to use text on our phones, that wasn't a big deal. We didn't go on excursions, so we didn't need to have e-tickets available.

I've never been in a casino other than to walk through to somewhere else. When I got one of these offers recently, I asked the HAL rep why, and he told me that he didn't know for sure but thought it had to do with money spent onboard. I tend to use the spa services for hair, nails, and massage when I'm onboard. Maybe that's it? FWIW, I didn't upgrade the inside room to another type of room, but I did sign up for Club Orange and chose one of the best inside rooms on the ship.

We measured the volume in BB King on the Nieuw Statendam. It was consistently over 100 dbB, which is dangerous. It's too bad, but for us, the music is too loud, even without my hearing aid. It's so loud, actually, that I can't hear the detail of the music. You are absolutely right that what seems loud to some is just right for others, but in my opinion, the volume should never be so loud that it drives people out of the room. We love music - in fact, one of us has made his living making and teaching music since he was in his teens - and we feel cheated that we can't enjoy that part of the trip. The musicians are universally top notch on HAL, something you really notice when you go on another line, but sometimes I want to send the sound techs off the nearest gangplank.