FRANKIEDNYC

:) During the Grand Med 2016, we took the donkey ride up the hill. It was so much fun and one of the highlights of the whole trip. However We didn't have the nerve to take one down.

:( Hi Copper, Any idea who is scheduled as DRM on Jan 3 Prinsedam Grand S.A. and Antarctca., thanx

:) We did this cruise and the weather was beautiful for the most part, We only had one bad morning of heavy rain in Montenegro but it stopped about noon and just stayed cloudy the rest of the day. It was relatively warm everywhere. The real beauty of the cruise was that in almost every port we were the only ship and there were no crowds anywhere except for maybe on the Rambles in Barcelona. We were the first ship of the season at almost every port. Even in Santorini, no waiting for a donkey or lift. We actually did get a nice upgrade about 3 days before we left, I noticed that our room # changed and we went from cat E OV to an AA balcony 2 rooms away up forward on deck 9 where they have very deep balconies. Only problem was lots of noise from showroom some afternoons and evenings when performers practiced or performed. Also a couple nights the crew had late night parties. But we stay up late anyway, so no problem

:):) It is also waived for dining room consumption.

:) Add Greenland and Iceland to Ruth's Canada cruise. Make it a 2 week r/t New york

:( On the recent Grand Med cruise on the Prinsendam, We were scheduled for an overnight in Istanbul, But due to State Dept. warnings we only docked for about 4 hours and only embarked and disembarked passengers and crew. Everyone else had to stay on board. Limnos was the substitute port, which was actually a very nice Greek Island port.

:) On the recent Grand Med cruise, Linda and I were lucky enough to sit at the Captain's Table on one of the formal or should I say Gala nights. Capt Roberts said that they were spending multi millions of dollars on this dry dock and expect the ship to be part of the HAL for several more years. Besides the Lido changes, She was having her bottom scraped and repainted, All teak decks were being redone. He pointed out that this probably the first time since the ship was built and that all her decks are real teak over 1" thick and not veneer like on most of the newer ships. Also a New A/C unit is being added to make it easier to cool the entire vessel. He mentioned something also about the evaporators which make fresh water. The will be replaced by some newer technology. Those were the major items

:) Just left 55 day Grand Med cruise on Prinsendam and I would say almost everyone was dressed about 40% tuxes and 50% Dark suits rest still nicely dressed (sport coats etc)

:) Just left the Prinsendam on May 5 and they were heading to dry dock in the Bahamas for 2 weeks

:( In December they were still puffing away in the casino

:) I travel with a cheap TracPhone (buy minutes as needed) Phone works perfect from San Juan St. Thomas and St Croix no extra charges

:) It seems that if you look in the center of the library, there is a place on the wall where everyone places index cards looking for bridge partner, chess players, etc etc. You have to look for it but I've seen it on almost every HAL cruise that I've sailed on. And there were plenty.

:)Love the size of the ship, the aft pool, the chow, the itineraries and the great crew above all. We have sailed many times on this, our favorite HAL ship in the neighborhood of 300 days and enjoyed everyone desplte the fact thst our last 3 cruises on her we had plumbing and or AC problems.

:) 18 full transits for me and 3 partials 11 times courtesy of Uncle Sam over 26 yrs and the rest between HAL and Celebrity. Never get tired of going thru. In the early 70's I was stationed on an LST (Tank Landing Ship) and we were told that we had set a speed record up to that date in transiting. I believe it was in the 6 hour range. I read somewhere that recently a US Navy hydrofoil set a record of 2 hrs and 41 minutes. Hard to believe since the locks alone take nearly 3 hours normally. We have a full transit planned again for the beginning of 2017 and hope to be able to go through the new section.

:(:confused: I got 95% thru the survey and some kind of page warning of a virus popped up and cut me off. Said something about going back to the original message to complete it but It just went back to square one after almost a half hour of answering their questions. I have no idea whether it went to HAL or not.

:( We just completed 50 days on Dec 19th in cabin 048 right next door. We had no plumbing problems but we had problems with the AC. WE WERE ON THE SUNNY SIDE OF THE SHIP AND THE AC COULDNT KEEP UP. MOSTLY EVERYONE ON THAT SIDE OF THE SHIP COMPLAINED ABOUT IT. THIS WAS ON A 50 DAY TRANSATLANTIC AND MED CRUISE WHEN THE WEATHER WAS NOT REAL HOT. I REALLY LOVED THE LOCATION AS I AM AN AFT POOL FAN AND SPEND MOST DAYS OUT THERE AND ITS ONLY 10 STEPS TO THE DOOR TO THE POOL. VERY CONVENIENT TO THE LIDO (ONE DECK UP) AND TO THE DINING ROOM. THE ROOM STEWARD WAS GREAT. HAD NO PROBLEMS WITH MOTION EITHER. IF I COULD GET IT, ID TAKE THAT ROOMON EVERY CRUISE.

:) We bought ours about 5 years ago and already used up over $2500.00 in obc. We use E trade, very simple to use. Usually when you open a new account with them they give you about 3 months of free trades

:) Cabins 102 and 103 are in a nice location but you do feel a bit more motion of the ocean. Also when scenic cruising, lots of people hang out on that outer deck and if you need privacy, you must draw the curtains because they will be standing right outside your window.

:) At the head of the pier there are countless booth selling all kind of excursions. We took one last time we were there and it was great except for the fact that it was narrated in Spanish. It didn't matter because it was a boat ride out to see penguins and sea lions. For a small price we saw literally thousand of each.

Now that dancing with the stars is done, they may be looking for another exciting replacement like The biggest loser with weigh ins between buffets

:( Only one entree allowed in the PG, but as much of anything else on the menu as you want. In the MDR, you can order as much as you want of anything on the menu

:)Two PG dinners per person per cruise. We have used this perk several times. Also, if you wish you can use it at lunch

:) I have made counter offers on several occasions and they were accepted a couple of times

:) I would book the lowest category that I would be happy in as a guarantee and hope for the best. In May we booked one of the lower insides this way and ended up in an oceanview midship on the main deck on the Maasdam. It was a great room except for some plumbing issues we had

:) Just ask for a different table or switch over to as you wish dining. No problem.