BaxCruiser

Looking forward to reading about your new adventure!

On 12/18/2023 at 11:55 AM, POA1 said:

It's the one I was looking forward to most. I really like homemade eggnog. Store-bought eggnog will do in a pinch.

 

When we first moved to Florida, I found this concoction called "Southern Style Custard" next to the nog at Publix, our local grocery store. The internet told me that it was a traditional Southern egg nog alternative.

 

Being a fan of all holiday drinks with the consistency of snot, I had to try it.  It's not as thick as commercial egg nog. It's got a consistency closer to homemade egg nog. It can be improved by the addition of rum, or better yet, bourbon. (Really though, what can't?)

I think Bailey’s, Kahlua, and espresso along with your homemade egg nog and it’d be just like you’re on board!

1 hour ago, POA1 said:

Thanks. It seemed to be the least festive option. We were looking forward to the coffee Christmas drinks, but we not have been a good boy and girl, because Santa never brought the ingredients to make them.

 

That is a shame, because the spiked eggnog was a winner!

1 hour ago, POA1 said:

Filed under unfinished business: We never got around to trying the Rudolph's Red Margarita. Margaritas just don't scream Christmas to us.

 

The Christmas coffee based cocktails did not show up during the week which prevented us from trying them.

We tried Rudolph’s this week on the Rotterdam…too sweet, IMO. I think you didn’t miss anything. 

Australia08, thanks for your detailed and so well-written trip report. I'm looking forward to our experience and appreciate your preview!

41 minutes ago, Australia08 said:

Oh yes, it is quite doable. All steps. Not that I wasn’t winded at the top, but I was taking lots of photos so kind of double-stepped to catch up with the group. If you took your time and steadily climbed, must people would not have s problem. 

Thanks - gives me confidence my 14 flights a day ARE going to benefit me 🤪

1 hour ago, Australia08 said:

  We had a fairly strenuous, climb to the first monastery - The Monastery at Varlaam - All Saints.  

Hi Australia08, would you mind elaborating a bit more on this? In your view, would someone who is in ok-not-fantastic shape be able to handle the climb? 

15 minutes ago, Australia08 said:

After missing out on attending specialty events like Single Malt tastings or Premium wine tastings on past cruises, we’ve learned to stop at guest services, find out which events are being held during the cruise, and  immediately booking the ones that fit into our schedule.  Otherwise, by the time they are posted in the Viking Daily, they are already full. We also stop by the specialty restaurant locations to change times (if we prebooked a time we didn’t like) or sign up for an additional Chef’s Table. 

Thank you!

Which desks need to be visited to sign up for specialty events? Is it just guest services? TIA

Australia08, thanks very much for your live report. I’m reading with great interest as we are on this same itinerary in December. 

We quoted business with Uniworld for an upcoming trip; their quoted fare was more than what we found. It's worth getting a quote.

32 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

Remember that you have to add an $18 corkage fee (if not consuming in cabin).  Of course all wines purchased from HAL (or any other cruiseline) are going to be expensive versus onshore prices).  However, once you get to 4 Star level, the 50% discount reduces the prices considerably and are very reasonable IMO.  Prior to becoming 4 Star, it is a tough sell I understand.

I am fully aware. My exercise was to compare the retail cost to the package cost and evaluate HAL's upcharge.  The wines just weren't worth it. We ended up going to Total Wine and bringing 10 bottles on board.  HAL ran out of stickers on us.

We were unpleasantly surprised to find that the majority of the JS90 wines are all over 15 a glass, putting them out of reach of even the EBP.  

5 hours ago, MauiWowie57 said:

Does anyone have any wisdom on the "relative worth" of the Cellar (wine) packages? There's a "Cellar #1," then #2, #3.  Three of course is the most expensive, and not being a wine expert, I am guessing that the available bottles in #3 are "better" than #1. But for anyone who's pre-paid a wine package, what's good enough? 

I started looking at the retail cost for the bottles on #1 package, and they were running between US$11 and US$15.  I stopped at that point because I determined for us it was not a good value considering the overall cost of the package and our view of the wines offered. 

from ship services, october 2019

HAL_Cabanas_AP17997_lo.pdf

the attached PDF was received from HAL in October 2019 - you can call or email Ship Services to reserve for the week, before your cruise.

HAL_Cabanas_AP17997_lo.pdf

You can also do this now through your PCC, TA, or Ship Services. We have a group of 10 on 4 different bookings, and we were able to arrange for all of us to sit together for dinner. We just provided all the booking numbers so they could be linked. 

Holland America could be an option, but also Viking ocean or river depending on budget. 

Wondering if anyone has recent experience with this -- we are a group of 10 traveling together on the Zuiderdam next month.  We've been going back and forth with our PCC trying to arrange early fixed dining for our group.  First we had a table of 10, then we were switched to a table of 6 and 4 (!!!), and now we have "Early, Table of A on request".  

I have a call in to our PCC to clarify, but in the meantime maybe someone here has experience with this.  Thank you.

15 minutes ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

Oh my Gosh 😱 worse!!

It was my Birthday and Anniversary!!

We were in the PG Bar to start off with cocktails prior to our dinner! They go down smooth, the rest don’t want to talk about it

(LOL) 
Denise 😊

 

❤️❤️❤️

Want Wang looks like another version of Long Island Iced Tea....DEADLY

+1 for Briggs and Riley. I have several, in various sizes, and they all hold up really well (lots of international trips).

Thanks, everyone. We’re really looking forward to this experience. 

Rosethorn, thanks for your detailed reply.  

This is for anyone who's rented a Retreat Cabana for a week - would you give me an idea of what you tipped for the week?  TIA

really curious which cabin this was. we'll be in an aft wrap on the Zuiderdam in Feb.