cruisinteach2

2 hours ago, iflyrc5 said:

According the ATK chef (Spencer) on the Rotterdam in November and a coffee chat with the Hotel Director the ATK/HAL relationship ends 1 Jan 2020.  I guess I will see for sure when we board the Volendam in 6 days.

Hope you enjoy your Volendam cruise - just completed the Amazon cruise and would love to be joining you in the Antarctic. It is an amazing place!! Hope you can let us know what the new cooking class perk will be!

Disappointed that the 5* benefit for ATK changed  from allowing people to take part in cooking and then sharing a meal in the Pinnacle grill. That was a fun experience. Now the benefit is just another demo with fewer people and it was the same demo that had been on cruise previously. Wish they would bring back the cooking opportunity with a ship chef!

Straws were available on Volemdam in the coffee bar, lido bar and ocean bar, but we had to ask for them.

Tim and Angela -- enjoying catching up on your posts of all the ports we visited! Wish we were still with you esp. as we return to rainy cold Seattle!

Dave and Barbara

Made to order sandwiches were quite popular on recent Volendam Amazon cruise. Enjoyed that I could tell the server exactly what I wanted!

Sailing next week - looking forward to seeing the changes!

I have enjoyed following your blogs. We are on this cruise too - so look forward to  meeting you as well as following the blog!

We have done red eye direct from Seattle to Ft. Lauderdale. Has worked well but arrived very early and had time to kill before heading to the pier. Would not try if it were not a direct flight!!

Have been on Zaandam twice to Antarctica - 2014 and 2018. (Veendam in 2010)

Zaandam was in fine condition on those cruises. We had wonderful time with no onboard problems.

Loved ours in verandah on Oosterdam in May - made getting up in middle of night so much easier! Hope they will be installed on all ships!

Also check out Squaremouth.com - have found some of their prices even better than insuremytrip.com

Also check your credit card travel coverage

3 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

Good that they let you do that. I haven't done many of the classes, but for the photo ones, the teacher pre-loaded his/her photos and had everyone work with those, so it was difficult to do the lesson if not on their computers. I travel with a laptop and would prefer to work on that instead of the ship's computers. That way, I have the "product" of my lesson to review at my leisure without having to go to the computer room to practice. 

 

I have Windows 10 on my Surface Pro so it has the photo editing program. When in class I use my own photos to practice with the instructor. "Kills 2 birds with 1 stone" -- I learn about the program and edit my pictures!

More info - you can go to the HAL website and search for Microsoft handouts. You will find all the printouts they provide.

I have attended all classes over the past years. One way to avoid germs if that is a concern is to bring one's own computer or surface. I have done this the last couple years. There is room to sit at the sides or back and work on your own devise. Enjoy!

Have done both activities in Ushuaia.  Enjoyed each! If you want to see wildlife you will not get very good view from the cruise ship. On the smaller ship we were able to get up close and personal to nesting islands for birds and sealions. Unfortunately no penguins. The day of our trip was sunny with calm seas so a lovely trip.

The excursion into the national forest is nice too! One benefit of that trip is having your picture taken at the end of the world sign - fun Christmas card!! Whichever you choose hope you have a wonderful time!

Yes HAL terminal to Hertz facility @ 901 E Sunrise Blvd. Ft. Laud. Thanks to those who have responded - looks like taxi will be quickest! Have never used Uber/lyft but might need to give them a try!

Thanks for the info - very helpful!!

Sorry -- sailing into HAL terminal at Port Everglades to rental center at  901 E. Sunrise Blvd, Ft. Lauderdale Where would one catch a shuttle if one is available in the cruise port area? Thanks!

Is there a shuttle from HAL terminal to car rental center outside of port? Any info appreciated.

Does anyone know if there is a shuttle from the HAL terminal to car rental center outside the cruise port? Thanks for any info you may have!

• Enjoyed our recent Alaska cruise on AZ Quest . 5star on  HAL . One big change on AZ is that the casinos are being replaced  by the dining room - area for visiting, trivia, coffee and bar. Not interested in gambling so we appreciated the change!

Check out HAL forum "Postmodern Jukebox on Deck on Rotterdam"  started on July 15 for more info on these performances.

Have seen PMJ  and the dance company - not a fan of either. Miss the singers and dancers!!

You can also talk to your dining room servers to request a cake - we have done it for birthdays and anniversaries.

Took our grandchildren on NA Christmas cruise 2018 - ages 16, 14, 11, 7. All had a wonderful time. Talk to front desk when onboard to order a b'day cake to be delivered at dinner on your daughter's birthday. Hope you have a wonderful time!

Excited to be following along - thanks for posting! Special friends are traveling with you so will be looking for them in your pictures.