ginger and professor

On formal nights the recommend that you wear your baseball cap facing forward.  I always use my formal flip flops with nice cargo shorts.

There are rumors that Carnival is planning on building roller coasters and a full amusement park on HMC.

DON'T

I wonder if there is any way that they could turn up the amplifiers more than they do, that way you could hear them in your staterooms and would not have to go to the show.

Don't you think roller coasters would add to the total Carnival experience, along with side show activities with games and prizes.

Why would you want to worry about pre paying for tips?  Just have them put it on your credit card and pay it off on the next bill, no interest, no worry.....

I guess this is not the time to think about the star system up to 6,7, or 8 star voyagers.  As it stands a passenger could attain 5 star status in one year with stays in suites and the usual purchases  on board.  It is a long way between Presidents club and 5 star status.

Will we have binoculars provided in our balcony room on the the Amsterdam, or should we bring our own?

I don't recommend them for the men......

With all the new additional charges should we consider more for the corp to increase revenue.  I have noticed that vegan passengers complain about the meals, perhaps a $20-30 uncharge for those who eat meat.  Another source of income would be use of the pools which are costly to maintain, we have a pool at home and never use the ones on the ship, maybe $50 surcharge for pool privileges.  Perhaps the attendance of the entertainment for those who don't go maybe a savings of $100.  There are so many additions for the pay as you go patrons that could result in increased revenue.  What do you think? 

With the relaxation of dress codes, I am at a loss for Gala dress.  Is it proper to have the bill of your baseball cap pointing forward or backwards at the dining table?

Thanks for the info, Copper. We leave for 42 days on the Westerdam from Vancouver. Do you know who our captain and CD will be on the ship???

we have to ask our waiters for white bread or rolls. We hate any bread with seeds or other crap in them. It seems that they are adding more and more of the unedible stuff in their bread baskets.

Wondering where we should stay after flying into Boston for one night precruise?

Should HAL consider 6,7,or 8 star levels with free wifi and other perqs?:)

We were recently on the Volendam from Alaska to Hong Kong. The vista suite we were in had a set of Bushnell binoculars. Does the Veendam also provide binoculars in their vista suites?

Does anyone have experience with good tour companies in Hong Kong? We will be there for a 2 day visit post cruises.

Does anyone have any recommendations for private tours for a day and a half in Hong Kong after our cruise.

I usually like to wear my baseball cap backwards but I assume I will have to turn it around on formal nights.

Just a note, teak decks should not be varnished it would make them slippery. They should be scrubbed and will have a grey appearance. The railing or benches are considered brightwork and they are varnished.

I will be watching. We just got off of the Maassdam last week after 42 days and it was a great time.

Chief, I hope we can sail together again. We had fun with you and your wife. Wishing you a Merry Christmas.

They were forced to discontinue the DAM Dollars because some people were counterfitting them on a color copier and bringing hundreds of them on board. We haven't seen anything but pins for the last couple of years, though occasionally they will give out a round of drinks for winners of multiple games.

How long are we going to continue to, "beat this dead Horse"........

The AMEX benefit does not apply to all cruises. If your TA books your cruise on a flash sale price, HAL will not allow the AMEX benefits. It is up to the cruise line not the credit card company.

We recently booked a New England cruise using our AMEX platinum card. We used a new travel agent. When they contacted AMEX to schedule the pinnacle dinner they were told that those perks would not be given because we had purchased during a flash sale. Has anyone else experience this? When I called AMEX they explained it was out of their hands and that HAL was the party that either authorized it or not. We have never heard of this before.