FLCruiser97

11 minutes ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Starhotels Michelangelo is near the Vatican but it is not very central for anything else. I would try to find somewhere nearer the Pantheon/Piazza Navona/Trevi area if you want a central location.

I have stayed at the Star Hotel Michelangelo many, many years ago. @cruisemom42 is correct in that it is closer to the Vatican and not much else. There were only a few outdoor restaurants and an open air market close but to get to any other sights, we had to take a cab. The rooms were nice and big but just not centrally located. With that being said, We were in Rome in OCT 2022 and stayed at the Hotel Capo d'Africa which is across the street from the Lancelot. We could walk to the Coliseum and there were many restaurants around which were excellent. 

WOW. Thanks @Heidi13. That was a very good lesson in binoculars. I have 10X50, 366/1000yds so I feel after your explanation, these should do the trick.  

42 minutes ago, justlivin said:

Good morning, if you get a chance would you tell us what strength of binoculars you have and what you are considering buying. I don’t want to pack mine if they aren’t strong enough. Thanks so much. 

You took the same thought I had. If I need stronger binoculars, I will get them for our cruise.

That penguin trail is so awesome!

3 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

@FLCruiser97 5 cabins aft of me should be fine!—it’s the next 3 cabins that have the white metal things in view—4125, 4127 and 4129.  Here are 2 views for you.

 

At the end of the white things is a mobility disabled room (I have an acquaintance that is staying there so she showed me the room) which has views from 2 sides-ish so is totally fine, and the next room is clear of them.

 

That's a perfect view of what I needed to know. Thanks for this info.

1 hour ago, TravelBluebird said:

Enjoyed the geology and zones of Antarctica lecture.

 

We are back in our room enjoying the beautiful views. Current view out my window enclosed. LOTS of snow covered mountains this morning and it is a brisk 36 degrees F.

 

Hi Dee. Just wondering about your white metal "thingy things" outside the balcony. You commented on the "obstructed view" on day one. I am wondering just how far toward aft these things go. Like how many cabins back are they there? I will be opposite side about 5 cabins aft.

Fabulous Photos. Love the Penguins.

Beautiful photos.

4 minutes ago, regnig said:

Oh yes! Last year on the Rotterdam there were a couple of folks from Texas who started their day with "morning" cocktails and continued all day long. On fellow normally started ordering doubles shortly after noon. The bar servers kept him advised of his free drink numbers but when that reached 15 he just told them to bill him. This was an 11 day cruise and I don't believe he ever got off the ship. When he wasn't in the casino he was at the Sea View pool, no he didn't smoke but his wife did. Two days before we got back to Ft Lauderdale he went down to the CR desk to check his account. When he came back he announced to all within hearing distance that his balance was $6000. YIKES

Good Grief! That's a lot of drinks

6 minutes ago, Bill B said:

 

Signature BP - yes.

Elite BP - no.

Thanks Bill. Good to know.

And is bottled water included in the 15 drink limit.

Hi Dee. Couple of quick questions. In the Lido Marketplace buffet, are you allowed to serve yourself or do the guys behind the counter serve you. And also, wondering if the straws for drinks are paper or plastic. I know it's an odd question but DH has a hard time drinking from a paper straw.

21 minutes ago, Haljo1935 said:

Yes, I book the excursions w/CC - HAL does not allow for use of OBC before boarding.

Technically, you are canceling the excursions, but YOU aren't doing it yourself - Shore Exc is doing it for you and they'redoing it at the same time as they rebook the OBC purchase. The credit for the canceled excursions shows immediately as OBC in your statement, as does the charge for the new one. I stay at the Shore Exc Desk until I see them both in my Navigator. You can see this for the 6 excursions in this statement from a recent cruise (circled).

As for the CC refund, when the excursions are canceled, a credit is NOT issued back to the CC you used to pay for them. It is credited as OBC, which is yours to do with as you please. You can use it for purchaes, spa treatments, dining...you can cash it out or you can leave it on your account and have it credited to a CC upon disembarkation. If credited to a CC, it may or may not be the same one you originally used to purchase the excursions - only you will know that as the credit will be given to the CC you have on file for the cruise.

Reminder - we're talking OBC, not HIA excursion credits - those are entirely different. 

Thank you. I will definitely give this a try.

I agree. Totally conflicting answers. I think to be on the safe side, I will book the excursion now to get a spot and take my chances on getting refunded with the OBC.

Just now, TravelBluebird said:

 

Its a Melon-flavored Mojito with no alcohol! 

Thanks. Sounds Yummy!

So I just called HAL today asking this very same question. They said I would have to use my CC for booking the shore excursion and I asked if I could get reimbursed once onboard with OBC. The answer was NO. Not unless I cancelled the excursion. So, when does OBC show up on my booking so maybe I can book closer to the departure?

....and what exactly is in the Melon No-Jito?

2 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

In the  Crow’s Nest this morning with our espresso and cappucino!  Pastries available for free with your coffee.  We woke

up late—so much for Tai Chi but we are on vacation!  Slow gently rolling swells this morning, pool water is sloshing 

 

 

 

Does the Crow's Nest serve espresso drinks or is it just a cocktail bar? Never been on this ship so I may have many questions if you don't mind.

11 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 @FLCruiser97 On my YouTube channel—it’s in my signature.  It’s not posted yet but I’ll put a link here when it’s online

Thanks again.

3 hours ago, TravelBluebird said:

 

@FLCruiser97I’ve taped an entire room tour, including all the storage (under bed drawers included)   Here is one of the drawers (I am keeping my dirty laundry in this draw in a bag, so it was easy to take out for the photo!

 

I always tape my room tours before I unpack!

 

Overall, the storage in these rooms is wonderful—big 3 part closet, the two big under-bed drawers, room in the  little square seat by the desk, 4 little drawers total int he night stands, and over head cabinets over the couch.

Thank you. Where can I find your taped room tour?

Hello @TravelBluebird. Our cabin will be on the port side a little bit aft from your cabin on our sailing. If you get a chance, could you take a pic of the storage that @NorbertsNieceis talking about in the cabin. This will be our first Oosterdam sailing and wondering about storage.

OK. Just read the 3 previous pages of your journey @TravelBluebird.

Following your adventure as we will be on the Oosterdam this Spring on the TA to Greece. Just finished following @NorbertsNiecejourney. Very informative. Bon Voyage!

4 hours ago, Blackduck59 said:

 Make it a feature by the Lido bar, "The Milkshake Shack" complete with vintage Hamilton Beach of Multimixer machines and the metal mixing cups.

I think you're on to something. Or maybe just "The Shake Shack".

Watching you sail away.

10 minutes ago, NorbertsNiece said:

@FLCruiser97

HUGE apologies. The door IS magnetic..... it's my magnetic decals that aren't!!!!

OH Cool. Thanks for checking again.