BetsyS.

Hank - Thanks for all your reports throughout the cruise and your summary today. I appreciate your honesty. I hope that HAL will pay attention to all the post cruise surveys. I feel sorry for the crew. They do the best they can, but HAL needs to hire more crew.

Pete and Judy - Thanks so much for all your detailed reports, great pictures, and menus and lists of activities. I'm glad you had a terrific cruise. Safe travels home!

Rich, Thanks so much for all your reporting, pictures and list of of activities and menus. I'm glad you had a great cruise. Save travels home.

ldtr - I have heard adults talking loudly on their cell phones in a public forum. They were calling the cat sitter back home. They named every cat and asked the sitter what each cat had to eat, blah, blah, blah. I was in the Dutch Cafe trying to relax. I did not need to hear all that chatter. The call should have been made from their cabin.

cgolf1 - Thanks for all your reports and pictures. I liked the pictures of you and your wife. Glad you had a good cruise. You were smart to pack layers.

3Shelaghs - When I was on the Niew Statendam last August, there were sugar free desserts including sugar free ice cream every day. I don't drink decaf coffee, but I'm sure they must have had that too.

3rdGenCunarder - I love Nathan Lane!! Years ago Al Pacino was in a play and a cell phone was ringing loudly. I wasn't there, but I saw it on the news. Pacino broke character and said "turn off the f*****g phone!"

3rdGenCunarder - Many years ago I was at a play in Boston. It said in program that no flash pictures were allowed. However, someone in audience was taking flash pictures. Katherine Hepburn stopped what she was saying to tell off the person who was taking the pictures. Then she went back to the play.

Kate45- Last August on Niew Statendam you could order things that were not on menu in MDR. That includes what you mentioned and also creme brulee and fruit crisp. In my experience, if you asked you got it.

Stateroom_Sailor - Bon Voyage! 🥂😊 Have a great cruise!

My stepfather and I were on NS last August. We put laundry out before 9 am and we got it back the next day. They did an excellent job. I put the laundry bags on the handle outside the door, so our room steward would see it before he made up our rooms.

Years ago when I was on the Veendam, I forgot to pack something. I took a taxi from the Cornerbrook pier to Walmart. Walmart has a free phone to call taxi when you're done shopping. People might say they would "never" go to Walmart when they're on vacation. However, you never know - sometimes we forget to pack something we need. Walmart was very convenient.

I think that HAL had "gluten free" toasters in the Lido, if my memory is correct. I don't need gluten free, but I had breakfast and lunch in the Lido.

I have a peanut allergy and my travel agent notifies HAL at final payment. My stepfather and I eat in the MDR for dinner and we have the same table every night (except for specialty dining). The waiters give me the next night's menu after I finish dessert. I choose what I want for the next night. When I get to specialty dining, the servers know about my allergy. So I think HAL does a good job with this.

Pete and Judy - Thanks for all your detailed reporting, beautiful pictures, menus, and schedules of activities. I have friends that I met on cruises in 1973 and 2002. I wish you all the best for the coming week and safe travels home! 😊 Betsy

Rich - Thank you so much for your great reporting, beautiful pictures, menus and activities schedules. I have friends to this day that I met on cruises in 1973 and 2002. Enjoy the rest of your week. Safe travels home. 😊 Betsy

spleenstomper- I'm glad you and your husband had a great cruise. I agree that HAL's laundry service is terrific. Safe travels home. 😊

Hank - Thanks for the update. I'm glad you finally have relatively calm seas. I agree with you about taking a shower during rough seas. Last August on the Niew Statendam we were near Greenland and the Captain said the seas were 17 feet high. I did not take a shower until the seas were calmer. Other than that, cruise was great. I wish you and your wife and the rest of the passengers smooth sailing from now on. 😊 Betsy

BermudaBound2014 - I agree with you. HAL executives should pay attention to the post cruise surveys.

BostonJetSet - Thanks for your great reporting and pictures! Glad you had a good cruise. I was on the NS last August and had the rustic lasagna for lunch. I loved it.

Crew News - Bon Voyage! 🥂😊 I always enjoys your posts. Thanks. Have a great cruise!

avalon1025 - Thanks for the update. That's good that seas have started to calm and that you like the food. I think HAL crew is the best at sea.

HelloKittysMum - Have a great flight! 😊

kazu - Thank you so much. I hope you have made a good recovery from your injury on your cruise.

StLouisCruisers - Thank you very much!