Haljo1935

Placing luggage out is so bittersweet. Here's hoping you a smooth disembark and safe travels home.

Oh no - hope neurologist visit goes well, animal bites can be bad. The pulled pork sounds great!!

Looking forward to following Poohby Joe on his first Easter cruise!! Oh and to see what he thinks of Cake Me Away - which shall be his favorite? 🎂

Hugs @luvteaching

I will look it up; it's on my computer and I'm on my phone. We didn't go through the ship b/c they were crazy expensive and filled up quickly. We were very happy w/the tour we did.

Yes! I find mine love that part of the meal. Also, you can write in special requests - more likely to get honored as they have an extra day to accommodate them 😊

@islandwoman in addition to filling out the form and submitting it prior to the cruise, I do the following: Day 1, as soon after embarkation as possible, go to MDR - let them know you have a food allergy (no need to go into details) & ask for that night's menu. In the top right corner write your cabin # and your allergy. Then you circle your selections and give it back to them; be sure to check both sides of the paper as sometimes they're printed on both sides. Night 1 when you go to dinner in MDR - tell server you have a food allergy & already turned in your menu. They'll confirm it w/Chef and ar sometime during dinner, theyll bring you a menu for the next night. You'll write your cabin # & allergy on it and make selections like you did earlier and leave it w/them. You'll do this each night. Soecialty restaurants you just tell your server when he brings the menu. Lido Buffet ask to speak w/manager if you need to confirm ingredients in specific choices. For breakfast in MDR, it's the same process just ask how they want to handle since you could be at a different table each day.

Correct - so once you start it, just let it run.

Yes it does!

Quite enjoy you posting the trivia Q&A - very nice change up. Packing is an awful way to end a lovely cruise🥺 Look forward to the rest of your posts- safe travels home.

Great information - I didn't know about having a more knowledgeable accessibility shore ex manager - we'll definitely ask for them when we book our next excursions.

Thanks for sharing - that's scary. Especially for people who only scuba (or any water sport) occasionally may not realize what strength they've lost until it's too late. You go one year, no issues, get out/in the boat easily - next time you get pulled away and find yourself at the mercy of a rescue team.

Absolutely no impact on Mariner star status. Enjoy!!

We were very anxious about that stop during the Nov Dec 2023 TA from Rome->FLL since weather can be tricky. We were fortunate w/clouds in the AM that cleared to a beautiful day and we were able to do our excursion. We booked in advance with an independent that would refund if the port was canceled, so we weren't at risk. Agree w/ @Mary229 that ship or independent pre-booking are best, just be sure they offer refunds if the ship can't stop. I don’t even recall seeing locals offering excursions; doesn't mean they didn't, I just don't remember seeing them.

@ger_77 prayers for Maurice and the panel rules the way you want.🙏 Prayers the family arrives safely w/no deer encounters. 🙏 And that they enjoy "Grandma's special cookies" 🍪

@seagarsmoker DH says it's the firing squad for you - no proper Cardinals fan would forget opening day, lol. It was quite the week at our house when the Series was Rangers vs Cardinals. ⚾

We enjoy ours without the milk 🥛 they're yummy no matter the choice of beverage to wash them down.

The banner gets unveiled shortly before 6:30pm when your World Champions take on the Chicago Cubs for Opening Day! I will celebrate Holy Thursday and leave the hot tub for others; although, a good soak helps the aches. Ms Hepburn nailed it w/the quote. I think I would enjoy the salad (radish fan), try the drink and the wine too if someone else is buying, been to Split & Dubrovnik (which I enjoyed) but not Zadar Croatia, look forward to the pictures. Big day in 1910 for Mr Fabre and the future of seaplanes - they're important for more than Alaskan tourism😏 Much work today. During our 1:1 yesterday Boss said an entire provisioning team is being let go in the latest restructure of our IT department. Still waiting on the outcome of all the sessions that he stumbled through when his Boss didn't show. She wasn't on yesterday either and he reduced it from an hour to a half hour but called me right back to ask for a medical update.🤷‍♀️ @summer slope hope your bumps & bruises heal quickly. Currently 45° headed to sunny 73°. Prayers 🙏 and positive thoughts for all.

Oh gosh - glad you're ok. Hope that driver is removed from behind the wheel; it could have been much worse for you. A head is not meant to bounce off the roadway. Extra hugs🤗 for you today - and an extra scoop of ice cream, if that's your thing🍧

IMO, HAL laundry is the best available - if I could figure out how to stow that team in my suitcase so they could do my home laundry, I'd do it!! We gladly paid for unlimited laundry until we earned it and never once regretted spending the money. Remember, in addition to saving luggage space and getting more free time (by not sink washing), your time unpacking once home is easier - just take clothes from suitcase to dresser since you can send a final bag(s) out 2 days before end of cruise. Oh, I also send souvenir t-shirts I pick up so I can wear them while still on the ship (I don't wear anything until it's been washed). I love unlimited laundry!!

No need to request pressing if you are having those items laundered. There is a "pressing only" service available at a per item cost if you don't need them washed and only want a touch up. No need to separate fabric types, but you can make a note of special instructions for specific items or have a "cold washair dry bag" plus another "regular bag" - just ask cabin steward for an extra bag. We have noted "hang dry black white shirt" on the laundry slip and then put all the clothes in 1 bag and always comes back fine.

I find that odd that you were not allowed to stay together - I'm used to hearing "you're together? Ok you both go there." At least you made it through. It would worry me, though, if one of us was prone to confusion - separating might induce a memory lapse... Safe travels home.

Welcome to cruising and to HAL!! You made a great choice for your first cruise IMO - we love AK. I'll answer a few of your questions; I'm sure others will fill in the gaps. Yes meals/snacks are included except for specialty or items noted as a surcharge. You are lucky - K'dam has the Grand Dutch Cafe (mid ship on 3, across from GS) which has fabulous sandwiches, soups, cookies and snacks at no charge (note the packaged items do cost extra). You can use your HIA package to get drinks most everywhere, including dining, except room service. Anything over $11 you pay the difference + 18%. Specialty coffee is included w/HAL. In addition to dining venues, you can use it in Explorations Cafe and GDC. When you booked, you selected either open dining (meaning you go anytime the dining room is open), early or main (which is called "late" dining, typically 7:30 or 8). It will be on your booking confirmation. So no reservations needed. Safe travels- enjoy your cruise!

Should not be a problem.

Diabetes and epilepsy require education and awareness. Long line of diabetics in my family, so I monitor it closely and feel for those impacted by it. Would enjoy the meal so long as it's light on the cottage cheese, yes to the drink and wine, not been to the port. Big day in history. Dr says insurance declined the Rx (gabapentin) because they don't approve of the dosage - he wants 9/day, they say 6/day. Timing of the notice is interesting as it's for epilepsy but written off-label for tremors. Currently 46° headed to sunny 61°. Prayers 🙏 and positive thoughts for all.