nickysmom

Thank you--that's very helpful. Carol

Can you walk from the Port in Ponta Del Gada, or is it steep or too far to do on your own?

Great idea--it would also hold a duck

Didn't catch that....but still important--maybe it will be of service for some of our newbies--or those like me, who just review older ideas before a cruise.

Absolutely!! As a 30 year Operations Manager with a major airline, I can't beg you enough to GO A DAY EARLY!!! It's not just if weather in Boston is OK. Weather or a problem in another city can delay or cancel their flight. ATC is stressed, aircraft and crew schedules complicated, relying on nationwide schedule connections. Equipment malfunctions, passenger misbehavior delays, cancellations and the complexity of normal operations can severely impact the crowded system. Go early, have a quiet dinner at the hotel. Save yourself and those trying to help you the stress of missing our cruise..

Hi Hank....I'm not understanding the free meal overcharges. Would that be like being charged for a Pinnacle restaurant reservation that you used your onboard credit for? Or is it some other charge? Your drinks information is very helpful--thank you. Carol

got it--thank you--found one. We'll use the Marriott Harbor Beach and Uber to the port. Thanks for the help.

Thanks, horseymike--will check out 17th area. (Love this name)

Thank you

We're taking Holland America's transatlantic cruise to Barcelona April 5. We'd like a Marriott hotel close to the piers....we always come a day early so want a restaurant there or nearby. Don't know what to look for on the Marriott site.

To help with evaluations, we're taking the OOsterdam April 5 Transatlantic trip, and researched suites on other lines. Transatlantic trips require more in-room time, and we enjoy that part as well as onboard activities. The Neptune suite is warm, spacious, very comfortable, and of course there are the extra benefits. The Celebrity, Oceana and Viking suites looked "plastic", cold and a little sparse....This was just from website photos, of course, and others may love more modern decor, but for the price and quality, we decided to return to HA's Neptune suite. No decision is right or wrong--whatever your choice, once made, let go, relax and enjoy it.