iflyrc5

The Dressy nights will probably not appear on the app until you board. I would guess 1 Feb is an almost for sure. The other could be Jan 26 since are leaving HMC early and if not then for sure 29 Jan I forgot to mention yesterday - I asked one of the waiters and they said we currently have just over 2500 guests and today at the pool I counted 15 youngsters from 3 to about 14 years old all in the pool at the same time.

They are on in the cabin and also the big screen at the pool. At the pool there is popcorn and also the NY Deli is open for pizza and other snacks.

Tonight was Caribbean night in the Lido for dinner. Here is the daily program for Sunday Jan 22

Friday we had the Runaround Boys on the World Stage. They are a British group that played 50s and 60 music and put on a great show. First time we have seen them.

Yes Here is the daily program for Jan 21 Here are the current taxi rates in Barbados - Still $5 per person to Carlisle Bay

They put nets over them at night.

Yes the signs are confusing as the permanent sign states 16 by the sign on the portable stand says 18. The Sea View bar is on the starboard side of the ship which is also the smoking side. We were out at this pool area on the port side in the shade and yes the wind was such that you could smell the smoke all over the Sea View Pool area. Once we left port and wind changed directions and the smell was gone.

We are currently on the Rotterdam 11 night Caribbean - Dressy nights are the first and next to last sea day.

We were in Martinque today. There was a protest going on in the city, loud but peaceful. In talking to some locals it is being done across all of France as the French government wants to raise the pension age to 65. Tonight was a special Dutch menu in the Lido and also the Orange party in BB King Here is the daily program for Friday Jan 20.

I can't spell the CDs name but she is Dutch and I have not had her before. Also, not very visible around the ship. Only saw her introducing the shows unlike Erin on the NA who was always out and about engaging with guests. You can see the trivia listed on the daily programs I have been posting

We had 6 guests that were late returning to the ship for our all aboard time of 4:30 so the ship did not leave until a little after 5pm. We had 6 ships in St Maarten today which made if very crowded all over. Here are is the daily program for Thursday, Jan 19

As of 11:53pm we are heading for Martinique so not the Rotterdam

I called the HAL line that covers the purchased of items prior to the cruise. They told me that if I purchased the internet package online prior to boarding that when on the ship I would get the $30 benefit added to my account. I am on the Rotterdam now and guest services are saying that Seattle is now saying that since purchasing the internet online it is already at a discount that a 5 Star does not get the $30 benefit. What have other experienced in this situation?

That is the same thing we do.

The 3/4/5 star reception was from 7 to 8pm and I am sure it took a while to clear the deck of chairs so I would guess that process probably started around 5:30pm but don't know for sure as we were at dinner at that time.

That was the first time since we became 4 star back around 2015 that 3 star have been invited to the reception. Maybe they were included to encourage them to keep sailing on HAL. It was a large group so they used the entire Lido pool area. I would guess about 250 to 300 total guests.

We did not do an excursion in St Thomas - I walked into town and my DF stayed on the ship. Don't know the number on the ship but it is rather full but not completely as the cabin next to ours is empty. As for the Sea View pool we have not been out there much - we only have about 8 kids on the ship so that is not an issue - chair hogs still exist and I have not noticed the crew members around the Lido Pool removing any thing.

This same movie is showing in the Lido Pool big screen on the Rotterdam tonight in the Caribbean

The World stage shows are not at 8 and 10pm. Last night was a comedian and the 8pm show was more than full and the 10pm show was about 80%. To night was the Step One Dancers Tandem show - we arrived at 7:20. The door were not yet open and guests were lined up waiting to get in out to the casino. By 7:40 the theater was about 80% and by show time there were about 15 open seats. We were in St Thomas today. I have included a photo of the sign with the taxi rates to the various locations along with the daily program for Jan 18 and also a sign posted as you entry the Sea View pool area.

This evening at 7pm at the Lido Pool the ship had a reception for all 3/4/5 Star Mariners with red/white wine and sparkling wine with all the officers in attendance and mingling with the guests. Very nice event that lasted about 45 minutes. Here is the program for Jan 17 - St Thomas

Today we were at HMC - the temperature at 9am was 68 with a 20 mph wind so we decided to stay on the ship and from the crowd on board it looked like probably half the guests did the same. The sea view pool area was also very empty because of temperature and wind. They are showing the NFL playoff games on the TVs in the cabins and the 1pm and 8 pm games were on the big screen at the lido pool. One thing I noticed today at the Dive in today was that they had premade Highdive burgers and fries available for pickup without ordering. Also in the gym they have a bottle filling station for water bottles. My wife was talking to another guest today and guest services is not charging $2 for the sea calm pills that have always been free in the past and as recently as November on the NA. Tonight at 7pm at the lido pool was the Captains welcome toast and wine was available for free. Also the 4 and 5 star Mariners reception that is often held on embarkation day is scheduled for tomorrow (first sea day) at 7pm at the lido pool area. Here is the daily program for Monday, Jan 16.

We are currently on the Rotterdam. All 3 of today's games are on your cabin TV and the early and late games are on the big screen by the lido pool.

In March of 2022 we were delayed in arriving back in FLL because of a medical emergency (not related to us personally) The ship late arrival resulted in us missing the flight departure. I rebooked the flight for the next day and stayed in FLL overnight. Our travel insurance paid for the hotel without any question.

We are on the Eurodam for the Panama Canal but they are correct the current stock authorization is only good for cruises through I think some time in July. We need to wait until after the corporate meeting in the spring and they should then authorize the benefit through the summer of 2024.

The order of the ports is different for the Jan 14 cruise than for the Feb 4th. Feb 5th and 6th are sea day. For this cruise Jan 15 is HMC although it is 68 degrees and 20 mph winds so will probably not go ashore and tomorrow is a sea day.