Mary Ellen

Unless one counts the numerous ferry trips across Puget Sound, the Virginia V boat I took to/from camp on Vashon Island each summer or the Princess Margarette that sailed between Seattle and Victoria.... Our first cruise was on the Prinsendam (I) in Sept 1980. That was her last completed sailing.

 

Now, DH had crossed the Atlantic and Pacific a total of 5x as a child, but I doubt he knows the names of those Army transport ships. He did actually sail on the cruise ship s.s. Lureline when his dad was transfered to Hawaii. That he remembers, as he (about 8-yrs old) ordered beef bouillon at dinner the first night and was quite surprised about what he was served. :rolleyes:

 

I can't say DH had an instant addiction until we sailed on the Prinsendam. :D

I have sailed only once on a ship with open sitting, and I was fortunate enough to get the traditional dining I requested when I booked 15 months earlier. Others at my table were not so fortunate and had to fight to get there.

One out of one does not mean much to me.

Especially since some passengers on that same cruise, who were confirmed for 'traditional' seating in their cruise docs, only to arrive on board to discover they had been assigned to the 'open' seating. The explanation: "We thought you'd like to try something different." If we ever have that experience, my response will be 'Gosh, I do believe you're correct. Do you have any brochures for Celebrity so we can pick our next cruise?'

 

Our upcoming cruise was booked over a year in advance. It was only at final payment that we cleared the waitlist for our desired traditional seating.

 

I have NO problem with others having the option of 'open' seating, if they so desire - as long as we can have OUR choice, traditional.

We recently returned from a South America/Antarctic cruise on the Rotterdam. A couple on board had two young women (20/30-ish??) with them who would sign the commentary and lecturers talks in the lounge. We didn't know if they were family members, HAL, or hired. They dressed all in black when signing and traded off every 15-min or so. I'm sure they made the cruise MUCH more enjoyable for the couple they signed for. I'd hate to go on such a cruise and miss the information about what we were seeing/experiencing.

I'm sorry mancunian feels that my being able to stress any point is unnecessary. To me is was necessary and I certainly wasn't telling you off. There is a reason the CC has made it very easy to use bold, underline and italics and it most certainly isn't to tell anyone off. We've been cruising since 1980 and never was definitely something I wanted to stress. We've also never had to request a table change but wouldn't hesitate a moment to do if the need arose.

 

I also feel my points of view are as valid as anyone else. I NEVER (I hope that is ok) said you were wrong. I expressed my (insert stress here) viewpoint.

 

Yes, HAL does do surveys of passengers, not just the end of cruise comment cards.

 

Also, this thread about the open/AYW seating started over 6 months ago in June, 2006. If your TA didn't tell you about the availability when you booked your cruise several months ago...... However, my point was that even on a 16-day cruise, traditional is so popular that it is closed. It is not an option for those who'd want it. That would be deal breaker for us.

On the question of long and short cruises I would have thought it was the people on the longer cruises that would prefer open sitting not wishing to be stuck with the same people for a long time but preferring to make friends and then elect to sit with them on open sitting.

This doesn't appear to be the case. Checking HAL's Grand Voyages, only the 'Traditional' seating is offered. 'Open Seating' isn't listed as an option. I'm sure HAL knows what their long cruise passengers want. There are a number of passengers who have done multiple RTW cruises.

 

We wanted a table for 2 on our first cruise, very apprehensive about dining with 'strangers'. Thankfully, our TA talked us into a large table. We loved it and have never looked back.

 

Even checking on your upcoming 16-day cruise, only 'open' is still available. One can't even waitlist for traditional. Obviously, even at 16-days, the 'traditional' was VERY popular.

 

We've always had wonderful tablemates and have never felt "stuck" at dinner. It has only been at the open breakfast and lunch seatings we've felt "stuck" with less than desirable tablemates. Who knows, if we'd had more meals with them we could have liked them.

On the last evening I observed at least half of the passengers giving envelopes to their waiters/ assistants/ and wine, etc. servers.

I'm not sure if there is a question here. Yes, HAL had to go to the service charge a few years ago because too many passengers took the "No Tipping Required" policy to be "no tipping". No one was forced to tip nor were envelopes passed out with names and 'suggested' amounts. Yes, passengers 'should' have tipped, but .......

 

And yes, we still give 'extra' to our wonderful waiters/assistants. Is something wrong with that????

Mary Ellen - the tour you will go on to see the rock hoppers is just up from Kidney cove, Febuary is a brilliant time to view Rockhoppers, their chicks will have hatched and you should get some great photo's! Rockhopprs are funny to watch, they are bad tempered little so & so's and are always arguing with each other! Its a great excursion :D

Samantha - Thank you VERY much for the information!

We've signed up for a shore ex for Stanley (4 Feb on Rotterdam). HAL doesn't say exactly where we'll go by name:

The funniest members of the incredibly comedic penguin world are undoubtly the Rockhopper penguins in the natural enviroment. Due to brand new construction, this is the very forst year that visitors to the Falklands have had the chance to view thse comical penguins, rarely found in other locations.

---snip---

This tour will travel by minibus .... , then change to 4x4 transportaion at Murrell Farm. From here, an experienced overland driver/guide will navigate the terrain to the Rockhopper penguin colony where wardens will be on hand to offer information and assistance.

Is this one of the places you've mentioned and worth doing??

 

Many, many thanks for ALL the help you've provided here -

I want to add our thanks for taking us 'along' on your cruise. I've been 'cutting & pasting' your reports into a Word doc for DH to read at his convenience. It is now 123 pages - and that is just your reports and maybe a handful of CC'er comments/questions that he would also enjoy.

 

Many, many thanks - Mary Ellen & Karl

OK, that makes sense. But still, there's a funny mental image of an airplane with one wing holding a large stein of beer. :D

As long as it isn't the pilot - or any of the crew! :eek:

HI,

Please email me name of CSI--

I 'think' what you are asking for is the name of the TA WCB used, often abbreviated as CSI. You'll often see their ad at the top of the HAL forum. They have been advertising the 'sneak peek' of the Cunard Queen Victoria. They are Cruise Specialists Inc. - just click on that ad (there are others who also advertise, make sure it is CSI's ad).

For piracy, the Straights of Malacca (in your current area) is tops. :rolleyes: I've seen maps showing the numbers for piracy, no place comes close to that area around Indonesia and Singapore. In the past, pirates have targeted cargo and private yachts (which is probably what they thought the Seabourn ship was), but HAL is certainly wise to protect their passengers/crew/ship.

We've been immensely enjoying your daily reports! I haven't wanted to reply since the beginning, as I don't want to take up your $$$ internet minutes. But I imagine kudos are always appreciated.

 

DH and I are LOVING sailing vicariously with you on the WC.

Another 'Thank You' for allowing all of us to vicariously live/sail along with you on your wonderful journey. Bon Voyage!

Do you really think Barry Maniow in stiletto heels will be quiet while being eaten by an alligator?

Don't worry, we probably won't be able to hear Barry over the gas powered scooter that Ziggy7's DH is bringing.

Hubby wants to know if he can bring his gas powered scooter, he says when a man's on vacation he shouldnt have to walk over 50 feet to get to his food !

Help!!! I am running out of room. ...snip... We sleep in the hall on the floor.

Nah - tthat's one of the advantages of the chain saw. Just carve some space out of the cabin next door. After all, it IS your vacation. You deserve it.

We'll bring the marshmallows and graham crackers. I'm sure we can swipe some chocolate off the buffet for s'mores over the fire. DH can bring his 12-string to add to the ‘musical ensemble’ we’ve been amassing.

 

I’m glad ger 77 brought up the fishing gear. I was wondering when it was going to be mentioned. For Alaska and NE cruises will also need crab and lobster pots.