prescottbob

Funny. Awaiting the “New Experience”. Be well. Bob

Yup Jan, BTW, how you and Chris doing? We’ve noted since the HIA promos, post-COVID changes, & off-shore CS phone banking that HAL can be a challenge regarding dinning bookings, excursions (included in the HIA promos) &, I might add, difficulties with prior reservations & OBC’s. So it goes, I suppose, I’m certainly have no expertise computer- wise, but to me the HAL software ( or whatever it’s called these days) doesn’t seem to be so consumer friendly. Definitely needs improvement, to say the least. Although dealing with CS in any realm these days (e.g, problems with banking, computer, phone, utilities, etc.) is a an ongoing challenge, as it were. We’re tending to do more smaller river / ocean cruises, land tours or just renting a car. We’re working on later 2025 at this point. Be well and, of course, safe travels. Loves & Hugs to you and Chris. Bob & Judy

Yup, I just email numbers & pins to TA. Also print out hard copy of purchases for my “cruise folder” (just in case of any problems: in past cruises paperwork was, indeed useful at the CS desk). Thus far, all works for us. Then again, any sort of OBC, excursion, dining reservation, etc. I also print out. I know, I’m just an old school & keep such confirmations in three ringer binder for a particular cruise adventure. How old, no? Works for me/us. Bon Voyage and Be Well! Bob

Ahoy ! If it’s ’s a concern, whether it be a drink pricing, surcharge of some sort ,or spa deal that you may have a query, just ask the server/bartender/ representative . No biggie. You’ll find that the HAL staff, and other cruise lines for that matter, will not have any sort of issues asking regarding pricing of any items. Hey, it’s your cruise! Enjoy & Be well. Bob .

I’ve mentioned this several times on various roll calls. Some folks included their names, addresses and phone numbers for tours and such on their postings. Not a good idea. Many of the spread sheets, with good intentions mind you, have full names & other contact information and, of course the roll call will give any potential thief the dates you will “not be home”. Unlisted numbers, home security systems, good neighbors and such always help but a serious thief is going to figure out via the net your residence. So, as far as I’m concerned, keeping a minimal to none social media ‘footprint’ is a must. JMHO. Enough said. Be well & safe travels. Bob

Regarding booking the Morimoto "pop up", we were able to book on the HAL web site for both an April cruise on the Koningsdam and one for a June Alaskan cruise on the Westerdam last week. We always enjoy any "pop-ups", mystery nights, chef's Table dinners and such. Oner eally needs to eyeball announcements, the daily newsletter and chatting with the dining room managers and waiters regarding any upcoming special meals that have yet to be formally announced in order to get in 'on the action' and before the dinners get sold out. The menu looks great. Thanks for posting. Enjoy! Safe Travels and Be Well! Bob

Black smoke still being emitted? Fossil fuels? Goodness😀 Hmm…

Regarding the perception that using gift cards are useless / lost $ if one needs to cancel / interrupt their cruises (after final payment date) if using the AARP cards to make payments towards a cruise I received this from Steve D., the Insurance Guy: "I can't speak for all companies, but all my plans will reimburse your prepaid non-refundable trip costs if you are cancelling or interrupting your trip for a covered reason. However, if the cruise line is giving you your money back to the gift card, then there's no financial loss that needs reimbursing." Steve. We often self-insure but, on some trips, i.e., Africa, Asia, we do get a minimal travel policy that covers the medical transport & medical which is our priority at this point in our life's. Last time we needed to use some travel insurance was during COVID travel (2022). The cruise line, Viking River in that case, reimbursed us for the unused days on one cruise and insurance took care of the 5-day isolation in Paris, etc. when one of us tested positive. I realize one isn't allowed to recommend businesses on the CC board, but I would look at the Insurance Man subject line (3rd one down) on the forum main page and ask a specific question or just call Steve. He'll be glad to answer your queries without any sort of sales pressure. Be well &Safe travels. Bob

Reply from HAL ( thru our TA) regarding credit for already booked cruises: “This is only for new bookings made as of yesterday so we would not be able to do this for them. There are no exceptions to the start of the program date. It’s effective from bookings made from July 24th onwards.” And so it goes… Be well & Safe travels, Bob

I‘’be been using the AARP (only reason I joined really) for the gift card discount to pay for past & some upcoming HAL cruises. If one needs to cancel due to change in plan, illness, etc. prior to final payment date the amount of the gift card used for cruise payment, tours, etc. is re-credited back to the card only & can be re- used for future bookings, etc. After the final payment date & if cancellation is needed I would assume you’d need to purchase a cancel policy. That’s one question I did not ask many moons ago but I would think cruise payment, regardless of source, e.g. credit cards, gift cards (although they say no cash value but maybe able to re- charge the card?) Good question for the “travel insurance” guy. Anyhow, I would suggest printing out the cards, or at the very least, writing down the card numbers and pins, and placing in your “HAL” cruise folder. The gift card accounting folks are always helpful with any questions you might have. BTW, the AARP purchased cards have no expiration date. And if just purchasing for on-board expenses I’d take a copy of the card(s) even if they’d been processed. But that’s just me ( I do likewise with pre- cruise purchases, dining reservations, etc.) The HAL gift card info #: 1 800 855 501 4161, press 4 for the accounting / card question folks. Be well & Safe travels. Bob

Aloha, We noted, also, on the “Grand” Africa was, well, not so “Grand” for a variety of reasons from past experiences / HAL “Grand”voyages. I sort of chalked it up to the post Covid stuff, I. e., rehires, food chain deliveries & Seattle / ship / port coordinations. Too bad in some cases, especially regarding fresh produce. We’ll be keeping our attentions’ to your wonderful blog & other postings. And, of course, communications from our cruising friends prior to making any further reservations with HAL (and other lines BTW) for longer voyages. Be well & continuing safe travels. Bob

https://www.fredolsencruises.com/cruise/world-cruise-s2402

Hola! On Fall cruise 2022, the following: 1. Pizza station at the lido during lunch period ( no specific pizza faculty on the aft area at that time). 2. Likewise, the ice cream station was always busy during the lunch period at the Lido, but was certainly available in the MDR and room service orders. Perhaps things have changed. Super Secret: it seems pistachio ice cream / gelato was primarily available in the Canaletto venue. 3. I can’t address milkshakes primarily, but I would think it would be available. Whether or not it’s included in your specific package, should not really be a major concern. Have a great cruise! Be well. Bob

Just my two cents. PG lunches are a bargain regardless of your star status. From my past cruises, reservations have never been an issue. But then again, we enjoy longer cruises. Now that you bring it up, it’s one of our traditions to book a PG lunch the day prior to disembarkation. Lot’s of folks are busy with packing and such and I think it’s a great time to enjoy a wonderful, slow lunch with either just yourselves or join with friends to enjoy a “fun farewell” meal versus a seemingly rushed “final night” dinner venue, as it were. JMO. Regardless, have fun and enjoy. Be well. Bob

We boarded the “Z” 1 October for 80 days and had a new tv already installed ( deck 3, lower prom, aft accessible). It was an RCA/Roku similar to TV depicted. It had two available HDMI ports and a RCA three wire import ports. The remote was a Roku ( which we use at home that had volume, channel change, etc,) and hooking a small laptop or DVD player ( for pic sorting, viewing DVD’s we’d brought, etc.) was not an issue. The Navigator app on the TV menu did’t seem to work too well at the time but the app on the I-phones and pads (and laptop) it worked fine for accounting, menus, various reservations, etc. Be well. Bob

Hey Ted, Tongs and Spoons in the Zaandam Lido since boarding 1 October for baked goods, meat platters, cut up fruit, etc. My only ‘beef’ is the lack of long tongs for items that require ‘a reach’ under the sneeze guards (the old arm scrape with exfoliating dermal cells landing on the forward platters). That’s been an issue for me for years (lots of comment cards over the years with Public Health/ Sanitation concerns) for HAL and other cruise lines with little changes noted. And so it goes… Be well and enjoy the cruise. Bob and Judy

Lots of folks bring school supplies for the village school and there has never been an evident shortage of such items during prior visits. We usually bring a bag of balloons, deflated plastic beach balls and, of course, our signature item, plastic Groucho glasses. Have fun! Be well. Bob

Our fav HAL ship also. Only spent 80 days plus on ‘her’ that included ‘her’ last month with HAL. We just saw ‘her’ docked in Montreal 29/30 Sept. methinks date wise prior to boarding the Zaandam. Now re-named the Avera, by the current owner, she looked fabulous, at least exterior- wise. Looking at interior pictures from various sources ‘she’ looks even better inside. We hope to do a cruise on ‘her’ again if we can. HAL really lost a gem when ‘she’ was sold off IMHO. Be well. Bob

Kathi intuition is correct. No DVD library anymore. So if interested in viewing, bring some along. Our cabin happens to have a new RCA/ROKU TV that appears to have been recently installed (Lower Prom). It had 2 HDMI inputs and a RCA input. The DVD player was non-functional so when in Quebec (pre- GA cruise) I walked to the local WalMart and picked up a $30 small Protec DVD player. Works fine with the DVD’s we brought for sea days and such. We also have a small player that plugs into our small laptop that HDMI ‘s into the TV but reduced volume ( going thru computer first) called for the purchase. Hope this helps the DVD query poster. Be well. Bob

Scuttlebutt is 15 confirmed/ positive passenger cases. 15 positive cases / by 1023 passengers= 1.3%. Hopefully a mathematician will check me 😀. Day 7 of the mandatory masking coming up. We’ll see…. Be well. Bob

Currently on Zaandam for Grand Africa that departed 10 Oct. Mandatory masking for 7 days. Covid test required / prior infection exemption letter required at embarkation. Covid testing for all ( antigen) done today 14 Oct., for all pax and crew pretty much. Further masking requirements to be announced on Day 7, or so goes the scuttle-but. Be well. Bob

Medal(s) weight(s) should always be considered on luggage weight limits for domestic flights. Enough said. Be well. Bob

Peter, The tails and white vest is a must (last worn on the ‘20WC), prior use equals a local ball and a Cunard crossing (where some smart guy thought I was a maitre de). I didn’t pack for the upcoming adventure since another HAL word salad is in the making, I.e., gala versus dressy versus formal. I get confused so easily anymore.😀😀. Be well. Bob & Judy

I guess my point, as expressed by prior postings, is that a tux these days is pretty inexpensive to purchase versus renting, if so inclined. Being a dinosaur of sorts, I enjoy a tux / dressing up, for whatever they’re calling formal nights these days. As someone once said, whatever “floats your boat”. Regardless, Be Well! Bob

If interested, I’ve used this outfit for tux stuff, e.g. new slacks, tails, dinner coats, cummerbunds, accessories, etc. in the past and was always satisfied with the quality and pricing. True, formal wear is “dying or evolving” most everywhere, or so it seems. Not for me. Weight- wise, not much difference with that silk stripe on a pair of dress slacks or lapels on a dress / sport jacket. Shirts and cummerbund, well, no biggie. https://www.uniformalwearhouse.com/mens_notch_tuxedos Be well. Bob