3rdGenCunarder

I have taken an "up" elevator to go down a few times. But I prefer to shrug apologetically rather than yell at people. I've had the angry "Elevator is full" yelled at me too many times, so I can't bring myself to do it to others. I hate that system. Depending on where the check-in desk is, that can be a long drag. And IIRC, it was over a carpeted area, much harder to roll luggage than on a smooth floor.

Ohh, Stavanger. It's so lovely. We wandered the town and also went to the sardine museum--one of the best museum guides I've ever met. And Flam! another great port. If you have time, visit the museum about the building of the railway. It has excellent insights into the work that went into it. And I recall really good souvenirs, too. I hope the seas aren't too strong tonight. Are the grandkids impressed with where you're going?

From the way it appears to dissipate, I'd say it's steam. Sure hope so!

I like the Vista class. I've been on 3 of HAL's 4, plus Cunard's QE (my current favorite ship), and I'm trying QV this fall. I love the spa hydropool on the Vistas. That's the only amenity I find lacking on the R class ships.

Orange night is just a party. They encourage people to wear orange. It was in BB King's on my Jan Eurodam cruise. I didn't go because it's always crowded and very noisy in there. People at my table reported the next night that there were supposed to be some special treats but they didn't get any.

That's what I did. The only NS flight for me was impossibly early, maybe 8 AM, so I had no choice. I stayed at the airport hotel for convenience, but I could have stayed for much less a short cab ride away. I took a taxi to the hotel--this was a Cunard cruise, so I had an extra bag for the "posh frocks," no way I could manage on skytrain. I checked in at the hotel, and then went exploring two lovely botanical gardens, all easy to do by public transportation. I agree with @Copper10-8 that the clearance for the US CBP was easy. It was nice to land at Newark and not have to go through it there.

That's what I do. The Pan Pacific is a splurge (there are less expensive hotels not too far away from the port), but I love having my luggage taken from my hotel room direct to the ship.

I don't need those loud, silly bells and whistles, either. My last cruise to Bermuda was more than 10 years ago, when Veendam was sailing out of NYC. It was my fourth or fifth to Bermuda, always docking on Front Street, and sometimes also in St Georges. I have no wish to be docked way out of town with the megas.

No, just the previous Eurodam one, which I'm pleased to have because it's more like the others I have. I'm not sure the 150th ones were on any of the ships in January.

I am so glad to hear that! When a cruise starts off as badly as yours did, it makes you more likely to react and be annoyed by little things that would otherwise shrug off with "ship happens." So enjoy YOUR cabin!!!! and the rest of your cruise.

It might be the stewards. I was in an aft veranda and I got chocolates most nights, and a towel animal on dressy nights. I always tip cabin stewards. When he found a Eurodam tile for me after the ship sent out the letter that said tiles were suspended, his tip got bigger.

I was on Eurodam in January, and I agree, happy ship. The cabin stewards worked long days, but always had a smile and "Good morning/evening. How are you?" I've never had smoke smell blow down onto an aft balcony, but I agree about the Lido Market. There are two doors between the Seaview bar area and the Lido market. That creates a sort of air lock to block the smoke. But one set of doors was usually propped open, and when the other doors opened, the smoke smell blew in.

I haven't tried the Mariner Cocktail because I think it's criminal to dilute champagne or any sparkling wine with sparkling water. Hard liquor, sure, but fizz should not be "stretched" with water. Rum punch is my usual starter. I don't think it's Pusser's rum, but it's a good start to a cruise. Sometimes a daiquiri is my first drink. Are any of the Tamarind drinks were available in other bars? The cucumber mojito was divine.

The Susan B Anthony dollar coin was perceived as a design failure. It looked way too close to a quarter. That said, my elderly grandmother could pick out the Susan B from a bunch of quarters, just by feel. The trick to having fewer coins in your pocket is to remember to spend them, not just drop them into purse or pocket. I'm inclined to toss coins into my purse, and eventually dump them out. I'm always delighted when I dump out the change when I'm in Canada or the UK and discover that much of the pile is 1 or 2 dollar/pound coins.

Or 5 other people could be watching your choice of entertainment.

1. Did she say what the abuse was? That sounds strange. 2. It isn't a hassle. It's one call to HAL. My TA did it quickly and easily. I bet he didn't know what it is or how to get it.

I think most countries that successfully made a change from paper to coin discontinued the paper so people had no choice. As long as we print dollar bills, people won't want the coins.

So am I, but I wouldn't try it now.

It's a balance. Do you make a fuss and sustain the aggravation, or do you let it go for the sake of your blood pressure. I would not have wanted to be in the cabana with a noisy crowded group there. A "retreat" is not a playground. I might have tried a few times more before giving up. And then what? Definitely complain. But how often do you want to go to the front desk to fight the good fight? At some point you have to let go, if only to salvage your vacation and not upset yourself. It isn't fair to have your vacation impacted because some people are rude and inconsiderate. Nobody has the right to flaunt the rules and interfere with another passenger's enjoyment of a vacation. But, sadly, some do.

I did a similar upgrade on Zaandam. This is a rare time solos get a good deal. The upgrade from lowest Vista to highest Vista for a 2-week cruise would have been almost $3000 because my fare would be for two people. But I only had to pay for CO for me, and that cost $350 IIRC.

Thanks for being a brave guinea pig! I'm used to cruise lines that have an "already booked" page where you can see your booking, update information, etc. Because AQV doesn't do that, I forgot to enter personal details. They sent a reminder to my TA who forwarded it to me. Their electronic "letterhead" was still for Victory cruise line. Ummm, shouldn't they know that their own name has changed?????

I think It's getting close to time for you to leave for this cruise. I hope the cruise turns out to be better than the planning. Please come back and share your experience. And have a wonderful time!!!

When I heard 500 kids, I wondered about capacity and safety. How many triples and quads does HAL have? The kids sail free only if they're 3rd or 4th passengers in a cabin, so I doubt there were many bookings with one adult and one kid. Never gonna happen. They won't enforce the chair hogging rules. No way is some crew member going to face the wrath of a parent who is told his/her precious perfect darling is doing something unacceptable. HAL would need to increase security staffing.

DH and I used to joke about "cream of yesterday's vegetable" soup. As long as it hasn't gone out of the kitchen on a plate or to buffet station, excess food should be considered usable for some other dish.

Oh, I can just see that! The list also had the usual turn off cell phone and please unwrap candies. I saw nathan Lane in a play last month, and he broke character to call out two people in the FRONT ROW who were eating peanuts out of a very crinkly noisy bag. "I'm sorry, I just can't take this any more. Do you know how distracting that is? And my God, that bag must be from Costco!" And he went on from there. As he went back to his position, he got quite a round of applause. Later, but not when Lane was onstage, the woman had her cell phone on. What is WRONG with some people????