Harry1954

There's a free shuttle to the zoo that meets near the 4th and G visitor center. We went to the zoo in May and were very impressed. It's been about 15 years since the last time we were there and it has improved greatly. The enclosures are much larger than before and look quite natural. There is quite a bit of signage about the animals in general and also about a life history of each animal.

 

The museum is another place that is quite special. It's about a half-mile walk from the Egan Center.

We took the free shuttle last summer and had a great time at the zoo. Lots of fun for several hours.

harry

Cruise lines are a business. Sometimes a situation arises where an opportunity to do something good for the stockholder occurs ... assuredly the powers to be would weigh the impact on their consumers and then act prudently. This is probably one of those cases. We have known for years that Prinsendam was the ugly duckling of the fleet .. but we loved it and went on it often, knowing it would be pulled some day. Sorry you were affected, but it was not without warning for years.

harry

We have been thru that area several times and as previously mentioned in this thread, there are ample precautions taken. One year (WC 2013) the captain had us out in the halls as he turned up the speed to about the max and maneuvered the ship to practice avoiding would be threats. I suspect he was testing out the maneuverability of the ship as he didn't do it the last two times we went thru there.

One time there was a French Frigate that had radar-defeating sides and lots of guns - very reassuring.

harry

I wish ... gotta work to save up for next WC. When and where so I can tune in as I have in the past.

harry

Additional to what has been stated, if you view the excursions HAL offers and then the reviews, it will give you an idea of the types of activities that have been well received and those that are lousy.

harry

New Zealand segment with as many ports as possible is the most exciting of all the places we have been. There is such a variety that you feel as though you have been around the world.

harry

They are very generous in what they deliver. Order for fewer people than you expect to be NIBBLING AND You will still have plenty of food.

That is absolutely correct ... when we ordered for eight people, we got enough to feed 5000. We have learned to specify amounts of each type. If you are specific, the Concierge will in almost every case see that your wises are met - we have been very happy over the years with the results.

harry

If you buy two packages, one in each person's name on the cabin role, you then could have two accounts to use at the same time. On long voyages when a spiff is given to sign up early that provides a block of free internet for each person in the cabin, they actually have to create separate accounts in order to use up the minutes.

harry

The World Cruise for next year in 2019 initially had Bermuda as the last stop on the return side of the 113 day cruise after crossing the Atlantic from Europe. We were excited about this as we had not been to Bermuda before, even though in my youth I worked in NYC and folks use to weekend in Bermuda - those that could afford it - but not I.

Earlier this year, we got word that they had replaced Bermuda with one more stop in Ireland before crossing Atlantic directly to Ft Lauderdale ending the cruise. No explanation was given which peeved many folks who were signed up for WC2019. Speculation was that the port charges were high and that was a reason but that was only hearsay.

harry

This is a wonderful move ... glad to see some positive steps being taken to improve the activities. Let's hope it pans out as advertised.

harry

I’m curious if everyone hit with the Cruise Cough is over theirs. I’m still coughing as is my husband. My doc has one theory. Need to know if others still affected.

 

 

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Yep, DW is still coughing .. no fever etc .. just a hacking cough.

harry

My impression is that the World cruise is not a good example of what is happening. Most cruise lines have a fairly small set of shows that the cast does. I was on the Crystal World Cruise this year and they handled things a bit differently, putting on pretty much the same 5 or so shows on every segment, perhaps 5 or 6 times each. My HAL segment was in 2014 and the cast put on only 1 it 2 shows and my guess is that over the 120 days of the full cruise they do each cruise once or twice, making their appearances fairly rare. On a 2-week cruise they would probably do pretty much the same shows they do in 4 months of a world cruise.

 

Roy

Yes, that is Crystal .. we did about 20 cruises some years ago with Crystal and we saw the same shows over and over - but they were 1st class, so we didn't mind it so much.

harry

I can only comment that indeed on WC2018 there were very few singers/dancer performances - to the extent that we really noticed it. Further, the show is 45 minutes.

So many of the individual acts are boring IMHO and hence we either go for a few minutes and leave or just skip it. We are seriously contemplating returning to either Regent or Crystal. We left them because we were getting better value for the dollar with HAL from 2006-2015 ... since then it seems they are slipping into mediocrity.

harry

We have completed about 20+ cruises with HAL including 4 world cruises and they have been wonderful in handling my wife's severe food allergies (we have to carry epipen, so it is serious). They provide menu the night before the next dinner so she can indicate what she wants to have. The food is prepared at a special station which we have seen in Kitchen tour. Our area manager and our waiters are tuned in, so everyone does a great job in making her feel relaxed at dinner.

When the menu appears to have too much that is possibly a challenge to overcome, she either eats the salmon or stead they have everyday or we go to Pinnacle or Canaletto or Lido.

Just let everyone know of the specifics once onboard. While we always comply with the requests to provide information in advance, it is prudent to visit the various venues for dining and speak with the person in charge.

Also, when going on all day excursions with HAL, make sure to contact Shore Excursions on the ship a couple of days before the excursion. They will inform the shore-side folks and that should help a lot.

harry

As many of you are aware, I am a Chaplain for over 21 years on HAL. I have never done thw World Cruise. I know that the January after he retired as Archbishop of Seattle. Archbishop Alexander Bruntte was Chaplain for the world cruise.

... and we have sailed together before!

I was on WC2011 with the archbishop ... he indicated he was the pastor of the church that the CEO of HAL went to at the time and that he was retiring ... he intimated this was a retirement present of sorts ...

I was also on the 2017 Grand Med with the priest from NYC about whom Hank was referring in his post. This priest was not a parish priest but was quite an experienced priest-business man having served on many boards and was the CEO of a large non-profit. He had indicated to all of us that he was able to do just what Hank mentioned earlier in this thread.

Lastly, on WC2016, the priest who, like all of the other priests we have experienced, was a wonderful and dynamic person. He described the experience of being chosen for that WC exactly as Fr Roman described.

Bottomline: while this is merely conjecture based on hearsay of what several priests have described, I believe that most cases are vetted via the wonderful organization of Apostleship of the Sea ... BUT ... if there are special cases, it seems prudent for them to decide to give a little and they must have ..

harry

It is my understanding that the wine stewards get a commission from wine sales, but the corkage fee is split amongst all of them. However, if you don't pay a corkage fee, I trust/hope you will tip your wine stewards well.

harry

We did the AK 14 day 2 years ago with our daughter/husband and two grandchildren ages 8 and 10 .. the kids loved Club HAL and couldn't wait to go each day. They loved dressing up for Gala nights too. We will do it again with other children/grandkids

have fun

harry

We have carried epipens for years on HAL with zero issues.

harry

There was a corkage fee desk at start of World Cruise in Ft Lauderdale in January 2018. Before they let me check in, they confiscated my three cases of wine, charged me corkage fees, indicating they would send wine to my cabin. When the wine did not show up in my cabin that afternoon, I demanded to know where it was. I was informed that I needed to pay corkage fees and the wines would not be released to me until I did so. I indicated I had already paid same and they required proof. So I gave them the receipt for the 3 cases. My wine magically showed up in about 20 minutes. It was frustrating and stressful. Not how it should have worked.

So be prepared.

harry

Any news about verandah bathrooms?

Suites are getting shower only replacing the old bathtub/shower como

harry

Tip: Any bottles that you pay corkage on but end up consuming in your cabin anyway (assuming you go through your 2 free bottles and get into your corkage stash), bring the sticker to your wine steward anyway - they get a percentage of the fee when turning the stickers in and they sure appreciate it! :)

interesting .. didn't know that .. glad you mentioned it.

harry

We were fortunate enough to land the day we were there .. we took HAL excursion and it was great! No matter how you get there, you must go to see them as it is quite awesome.

harry

Thanks for the tips about the taxes. We will talk to our accountant about it when we see him in the next couple months.

 

As far as clothing goes, we figured on 3 weeks worth of clothes and using the laundry, like you mentioned.

 

BTW, do you know anything about the visas necessary?

Most if not all (except Australia) may be handled thru HAL - no fuss, no muss. However, if you go on your own off ship for multiple days, you may have to do something else.

harry

I am with you .. DW and I have been to the temple at the foot of that volcano and are scheduled to visit it again on WC18, but this may change plans. Several of the HAL staff are from that area and we too have been concerned for their safety and that of their families.

harry

Regarding tax extension, each time we did a WC we have had our CPAs estimate the tax due in April and we prepay a 'safe harbor' amount prior to leaving for the trip. This is the big issue one must strive to resolve so that when they finally file tax return, they don't pay a penalty for late payment.Upon return we then have the CPAs prepare our tax return. No big deal there.

The other item is that we alway pack for a three week cruise as laundry is what resolves the need for clean clothes - and the ship does a great job with both regular clothes and dry cleaning.

Looking forward to sailing with you on WC 2019 - we are excited about the itinerary.

harry