mbiggers

8 hours ago, What A Market said:

Boy, that’s a new one for me.  I don’t think there is a special hotspot for this. Each room is given the ability to create a log on to the ship’s Wi-Fi. There is an upgrade (cost) for higher speed for streaming.  I’m using ship’s basic Wi-Fi package. Seems ok mostly for posting (including photos) to Cruise Critic, getting to my office emails, and reading online stories like google news.

So, you're not a pedicure person.  Maybe Mrs. What a Market is familiar with them. The spa chairs for pedicures are large chairs that look like theater seats with a basin attached in front to soak your toes.  They have a faucet and a drain, so the nail person fills it up and then drains it when finished.  The problem with them for me is that bacteria grows down inside the drain, so even if they wash them out, they aren't really clean.  I only go to places that have basins.  Thanks for your respone.

Hi What a Market and DW, I have a weird question about the spa. Do they use the big spa chairs for pedicures or portable basins? I’d like to schedule a pedicure but don’t trust the sanitation of the spa chairs. 
Thanks!

Michele

Thanks for replying everyone! I appreciate our Diamond + benefits, but I like sleeping more, so we’ll be sticking with Oceania and HAL for now.

After about 35 cruises on RCCL I decided a few years ago that the foam mattresses were too uncomfortable and I wouldn't be cruising on their ships any more.  I'm thinking maybe it's time to try them again. Have the beds been replaced with proper mattresses by now?

Thanks,

Michele

The bigger point I was trying to make was the provision (and billing) of unnecessary medications. On a previous Riviera cruise a friend was billed almost $20,000 for IV antibiotics for a respiratory virus, so this policy does not appear to be an isolated event. 

Just disembarked from the 26 day Marina TA. We were told to immediately contact the medical department if any cold symptoms appeared.  A few days ago I woke up with congestion and a sore throat so I called. A tech came up and did a PCR test.  An hour later they called and said to come down and see the doctor. He did a 2 minute exam and said “We treat these Upper Respiratory Infections very aggressively.  I’m giving you an antibiotic, an antiviral, and something for the symptoms which you can take IV or by pill.”  The antiviral was Tamiflu (over $400).  I declined an IV and fled back to our cabin. The paperwork he provided lists the diagnosis as “Common Cold” and the visit as non-emergency. The total bill was almost $900!  Neither Tamiflu nor Azithromycin works to treat a cold.  I am seriously questioning the medical ethics of their provider, and I am angry with myself for not refusing the medications.  
Michele

West Coast Sue, shopping seemed pretty normal except the 4 star Mariner discount on Logo merchandise isn't available because they have a new supplier and haven't negotiated the discount (?).

After my previous rant I'm happy to report that the MDR service improved on day 5. We actually had appetizers at 30 minutes instead of begging for bread and water! I hope that the first 4 days were just the staff getting back into their jobs.

We disembarked this morning.  They are not giving final statements any more.  We had the "Have It All" package and kept track of our account because lots of inappropriate charges kept showing up.  Our friends didn't check, and she just called to say she checked her credit card  and found HAL had charged $813, almost none of which are legit since they also had the Have It All benefits. So, if you're cruising soon, be sure and stay on top of your account.

Overall you'll enjoy your time on the Koningsdam. We're happy that we went! 

I’m ready to add my 2 cents worth. There have been good and bad points to this cruise. First the good:  1- we’re in a Neptune Suite which is lovely, and our stewards are also Bagus and Agus. They are so eager to do a good job and always asking if there’s anything else they can do. They’re very quick and have our cabin done within minutes of our leaving for breakfast or dinner. 2- food quality has been excellent in the MDR, Club Orange and Lido Marketplace. Really delicious and nice and hot. We haven’t been to any of the shows because of one of the negative sides. 
here are the downsides which our group of 7 has decided get down to lack of management. 1- absolutely unacceptable waits in the MDR. So far every night we have n seated promptly but then wait at least 30 minutes before being acknowledged aside from being asked to order cocktails. They eventually come out in a haphazard order. Last night DH and I got our wine but nobody else got there until the appetizers arrived 20 minutes later. After a half hour of being ignored we tackled someone and begged for some bread and water. Since not all of our party has access to Club Orange we’ve been eating in the MDR mostly but one night we decided to try our luck in Orange. Our party off for was seated immediately right next to the hostess. After 30 minutes we asked her if there was a server assigned to that table. It is absolutely ridiculous. Because of these long waits we haven’t been able to make it to the shows because it’s too late when we finish. They have gone away from the waiter and assistant waiter format, plus there aren’t Head Waiters walking around to notice a table without bread and water. We’re not asking for a lot. The waiters seem to be running around like mad but good usually comes out in spurts. That was improved last night, but the  first night one of our group ordered Soup for her entrée. After everyone else got their food the waiter told her that the soup got cold so he had to get another bowl. The rest of us were finished before she got her meal. 2- it’s true that quality of food is great, but the variety is downright dismal. The same things keep showing up. I and one other woman in our group have to eat gluten free and after 3 days of salmon and flan we rebelled. The next night they made a wonderful flourless chocolate cake. Last night there were no gluten free desserts at all. No GF buns at the Dive In and no GF pastries or bagels in the buffet for breakfast. They do have bread and packaged blueberry muffins. I have always appreciated HAL’s GF options, but again, this cruise is totally unacceptable in that area. They aren’t having us order ahead of time like they used to. Management lacking in that area.

3- lots of glitches like getting in the shower and noticing that there’s no shower head- just a pipe sticking out of the wall, no bathrobes until we asked for them, and we have to check our statement daily because of so many errors. The front desk is very apologetic but it’s getting old. 
sorry this is so long. Let me wrap it up by saying I’m a 4 star Mariner and have always really liked HAL. For one couple of our group it’s the first time on HAL, and I’ve been wondering what they must be thinking. I’m willing to give HAL another chance and am hoping that they get back to their pre-pandemic level. 
Michele

5 hours ago, CampbellsAK said:

Can you tell me if masks are required when actively exercising in the gym? Can you remove your mask once you get on an exercise bike?, for example? Thank you for the lovely food photos - I’ll be on this itinerary in a few short weeks and am already hungry!

Yes, masks are required in the gym. You are also asked to wipe off your equipment after you use it. 

Has anyone requested gluten free items in Tamarind?

We live in San Diego and have used Worksite Labs before flying to Hawaii. Their cheapest rate is $90 for standard handling with results in under 24 hours.  They are located inside the Wally Park structure near the airport.

i also have Kaiser and know people who have taken their tests there before a flight.  they just messaged their doctor and asked for the order.

There isn’t a CVS that does rapid Covid testing downtown or near the airport for those of you flying in to board the ship.

16 minutes ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

I am very interested as to where you found this information? I cannot find it anywhere on the HAL website of the most recent cancellations. While I beleive you because because there are some things proving this is the case but also cannot find proof in writing as well as know of people on these voyages where these cruises are not canceled so very confused.  

We were also on the Oct 2 sailing, and received the same email that the first 3 sailings out of San Diego (9/18, 9/25 and 10/2) were cancelled. The email didn’t mention the ones canceled in later October.  Also, we weren’t automatically transferred to the Koningsdam but were given an option to cancel (without any FCC) or switch to any October Koningsdam sailing with a measly $50 onboard credit for the inconvenience. Debating what we should do. 

Michele

We are just off 30 nights on the Riviera. While the food overall was excellent, I had several issues with my Gluten Free diet.

1.  Terrace Cafe had very limited options.  I had one of the Chefs walk around and point out what I could eat for lunch. Basically it boiled down to the Carving Station, possibly a fish, and salad. Dinner was somewhat better as the Grill offered lots of meat choices. Soups were frequently thickened with flour. Sushi was good but the GF soy sauce I requested never appeared (they did have it in Red Ginger). There was always a long wait for anything special  I requested. When I boarded I asked about a GF pizza and was told to request it 24 hours in advance. Two weeks later when we had a sea day I asked about having one and was told, "No, you need to ask 48 hours ahead."  They finally agreed to 36 hours.  The next morning I reminded them that I'd like a pepperoni pizza at 1:00.  I showed up at 1:00 and something sort of like a pizza arrived at 1:45- no pepperoni and very little sauce or cheese on a mushy, slimy rectangle of dough.  Inedible. Because the Terrace does not keep Gluten Free bread or muffins they have to send someone to the main galley each time. When I asked why I had to wait every morning for a muffin, I was told, "We have to keep them fresh!"

2. Grand Dining Room food was excellent, but wait staff occasionally delivered the wrong plate. I'd eye the plates and see that he'd given one prime rib with sauce to me and one without sauce to someone else, so I'd ask, "Is this one Gluten Free?" And he'd say he'd gotten the plates mixed up.  I noticed it about 3 times and afterwards suspected it a couple more.  All four specialty restaurants dealt with GF perfectly (except whatever brand GF pasta they use isn't very good).

3. Desserts- I never want to see Creme Brûlée again!  Ice cream is also an option. A few nights the Chef had prepared a special GF dessert, so I requested a gf brownie or chocolate cake. 2/3 of the times that I asked I got it. The last night the waiter asked for my dessert order and I said no, thanks. He offered Creme Brûlée or ice cream, and I said no, nothing unless the Chef had a special gf dessert that night. He went to check and returned with....Creme Brûlée!  At Jacques I had requested a gf soufflé. When we arrived the waiter said, "Madam, Chef did not approve your request for a soufflé.  Would you like Creme Brûlée."  Since on Seabourn ALL soufflés are made with rice flour, I was surprised that Riviera couldn't handle it. Good thing they had Creme Brûlée!

So, overall quality was fantastic, but Gluten Free options were downright dismal. HAL, Celebrity, and Seabourn all had more options. Good thing was that by skipping lots of sweets and carbs, I came home without gaining an ounce!  

Michele

Are beds in suites more comfortable than the ones in balcony cabins?

Do they have any Gluten Free items at tea?

Thanks,

Michele

Just heard from our TA that this cruise was cancelled, so after seeing this thread I emailed her and asked about the insurance. She said that it's true that insurance is non-refundable, but the policy can be switched to another cruise. If it's a more expensive policy we pay the difference, but if it's cheaper, they'll refund the difference. Haven't decided which cruise yet, but I'm sure we'll be booking something. So, ask again, not for a refund but for it to be applied to a different cruise.

Michele

We will be taking our 1st Tauck cruise on the Danube (Prague to Budapest) this Spring 2017. After much research, we decided they fit our needs and wants the best. Their reputation seems to be impeccable and you can find many reviews on their website boards.

 

Have a wonderful trip and I will post about our Tauck cruise when we return.

We are booked on the Dec 3 cruise from Basel to Cologne. We have cruised on Viking before, but they were fully booked by the time we decided to do a Christmas cruise. This will be our first trip with Tauck.

Michele

I have found great variability in different cruise lines' ability to accommodate my need for Gluten Free products. Does anyone know how Seabourn Quest does with GF? I know I can always eat grilled chicken breast or shrimp, but on a 21 day cruise, it would be nice to have some toast or a pizza!

Thanks,

Michele

Nor do I want to see HAL do away with traditional seating, to have true “as you wish dining” traditional seating has to be considered as part of the as you wish availability. I have to commend HAL for taking the bold step in implementing AYWD, it makes it a more enjoyable cruise experience for me. However, I would not let the lack of any form of dining either open or traditional keep me from taking any cruise of my choice. My wife and I, my parents and my cousin and his wife are booked on the Celebrity Century for a Western Mediterranean cruise this September. Celebrity has only the 2 traditional dining times of 6:15 and 8:30. My parents wanted the early seating which I hate, but I have to agree with them 8:30 is just to darn late to eat. This is a 10 night 8 port cruise and we sail most of the ports at 7pm which means we miss the sail aways and we are taking 4 8-9 hour shore excursions that will get us back to the ship most times less than an hour before dinner. Fortunately we have a Sky Suite so we will be dinning on our terrace 3 to 4 of those nights watching the Italian and French coast. At least on this cruise having a table for 6 and all being family, I do not have to suffer through the possibility of insufferable tablemates :eek: for the other nights. We chose this cruise not because of the type of dining but the itinerary that we most wanted and the departure port of Barcelona instead of Rome which is what HAL offered.

Terry, We have sailed on Century a few times. They have an area inside the buffet area called Casual Dining where reservations are taken for a sit-down dinner (ordering food off a menu). It is never really crowded and gives you the flexibility of dining a little later than the assigned time for early dinner. You can switch between your assigned seating and Casual Dining from one night to the next, so it's completely flexible.

Michele