bjbear

On 7/30/2023 at 3:07 PM, BillK400 said:

I am looking to book a cruise on Sawn Hellenic ship Vega to Greenland/Northwest Passage Sept. 2024. Wondering if anyone has any experience with the cruise line/ship. Very little info here on CC about the company. Thanks!

Bill, is this the 15 day cruise (Canada and the high artic) or the longer Northwest Passage one?

11 hours ago, Lois R said:

Good morning,  many, many years ago I always chose traditional dining. Eating at the same table every night, etc....

I found it good for me at that time and part of it was I enjoyed eating late as well as sitting with folks every night.

 

As the years have gone by,  I have changed and so my views have changed as well. I prefer eating

at my choice of times and who I sit with and my choices of cruise lines have changed as well. I am now able to

cruise on smaller, more intimate ships.  It is very easy to meet others on a much smaller vessel and the timing

works better for me now.

 

So, there is not one right answer for everyone.   I hope you have a good cruise (whenever anyone is able to sail

again)

What Lois said!! 🙂  And OMG, kennystwin, you really really do look like him!! 😀

I also received one on Wednesday, filled it out and returned. I thought it was a good idea.

8 hours ago, RSF Cruiser said:

We always get aft balconies. The view when leaving the glacier or port is beautiful. While at a glacier or coming into port, we like to be on deck and see the views from all angles, but when leaving, it's so relaxing to sit on the balcony, have a snack/drink, and enjoy the views. Plus, with an aft balcony, you get protection from the wind. Although the air might be cool to cold, there is little to no wind.

I also get aft balconies. I know everyone says you can go up on deck and see everything but I've found it is so crowded you can't see much, much better on my aft balcony.

On 2/29/2020 at 11:09 AM, Krazy Kruizers said:

Enjoy reading your reports.

 

It is a worry about the virus and upcoming ports.  Hope all works out well for everyone.

 

Now off to see your wonderful pictures.

KK, how do I get to their pictures?

33 minutes ago, TAD2005 said:

We always bring a envelope full of US $1 bills and give 2 of them for every breakfast delivery.   In Europe, we also give 2 Euro coins for breakfast delivery.   

I do the same, an envelope of small bills. I travel solo and tip $2 for breakfast or other small things. If I order a room service dinner from the dining room menu, I usually tip $5.  Gigi is right, they don't seem to expect it and, have it ready, they are in and out in a flash!!

Sue

On 1/31/2020 at 2:42 PM, Lois R said:

A 10? No flaws, huh?

 

 I am glad I am who I am....I would never say I am a 10......perfect? OMG no.

And traveling with others? I never do it.  I don't wear a wedding ring, been divorced almost 40 years. My mom has

been gone since 1993 and I have no daughters......traveling on my own is my choice.

 

Seems to me it must be stressful to be so full of yourself you must be "guarded/with others" all the time. 

 

 

What Lois said! I travel solo always and love it. Frankly, IMHO, and I'll probably get slammed, if you are that afraid you should probably not be traveling alone, you won't enjoy it. I've never felt "guarded" with anyone. 🙄

Sue

I could never, ever travel in an interior cabin, has to be verandah or I don't go, just my personal preference. Although if it did happen, as NSnJW said, as long as I had books on the Kindle, Internet, food and wine, I'm OK!! 😀

I have also gone with Island Wings and enjoyed it so much, they are the best IMHO.  I also picked times that worked with my port times.

Sue

cruisehome, I  was on Erodam last April and, as oaktreerb said, the music was good, a bigger selection than on the smaller ships. I am an avid fan of the BB King Blues band and went to that almost every night!!. 

I've always gotten it back the next day.

Lois, I wish you a wonderful trip!!  I tried to get on this cruise but was too late, someday I'd love to travel with you. I also leave in 2 weeks for a cruise. I'm retired and went nuts and am going on a 40 day to New Zealand via Hawaii, South Pacific on Holland (solo of course).  Have a great cruise!! 😀

Sue

5 minutes ago, zelker said:

 

Sound interesting. Can you post a link to them pls.  

Barb, I'm totally tech challenged and haven't figured out how to post a link, I know I have to figure it out!!  Go to the Magellans website and put "foldable travel hangers,  set of 2" in the search window.   Sue

2 hours ago, zelker said:

 

Hi, Sue - Don't know about you but I'll still take Woolite with, and I also always take a couple of inflatable hangers which I've traveled with for years because even if they will return tops damp, I prefer not to hang them on metal or wood while they finish drying.  Barb

Hi Barb - I also take Woolite and have used my inflatable hangers for years until they finally wore out.  A couple years ago I discovered these plastic fold up hangers from Magellans that are my new favs. I have 6 of them now, they fold up to nothing for the suitcase but have notches in them that are perfect for hanging bras and are plastic so they don't hurt your clothes.   Sue

I'm following this too because I'm on the same cruise as zelker and since it's a long one I have some items that are hang to dry. I figured I'd have to hand wash them but if you can get wash and return wet that would be wonderful!!

Thanks, Sue

12 hours ago, Lois R said:

 

Hey stranger...why would you want to insult me? Did you mean to quote the original poster? I agree with you...….I have no desire to sail with them either.

Hey yourself😀  It's the old-timers disease!!! 🙃  Yes, I was responding to the OP, I would never insult you!!  I'm not going to try again because he probably won't listen, I just get so upset at people like this!!  Have a wonderful cruise in Oct. I'm also going to be sailing, I think I'm crazy 'cause I've never done one like this but I'm taking Holland 10/13/19 from Vancouver to New Zealand via Hawaii, some South Pacific islands, Australia and all around New Zealand, 40 days!!  I'm excited and terrified!!  Bon Voyage to you and have a wonderful cruise!!

Sue

44 minutes ago, Lois R said:

Glad to know someone answered you BUT you are saying there is someone (Ship Supervisor?) that will decide who

they want to sell the cabin to?...….wow...…...so that is how Costa does it?  Glad I won't be sailing with them.

I know I'm going to insult you but I would never sail with Costa and their response to you is why. 🙄 I always sail solo and have never used Costa. There are plenty of other lines that are really great to solos.  I never heard of someone deciding who they want to sell the cabin to.  Good luck!! 😟

This is why I love the boards, I get great advice from seasoned travelers!!  I just ordered a bunch of small containers of vitamins, etc. and will space them out between my suitcase and carryon.  I don't know why I didn't think of smaller containers, duuuuhhhh!!  😮  This is the longest cruise I've taken and I travel solo so I need all the help I can get!!  Thank you all so much!!!  😀

Sue

OK, so let me get this straight. Thanks for all the info but I'm still not really certain. I have 4 prescription medicines that I will pack in the original bottles.  Then I have non-prescription supplements, calcium, fish oil, Imodium, over-the-counter allergy medicines, (Coricidin, Zyrtec), multi-vitamin. I normally put the non-prescriptions in zip-lock baggies and label them, it takes up so little room. Are you telling me I have to put the big calcium, multi-vitamin, allergy, etc. bottles in the suitcase?  I'll do it if I have to but it will take up so much room. This is the first really long cruise to Australia/New Zealand I've taken and am beyond excited. I'll do whatever you tell me but I'll need a bigger suitcase if I have to take all the non-prescription bottles!!  😀

Thanks so much,  Sue 

What about non-prescription such as vitamins, allergy meds, intestinal meds, etc. I usually count them out and just put in a ziplock bag but have never been to NZ/Aust. I only have 3 prescription meds and can take them easily in the bottles. Should I put the big calcium, etc bottles in my suitcase??

Thanks, Sue

Oh wow, Shmoo, this is just what I wanted!!!  Thank you so much, I'm not too tech savvy and couldn't figure out how to do this, it's wonderful.

Thanks again,

Sue

Not sure where to post this question but I am trying to find out if there are any cruises from Sydney Australia to either Hawaii or the US.  I want to do a New Zealand cruise but don't think I can survive the day long flight at my age!  So I thought it would be nice and relaxing to cruise down under!!  I've found a trans-pacific on Holland that goes from San Diego to Sydney and then another that goes from Sydney around New Zealand, dates from 10/19/20 to 12/5/20 for the 2 combined. But I can't figure out how to get home short of flying. I would be happy to go from Sydney to Hawaii and fly from there, that seems to be the best option.  Anyone have any suggestions, etc. please let me know. 

Thanks so much,

Sue

1 minute ago, richwmn said:

If you are in fact talking about ms Amsterdam, the answer is yes. One of the last remaining

If you are talking about ms Nieuw Amsterdam the answer is no, sorry but never had one.

 

Yes I am talking about ms Amsterdam, the older, smaller ship. Thanks so much, I really appreciate this info. I like to be able to launder stuff and hang to dry.

Thanks again, Sue

I know this has been asked but I can't find it.  Does the Holland Amsterdam have self service laundry facilities?

Thanks, Sue

It's Harv and Marv's Tours in Juneau.  I've gone with them before and they are excellent!

Sue