chefchick

On the subject of cocktails…boarding the NS tomorrow. I like a VERY dry martini, or a (not too sweet) old fashion- is finding the right bartender more of a priority than the right “bar”? Also, I prefer Belvedere or Grey Goose for vodka and Buffalo Trace or Woodford for bourbon, are these available under the HIA package and for those of you who have sailed recently, available readily on board? I sailed Royal Caribbean recently where they were literally out of stock of ANY brand of bourbon 😱

Well, that LIST is new.

That info is definitely confusing…I am fully vaccinated and boarding NS (Boston to Quebec) 9/17. Since it’s not on the list (and I see no other “New England” cruises either) do I need to test? They haven’t changed the Canada protocols from the rest of the sail safe verbiage on the website but it seems that the list mostly contains Alaska Seattle/Vancouver boarding cruises…. Has anyone actually received this info in the form of an email for their upcoming cruises?

It’s official! I’m solo! I’m working on my airfare now. I have been cruising solo for about 6 years now and I love it! Alaska is lovely and HAL has been cruising there longer than any other line so I think you picked a good one. if you are concerned about boredom or loneliness, plan ahead. Join the roll call or a FB group. Bring along that book or project you’ve been meaning to finish or just be open to trying new things. I have never felt unsafe on a cruise ship but I also use common sense. Get to know the crew and they will look out for you…don’t over drink or leave your drinks unattended and if for any reason you feel uncomfortable, don’t hesitate to talk to the staff…they take security very seriously. In my opinion, a cruise is one of the safer vacations a solo woman can take. Have a wonderful time!

Last time I was on Bliss, maybe 3 years ago? There was music most nights in Q restaurant (a country band) which I believe you could just come in and enjoy (maybe with a beverage) and the brewhouse had a nightly piano musician (not exactly howl @ the moon but I enjoyed it). The Cavern club also has nightly music (Beatles tribute plus others) but it can get really crowded so come early. Regarding your luggage, you will probably have to lug it with you until rooms are ready…one of the dining rooms is generally open for lunch on embarkation so that might be easier than the buffet? Hope that helps….enjoy your cruise.

I was lucky enough to score one of those “free” casino rate cruises so it of course didn’t include the HIA package…I was able to add it for an additional $350. Seems like a great price to me compared to some other line’s beverage package cost, let alone the additional benefits. YMMV.

Seabourn’s no tipping policy (I assume other luxury lines are similar) is actually one of my favorite things about sailing on them. The crew is fairly compensated and it fosters an environment of no up selling, no “who paid more” or “who is the better tipper”…of course, the higher initial cruise fare covers these expenses upfront, but it makes the whole vibe more convivial.

I saw this in another thread…we are contemplating a side to side cruise with Virgin Voyages Scarlet Lady disembarking the same day as embarking on MSC Seashore…my question is can we use this testing site as a “walk up”? Not sure my Uber driver would want to drive thru with us 😜

If they actually have Buffalo Trace, Woodford, etc, stocked in the bars, I will be a very happy girl…I just got off Royal Caribbean ship last month where the entire ship was out of bourbon! 😱

I have been waiting to see SIX….so glad it’s back. Please review if you can.

Now THAT’S how you recycle!

I may be have been able to get the staff to assist me upon check in, but I have a six AM flight the next morning so I doubt there would be anyone to help me with my bags at check out…I travel solo, so I don’t rely on other’s to assist me and therefore an elevator is a bit of a non negotiable…. I appreciate your advice, but am confident I’ll enjoy the hotel I chose.

I was going to book this hotel (It does look charming, centrally located and priced right)…unfortunately, it doesn’t have an elevator and I pack way to heavy to lug cases up stairs, so I chose Hotel 71, which is also well reviewed. I’m am really looking forward to my upcoming stay in Quebec City.

One more question re: The Grand Dutch cafe….is it open in the mornings for coffee drinks? I know you can get lattes, cappuccino, etc in the Crows nest but are there other locations on the Pinnacle class ships?

Thank you. I will be sailing the Nieuw Statendam in September and can’t wait to check this venue out.

Is the Dutch cafe open on embarkation day?

I want to dine at Pinnacle, Tamarind and Rudi’s (the later is not included in the promo), so I booked Pinnacle with my all in pkg (as it was more expensive) and will use my OBC to book Tamarind and Rudi’s once I board. Choices, choices, choices 😜

Thanks for the speedy reply…May I ask what you paid for the have it all package?

Next question….once booked on one of these great casino offers (guarantee cabin, so no additional perks) can one purchase the “have it all” package or would one have to purchase a full price beverage pkg, dining pkg, wifi pkg, etc ? sorry, this may be a silly question but I’ve never received a “free” anything before 😜

Piggybacking off this (hope the OP doesn’t mind) as I am booked on this same itinerary in September. Flying home to seattle, there are flights available from both Quebec City and Montreal airports but of course the later is much less expensive. The “problem” is the train transfer. There is one available at 8:10am at the gate du Palais station but how early would I have to disembark to make that train do you think? Or, for those who have done this itinerary before, does HAL offer transfers that will take you to all the way to YUL or do they only transfer to Quebec City airport?

I am just about to book my first casino offer rate. The balconies are “sold out” and I apparently have the last OV available. I realize these offers are capacity controlled, but how likely am I to get stuck with a not so great location? I also understand that getting a great rate doesn’t warrant a great cabin location but am I going to regret it? Also, the $200 deposit that becomes OBC….can this be used for anything onboard (gratuities, specialty dining, etc) or does it need to be used at the casino (in addition to the casino free play $).? A free cruise to a low roller seems like a too good to be true offer so I’d love to hear how your last experience was?

Sorry, I meant light show…..fireworks are on another cruise line 😎. Really looking forward to once again enjoying the Yacht Club experience and our first time on Ocean Cay.

Great review. We will be in the YC on the Seascape in December. Is a cabin on the port or starboard side better for views of a Ocean Cay? Would love to watch the fireworks show from the comfort of our balcony.

I will be boarding this Friday….can you tell me what sort of entertainment was available? Shows? comedy? Music? Did you notice any lack of food or alcohol? I keep reading about regular items not being available (supply chain issues)? How would you rate the staff? The cruise overall? Also, how was embarkation? Thanks in advance for my many questions…Can you tell I’m excited?

I realize that every week’s sailing is a unicorn and things are always changing, but to those who have traveled so far this season, how was the MDR food and more specifically, the wait times for a table? I am new to a Royal and keep reading that the wait times with MTD are ridiculous. As a back up plan, was the Solarium open for dinner on your sailing? And speaking of the Solarium, how crowded was it during the day? Chair hogs in full effect?