CowPrincess

Thanks for the pictures. It seems that shaded loungers are in short or non-existent supply. :(

Still, lots of appeal in other areas. But DH and I will definitely miss "shade"

HAL is changing so much, it would probably be helpful to know when each of us was successful in getting room service dinner the first night of the cruise. What happened before may not be what is happening currently. Could the previous posters add the date of your experience please? :)

June 2014 we had success. Haven't tried since then.

Glaciers, that sounds wonderful -- thanks for sharing that memory! :) We enjoy doing non-traditional things on vacation and still smile about our Dungeness cooked over a campfire dinner :) (before I developed an allergy to crab :( )

I'm not sure what the requirements are to qualify for "personal use" but on this link, it looks like Dungeness for "personal use" is available year-round

http://www.adfg.alaska.gov/index.cfm?adfg=PersonalUsebyAreaSoutheastdungenesscrab.regs

Buy a pot, rent a boat, do whatever licensing is required? (Mostly just kidding but it would be a meal you'd never forget :) )

ok last year I did 10 day sf to sf to glacier bay. the trip was planned with my mom but at the last minute she was sick and couldn't make it so took sister instead. the trip was beautiful - you are so close to the blue ice face all day - we had difficulty even describing it to our families when we got home. any how I am thinking of taking my mom this time bc she is better - on another 10 day and am debating if I should change it up and go to fjord instead. I sort of don't want to do the same thing but it really was awesome. just wanted to hear ideas input etc

bolding mine

Many people who go to Alaska go back many times, and of course repeat itineraries. To me, it sounds like Glacier Bay was the highlight of your trip. Wouldn't you love to share that with your mother? As others have noted, no trip is the same as any other, each offers new experiences -- even going to the same destinations. And, if you are so inclined, you might be able to take the small boat tour of Tracy Arm. So my suggestion? Do Glacier Bay again, and if you really want to see Tracy Arm, look into the small boat tour.

We have pearls coming outbidding ears and necks and wrists!!!

 

 

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

I am happy to report that Kazu got Tahitian pearls today in Papeete. I found a lovely wholesale/retail store that would even set the chosen pearls for you. I believe a couple of other roll call members (at least) have made purchases - 1 in Bora Bora and the other on board from Kainoa, our On Location guide. His aunt has a Pearl store and her is selling them on board. I may be visiting him on sea days. LOL.

 

>snip<

 

 

Yay! Any chance of pictures? :)

And those flowers are gorgeous, Kazu!

OP I would love to try what you are thinking about doing, but I'm too much of a worrier :( I wish you all kinds of good luck, and a great (lower-cost) cruise :)

Cow Princess,

 

Since this is a new ship, how many people could have already stayed in the single cabins to have formed an opinion and made disparaging remarks? When you refer to "the past" are you talking about remarks made about single cabins on other ships such as the Prinsendam?

 

Roz

If I recall correctly, she is referring to past discussions of Kdam's solo cabins on threads about the ship. Some seem to have made up their minds early that these are terrible cabins, despite they are better than most ships offer for solo cruisers. Some apparently would like a Neptune Suite at a solo price.

Cruisemom42 explained it well :)

I think it is great that HAL is offering single cabins. And heck yes, a window :)

You will NOT find any fresh crab, it is all frozen, as they are not in season during the cruise season. You can find crab right on the pier in Juneau.

Isn't Dungeness in season?

There already is a "personal entertainment system" on all ships. It's called "the sea."

Quoted because this deserves to be repeated :) DH and I totally agree!

The OP specifically wants "fresh". That eliminates Tracy's, doesn't it?

Another "thank you" to everyone who is contributing. I have a very important question -- have you gotten to someplace where they sell pearls? >small sigh< :)

Very good idea. I've never had a good banana pudding on a cruise either - I'll bring the ingredients and give to the head waiter the first night for my standing dessert order.

Why bring the ingredients? I'm only going to bring the recipes I want made ;) I'm sure the ship will be able to supply everything needed. Or find it at a port :D

To be honest, I would not mind missing Cabo at all. For us, it has very little charm. And I think you are way over the top with your comments, suggestions, accusations.

Thanks for the picture! That looks like a reasonable size of cabin. For someone traveling solo, it should be fine, despite some of the disparaging and/or dismissive comments that have been made by some posters in the past about the solo cabins.

>snip<

BTW to those who do not know Chengkp or Topsham, most of us on the HAL board understand that they know more about cruising, & ships than anyone on this site.. Topsham is a retired ships Captain & also is a wonderful artist whose paintings of all HAL's & many Carnival ships are hung on board the ships.. Cheng was a former Ships Officer, who I understand worked for NCL, but I'm not sure when that was..

 

>snip<

I get great entertainment from reading what people post when they doesn't know who they are disagreeing with .... :D ;) I am hopeful that not all of those posters see your post ;) (I live a pretty quiet life and need to get entertainment where I can ;) )

Drink prices are NOT like those in land bars, unless you're in a Ruth Chris restaurant, or some other "high end" venues (or, major cities!). I think $5 for a beer is ridiculous! It's one thing when you'll be spending 3 hours in a restaurant...it's an entirely different kettle of fish if you are spending a week paying prices like that!

If you drink a lot on vacation, get the package. If you only drink 2 drinks a day, you'll be better off buying the pricey drinks.

INCLUDED drinks are: ice water, coffee, tea (iced or hot) lemonade or flavored water, milk and juice at breakfast.

We cruise HAL and find their drink prices less expensive than at home. Their wine list is another story :(

If you think $5 for a beer is ridiculous, you would freak at the price for beer here in a restaurant, lounge, bar.

OP, you may also want to ask on the Family Cruising board

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49

So, not sure if you told her about the cruise but here are a few ideas

Insect repellent and sun screen

Flip flops

A beach cover up

A new memory card for her camera

I don't risk packing breakable wine bottles in a checked suitcase, so we usually roll a small case aboard (the type that can fit under the airline seat in front of you) with medications, documents, jewelry, and other valuable or hard to replace items. A pair of handy-dandy shoe pockets in the lid are perfectly sized for two bottles of wine.

One of our carry-ons is hard-sided, specifically for rolling wine onboard :) It is packed with "important stuff" on the plane, then that stuff gets moved to a backpack and the hard sided case carries our wine.

I am inclined to agree, but I and you know that is not going to happen. Don't forget the golden rule... "revenue first!". I think the truth is that 99% passengers are not going to 'wasted' in the few hours before departure for the muster. I few will probably be a problem. I don't know how they will handle this one!

Before the Concordia disaster, we saw many people attending muster with their adult beverages, and some of them were holding "extras" :rolleyes: in case they needed more :eek: Nothing was said to them. Nothing. But since the Concordia disaster, I have not seen anyone attend muster with alcohol. Thank goodness.

You might want to post this on the Family Cruising forum as well:

http://boards.cruisecritic.com/forumdisplay.php?f=49

I am curious as to whether it is ok to tip with coins rather than notes.

I only know about US/Cdn .... giving someone who is in Canada, and can spend the coins in Canada, Cdn $1 or $2 coins should be okay. BUT if the coins can't be spent or exchanged to US $ in Canada, the recipient has no way of using them. (Unlike paper money, there is no facility for moving Canadian coins to Canada from the US, is about as simply as I can explain it.)

Not exactly what I dream of when I think about a HAL promenade deck, but I'm sure we will adjust. For us, the offset to the less-than-stellar promenade deck will be the specialty dining ;)

Again, a big THANK YOU to everyone who is posting from the ship :) Sorry you didn't get to go ashore :(