syesmar

Sharing this Thread about HAL’s new “Cake Me Away” event!

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2974734-cakes-cakes-and-more-cakes/

3 hours ago, TiogaCruiser said:

This sounds like a revival of the Dessert Extravaganza (was that the name?) with a little twist from the late 2000s. 

Yes! It was the Dutch Chocolate Extravaganza by the Lido Pool on the final “Formal Night.” The only negative is that it usually started quite late at night. I have missed those events and am so happy they’re bringing something like this back to HAL! 👏👏

Deleting my duplicate post, didn’t realize Threads had merged.😀

16 hours ago, Hlitner said:

…At that point you may not have any opportunity to use those credits (i.e. no available tours or perhaps it is the last port) and you simply lose the credits with no recourse…

That just seems so unfair! Has anyone reading here successfully appealed such a scenario?

17 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

Thanks for the details. I'm not interested in booking air through HAL so unfortunately it's of no use for me.

@cruisemom42 Years ago, a British Isles cruise was on sale “with air” on the Prinsendam. I, too, wasn’t interested in air—even though the sale price was already appealing—so I asked HAL what price they could give me without air. They took $600 off that sale fare per person, and it was too good of an offer to pass up. It was one of our favorite sailings ever!

I would ask and see what they can do. Good luck!

Linking your other related Thread here to keep them together. 

20 hours ago, OlsSalt said:

Because of highly changeable weather patterns in Norway, there is no one perfect choice, nor bad choice. 

How about this for a major disappointment - taking the shore excursion to hike up to the all time photo op shot at Pulpit Rock, which appears on a sunny day in virtually every travel pictures for Norway.  I had to finally give up close  to the top because, it was time to head back to the bus. Others that did make it all the way to the top, but said it was fogged in and they could see nothing of that famous sweep of the view.  

 

Yet it was a glorious experience, just for trying, and the naturally stories get better with each re-telling. That is Noway.

😃 The same thing happened to us. We had booked a Rodne catamaran trip from Stavanger through Lysefjord, and Pulpit Rock (seen from the boat, no hiking) was to be the highlight. The weather was okay UNTIL we were almost at Pulpit Rock and it was even foggier than your photo. Of course, it cleared up later on. Oh well! We still had a great time and would do that boat trip again. We were blessed that was our only weather hiccup the whole cruise.

Good times!

1 hour ago, Tampa Girl said:

…I would like to confirm that we can get to the Geiranger fjord from Alesund.  Can anyone confirm this?  I have not yet looked at the excursion  possibilities, including an independent excursion.

Thank you…It appears that Norway requires more than a one-time, 7-day introduction.  

It is possible to get to Geirangerfjord from Alesund. Here is a Thread that talks about it. I have not done this, opting to spend the day in Alesund.

But on one cruise, I had made plans (though not pre-booked, it was a “just show up the day-of-trip” excursion) to do an independent fjord tour from Bergen and it just didn’t work out because our ship changed our All Aboard time (though we arrived 30 minutes earlier than the original itinerary). Because of this, the tour would misconnect by 15 minutes with my comfort level returning to the ship and I could not risk missing the ship. So be aware when traveling greater distances outside of HAL’s official excursions.

Our first time to Norway was part of a 19 Day Baltics cruise and we were in Norway for about a week. We loved it so much we took an all Norway 14 day cruise the next time we went. I did not want to leave! I wish it had been longer. I look forward to the day I return!

10 hours ago, cruisemom42 said:

…Lo and behold, last month HAL sent out notice of a very changed itinerary and one that is a lot less attractive. No Oslo, no Flam (at least we still cruise Sognefjord), no Alesund, no Kristiansand. And we've gone from docking IN Stavanger to docking in Sandnes, which is quite a bit further from town...

Now I'm leaning more toward canceling this cruise.

@cruisemom42  I know those cancellations must be disappointing. I will say, though, that some of our most memorable days ever have been spent in Skjolden (one of the most naturally beautiful places we’ve ever seen, been twice…and Sognefjord is just so incredible!) and then we rented a car from Avis at the Molde airport and drove the Trollstigen (best spur of the moment decision we ever made!). 

Wishing you the best as you make this decision.

@Packard your travel insurance might cover this (I purchase trip insurance for cruise passengers that would cover such a scenario). Your credit card might also have some travel insurance that would cover it.

Good luck!

@cmrvancouver This Thread has some helpful info for San Diego: 

@mnmama43

—Skagway: Agree to do the Klondike Gold Rush National Historic Park after the train. Hopefully, there will be a walking tour or other ranger-led event; they are fun!

—Juneau: whale watching would be a priority + Mendenhall Glacier viewing. You will likely pass a beachy area with lots of eagles! We bought a Mt Roberts Tram ticket on board our ship, but it was so cloudy they allowed us to return it for free, so it was risk-free. We went to the Alaska State Museum one trip in the late afternoon after whale watching (some days or hours are free days, too!).

—Ketchikan: there are lots of options. We have done this independently. You can stroll around town easily. Last time we took the bus to Potlatch Totem Park and Totem Bight (the landscape is just lovely!), then a taxi to the hiking trails at Ward Lake and then a taxi back to town. The Southeast Alaska Discovery Center is there, too, if you have time. https://www.fs.usda.gov/detail/tongass/about-forest/offices/?cid=fseprd547855

hiking trails: https://www.fs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/stelprdb5413489.pdf

Have fun!

On 9/30/2023 at 3:45 AM, chaparro28906 said:

My son and I did this in June. It was our favorite port day ever….

@chaparro28906  I am interested in hearing more about your favorite port day ever! Could you give details of how your day went?

I ask because, while we made the most of our day in Casablanca, it was our least favorite port day ever comparatively speaking. So I am very interested in how you planned and what you did, for future reference.

Thanks!

@a.madruga  Linking your other Thread here to keep them together.

18 hours ago, Roz said:

…One of the obstacles to doing this is that the musicians and performers that appear in the World Stage, Rolling Stone Lounge, and Billboard Onboard onboard can't perform in other venues according to the terms of their contract….

I recall multiple cruises where the BB Kings band did an entire evening show on the World Stage. Those were often amongst the most well-attended of the entire cruise. I also enjoyed the variety performance evening on the World Stage, usually on the first or second night of a sailing, where all performers from the various venues throughout the ship would give a highlight performance. I thought it helped inform passengers of the ship’s entertainment options. It’s unfortunate if these types of shows wouldn’t be permitted under the new contracts. 

On 10/30/2023 at 10:38 AM, happytotravel said:

According to their website they still have Tea each day and once High Tea on a sea day….

I didn't see anything about the Chocolate EX as many cruise lines have done away with that type of excess.…

Yes, there is still daily Afternoon Tea and a “Classic High Tea” once per cruise. I was reminiscing about the elaborate Royal Dutch Tea that was beloved by many passengers that is no longer offered, as well as the Dutch Chocolate Extravaganza. They do now have a “Chocolate Surprise” one evening with bite-sized chocolate treats that stewards will bring out to the Music Walk and other venues.

Enjoy your cruise!

@happytotravel back in the day, HAL offered a Royal Dutch Tea once per cruise that was excellent. They also used to be famous for their late night Dutch Chocolate Extravaganza once per cruise by the pool on a formal night. It was quite the event!

I know the Asian crew has local dishes available to them in their dining area. Does anyone know if the Dutch crew also has local fare cooked for them onboard?

On 10/28/2023 at 8:43 PM, Cruise Suzy said:

…There will be Dutch snacks during the Orange Party held one night.

Where will these snacks be served? The one cruise I was on with an Orange Party didn’t offer snacks, but I would have loved to have tried some.

On 10/27/2023 at 12:21 PM, OlsSalt said:

…Long. long  time ago, Holiday Magazine had an article about the best  pastries in  Vienna - it was a draw between Demel and Hotel Cafe Sacher, featuring their Sacher Torte at that time…

@OlsSalt thank you for the info! Sounds delicious!!!

On 10/22/2023 at 11:38 PM, syesmar said:

…I want to recall there being a similar-but-not-identical chocolate cake in the Lido that is only served once or twice per cruise? Does anyone know the name?…

On 10/25/2023 at 8:48 AM, SFO Peter said:

Sachertorte when they have it.   Sometimes they give it to you on your birthday.…

@SFO Peter Yes!!! That’s the name of the chocolate cake I was asking about earlier. So delicious!!!

12 hours ago, OlsSalt said:

Room service chocolate cake is always rich, moist and excellent….

I agree! Love this cake! I enjoy it for dessert when I order a Club Sandwich.

I want to recall there being a similar-but-not-identical chocolate cake in the Lido that is only served once or twice per cruise? Does anyone know the name? 

I’ve also had a chocolate raspberry cake in the Lido that was fabulous.

8 hours ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

Of current menus/desserts being served it is definitely the Peanut Butter Pie, served ONLY for Lunch on Embarkation Day….

Great tip, thanks! Wish I had known this in the past. This would be a good tip for the current “Secrets” thread, too.

@BruhnSisters agree! When I booked my first ever cruise, my travel agent highly recommended Cruise Critic as a resource. I know without a doubt the wonderful advice I’ve received over the years here has me helped plan unforgettable trips and make the most of my precious vacation time. I’ll always be grateful for this community!

On 10/19/2023 at 3:03 AM, cruisemom42 said:

…have an early lunch in Rome before heading to the ship. You’ll get better food and avoid the stampede of early boarders.

@cruisemom42 oh how I miss Rome! Any favorite restaurant suggestions?

10 hours ago, *Miss G* said:

The “Welcome Back Mariner Lunch” is different to the Mariner Reception lunch….

Is there a lunch served at the Mariner Reception?