ohioelk

Has anyone seen any information on the transformation of Star legend.  My searches haven't yielded any results.

Notice that they are increasing guest capacity by 32, up to 342. Also adding 10 additional crew. Don't know if that is good or bad.  I never felt crowded before. I hope it is not to noticeable.

Last summer we had a wonderful lunch at The Wooden Monkey. Farm to table pub that was very good and reasonably priced. 1707 Grafton, I believe it was about 2/3rds of the way up the the hill between the port and the Citadel. 

Was on Spirit in September.  I always my morning pastry at the pool service area.  I could always get espresso. You just need to ask one of the servers setting up in Veranda and they will bring you one.  Sometimes it might take a few minutes, but it was never a problem.

This is from the above link. E-cigs are NOT permitted in staterooms, they are treated like any other smoking material.

To better align with guest wishes and health concerns, Holland America Line will implement a new smoking policy beginning in January 2017. Please see below for details.

Smoking Policy beginning January 2017:

For the comfort of all of our guests, all staterooms (cabins), showrooms and most other indoor areas are designated non-smoking. No smoking of any kind will be permitted on any stateroom verandah.

Sea View (Retreat) Bar/Pool on starboard side only. On Prinsendam, Koningsdam, and Nieuw Statendam, smoking is allowed on the port side only. The designated smoking areas for all ships are as follows unless otherwise noted:

• Sun Bar on Koningsdam and Nieuw Statendam
  
• Sports Deck forward and aft of Crow’s Nest on starboard side on Maasdam, Veendam, Volendam, Zaandam, Rotterdam and Amsterdam
  
• Oak Room on Noordam only, including cigar and pipe smoking
  
• Designated areas for active slot players in Casinos*. Oosterdam and Eurodam casinos are completely non-smoking. Noordam Casino is completely non-smoking, with the exception of two nights per cruise.
  

Cigar and pipe smoking is not allowed anywhere inside the ship; it is only permitted on the outside decks where smoking is otherwise allowed.

Electronic cigarettes are not permitted in staterooms or in other public areas of the ship other than designated smoking areas.

Any guest who smokes inside staterooms or on verandahs in violation of our policy will be charged a US$250 cleaning fee per day of violation and will risk being removed from the ship for repeated violations.

Holland America Line reserves the right at any time to modify the smoking policy onboard or alter the locations where smoking is permissible.

This winter I was on the Wind Surf with my brother who is celiac. There was never a problem with keeping free from gluten. In the Veranda buffet all dishes were labeled if they were gluten free, he always had ample selections. At night in Amphora we tended to sit in the same waiters section each evening. He would always rush right up with gluten free bread. He also always could tell him what was gluten free on the menu and what could be altered to make it gluten free. My brother who works in the food business also had several discussions with the executive chef throughout the cruise. He seemed very happy with the food available for him.

Next month I have an 06:50 flight from YVR to the US. If CBP doesn't open until 06:00 is there any reason for me to arrive at the airport before 05:30? That is only 80 minutes before the flight which seems close, however if all I will be doing is standing in a queue it may be fine.