oldbluff

My glass-is-half-full (or more) philosophy is not HAL-specific. It’s who I am; a combination of growing up in my family with some inherent DNA mixed in.

I make cynical observations and can piss and moan with the best, but generally find the humor and good bits of most situations quite adequate to leave me with a smile. Or at least a non-frown to greet the new day and all that awaits.

6 hours ago, VMax1700 said:

What better way to start a mid morning caffeine fix than coffee and ..........

 

 

 

 

Looks divine. We have to go with the pedestrian raisin buns, however. Family favorite. 

On 11/6/2022 at 3:55 PM, rkacruiser said:

 

My opinion:  your post is perfectly appropriate!

 

People who think this topic is less than very serious need to read a book or two about the Prinsendam fire in the Gulf of Alaska.  A very detailed book written by a USCG Officer at the scene makes some "interesting" reading.  

Do you recall the name of the book?

On 11/7/2022 at 7:22 PM, KroozNut said:

 

It's all in how one chooses to look at a particular situation. I'm sure everyone's heard of the 'self-fulfilling prophecy', whereby if one convinces themself that something is going to be bad, or annoy them, there is a 100% chance that it will.

Either the glass is half full , or it's half empty..

For me, it’s always half full. Sometimes with smooth full-bodied red wine, other times with pond water.

Possibilities. That’s the ticket. That place you’ve yet to visit; the person you’ve yet to meet; the all-consuming book to be read.

3 hours ago, Crazy For Cats said:

The terms and conditions of the package were provided with our room key cards. It is a bit of a change from the past. DH could order a double Bacardi 8 and it would count as two drinks. Now the first is included and you pay full price for the second.

I believe you will find it depends on the bartender. I think the policy has always been one drink at a time. I have gotten double cocktails or multiple wine/beer containers and been charged for multiple drinks on the package. I’m sure it had nothing to do with the $1/drink cash tip.

HAL could remove bartender discretion and disallow subsequent drinks for the same account until X minutes elapsed. Let’s hope they are not micro-managing staff to that level.

23 hours ago, DAllenTCY said:

Hi Ruth ....I hope a San Diego HAL sailing is in your future plans.  I'll make this a generic reply; however, I suspect you are 4*(+).

 

Arrive at the terminal, presumably via the parking lot and have your Boarding Pass in hand.

 

Door greeters will evaluate your Mariner status (and needs) and show you to either a designated ADA waiting area just inside, or to the appropriate lineup for security screening.

 

You will be assisted through security by ground staff to another set of chairs where the ship's pushers can take over, aid you through check-in, and up an elevator to the ship.

 

 

David

 

 

Ah, I should have read thru the entire thread, before replying earlier. This is great information, David. Thanks.

On 11/5/2022 at 4:43 PM, RuthC said:

When wheelchair assistance is needed for embarkation, all status that might have gained you some priority goes out the window. 
Your name is taken, and people are boarded based on first come, first served. 

Boarding for wheelchair passengers cannot start before 11:30 since the 'pushers' are at lunch until then. On some ships there don't seem to be too many wheelchairs or pushers, which slows down the process. The more people who need assistance, the longer it will take. 

As always Ruth, you are very helpful. Thanks.

19 hours ago, DENIE said:

I am "following" this post as there is so much good information!  Our cruise on Koningsdam departs on 12/3.  We have no status (this is our 2nd HAL cruise), and too early to have our boarding time appear. We are traveling with another couple, one of whom has mobility issues, but is not in a wheelchair (uses a cane).  Fortunately, we have a 2-bedroom suite reserved across the street at the Springhill/Renaissance by Marriott.  Hopefully we can get the same check-in time as we may need to help with his luggage.  At least we should have a comfy lobby to wait and ample opportunity for a good breakfast! Fortunately, all of us are very familiar with downtown San Diego.

My wife also uses a cane. In the past, the staff have seen her walking outside, and brought her a wheelchair. Then, after security and check in, she was transferred to another wheelchair and taken to the end of the boarding ramp, at the ship’s entrance. Then she resumed walking with her cane.

We are embarking from San Diego (11/26) and will find out if the process has changed. 

27 minutes ago, kangforpres said:

Everything works, except when I add a new cc for the onboard expenses. Twice now after logging off and back on. I guess I can call

 

-Paul

I had the same problem several days ago. Also web network problems (“Endpoint not reachable”) when booking specialty restaurants. Tried it a couple hours later and it worked fine. So you might try it again after a bit.

It is frustrating as I would rather be told I cannot do anything right now, than take the time to enter everything and then have it go to lunch. 
 

You were having problems a half hour ago. I have learned not to do much with the site overnight, as it can be very flaky and unresponsive then. 

On 9/6/2022 at 6:55 AM, cruisetravlr said:

Drinks ordered through In Room Dining are not included in HIA.

The Signature and Elite packages have a daily limit of 15 alcoholic beverages, which includes all alcoholic beverages with a menu price of $15 or less (Elite Beverage

Package), or $11 or less (Signature Beverage Package). The Quench Beverage Package includes unlimited non-alcoholic beverages and bottled waters 500ml and under.

The packages exclude purchases made in the Mini Bar, Honor Bar, Chocolate Seduction, In-Room Dining, beverages purchased on Half Moon Cay and any self-service draft beer.

Our last HAL cruise was Thanksgiving 2019, before the Covid Pause. We are happy to be back with several sailings on Konsingdam late November thru early January. 
 

Our post-Covid return to cruising was a Princess Alaska sailing in July. I was surprised to find that beverage package drinks could be ordered to our room. It was Very Nice at night when we didn’t want to venture to a bar but were looking for A Little Something to cap off the day.

Here’s hoping HAL eventually considers letting us use the beverage packages with room service. We always tip well so the staff are happy to deliver. 

3 hours ago, SilvertoGold said:

Koningsdam and Noordam as described above but pricing was $25 and $39 pp

Wow. More than I remembered. Still a good way to spend an hour. 

Pre-Covid, there were two. The second one had better wines and a higher price. I believe it was $15pp for the first and $25pp for the second.

We found the first session wines were just OK and the second were noticeably better. Cheese, grapes and such served with. We usually do these if we are not busy as they are pleasant events. We've made some friends chatting up those sitting nearby, discussing the wines and Life in general. Perfect segue to an afternoon nap (without the new-found acquaintances).

13 hours ago, VennDiagram said:

 

IMHO the best value (which may not be exactly  what you are looking for) is lunch in the Pinnacle Grill.  There is a cost, but the value is much greater than the cost, IMHO.  My DH agrees, and like you he is "economical" 😉

If you like wine, check out the wine packages that are offered.  For me, they also offer good value.  YMMV.

I second lunch in the Pinnacle Grill. Usually a great experience at a reasonable fee. I believe it is only open for lunch on sea days. 

26 minutes ago, rkacruiser said:

Bitterballen at HH; why is it not offered daily?  Dutch Pea Soup when the scenic opportunities offer such, i.e. Antarctica and Alaska.  Bread Pudding at lunch and the Raisin Rolls at breakfast.  The special rolls, i.e. Panama Rolls, available during  visits to those areas. 

OMG, I forgot to mention the raisin buns/rolls! We get them with coffee on the first room service delivery time slot each day. Wonderful way to ease into the day.

On 10/23/2022 at 7:44 PM, Crew News said:

With no wind while the ship is moving, you can spend a lot more time on your balcony and see what is happening on both sides of the ship.  Since you are a short elevator ride up from the Room Service kitchen, anything you order will be at the right temperature when it arrives.  It's also a short elevator ride up to the Lido Market for a snack.

 

The photo ops while wearing your pajamas on your private balcony are the best.

 

Happy aft balcony!!!

We agree about the lack of wind while underway. We have had too much wind with side balconies. And don’t mind being able to slip up to the Seaview Bar and bring back cocktails to enjoy on the balcony or in the cabin,

Ditto on friendly staff, smaller ships and itineraries. Unlimited laundry is the best $7/day on the ship. Indian cuisine on occasion. Free popcorn with movies. Neptune Lounge when we splurge. Did I mention the staff? Hot split pea soup on deck with glaciers all ‘round. Bread pudding with vanilla spilled about. Real books in the (albeit shrinking) library. A sane embarkation process for all, not just suites. Full circuit promenade decks. Wooden lounge chairs on same. And the smiling staff, welcoming us home.

On 10/1/2022 at 6:57 AM, Hygge! said:

Clay - Koningsdam has arrived. 

Lovely picture. Thanks for sharing it. 

On 8/20/2022 at 6:08 AM, Hlitner said:

Geez, I will admit to watching Gunsmoke (it is on ME TV) and some other streaming sites   Festus was one of my hero's along with Onslow (Keeping up Appearances).

 

Hank

Onslow is the perfect foil for Hyacinth in Keeping Up Appearances. Love it!

Go to questcovid19.com

My wife and I got PCR tests thru them before a recent cruise. The tests are at local pharmacies, using the drive thru. One if the valid choices you have when signing up is upcoming travel. With Medicare, there is no cost to you. The website says you get the results by the end of the next day. When you take the test, they tell you 2-5 days, which could be after your ship sails. However, we did get our results late at night the next day. You make appointments with them. 
 

You have to get the test within three days of sailing. So for a Saturday departure, get the test on Wednesday and you should have results late Thursday. I have seen conflicting info about the test being within 3 days or 72 hours of sailing, especially if you are going to Canada as part of your cruise. To be safe, you may want to get the test just within the 72 hour window. 
 

Cliff

On 6/30/2022 at 11:55 PM, caribill said:

That used to be the policy.

 

But with the heavy promotion of the ability to order something with Medallion technology and have it delivered to wherever you are on the ship. And that includes your cabin.

Sweet! I was basing my reply on the past. This is great. Thanks. 

4 minutes ago, CruizinSusan70 said:

If you think the entire cruise industry is going to go bankrupt, then why are you wasting your time posting on a cruise board?  Why not go post on TripAdvisor regarding some land based vacation you have gone on previously.

I second that. We can all read the news and make our own decisions. That's the beauty of free enterprise. You might consider going to some other street corner and preach your divine financial wisdom. 

26 minutes ago, Carnevale said:

Am I correct in assuming that if I have a drinks pkg there’s no additional charge for drinks or coffees that are delivered to the room?

 

many thx for the link to the menus - very helpful.

I don't believe you can use the drink package with room service. You can go to any bar and get to-go drinks for your room, though. 

On 6/19/2022 at 3:29 PM, DQGal said:

 

We are going in August also, for our 42 anniversary.   Happy Anniversary to you!

We are on the 8/31 sailing, celebrating our 43rd, so we are right with you.

I, on the other hand, always recommend booking this in advance, especially for weekend days.

Most of the seats on the boats that shuttle you to the island are covered.  There is some outside walking at the beginning and end of the tour, so you will want a hat/jacket/poncho/something so you don't get too wet/cold until you are inside the prison.

It is a marvelous tour.  If you are able to take the night tour at some point, that adds another layer to the experience.  Especially if the island is shrouded in fog at night.

And you can preorder the unlimited laundry on HAL's website.