sassy73

Hi guys:

I have been getting into sushi lately. Delecteable, but not totally bad for you. A little soy, wasabi, mmmmmmmmmm. (not a ginger on sushi person..:) Does Holland America have sushi, and if it does how good is it? Also, how good is the seafood in general? Going to Alaska, and so definitely want to try some salmon, and other seafood but don''t know whether to do that in port or on the ship (where it is prepaid!) Addmittely this isn't the most pressing question on earth, but was curious.

I have yet to go on my first cruise, but I have a feeling i will like it, but that I will still like land vacatiions too. What is great about this cruise is I'm going somewhere that is hard to navigate on a land vacation. Years ago, a couple of friends told me that for those of us who roll (in wheelchairs, lol.) seeing Alaska via a cruiseship is the only way to go. The man I'm going with had a partner with AIDS who died over ten years ago, and they cruised quite a bit. Though not in a chair, the partner had a lot of stuff to bring with him, and it was so much easier to cruise than do land vacations. (though they did those too, they were contantly travelling!) There are some places that I like the notion of a longer stay, sampling more local couisine. (Pasta in Italy, nothing like it.) getting more of a feel for the culture (Paris.), but for Alaska the main thing is just seeing the great landscape that is very unique. I am also though planning to go to the Russian Orthodox Church as I'm Greek Orthodox.

This thread has convinced me to do fixed dining. I don't have a "set" dinner time at home, and am semi young and semi non traditional, I thought as you wish might be more my style. However, I have no desire to wait a hour for food, and I like the idea of someone getting to know my tastes, and my particular needs. (Like I only like my meat medium rare, and I know the difference!) I decided the late dinner time would work best, since I tend to eat later,and most times we will be departing our port, or we have to be back in the ship, by the late dinner time.

One one hand I agree, but on the other hand, cruiselines encourage this type of behavior with their all-or-nothing approach to the fare. Given the numbers and sheer odds, people are going to get onboard who are sick and just don't know it yet, so now someone with a common cold forgoes the cruisefare when s/he knows about being sick and can take precautions about spreading it while someone else with gestating noro, strep, mono, etc is could be acting in a way that helps spread it without realization.

My mom used to get mad at me, becaue I wouldn't want to go to school with a common cold, They aren't fun. (I think I have a small one as I type.) but I take precautions. If I had the flu, or any other stronger illmess that I knew of, I wouldn't board. (If I had a flu, I would be home under the covers!) I'm really glad my cruise is in August because I don't think I have ever been sick in the summer.

On our cruise in October they specifically asked about gastrointestinal illnesses -- vomiting, diarrhea, nausea -- and if you had any signs of that in the last 24 hours, you probably would be denied boarding. But I'd try to not cough or sneeze in front of them anyway! :)

My grandma and grandpa were going on a cruise to Alaska with another couple, and they were asked if they had had diiarrhea in the last 48 hours. Well the woman of the other couple said yes. The woman obviously couldn't go on, and my grandma and grandpa being the nice peoople they are decided to forgo the trip as well. Even now though, when I told her about my upcoming cruise, she told me not to do what her friend did.:) If I thought I was sick, I would deny myself boarding. I also know that at times, something besides a bug has caused my issues. However, I think for the cruiseline it is a matter of better really safe than incredibly sorry.