kentuckysailor

20 hours ago, mcrcruiser said:

We never in over 90 cruises ever heard the term or the use of " meal credit" .We heard of On Board Credits issued by a cruise line or a travel agent but NEVER a meal credit unless the Travel Agent is paying for a meal in  one of the on board special restaurants that have a cover charge  ;which is a meal credit for you to use when on the ship Use it or loose it 

My booking, HIA, states:” Complimentary Dining: 2 Credits Available”

Ever changing nomenclature. 

I am cruising on a TA in April with HIA. How do I use the meal credits?  And the Excursion amounts?  Can I book now and apply the credits?  I have read a few posts about different types of credits, stock ownership, travel agents, etc. And am thoroughly confused. Nora

I just returned from a seven night cruise on the Nieuw Statendam.  I believe the ice cream station was closed anytime the Lido was closed. There were various times that the Lido was closed. Closed at 8 in the evening, I believe reopened at 10.   I try not to eat after 10, so cannot say if the ice cream was available. LThere were several times that the line 

for ice cream was quite long, once I counted while waiting, 17 Persons. Shorter line for gelato, but there was a separate charge for that. 

I was on the 14 day Baltic cruise in September on the Koningsdam.  I really enjoyed the food in the Lido.  Since I was traveling solo, I prefer to eat dinner in the MDR, but found the food outstanding in the Lido, much better than the MDR. Some of the items would change according to the port. Outstanding  German food, lots of pork including a whole small roasted pig, sauerbraten, red cabbage, sausages. Great smoked 

 fish in Sweden, I could go on and on. Always an Asian sti fry cooked to order. By far the best buffet ever on a cruise. So good that I only ate in one of the specialty restaurants, the Die Librije, which took over the Pinnacle one evening. That was quite an experience, but I cannot say that I enjoyed the food any more than the Lido. Although I did get the recommended wines for each course. 

Thank you so much for this posting. I will travel on the Koningsdam through the Baltic for 14 nights, not exactly the same ports, but still quite interesting. Very much enjoyed, hope this inspires me to detail my trip.

Wow! I am reserving, should be quite an experience.

has anyone tried this one night restaurant on the Koningsdam ? Worth it?

I am going on a Baltic cruise with Holland and some of the port cities have more than one places to dock. How can I find out which place my ship will be? I am reading Rick Steves’ book about these cruises and want to be sure I know how to get into the city. Thanks in advance .

On a Baltic cruise, Holland’s website describes several excursions as partnered with “Food and Wine” magazine. They involve restaurants, markets, etc, and sound as if they would be of particular interest to those of us who enjoy such. Has any one been on this type of excursion?

I have cruised on several different lines and my experience is that the drinks are very weak. I am not a heavy drinker and two martinis would ordinarily give me a buzz, but not on a cruise. Also, I have noticed that I never see anyone who appears drunk, even on one of the "party" cruise lines. I would like to hear others' experience about this.

Maybe I will try some Kentucky bourbon, the good stuff.

Hope you are on Oosterdam leaving San Diego October 21. Join the roll call, if you have not done so. Liked reading the advice. Also like that if the crossing weather is too warm, we can go inside for a cold drink. Look forward to meeting you both.

I have eaten alone in specialty restaurants both on Holland cruises and in special restaurants on land. I prefer company, but if that is not an option, I take my tablet, enjoy people watching or reading. In a lovely setting with delicious food and attentive service - how can I complain?

One of the reasons I like to travel HAL.

Pinot lover,

You are right and wrong. Your tone may have been a little harsh, but you are correct. There is a completely different mode of eating in Europe and I like it. I have never eaten a three hour meal in the US while I have really enjoyed such in Italy and France. Sometimes with extended family. Maybe because at home we have too much else to do. And, in my experience, we work longer hours in the US and think we cannot take the time. Anyway, I appreciate your opinion. Which is what this the purpose of this board.

I hate it when people get snarky with each other. I am a middle child. Is,so read chow hound, and, wow, those people get downright vicious. This is not that bad.

Anyway, I enjoy these boards, read daily when I am anticipating a cruise. Looking forward to my first Oceania cruise in less than a month!

How. Do you know how to choose a TA?

Used both in Rome and Paris in June 2016. Cannot make comparison to taxi prices, but loved the way it works. I could see on phone map where the car was and see it approaching my address. Picture and name of driver on my phone. Driver called me by name when he picked me up so I felt very safe. Great vehicles nice drivers. Only negative, do not try to use during rush hours to airport , price goes way up.

Just started reading this. I am going on my first Oceania cruise, for seven days, next month. Not my first cruise, longest was to South America for 18 days. Really enjoying your writing, pacing myself to prolong. Thanks.

Will be on Marina in October, love hearing about you trip. Thanks.

As a fellow worrier and one who would be righteously indignant: let it go for now, enjoy your trip, cancel those excursions you would not have taken, enjoy those you take. According to Scarlet in "Gone with the Wind", worry about it tomorrow , or when you get home. Look at the blue skies and the beautiful ocean.

I forgot to say: I think that solo cruising is better on smaller ships so as to see the same people and get to know them. Also, I am not averse to a more luxury cruise, albeit more expensive. Or a river cruise.

I love cruising! And want to plan my next cruise. Most of my cruises have been on HAL and I have been very pleased with Holland. Have been to several European countries, to South American, and the Caribbean. I am now traveling solo, and trying to decide if I should try other lines. I am thinking about the Norway trips and prefer 9 to 14 nights. The food is way too important to me so bad meals would be a real spoiler. Quality over quantity. Input much appreciated.

Following. I have caused Hal several times, Celebrity and Carnival. Trying to decide if I should try other lines. Traveling solo.

Having cruised on Celbrity, Holland and Carnival, DCL's food is way behind the others, especially the first two. The so called coffee was undrinkable. The buffet was closed much of the time and mediocre when open. No waffle station, no cooked to order breakfast, no fresh stir fries, no sushi. I could go on and on. The always available ice cream always had long lines and several of the machines were not available. There as in the other quick service places, no napkins except upon request. And loonnng lines. The servers were way too busy in the MDR to provide personal service.

The shows, movies, characters were great, as were the rooms. I may go again with small children. The concierge service was superb. But know what to expect with the food. I would try the specialty restaurants if I did again - all the time.

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You are so right about Budget at Cape Canaveral. Going to the ship was fine, but coming back was terrible. When we arrived at the pickup point there were so many in front of us, we knew we could not get on one bus. We waited and waited for the next bus, now two bus loads behind us. Hot as Hades, kids, no seats. Finally an Avis bus took a group to the office where this chaos was repeated. Fastcard did not accomplish anything. Maybe next time I will try Avis.

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