Darlipoo

I'm sorry, I never used the TV except for occasional background music. I loved the music on the “forward camera” channel! Other than the tv series and movies you mention, the other items such as account checking and menus, etc., I regularly checked on the Navigator App on my phone. They call it an App but really it’s the home page of “login.com” after you put your phone in airplane mode and log into their WiFi (something like EurodamGuest). Great feature by the way. I used it to choose the day's activity. Just mark the ones you are interested in and they are then found in a separate area as your personal “itinerary”. I loved this!

I was on the July 14 sailing and they did have new tv system. Loved it.

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Please check itinerary. I believe we don't get into Victoria until late and not sure if there would be time for gardens. And, we may have rain every day as well. I want to visit the Empress if at all possible.

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I was on Zaandam in April. Coastal repositioning cruise. First time I had ever booked guarantee cabin and inside at that. I Loved my cabin. It was kind of square, had new tv, was right off the elevators but I never heard them. It was great!!!

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Yes, they are great. Loved them. Great movie choices too.

 

 

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Thank you so much!

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We just got off the Eurodam / Alaska and we saw more than ever in dress / gala attire! Every destination is different - Mexico a little more relaxed IMO. I also think Tammarind.is a little more relaxed than Pinnacle. It's all up to your choice. We only eat in the Tamarind and the Pinnacle - every night. Our choice for Gala night is always the Pinnacle.

Can you tell me if the Eurodam had the newer flat screen tvs with interactive ability to check charges, menus, lots of movies and tv shows?

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Can you please tell me if the Eurodam has the new interactive tvs? Some post yes- others say no. I had them on Zaandam in April and loved it. You could check your acct, see menus, watch old tv series and movies. Since we will have rain every day it would be so nice.

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Thanks for your review and all your help in answering questions. :)

The cabana sounds like a great idea but we are going to have rain every day next week. Darn

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Once many years ago, I forgot to pre book the Pinnacle Grill. When we got on the ship -- no reservations available at any time.

 

 

 

Now I make certain to pre book as soon as the reservations open up.

My TA told me last week that HAL has changed its policy on special restaurant booking. We are getting one night free in pinnacle restaurant and she said when we board ship a card will be in our cabin with night and time of our reservation. If we want to change it we can. She said so many people got on board and could not get Day and time they wanted it created a problem.

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We just got off the Eurodam / Alaska and we saw more than ever in dress / gala attire! Every destination is different - Mexico a little more relaxed IMO. I also think Tammarind.is a little more relaxed than Pinnacle. It's all up to your choice. We only eat in the Tamarind and the Pinnacle - every night. Our choice for Gala night is always the Pinnacle.

Can you please tell me if the new flat screens tv was in your cabin. They were in the Zaandam in April and I loved it.

Are they any cruise lines that have a bar or lounge that has social dancing (similar to ballroom dancing)? Holland America used to have a 3 piece combo playing in the Ocean Lounge but I have heard that they don’t have that anymore.

 

 

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I just got off the Zaandam and they had 3 piece combo with dance floor in Ocean Bar. Singer Scott was very good but transferred over to another ship our last day. On way to another Alaskan HAL. Stryker is the BEST but not sure where he is now.

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May I offer condolences on your very recent loss, and may you find some solace during your cruise next week. In my book, a little escapism and deferrence of acceptance is allowed. Everyone has their way of handling grief.

 

 

 

I might suggest that you not be specific as to when your husband passed - just a 'I lost my husband recently' is suffice. In fact, no explanation is required at all as to why you are not traveling as a partner.

 

 

 

As to long term, eventually you will have to face the future. May I suggest grief counselling either via a professional, or your chosen religious institution? And nothing says you need to keep the house if it only causes pain. Good luck.

I lost my husband last year and agree with everything just posted but for one thing. Yes being in the house is hard but I was given very wise advice: make NO huge decisions for at least a year. I have changed my mind almost every month about moving and so glad I didn't act impulsively. And when the crying jags hit, just let them. Anytime, any place. I had one in lobby of Zaandam a few days ago after hearing singer singing " our song". This too shall pass.

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I had booked this last year and looked forward to the cruise. The pictures shown from OP were beautiful. I had cabin 1827 which I thoroughly enjoyed although I don't believe it was quite as updated as his suite. My "ONLY" complaint was the tv. It was not the updated one he mentioned (and that I had on another HAL cruise in Oct. 2017). It has 4 news stations, 3 movies and the picture was rarely clear. The room stewards and guest relations people were unbelievable in their kindness. I chose open dining and loved meeting new people each night. Most of them were Canadians and they were all so very friendly. My one main goal of this cruise was the on-off bus ride throughout San Francisco. I wanted to ride it all the way through first and then go again and get off at certain places. The city streets were a mess. Either there was road construction going on, or, building construction with workmen and trucks etc. in front of so many of the buildings. It was especially cold the day we were in port so sitting up on top (where I'm sure the view would have been better) was out of the question, down below if you sat on the left you could not see out the front. When the bus returned to the ship I had planned on just walking down to Pier 39 on my own but again it was so cold I just gave up. The sun did come out a few hours later but by then I was warm and cozy. I took the backstage tour and really enjoyed that. Especially the question and answer part with the singers and dancers. I went to one of the "meet with ----" programs and wish I had gone to all of them. I went to the one with the cruise director. Ours was wonderful but sadly he was crossing over to another ship the day we returned to port. I'm not a fancy cook but I did go to one of the cooking demonstrations and enjoyed that. Oh, I finally realized that the movie of the day in the theater is shown the next day in your cabin so if you can't get to the theater you have another shot . 24/7. Getting on and off the ship was a breeze. The ship transport to the airport was efficient . Should have taken 30 min. but their was a marathon in Vancouver that Sunday morning and many streets were blocked off. There was one couple on board that were going to miss their flight and one that was kind of "iffy" but since most of us were booked for noon or after we were OK. We left the sally port at 9:00 and instead of being at the airport at 9:30 we arrived at the bus parking lot at 10:30 and were finally allowed to proceed on the bus to the airline departure terminals at 10:30. Inside the airport could not have been more organized. I walked right up to the Air Canada desk, everything was explained, I moved right along and was at my gate almost 2 hours before my 12:55 flight. To pay for your suitcase they prefer a credit card to US cash but the restaurants will take US cash but change will be in Canadian money. All in all this was a really nice little trip. Maybe next time I will take it in the reverse order in early fall so I can see more of S.F. Oh, I also learned from fellow passengers that one could have stayed on the ship another day and gotten off in Seattle!!! That was never explained to me and it would have been much less stressful.

As always when this question is asked on this forum: What on earth do you mean by "best"? Some people think that it's "best" if it's cheapest, and some people think that it's "best" when the only passengers on board are themselves. Where are you in that spectrum, and what is important to you?

An airline that has more than one flight in and out of the city in a day, that flies to and from southern Calif.

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We have a choice of 2 re-positioning cruises with similar itineraries. One ends in Los Angeles (Princess) and the other ends in San Diego (Celebrity). We have never been to either city, but we can fly home from either one. Is airport access from the ship easier or better in one of them as opposed to the other? Also, both ships are scheduled to arrive very early in the morning. What would be a safe time to schedule a flight in each airport? Any information and advice is welcome. Thank you.

Out of curiosity, where are ships repositioning from? I'm going next month from San Diego to Vancouver . There are several choices of ships and days at sea. I picked the one with a whole day in San Francisco . Makes it like 2 vacations in one.

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I would appreciate feedback on the comfort of economy or premium economy seats on airlines that fly from Charlotte to Sydney. We are looking at flights that leave from LAX for the last part of the journey. I need to lean back as far as possible.

This is totally off subject but - I want to go from San Diego to Raleigh NC. Since you live in NC can you tell me the best a/l to choose from please?

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If you go over here: https://www.aircanada.com

 

 

 

Click on the Booking tab and enter your locator and last name it will pull up your reservation with all the details you would ever need.

 

 

 

I would not be overly worried about a cancelled flight. It could always happen, however it is unlikely. When that does happen it usually due to weather or a problem with the aircraft. It is summer, so no snow storms. Your also departing from one of their major hubs. That makes it easier for the airline to substitute a different aircraft if they have to.

 

 

 

If a flight is cancelled the airline is responsibility for finding and paying to put you on another flight.

Thank you. I did as you suggested and my whole name showed up with date and flight. In pink there was a note that because it was booked thru travel agent ( or HAL) I couldn't do something so I'll just let it lie until I get there. I might have been able to pick a seat but not sure if I should muck things up. LOL really appreciate your help.

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I finally got my cabin assignment this morning and logged on to print New boarding pass with no problems. Whew!

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I'll have to look tomorrow as I'm on May 1 cruise as well. Thanks for heads up.

 

 

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Got my cabin assignment today for 5/1 Zaandam

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Thank you so much. Someone else had written this wasn't available on Zaandam. I misused the word DVR. I just meant ability to have access to lots of movies and menus and your sign and sail card charges. Again, thank you [emoji1]

 

 

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Oops- just saw you are on a Eurodam. Still good news as I'll be on her in July.

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An answer from a current passenger......

 

 

 

"The cabin tv has lots of movies and tv shows but no dvd. It also has tour and port info. The new Navigator app on you phone lists all daily activities and you can sign up for tours and spa and dinner reservations on it. And yes, you can check your bill anytime. Plus chat with anyone else on board. No more walkie talkies."

Thank you so much. Someone else had written this wasn't available on Zaandam. I misused the word DVR. I just meant ability to have access to lots of movies and menus and your sign and sail card charges. Again, thank you [emoji1]

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Thanks!

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I have a locator number but no booking number. After reading posts I've requested one. Hope I have no further problems.

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I typically check in the night before. (It's one of the saddest things I do aboard ship. :loudcry:) If you don't have a computing device or need a printer, use the internet cafe/business office. You may have to buy some time, depends on the line and your status.

Thanks. My TA told me they won't print out boarding pass because I'm American going back to states but I can check in.I'll ask when I get on board. She told me to check to be sure my flight hasn't been cancelled. Lord, that would be a nightmare!

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I would love to just show up at Air Canada's counter but in many airports with check-in kiosks Air Canada ground reps will insist that you use the kiosk and not simply go to the counter to check in. They then direct the passenger to baggage drop.

 

Also, some people depending on flight class etc. check-in online 24 hours before to ensure the best seat selection and also to avoid the potential of long lines. If you are traveling in premium economy or business class this is not an issue.

I will be on my cruise 24 hours before my flight so can't check in on line , but happy to know there will be people to help me. I was told to just go to Air Canada desk but maybe kiosk ok as well? I will be going from Vancouver to Calif.

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I will be on this ship in a July. Is there any way to find out if the tv's have been upgraded to new ones with DVR like abilities. Not taping but lots of dvds available and you can check your daily bills and all kinds if interactive things. This was on another HAL ship,in Oct and I loved if.

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