Dunelm

bUU: Great observation! I like the "river" metaphor. Life is like a river, hitting some rocks on its way to an ocean. Would like that ocean to be filled with love. One day!

For the record, I am no fan of Oprah, her politics or her New Age hokum. She was a poor choice to be the new public face for Holland America on those grounds. She is also a part-time neighbor in my community. We have a different picture of her, than the one held her media fan base. Just like Tina Fey's exaggerated representation of Sarah Palin, I have a hard time getting SNL Maya Rudolph's exaggerated version of Oprah out of my mind too. Yech.

I am guessing you did not listen to Ms. Winfrey's eulogy at the memorial service of Maya Angelou. You would have heard her tell how Angelou recognized that Winfrey had "faith in the God who put the rainbow in the clouds." So, is that what you call "New Age?" If so, I am with Winfrey.

Boy, Holland America is really running with this whole Oprah thing, aren't they?

I'd pick Melania Trump to be the godmother of the Nieuw Statendam. In my opinion, Mrs. Trump has grace & style, and she would not try to make the occasion all about her.

I think Mrs. Trump has enough to cope with. She certainly has style, though, and so does Ms. Winfrey. This question is so loaded with implications, I think it should be removed.

Definitely pay for insurance. Because of illness had to cancel a transatlantic trip. Our insurance kicked in, and we were not out of pocket for anything. We bought insurance through our travel agent.

I have always thought that we learn more from our disagreements than our agreements. Unfortunately today we seem to choose only those networks, sites, and groups with whom we agree. Hence, we tend to be quite ignorant and uninformed. I agree, though, that loudness on any topic can be irritating and rude. I just hope that in any context we can be kind enough to listen, and if the communication is loud or harmful, we can politely move. Kindness and smiles heal.

Have been several times on both lines. Not much difference although Celebrity may lean towards a younger crowd. On our last Celebrity cruise, I sensed more gimmicks. We ate in two of their specialty restaurants. The waiter in the European style one refused to stop telling us all about French food and the correct way to eat it even though we told him that we had been to France several times and that the couple with us owned property there. In fact, they are fluent in French. So, that experience while making us grin afterwards, was not a bit like the friendly crew on HAL. Food was okay.

It always amazes me the way two people can be on the same cruise and have a totally different experience. I am suspicious of any review that is totally negative. Every situation has to have something positive about it. I do not want people to be warned off Holland America. Obviously, if you are able to and/or want to pay premium price for the most luxurious lines you MAY have a different experience, but possibly not. I agree that there may be maintenance problems that should be fixed, but a ship is not a condo building and cannot always be fixed immediately. We are living in an insty-fix culture. I have been on Celebrity, Princess, Azamara, and Holland America, and enjoyed every cruise. I have found life is never perfect, and that includes me. So sorry if anyone is offended by this post.

I read a great take on Adam and Eve in the Garden. It was Paradise, but was not "enough." We are all so different with different expectations. I guess that is what keeps us from boredom.:)

I think we are all unique and we spend money in different ways. If a suite is well within one's budget, I would say "go for it," particularly if the itinerary is not port intensive. I tend to be claustrophobic and like space and windows. On the other hand, space is not important to others. I admit, though, that the ship itself, the crew, not having to cook, and the destinations are really more important. I just feel so fortunate to be on a cruise, regardless of the size of my stateroom.

Actually, Lancal, considering how hard the crew worked on our cruise this July, I felt I was getting a lot more than what we had paid. Obviously, the Rotterdam must need some work. All the complaints on this thread will encourage some folk to choose a different cruise line. If so, I hope they have a good experience.

I do think that many corporations have cut corners to improve profits, usually that benefit shareholders. Having cruised for several years, I continue to be surprised that prices have not risen more steeply. I think, importantly, most ships are maintained to maximize safety. There is a huge difference, though, between maintaining ships as opposed to condos. Water plays havoc on most materials. Perhaps ships should be at disembarkation ports for longer so that interiors can be adequately maintained. I can guarantee that cruising costs would rise greatly. On my recent cruise, people were complaining about verandah maintenance during the cruise. It's complicated. Companies everywhere, on land and sea have cut staff. Are we willing to pay for a culture that starts to put people over profit?

If the port is that devastated, I suspect that it will be temporarily bypassed. If the port is not that devastated and can accommodate tourists, I suspect that the resident shop owners would welcome the tourists and their money with open arms so that they can afford to rebuild.

Exactly. I know there are presently cruise lines doing what they can. People are usually wonderful in a crisis. Just know that even from afar we can all help, and especially if we can keep cruising the Caribbean .

I can understand people being concerned about disruptions in their plans to some extent, but it would be wonderful if some of the cruises could take help to those islands that need it so badly. That help could be in many forms. I cannot imagine what it must be like for those who have lost everything. And here we are concerned about disruptions.

Loved the NA Alaskan cruise this year. The crew were fabulous. Thought the food was very good in the MDR, but anything I do not have to cook is always good for me. The Pinnacle Grill was excellent. Entertainment was okay. I particularly enjoyed the two classical musicians as well as amazing Blues group that had everyone wanting to dance.

A friend has a relative with a large home on Tortola that has been totally demolished. The relative is fine. My heart goes out to all who are affected by these disasters, but especially to the poor. Actually, terrible storms are happening all over the world. Approximately 1,200 people have recently drowned in India and Bangladesh. There are eleven states here that have wildfires burning, and there is drought in Italy and other countries. Sorry, this is not cheering up anyone, but people of faith can pray, and everyone can support in other ways.

I agree that wheelchair assistance should be requested unless the walker can be sat upon. The walk through the convention hall and through immigration, etc., is long. Certainly, there should not be the long lines when several ships are leaving, but the wait could still take a while. The computers were down when we embarked this year and everything was held up. I second the Pan Pacific Hotel idea. It gives fantastic service.

Thank you Cheng KP for being so informed. I am also thankful for the thousands of people who have believed the supposedly "fake news" and are evacuating. Whew!

I must be missing something b ut I do not understand the connection of Oprah with HAL. What is that about? Yes, everything is about money but doesn't sound to me like many of us here are rushing to sail on an Oprah crujise. . I won't be. :D Also, Oprah is making noises she may run for political office. If so, why is HAL immersing themselves in politics? Not the place for it, IMO.

I do not know where you are getting the political information about Oprah Winfrey. Last time I read about her, she said she had no intention of running for any political office. But, do not understand why she is so disliked. Ah, well . . .

These days, I tend to get tired of all the complaining. If we are on a cruise, we are being pampered despite the apparent cutbacks. Now, if I was living in Syria or some other parts of the world I think I might complain. In fact, I think I would be screaming. There is too much negativism in our spoiled lives. I am sorry if I am being offensive to some, but I have just met a woman that has been working with refugees on the Syrian border, and I am a tad testy. Sorry!

Sorry if your cruise was spoiled. We were in a Neptune Suite recently, and a similar thing happened when our verandah was painted. It was no big deal for us, but we all react differently. Personally, I am always glad for any kind of cleaning and for the people who do it. To me, any cleaning is such a thankless job because it is never finished--especially at sea.

Thanks also to Ken the Cruiser. Everyone is so helpful!

Thanks Kazu for your post about O. I think HAL is still the best line for us, but can understand that some prefer other lines. Life would be boring if we all liked the same things :)

One problem I have with the more luxurious cruises is that they are usually all inclusive. I like a glass of wine at night, two at the most. My husband only drinks wine occasionally, so being all inclusive is a waste for us. Does Oceania do all inclusive? Also, we were on a smaller ship--about seven hundred passengers five years ago, and felt a lack of space compared to HAL's. We've been on the Rotterdam and Statendam as well as the larger ships.

Having trouble replying. Sorry if this is a repeat. Were not in the Tamarind.

PS. Sorry about typo. Should be Cruise!