RMLincoln

On recent cruises the MDR staff used wireless widgets to take our orders. The waiters said that the orders would be ready much faster plus it helped them keep better records and inventory. Hmmm. Sounds like improved productivity.

I recall that Celebrity used wireless systems to speed up the changeover for Open Dining - they had it down to a science, very fast.

And I was quite surprised that on HAL we didn't sign for a bottle of wine in either MDR or PC - our first time there so we weren't sure how they do things. But I thought that was regressive and I like to know what I'm paying for and have a receipt in case there is something to dispute.

m--

Coming from New Mexico I always hit the taco bar a few times. OK, so it's not like home but it does have a variety: chicken, beef, black beans, pinto beans, grated cheese, some tropical salsas, tortillas, bland guacamole, rice, sour cream, jalapenos, no chiles. Usually on the ship I avoid what I can get at home but sometimes it just helps round out a lunch.

Is there a tour on Curacao that takes you to the other side of the island? I took a tour to Blue Bay across the island and it stopped at the flamingo salt flats for pictures, then to a private beach, lots of shade, facilities, bar, and snorkel gear for those who wanted. Just a very beautiful afternoon. m--

Yes, and IIRC, Carnival had the interactive TVs in 2003 when we took our first cruise [Carnival Spirit]. So this is not very new technology, just a choice that HAL continues to ignore.

I like sailing out of Vancouver and taking the Inside Passage instead of the Seattle departure. And I always go for the most glacier opportunities available.... that's why I take an Alaska cruise!

Princess rooms (for those of us who aren't booking suites) don't usually (Ocean Princess is an exception) have a couch in the room until you get to suites level. I miss the couch a lot on Princess, even in a Balcony room with chairs on the balcony. But I do it when there's reason.

Zaandam, being an R class ship, will have fewer balcony rooms than on a Vista class HAL ship (Oosterdam in your case) so those may be priced higher on Zaandam. Oosterdam IMHO is maybe the most elegant ship I've been on.

I'm 3 star on HAL [150 credits] and Platinum on Princess [82 credits]. I like getting some free WiFi on Princess but I wouldn't pick my cruise based on the $100 I'll spend on HAL for an internet package. Happy planning.

m--

After our multi-cruise company trip through Europe in the fall, finishing up on Maasdam Rome to Ft Lauderdale, I had to 'sigh' about HAL's lack of 21st century technology.

Here are a few things I would like to see them upgrade to [and where I've enjoyed these technologies]:

• Face recognition photo kiosks that you access with your room card [Celebrity]
  
• Interactive room TVs that have your account info, menus, shore excursions, movies, weather forecasts for one's itinerary stops [Viking]
  
• Real WiFi, free [Hurtigruten, Viking] or at least part of the loyalty rewards program [Princess]
  

m--

What are the chances there will be inside or ocean view cabins available in May for a June sailing, either from Boston or Quebec City? Do people cancel close to final payment?

 

Thanks for your observations.

Yes, Sometimes there are cancellations around final payment time but that would be before May for a June cruise, usually 75 days before sailing.

Sometimes prices drop and sometimes prices rise. If you book before final payment you may be able to get an upgrade or some OBC if the price drops after Final Payment date. If the ship is sold out or the prices rise you will be out of luck. But it's usually easier to get an Inside closer to sailing because early bookings for insides may get upgraded.

A lot depends on how flexible you can be. The Canada/New England itinerary is not as competitive as, say, the Caribbean. Happy planning. m--

Hi to RMLincoln! I was wondering if you've ever sailed on the Hurtigruten Fram. Have you been to Antarctica yet? You've done some extensive cruising!

As you have too - many wonderful places! But no, we have not been on Fram nor to Antarctica. We did a 'round the Horn cruise, LA to NY, but it didn't go across to the White Continent. No regrets, too many good memories of wonderful places that we have bee to.

Fram sounds like it would be a very different experience than the Coastal Steamer which we enjoyed very much. Next time we'll have to pick a different season and get the benefit of more light and more scenery. I doubt that Fram in on our radar screen unless maybe to Greenland. Enjoy, m--

There's some good in that they repeat: If you really liked something you can have it again. If you had trouble deciding you get to try a different dish from the same menu. Our b2bs had different length legs so there were a few variations. m--

Wednesday night? From Warwick?

That's touch & go right now. Sorry to say. The governor is expecting the clean-up to go into Thursday.

Even worse... they are to fly out of Boston Logan... but on a plane to Iceland. The plane shuttles Boston - Iceland, so if they can get to the airport (a bus load of folks from Bristol) they should have a plane.... Iceland is forecast to be clear so if they get there they should see the Northern Lights! If....

But as I said, trips can be rescheduled. Better all stay safe. m--

Heard that the Coast Guard directed the pilot to the area of the Veendam to make rescue faster. Good the plane had enough fuel to reach them. m--

Wishing all of you in the NE could send at least some of that troublesome white stuff to us in the SW who need it so much to abate our long drought and our coming fire season. We are - again, and still - below average for snow fall. Hoping for a wet spring here :|

I'm keeping in close touch with my single friend in Bristol RI who is scheduled to fly out Wednesday night on her first solo travels, a packaged tour trip! Hoping it all works out ok and everybody stays safe. (Trips can be rescheduled.) As a first responder I know that bad weather is the busiest and very dangerous. Blessings to all involved! m--

Are you coming form Vancouver? Surely you will be wearing warm clothes traveling to and from home. Those should do nicely for the few cool days you will have on board. If you are coming from a warm, snow-bird location you will want to have a set of warm clothes. I recall some folks shivering in their shorts and sandals the first day out of SD. And some the second day... etc. m--

If I had the budget for it I think a bay-window suite would be fabulous - warm and cozy while have the best vistas.

We were on Midnatsol in late October and it was quite dark quite early. We were on board when the clocks went from Daylight Savings to Standard time (the night we left Kirkenes) and we had (on a 11 night round trip) 3 or 4 days when sunset was before 3pm. So if you are looking for Northern Lights you will likely have a lot of darkness, which will impact your possible hours of enjoyment of either a bay window or a balcony.

Only you can determine if the extra cost is worth it for a double bed and a balcony or bay window. Would a suite be better? Of course! And it may come with a water "package" which would cost you each about $75.... not a lot of trade-off but a little.

We had an ocean view room with two comfortable twin beds that folded (one into a sofa, one up to the wall) and two chairs and a table plus desk and lots of storage space. It was a roomy feeling room and very comfortable for us. The ship is not very large so it was always very easy to go sit in the panorama lounge with it the really big views.

Have a grand trip. You will be treated well no matter what room type you choose.

We saw Northern Lights I think 4 times. We were able to set our phone so that announcements came into the cabin or not. It was a thrilling experience. But we missed out on a lot of scenery and the very impressive Trollfjord as well as other fjords, so we'll have to go back again in a different season.

m--

For those who often drink beverages that are charged for, such as soda, specialty coffees or wine, there are package deals available.

Complimentary hot chocolate packets are available in the Lido next to the complimentary tea bags.

Happy Hour is a special deal in which you purchase a drink and get a second of the same drink for $1; this is available in a given bar for a given amount of time, as listed in the On Location.

My greatest concern is what might happen to the husband if something befalls the caregiving wife. Having a loving and familiar third party sounds essential to keep this couple robust enough to deal with the unexpected. With only two people and one of them going on shore I think is taking too much of a risk. When we travelled with our teenage and pre-teen grandchildren we would never have left them alone on board or ashore because they wouldn't have been able to cope with the unexpected.

On a 48 night cruise around South America I came down with a nasty flu and was in bed for 5 days. I rode it out and bounced back but my husband lovingly cared for me through it, as of course I would do for him too. Luckily he didn't catch it from me. But stuff happens.

And oh what a horrible thought of being debarked somewhere along the way. There's a lot to be considered here, much more than a shore excursion.

My heart goes out to this couple, especially the caring wife who is trying to make a special and enjoyable time for them both. I tried something like this once: I recall going to a beach house with my mother, husband, brother and his family while my mother had dementia - a few hours' drive from her home. She had a wonderful first day, she loved visiting the beach and being with the family. But at night she got horribly anxious, frightened, accusatory and paranoid, tried to "run away". We had made a mistake and my husband and I had to take her back home the next day, the change was too upsetting for her.

I think this thread has had a lot of loving thought put into it. CCers are an amazing resource of wisdom and compassion. m--

I should have mentioned before: For formal: Dockers and a sport coat, dress shirt and tie would be absolutely fine. Gentlemen don't have to wear a suit or even a tux. For casual: Good denim is acceptable as is a polo shirt. You will see most men wearing a button-down dress shirt to the main dining room but a polo is perfectly acceptable.

For the younger set: We had teenagers on HAL to Alaska and they didn't get bored. First of all they loved the scenery and watching for wildlife, the pool is probably their biggest memory, the gym was a new fun world for them, and they seemed to eat almost constantly at the terrace grill or the Lido. They played active games, did stuff in the spa - there are daily presentations, went to culinary demonstrations, listened to the naturalists, checked out DVD movies and really enjoyed being with family, a benefit not to be overlooked on a multi-generational vacation. They tried basketball, tennis, ping pong, the giant chess set, but they loved being pampered with room service at any hour, pizza, French fries, and even a couple of afternoon teas with the adults.

For those who can't do without electronic games there is a video parlor too but our grandkids found plenty of other types of activities.

Hope this helps a bit. m--

When I compare ambiance on Princess to HAL I also think about the difference in staterooms. For those of us who do not stay in suites it's always a plus for me to be able to have a couch or even a loveseat in my room. On Princess usually there is not a couch until you get up to the suites level. We didn't even have a couch in a balcony room on Star Princess. Ocean Priness is an exception but Princess didn't built that ship.

As for decor in public space I find them both comparable for visual and comfort although they are a bit different. I like the brighter woods and marble on Princess but I love the teak and padded deck chairs on HAL, plus their open bright library.

DH says he doesn't think he could tell the differece between HAL, Princess or Celebrity. Except maybe for the pizza :)

HAL has been having only 1 formal night per week.

I bring a warm hat (like a knit cap or brimmed bucket hat and a knit headband) and gloves to Alaska. Waterproof windbreaker a must. Also a water resistant tote, sling bag or day-pack/backpack. If you are prepared for chilly, wet weather it will not keep you from enjoying... and if you are prepared maybe you won't have chilly wet weather! But I would expect Alaska's liquid sunshine at some time during the trip.

The BBQ was ok, I especially like the fish. But since our first time at the BBQ we now go back to the ship before the lines for the tenders get long in the hot sun and we prefer to have a quieter lunch on board.

I like getting free internet time on Princess at Platinum level which I think was 70 days.

On HAL we have 150 days (including a credits for money spent on board) so still 3 star Mariners until we get to 200 days, and we don't feel like we get much from HAL that we would use.... We can get specialty dining, specialty coffee and I think wine package discounts of 25%.... never used any of them. We feel like the rest of the benefits are fluff. Obviously we are not cruising HAL for their benefits but rather for many other good reasons :) m--

Great that HAL came through, though I must admit I am a bit surprised. Nice to spread the good news here, thanks for posting. Have a grand time. m--

As others have said and you have read, jacket and tie are the suggested dress for men on formal nights for the MDR.

Recently we cruised home from Europe, 9 week trip for us with 21 night transatlantic on HAL. There were 3 formal nights. We did not carry a suit and size 14 dress shoes all over Europe for 3 nights on the ship. DH wore black slacks, black walking shoes, dress shirt with tie and a black cardigan. We ran the risk of being turned away at the dining room door to go to the buffet or eat in our room with room service. But we were seated at our unobtrusive table for two; we went quite early at 5 or 5:15 and there were no comments made to us but we did not feel entirely comfortable.

They do rent dinner jackets and I think if we do it again we may take that option. The formal nights are lovely. On Maasdam the dining room chairs were all dressed in white coverslips and the food was the best.

For Open Dining you can show up anytime, 5 - 9, but there are times that you may not get seated immediately, you may have a short wait for a table. You can make a reservation ahead of time (call dining reservations on your room phone) for 5- 5:45 or 7:45 and after. In between those times you just come to the door and they'll seat you as soon as a table opens. They'll ask if you want to share (larger table) or dine just with your party. Really, it all works quite well. I love the flexibility. m--