RMLincoln

We haven't seen crab in a few years (maybe the luck of the draw) and DH gave up on the lobster in favor of the better beef offerings. I still enjoy the lobster, although it's not what it used to be it's still special. I hope they offer it to you! Enjoy your cruise. m--

We have 70 days on Carnival and well over 100 days on HAL... I'm happy to pay more to be on a HAL cruise :) m--

We cruised around Cape Horn, from Los Angles to New York and never changed currency. We used a credit card for a few purchases in stores (a camera battery, a T-shirt and a museum); street vendors took dollars. Do bring "clean" dollars in smaller denominations... I had my bank go into their vault to bring out fresh bills, not necessarily new but at least clean, non-creased, unfolded - there is a lot of counterfeit US currency in SA.

If you get local currency in return as change for a purchase it can be good to have to tip a guide.

Argentina has a street value for US dollars much higher than the official exchange rate and many folks used that to their advantage but we weren't out to buy much anyway so just used our dollars with the vendors.

We only use ATMs at banks or you can go inside the bank to make your transaction with your ATM card at the teller if you are concerned.

If you bring a credit card or ATM card to use out of the country be sure to alert your banking institution before you leave because the bank might freeze your card as a fraud concern. They will want to know what countries and what dates you will be in each.

Hoping you have an enjoyable time visiting South America. We did! m--

One advantage is the same as when you use a TA: that is, you have someone to do things for you. No DIY! :D

It's like having staff; you tell them what you want done, and it happens. Leaves you time to do other things you want to do.

Ruth, I love your concise, focused observations and insights!! You have helped me see through the fog many times. :D

And I hope you had a fabulous Alaskan cruise trip!

OP: My current booking is our first with a PCC, so far so good. Some nice OBC to start with, maybe a late adjustment if the price drops later on (something my TA never could get arranged) and he always answers my emails promptly,

Blessings, m--

You may have to scout up the manifest holder. I have found that not every stevedore has it but they will tell you who does. It's been my limited experience (3 or 4 guarantee bookings) that the later we got our cabin assignment the better the upgrade... best one came at the pier! You can always hope!

I don't print and carry luggage tags anymore, I get them from the porters, fill them out and they staple them. Less to keep track of. Have a wonderful cruise. m--

We're sailing Amsterdam to Budapest Nov 3 - 17, expecting lows around freezing, highs in the 40s (F) and some rain.

I plan to have a long-sleeve silk turtleneck (bringing 3) with an overshirt (good zip pockets) covered by a fleece jacket - also has zip pockets (if cold) or lighter hoodie t-shirt-weight layer (if only cool) and a hooded rain/wind breaker over all. I considered not doing the fleece jacket and only doing a fleece vest but I think I'll appreciate the jacket on cold mornings. I'll have light gloves and a headback to cover my ears.

I'll wear light nylon convertible pants (we'll also visit some warm places in the Med and Casablanca so I can zip off the legs if I need to but I doubt I will) lined with polypropylene mid-weight long johns when it's cold out.

For shoes I'll wear my Sorel low booties which are waterproof and thinsulate lined with medium knobby grippy soles. My alternate shoes are Dr Scholl's oxfords.

I figure we'll be walking a lot and that exercise will keep me warm. A small travel umbrella will be in my sling back or DH's shoulder bag for just-in-case.

I really don't want to be cold and wet... and I really want to see what's to be seen.

NO bad weather, only bad clothes! Good you asked ahead of time to be prepared. I hope you have a wonderful cruise. m--

We've stayed several times at the Rodeway Inn Dania, caters to cruisers. Basic motel, free shuttle to pier works like clockwork, from the pier you'll have to call and wait or take a cab, $10-15. Rooms are basic, clean, upgraded beds. Good WiFi, the usual basic breakfast included. We usually get a room for well under $100, maybe $75 depending on the time of year. Park your car there but arrange price through www dot Stay 123. Restaurant on site or walk to the small-boat marina across the road to the Rendezvous and dine inside or al fresco, good grouper. They'll shuttle you to the Publix but if you have a car you won't need their shuttle :) Rodeway is not high class enough for a lot of folks but they do a booming cruiser business.... just giving you options. Check them out on tripadvisor.com m--

Watching the sea from a deck chair on Promenade deck, seeing the flying fish or birds during the day... seeing lights on shore, lighthouses or other ships passing in the night. I almost always bring a book but then I tell myself I can read at home! I can't watch the sea from home....

m--

Counter-clockwise. But on the ship we sailed with 60% Ozzies, we walked on the left or we got run over! It was an adjustment for us but not an issue. We were sailing LA to Sydney: 60% Ozzies, 30% Canucks, 10% all others. It was a great mix and we loved the intro to Ozzie ways as we would be in their neighborhood for 6 weeks after Sydney. A fun time!!

I agree with Tugy that the LIdo hours are often an issue. Then we try for hamburgers and something form the Mexican bar. When trying to make a schedule as for a shore excursion I find room service awkward as one never knows when exactly they'll bring it.

I think Tugy's examples show the "stove pipe" problem of HAL in which one arm of management isn't communicating with the other arms; it's often not integrated for the benefit of the passenger. I agree there's room for improvement. But that's everywhere, every line I've been on and I'm not paying super high luxury prices, maybe there they have it all.

But I stay with my mantra, "It's hard to have a bad day on a cruise ship!" m--

I loved the Copper Canyon train excursion, which was the only reason for us to take that cruise, and HAL took exceptional care of us; it was a fabulous, memorable day. But if one's not going on the train, Topolobampo has little to offer other than a quiet day on the ship. Enjoy Mazatlan!

It's hard to have a bad on a cruise ship! m--

Wow, this is a great find! We'll be on Midnatsol late next month (yikes it's getting close!). Thank you so much for your work to share this... there's not a lot of photos so this a gold mine! m--

HAL has a full day of activities from lectures to deck games. I suggest you look up some of the daily "On Location" examples on the HALfacts.com website that several very dedicated CCers put together.

Longer cruises of any line will have an older demographic... we went on Carnival Splendor for 48 days around South America and the passengers were same as would have been on HAL or Princess.

The older HAL ships have larger staterooms (e.g., couches in the insides and outsides) than the newer HAL ships, so compare and look into what your preferred category room will have.

On Carnival we got tired of what I call "do it yourself" entertainers... passengers doing games shows, dance competitions, talent night, etc. HAL also is reducing live music but in smaller ways that Carnival. Our first Carnival ship had a string quartet... no more on Carnival and now on HAL we'll be lucky to have a classical duo. And HAL has a DJ in the later hours but the dance band in the evenings.

I think "traditional" cruising is more sedate in general than Carnival ever was, but I think you will find many nice touches on a HAL ship and a HAL cruise. Order a full breakfast from room service; enjoy a comfortable deck chair, (not those ... excuse me... "butt numbers" that Carnival has on deck and only a handful of them at that); have an elegant dinner in the MDR especially on formal night when they dress up the chairs with white covers; enjoy the presentations by knowledgeable speakers and a good spectrum of entertainers; go to Indonesian Tea; check out the library and maybe a complimentary iPod to hear the 45 minute tour of the ship's art collection; select a complimentary DVD form their list of over a thousand; enjoy the Mariners Embarkation luncheon (you will be a 1 star Mariner based on having cruised with a CCL company) instead of fighting your way through the embarkation buffet; step into your cabin at 11:30, it'll be ready!

If you give HAL a try, I hope you can give them a real try with a cruise out of the ordinary 7-nights to the Caribbean but if that's all you can do I think you will still find it enjoyable. m--

Just make certain that the credit card you are using has a limit enough to cover extra charges. And if you are booking hotels -- they also will be asking your credit card company for holds without telling you.

yes, good point KK. Pre-cruise hotels and rental car agencies will add their holds to the credit card, and on embarkation day when the HAL hold is implemented those other holds will likely not have cleared down to actual charges. When possible we try to keep one credit card "cleaned" for the cruise. m--

I'm not sure of your question but will try... For credit card users: HAL puts a pre-authorizing hold on your credit card at time of embarkation for $60/day pp (except for long cruises... it is $30/da pp). This hold ensures that HAL will get paid. If you accrue charges during the cruise that exceed the hold they may add an additional hold but that varies by ship and by circumstances. The actual charges will be processed to your credit card at the end of the cruise and any excess "hold" is released.

For cash users: If you exceed the amount put up in advance to your ship card account, you will be contacted by the front desk staff to come see them and add more money to your account before you can continue using your ship card.

If I've missed the target please reply with clarification. m--

I'm a little jealous.... we have over 100 days on HAL but have not been on either of their newer ships. Maybe next time! To answer your question, enjoy the room service: hot full breakfasts even on disembarkation day! Check out the library, maybe even check-out a complimentary iPod with the 45 minute tour of the ships art. If you are going to Alaska have a cup of hot Dutch pea soup out on deck while glacier viewing. Pick up one of the thousand free DVDs to view in your stateroom, or have them deliver it to your room. Enjoy a presentation on an intelligent topic. Just enjoy being treated well. m--

It's always a good thing to have passport in case of the unexpected. To paraphrase an old slogan, "Don't leave the country without one!"

Thank you for the updates as you travel along. We will be doing Amsterdam to Budapest in November so your info on Vienna and the alternative concert was very helpful. Have a grand time! m--

Princess ran one for a fee, I recall $15pp unlimited.... but don't know about HAL. We did not use the Princess shuttle because they ran infrequently from the pier and we already had our vaporetto passes from our pre-cruise time. Depends a lot on on where your ship will be parked. Our Princess ship started out at the main pier (where we boarded) but although we were in Venice overnight we changed piers during the night and parked the second day at 7-Bridges pier which is 7 bridges removed from St Mark's Square. The 7 bridges pier was about a 5-10 minute walk from SMSq so an excellent location, and no shuttle needed!

So see if you can find out where HAL will park. If you are at the main pier on the north side of the island you may be better off to purchase a vaporetto pass for 24 hrs. Best to buy ahead of time on line for reduced price; then you take your printed out voucher to the ticket booth and exchange it for your ticket/pass. If you have no mobility issues you can walk to Piazelle Roma from the main (north side) pier or use the People Mover (1.25 Euros pp each trip I believe now) and pick up the vaporettos there; go for the local and enjoy the Grand Canal or go for the Express to SMSq and enjoy more time there.

Sorry I can't answer your question directly but hope this give a bit of insight. Enjoy Venice! m--

The towels are average at best - both for size and absorbency. Typical average hotel white terry towels, and two years ago they were not waffle towels. You can ask the room steward for extra towels, so you can have nice dry towels in the morning.

 

Have you read the Hurtigruten member reviews? I find them to be quite interesting. People who don't understand the type "cruise" Hurtigruten offers, are often disappointed and write negative reviews about no entertainment, food only at specified times, and short port times. Those who understand the type of cruise generally rave about it. Feel free to ask your questions - the more prepared you are the happier you will be!

 

 

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Thanks again, and yes, have read many reviews. Have friends that have done the 6 day northbound.... but always more data to gather :D Good to know we can request extra towels.

I do feel like we will have a wonderful time as we are going for the scenery and the experience. Have loved fiord cruising in Alaska, Chile and New Zealand so what better place to see next than Norway!

Have asked if there is decaf coffee on the coffee mug plan, otherwise it's no good for me but that is something I can find out on board.

Still a little troubled about how cold it will be in late October and hoping I will have the right layers... Not bringing ice grips, just warm lined good soled booties by Sorel. And damp air is not what we are used at 30- 40-ish. Hoping for some warmer days but maybe wishful thinking. Before Norway we stop in Iceland, then after Norway on to a river cruise across Europe; then Rome and a transatlantic cruise back to US... (maybe I already said that? oh well) so we'll have many climates and trying to pack light!! OIY! A challenge but an amazing adventure soon. So excited! Hurtigruten is such a special opportunity. Thanks for your sharing. m--

Hope you enjoy the hot tub as much as we did. I reread what I wrote - although the area to hang your things is "enclosed" - it's not totally enclosed. It's a round structure with a roof, and a wide opening on one side with no door. It's just a cabana type place to hang your things.

 

A Hurtigruten trip and Norway are special.. Read these boards and you'll be well prepared. And post any questions you have!

 

 

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OK, Questions now getting down to the minutia....

Are the towels a terry type cloth or the waffle weave (not as absorbent) which is so common in Europe? Are they big enough to go around you... more or less? If we bring 2 soggy towels back to the cabin from the hot tub soak in the evening I guess we'll have soggy towels in the morning until after the room steward comes around after breakfast, so no dry towels for morning... but the hot tub soak will be worth it. ;)

Thanks for your feedback and the encouragement. The Hurtigruten trip is a bit of a leap of faith for us. I wish CC had comprehensive picture reviews from past passengers but every tidbit helps. Many thanks to you. m--

Excellent description! Thank you so, so much RSF. We live in the mountains of New Mexico at high elevation and love to use our outdoor hot tub all year, so we are used to the quick dash to the tub and then how the warmth stays with you when you get out.

Sounds like the room towels will be sufficient for our needs. I have REI microfleece(?) towels in a large size which packs down to about 6x6x 3/4" and wring out to just damp but I'd rather not have to pack even those if we can do without them. Our Hurtigruten trip will be 11 nights of a 65 night trip so I'm really packing light and multi-purpose for every item... using just a carry-on size wheeled case plus shoulder tote each. Did 30 days like that last time in Europe but this trip has more varied climates and 3 cruises (H + river cruise + transatlantic back to the states... so formal wear is getting left behind in favor of warmer layers :) But gotta have that hot tub soak! m--

We'll be on Midnatsol in late October for the round-trip, 11 nights. I'm looking forward to using the hot tub and watching the stars but realizing that there are probably no robes to wear to the hot tub up top. Are there towels up there to use? Are the room towels big enough to wrap up in? Or do people just come back to their rooms dripping all the way... yuk.

Any experiences to relay would help! Thanks so much. m--

From my experience through having a special diet/including gluten free grand daughter on HAL with us:

HAL will provide gluten free bread and gluten free pasta on request... and you will make choices (the night before usually) that will include notes in the margin showing adjustments such as "no stuffing" no sauce" no gravy" etc on your night-before menu selections. Plus, you must ask a lot of of questions. Ask is the gravy is gluten free (coul dbe cornstarch or arrowroot) or if their is a gluten free sauce available. Ask if you may have a different sauce, such as apricot preserves or berry compote or raspberry coulis... or butter.... be creative and if you ask you may receive. But our experience was that they did not do up special dishes for dietary restrictions. But they generally were able to provide what we asked for out of our own creativity.

In the Lido we got to know the head chef of the Lido and he told us he was on duty whenever the Lido was open, please just ask for him and he'll come out and answer any of our concerns. He took us around the buffet and told us what was safe and what was not.

When you come back please share with us how it went for you so that others will learn. Have a great cruise! m--

For those who want to do it on their own, there is a bus that runs from the temporary port drop off point to the train station for 80 euro cents per person.

Thanks for this info, didn't realize this and will look for it in November. m--