RMLincoln

Was the Atrium a quiet enough venue? m—

We were on Eurodam in December. We chose HAL for the LCS. It’s a 3 day drive to a HAL ship but worth it to us for the music! We were at every set, worked our dinner around them, and met others who did the same. What amazing performances they gave us! The LCS musicians were finishing their 5 month contract with that cruise. They were outstanding musicians from US, Canada and Italy. Well educated, well trained and well disciplined. They said that auditions for these jobs are very competitive. They were all disappointed that they couldn’t renew their contracts. They loved playing their music nightly for people who really appreciated it. The venue was usually packed. They told us the venue would be remodeled and they had heard rumors that LCS might become a Main Stage show. We have a family cruise next month with 8 of us in 4 cabins on Rotterdam. We’ll find out what HAL has for classical music, if any. Our first cruise was in 2003 on Carnival with a classical quartet! We’ve seen the degradation of classical music over time from quartets to trios, duos and singles, then to nothing on Carnival, Princess, Norwegian and HAL. When HAL resurrected classical music with LCS it was a great step forward in improving music entertainment with the Music Walk, and the classical offering was a quartet plus piano so a quintet. We had had a 4 yr break from HAL( medical issues followed by COVID) so it was surprising to see just the quartet last month. But devastating to hear of the demise of the lounge venue. Next month we’ll find out if LCS plays at all on our 11-nighter. I doubt we’ll make the drive to Florida again after the family cruise if LCS becomes a hit or miss offering. We can cruise from closer ports. We’ll very much miss LCS but the rest of HAL is nothing special anymore. The enrichment is nearly non-existent. The computer and photography classes are gone with the pillow chocolates. The MDR on newer ships is too loud to converse, the service is not anything better than the other lines and sometimes worse - on Carnival there are no buzzers to wait for a hamburger at the pool, and you actually get what you ask for, with a broad smile! As 4 star Mariners it’s disappointing but we’re Platinum on Princess and Carnival, gold I think on Norwegian and similar on Celebrity. HAL might not lose much without us, others will fill in behind us, probably buying the HIA package! Nothing stays the same forever. Life is good, we’re grateful we can enjoy it, but HAL is not as good for us as it once was. Maureen

We just received notice about Columbia requirements. Our notice says: “No COVID-19 testing is required for guests who are fully vaccinated. To be considered fully vaccinated a guest must have completed their final dose of an approved vaccine at least 14 days prior to embarkation.” Fully vaccinated is the initial set of 2 Pfizer or 2 Moderna, or 1 J&J type. Those were the vaccines most commonly used in the US, not sure about other types or countries. No boosters mentioned. Boosters are for those who have been fully vaccinated. m—

Thanks for that info. I wasn’t sure if one could do that. Maybe those staffing the scanners for reboarding have bigger concerns than a few bottles of soda. m—

Room Service is another option. I’d rather order a sandwich and a salad delivered to the room while I unpack than fight the Lido! m—

Thank you all! I’m confident I have the best info to pass along. m—

We are booked on Rotterdam for Caribbean. Family member is considering joining us, but drinks large quantities of Mountain Dew. Does HAL carry it? Is it $2.50/can? Covered on Signature Beverage Package? Thanks for the help! m—

Thank you for clarifying. I’ll take it!

Finally! Received the last 2 of 5 TA approvals today, Wednesday before a Sunday departure. So what do we do with them? Are electronic versions on smartphone ok to show at embarkation? Or do we need hard copies? There’s a barcode on the Waiver so I m hoping somebody at the embarkation terminal can scan that. Will bring hard copies too but our printer isn’t perfect, and only B&W. Thanks for all the encouragement here! Maureen

We depart Sunday 28 August, party of 5. 3 have received their approvals, one yesterday. Two of us are still waiting. I’m encouraged to read here that some didn’t get theirs until 4 days out. Thanks for this info! I don’t want to wait until Friday, last business day, to email or call them but I will do so Thursday morning if we haven’t gotten the last two. That would be 3 days out. Still staying hopeful, for the Bermuda TAs and for Friday when we test for COVID! Not sure I’d have booked Bermuda if I knew all this then…. And rules keep changing. But it was a very good price and a time the grandkids could get off work, so again, still hopeful! Living life has risks but not living life is too dismal…. We did too much of that 2020-2021! Happy, healthy cruising all! m—

Is the Platinum benefit one free drink at SeaDay Brunch just once per cruise, or is it once per brunch? Thanks, m—

I have seen suggestions to try using a different browser. Someone recently posted that they couldn’t get it to take their cc. They were using Edge. When they tried a different browser, like Chrome or other, it worked smoothly. Something I never would have thought of. m—

Looking for same info… In later March we had Arrival time in 2:00-2:30 group. It was jam packed! We were in the terminal lines for an hour. Very tight quarters. They were enforcing times and keeping people out until their Arrival time. At least masks were required then but not now… we’re sailing August 28. I’m thinking now of a later Arrival Time slot but could do very first. My concern is if we board with first group it’ll be just as crowded in the terminal, plus the rooms won’t be ready and then we’ll have to sit in crowded areas waiting. I think rooms aren’t ready till 3, later due to the 10:00 am ship arrival time. Oiy… Maureen

Oh Sandancer! I am so sorry to hear of your change! Stuff happens. Enjoy your cruise and let go the disappointments. So much good in our lives! Thanks for your sharing here! m—

Thank you all for sharing this. We are waiting! But now that I know more this helps me be more patient. We sail out of Baltimore 28 August so I apparently have another 10-12 days before I see their email - I’ve been checking twice a day at least, Junk files too! Sailing with 3 “adult” grandchildren, one who I believe hasn’t put in her application yet!! I’ll remind her today! If the 800 number on the Bermuda TA website isn’t the one to call, can someone please post what number worked? Thank you all! Maureen

Fair winds and following seas Miss Dolly! We met Dolly long ago on Amsterdam when we were all younger! But she kept a youthful spirit! I hope I can be like her in some small way! m—

Sorry folks, I posted on wrong forum. m—

Just a follow-up: Yesterday after I corrected my mistake of the email address, I sent requests for two bookings on Legend August 28 departure and received confirmation today that benefits are now applied! They were VIFP pricing but nothing extraordinary. Thanks for the help here. m—

THANK YOU! I feel stupid but better! Thank you!

Today my email for stockholders benefit bounced, twice. I emailed to stockholders@carnival.com as I have done for 2 cruises this year, March and May. If people think this is still the correct email address I will try again tomorrow. Any suggestions? Thanks, m—

I’m not getting my email for stockholders benefit to go through today. Sending email to stockholders@carnival.com just like always, but today it keeps bouncing as “undeliverable “. Any suggestions? Thanks, m—