Ontariotrekker

The noisiest cabin I ever had was on the Noordam on the lower promenade.  We were doing a Baltic cruise so we sailed into white nights and some folks had trouble sleeping.  My bed was under the window and I woke up about 2 am to the sounds of a couple having a rather loud domestic, not realizing I guess the time or the place.  My next door neighbour went out and some a chat with them and they moved on.

Shar

I was in E529 on the Sky and woke up one night thinking I had company in my room courtesy of the neighbours tv..  It happened a couple of times only so I just put a pillow over my head and went back to sleep.    I was on a B2B and the next folks were very quiet.

Shar

We have a turnaround day in Southampton and I'd like to get off of the ship to meet a friend in town.  How tricky is this to do?  Is it a long way to the port gates?

I'm cruising Princess.

Thanks Shar

Re Sept. 26/2022 36 day on Grand Princess.  I post but then it comes back with an editor message??

What's wrong.  Shar

On my last Voyages to Antiquity cruise there was a large group of Road Scholar folks who had been on for awhile already.  Among them - a plus size lady with grayish hair and about 5'6".  It was like looking at a sister from another mister.    We joked because we always got confused - she got my drink order, the RS tour guide kept trying me to hustle along to get into their specific bus.  We sat at dinner together one night and most folks were doing double-takes.

Shar

I have a wide foot & a high instep and I've found that Naturalizers have shoes that fit for all occasions.

I also have a pair of beige-brown Crocs mary janes for walking around the ship.  They are especially useful near the pools.

Shar

2 hours ago, kazu said:

I think I'm going to buy a $250.  drinks card and that should cover anything I want.  There is also a laundry package that I'm considering - I'll be gone for 50 days.

 

Wow, thanks everyone.  I do like to post and stay in touch with family since I'm a solo traveller.  I'm not a big fan of trying to find wifi in port since again solo + I have heard folks complain about security. 

The big issue is still the overall package thing that HAL is promoting - not a drinker, solo so am difficult to accommodate in the paid venue dining rooms.  I have a long time to worry about it so will decide later.  I'm spoiled because my last 5 cruises onboard the Aegean Odyssey came with free wifi.

Calm seas - Shar

I'm booked on a 50 day with Hal and am currently signed up for the 'extra' package deal they are offering.  It includes internet but I'm thinking of dropping the whopping extra $2, 000 and just buying stuff I figure I'll need.  Anyone bought a package ( $400 for 40--51 day ) and how did it work our?

Thanks  Shar

Thanks everyone - I did end up booking a different cruise.  

Calm seas & blue skies - Shar

Thanks everyone.  I'll take a look.

Shar

Does someone have picture of the balconies on a HAL ship that have steel rails instead of clear view?   Thanks.

I was hoping for a quick review of this category cabin or a D cat on the same deck.  Any noise or other issues?  thanks Shar

VtA responded to my inquiry about their blog and said that they will try to keep the website up to date.

BTW - I'll be dong a HAL cruise from Sydney to Vancouver next April.

Shar

Cynthia - Staff said that VtA is still in business as a travel agent so could perhaps assist with travel arrangements.   That information came from Allison who quite frankly is not the best source. My concern is there will be a lot of lay offs etc. at their various locations.

I guess we could wait to see after the last of this year's cruise to see if they post anything.

Shar

I will miss the ship and was in fact on the cruise that went up the west coast of Africa this year. 

Since there are no perks, things are paid for in US$ and no airline gateway listed for Canada, I'm afraid it's a farewell for me for this company too.

Shar

Thanks everyone - I ended up booking through HAL for flight out, went with direct with airline for the short flight from Vancouver to Toronto.   I saved around $450. CDN.

Shar

Wow.  Thanks everyone for your quick and helpful responses.  As a Canadian, I always have to make doubly sure I'm getting quoted in $$CDN. 

My flight is a full month ahead of my ship embarkation in Australia and since I'm flying out in March the Hal feature of making sure you get a flight is handy. Right now Hal's quote is $350. cheaper than Air Canada on the flight I want.  The flight home from Vancouver to Toronto is cheaper on the AC website. 

Have a great Labour Day weekend everyone.  Shar

Anyone booked their flights using HAL?  Any issues?

thanks Shar

More than a few blamed their travel agents for not disclosing the weather conditions.

On a related note, on a Hal tour of the Baltic area, a few folks complained about the endless sunlight.  Shop did a great sale on sleep masks.

Shar

HI  Keep in mind that they have remade the movie recently so here's hoping you get the right one.

We didn't actually land on Devil's Island but a neighbouring one.  I sent postcards from there marked Devil's Island but no one received them here.

I did that cruise quite awhile ago and it was wonderful.  I did tours that took me further up the river on smaller boats to see the tributaries.  FYI - I kid you not but lots of folks cancelled their tours because they had no idea it could be so hot near the equator.

Enjoy - Shar

Thanks for the quick reply.  I usually stick to Hal tours too since I travel solo and I know I can rely on them for timing etc.

Shar

HI Great review and the pictures are wonderful.  Did you book HAL shorex only?  Did you take NZ currency with you and about how much?

Thanks

Cheese Please - mind sharing what cabin category you were in.  I was on the Capetown-Malaga cruise and am considering doing the one in September.

thanks  Shar

I got matched with a room buddy and it turned out very well - she was tidy, funny and well travelled.  I know how lucky I was.

I know I can't mention the company name here so  - travel.chick88 at sign gmail.com if you have any ??

Shar