REOVA

To Clarify - There are still usually 3 live trivia games a day. The ships used to have daily trivia sheets they would put out with the various newsletters and puzzles. I know they did away with the newsletters precovid (to save paper but at least you could take them off ship and read unlike on the app now) and they have the crosswords and sudoku still but not the printed trivia.

Unfortunately. But if you go to guest services they may have access to old ones and print them out. But for some reason the questions and answers were together on same page so it wasn't quite the same. Had to have DW take a photo of each and then black out the answers so I could do them. 🤭

Yes they listened to us and built the library after not having one on NS and KDam. We were surprised at the number of current books and multiple editions.

As usual, each ship has its own protocol. We were told not to leave outside door in July. 🤷‍♂️The quarantine cabins are marked on each deck for crew. But the problem predates Covid so it won't change.

We haven't sailed Princess in over a decade but used to sail when our family was younger as they had more kids on board 🤣 will be curious to hear if they've made the same cuts and change to their entertainment and your comparisons.

We had Priority boarding and luggage tags for Neptune Suite. We were first to drop off luggage and first to board. Sail away was 4 and at 3:30 I asked cabin steward and concierge where our bag was. They had to search but finally arrived as we sailed. Baggage priority doesn't matter but CO should have same boarding with suites. @forevercruising1may want to print out the info showing the cabins linked just in case boarding is an issue. Also may want to send message to HAL regarding linked booking and boarding times. Boarding Pass time still may change before you get to Port.

I thought they had a multiple socket plug that you could switch voltage on. It looks like European outlet but you can fit US plug. Was it not in your cabin?

When we were quarantined, we were told not put things in the hall nor did any rooms have stools (I think it was done only in the quarantined section of the ship where that was closed to general pop.) If you are quarantined in your own cabin they ask you to call guest services and someone will take trays, trash bag, towel bags exchanged at the doorway. Leaving trays, dishes, glasses etc in halls, elevators, planters, pool side, Lido buffet...is just a lazy cruiser. (They want to enjoy their cruise at the expense of others...but we have the same people back at home so no surprise). If you can carry your drink from a bar and finish it in the elevator, you can carry it to room or drop off for appropriate disposal. Thanks for the tidbits. Shows that HAL(and others) has 2 types of cruises and the short 7 day or Holiday cruises are where you find this activity more. We've done 20-100+ day cruises, which we prefer, and may have a few of these issues but not as much, even with kids onboard. The prominade deck (walking no jogging) is only a few laps for a mile but they've made it narrow with blind turns and tender heavy view on Pinnacle ships. They still have bar soap if you are in Neptune suite.

It's not totally exposed but those above you can see down depending on where you are. Here is a photo I took last month. Deck 3 is the white area for reference. I remember many years ago my brother had a corner aft during Alaska and they were very exposed from above. But that was an older ship on a sister line.

You basically have 2 statement balances on the cruise, 1 shows non refundable balances, like OBC from ship, and the other is refundable balances. Usually if you have a refundable balance you can request cash at end of cruise (otherwise it goes back on credit card). Make sure you to ask for a copy of your statement (or look on Navigator) and let them know you want it applied to B2B.

I was told it was for inventory purposes. However not everyone asked for a signature so it was hit or miss. Seemed like their computer system would track inventory without needing a signature or maybe they don't trust the bar staff and they want verification of sale. 🙄

Is the Captain marrying them?

Was on Rotterdam this month and Crosswords and Soduko both were available. Either in the library or up in EXC lounge /crows nest (I forget as I was hoping for the daily trivia which they no longer do). I suggest waiting and getting a tour of spa before buying on day 1. When we last bought spa package (many years ago) we found we never used it on short itineraries. Maybe a day pass (free for 5* mariners). Also some people have mentioned suanas/steam rooms not working on some ships so know before you pay.

Do you have a Print Documents button? If you've completed all documents and credit card online, boarding pass should be ready to print. It may give a temporary boarding time and change when getting closer to boarding.

I think the last Happy Hour I saw on ship this month was BOGO but 2nd was only half price not free. We had SBP and used it for both alcohol and non alcohol (too many milkshakes 😮) so didn't pay attention.

You can find someone onboard current ship (from CC roll call) and have them ask someone (like matre d') about next cruise count. They usually have an estimate.

Not always. When I have OBC to use, I book excursions with credit card at least before the 3 days from embarkation so I can get them before they sell out. Then once onboard I go to EXC desk and have them credit my card account and deduct from OBC. But you need to make sure which tours are full so EXC doesn't lose them when they cancel/rebook (they shouldn't but never know). Also check what you paid preboard and current price onboard price. Some do increase onboard so if you have other tours that haven't had a price increase (or are not full yet), you can rebook those first. I did have to pay a higher price once but it was only $10-20 total.

Of the 2 I would choose 4148 with the caveat that you have traffic off the elevator coming by your door, you may not have a view of the water looking down towards the bow (tenders) and you may hear dining/kitchen noise depending on what deck 3 is doing below. I am not fond of the angled balcony cabins like 6143 as it's not as private and you would not be able to see towards the bow as the partition to the cabin next to you is blocking view left. Also looking towards stern you don't see down the ship since it's inset and you look down the cabins toward V6169. Not sure if these matter but just my thoughts.

You will need to call HAL dining way before boarding as dining fills up fast (even pre boarding). It may depend on the ship but some of the older ships do have a back room to use and the new ships have back row a tables they may be able to move tables together. You will probably need an early or late time there.

I applaud you to be able to find (take) that time as I know how precious time can be with active work schedules. For DW and I we are now retired and spend most of our time together at home. We will either vacation or travel. The former is when we like to relax and mainly stay together and the later is where we like to experience places, people and excursions (which we mostly do separate since I am more adventurous outdoors and she likes the tourist or walking tours). I can appreciate both styles as we have met numerous people around the world that we still keep in touch with as well as learned different perspectives from these people, as well as from each other. Each of our adventures work differently.

"I could never use my phone at Sea, maybe because I have a Samsung and Navigator app is designed for iPhone?" I have a Samsung and no problem using Navigator app on phone. Obviously you wouldn't want to call at sea from cell phone unless using internet calling or a video calling app through wifi (when wifi works) but, my guess, it probably wasn't due to Samsung. Glad you had a good cruise and thanks for reviewing.

If you decide Veranda vs Vista (because of layout of bed) avoid VF (tenders) and I don't like VA and V due to inset of the cabins so you don't get a full view down the ship from the balcony. Just my opinion.

My concern for deck 4 would be noise from either World Stage/Casino (Forward) or engine/mechanical/Dining in (Aft). The lower decks in aft get more noise and vibration. I didn't see what cabin on Navigation (V?) but noise from above can be an issue. We did Neptune suites on Kdam and Rdam and the Beethoven suites above had full view down on our balcony for little privacy. But on Beethoven deck I believe passengers would have to look over deck 10 to see down on balcony.

When you get onboard, go to shoreexc desk and have them rebook it with your credit. Also if you booked any other excursions via credit card precruise, have them rebook those to use OBC and it will credit back to your account.

The other issue would be what's below. You may need to check where you are proximity to engine, mechanical and crew quarters as there may be noise or vibration below. some reviews..... cabin 1083 - "constant hum" cabin 1092 - "noisy activity never totally stopped" cabin 1097 - "a bit noisy" Here is and old cabin review for 1097 on NA "We were awakened around 7AM each morning with grinding and knocking sounds below our cabin.".