ithaca gal

Spot on.

On 3/14/2020 at 2:16 PM, iancal said:

I continue to be amazed at the sense of entitlement and self importance of people on the forum.

 

The cruise lines are struggling with change, volume, and port changes.  Give them time to figure it out and process the appropriate refunds, credits.

 

Just be thankful that you or a love one is not in a hospital bed.  Or worse.  Many people are loosing their livelihoods over this and the ensuing financial repercussions.  Businesses will fail and close for good. There are people with far greater issues than a two hour hold time or an immediate refund or credit note.

 

I am not a huge fan of corporate America the cruise line lobby.  But these folks, the airlines, the leisure travel firms, and the insurers need time to work through this.  
 

One thing is certain.  Those firms with first rate, flexible, customer focussed IT systems will be in a much better position to work through this for their customers than those with sub standard IT groups.

 

 

 

 

 

Call it virtue signaling, if you must, but I'm pretty sure the sea turtles are celebrating the disappearance of plastic straws.  Every little bit helps.

We were on the Eurodam January 4th to the 15th and had a wonderful cruise.  We ate in the MDR, Tamarind, Canaletto, Rudi's Sel de Mer (Pop-Up) and Pinnacle Grill.  We had great experiences every evening except for our visit to the Pinnacle Grill on the last night.  We made reservations for 7:30 and were seated promptly.  It took a while for our order to be taken but we didn't really mind (although the delay was quite noticeable).  Our entrees were served at 9 p.m.  When our server started presenting the food, we asked where the clotheline bacon appetizer was.  She said they had forgotten it and would get us one (served with our entrees).  My filet was overcooked and I reluctantly sent it back.  The evening's special, the Red Snapper, was not good and one of our guests had to work to cut off the fat (with a dull steak knife) from his porterhouse steak.  The baked potatoes were hard, making it difficult to apply the butter and other toppings.  During our last several cruises, we had noticed that PG wat hit or miss, but this experience convinced us that it was our last dinner visit to the PG.  (We spoke to the manager afterwards, letting her know how many missteps there were and she said she would be certain to forward our comments to the Head Chef.)

I just got off the Eurodam this week and the Tasman Room is the studio for the very expensive Black and White Photography.  

You don't have to choose between a partial cruise and a full transit!  There is an excursion whereby you get off of your ship and onto a 300 passenger boat and transit the remaining locks -- all the way to the Pacific Ocean!  Then they bring you back to your ship by bus!  

It's a much more intimate experience than doing the entire transit in a ship!

It's a long, hot day but we wouldn't have missed it for the world.  Bring a hat and sunscreen and a handfan or battery operated one but just don't miss this opportunity!!!

Glad you posted about the people in shorts being turned away.  I've seen it on a few cruises and people don't want to believe that it happens.  Yes, sometimes someone "gets away with it", but it's a pain to be sent away.

Either way is fine.  Doing it now means  you don't have to rush to make the reservation once you get on the ship.  The charge will be the same.

In a word ……… ABSOLUTELY NOT!  (I know, I know ….. two words.)

2 hours ago, kazu said:

 

NOPE, the point is the staff know who doesn’t tip and can’t keep the cash tips they get from those parties who think “they have taken care of their people” and eliminated the HSC.

 

You might not like it, but it’s true.

You are absolutely right.  Those who don't like it will refuse to believe it.  And find more reasons to remove the service charge.  The rest of us will continue to leave it in place and tip more.

1 minute ago, Cruzaholic41 said:

HAL isn’t exactly known for booking the best comedians. 

This is sometimes true but this one was a disaster.  In addition to being unfunny and insensitive, she was actually insulting the older audience members when they didn't react the way she thought they should.

Just wondered if anyone else had experienced the "comedy" of Frances Dilorinzo onboard HAL ships.  We just sailed on the Nieuw Amsterdam and were very underwhelmed with her set.  We loved comedians and were so happy to see two were scheduled to perform last week.  Sorry that I can't remember the man's name, but his humor was topical and funny.  We can't say the same for Frances.  I was mortified to hear her make a joke about the carpets in the elevators having the days of the week on them.  She wondered if maybe HAL thought ALL of their guests had dementia.  At other times when the audience didn't respond with a belly laugh to her comments, she said she would "slow it down" …. as if the audience was too old or stupid to "get" her humor ------ we "got it", it just wasn't funny.  Twice she mentioned being with us on the "Amsterdam" ….. she couldn't even be bothered to get the name of the ship right.  Hope we don't encounter her again.

On 8/2/2019 at 6:42 AM, ski ww said:

I think more people will get off the ship if they don't have to tender & it will get more crowded.

Excellent point!

For a unique dining experience in Aruba, you MUST go to Screaming Eagle.  They have regular tables and chairs, inside and outside …… but they also offer lounge beds so that you can have dinner in bed!  Check the reviews on TripAdvisor -- the food is exceptional and the experience is amazing!  We can't wait to cruise to Aruba again, just to go to Screaming Eagle!  (The name belies the gourmet aspect of the restaurant!)

I can understand being displeased about using the nightgown from the drawer, but ……….. I would love it.  First world problems.

It sounds like you will be fine.  Since you said the boys will "tough it out" and wear long pants and a collared shirt in the MDR, you are good to go!

Great location … not worth paying extra for, however.

Christine was the CD on our March 9th Tahiti cruise and many of us were not impressed by her.  She talked about other guests in front of us and when someone complained about her, she loudly told guests "Well, the CAPTAIN is happy with what I'm doing".  She did not have the demeanor we have experienced from other CD's in the last 20 cruises.  She did go to the Prinsendam … which seemed to be quite a plum assignment for such a newbie.  I have never taken much notice of the CD on our cruises, but I have to say I would not want to cruise with Christine again.

22 hours ago, Wehwalt said:

Regarding some of the recent posts, I will not reply directly, but there is nothing wrong with expecting the ship's activities to be conducted in a first-class manner.

Yep.  That's what we thought too.

There should be no answers here, due to the "sticky" regarding one thread for smoking questions.  You will probably get answers where you posted your question on the Holland America Fans site on FB.

We were on the Eurodam to French Polynesia in March with a new CD, Christine who did NOT take criticism well during her trivia events.  She went around telling anyone who would listen "Well, the CAPTAIN thinks I'm doing a great job".  Okay, whatever.

Sorry, but I hope they don't start this!

4 hours ago, Tennessee Titan said:

Is it dead yet??

NEIGHHHHHHH!

Maybe it's because I'm old (!) but I think it depends on what others in the class might or might not be able to afford.  It might be waaaaay out of their range.  Just my opinion.

So, how is the CD doing?