trivia addict

This is exactly what I have suspected, although of course, could be wrong. We were on the Joy in February and the show was cancelled with this excuse. It seemed excessive to cancel a whole show for a week for an “injury” . I immediately wondered if it was a code word. Then while following these boards, I have seen it cancelled again last summer with this excuse. Now, same excuse. Seems like a lot of “ injuries” plague this cast!

I also would recommend Holland for Alaska. I’ve had 3 cruises to Alaska. Two on Holland and one on Royal. None on Celebrity, but of the other two, Holland was much better. Only warning here tho, is if you are traveling with children to Alaska, I would not chose Holland. This cruise is more geared for an older crowd. The focus is on the itinerary not the bells and whistles of the other two.

Agree with everything you have said!

Good to know. I will consider the Halekulani on my next visit. Can always go to the outdoor bar at RH for a few drinks!

Have never stayed at the Halekulani. It looks like an amazing resort but I like the historical feel of the Royal Hawaiian.

Can’t tell you who invented the Mai Tai, but for atmosphere, location, pool, service, and outdoor bar, the Royal Hawaiian is what I want!

Wow! Lucky! I missed it on Broadway AND in Seattle where I have a home☹️

It’s a great, heartwarming and uplifting story. I hope you love it!

As one who live in the NYC metro area, I have my own many remembrances of that day. I wish I would have seen that 60 Minutes program on the NYC firefighters since a close friend lost her firefighter husband in the Towers. If 9-11 is a terrible reminder of man’s inhumanity, then today is a good day to stream the movie Come From Away. Based on a true story, it shows the wonderful generosity and caring of the people of Gander, Newfoundland who showed the world the goodness and humanity of man.

Also agree. Drop off at terminal. Pick up across the street, This will be the least complicated way to do it

I am only a part time Seattle resident, so perhaps the locals will know better, but I definitely think it could be done. Buy your museum tix in advance for 10am ( plenty of time to Uber to the museum if you walk off) and then spend a few hours before ubering to Seatac.

One reason I like to bring my own hangars is because I hate that the wooden hangars are permanently affixed to the rod. I like to move my clothes around and organize them. Hangars that don’t move don’t work for me.

We ate at the PumpHouse last year on our Alaskan cruise. We enjoyed it. The food was good and it was a funky place that was a lot of fun. However, it is a bit of an Uber ride from the hotels in town, farther than we thought it would be. Make sure that if you are going in the evening you arrange with your Uber driver to come back at a certain time to get you, or you leave early enough that other drivers are available. This is not the big city we are used to! We were having a good time and left rather late. By the time we were ready to leave, we could not find an Uber. A bit of a panic, until one of the waiters called a friend of his to take us back to Fairbanks!

I agree that more cabins= more people and that more people = a more crowded ship. Not good. But the reason that the Vibe is never crowded is that it is intentionally kept to a small amount of people to make it more secluded with enough space and chairs for those who buy its passes. Passes for the Vibe are competitive and often sell out months before the cruise.

Another vote for Paradise Beach

Just got off from the Viking Hervor from Basel to Amsterdam yesterday. There was no problem with water levels along this part of the Rhine. It was a wonderful cruise.

I wholeheartedly agree with the above posters. I have taken several HAL and NCL cruises. I’ve been on the Pearl, which is a lovely ship but never the Zaandam, so can’t compare the two ships. But to compare the two Lines, I think your mother would be more comfortable with HAL. It attracts an older crowd and its shipboard activities reflect that. Having been to almost all of the ports you mention. I would not give up the opportunity to visit Montreal and Quebec City. I wouldn’t worry about the one way hassle of flying home. My daughter and I have taken a Mother//Daughter cruise each year since 2007. (Excluding Covid years). At the start, I made all of the decisions, and now I happily let her take over and am secure in the knowledge that she can navigate us through those pesky things like airports and apps on the phone! I am sure that the two of you will figure it all out together and I know that this trip will be a very special time for both of you.

Quoting brickles1, yes, definitely no Howl at the Moon on Joy. The piano player between the two dining rooms is mood music only. Not a show or interactive event. This is something we miss when cruising the Joy. Never attended the piano player in the OL. Maybe someone can post what that is like.

It is often possible to reschedule when on board We were on the Joy in May and were able to move some reservations around by going in person to the restaurants. On the other hand, I wouldn’t feel too bad about missing Footloose. It has mixed reviews and when we were on the Joy in February we walked out of it. Didn’t like it at all.

IMO there is definitely a difference. But what both of us are trying to do is help the OP know the choices available on the Joy. Some will agree with your observation some with mine. Again, the VIBE is an indulgence and all chose how to spend their money in the way that makes them happy. But I know we can agree that the Joy is a wonderful ship and that there is plenty options on it to make for a great cruise!

Oops. A correction. I think this deal might have been through AmEx. Now that I think about it.

As mentioned, weather can not be predicted, but we just sailed from Honolulu to Vancouver this past May 2-11. (On another cruise line) The weather was quite good. The 5 sea days were warm enough to sit outside and enjoy the sun, and since the outdoor pool was heated we were able to swim everyday. Sometimes a bit rocky but nothing I would complain about. Before the cruise we stayed for 2 nights at the Royal Hawaiian. Loved it. It sits on a lush green property. It has a beautiful pool area, great staff, and is walkable to shopping, restaurants and beach in Waikiki. ( found a deal for it at one of those big box stores😉)

There is a difference between Spice and Vibe. Because Vibe only sells a limited amount of passes, there is always a lounger and umbrella available. Towels are close by, and no card needed. The fact that it covers both sides of the ship, and with less people it feels spacious and quiet. Sometimes a larger group will make some noise, but overall, most people are there for sunning or reading. Waiters take orders and bring drinks. Small appetizers are occasionally passed. And to some like myself who have breathing problems, the lack of smoking is a real plus. The only drawbacks to Vibe are that it is inconvenient to reach, being that only one elevator goes all the way to deck 19. And being at the top of the ship, it can sometimes be quite windy. Vibe is definitely an indulgence and one has to consider whether it’s cost is worth it, but for myself, it is a Haven experience without the expense of the Haven.

Currently on the Joy in Bermuda. We have a small magnet on our door proclaiming our Mother/ Daughter cruise. A door down the hall is covered with beach magnets and another door has a life sized portrait of the birthday girl who is celebrating her milestone birthday.