On 6/12/2023 at 9:31 AM, tillys mom said:

Thank you! I am checking on options now since we need so many rooms.

Plus try to get a GROUP RATE on your rooms!  Whenever I arrange for numerous room I let them know and it usually works out for everyone.  Whether it be a lower price or upon arrival a better room 🙂  Seattle has changed so much (unfortunately because of homeless etc) as we are also ooking for a place NEXT year.  Happy traveling

Awesome!!  We absolutely LOVE Norway and it's beauty.  Norway is our favorite cruise destination.  Have a great cruise

On 5/19/2023 at 12:57 PM, Stateroom_Sailor said:

Another sunny day in Prince Rubert, having just missed the rain.  My wife did a city tour, and learned about the city's fishing, pulp and cargo transport industry.   I did the rainforest hike, which went down to the coast.  The hike was extremely informative in a broad sense of what's taking place in the forest, rather than a glossary of terms you'll never remember.

 

Would you recommend the Rainforest hike to someone else? Is it Butze? I am trying to keep up on on comments people make and was thinking about that one for the two of us. Would an able-bodied person be able to access this hike on their own?  Only a two mile hike? It sounds like the start of the trail is fairly close to the pier. We are able-bodied and DO like adventure.  Any other GREAT excursions?  THANKS AGAIN

35 minutes ago, Stateroom_Sailor said:

 

Yes, absolutely do the Colombia Glacier and Wildlife Tour!  Dress warm and ignore anyone getting territorial over regions of the boat (we had about 3 or 4 of them out of 144).  The views were breathtaking, I'll post some photos in 2 days.

Was it a HAL tour or private?  Love any and more info

Lu Lu Belle at $175 pp? 

1 hour ago, Stateroom_Sailor said:

Positive Update:

 

Valdez was the most beautiful port I've ever seen.  It is surrounded by snow-cap fjords and mountains, full of wildlife.  The town of 4,000 population is nestled in the center of beauty 360 degrees around.

Wonderful news to hear this.  We are scheduled next year for the 28 day Alaska Arctic Circle Solstice and this is one of the new places we will be visiting.  We dont see any shore excursions yet....any MUST SEE tips or excursions you can refer?  Thanks

I saw these prices as well for the crab etc in Ketchikan and was SHOCKED!  I sure hope they can sustain their business with those prices.  I really dont want anything negative to happen to them but OMG.............SUPER PRICEY!

WOW.....what an itinerary!  For those lucky people able to go on these voyages 🙂

Any news on the 2025 Voyage of the Vikings?  My favorite cruise.

I see my error NOW...

Yes we were on the 35 day South Pacific/Hawaii cruise and there were a total of 30 people (1 employee) who had COVID sometime during the 35 day cruise!  Sorry if I messed everyone up about Norovirus.  I misspoke about Covid verses Norovirus.  They had COVID

saw these changes happening mainly by pool areas?

Have not received pictures of actual CHANGES yet

The Koningsdam JUST came out of drydock.  We were on the Koningsdam just before......there were about 30 people who had the virus, on a 35 day cruise.  It REALLY is hard to say where anyone GETS any illness (flying, train, cab, cruise, bathroom, etc)   So sorry for your wife and I would bet you will NOT have to pay for any medical for this "illness".  Enjoy your cruise and hope she is out soon to also enjoy!  It DOES bug me how so many people feel it is the cruise lines fault......(not saying you are) but from reading so many posts about a subject that is here for the long run.................

"Norovirus Caught on Koningsdam"

Maybe...maybe NOT!

(We were very lucky NOT to get it but we were very diligent to wash our hands OFTEN, cleaned the tables that we sat at in the Lido and by pool, brought our own drinking glasses 🙂  etc.  Wore a mask ALWAYS in the main lounge area as that is where we heard MOST of the coughs......We were lucky for sure)

I have organized and booked, MANY small group tours using Your Day Tours in Reykajavik and EVERYONE enjoyed their tours.  The best excursions are the Golden Circle or South Coast Tours....BOTH are amazing.  They also offer a Secret Lagoon Tour where you enjoy the hot lagoon.  

https://yourdaytours.is/

They have excellent vehicles and guides.  Live locally and awesome personalities.  You would be amiss if you dont check them out.  Whatever you do have a GREAT TIME in Iceland!

This is my horror story....SERIOUSLY?   All over $29?  Sometimes it isnt worth your time and effort and madness.  Move on and chock it up to experience.  Hope your cruise was decent 🙂

Yahoo.............2024 Voyage of the Vikings is out

Roundtrip Boston     Zuiderdam    July 20 thru August 24, 2024.  We are booked!

Got the Early Europe extra savings obc too

I bet you are alot of fun to be around for cocktails 🙂  Enjoy your cruise!

FYI...Vivien is a MAN and also the person who Holland America books thru.  Bill and I are reserved thru them for the four hour excursion with Kayaking the Faaroa River.  Hope you guys join us!  We have done this before and it IS fun 🙂  We will be on the 35 day South Pacific/Hawaii cruise in February 2023

Personally I think you could EASILY get away with using spouse's credits.  Have fun!!

Agree....just have spouse "check-in", change the colored HAL tag onto you, and then walk away.  When you are sitting in the theater area, waiting for your group to be called, just go when called and that is that.  Easy Peasy

"We were given two beverage cards to use and of course won't really need them now that we'd be upgrading to the Have It All package, if we don't use those can those be converted to OBC or used on another cruise? 

Another option to think about is IF you have the HIA drink package and your cruise rep. gifted you two beverage cards....Think about offering to sell them to someone who does not have the drink package.  We purchased, at a reduced price, gift cards for beverages that helped us alot and the person who had them gifted was happy with the extra money...WIN WIN for all 🙂  Another option.  Just spread the info around at happy hour and someone will jump on it.

We have twice used, from RT Boston, the Rowe's Water Taxi!!  Easy peasy and a great price!  $40 pp and stored luggage for awhile.  We used them both times after disembarking at Boston, walking a short ways, getting on our pre-arranged water taxi.  Being dropped off at their downtown office, bags held for a few hours, and then once again they take us to to the airport.....

Thanks for taking us along with you 🙂

We just got off the Zaandam and had a GREAT INTERIOR ROOM!  It was super quiet, location great, TV old, everything worked, not updated bathroom but SUPER QUIET.  No noise from anywhere!  We were in room J2608 🙂  The room was'nt as big as we have had in the past with this category BUT very happy with how easy (too easy) to sleep in etc.   

18 hours ago, PigsCanFly said:

I am also a Pepsi vs Coke fellow.  I put up with Diet Coke by adding Bacardi to it.  After a few drinks, the Coke become more bearable😉.  My land source of Caffeine is Pepsi Zero so I switch to Coke Zero (or Diet Coke) on a ship or unsweetened Ice Tea to stay alert.  

DR. PEPPER and RUM.............so good 🙂  My drink of choice

You probably want to be posting IN your actual cruise location BUT check out :

Small Group Day tours in Iceland | Your Day Tours

They are THE BEST and so nice, on time and very reasonable.  Have a great trip 🙂

WOW....cant even imagine.  I am SO sorry

5 hours ago, debdiva said:

I though we booked quite early, late January for an August cruise, but the particular excursion we wanted in Reykjavik was already sold out. Bummer, because it was how we wanted to spend our 40th wedding anniversary, on the Golden Circle. Sigh...

Give Your Day Tours a chance...they are the BEST!  AND   Happy Anniversary 🙂

Small Group Day tours in Iceland | Your Day Tours

Loved Loved Loved

Book of Lost Names by Kristin Harmel

Where the Crawdads Sing by Delia Owens

Excellent books!!!!!!!!!!!!  Have  great cruise

2 hours ago, TiogaCruiser said:

If bringing one’s own soda is that important, it sounds like Carnival might be a match made in heaven.

WOW...that's a pretty tacky comment!!