dontworry

Our Sept 2020 Alaska Cruise on Oosterdam was cancelled by HAL on April 7. Received our deposit refund and FCC on July 1.

hopefully sooner than 2121.......that's a very long wait  🙂 

amazing pictures and great review......got me looking forward to cruising again     thank you

it is mandatory self isolation for 14 days for travelers coming back into Canada

terrific pictures and video.......sure makes me want to be there in better times

My DW and I have a SBP each,$50.00 beverage card each and two free meals at the specialty restaurants all part of our booking with HAL. Can we use the beverage cards in the restaurants(providing we can get a bottle for $50.)to buy a bottle of wine.Don't think I would use the SBP in the restaurant even if I could(doesn't feel right to me)

Hotel service charge

just how many cruises have you been on?  🙂  What HAL ship do you like the most?

Happy sailing

We have tentatively booked an outside cabin on the Oosterdam Main Deck C1075. I know that a number of entertainment venues on the deck above, including BB Kings but I think not directly above. Wondering if anyone has any experience being in such a location? We love BB Kings but not sure we want to listen to them all the time 🙂 Will we hear people walking around to the various venues as well. Thanks.

beautiful pictures       sure makes me want to go back there

we are on the 11day Sunfarer leaving Fort Lauderdale on February 5th and have already booked our excursion on Lake Gatun,

Heard that the Guiness World Book of Records is considering awarding this site "The Most Redundant Topic Ever" award because of the never ending Dress code questions that almost always have the same posts each time.  Time for a sticky,yes indeed.

The Wet Dog Saloon is another great pub, They make great beer there.

always tip $5.00 for our two suitcases. The only Port where I witnessed aggressive longshoremen was in Fort Lauderdale and it was only one time that it happened.They prevented folk from dropping their own luggage into the bins and were very loud in informing everyone that tipping was expected.People felt very intimidated.Again this was only once that it happened.

I'd go to the very top and call Oprah :)

again your invaluable gifts at the All Inclusives are going to the same people over and over..Medical specialists are leaving their occupations and arel going to the resorts to work due to getting these over the top tips.The hard to get items need to be re=distributed to those who need it the most. You are not meeting these people on controlled excursions or staying at all inclusives. The myth of thinking you are really helping the needy is false. We all like to pat ourselves on the back but you should be giving to the ones who know their people the most. Lipstick, perfume t shirts are in abundance these days. I know I wont convince many on thus forum but I do know of what I speak of.

As a frequent traveller to Cuba(large cities.countryside,small towns,farms) I would like to share some of my experiences with tipping in Cuba. Some folk won't agree with me and my experiences are not your of course.Twenty years ago(my second of nine trips to Cuba) I met with a group of priests,educators,community workers and reps from three of the major hotels). All told me the country was awash with dollar store items, Canadian tire items,jewellery and various nic nacks. They did nothing to improve anyones way of life. They told me that some maids had literally thousands of like items. The hotel reps said that the garbage bins would be full of these donations as they were so commonplace back then. Now it is the US's turn to start bringing this stuff now. There was also concern if anything was truly valuable a black marker situation could develop.Hotel staff in particular are instructed to show great gratitude for these gifts.The priests and educators were very thankful for supplies but were adamant that these donations should go the schools or orphanages not directly to kids or even parents.They do not want tourists just showing up on their own. By all means give it to your guide as they know where to bring them.Giving Cubans foreign money is also an issue. It is very difficult to have the means to have this money exchanged by the locals. You probably wont have the time to change your money into CUCs.The rule of thumb encouraged by the people I met with was treat people you interact with in Cuba the same way you treat folk back home. Don't approach children, don'r bring junk food for the kids(sugar is horrible and you have no idea of allergies).When I first started travelling to Cuba there was no begging at all on the streets.Us well meaning tourists have created this.Another reason not to approach people on your own is that these gifts for one can create animosity from others who didn't get the soccer ball or whatever. So yes. be generous and get that warm feeling from helping others but please be cautious when doing so. Your guides that you establish a relationship will love anything to do with baseball.I truly hope I have not come across as offensive. Happy travelling.

we are in cabin VC6110 also, on the Eurodam doing a 10 day Mexican Riveria Cruise,November 29 2018.. What Ship are you on? We always book this type of veranda cabin and I have always had bath robes in the closets.

I know you asked about the MDR but on the Zuiderdam.last month in the Lido for the Canadian Thanksgiving it was real turkey. They carved the birds in front of you. They also served wonderful dressing,cranberries and mashed potatoes with gravy. Of course you could get more helpings as well. There was pumpkin pie for desert too.

In October the Cruise Director was John, from England. Sorry, don't remember more than that. :)

We just completed our 12 day Quebec City to Fort Lauderdale on Zuiderdam and there were two gala nights. There were lobster tails in the Lido one night and they were all you could eat. We thoroughly enjoyed them.

when we went to the show it was from the Parque Central hotel (not too far from the Ship) and it took about 15 minutes(go through some interesting neighbourhoods). The driver didn't take any money from us until the end of the trip back to the hotel. Taxi drivers do this trip all the time and are very efficient in moving people.Might there be an organised bus from the Ship? It is a classic show that I'm sure you will enjoy.

we are sailing Zuiderdam on Oct 10th. I assume the dry dock is after that. We then sail again her again in Feb.so I suppose we will see the changes then. Looking forward to that.

do the Canal Tours in Colon get you anywhere near the new locks for a decent viewing

Should be Panama Canal above, though I'm sure it will be amazing