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rubinstein2r

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Posts posted by rubinstein2r

    Suggestions Please: Icy Strait and Seward

    in Alaska

    Posted

    Babyboomer couple on NCL Transpacific May 2019.  We were in Alaska about 15 years ago.  Need suggestions for these two ports.  We have $50pp tour credit in each port but nothin is appealing to us.  Please suggest something we can do on our own or arrange at reasonable cost.  We don't want anything on a boat or long hiking.  We are doing sled dogs in Juneau and native village in Ketchikan.  Other suggestions very welcome.  Thank you.

    Maasdam --- Too tired or not?

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    We are considering a transpacific on the Maasdam because we like the itinerary (many more ports than Celebrity) but the reviews make the ship seem run down and even a health hazard.  Need to make a quick decision.  I can stand some wear and tear but don't want to be three weeks on a ship that is too run down or a health hazard.  Suggestions welcome.

    Maasdam Transpacific

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    I am the OP and appreciate all the input. I have been wanting to do a Bering Strait Cruise for a long time and HA seems to have the most extensive itinerary for one... I was hesitant about Maasdam but am less so now. Will the 2019 westbound to Yokohama be an EXP cruise? Just what does that mean? I r ad the lanai cabins that open onto the promenade are popular but I am hesitant to give up a private balcony. On the other hand the Balcony appears to be $160 per night more... a pricey amenity on a 21 night cruise...

     

     

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    Maasdam Transpacific

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    What is an exc program? We would like to do the San Fran to Yokohama trip. I am concerned by the number of reviews that mention plumbing problems. I am accustomed to the Aqua Class on Celebrity ships and am used to their nice barhrooms, spa access and private dining room with tables for two and no formal night requirements. The lanai rooms don’t have balconies I think just a door to the lower promenade (not a place to sit)-‘d the next cabin up is $160 more per night. I guess those are my concerns and what I will have to deal with if I want to do that itinerary.

     

     

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    Maasdam Transpacific

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    We re considering the Maasdam for a Transpacific as it has a really intriguing itinerary which includes both the Aleutian Islands as well as Siberia. We have some concerns about the age of the ship, what refurbishments have or have not been done and when. We are also concerned about the quality of amenities and service for a long journey. I would appreciate any tips and info. We have not been on HA since 2002, most recently we have been using Celebrity Aqua Class.

     

     

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    Cabin Choice Beatrice

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    Choosing a French Balcony cabin on Danube Deck... have read that some Uniworld ships may have odor in aft cabins, is that eliminated by recent renovations? Is it better to choose in the middle? I think I may be overthinking maybe even overthinking about it overthinking.

     

     

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    Eastern Europe 2019

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    Planning for Eastern Europe Danube cruise. Have done Uniworld on Rhine and liked it so considering that line as well as Avalon which has a 2 day land extension in Romania. Looking for recommendations from cruisers with experience on these lines or others in Eastern Europe. Also weather related recommendations. We usually travel in Sept or Oct but am concerned it may be cold already for sitting out on deck.

     

     

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    Carrot on a string.

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    My heart goes out to you. Three years ago my SIL was where you are now. After her chemo we took a lovely cruise together to Bermuda. Since then she has had several more rounds and a trip to Israel. She is now in an experimental study and planning her daughter’s wedding. Live every day you have! Your journey is not over yet!

     

     

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    Review: Uniworld River Empress Castles On the Rhine 10/4/17

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    I'm going to write a brief review, but please, feel free to ask questions.

     

    This was our first river cruise. We are experienced cruisers having been on about 15 cruises on 4 or 5 cruise lines. I was pleasantly surprised how much we enjoyed various aspects of it.

     

    We spent almost a week pre-cruise in Zurich and took a train (and then a tram) to the ship. No problem doing that on our own. We are good. We were checked in easily, had lunch and were able to be fully unpacked for dinner.

     

    So. The food was, in general, excellent. Fewer options than a large cruise ship but with lots of attention to detail and everything felt fresh. I am big on salads, veggies and fruits and with a few exceptions they met and exceeded my expectations on those. Service was excellent. We found a waiter we liked (Tadeusz) and stayed with him all the way through.

     

    Other staff was also excellent and attentive including cruise director, bar staff and housekeeping. The piano guy developed a personality on night 5 or 6 when he switched to the guitar. He lost it again when he went back to the piano. :(

     

    Our cabin, toward the stern on deck 3 was very comfortable. We'd gotten spoiled with verandahs but truthfully we wouldn't have gotten much use of it with the colder wetter weather we had. I loved the marble bathroom and the bed was more comfortable than on bigger ships.

     

    We enjoyed most of the shore excursions we went on. The guides tended to be quite knowledgeable notably the boat ride in Strausburg, and the walking tour in Koblenz. We also did a bit of exploring on our own and the schedule was flexible enough to allow that. My husband did a bike ride one day while I was on the boat from Boppard to Koblenz and he especially enjoyed that.

     

    We are thinking about doing Eastern Europe (including Romania and the former parts of of Yugoslavia) also on Uniworld and would appreciate any tips or suggestions on that.

     

    Again, feel free to ask any questions.

    Europe Next Week

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    So totally excited we are leaving in a few days for a week in Zurich followed by a week up the Rhine on Uniworld and three days in Amsterdam. So any last minute tips and suggestions? What have I forgotten?

     

     

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