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Still loving this trip report...minus the Noro...glad it is improving. now....about this lobster and escargot in the Lido...i am hoping this is a Pacific Ocean thing...albeit the lobster is most likely unlike our Maine lobster.....because we will be on the Noordam Pacific crossing next week and would love to see a similar menu in the Lido! Thanks for sharing!

Hmmm..we will be in a similar situation. Next week we board for a 39 day collector. We are 49 points away from 4* . we have pre-purchased possibly enough for the 10 credit buffer...and excursions can be cancelled( which happened 3 times in the Med last fall...which caused this debacle ....but we have a plan just in case...for last minute 7day sailing for this summer because I don't know if we will make it and I am determined to be 4* for our next booking on the Rotterdam . (ps I am grateful to have this dilemma)

Yes, this thought did cross my mind. Like hairdressers in some salons

I was hoping our former agent would reach out but has not, which makes we wonder. I ope she is okay.

We actually have been assigned someone but the responsiveness cant compare. Big shoes to fill.

I am so disappointed. Our trusted, wise travel advisor has disappeared from the agency that we utilize (specializing in cruises). she was the best of the best. Who knows why., could be personal, could be medical issues. In any case, how do you find a good TA ? We are considering booking direct with HAL moving forward but just want the personal touch ...

I hope you still get your Captains Cupcake . I'd protest if you don't !

oh my...are you Scottish?? Last time I heard that expression was when I was in Scotland last year. Very common over there!

If you ever sailed RCCL's Song of America (80's and 90's) , of the RCCL fleet that we have sailed in the past, that ship is the most like HAL in ambiance. We love the laid back , mature atmosphere of HAL.

photo test

We have done both ships and Noordam coming up again in a few weeks. I personally prefer the layout of the Zaandam. I dont like the closed in feeling that the Rolling Stone Lounge on the Noordam and Osterdam (same layout) . Zaandam is my favorite (fewer passengers too) but hey, a cruise on any HAL ship works for me. By the way, I have done OV in both ships and did not notice much difference in six=ze of the room.

@Hezu Thank you very much, this is very helpful!

We will be in Helsinki from 6 AM to 5 PM. have you rented a car in Helsinki? If so, how far from the cruise port are the car rental companies? We are thinking about renting a car and going out to the countryside. Thank you

@BermudaBound2014 I love, love, love your writing style. We experienced the chaos in SD last January but in the port's defense, our side by cruise that followed was handled seamlessly. Bon voyage and looking forward to keeping up with your journey.

Agree with this. Our last b2b we did not have to check in to muster again but the TV did lock until we re-ran the video again..

Interesting..we bring our metal reusable bottles with us all the time in port. We have never once been asked to empty it on return to the ship.

we were on the Oosterdam in October/Nov. there was a coffee chat on the world stage with the Hotel Manager, Darren. Someone in the audience asked this question. He responded that the automatic gratuities were pooled with all the ships of the HAL fleet and that at the end of each month, all crew members throughout the fleet are issued a check.

Funny, I was thinking the same thing. Food poisoning is a pretty serious accusation... BUT.. one persons definition of food poisoning can differ from another's. Norovirus causes the same symptoms as food poisoning...as does a reaction to a food or ingredient that might not agree with you for various reasons. Overeating, over drinking .....and If you haven't cruised in a while, I have seen people go hog wild over having as much food suddenly available to them , especially desserts and drink...that a persons digestive system might not be used to..So..for the OP, did you sit at a table with others who ordered the same dish? How long after your meal did you get sick...and what were your symptoms ?? Did others get sick as well? If others got sick from eating the SAME menu item, then it could certainly be associated with FP. If you were the only one then it most likely was not food poisoning. Did you go to the infirmary and IF you went to the infirmary, did you ask if anyone else got sick from the offending menu item? That all said, if it was truly food poisoning, I am sorry that happened to you. As a medical professional, one person's definition of "food poisoning" is not always actual "food poisoning". But if you were sick in the cabin, the cabin stewards had to work pretty hard to clean up that bathroom...unless you did that yourself, of course. I hope you tipped them well.

@BetsyS. I remember that!

We always book cruise only and have never added HIA. HIA works for many people but nothing is free .You have to do the math and see what works for you. the math has never worked out in our favor but HIA is a convenience and you are buying convenience.

Oh my gosh, I would never step foot on that monster of a ship. I remember our very first cruise on RCCL's tiny little Song of America...700 passengers. Great photo!

@doublebzz This doesn't sound right. Our upcoming cruise was booked on a "Mariners Society" rate as well and my shareholder OBC has been applied. I would try again.

I love the laundry service . They do a great job...except when they put the little room tags on a vulnerable seam or part of the fabric and it doesn't want to come off. When deciding on by the bag or unlimited (we are very close to free) I look at how many days we are in port pre-cruise. if several days pre cruise I will be ready for laundry almost right away when on board, which generally equates to unlimited package.. Otherwise I do the math and we never bring bulky clothes like jeans or heavy sweaters, etc... light layers in most cases, depending on the itinerary.

Yes..and we have used it before in FLL. I wonder if the day of the week was a factor. We disembarked on a Wednesday. I love this service. It is so convenient and works like a charm.

Ohh, interesting. We were flying SWA. Guest services said that luggage direct was not available for that sailing. There were a lot of disappointed people.