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@Will_Dieterich The OBC Looks like this on the HAL Booking Confirmation mentioned above by @crystalspin

I have only cruised on the HAL Rotterdam of your three choices and not in Norway. (I've been to Norway on Hurtigruten/Havila which I would highly recommend for your parents, but not particularly for the kids and 40 somethings) Bergen is a very nice city to visit! The Holland America Rotterdam also has a retractable roof over the really nice Lido pool area! There is an outdoor movie in that same area that is shown only in the evenings. I highly recommend the Rotterdam for the evening live music that all of the adults would probably really like! Three venues are the Rolling Stone Rock Room (Classic Rock and newer), BB Kings Band (R&B/Motown/Dance music) and a piano bar type venue. There is a kids club called Club Hal. My friend's son loved it, but he was younger than yours. It seems to get good reviews and kids I have seen on board look like they are having fun! Rotterdam has a wonderful forward facing indoor viewing lounge called Crow's Nest/Exploration Central and the aft Seaview pool area outdoors is great for scenery viewing. Basically, I think the Rotterdam size ship is a great one for a multigenerational family cruise! It has the best cabin showers I've had on any of the ships I have been on so far! There are lots of choices for dining as well and the ship isn't so huge that it takes forever to get on and off in ports. Wonderful and helpful crew as well! Please let us know what you decide! ~Nancy

Oh Lisa.....I want to be there right now!!! The beautiful orange sky and little tea lights for mood lighting on a ship deck are the perfect setting! Love it! Was there any live music during the party? ~Nancy

I have always wondered myself why laundry on European cruises has the $10 per bag or 40% higher cost than other regions. Does anyone know why the high upcharge for that region? ~Nancy

I haven't seen officers dining with guests in the MDR on HAL on any of my cruises since 2006. Does this actually happen on HAL these days? ~Nancy

The crew sure looks like they are having fun!

@Ski Mom 2 I have done extensive research on lodging in Moorea for a one week stay. I need a place with a kitchen and outdoor area. Because I don't feel I need to be right on the beach before or after spending a few weeks on a ship in the area I chose a 2-bedroom, one bath VRBO on the hill overlooking the lagoon. They all have AC in the bedrooms only. I've been to Moorea three times and know I must have AC also!! 🥵 Check places at Legends Residence. Some also list on Bookings.com and Air BnB. Here's an example: Wooden architect villa with jacuzzi (vrbo.com) ~Nancy ETA - It used to be a hotel apparently but it's privately owned units now. It's still in a gated community.

🙂

My good friends are onboard Eurodam so I'm watching and taking screenshots for them. I sure wish I were there too!! ~Nancy

Which port? Sydney? They may require the muster drill earlier. Just a guess. Best to ask Crystal in this case, since this isn't a standard scenario for New Crystal and no history to go on for an educated guess. Have a great cruise! ~Nancy

There's a Tim Hortons across the street from the Pan Pacific and Fairmont Waterfront and McDonalds in the tunnel shopping area between. 200 Burrard St, Vancouver, BC V6C 3L6, Canada Floor 1 Waterfront Center

I stayed there between cruises in October 2022. I am going back pre cruise this May. I really liked that it's in the middle of lots of restaurants and stores. The river view from many rooms is nice. Next time I'll take the water taxi around to sight see more and go to the adjacent Boathouse Restaurant on the river. It's not a fancy type place but my room was clean, and it has a nice small independent hotel feel to it. The staff were all very friendly and helpful. I spent some quality time in the Golden Lyon Pub people watching! 😁 Good food for Happy Hour. ~Nancy

Here's the official explanation for the January and up to February 16,2025 cancellations! The next couple cruises after that are the Plant Based Food cruise and a charter. My Windstar Cruises in February and March 2025 were cancelled. I received a very contrite email from them today with the full explanation ("better late than never"). The drydock/maintenance that was supposed to be done in New Zealand is now getting done in Central America so that is why it's going to take the ship out of service longer. Star Breeze will be back in Papeete for the already scheduled cruises from February 16, 2025 on. Apparently, the New Zealand taxes/fees charged to Windstar for the dry dock became so high that it's worth it to WS to make the changes and pay the cancelled passengers the compensation and goodwill OBC. If anyone is interested in the other details I can post the email. Let me know. ~Nancy

I had Windstar Cruises in February and March 2025 cancelled. I received a very contrite email from them today with the full explanation ("better late than never"). The drydock/maintenance that was supposed to be done in New Zealand is now getting done in Central America so that is why it's going to take the ship out of service longer. Star Breeze will be back in Papeete for the already scheduled cruises from February 16, 2025 on. Apparently, the New Zealand taxes/fees charged to Windstar for the dry dock became so high that it's worth it to WS to make the changes and pay the cancelled passengers the compensation and goodwill OBC. ~Nancy

Try the Northern Europe & Baltic Sea Ports of Call forum for all things Copenhagen. Have a great cruise! ~Nancy

At Total Wine: For me it would be for Mimosas only.

Rolling Stone Rock Room has dancing! They play usually three sets six nights a week. ~Nancy

Did you read the threads about the standby program. It seems to have glitches that I personally wouldn't count on getting a cruise through them. You can be informed so will decide your level of risk tolerance.....

Last one

I'm glad the camera person from PTZ Webcams zoomed in. No sails today? ETA- Sails are going up now!! Nice! ~Nancy

Now the camera person is zooming! No sails today unfortunately

A little more zoom.. Bon Voyage @LAFFNVEGAS!!

The screenshot is pretty blurry, but here it is! (the camera person wasn't there or didn't zoom in 🙁)

I'll try to get a screen shot of your sail away. Based on your previous shots it looks like sail away is at about 7 pm St. Maarten time. ~Nancy