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I think you will enjoy the heck out of that deck 4 huge balcony! I've seen them (not stayed there). I'll also be in Norway in June this year and am going on the Havila coastal voyage. Layers!! Have a wonderful time in Norway! ~Nancy

The cute towel animals with no eyes are very sad looking to me!! 🙁 I have seen pictures of towel animals on Carnival ships, and they still have eyes. I really wonder who at HAL thinks paper eyes are terrible when the other Carnival Corporation ships still has them? 🤷‍♀️ ~Nancy

Did they say why Henk isn't going to be on WC 2026? Will he retire or some other reason? ~Nancy

@PatSp Hold on a minute and take a deep breath. Dining reservations open up for everyone who has booked at the same time whether you are paying by dining credits or credit card. Generally, the dining reservations open up about 3 months before the cruise. If the person on the chat worded it to sound like dining credit reservations had a different/later start time, then that was incorrect. Check the HAL website under "Manage My Cruise" starting about 4 months before the cruise to see when they open, then go ahead and book. Welcome to Cruise Critic! Have a great trip and bon appétit. ~Nancy

Well, I'll be.......Pete @The Inside Cabin just reported that at the Q&A with the president of HAL, Gus Antorcha tonight was asked about the points for solos. He apparently said they will look into it. From Pete's post #386: "question about single supplement- can we get double mariner point bonus. Gus sounds like this may happen."

Whew! I love that Gus has the patience to answer so many questions! And I love that YOU have the patience to sit and forward the info along to everyone for almost two hours! Our east coast US friends are probably already asleep right now. We west coasters are holding down the fort! ~Nancy

Excellent minute by minute reporting Pete!! "question about single supplement- can we get double mariner point bonus. Gus sounds like this may happen." This has been one of my pet peeves for years since I often travel solo and pay double. (I understand our sister line Princess gives two points per day when solos pay double) ~Nancy

Oh Geeeez. Between people bringing their untrained pet dogs onboard and random passengers playing their own music at high volume I would go berserk! Bagpipes or any music played in public without headphones is rude and against the rules! And I actually like bagpipes (for a little while) and dogs, but they have to be in the right setting and with permission of all people around them. It doesn't sound like that was the case with these. ~Nancy

All accounts post Covid the MDR lunch on embarkation day is for anyone. Go see if it's open even if someone on staff tells you to go to the Lido! The official Mariner lunches have been on a day later in the cruise and you will get an invitation if your star level is invited. That has been my experience post Covid. ~Nancy

I would be REALLY happy if they gave me two mariner points per day since I am paying twice the per person double occupancy fare as a solo! I'm told Princess gives solos paying double a double credit! (both are Carnival Corp. lines) 😒 ~Nancy

I resubscribed and got my first email tonight! Thanks for facilitating this Terry! ~Nancy

@kaisatsu thank you for your thoughts! You have confirmed the positives for me to go on the noon departure, but I hadn't thought about the Norway in a Nutshell groups who would be leaving on the early train! Less crowded is what I like also. I appreciate you and the other Norway and Denmark locals who take the time to give us very excited visitors answers to our many, many questions! Tussen takk! ~Nancy

Another thread about this:

I just checked on cruisemapper.com and it says they are off the east coast of Florida doing 5 knots. ~Nancy

That's your two specialty dinners.

HIA also includes the Signature Beverage Package. Doesn't yours? SBP costs $53.04/day X 11 = $583.44 It's a deal! ~Nancy

You can always order an extra dish of vegetables in the MDR. That's what I do. Just ask your waiter! ~Nancy

@CabinBoy2020 Bill, the quote from Crystal says they will keep "The favorite signature dishes of Tastes..." and "will feature a variety of items including vegetarian and vegan options". It sounds good to me so far! ~Nancy

I love how Crystal is trying new menus to gradually introduce new items while still offering the guest favorites. The management is really listening to feedback and making some changes that are commonly requested such as the Osteria menu evolution and bringing back the "fan favorites" of Carpaccio and mushroom soup to the Waterside menu! The Beefbar looks like an expanded and upgraded version of the Tastes concept! Looking at their website I'm happy to see that it's not all beef with what they call a menu with "Beef, Reef and Leaf"!! Cute! ~Nancy

Which ports are you using? I have experience in a few ports, but the answer may depend on which ones. Kazu's answer is the most direct way and if you know you need assistance that is what I would do too. I have just shown up at a port and gotten assistance without prior arrangements though. (I sprained my ankle on the way to the port in San Diego!!) I just told the port staff that I needed help, and I waited in the wheelchair assistance area and got taken in on a first come, first served basis. I had to wait about 40 minutes that time. ~Nancy

This is the question of the year! (actually, it started again in the fall of 2022) Many people have let HAL know that we do not appreciate the dang receipt signing and think it's a crazy waste of time. 🙄 The more assertive among us just tell the waiters nicely that we won't be signing them. They quit bringing them eventually!! As long as they keep bringing my double shot Margaritas, I'm happy though! ~Nancy

Based on "Live From" posts currently on the ships, the music on HAL seems to be improving with new choices and some classical musicians being added as well. Let's watch as the year progresses! I'm feeling encouraged! ~Nancy

@amandas friend aren't you glad you asked?? Ha ha. It's either "dog food" or "outstanding" or anything in between! Have a great time and please come back here after your cruise and let us know what YOU thought about HAL's food! ~Nancy

I'll be traveling in early June on a Monday from Oslo to Bergen on the Vy train. The first two departure times are approximately 08:00 and 12:00. I don't need to rush to Bergen as I will be spending quite a bit of time there so I was thinking I will go on the noon departure to have a little more time in Oslo and not have to rush in the morning. I have taken this train before and traveled on the earlier route and am really looking forward to seeing it again! Do any of you have any thoughts about whether the noon departure may be more or less desirable than the 8am? Thanks! ~Nancy

Okay. Then why don't you go on a cruise line that visits the ports you want? I don't understand your issue. ~Nancy