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@RileyFox I highly recommend you enlist a good travel agent or at the least a good HAL Personal Cruise Consultant (PCC). Most, if not all, of your questions will be answered by one of them. You will have a much better cruise experience if you understand what the process is. Good luck! ~Nancy

On the Zuiderdam Trans-Atlantic in May 2024 the late Lido offerings were basically about the same as what shows in @Crew News Alaska menus. Not the exact items of course, but similar types and variety of items. I went up there several times and had a snack. It was pretty well attended by mostly HAL staff but passengers as well. At the end of the cruise approaching the Netherlands it was sunset at about the serving time so your point about still being light out that late may be a factor in attendance by guests! Sunset was at about 9:50pm. Nice views! ~Nancy

@tardin1964 Welcome to Cruise Critic! Please have a look at @Crew News wonderful website for all kinds of HAL info! Here is the link to specific Late Night Lido menus this year in Alaska. Enjoy and thanks again Roger Jett! Alaska Lido Market Late Snack Menus 2024 (5/4/24) | Roger Jett Photography (rogerjett-photography.com) ~Nancy

Even at equal cost I wouldn't book a Vista Suite. I'm strongly in the "Sitting Area by the Veranda" camp! ~Nancy

Yes

I have never seen Rudy's open for breakfast. Are you sure you ate there? If so, which ship please? Exactly! ~Nancy

It was 50% off every drink in May on Zuiderdam. (During Happy Hour!) ~Nancy

Here in the Bay Area schools are now off for the entire Thanksgiving week. It's been that way for quite a few years. Families now don't worry about needing to pull kids from class that week to go on the 7-day cruises, thus the very crowded cruises even on HAL. ~Nancy

Yes! Just select that it's the included meals when booking and the fee will be $0 ~Nancy

Can you reference the above quote? What government entity is it from? Thanks, ~Nancy

I absolutely love reading Jo's @WriterOnDeck blog! 🙂 Some of the other Live From posters here on CC also have their own blogs which usually contain more detail and especially pictures. I appreciate everyone's efforts no matter their style or focus! ~Nancy

Can you please clarify if the guest is in a different cabin/booking and share the HAL written policy on this? The HAL info quoted in post #2 from @Ready2go11 isn't consistent with what you state about inviting one guest and getting the discount. I'm confused. Can we invite one random friend and get the discount or only get a discount for the people in the same cabin/booking number? Thank you!! ~Nancy

@LAFFNVEGAS wrote a great Windstar Live From earlier this year and I sure appreciated it! I'm trying Windstar for the first time in May 2025 and thought it's funny that the total Star Breeze passenger capacity (312 pax) is actually less than the capacity of ONE lifeboat (370 pax) on the RCCL Utopia of The Seas. No wonder there aren't many bloggers/Live Froms from Windstar! ~Nancy

The C-5 form is for airline passengers. Passengers calling by cruise ship at Jamaica do not need it. Online Passenger Declaration Form | Jamaica Customs Agency Website (jacustoms.gov.jm) "On July 24, 2019, the Passport, Immigration and Citizen Agency (PICA), in collaboration with the Jamaica Customs Agency (JCA), launched the online version of the Immigration/Customs Declaration Form (C5 Form), which will allow for more efficient processing of air passengers and baggage at the island’s international airports." Have a fun cruise! ~Nancy

Although clearly not consistent, in my experience my cruises have opened up specialty dining maybe 4-6 months-ish out. The much sooner opening is the exception at this time! ~Nancy

Ask on board and let us know what they say please! Thanks, ~Nancy

Is this true? I wonder what the data will report for last two quarters of 2024. I have been land traveling most of this summer and I still "feel like" hotel prices are what I consider pretty "high" compared to the per day cruise prices on HAL. Restaurant prices are way up as well. On a cruise, besides a room, I get all the food, entertainment and with HIA the drinks! Then of course, I also put a large added value on just being on the ocean every day. ~Nancy

@disgirl Have a look at Halfacts.com to see pictures of individual cabins or types of cabins. Great resource! Pinnacle Class | HAL Cruiser Information (halfacts.com) ~Nancy

@Crew News Roger, you are probably one of the most experienced aft cabin gurus for Alaska cruises! Any comments to help the OP? I know you have discussed the balcony coverage question before. Thanks, ~Nancy

I'll be reading along Keith! Have a great trip! ~Nancy

6160 or 6162 area on either side. I have had a very pleasant/quiet stay in that area on deck 5 as well!

Have a look at Halfacts.com Signature Class | HAL Cruiser Information (halfacts.com) ~Nancy

Mmmmm, those look perfect! Thanks for showing us how they are being prepared! I'm hungry now! ~Nancy

Did they broil the top of the hollandaise sauce after it was on the eggs? Don't like the broiled sauce!!😬 Thanks, ~Nancy

My TA gets a commission. I let her take care of it after I tell her what I want to book. ~Nancy