oakridger

@visagrunt Please take care of yourself and don't push it to finish the review. We can wait!!! Feel better, ~Nancy

Your writing style is just fine for me! I'll be watching for the rest of your experience and pictures. Reading these reviews makes me want to be there right now! I'll have to wait to go back to Vancouver and Alaska though. Thanks for starting the review, ~Nancy

I kind of feel like when I hear all about a fabulous party that I wasn't invited to........................... ~Nancy

The lack on board is a good excuse/reason to seek out good beers in port! ~Nancy

I'm not the OP, but the picture is Carpaccio. A very thinly sliced raw beef. ~Nancy

This was a very good review and brought up some good points for HAL to consider for improvement. Thank you! ~Nancy

I did not lose my HIA/OBC when I transferred to my TA last fall. ~Nancy

From Halfacts.com. Rotterdam Plaza Deck | HAL Cruiser Information (halfacts.com) It's a great resource for HAL pictures!!! Here's the Club Orange wall out to the hallway and windows.

I just googled "Papeete Ferry" and all this came up! I wonder why it didn't for you? Anyway........ Fast Ferry between Tahiti Moorea, Huahine, Raiatea | Votre navette rapide Moorea Tahiti (terevau.pf) Aremiti, smiles on the horizon 🙂 Have a wonderful trip!! I'm seriously considering Paul Gauguin myself! ~Nancy

Thank you for this information. I remember a few years back before the shutdown that protesters delayed some cruise ships. ~Nancy

The HAL laundry service is a heck of a lot cheaper than any hotel I have had laundry done at!!! If you don't want to use the laundry service or cruise on HAL then you are not forced to. ~Nancy

Those sunset pictures over Mikonos last night are like out of a movie!! This whole cruise is so different than the typical Caribbean cruises....in a good way. How does your husband like the international travel life so far? ~Nancy

As in "praying the price won't go up"? 😁

Before my next cruise in May 2024, I'm sure there will be all kinds of changes made! I won't be surprised if even a couple of the ports change so I'm not getting mentally invested in anything! It's been a "go with the flow" situation for the last few years for sure! With HAL recently advertising that they are wanting to up their game in Alaska I'm hoping the other cruises will benefit as well. I'll just have to wait and see. 🙂 ~Nancy

Enjoy the last evening and morning! I'll be back to read your final thoughts. ~Nancy

I had an umbrella in my closet in a regular veranda last fall as well as the signature suite. They were also at the gangway as others have mentioned. Frankly, if I had any thought of wanting to use an umbrella, I would use a small travel sized one. The HAL ones were nice but they were full sized and I don't want to carry that around all day. ~Nancy

I'm loving all the places you visit on this trip. Your pictures bring me to my Happy Place! ~Nancy

Hi @Kathybv since this an old thread, I recommend that you go to the roll call for your cruise and the ports of call forum for Africa to get more targeted information. Links below. Africa & Middle East Cruises Q&A: Find Tips & Recommendations - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums Have a great cruise! ~Nancy

I have heard so many great reviews of the sail in/out to Stockholm! I haven't booked a cruise yet that includes that port but am keeping it in mind. I love hearing first timer's impressions of their cruise and I will be reading all of your posts as you have time to share!! Most importantly, have fun! ~Nancy

The little carafes of wine are when you purchase by the glass or have the beverage package (HIA or beverage package alone). If you get the wine package you get the whole bottle at the table. ~Nancy

Bon Voyage! I'll be watching for your posts. Thank you for sharing with us. ~Nancy

I sure won't pay $30 for Canaletto. I love the Osso Buco. ~Nancy

Geez.................. ~Nancy

We can relate here in California! It's so bad when going outside is so smokey even though the fire is quite far away! Watching to see that they get it extinguished quickly! ~Nancy

@jules815 Breakfast depends on which ship you are on. Breakfast for Neptune suites on the Pinnacle Class ships (Konningsdam, Nieuw Statendam and Rotterdam) is in the Club Orange dining room. ~Nancy