oakridger

Your question about formal nights was answered in your previous post asking the same question. Answer is still the same. See posts #9 and #10.

All ships have what is called "Dressy Nights". As far as I know, only the World Cruise is still having a "Formal Night". Posting at same time as @Sir PMP!! ~Nancy

I laughed at one of my recent MDR plates that arrived with two tiny potatoes and a carrot and a snow pea!!! Remember that you can always ask for an extra dish of vegetables, and they will happily bring some to you!!! Also, my pet peeve, I always politely tell my waiter that I will wait until after I eat to order dessert! I have never received any push back on that request either!!! Thanks for the review @bluesplayer! ~Nancy

Cars did drive into the garage and let you and your luggage out right by the porters. That was last in 2018 though. The last time I was there was September 2022 but stayed across the street and walked over along the water side, street level, to check in. Has it changed since then? ~Nancy

I also have enjoyed your past posts and pictures. Have a great cruise @zgscl!! ~Nancy

@cbr663 Thanks for the review. Can you please use a larger font for posting. Your post has very tiny print and must be enlarged to read it. Thanks again, ~Nancy

Okay thanks for letting me know Kazu!!

Just to clarify, the line dancing at sail away looked like it was started by passengers and not organized by the ship. I could be wrong, but that's what it looked like to me. ~Nancy

I enjoyed reading your posts and seeing all the pictures. This is an area I have been wanting to get back to, but I think I'll fly to the East Coast and rent a car for this New England trip. I know it's a lot of work posting and sharing pictures every day and really appreciate you doing this for all of us! ~Nancy

Wow Rich, so good to see the book exchange overflowing to the tops of the bookshelves!! The next cruise will have lots of choices of reading material! ~Nancy

@Denise T I predict that you and your Peeps are going to have a blast on this trip!!! I love the Nieuw Amsterdam and had a great crew every time (6 times) I've sailed on her!!! The countdown to board goes soooo slowly and the cruise goes by soooo fast!!! 😉 ~Nancy

Thank you Rich! I loved reading every day. I'll miss it! ~Nancy

Mary Ann, you will arrive home to a hot day on Saturday after a long, cold and rainy (!!!) winter. I'm sure your family has kept you informed what has been going on here at home. I have read every single blog and thank you so much for the entertaining and informative posts. It's a heck of a lot of work and I appreciate you doing it! Welcome back home this weekend and I'll be watching for your next trip. ~Nancy

I second what @kazu said! You will want to be outside when sailing out, especially going under the Lion's Gate Bridge! Besides drinks, there is usually some snacks passed around and music playing. Sail out last September on NA people were even line dancing out there. It was fun! I love the Nieuw Amsterdam. Have a great cruise! ~Nancy

@Amandella welcome to HAL and cruising! HAL calls them "Dressy Nights" now to differentiate from back in the day when tuxedos and ball gowns were the norm! Have a great trip! ~Nancy

Things are changing constantly around the HAL fleet these days so you never know what is going to happen in the future on your cruises!! You might get what you are hoping for! ~Nancy

Since the charge for Canaletto is less than Tamarind or Pinnacle Grill, why not ask on board if you can switch? Won't hurt and I'm guessing that they will say OK. ~Nancy

Next May 2024 I will be doing the same thing as you are on Friday. I'll be boarding the Zuiderdam for the TA back to Europe on the day the World Cruise disembarks. I had thought about the inspections too and possible other delays with unloading and loading. @FlorenceItaly would you mind coming back here to report your experience with boarding under these circumstances? Thanks and enjoy the trip over! ~Nancy

Actually, for me the port today in Africa looks more interesting than Gibraltar! I'm enjoying cruising along with you! ~Nancy

The poster probably means "Silent Disco". It's where all the people on the dance floor get headphones to play the music and it's often different music on different headsets. I've only seen it on people's cruise vlogs, but it looks fun. ~Nancy

@Fogtownrog Thanks for writing a review of your cruise. Can you please use a larger size font for future posts? On my desktop computer the print is very tiny so it's hard to read without expanding the whole screen. Thanks! ~Nancy

Depends on how long each individual segment is. There is some discount for booking together as a "Collector's Voyage" that of course wouldn't apply to two individual segments. I would check both options online with dummy bookings to compare prices and perks. ~Nancy

Yes I second that the service charge is covered in HIA, and it's included in the final price when you purchase just a beverage package or specialty dinner. ~Nancy

Yes, and you select on the laundry submission sheet if you want them on hangers or folded. ~Nancy

You are correct that there is no longer a listing on the MDR menu specifically called "Always Available" but you will always see at the bottom of list of Mains a beef, roasted chicken, salmon and the infamous "Rustic Lasagna". As others mentioned, you can ask for a plain salmon, for example, instead of a Maple Glazed Salmon. You will see Caeser Salad and French Onion Soup listed most days but should be available if asked.