oakridger
Members-
Posts
4,774 -
Joined
Content Type
Forums
Store
Blogs
Downloads
Events
Gallery
Everything posted by oakridger
-
Tipping cabin stewards(and others) on Europe cruise
oakridger replied to vjblk's topic in Holland America Line
Can you clarify what you are asking? ~Nancy -
Is the pool covered for Alaska cruises?
oakridger replied to kj_connections's topic in Holland America Line
On a warm Vancouver departure day I have seen the cover open and people in both the Lido and aft pools. Occasionally it gets above 80°F (27°C) in Alaska so I'll bet the Lido dome is open then too! ~Nancy -
Also, look at any current "Live From" posts/blogs. Many of those post the menus and some pictures of food. Each cruise will probably be slightly different, but you will get the general idea of what is served. Many dishes are served on all the ships. ~Nancy
-
Which Alaska itinerary and ship would you pick?
oakridger replied to kj_connections's topic in Holland America Line
As others have mentioned, the small boat excursion into Tracy Arm from the HAL ship was the best excursion I have taken! ~Nancy -
John and Diane Hope to Finally Sail Away from Perth
oakridger replied to tennisbeforewine's topic in Holland America Line
That meal actually does sound really good! That was a fun idea to present that! ~Nancy -
2023 Grand World Voyage with The Inside Cabin
oakridger replied to The-Inside-Cabin's topic in Holland America Line
Food tour looks interesting. I'll be watching for your pictures! ~Nancy -
Please let us know what it is like now. I've thought about staying there many times. ~Nancy
-
Late Seating Dining, Pickleball, & Educator OBC
oakridger replied to CH_ca's topic in Holland America Line
I can only address #1. Chocolate surprise is only once per 7 night cruise as far as I know. I wouldn't change my preferred dining time for it. It's really just more chocolate desserts. Lots of other desserts on board all day. Music walk has more than one set per evening show. Finish dinner then head to Music Walk. Game shows may or may not even be on any particular cruise and possibly at different times of the day. So basically, all this to say that none of those activities would make me switch from my preferred late dining times. If you really are not wanting to miss anything than you could have "As You Wish" Dining instead and just eat dinner whenever you want. ~Nancy -
@patrice1 I suspect you will enjoy your May cruise too! This was an amusing story also to me because something similar happened to my daughter when she flew to Maui last year with her husband's ashes in a metal urn. (They spread them in the sea) She had it in her carryon and the TSA pulled her aside at security when they saw it on the x-ray. The agent asked her what it was and my daughter said, "My husband". The agent stepped back quickly and called her supervisor. First thing the supervisor told the agent was "DON'T open it!!!" They all got a chuckle out of that and did let her on the plane with "Robert". Best wishes for your cruise, ~Nancy
-
Thank you @irvington. My next trip to Europe will be a mix of transportation modes. (cruise, plane, train, ferry and car!!) I'm just now looking into the train possibilities. That website will be helpful! ~Nancy
-
It doesn't make sense to me to talk to the Cruise Director about meeting people other than solo meet ups that any particular line already has on their program. ~Nancy
-
See also the generic solo forum here on CC. Click below. Solo Cruises: Ask a Question - Cruise Critic Message Board Forums
-
This was not the case on my cruises last fall. The wording online looked like what you describe but I was able to book several lower priced excursions and still have the credit difference to use on other excursions. Example: $200 in credits so booked a $50 plus a $125 plus a $25 and was even. Total cost was able to be used up to the credit amount. This is a good way to have it ~Nancy
-
Is Have it All Package worth it for light drinkers of alcohol
oakridger replied to JeanneEDW's topic in Holland America Line
Yes, the HIA Signature or Elite Beverage Packages do include the 18% beverage gratuities. ~Nancy -
Hello @rafinmd. I'm very happy to see you posting regularly again! Next step will be a cruise blog from you. Any plans to sail soon? Take care, ~Nancy
-
Bed configuration request and method for extra tips
oakridger replied to Hllb's topic in Holland America Line
There were very few days I didn't see my steward somewhere in the hall or around my cabin. I like to hand them extra tips in person so I can thank them for any specific extras they provided during the cruise. It's positive feedback to encourage them to do those special things for future cruisers too! ~Nancy -
En Route with Hank in Japan and the Westerdam
oakridger replied to Hlitner's topic in Holland America Line
Regarding the MDR waiters asking for your dessert order at the same time as ordering the main meal, I always just nicely say that I will decide after I finish eating. I have never gotten any pushback on doing that and my dessert was always delivered promptly after I ordered. I wonder whose idea it was to ask for the dessert orders at the beginning of the meal. It started before the shutdown. I have never been in any restaurant in all my travels that wanted that pre order unless you were getting a specialty item such as a souffle that takes longer to prepare. I think it's tacky!! ~Nancy -
Those staffing levels sure sound lower than when I was on Nieuw Amsterdam last September and October!! I was in the Ocean Bar quite a bit and there were usually three bartenders at Happy Hour plus around three waiters going around the tables. Evenings there were usually two of each if I recall correctly. Lido had very attentive service for drinks and table busing. My two-man steward team was wonderful! HAL hasn't had live music at the pools in many years...even before the shutdown. What the heck happened in a couple of months? Where did all the staff go? ~Nancy
-
Holland America charging for distilled water
oakridger replied to atitansfan's topic in Holland America Line
We just had this discussion two weeks ago on another HAL thread.