julia

To upgrade the drink package on this length of cruise (for two) is $826. OR, you could spend .50 or a few bucks for each upgraded cocktail. Your choice. @BermudaBound2014... We could afford this cruise, but would go broke on that happy hour in Waikiki! 😲⬆️🫢

Thank you SO much for taking the time to update your thread... it is much appreciated by those of us who've come to "know you". Wishing you all the best in your recovery. Juli

@BermudaBound2014.... shhhhh (I'ma gonna share a food secret). Take a lovely drink or two (wine, beer, cocktail, whatever) back to your cabin and order the "bento box" from Tamarind (room service, small upcharge). There are two bentos to choose from, one sushi oriented, one more veggie/tempura. Served beautifully. Turn on some soft music, and indulge in a fine, quiet, dining experience. (We enjoyed this on our balcony often last year, but have kept it hush hush). 🫢 You're welcome.

Thx... I'm mostly interested in seeing pics of the thermal suite on the Noordam.

@Haljo1935 Which ship is this?? ⬆️

@Mary229 So very sorry to hear this about the MDR. When we were onboard this same cruise a year ago, we encountered much the same. We actually love to "dine and relax", but after one week, we were DONE. The struggle is real! Long lines, slow service, loud room, and hit or miss menu's had us either in the Lido or ordering from NY Deli nightly. We did a few lunches in the MDR, but never went back for dinner.

Of course....

Exactly! And they work great when cruising in tropical weather!

Lovely, lovely flowers! ⬆️❤️ Regarding the thermal suite pass, you've made a wise choice. Your cruise will soon get HOT and HUMID, and laying on heated loungers will not be appealing! However, the thermal suite on MY cruise, in 72 days, 10 hours and 17 minutes to Alaska, will be super appealing. 😅

Your late arrival, along with your "body clock," dictates that you should book a hotel at (or near) YVR. You will be weary from a long travel day. If you are sailing the next day, sleep in, check out refreshed, and take a taxi or Uber/Lyft to Canada Place. Taxi's from the airport to downtown are fixed fee, by zones.

Well, no one knows when this will be available, but you've been given some good advice. FLL is definitely a DIY port!

Ok... what the heck?! This EXACT same cruise last year was NOT deemed "legendary" (hence, no fancy bags), and I do NOT recall a plethora of lobster tails in the Lido!! I need a do-over! 😲⬆️

No self serve laundry on any HAL ship. Their laundry service is very good, and fairly reasonable... pay by the piece, or by the bag.

Check all of the above, and, get a new agent...

Yes, but.... Tamarind requires a reservation which is charged to your credit card (prior to boarding) or stateroom when onboard. The question above is: How does one just "go to Tamarind, not order Tamarind and just order from Nami"?

No No, never crowded No The thermal suite: showers, t-pool, heated loungers Day passes are available Expect a quiet, relaxing adult area

So glad your embark went well and the gliches are working out. Time to settle into the next five weeks of fun. But.... those silly Lido hours. 😲

Aaaaahhhh, this ex-San Diegan enjoyed your pics very much! And to all the Cruise Critics boarding the Koningsdam tomorrow, I wish you a wonderful, memorable cruise! We were there last year (at the Wyndam on Harbor Drive) and I woke early (too excited) and pulled out the binoculars and sat on the balcony in the dark and watched the K'dam sail past Pt Loma and slide into her berth. Magical!!

Thx Lisa... and this is why we're on the Noordam (yet again) to Alaska in May!

Loving it so far! We did this cruise last year, and if you think your pre-sail has been a cluster, then just wait til you're on the pier in San Diego! 😲😲 It was the clusteriest of all clusters, and was the talk of the cruise for weeks. (Remember, when everyone has priority, then there is no priority). We did enjoy the ship, staff, and itinerary though... great cruise!!

Thx for the replies. We'll enjoy seeing snow in May, but hopefully the road surface will be safe and dry. We've been to Alaska several times, but always in September.

Yes, I am resurrecting an old thread, which has some very good information in it regarding our upcoming drive along the South Klondike Hwy. We have a car rental on May 8th 2024, with plans to see Emerald Lake and various sites. I'd appreciate some general input (as weather is variable)... is the Hwy mostly clear at this time of year or will it be snow & ice? We will be checking 511Yukon prior to the trip, but firsthand accounts are helpful. Thx!

Very, very few commercials were noteworthy, so you didn't miss much, and that halftime show was a hot mess!

Jamaica is 2nd to Trinidad and Tobago in overall Caribbean crime, and has the highest murder rate of all the islands. Economic downturns, drugs, and the recent pandemic have led to much social decay, and is why you can't compare a decade old visit to today. Apples to oranges.

The itinerary should be a major factor, preferably one that includes Glacier Bay. I've not sailed NCL, but can tell you that their port times are not as good as the others.