seachef318

They probably have crème de cassis at one of the bars.  It has a similar black current flavor and may be worth a try? 

6 hours ago, Johnny B said:

.  I really don’t understand why, but apparently when we’re at sea or in port we have access to pretty much unlimited water for all our needs, but in the muddy brown Amazon, the amount of water is limited.

The way it was described to me by the ship’s engineers was the silt in the Amazon recks havoc on the ships reverse osmosis system that turns sea water to fresh water.  This was like 10 years ago on a much smaller ship, but I’m guessing similar reasons.  

That’s actually pretty standard across the restaurant industry - 1 glass sold should pay for the bottle.  The rest is profit. 
 

2 hours ago, AtlantaCruiser72 said:

What galls me the most is that they can rob people by charging $12 for a glass of Benzinger Sauvignon Blanc. It’s $11.97 at Total Wine and honestly just a “meh” wine. That’s one heck of a mark-up!

As of February they still did - even got my husband’s white sneakers cleaned for us 

1 minute ago, oakridger said:

 

Cosmos have Cointreau in them now so they are now $12.  I thought they were fine with the orange liquor but Cointreau is a better version.  This menu is from @Crew News wonderful website!!

 

Roger Jett Photography - Digital Images in Time Roger Jett Photography (rogerjett-photography.com)

 

Thank you!  I was looking at Roger’s site and didn’t make it to pinnacle! 

I’m pretty sure cosmos are covered in the $11.  I know I drank at least 1 on my last cruise.   

56 minutes ago, Iamthesea said:

Hmmm...I wonder how much a wash and style is?  I would love to have that done mid cruise.

Looks like it starts at $37, at least on the Rotterdam for next week 

@lizinindyi booked all mine with a gift card -

after you put items in the cart there is an option to put in the gift card number.

I don’t believe you can do a split payment of credit card and gift card, but can use 2 different gift cards on the same order 

Call HAL.  Have all of the booking numbers for each reservation handy and they will book it for you. 

We called ship services and they made the reservations for us together for our 3 booking numbers using the HIA credit 

Not sure if the spa on board offers acupuncture or if that’s only the pinnacle ships/ but it might be worth an ask to make your leg feel better.  
 

I was super skeptical of it until one of my friends dragged me there and it worked wonders for my leg/knee pain. 

He is the chef behind tamarind - I would be willing to bet his dinner would be quite an experience! 

1 hour ago, Hlitner said:

It is not just your cruise.  Our March, Japan cruise still lacks shore excursions for quite a few ports.  I think the problem is that HAL is terribly understaffed (in Seattle) and many of the shore-based tour companies (that contract with cruise lines) have yet to get their act together from the COVID shutdown.  HAL is at the mercy of the shore-based companies.  You might consider doing what we do as a matter of course which is to plan your own port days orjoin with a few others on your CC Roll Call and put together some small group private tours.

 

Hank

Japan just fully reopened to tourism in mid October so in your case it may be there aren’t any tours yet for HAL to advertise. 

Looks like the 16oz are 4.50.  This is a clip from Roger-Jett photography from the Rotterdam 

On 1/13/2020 at 11:05 AM, 3rdGenCunarder said:

 

Have you seen the packets of "raw" sugar? I prefer that to white sugar in my coffee, and I'm wondering if that's another thing I'll have to pack.

 

On the NS last week they had raw sugar in dispensers not packets, but did have it available. 

3 hours ago, Higntn said:

I hope we can still get a Wang Wang!

Pretty sure that’s the Filipino version of a Long  Island Ice tea not a HAL exclusive.  I worked on ships 12 years ago and my bartenders were making those every time someone said “surprise me”

8 minutes ago, ChinaShrek said:

 

This is a great idea.  Where did you buy them?

Reusable Telescopic Straws 4 PCS Rainbow 9.25" Metal Collapsible Keychain Straw for Water Coffee Smoothie Stainless Steel Drinking Straw with Cleaning Brush & Case - Great New Year Gifts for Family https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07SR1GH9M/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_gKvcEb215FRA6
 

this is one - they have lots on amazon.  Also if you have a kitchen supply store nearby they are often there.   My town has made Plastic straws illegal so we have to use paper or carry these! 

20 hours ago, kdakda said:

Thanks for the info.   It's just a mystery to me how 2 machines can be out of service for the entire cruise ........   guess there's more important things in life.  

It may have been a supply issue.  The syrups in the machine have to be order from a specific company and they may have not expected the popularity of it or it missed the “turnaround” day delivery.   Also I am guessing the soda machines if they were to break need a special technician not one of the amazing ships engineers.  Those guys can fix almost anything, but the computerized system of the freestyle machines is probably intricate work that only someone from coke can work on. 

On 12/12/2019 at 4:08 PM, Boatdrill said:

HAL uses the HSC to pay their crew.   They're not really  TIPs (meaning "to insure personal service") as we think of tipping, but a percentage of the payroll.  

I don’t know if this is True or not as I do not know the base salary of those on board HAL.  However is that any different than a waiter on land. In the US server minimum wage is much lower and it is expected that the tips will make up the difference. 

Log into your account on HAL website and choose “already booked”.  Register Yourself and you’ll find all you available beverage packages, laundry, shore excursions etc for the trip.  
 

menus can be found at 
http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/  Because roger is an awesome person who has done all this for us!  He is currently on NS and will be updating soon as well. 
 

hope that helps! Happy sailing! 

10 hours ago, rkacruiser said:

 

Since when has a bacon appetizer been thought of as suitable start to "fine dining"?

I would like to know your definition of “fine dining”?  There are Michelin Star restaurants who have bacon dishes on their menus.  Candied bacon has been on menus of high priced, linen table cloth restaurants for years.  I personally am not a fan of it as I do not like sweet/salty combos however many of my chef friends who have been honored by the James Beard foundation have it on their menus.  As it has been said many a times on this board - food is very subjective.  As I say to people all the time - If you don’t like a menu item don’t order it, there are a whole lot of other options on the menu and if you don’t like the menu go somewhere else.   Let people order and eat what they like - does it really have a negative impact on your life if the table next to you is eating something you would never order? 

11 minutes ago, bennybear said:

The only fiction book on-board

It’s not even fiction - it’s a memoir.  I read half of it as the hotel I work in was given a few dozen copies of it for free to give out......6 months ago and I still can’t get rid of them.  

Sign into your account on the Holland America website go to “manage bookings”- “gift and indulgences” choose what you would like and instead of putting for yourself you can click the box for some one on another booking

 Ok without having to sign in choose “already booked” on the drop down of the main HAL page.   It allows you to purchase gifts for people there.  You will need either the booking number or last name and the month of sailing.  There are lots of options for you to choose! 

Just now, Essiesmom said:

I believe she can call to add the person and since the cabin is already paid for, all they will add to the charge is the taxes and port fees for the second guest.  It would be up to the niece to reimburse your daughter for her portion of the fare.  Otherwise, I think it would be a cancel and rebook at the current rate and offers...EM

This is exactly what my mom and cousin did.  They added my cousin and she paid my mom for 1/2 directly 

And if you are flying for sure put it in your checked luggage for the flight.