Traveling Dot

12 hours ago, DonnyD-JJ said:

@jljcruise What a great idea just exploring the ports.  I wish I traveled to Alaska more so I could do that also.  I have never done anytime dining and would be interested to know how one books the dining times and also how you found the wait times.

 

Thanks for participating.

 

Donna

Anytime dining is just that, you go to the main dining room anytime want.  You check-in at the desk, give them your cabin number and how many in your group.  Then they will ask if you want to share with others.  (Great way to meet people.)  I found that sometimes the line was long and sometimes not.  7 PM seemed to be the most crowded time, you really have to play it by ear and see what works best for you.

On 5/31/2024 at 4:13 PM, kentuckycruiser said:

Spent several hours on the phone getting transferred from one person to the next. Zero resolution. We are getting reimbursed about $480 of the $700 cost of CO. Was told by one person it was probably due to the room upgrade. (So much for us getting to “keep the upgrade”) Plus getting $50 per person OBC. Everyone was adamant that we are not entitled to anything more. Very discouraging. A lot of language barriers with most departments. 
Our PCC has disappeared. Probably with our $220. 🙄

If you read this, she she got back $480 plus they were getting $50/pp onboard credit equalling $200.  So for $20 or $10 per cabin, they kept their upgraded cabins just didn't get to eat in CO.  And nobody made off with their money. 

And they don't say what other OBC they got when they booked (only 4 or 5 months ago).  I'm sure they weren't the only ones to lose out on CO either.  You have to learn to "roll with the punches".  At least they are on the cruise. 🙄

As much as it is sad that this happened just before sailing they did get money back except for $220 which paid for their cabin upgrade.  I'm sure the cabin upgrade would have been a lot more money without the CO.  So maybe they made out on the deal and they did also get some onboard credit.

When I did CO on the Rotterdam I only did it for the cabin upgrade and had fixed dining in the main dining room.  Only had breakfast in the CO room. I would have been more upset if they took away the cabin upgrade.

It seemed their only other complaint was that they had to make dining reservations.  That wasn't that much of a problem because we all get dining in the main dining room with no extra charge.  To tell you the truth eating in the CO room isn't all that fabulous.  Depending on which ship you are on it is like eating in a fish bowl with people looking in while passing on their way to the main dining room.  JMHO 🤔

Kathi,

Glad to see you are back to cruising.  Hope you can make the Pole to Pole cruise.  I'm sure you will get stronger each day, so keep on sailing. 🤗

1 hour ago, kazu said:

 

Sorry to hear you had to cancel, Dot but I’m glad you found a replacement cruise.  Yours is the first listing for the Westerdam in June so I have no details.

Could you let me know how many days it is please?  Inside Passage?

 

I’m doing as well as I can, thanks.

 

Thanks so much. 🙂 

It is the June 9 to July 7 28-day Alaska Solstice cruise.  Sorry I forgot to put the date. 🤔

Jacqui,

I had to cancel my April cruise from Japan to Seattle due to some medical problems.  I am now booked on the June 28-day Alaska cruise on the Westerdam.

Please make those changes.  Thank you.

Dot 🤗

BTW, how are you doing?

Hi Kazu,

I'll be on the April 13 to May 12, 2024 30-day Japan & North Pacific Crossing Collector on the Westerdam.

Also on the February 8 to March 7, 2025 Amazon Explorer on the Zaandam.

Dot

You can get water in the Lido any time day or night from the beverage area.  That is near where you can also get tea or coffee.

I just used the World Cruise address last week and got my OBC request.  🤔

Thank you all for your answers.  I will not take it on my cruise.  I will try to find something else that will help.  I might even try acupuncture while I am on the cruise.🤔

I have been having a problem with a a muscle in my back and use a heating pad to help relieve the pain.  Can I take a heating pad on the ship?  I don't want to take it if it is not allowed. 🙄

Thanks to all who answered. 🤗

I actually want to bring a shortbread called Lorna Dunne.  They are prepackaged (6 to a pack or 4 to a pack) depending where I buy them.

1 hour ago, lissie said:

They  may need to be declared if they fall under the list of questions you get asked on the form on the plane. However even  so I very much doubt that they will confiscated - sealed commercial biscuits etc are fine. 

 

The real danger  are things like fruit, dairy, meat, honey, seeds and dirt 

 

Don't forget to get your NZETA  before you fly Information about NZeTA: New Zealand Electronic Travel Authority | Immigration New Zealand 

Thank you for your response.  I already have NZETA approved.

12 minutes ago, don731 said:

We depart on Nieuw Statendam this coming Saturday for 14 days.  Currently in a VB cabin.  Our traveling friends just had to cancel due to a last minute health issue.  We are wondering if it’s possible to upgrade to CO this late in the game?  We like the idea of the separate grill type restaurant for.dinner.  Would the price be $15 pp/pd?  Thanks!

Yes I believe you can.  I did it before my cruise in October on the Rotterdam.  But you have to call them to upgrade to another cabin, at least I had to.  It was worth the $125 I paid.  

I am flying into Auckland to start my Cruise.  I want to bring some individual sealed packages of cookies that I will eat only on the ship.  Do I have to declare these and are they even allowed to be brought into New Zealand?

@kazuJacqui, glad to hear you are on your way home and to healing that elbow.  I'm sure Jose was with you in spirit and watching the surgeon when he operated on your elbow.  Rest and get healthy for your next cruise. ❤

1 minute ago, canadianbear said:

Oh my gosh…you don’t need insurance issues when going through this.  Do you have a social worker or someone that can help you deal with this at the hospital?  

@kazuSorry to hear of your medical problems.  I know you miss Jose but know he is with you I spirit.  Sending good thoughts and prayers 🙏 your way for a quick recovery and safe journey home. 😥

@kazuWhen I was on the Rotterdam in October there  was a line up for the walk-in early diners which is on the same floor as Club Orange.  I had fixed dining on the 2nd floor of the MDR and had adequate service.  When you ate in the MDR where you in fixed or walk-in?  I also had Club Orange and enjoyed it for breakfast with one of my friends every morning but didn't eat there for dinner.  Did eat in SEL De Mer and enjoyed that meal except for the fact that a couple that we knew joined us and slowed us up from getting our entrees.  If we had known they were going to order more than two appetizers we wouldn't have had them join us.  

Looking forward to traveling virtually with you again. 😎  Thank you for taking us along.

@kazuHappy New Year🎉 Jacqui!  Just found your Live Posts and just caught up.  Glad you brave enough to travel on your own.  I have been doing it for almost 7 years now since Jack passed, but I still travel with Jack the Bear to keep me company. 😎

Thanks for taking me along virtually on your cruise.  Looking forward to reading your next cruise. 😎

Marianne,

I have been following your blog for years now but this time I did not get an email for your blog.  Is there a reason that I haven't gotten it this time?  I got one for your spring cruises in the Caribbean but not for this one.

Does anyone know which cabins are used for the quarantine cabins on deck 4 on the Rotterdam?  I am booked in an obstructed view cabin on deck 4 and was wondering if I would be moved to a different cabin before we board because of that.🤔🤔🤔

There is a cruise that starts on May 28, 2023 that does a cruise of the British Isles on the Zuiderdam out of Amsterdam.  Check it out on the HAL website.