crystalspin

No need to be quiet! Most of us like to answer questions. (And those that don't, shouldn't scold!) It also did happen to us, possibly every time we did go over $11, that we were charged the whole price/service. But "HIA and more" was pretty new last December/January. They should have it polished up by now.

I think you sailed today but here is a possible lay-out (although probably not made up as a triple)! https://halfacts.com/1815-volendam/

We have recently and will on our next cruise, stay in a Vista Suite and hence pay the slightly higher HSC of $17.50pppd (I thought it had gone up, but just copied that from the website). We tip each cabin steward ~$20/week above that. Our last B2B cruise they were still having us sign for drinks even thought we had HIA. I took up adding a dollar tip to every third or fourth slip. It was so much easier than waiting until the last day and trying to find people who had served us. We do not have fixed seating so do not develop a "relationship" with wait people. But I may carry a few $5s for very special treatment in the Lido or specialty restaurants. As you can see from the sampling of a few in this thread, there is no "What is most commonly done?" answer!

Smart Casual for the specialty restaurants every night, no change for Gala nights. Or am I on a different cruiseline???

Are you actually going to Antarctica? Or just around the Horn? We did the Santiago-Ushuaia-Buenos Aires cruise on the Zaandam Nov 24 - Dec 8, 2014. We checked four carry-on sized suitcases (because checking the one extra, why not check them all?), for three adults. The fourth case was for the cold-weather gear -- long johns, down vests, etc. That we never needed or wore. I did wear my thermal undershirts as tops; they were bright colors -- but not because I needed the warmth. I believe you do walk the decks, you would want a windproof layer, hat, maybe gloves. Just like Alaska! It did rain in Punta Arenas and Ushuaia. It was very casual. My mom and I did take a skirt and nicer top/cardigan, each. But many didn't. These days I would probably go with shiny pants and a sparkly tank. Just one, wear every gala dinner. No heels ever these days. Oh, yeah, and checking the bags home, my husband's was delayed. It did turn up but if it was on the way there...

Buffy Bear: you are here https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2816862-oct-25-2023-round-australia-coral-princess-28-days/#comment-62240818

Haha, yes, I was speaking of Vista Suites (on Pinnacle Class ships), not Vista ships.

The notes for 10046 on the Nieuw Statendam point out that there is no seating other than a cube-stool at the desk. https://halfacts.com/pinnacle-class/10046-nieuw-statendam/

Hi Kenphy! I don't see you on our roll call for So.Pac -- please join, it is here: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2832921-february-17-2024-hawaii-and-tahiti/page/70/ We will be in a Vista Suite, the same cabin that we spent 16 days B2B on the Mexican Riviera last winter. Currently you can only book a Vista as a guarantee, but I don't think there are any BAD Vista Suites! One difference on the K'dam is that most or all Verandahs have the sofa and desk near the balcony, while the Vistas have the sofa and desk toward the hall and the bed by the balcony.

Koningsdam last winter had a separate Explorations Cafe on Starboard side of the central service area, usually with two barristas working. By the time we were visiting the GDC, i would be ready to switch to European beer with my frites! I will be sure to try espresso drink there and compare to the ExC on next cruise.

It's a savings if there is an excursion you want to take. We had $100 each for each leg of our Mexican Riviera B2B last winter and did three excursions total (IOW we paid for one). Two of the ShoreXes were VERY GOOD, and one -- which had been modified rather extensively from the description -- was a disappointing. We have $300 each for upcoming Hawaii-Tahiti cruise. Only ship's tours for Hawaii have been released, but I have already "spent" the credits and $800 more on three excursions. Two are small-group, and the third is to the Polynesian Cultural Center, since the rest of the cruise will be visiting Polynesia that seemed appropriate.

You are getting good advice! I would also suggest lurking and reading a few pages on any and all topics on the various lines. I find that a good way to appraise the cruiselines' cultures without committing to numerous cruises! Here are some direct links: https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/189-55-cruisers/ https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/279-solo-cruisers/ https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/2474-transatlantic-transpacific-repositioning-trans-ocean-cruises/ https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/378-freighter-and-other-non-traditional-cruise-travel/ https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/499-cruisetravel-insurance/ https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/674-world-cruising/

Whereas I tied it to Pride of America, the ship that circles Hawaii. Always thought it was odd Brian promoted a NCL ship, but hung out on the HAL board!!!

@Cruisingrampy I tend to do third ship's ShoreXs, third private (booked on our own), and third no-tour, just walk around. The ship's tours that "win" are to attractions that are distant, OR where they include two or more activities -- like penguin colony with a sheep-ranch lunch and show in Chile, or Otters+Eagles+Bears in Alaska.

How about this one? I was able to get an "open-box" for $13 or 14 off! Yes they are marketed to women, but the standard/masculine knapsacks don't have the features of these!

It's smaller than the "pink" one that's coming for me! His IT carryon-sized suitcase is teal-blue and I thought this "island green" was the most harmonious. But for now I have cancelled the order.

I got him this one:

OohEee, it comes tomorrow! Background: we have both sizes of the eBag Slim (and Jr.Slim) x2... but they have SO much padding, I was left thinking we could have packed more stuff! The organization was fine, although it did keep my brain working about where everything was stored. I wonder if the gray-black version of this bag could be masculine enough for my husband?!!

We were on just after you and encountered the same. Not just first night, either. When we saw lamb on the menu, we tried to make a reservation by phone, just to find the only opening was 9:30pm at a shared table. My take-away was, if you want to eat in the MDR, pick early or late and stay with it. "Any-time" means Lido or specialty. Fortunately, this situation proved that we like those options fine (except for missing the lamb), and we will stay with Anytime for our coming cruises.

This was exactly my thought, after our experience on K'dam B2B at new years. We never ate there.

I'm sure you booked the change of rooms with reasons, but -- as someone who recently did a B2B in the SAME cabin, I can tell you how nice it was! I'm guessing, though, that you have better-class cabins (maybe suites?) on the second legs. I do not know if it would be worth it to me, even though all the above is correct: the stewards do the moving, but you still have to pack up your toiletries, any loose items in the cabin, and folded clothes/things from drawers...

This^^^. I have not sailed on Princess (although I have bookings that had to be cancelled, including one each 2020 and 2021), and this is often the reason why. The need to book so much higher just to be comfortable in the cabin. ETA, I remember pre-pandemic that Princess had even removed the second "barrel" chair from standard balconies. Leaving just one desk chair or the bed for places to sit!

While I agree in theory with @Florida_gal_50 that coating bacon with sweetness seems wrong, I guess we will have to try it, finally, on our next cruise!

Our Declaration was supposed to have been published (sent to the king?) on 1 July, but they were still ironing out some fine points, so it was delayed.

Where did I get the idea Colorado? We have a lovely view of LaSal Mountains. And we've perfected itineraries for people staying 3-5-and-10 days!