QuattroRomeo

This new focus on the Afternoon Tea holds out some hope for improved quality. The last 2 times we tried it, it wasn't very good. Years ago it was. Of course it can vary from ship to ship, like all of the food offerings! Thanks for the information!

I understand what POA1 is saying about secondary flow and location field, no issues there and thanks. What is an issue, as luv2cruisenz  stated, is the lack of User Experience testing. A customer should NOT have to wonder where they are actually eating! This has spoiled her anticipation and created needless stress. The Location field should be blanked out for the User when it makes sense to do so. Stupid, careless, lazy programming, or whatever it is called in the I.T. world. And   the Rep training is pathetic, and the Rep compounded the confusion.

6 minutes ago, luv2cruisenz said:

Yes it does look like it’s something their system needs to have.
‘Delivered to Dining Room’ could just mean the PG dining room. Although it’s a bit superfluous from a customers point of view. And confusing!

 

I do wonder if they have any kind of user experience testing on their website to identify when things are not clear. So it would be good if HAL can confirm what it really means. 

 Yes it is confusing. User-friendly it is not. We only have the "Feedback" button to work with!

If IT simply read a few of these CC threads, they would have all of the user experience testing they need!!😉

My guess is that this a website error or silly programming (surprise, surprise), as ALL of our specialty dining reservations  show " delivered to dining room". I saw this in the My Itinerary- Show my Purchases screen. Includes Pinnacle Grill, Canaletto, and Morimoto by Sea.... on the Noordam.

3 hours ago, Jensue9 said:

type package that includes a $25 coffee card as well as some sort of gift type thing. I was wondering if they offer a coffee card to purchase just on its own? 

In the Manage my Cruise section, under Beverages, look for Beverage Cards. (4th line down under All Beverages).They are basically stored-value cards and with each purchase the money draws down from it, rather than billing to your onboard account. It is not just a card for coffee, it is for any beverage. There is no monetary advantage to using the card. Many people like it though  because it eliminates looking at these small amounts on your daily statement. 

5 hours ago, TheGuys16 said:

I always bring Antivert, Pepto tablets, excedrin migraine, Tylenol, Advil, Mucinex D and Airborne gummies.  Then the first aid supplies - Benadryl cream, bandaids, Biofreeze.  One cruise, we had to hunt down Tylenol in Guatemala and that’s when I became a walking Walgreens.

So true.. we pack several drug store items, too. The ship shops have limited items and those that are there cost a fortune! Cough & Cold meds are hard to find sometimes so I always pack those.

That IS a lot of ships!

2 hours ago, LAFFNVEGAS said:

That is why I always just go for the least expensive Facial. It is still a good facial and the products they use are good with the Super Foods one. I just won't spend that kind of money for that facial. 

Thank you Lisa- just the kind of information I needed- my wrinkles and I will just have to co-exist! I think I might try the superfoods one though, just for the experience.

-Pam

Ladies- have you ever tried the Elemis Biotec firm-a-lift one? I have never had any facial so if I treat myself to a pre-cruise special, I am wondering do the effects last very long?

Do you happen to recall when the Alaskan Brunch was held? We intend to do mostly Pinnacle lunches on sea days but would like to try the Brunch. We're on a Noordam 14 day collector.

Thanks everyone! We are sure looking forward to it. College Fjord, Hubbard Glacier and Whittier are new places for us, so it should be extra interesting. Haven't sailed Noordam since 2011 so it will be nice to revisit. Our sailing date is actually May 26, and with all the non-port days I'm hoping there is time to do a daily commentary!

3 hours ago, BaileyMJ said:

Free day since my HAL excursion Food & Wine tour Oyster Farm was canceled.  5 ships in town.

That's a shame; did they say why it was cancelled?

Origin Story has been on 2 or 3 times on our last 3 cruises so you have a good chance of seeing it! Worth seeing at least once!

Our Noordam embarkation info just arrived for our cruise out of Vancouver. No mention of any progressive check-in. That was short-lived!

We just watched this yesterday; he also mentioned the lack of main stage entertainment, but added that it is gradually getting better. And, perhaps the biggest irritant- the new push for families on board!

2 hours ago, GlennG said:

Approximately one year ago, we travelled on the Noordam (Alaska Cruise).  There was a single desktop computer (PC) just adjacent to the front desk.  I had to ask personnel at the front desk if I could use this computer.  This was the only PC available for passenger use.

17 minutes ago, crx said:

We are just off the NOORDAM ..  There is only one public computer station . It is located right beside the front desk.  No computer lab any more.  The library is large and has a coffee shop beside it.

Thank you both for your specific help. I guess we are going the way of the dodo! At least we know what to expect in a couple of weeks and can be prepared.

There are some computers on desks showing in photos from Halfacts and Cruisedeckplans, but the shots are from 2019. They are on deck 3 from what I checked. I am wondering if they are still there, or possibly some other location now. You are right Ruth, there are some on other ships- there are 2 just to the left of Guest Services counter on Rotterdam and Koningsdam. Not the best location as it can get noisy in that area, but at least they are there. 

The photo of you with Susan, and your Grinch- that's a keeper!!

15 minutes ago, scooter6139 said:

Are you referring to the PCs in the Microsoft Sudio on deck 2?

I guess so-not sure where they are anymore! Are they there for public use?

I checked photos on Halfacts and elsewhere, and have not been able to see a current picture of the area on Noordam that has the computer stations. Are there many, or any, PCs available with the big screens?

For just water, these are the offerings (of course you can also buy individually):

If you are interested in a coffee/non-alcoholic drink package, this might help you; this pricing is for a 14 day cruise: 

"Unlike a manual hand wash, CleanTech^® has been 3rd-party tested in a GLP-certified lab to ensure that every hand wash removes more than 99.9% of harmful pathogens, every time. Each 12 second automated hand wash is also 100% touch free with no cross-contamination between users meeting hygiene requirements for GFSI, FDA FSMA, USDA and GMP standards. A photo-eye sensor begins each hand wash automatically when hands enter the system, eliminating any risk of cross-contamination from touch points."

-from The Meritech website.

It might be this company that makes them. Their website shows one 4-tulip vase, and those miniature houses that you find in the Dutch Cafe. 

The vases on board aren't signed or stamped on the bottom like the expensive ones are elsewhere; however they might be producing them specially for HAL. Just a guess!

That looks lovely!