QuattroRomeo

5 hours ago, RD64 said:

Miss the original canvas totes - glad that I still have my collection. Who else remembers the very nice blue document folders they used to give out in the olden days when ticket packages were still sent out by HAL? I have 15 of them - and cherish every one! Back in the days when the little things truly made cruising special.

We still have several canvas bags, ( used to get one per person, not per stateroom) and a couple of the blue document folders too- it was always exciting when they arrived in the mail! 

(ok I looked for a dinosaur emoticon but couldn't find one🛳️....)

 Thanks for sharing your cruise with us. Sounds like you're enjoying the Explorations Cafe ☕. We thought it was very good on the Koningsdam and look forward to trying it next month on Rotterdam. Have you also enjoyed the coffee and food at Dutch Cafe? We liked it there too.

I think you could ask to take a photo with the rock band- after all, you liked them! And I would guess they have been asked before.

Good "save" on the laundry! I can just imagine neatly folding hubby's socks and underwear, wrapping in tissue and placing in a basket...🙄!..

ps- agree with you about the tablespoon of cottage cheese at breakfast- have seen that on a few ships,  so now I ask for a scoop!

I hope the islands live up to your dreams! Have you chosen excursions?🌴

We did this several years ago, so it might have changed. My recollection is you spend a lot of time on the bus. But we did find the ride from Gatun Lake to Panama City quite interesting for scenery. I remember seeing a gigantic ant hill. In the old city, you drive around some ruins, which was fine- pretty much just rubble, and have a decent walking tour through the old quarter. (prepare for the heat). At some point there was a stop at a small duty free mall. It was okay, lots of souvenir junk. I think we got an ice cream in there somewhere. The contrast of old and new buildings in the city was very interesting to see.

The drive back was not so great because you are stalled a lot in rush hour traffic.The single biggest issue we had and still remember is the lack of planning for a washroom stop on the return trip. Sitting in traffic for ages, my husband made the driver pull into a small gas station. And EVERYONE on the bus got out and waited in line.. So, a decent tour, you see quite a bit, but tiring. Just make sure the driver makes a rest stop plan for the return. 

3 hours ago, ChiefMateJRK said:

I'm one of a very small minority (I think there are three of us) who routinely book an inside and then just sit and wait.  If prices drop like a rock before the cruise, I'll upgrade to a balcony for pennies on the dollar.  Otherwise, I'll just enjoy my cruise. 😎

Sounds like an interesting strategy!  Do you pick a cabin, or go guarantee for the inside (and does getting a gty make any difference when it comes to bidding opportunities)?

5 hours ago, Btimmer said:

Live from the Secret Lagoon

 

 

Honest to goodness elves' houses?!?

Thanks for the review! It is always disappointing to miss ports- Argostoli and Mykonos in your case- especially when you go all the way to the Mediterranean! I hope you get a chance to go back. We've done a few Med cruises in the Fall- the weather is just right and fewer crowds. 

Hope you have good memories and photos for the places you did see! (Croatia is great isn't it!?)

- Langoustine soup, Osso Bucco, and Sicilian Marzipan Cassata Torte in Canaletto

We received 2 tiles ( and 1 shopping bag) on our Inside Passage cruise on Koningsdam (May 28). On the last sea day, we were walking from the aft elevator on deck 2 toward mid-ship, and happened to notice a Mariner reception in a lounge area opposite Club Orange dining room. It was mid to late afternoon. I believe the sign said Mariner 4,5 reception. There is nothing about in the daily programs so I assume invitations were sent to eligible guests.

Yes indeed! Looks like a runway!

The itineraries are pretty great on all of the ships so that has to be a consideration for you. But having done Med cruises on large and smaller ships, we would do small again. Especially when there are few, if any, sea days. We just found that after each very long day walking on cobblestone streets in the sunshine, then standing in line to get back on the ship, and then returning to the larger ship looking way down the oh-so-long hallway to our cabin, it was exhausting! 

If you have several sea days, then it isn't so bad. 

What a delicious-looking meal! 

Is the spread in the second photo hummus and seaweed? Or something else?

Love your photos of Friscardo village, what a great spot. After eating all of those tasty Greek salads and seafood during the tours, does the ship fare kind of pale in comparison?? 😁

We are considering the Nieuw Amsterdam B2B Dec 4-18. Haven't done a B2B before, but now with retirement we can consider them! We recently sailed on Koningsdam; first cruise since covid. 

16 hours ago, BennyBrun said:

Day 4

 

Iff to have to authentic Bakalava … I can easily get lost in these streets.

You know you're in an authentic family home bakery when you can walk past the shower!!.. guess it would be easy to wash away those crumbs..😁 Was the baklava great?? The assortment of goodies looks pretty tasty!

We have often ordered flowers on cruises; never had a bad bouquet! Recently we ordered them on Koningsdam out of Vancouver. See photo in link below:

https://boards.cruisecritic.com/topic/2857586-koningsdam-review-may-28-june-4/?do=findComment&comment=63342547

We have enjoyed Chef's Table on NCL and RCCL in past years; haven't heard of it on HAL. My understanding is that NCL has discontinued them; not sure about Royal.

ok thanks!

We were recently aboard Koningsdam, and noticed that the wraparound deck, I think deck 5, had all of the lifeboats obstructing the view, at least mid-ship, when you walked around it outside. Is it the same on the Nieuw Statendam? 

The Market certainly is a destination in itself!! Gotta get me some of that "wrinkle disappearing" soap!..

Great photos as usual!

And construction, graffiti..universal!!

Could I be invited to bid if I booked a GTY and not a specific cabin? In the past we always had a specific stateroom booked, so I don't know what would happen without that.

1 hour ago, BennyBrun said:

Pre Cruise 

 

I had time to check out the meeting point which is a metro stop by Athens Fleamarket.

You're doing great with all that walking in the hot sun!! Love the photo with the pile of grapes, hanging bananas and huge mound of olives!!

15 minutes ago, KeithJenner said:

You are aware that all of NCLs ships (other than POA) were built and fitted out in Europe?

 

if anything, the large warehouse would be in Europe, as that is also where most dry docks are carried out. In recent years, they have positioned ships in Europe for their dry dock year. I’m not sure what NCL do when they need replacement equipment. I suspect that they are fairly standard items, but it is probably easier to obtain in Europe than the US.

Yes, I do know that many cruise ships, and many ships period, are built in Europe. Heck, I watch "Mighty Ships" religiously!!

NCL is our preferred line, and it seems to us also  that their prices aren't as competitive as they used to be. We would rather cruise more often, but bargains are scarce. Plus, we have the added cost of exchange rates. We did an Alaska cruise in late March/early June on HAL, because the rate was significantly better.

We might have to rely on last-minute deals for a while with NCL.But that poses a problem too with escalated airfare and hotel rates last minute. What to do, what to do??