SusieKIslandGirl

@scluvsrainHi Sherita, I agree with you-we enjoy both Princess and HAL. There are a couple of things we like better on Princess, mainly the International Cafe.

I think if I were flying in from the East coast for this cruise I'd be tempted to do a B2B just to make the long flight worthwhile. While not an overly exciting cruise we did enjoy it for the relaxation it provided.

This all reminds me of a crazy episode of a British comedy, "Keeping Up Appearances". They watched their Cunard ship sail away after taking a shortcut to the port. I've seen it several times and still laugh-and hope it's never us!

@RynoWallyThis is from the cabin description Q & A  

Volendam FAQs
Does my stateroom have a mini-fridge? A mini-fridge is included with Vista, Neptune and Pinnacle Suites only. Guests who need to refrigerate medication should store it in the ship’s infirmary, as mini-fridges aren’t cold enough for that purpose.
What's the cost for mini-fridge rentals? $2 per day, upon request.
 

oops! Typed the wrong word for the suite. Thanks for clearing it up.

26 minutes ago, RynoWally said:

It's also for an Ocean view cabin, we have always booked Verandas but really do not utilize the veranda, are the rooms themselves pretty cramped in comparison to a Veranda?

I just looked at the website and room size varies greatly. The Volendam doesn't show verandah cabins, just lanai or signature suites. When we've gone with an ocean view, depending on how the bed is situated (on a side wall or under the window) we opt for the twin set-up if it's under the window. It's much easier to look out the window and easier to store stuff on the window ledge. And we're on the May 15 sailing of the Volendam. Can't wait!

I liked the part that mentioned if you're over 70 you still register but don't need to pay the fee. Glad getting old is good for at least 1 thing.

@CrabbyPattiWould love to know which casino you visited. Sounds like a place we need to stay. Thanks!

Yes, I did mention that I didn't care for the new system and had problems with it.

We cruised this past October and they have changed the laundry tag system. On some of the clothes where there is no label to attach the laundry tag they used the plastic things through the fabric and I ended up making a small hole in a couple of undershirts. You need to keep scissors or nail clippers handy. I didn't care for the new system. 

Every time I read about testing on board and then waiting in your cabin I laugh. I was back in the cabin about 10 minutes when the phone rang. My heart sank-but it was just the Onboard Shops letting me know my DH's liquor order was ready to be picked up. I wanted to hit him over the head with that bottle. I was then able to breathe again.

Last fall my nephew and wife had to test at SeaTac because of test results not arriving in time for their trip to Italy. They got their tests but it was $500😲. I'm not sure which test they had.

As a retired rural mail carrier I often had people ask about holding their mail for more than 30 days. Not a problem! If you generally get more than 3 or 4 pieces per day (lots of catalogues?) then it was appreciated if you picked up the mail rather than ask to have it redelivered.   And crying over spilt milk-I think I'd be swearing!

And if some of the guests are also in a Neptune could they order hors d’oeuvres / canapes and take them to your cabin?

I would be on the phone to HAL as soon as the phone lines open in the morning. Good Luck!

In 2017 we stayed at the Imperial Hotel near Tivoli. We were able to walk to the hotel from the train station which we took from the airport.

Just read the following:  It looks like the Volendam is on the move, headed to Cadiz.  And then someone else replied: to the shipyard in Cadiz. You will sail on a refurbished Volendam....

 So perhaps that's why the 1st 2 cruises were cancelled? Keeping my fingers crossed that our May 15 cruise is still a go. 

35 minutes ago, rotjeknor said:

Most measures were lifted in the Netherlands last week . Danmark is completely back to “ normal” . Holiday bookings in the Netherlands and Europe are way up since more and more countries are lifting restrictions. 
 

That's good to hear. I'm trying to stay positive!

We're also on the May 15 cruise from Rotterdam. My 1st thought was that the Netherlands still has a quarantine period required for those from their Red list countries which includes the US. Norway just lifted their restrictions so my fingers are crossed that the Netherlands does the same, sooner rather than later🤞.

We chose to go with the "Leave a message because we don't answer if we don't know you" because our home phone number is the same as Fed Ex-just a different area code. And Amazon Customer Service can't figure it out either that it's not a local number. And to top it off, we're one digit off from the local tow truck company. We've had many midnight calls after the bars close for help. At least those have tapered off now that dial phones are almost extinct. The rain is back but at least it's warm-ish, compared to everywhere else. Have a great week!

It's been a lovely week in Seattle, weather wise. Sorry you're coming back to the 1st rain in over a week. Thanks so much for an informative report and can't wait to snorkel again. Your photos were wonderful.

9 hours ago, DrKoob said:

Again, to see the pics you will need to Google Jim Bellomo and look for my blog. It should be the first thing that comes up. Cruise Critic will not let me post a link to it from here.

I have seen many add a link to their blogs so not sure why you can't. Would make looking at your photos much easier.  And you missed a lovely Seattle area day today-warm enough to be out without a coat😊.

We did a fjord cruise and had purchased tickets online ahead of time for the lift to the top of Mt. Florian. Enjoyed both!

I wonder if the hotel would provide a small microwave if you asked for one. We've had hotel stays where both refrigerators and/or microwaves were available on a limited basis.

On 1/20/2022 at 3:39 PM, PSR said:

 

We just flew Alaska on Sunday (as you well know) and they definitely did not ask it, and if they had we would have told them I was positive. By the way, I haven't tested positive with 2 at home tests since the pre-cruise test. Yes, I know they aren't 100%.

@PSRI'm a bit confused with the back and forth. In your statement should there be "if" after "them" when you wrote we would have told them I was positive? In the next sentence you stated you weren't positive.