jeh10641

Hi, Ken the cruiser, My wife and I are big HAL fans and we are 80ish. Our last trip was 12/21 on Rotterdam (11 nights, Caribbean). The Music Walk is so diverse that there was always something to go to. We are not dancers but there were always people on the dance floor. We are not drinkers (adult beverages) but still enjoyed the music whether it was Rolling Stone, Billboard, BB Kings or Lincoln Center. The venues for the most part did not compete for time. Cantare in the Main Theater was an awesome a cappella group. I heard that the dance shows are great as well. Sorry we missed those. The BBC shows are worth visiting. We played trivia every day around 4 PM. Never won but had fun. There were also late morning trivia events. I do not remember 6:30 PM trivia. There were two different comedians in BB Kings and both were very funny and "clean". On Rotterdam a not to miss dining venue is the Grand Dutch Cafe. They had the best chocolate chip cookie I ever ate plus other food (free). Beverages were extra charge. Tried all four specialty dining. Usually, I find they are not worth the extra cost. On Rotterdam, they were worth every penny and more! Enjoy your return to HAL. Why wait until 2025? Jim

Jacqui, Someday I would love to meet you in person. I have enjoyed being on your cruises via Cruise Critic. I am so sorry you had to do this last cruise "alone" without Jose. My deepest and most sincere condolences. On our Oosterdam cruise (2016) we also stopped in Madeira. Your photos were awesome. Our next Transatlantic will be 2023 on Anthem of the Seas because of a great price. Please stay well. Madie/Jim Harris

My wife and I are now octogenarians with minor mobility issues. We always request wheelchair service through airports. It is wonderful. Jim

Hi, Jacqui, When we cruised out of Barcelona in 2008 (our first transatlantic and first visit to Europe together), we had an awful time (one day and one night: three hours in a police station looking at mug shots!). In 2009, 2011 and 2016 our European trips/cruises were much better. Actually, they were GREAT. On that first trip we flew from Seattle to Paris where we had 45 minutes between flights. We literally ran from one terminal to another with about 12 others and an airline guide. We never did customs or immigrations at DeGaulle and just got to our Barcelona flight before the doors closed. In Barcelona, we also did not go through Customs/Immigration but found ourselves outside the terminal and our waiting ride to our hotel (just the two of us!). Ah! The joys and wonder of international travel. Jim

Hi, Lucky Star, I have never cruised with MSC. I did cruise on Rotterdam last December (and other HAL and RCCL ships). The food on HAL ships is very good, probably 4.5 to 5 stars. The service has been impeccable on all five HAL cruises. We are both around 80 and moderately active. On my first two HAL trips I was almost 18 and just past 25. We loved Cantare in the main theater on Rotterdam as well as the Music Walk (blues, rock n' roll, sing-alongs and classical music). We tried all four of the specialty (extra fee) restaurants and were wowed by them. Loved the Promenade deck where you can circumnavigate the entire ship, under cover, outside. 2500 passenger capacity is the perfect size for a cruise. The Grand Dutch Cafe is really nice and unique to Pinnacle Class ships (Rotterdam, et al). I believe you made the right choice. I have read and watched many reviews of MSC and HAL. In my opinion, it is like comparing apples and steel beams for a snack Jim.

Hi, Jacqui, I am sorry to hear about your loss. I am sure he will be on the trip with you. We sailed from Barcelona in 2008 but due to a bad incident never got to see the city. I had so much planned. We did tour Cartagena. As a history buff, I found its history to be very interesting. Malaga was a nice historical visit as well. We took a tour in Funchal that included a stop at a wine shop where we had a taste of Madeira wine. I found that to be very interesting as I read a lot of naval fiction in which British naval officers are always drinking Madeira on their voyages. Jim

Gasp! Just kidding. If we fly into or out of Florida, we always do it a few days before and/or after cruise dates. That is because we live near Seattle and have lots of family and friends in Florida that we like to visit. If we are going to NYC, the same is true. If we are going to a port in another country (Rome, Barcelona, Southampton, et al), we book a flight for as much as three weeks earlier or later so that we can visit other countries. Jim

Janney, Montgomery and Scott in NY.

Hi, Tim, When I was working, I used to make three 2-week trips to Hawaii for business. Sometimes I would bring my son and wife. He and I snorkled at Captain Cook's cove as well. The boat we were on gave us fish food to feed the fish. What an amazing experience. Thanks for the great photos of Hawaii. Jim

Hi, Tim, We saw them on Rotterdam last December. They were awesome then as well. Jim

A decade ago, we were on Westerdam for about 17 days with my wife's sister. We had a Large Inside cabin that was also available for two people. It had twin beds, a chair, coffee table and a sofa bed. It was the largest cabin I have stayed in (so far). It was well priced as well since I travel on a beer budget not champagne one. Jim

We were on Rotterdam Dec. 2021 and HAL provided electric candles, kosher wine and challah bread for our Hanukkah services and Friday night shabbat services free of charge. They were self-directed episodes and attended by 10-15 people each night. Jim

rkacruiser, In 2012, my wife and I sailed on Westerdam from Ft. Lauderdale to Seattle through the Canal. In 2016, we sailed on Oosterdam from Rome to Fort Lauderdale. We live near Seattle. Jim

As always looking forward to your reports neighbor. Have a great time. Jim

I bought 100 shares a couple of years ago and recently bought another 100. Hoping the second purchase goes up enough to cover my losses on the first. I, too, am not worried about the long term. Jim

Hi, Ret MP, I retired from work in 2011. I have cruised a few times and I hope my comments can help cruisers enjoy their cruises even more. I usually turn off my computer around Noon to go out for lunch and not turn it on until the next day. Sometimes though, things come up in the AM and I work on my computer later, like now! I am on the Board of the Pacific NW Writers Assoc. and that also fills in time. Just spent last weekend at our annual Writers Conference so no computer for 4 days. Jim

Hi, Ret MP, I do enjoy burgers. Franz Bakeries makes a Keto friendly bun that has only: 50 calories 17g carbs (approx.) 16g fiber (approx.) Thank heavens for Franz buns! Jim

Hi, Ret MP, I buy Laura's 93% fat free (health reasons) but I agree that 80% tastes better. Jim

I first came across johnny Rockets on a business trip to Salt Lake City, I believe in the mid1980s. I thought they were very good and was happy when franchises appeared in the Seattle area. My only on-board experience was in 2008 on Navigator but I do not remember the cost. I am very happy to dine for free at the burger bar on HAL's ships by the pool with free ice tea. I do not mind paying for their shakes. I look forward to JR on Anthem next October, even for $12 plus. Jim

Hi, LvBlueWater, I cannot speak to your particular cabin choice. We had an inside cabin (1148) on our Dec. 2021 Rotterdam cruise and it was more than adequate for us. We are 80ish. We have cruised on HAL more than other line having mostly inside cabins of various sizes. The ship is spectacular. We love the Musicwalk for entertainment. The specialty restaurants are worth the extra fees. I usually do not recommend spending the extra money but Rotterdam, do it! Try a warm chocolate chip cookie at the Grand Dutch Cafe (free!). Jim

From what I have read on this thread, I may have started on HAL before anybody else. I was not yet 18 in June 1959 when, on a student tour to Europe, I sailed on the 1938 edition of Nieuw Amsterdam (8 nights, NYC to Rotterdam). Returned to NYC via the SS Constitution (American Export Line) from Genoa. Next cruise was on the same HAL ship in December 1966 with my parents (age 25, recently added to my point total because I had photos of that trip). Flash forward to 2012 (age 71, Westerdam, Panama Canal, Ft. Lauderdale to Seattle with my wife and her sister in an inside cabin). Next HAL trip was 2016, Rome to Ft. Lauderdale on Oosterdam (age 75). I reached 3 stars in December 2021 on Rotterdam at age 80. My wife and I also sailed on Costa Riviera (Caribbean) in Aug. 1989 with my parents, our son, my brother and his wife. We have done one Royal cruise (2008, Barcelona to Florida, Navigator of the Seas) and will be on our second RCCL (Anthem of the Seas) in October 2023 from Southampton to Bayonne. Jim

I sure hope that 65-72 is not true as I will be 82 and my wife 80 on our RCCL cruise on Anthem in 2023. At 79-77 we cruised in Dec. 2021 on HAL's Rotterdam with no age issues. Jim

Breezy1234, I rely on my phone for only one thing - phone calls (no texting, no documentation, cruise apps, nada). I always have paper copies of: Test results (if needed) Vaccine history Passport (always, never a copy) Boarding Pass (or whatever the cruise line calls it) And I have multiple copies of all in different places just in case. Usually, I make them on my home color printer before leaving for my cruise flight (or other transportation). Jim

In Dec. 2021 (Rotterdam), we were out of our cabin by 8:00 to 8:30. Jim

Hi, judatt, My wife and I were on Navigator of the Seas 2008 (transatlantic, Nov.). I was 67, she was 65. Since then, we have done HAL cruises in 2012, 2016 and 2021 (80 and 78). We are doing Anthem of the Seas next October (2023, price/itinerary). We enjoyed all of them. The food tends to be better on HAL. We like HAL's longer trips. Although AOTS next year is 15 nights. We like the "calm" of HAL. We love the Music Walk on HAL but are looking forward to AOTS's theatrical shows. We are not pool sitters. We like to be busy or not (our choice). I hope this helps a little bit. Jim