OlsSalt

Club Orange (CO) allows passengers to buy some, but not all, the perks offered to Neptune Suite passengers. Each ship has a different package and value, but on a smaller ship like the Volendam it may not be enough value added for the surcharge. And certainly not if you are booking a Neptune. Club Orange really earns its keep on the new and larger Pinnacle Class ships (Konigsdam etc) if you want a more intimate and personalized experience among the larger crowds and larger venues.

Always enjoyed their Indonesian offerings in the past - nice change of pace. The items are somewhat tamed down and not really "authentic" but a very nice array of new flavors and combinations, depending up on how elaborate they want to make it. Certainly miss the former Indonesia Afternoon Tea (along with the special Royal Dutch Tea)

To be closer to the Neptune Lounge does cost more than a few hundred dollars more, when booking a regular fare Neptune Suite. Your story made me glad just last night we paid the extra to "choose our cabin" on our upcoming Eurodam - an interesting seven day less visited ports in Alaska - Sitka, Icy Straights, etc and the "Stephen's Passage". We do like being right next to the Neptune Lounge - saves me trips up to the Lido instead, for tantalizing little bites.

It's a deal.

Exactly, it was an unprecedented event. No one knew or expected it. Time to let go of blaming HAL.

HAL had access to weather report and concluded it was a go. But HAL is not omniscient. This was a "force majuere" Act of God - in legal contract terms. Happens.

Was it a courtesy hold? Thanks for the heads up.

In the pre-covid days, I believe on the longer cruises HAL operated on a 21 day menu plan before repeats. Though it is hard to keep reinventing the basics - meat, chicken or fish. Now I am hearing it is more a one-week menu plan.

He was the very, very, very best. This is such sad news. Too young, too wonderful. He brought so much joy to our cruise, funny, articulate, quick-witted and a lovely wife. My deepest condolences.

Still not following. What does HAL owe you, if you leave the ship on your own and fail to come back at the assigned reboarding time?

Did not passengers going on this shore excursion also have access to weather reports? And chose not to cancel on the outside chance there might be weather trouble. Does signing up for a shore excursion obliterate all independent judgement. Agree, there is comfort signing up for these excursions assuming HAL will cautiously monitor their viability; but they are not the sole source of judgement in these matters, which are now eliciting so many continued wounded howls and demands for extraordinary compensation ...for "good will".

Why did you try to link your independent shore experience with the HAL shore excursion promise, when you chose to malign HAL policies?

6 month menu novelty? 3 months? 3 weeks? 3 days? Hope it is not like working at a summer camp - every Thursday night was beef stew.

Just back from a B2B Mexican Riviera over the Holidays- plenty to see and do close to ports -never felt a safety problem in the standard ports: Cabo -(right there), Mazatlan (now has a marked pedestrian path to Old Town), Puerto Vallarta (local bus into town- but one heck of a maze of tourist shops at new port terminal)

Best deals for Mexican Riviera are out of LA - San Pedro on multiple Carnival ships. Celebrity and Royal Caribbean also leave from there. But some LA Carnival cruises are already sold out for March. When exactly are the "spring break" dates you need? They vary all over the country.

Gorgeous photos, thanks for sharing them. The flowers, the colors, the lush greens. Always the surprise in Alaska.

Is there any way to view non-consolidated financial statements for CCL, and learn how each division is performing?

The storm was not HAL's fault. They handled the consequences with more than generous and appropriate dispatch. Time to stop this continued shakedown.

Several scheduled - 14 days - out to Kodiak Is - Vancouver to Vancouver

Western Diamond Lil bordelo meets Dubai high-rise shopping malls is one way to describe the decor.

Best ship is the one that does a 14-day Alaska cruise. And reaches deeper north and out to the Aleutians.

Loved the Black Sea itinerary and the ability for the Prinsendam to be more flexible in response to unexpected changes. Waking up in the middle of the bustle of downtown Istanbul's harbor and marine traffic scene cannot be duplicated, except when surrounded by the glowing city lights while having dinner on the back deck in this same setting. But it was an awkward layout ship, and did not excel in any particular way over other HAL ships in decor, dining or service. The Pinnacle for breakfast was the one standout - small space and very welcoming staff. Those moments starting each day were a real delight. The large Neptune suites were pretty spectacular size-wise, and we did spend most of our onboard time in it, so we really did not get around the rest of the ship which always felt more cramped and crowded to us. No glass dome pool area either. The Neptune Lounge was nothing special for some curious reason - just a converted, verandah suite, with little spacious charm, feel or amenities. But what a wonderful itinerary. So we did love our Prinsendam adventure. We still remain key supporters of the other HAL smaller ships, and dearly hope they find a way to continue.

Good catch, the HAL website shows the Tamarind listed under "Dining" on both the Zuiderdam and the Westerdam, but not the other two Vista ships. Is it a "pop up" and shares space with Canaletto or some other venue? Or as you suggest, a website glitch.

Yikes, looked up photos of the Carnival Pride ship. Yes, "over the top" would be one way to describe it. Makes the HAL large pipe organ on the Zaandam look like a kiddie toy miniature in a doll house.

How about creating a HAL Delft tile wallpaper app, while waiting? 😊