islandwoman Posted July 7 #7476 Share Posted July 7 6 minutes ago, Catlover54 said: This has probably been mentioned multiple times before (I did not go back and read every post), but one possibility is to advance order room service off the MDR, for service in your cabin. That way you can try the "interesting" menu items without a reservation or worry that you won't timely get in (of course this presumes the room service won't be massively delayed, and you don't care about the ambience). Depending on the cabin and the weather. I find the ambience eating on my balcony in nice weather much preferable to the noise and hectic service in the MDR of HAL's largest ships. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ralfrick Posted July 7 #7477 Share Posted July 7 10 hours ago, islandwoman said: How do you get advance notice of the Gala nights and the MDR menu? I've been looking at menus on the app for a few weeks, so based on what I've been seeing, it's possible to make a logical guess for how it will be for us. Could be wrong, of course. I'm sure we'll make use of room service during the week, but wonder about how long it may take to reach our cabin after being prepared. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea42 Posted July 7 #7478 Share Posted July 7 12 minutes ago, ralfrick said: I've been looking at menus on the app for a few weeks, so based on what I've been seeing, it's possible to make a logical guess for how it will be for us. Could be wrong, of course. I'm sure we'll make use of room service during the week, but wonder about how long it may take to reach our cabin after being prepared. As long as the ship is doing the same itinerary as the one you will be on it should be pretty accurate. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terrydtx Posted July 7 #7479 Share Posted July 7 16 minutes ago, ralfrick said: I've been looking at menus on the app for a few weeks, so based on what I've been seeing, it's possible to make a logical guess for how it will be for us. Could be wrong, of course. I'm sure we'll make use of room service during the week, but wonder about how long it may take to reach our cabin after being prepared. A good guess on a 7-day cruise, is the first sea day and they last sea day that is not the last night of the cruise. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandwoman Posted July 7 #7480 Share Posted July 7 4 hours ago, terrydtx said: A good guess on a 7-day cruise, is the first sea day and they last sea day that is not the last night of the cruise. How do you figure for an 18 night cruise? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Blackduck59 Posted July 7 #7481 Share Posted July 7 (edited) While it is all well and nice to be prepared, why the need to "plan" every second? When is the "dressy" or "Gala" night? because I don't want to miss whatever special MDR menu. Chasing things because of FOMO, Plan ahead for special excursions whether through the ship or privately. Pick your reservations for specialty dining when it suits you. What happens to your meticulous "plan" if the ship changes when the "special" MDR dinners are? Each to their own I just feel that when things are over-planned and it doesn't go exactly as planned, disappointment is sure to follow. Edited July 7 by Blackduck59 typo 10 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare richstowe Posted July 7 #7482 Share Posted July 7 37 minutes ago, Blackduck59 said: Each to their own I just feel that when things are over-planned and it doesn't go exactly as planned, disappointment is sure to follow. I agree but some can't Let It Go 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare terrydtx Posted July 8 #7483 Share Posted July 8 (edited) 7 hours ago, islandwoman said: How do you figure for an 18 night cruise? Figure 4 nights maybe 5 but on sea days. If you are worried about conflicts do specialty dining on port days or just go with the flow. Anything in the Pinnacle grill will be way better than anything in the MDR any night you might miss. Edited July 8 by terrydtx 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sea Hag Posted July 8 #7484 Share Posted July 8 18 hours ago, Blackduck59 said: Each to their own I just feel that when things are over-planned and it doesn't go exactly as planned, disappointment is sure to follow. I'm definitely a planner, but when things don't go according to plan, I move on to alternate plans B and C. If those don't work either, then I just wing it. This works fine for me. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonyboy Posted July 8 #7485 Share Posted July 8 29 minutes ago, Sea Hag said: I'm definitely a planner, but when things don't go according to plan, I move on to alternate plans B and C. If those don't work either, then I just wing it. This works fine for me. I agree. If I'm on vacation I try to just let it roll and not worry 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ileneilene123 Posted July 8 #7486 Share Posted July 8 (edited) Speaking of planning… thoughts about dinner in the lido on our first night of our Alaska cruise vs. dinner the MDR? I was not planning to have dinner in the lido at all during our cruise, but the first night is billed as the “Welcome Aboard Alaska Steak & Mussel Dinner.” Has anyone gone to this dinner? Any feedback? Thanks. Edited July 8 by Ileneilene123 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandwoman Posted July 8 #7487 Share Posted July 8 (edited) 1 hour ago, Ileneilene123 said: Speaking of planning… thoughts about dinner in the lido on our first night of our Alaska cruise vs. dinner the MDR? I was not planning to have dinner in the lido at all during our cruise, but the first night is billed as the “Welcome Aboard Alaska Steak & Mussel Dinner.” Has anyone gone to this dinner? Any feedback? Thanks. I have not. But on my only and recent HAL cruise, when the Lido advertised a steak night, it was extra cost. I will be interested to hear the answer to your question from someone who has been to the Welcome Aboard Alaska Steak & Mussel Dinner in the Lido. Edited July 8 by islandwoman 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Mary229 Posted July 8 #7488 Share Posted July 8 1 hour ago, Ileneilene123 said: Speaking of planning… thoughts about dinner in the lido on our first night of our Alaska cruise vs. dinner the MDR? I was not planning to have dinner in the lido at all during our cruise, but the first night is billed as the “Welcome Aboard Alaska Steak & Mussel Dinner.” Has anyone gone to this dinner? Any feedback? Thanks. Yes, it is steak night on every cruise. Have it free of charge in the MDR or free of charge in the lido. Steaks are available every night in the MDR, free of charge. The tenderloin in the MDR offered a few times during the cruise is very good. The steaks in the extra cost Pinnacle Grill are one grade above what is offered in the lido or MDR 5 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare Crew News Posted July 9 #7489 Share Posted July 9 5 hours ago, Ileneilene123 said: Speaking of planning… thoughts about dinner in the lido on our first night of our Alaska cruise vs. dinner the MDR? I was not planning to have dinner in the lido at all during our cruise, but the first night is billed as the “Welcome Aboard Alaska Steak & Mussel Dinner.” Has anyone gone to this dinner? Any feedback? Thanks. It is my experience and after talking with culinary folks over the past three years, that Lido Steak Night is an advertising effort to reduce the number of new diners needing escorting to their MDR tables for the first time. Compare the menus on the Navigator app to see steak being served at both venues. The Lido Steak Night is chaotic with the Canaletto being close to accommodate the guest surge. Based on the above, and with similar menus being served, the MDR is a better choice for first cruise night dinner. 3 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ileneilene123 Posted July 9 #7490 Share Posted July 9 49 minutes ago, Crew News said: It is my experience and after talking with culinary folks over the past three years, that Lido Steak Night is an advertising effort to reduce the number of new diners needing escorting to their MDR tables for the first time I actually wondered this myself! I think we will stick with the MDR for our first night. Thank you everyone for your help these past weeks. You’ve all been wonderful! I will post after our cruise … 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islander47 Posted July 9 #7491 Share Posted July 9 23 hours ago, Ileneilene123 said: Speaking of planning… thoughts about dinner in the lido on our first night of our Alaska cruise vs. dinner the MDR? I was not planning to have dinner in the lido at all during our cruise, but the first night is billed as the “Welcome Aboard Alaska Steak & Mussel Dinner.” Has anyone gone to this dinner? Any feedback? Thanks. If you want to eat in the MDR the first night, stop by the dining desk as soon as you board and made a rerservation, if they are taking them. It will be very crowded early in more cases. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveAZBC Posted July 9 #7492 Share Posted July 9 This question will show the state of my ignorance, but here goes anyhow... In reading many of these threads, I see people using initials like "DH" to refer to a companion. Due to the context, it seems to be a reference to a marital partner. But what does it stand for? (Dominating Husband?, Domestic Helper? Dedicated Hopeless?) Plus, are there any other commonly used abbreviations I should know about? 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cruise Suzy Posted July 9 #7493 Share Posted July 9 (edited) @daveAZBC DH = Dear Husband DW = Dear Wife DD = Dear Daughter DS = Dear Son or Dear Sister DB = Dear Brother DM = Dear Mother DF = Dear Father If IL is added , it refers to In-Law Edited July 9 by Cruise Suzy 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seasick Sailor Posted July 9 #7494 Share Posted July 9 9 minutes ago, daveAZBC said: This question will show the state of my ignorance, but here goes anyhow... In reading many of these threads, I see people using initials like "DH" to refer to a companion. Due to the context, it seems to be a reference to a marital partner. But what does it stand for? (Dominating Husband?, Domestic Helper? Dedicated Hopeless?) Plus, are there any other commonly used abbreviations 2 minutes ago, Cruise Suzy said: DH = Dear Husband DW = Dear Wife DD = Dear Daughter DS = Dear Son or Dear Sister DB = Dear Brother DM = Dear Mother DF = Dear Father If IL is added , it refers to In-Law DGD Dear granddaughter and DGS Dear Grandson DN and DN can be either Dear niece or Dear nephew. Pay attention MSH My sweet husband MSW DD DH Dearly departed Dear husband DD DW 2 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandwoman Posted July 9 #7495 Share Posted July 9 32 minutes ago, daveAZBC said: Plus, are there any other commonly used abbreviations I should know about? MDR Main Dining Room Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
daveAZBC Posted July 9 #7496 Share Posted July 9 Many thanks to all... So clear! So logical! (except for the niece/nephew.) 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mwj Posted July 10 #7497 Share Posted July 10 22 hours ago, Crew News said: It is my experience and after talking with culinary folks over the past three years, that Lido Steak Night is an advertising effort to reduce the number of new diners needing escorting to their MDR tables for the first time. Compare the menus on the Navigator app to see steak being served at both venues. The Lido Steak Night is chaotic with the Canaletto being close to accommodate the guest surge. Based on the above, and with similar menus being served, the MDR is a better choice for first cruise night dinner. The better solution is to dine in one of the specialty restaurants on embarkation day. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rare redleader74 Posted July 10 #7498 Share Posted July 10 First time cruise here, and first time with HAL. We dept 7/21 from Seattle for 7 day Alaska cruise on the Westerdam. I've completed all of the check-in items on the website and am on this webpage. Is there another page/site that has information related to the itinerary? For example, I want to see a map showing ports of calls, etc., I couldn't find this information anywhere in the page shown, it seems this is strictly a check in/pax info area. Thanks!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
islandwoman Posted July 10 #7499 Share Posted July 10 1 hour ago, redleader74 said: First time cruise here, and first time with HAL. We dept 7/21 from Seattle for 7 day Alaska cruise on the Westerdam. I've completed all of the check-in items on the website and am on this webpage. Is there another page/site that has information related to the itinerary? For example, I want to see a map showing ports of calls, etc., I couldn't find this information anywhere in the page shown, it seems this is strictly a check in/pax info area. Thanks!! To see the map, go to hollandamerica.com and search for your cruise as if you were going to book it. If it's still there, you can click through the information to find the ports of call and see the map. To see the ports of call and excursions, login to your account, click on "my account" in the upper right hand corner. On the next page, click on "My Bookings". Next click on your confirmation number. And then on "itinerary" in the upper left corner of the next page. If that doesn't work (HAL's website can be flaky), scroll through "Select a Date" in the shore excursion section. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonyboy Posted July 10 #7500 Share Posted July 10 1 minute ago, islandwoman said: To see the map, go to hollandamerica.com and search for your cruise as if you were going to book it. If it's still there, you can click through the information to find the ports of call and see the map. To see the ports of call and excursions, login to your account, click on "my account" in the upper right hand corner. On the next page, click on "My Bookings". Next click on your confirmation number. And then on "itinerary" in the upper left corner of the next page. If that doesn't work (HAL's website can be flaky), scroll through "Select a Date" in the shore excursion section. Try to get a whale watch excursion it's one of the best excursions we did and would do it again 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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