Tell us what you miss most when not on a (HAL) cruise...

[cruisemom42]

So we can't indulge our love of cruising at the moment and maybe we are starting to get a little stir crazy from quarantining and social distancing...

 

Let's think of pleasant things to distract us while waiting for our next cruise. Share one specific thing (okay, two things if you must) that you enjoy the most while cruising and miss the most when the vacation is over. 

 

Bonus points if the "thing" is unique to HAL. And be specific -- don't just say "The smiling crew members." Give an example of how they made your day or your cruise special....

 

 

[Oak Hill Cruisers]

Those little rolled up towels in the  restrooms for drying your hands.

[RuthC]

Having dining companions every night on a cruise. Even better if they are funny, fun loving, and interesting. Dining alone at home most nights has lost its charm. 

[3rdGenCunarder]

The sea and the sky. I love listening to the wake churn. And at night, seeing the stars from my balcony. There's a lot of "light pollution" where I am, so it's a treat to see so many stars in a dark sky.

[Boatdrill]

Lamb chops in the MDR

[Aquahound]

Morning breakfast on my balcony while out at sea.

 

Sorry, I can't think of a single thing that's HAL specific.  

[Copper10-8]

The motion of the ocean

 

 

 

[DAllenTCY]

Waking up in the morning......with no fixed plan.   

 

David

[VintageGeo]

The sound and the feel of the ship moving through the water. And the calming, so very relaxing ambiance of the ship. For us, that IS HAL specific.

 

Lori & George

 

[Vic The Parrot]

Napping (sometimes on purpose, sometimes not) in those comfy steamer chairs on the Promenade Deck.  🤗

[cruisemom42]

26 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

The motion of the ocean

 

 

 

 

Yikes, that's a lot of motion! 

[Cruising-along]

I miss how well I sleep on a ship at sea.  

[Vic The Parrot]

27 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

The motion of the ocean

 

 

 

Pass the bucket!  🤢🤣

[cruisemom42]

Okay, one from me: having a martini in one of the ship's bars, sitting where I can watch the ship sail away from some exotic place and anticipating a nice dinner ahead.

[dot73]

Insomnia disappearing when sailing on any Dam ship.  For some reason, this hasn't happened on other ships like Princess.

[sevenseasnomad]

Having my meals prepared, being served by smiling, gracious waiters, with no dishes to wash.  The freedom to walk the Promenade Deck.  How I miss that as I self-quarantine due to my age.  Oh, to be on a HAL ship now!  Let's hope we work as a country to squash COVID-19, so all of us can return to normal, and that includes cruising.

[Copper10-8]

1 hour ago, cruisemom42 said:

 

Yikes, that's a lot of motion! 

 

Crossing the Bay of Biscay, kinda similar to crossing the Tasman Sea. They can both spook

[Copper10-8]

1 hour ago, Vic The Parrot said:

Pass the bucket!  🤢🤣

 

"Et maintenant, would monsieur care for an aperitif, or would he prefer to order straightaway? Today, we have for appetizers - excuse me - uh, moules marinières, pâte de foie gras, beluga caviar, eggs Benedictine, tarte de poireaux - that's leek tart - frogs legs amandine or oeufs de caille Richard Shepherd - C'est à dire, little quails' eggs on a bed of pureed mushrooms. It's very delicate, very succulent."

[Vic The Parrot]

5 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

"Et maintenant, would monsieur care for an aperitif, or would he prefer to order straightaway? Today, we have for appetizers - excuse me - uh, moules marinières, pâte de foie gras, beluga caviar, eggs Benedictine, tarte de poireaux - that's leek tart - frogs legs amandine or oeufs de caille Richard Shepherd - C'est à dire, little quails' eggs on a bed of pureed mushrooms. It's very delicate, very succulent."

I'll have the whole lot. And I think I can only manage one crate today. 

 

And don't skimp on the pate!!

[Iris5383]

That feeling of smiling all the time. And the forever friends we make during happy hour in the Crow's Nest, from the bartenders to everyone sitting around the bar. Miss you guys!

[rotjeknor]

Waking up, taking a shower with Elemis shower gel, shamefully dropping my towel on the floor, knowing breakfast is waiting for me, coming back to the cabin already cleaned, lots of smiles and good mornings from the staff ,walking the promenade deck, lido lunch, team trivia, afternoon nap, getting some ice cream in the Lido, dressing up for dinner, a lovely meal, catch a show, lay down on the great matress and falling asleep knowing tomorrow's gonna be the same !

Oh , how I miss it ! DAM !

[rafinmd]

The freshly made pancakes, waffles, and french toast, especially on the smaller ships.  That may not be a HAL exclusive but combined with 'after a stroll on a real promenade deck' it probably comes pretty close.

 

Roy

Edited March 18, 2020 by rafinmd
Promenade

[Krazy Kruizers]

Staff who remember those little extras you like at meals and in the lounges as well as your name.

[portofrome]

The happy hour at the ocean bar!

[doone]

Besides missing everything of a HAL cruise, what stands out in my mind are:

 

the sea air

the motion of the ocean

peacefulness of sitting on a deck chair watching the ocean

the Philippino and Indonesian crew, they are the best on the high seas, hands down

heck I just plain miss sailing on a dam ship, period................