Live from the Noordam

[jtl513]

If I don't want to drag a tux along (I'm traveling solo) do you think that eating at the Lido dining room on the formal nights would be a mistake?

 

Tuxes are definitely NOT needed for the dining room ... see any of the many threads on "dress code" ... but if you feel that you want to eat in the Lido on formal nights you can still order from the dining room menu and wait for it to be brought to you. Much like room service, but not in your room!

 

Hi, we just booked a VA room with a guarantee for the March 10 Noordam sailing. Does anyone have any experience with upgrades in this category? Thanks:)

 

Upgrades from VA to mini-suites or suites have happened, but are pretty rare. However, upgrades within a category are pretty common. We always book a guarantee of the lowest priced cabin in a category that we would happy with ... VF on Vista ships ... and have been upgraded to VA both times.

 

for sure they are going a bit too far with this No smoking --- the ships are getting bigger and the smoking areas are getting smaller --- this is not fair

 

I think you're just going to have to get used to it, because this is obviously the wave of the future. First airplanes, then airports, hotels, every restaurant in Florida, and every public place in Ireland! I'm just glad I was able to quit 26 years ago! :)

[AAAAmerican]

Well since your a smoker, which actually was one reason why this country succeded economically also caused the Win (Victory) of the American Revolution over England.. American tobbacco and its still grown in your Commenwelath of Massacusetts still and still pays so many NEEDED TAXES.. imagine if taxes were not needed..eh?...

 

You may call/write Holland American Line, Inc. but why not ask the parent..

 

CCL:NYSE ?

 

Having less smokers on ship and in society now does deminish the rights and needed areas for smokers as yourself. But there is still a large number of Smokers so they do have to lobby and ask for what they need as the Non Smokers are very vocal..

 

 

An adage:

 

The SQUEEKY WHEELs Get the GREASE

:eek:

Had I been aware of the new NO SMoking policy on the Noordam in the casino - I seriously feel that I would not have booked this cruise ---for sure they are going a bit too far with this No smoking --- the ships are getting bigger and the smoking areas are getting smaller --- this is not fair

[newcruiser08820]

I can tell you we booked a VA in May for our cruise which leaves 11/25--no upgrade. However, everyone else on our roll call board (yes, I mean EVERYONE) except for us got an upgrade. A lot of people who booked lower-category Verandah cabins were upgraded to VA. So if I had it to do over again, I would not have paid the money for a VA, I would have done a VC or something and then it seems the upgrades are pretty common. Don't get me wrong, I am quite happy with a VA cabin, but I am irritated that it seems we are the only people who actually paid the VA rate.

 

And also, since you are "Knitlady," do you know whether I can carry my knitting needles onto the plane?

 

My mother-in-law was flying from Europe to Newark just few month ago. Knitting needles, and they were super small, were confiscated.

[Cruishappy@aol.com]

Please - Please tell me how - as a polite smoker --- what I can do to keep my dignity and not be treated as a second class citizen -- it is so true that it is the Squeeky Wheel that should be greased --- perhaps if the smokers stuck together we would not be treated the way that we are and we would have the same opportunities to enjoy ourselves as other passsengers have =just give us our space -

[Seago2]

Please - Please tell me how - as a polite smoker --- what I can do to keep my dignity and not be treated as a second class citizen -- it is so true that it is the Squeeky Wheel that should be greased --- perhaps if the smokers stuck together we would not be treated the way that we are and we would have the same opportunities to enjoy ourselves as other passsengers have =just give us our space -

 

Why don't you quit refelcting on it and analyzing things and go SMOKE. I quit four weeks ago and I am literally dying for one right now. My whole life is hell right now. I am uptight, anxious, headaches, you name it. The first week was fine and now both DH and I are ready to kill each other.

 

No one is going to pat you on the back for smoking. Half the people don't understand what it is all about and the other half are too busy patting themselves on the back for quitting or resenting you for being able to smoke. Just go and enjoy it and don't even give it another thought.

 

And think of me while you're doing it.:mad:

[jtl513]

I quit four weeks ago and I am literally dying for one right now. My whole life is hell right now. I am uptight, anxious, headaches, you name it. The first week was fine and now both DH and I are ready to kill each other.

 

DON'T GIVE UP NOW ... PLEASE! I smoked for 30 years. 10% of the time I enjoyed it, and 90% of the time I just needed the nicotine. I think it took me about a year before I was fully over it ... but I think I would have been dead by now if I hadn't quit. PLEASE stick it out. You won't regret it! :D

[lucyforrest]

My mother-in-law was flying from Europe to Newark just few month ago. Knitting needles, and they were super small, were confiscated.

 

Thanks for the info. I have seen people knitting while waiting to get on flights at the gate in the past, which means they would have made it through security. I was trying to figure out how they could let sharp, pointy things on a plane but not let you bring a bottle of shampoo or some nail clippers. If I decide to bring something to knit, I will just pack it in my suitcase.

 

And, to be very unpopular, I would like to say I appreciate the restrictions on smoking on the ship. I have asthma and am currently trying to get over an upper respiratory infection and simply can't be around smoke at any time, especially now. Now as far as smoking outside, by the pool, it seems like they should be more lenient. The smoke blows away and it really isn't so bad if you just make sure not to sit next to a smoker. But as far as the casino and the bars go, I will not go in if they are full of smoke.

[Joanandjoe]

I can tell you we booked a VA in May for our cruise which leaves 11/25--no upgrade. However, everyone else on our roll call board (yes, I mean EVERYONE) except for us got an upgrade. A lot of people who booked lower-category Verandah cabins were upgraded to VA. So if I had it to do over again, I would not have paid the money for a VA, I would have done a VC or something and then it seems the upgrades are pretty common. Don't get me wrong, I am quite happy with a VA cabin, but I am irritated that it seems we are the only people who actually paid the VA rate.

 

A bit of an exaggeration. We didn't get an upgrade, and I don't think anyone in the AAAAmerican group got an upgrade. It's hit and miss. If you want a particular category, your best bet is to book it. One person on our roll call had a guarantee, and got no cabin at all--our 11/25 cruise was overbooked except for inside cabins.

 

We look forward to meeting you in 10 days.