erniesband

Yes, tenders run all night. just less frequently.

We did this last year and found a good guide on Tours By Locals. Sorry but don't remember her name.

Yes you have to book through the cruise line. When you go to cruise air you'll find flights on "sale" with the $500 credit applied.

Deck 10 under the Windjammer can get quite noisy, chairs being scrapped along the floor all day long can be very annoying. We also had late night cleaning crews that woke us up a few times. We've been in 1104 and 1102. Now we book deck 7,8, or 9 and don't hear anything from above.

Yes, the ranger had it at the table set up for them.

We're the same as you. We've found Holland America Line to be a good alternative to X. Cruised to Alaska twice with them and are doing a Med cruise next year. They do have some different itineraries from X. The food was good, on par or in some cases better than X. We do balcony cabins and so far they have been equal. HAL doesn't do production shows but has good music venues like BB King's. They also have better lectures and enrichment programs.

I also just take them back home to dispose of.