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@Petronillus They played in the Explorers cafe at 3PM, 4 PM and 7 PM just under the name of "Classical Trio". Most 7 PM performances were standing room only . That spoke volumes to HAL, hopefully.

We were just on the Noordam for the 39 day. Early fixed dining was 5:30 but listed in the navigator as 5:00. We were told we can arrive as early as 5 if we wished. It was obvious that as you wish diners were placed in the upper DR often.

We just disembarked the Noordam and had a wonderful classical trio . Piano, violin and cello. It was nice to see this again

@kazu Now the I have read this entire thread, that was a fun read..glad you had a great cruise..just a few things come to mind.. I totally agree with you on the escargot situation. On our last few cruises we experienced the same poor quality in taste and they have shrunk in size. I always was excited to order them before but sadly no longer. The cheese board with no crackers. I have ordered that once.....duh, and why dont they have that as an appetizer rather than a dessert? We had dinner in the PG just last week (Noordam). The tenderloin /lobster dumplings were great, service great , but DH's scallops were stringy and chewy. I had a great haircut in the spa on the Noordam recently and surprisingly they didn't try to sell me anything. They even put a conditioner on that has sunscreen (we were at the equator) Mike Robinson....the funniest!!..we even went back and watched his second show when we saw him on a previous cruise. Glad you enjoyed Boston, my home town. I learned to drive there but no comparison to the driving in the Washington DC area. Joan

Bon Voyage! Hope you had a wonderful cruise! I hope Daniel is your cruise director. he is a hoot. (this post was way late...)

We disembarked the Noordam last week. Billboard had 2 fabulous singers, Gabe and Meaghan..best we have heard in years. They had several country sets and then there is always the all request shows. They often would do country just thrown in every so often. DH has set a new country station on Pandora for the car.

Still loving this trip report...minus the Noro...glad it is improving. now....about this lobster and escargot in the Lido...i am hoping this is a Pacific Ocean thing...albeit the lobster is most likely unlike our Maine lobster.....because we will be on the Noordam Pacific crossing next week and would love to see a similar menu in the Lido! Thanks for sharing!

Hmmm..we will be in a similar situation. Next week we board for a 39 day collector. We are 49 points away from 4* . we have pre-purchased possibly enough for the 10 credit buffer...and excursions can be cancelled( which happened 3 times in the Med last fall...which caused this debacle ....but we have a plan just in case...for last minute 7day sailing for this summer because I don't know if we will make it and I am determined to be 4* for our next booking on the Rotterdam . (ps I am grateful to have this dilemma)

Yes, this thought did cross my mind. Like hairdressers in some salons

I was hoping our former agent would reach out but has not, which makes we wonder. I ope she is okay.

We actually have been assigned someone but the responsiveness cant compare. Big shoes to fill.

I am so disappointed. Our trusted, wise travel advisor has disappeared from the agency that we utilize (specializing in cruises). she was the best of the best. Who knows why., could be personal, could be medical issues. In any case, how do you find a good TA ? We are considering booking direct with HAL moving forward but just want the personal touch ...

I hope you still get your Captains Cupcake . I'd protest if you don't !

oh my...are you Scottish?? Last time I heard that expression was when I was in Scotland last year. Very common over there!

If you ever sailed RCCL's Song of America (80's and 90's) , of the RCCL fleet that we have sailed in the past, that ship is the most like HAL in ambiance. We love the laid back , mature atmosphere of HAL.