c-cruise

I agree, best to let them know in advance. I wouldn't think most people are intentioanally choosing not to notify them, but it is pretty easy to overlook the form or not even know about the food alergy form to begin with (I totally forgot about it on our last cruise). With or without the form, I would still notify the wait staff so they are aware. Particularily if doing as you wish dining with a different waiter each night.

We cruised out of Seattle a couple weeks ago. Nobody was checking or asking for the assigned check-in times. We had a 12:40 assigned time. Got there around 11:30 and were onboard by noon. I would definitely arrive earlier than 1:00.

In our experience the form isn't strictly necessary. I've done it beore, but also forgotten to do it. Either way just let them know on the first night and they will bring you the next evenings dinner menu in advance. This works well even with "As You Wish" dining as they will record your cabin number on the menu and then whatever waiters you have the next evening will be able to reference the pre-order by cabin number. Lido is still a challenge with food alergy...

Sure, see attached. This is from the Koningsdam, but should be exactly the same. The Pullman bed folds down over the main bed which is less than ideal (watch your head). There is a small removeable ladder that will connect on the end. Having the sofa bed out also makes it almost impossible to get to the balcony. It was workable when our kids were little, but now we've gone to getting connecting cabins and putting the kids next door. We've been on other lines where the pullman will fold down over the sofa making a bunk bed setup which is a much better arrangement.

Eurodam last week had no classical music. The former Lincoln Center stage area just sat empty. The only time I saw it used was as overflow seatting for people waiting for tables in the dining room. Fortunately the BB King band was fantastic so we spent most of our evenings in there. The "entertainment" they have in the world stage now is pretty uninspiring. The couple shows we went to were maybe 1/4 full. We are cruising HAL again in Dec so I hope they get this figured out soon.

We were on the Eurodam to Alaska last week and wore everything from t-shirts and shorts to sweatshirts and stocking hats. We brought raincoats, but fortunately never needed them as we had good weather. I would skip the winter coat, but definitely bring sweatshirts, hoodies, and hats. I would also still bring a raincoat/windbreaker. We lucked out this time, but have needed them in Alaska on previous trips.