Avery's Gram
Members-
Posts
187 -
Joined
About Me
-
Location
New Hampshire
-
Interests
Traveling, knitting, quilting, reading
-
Favorite Cruise Line(s)
Holland America
Recent Profile Visitors
The recent visitors block is disabled and is not being shown to other users.
Avery's Gram's Achievements
Cool Cruiser (2/15)
-
12noon boarding - no Mariners Lunch?
Avery's Gram replied to msteries's topic in Holland America Line
We’ve had two cruises in Alaska where we were told the dining room was closed on embarkation day. I HATE the Lido, so we went to check and it was closed. We ended up at the Dive In, which was nice but not what we prefer. on at least two previous cruises we were directed to the Lido, enquired about MDR, were told no but found it open when we checked. So I’d always check, but won’t be surprised either way. Barbara M. In NH -
We were on the Viking Venus in January/February 23 when bad weather kept us docked in Tromso for 2 extra days, and our return to Tilbury was delayed first by one day, then by 2 days. Viking Air automatically rebooked us for the first delay, then rebooked us again when an additional day was needed to make our travel safe. we were very grateful not to be rearranging flights ourselves, as many people were dealing with this issue. The computers on board were busy and people were very frustrating. We spent the extra 2 days on board relaxing and enjoying all the best things Viking provides….great enrichment, relaxing places to read, delicious food rather than dealing with airlines. so that’s my reason for booking Viking Air….that was our first Viking Ocean cruise, and we were delighted.
-
Typical tendering process time
Avery's Gram replied to Vineyard View's topic in Holland America Line
I was on a HAL British Isles last summer. Our ship arrived in mid afternoon so tours were scheduled late and then we stayed for the next day, leaving in late afternoon. If Edinburgh is an overnight port, you might consider just spending the night in Edinburgh. This way, you don’t need to worry about going back to the ship at night and can start your tours very early the next day. Many people on our cruise went to the Edinburgh tattoo, stayed overnight and toured the next day before returning to the ship. If this is a high point for your trip, it might be a good investment. Barbara M. In NH -
Your post #10 mentioned Kantishna, which reminded me of our first ever cruise in 2002, on Princess. We figured we might never get back to Alaska so we went for an extended tour and spent 2 or 3 nights at the Kantishna Roadhouse at mile 91 in Denali. It was a mixed group there from several cruise lines, and we were impressed with what the HAL passengers told us about their trip. So our next trip was on HAL, and the rest is history (we’re now 5star) and have done many nights in Alaska and loved them all. The Kantishna experience was something special, though…..a great start to our time as cruisers. Barbara M. In NH
-
On our last trip, the Pinnacle was only open on sea days. This was true of the Main Dining Room as well…..so on port days, plan on eating at the Lido one Dive-in. Barbara M. In NH
-
Just off the Noordam, and we stopped by the Pinnacle one day on a whim, asked if they had a table available for lunch, and could we “trade in” our 5 star dinner for a 5 star lunch? Yes, they did, and yes, we could. It was a lovely lunch, and there were plenty of open tables. Barbara M. In NH
-
interior vs large interior vs obstructed OV
Avery's Gram replied to joannelj's topic in Holland America Line
I booked my first and last….NEVER AGAIN!!!! Interior cabin on the Nieuw Statendam #10050 last summer. , traveling solo, thought I’d save a little. It was fine for the first week and a half when I could leave the room, although I could not imagine sharing with another adult. There was no chair, only the square box thingy stool that fits under the minuscule desk. Midway through the second week, I got Covid and was quarantined….not sick, fortunately, but trapped in a teeny, dark, dungeon…no natural light or place to sit except on the bed…no place to eat my meals or put the room service tray,.no fresh air at all. So, never again for me! I should add that in 2021 I spent 10 days quarantined in a sheltered balcony cabin on the Queen Mary isolation floor, and the fresh air and chance to see Norway even when I was not allowed to visit it was much better for my mental health. I had a sofa to sit on and a larger desk plus coffee table to use for meal trays. Plus I got to wave to my husband as he went off on shore excursions. He never got Covid and stayed in our original balcony room. so, just in case, and until Covid is completely a thing of the past, no interiors for me! Barbara M. In NH -
Auto generated boarding group and 4 and 5 star mariners
Avery's Gram replied to kangforpres's topic in Holland America Line
Just got on the Nieuw Statendam in Copenhagen. I’m 5 star but was assigned 1:20 then bumped back to 1:40. No problem as I preferred to spend my morning enjoying Copenhagen. When we arrived at 2 pm I was immediately taken to the short line because I walk with a cane…..no one ever checked my boarding pass to decide if I had priority or not. And all the lines were very short. no priority marking on my luggage tag, either. -
Where to Check In & Which Terminal We'll Return To
Avery's Gram replied to SSBrickNJ's topic in Holland America Line
Sorry…I can’t figure out how to rotate this or why it’s upside down, but those are the 9 grandkids just before we left Copenhagen. It was the summer before Covid, so we thought we’d have lots more trips with them……I’m so glad we grabbed the opportunity instead of waiting for that mythical “someday” ! -
Where to Check In & Which Terminal We'll Return To
Avery's Gram replied to SSBrickNJ's topic in Holland America Line
My boarding pass for Aug 9 NS says Ocean Quay….as I recall, there are large signs and the taxi drivers were very good about getting us (17 of us…..grandparents, kids and spouses and 9 grandkids!) to the terminal! -
I loved seeing a Hawkeye sweatshirt again! We lived in Iowa City for four years, when my kids were little, before moving to NJ when they were 8, 11, and 15. But if you ask them where they are from, the oldest 2 will tell you they’re from Iowa, (they were born in Rhode Island and Chicago) while the youngest will tell you he lived in Iowa but grew up in NJ. Number one son has not lived in Iowa since 1988 but still enjoys wearing his Hawkeye gear. He says he does it mainly to annoy his coworkers in Ann Arbor! Barbara M. Now in NH
-
REVIEW!! Ancient Mediterranean Treasures – Viking Sky
Avery's Gram replied to Woggie65's topic in Viking Ocean
A long time ago, we settled on a plan for photos: take a few of ourselves to prove we were there, and then look for a book of photos by a professional photographer. This leaves us free to enjoy what we see without scrambling for cameras, but we still can look at those wonderful photos taken by the pros at exactly the right moment and remember being there. This saves us a lot of weight in photographic equipment! Barbara M. In NH