stickey_mouse

9 minutes ago, roxybear135 said:

No it’s not. It’s on Tuesday when you’re in Hoonah. Gala nights are Sunday (sea day) and Thursday (the night you’re in Ketchikan). We have the second gala night tonight and aren’t expecting much given that the first one was pretty lackluster 

Interesting. You'd think they would take advantage of the nicer Cul. Council menu on "fancy" night. 🙂 

Is the Culinary Council dinner on a Gala night? Seems like it should be. 

1 hour ago, Grandma7 said:

Have never been on Noordam. In just looking at the deck plans, I don’t see a BB King's lounge.  Is that Queen's lounge where BB King performs?? 

Yes- that is correct. 

2 hours ago, Copper10-8 said:

red curry chicken cheesecake for desert 

I'm all for fusion cuisine, but this takes the cake! 😜

1 hour ago, iancal said:

We would use a good TA even if there were no OBC's etc.   But...we are not loyal to any one cruise line so we appreciate dealing with a knowledgeable TA who can give us independent feedback and advice on the ships/cruise lines that we happen to be considering. 

 

 This has saved us money and potential grief in the past.

 

 When we ask a question or look for some feedback  we hardly want the answer to be something read by the cruise line employee straight off their company  stock PR/Sales data sheet.

 

Agreed. I have a non-TA day job, so my TA work isn't the end all, be all for me. I would much rather lose a sale and get no commission than suggest a lackluster product to my customers. I am honest with them from the get-go. Also, if I see something cheaper online if they book directly, I tell them and let them decide. 

I am undecided. I am leading a group of 20 this December, so I will have to go with majority rule. I'm a little more perturbed with the mask mandate than the testing mandate. Wearing a mask in the Caribbean just doesn't sound great. And while testing is a chore, I suppose I don't mind the added comfort of knowing I am on a ship with folks who have all tested negative within the past 72 hours. It's like boarding a plane- yes, TSA can be annoying, but I'd much rather be safe than sorry. I'm hoping HAL's fully vaccinated cruises prove to be a huge success, and that these restrictions ease up a little before our December sailing. 

Absolutely use a TA! They do all the work, at no cost to you. It's a no-brainer. Especially during COVID-times, when everything is changing on a daily basis. They work hard and make your life easier. 

27 minutes ago, Copper10-8 said:

 

Azi-pod replacement by a spare pod. Nothing else - cosmetically - was done

Thanks, Copper!

Perhaps some of the recent travelers can chime in. 🙂 

Are Europe itineraries generally announced at the same time as Alaska? 

For those also on board, do you agree with Lisa that the quality of the food has not been impressive? and how about the ship? Lisa said she's in mighty fine, "looks like new" shape. Do you agree?

I had asked if anything else was done to the N.A. during its emergency dry dock in February of last year (in addition to Azipod repair)- have you heard/noticed anything? I'm doubtful, but curious. 

Continuing to love your posts, Miss Lisa. I am saddened to hear that you think the food quality has dipped a bit. I certainly hope this is just a growing pain with the first cruise back, and I hope it improves the rest of your journey. 

Thanks, Lisa! Everything is wonderful- your posts and pictures whet our appetites for a return to sea travel. Do we know if anything was done to the N.A. during its emergency dry dock in Feb. 2020, other than Azipod replacement? I doubt it, but thought I would ask. 

Have a great time! We will be following along. 🙂 

On 7/13/2021 at 12:34 PM, idiebabe said:

I honestly don't remember but I know the Balcony Overhang is deeper than the non-VA Rooms.  Here's a pic of a VA from Eurodam:

 

Just to make sure, the portion of the balcony divider closest to the railing is the type that can be opened, correct? 

She looks dazzling and ready for prime time. I can't wait to read the first reports. My sailing isn't until December, unfortunately. 

13 minutes ago, highscar said:

I don’t think the floor space is larger but the roof overhang is. More shade and protection from rain.  

Hmmm. Most report a deeper balcony for the Deck 8 midship (VA) rooms. 

On 7/11/2021 at 2:17 PM, idiebabe said:

We like the VA Cabins and we also love Deck 8.   The overhang is really nice, too, for when it's raining (unless a blowing rain) and we never found noise to be a problem.  

 

I always found them nicely maintained.  Any Balcony Overhang you can get a rust spot here or there but not anymore than any other Deck.

On 7/11/2021 at 2:38 PM, DaveOKC said:

I like deck 8, as long as the cabin is below the carpeted area of the Lido dining area.  Nice and convenient and minimal noise from above.

 

Can you both confirm that the balconies on Deck 8 are slightly larger than normal?

4 minutes ago, bajakiter said:

Carpeting is good. The thing to check is fire door thresholds. The carts really make a lot of noise going over them as we found out on deck 8. The threshold is metal and carries the sound rather well. They start up the carts really early. In any event, good luck and enjoy your cruise.

If only these were noted on the deck plan! 

9 minutes ago, Sharon in AZ said:

Under the pool. Never again!

Right. I don’t think anyone disagrees with you there. I was specifically asking about rooms under the carpeted buffet seating area. 

2 minutes ago, Sharon in AZ said:

I never book under the Lido unless it is forward. Once was enough and never again. The scrapping of chairs was irritating in the early morning when trying to sleep in and in the afternoon when trying to nap. 

Were you under the pool or under the buffet? 

On 7/7/2021 at 9:10 PM, Cruise Suzy said:

@Kween Karen posted this in the July 24 roll call

Looks like I will be on the Nieuw Amsterdam before you!!!  LOL….it is some sort of practice cruise.  I guess people who work under the Carnival umbrella put their name into a lottery.  I have a friend who works for Seaborn and her name got drawn and she invited me.  It is VERY short but it is free and puts me back on a ship.  It leaves Seattle at 4:00 July 18 and gets back at 9:00 July 20…guess it is just going to go out in the sound and turn around.

 

On another forum @TheSecondSister posted a link to a Webcam for Pier 91 

It's not the best angle, but it's the only webcam that shows Pier 91.   here's the webcam link: http://www.elliottbaymarina.co/live/ 

Congratulations! Please report back on her condition. Many of us were wondering if they did any public area maintenance during her February 2020 emergency dry dock. Doubtful, but still wondering. Have a great time! 

6 minutes ago, deliver42 said:

I love both itineraries, but I'd go with the Silhouette because it leave from Florida, and i don't need the hassle of flying in and out of Ste.Martin.

Both itineraries sail from Fort Lauderdale. 

4 minutes ago, phoenix_dream said:

Not sure of the answer to your question as we prefer hanging out on our balcony, but as far as what I have seen on my walks around the ship, there is no such thing as a less-crowded pool deck on any Celebrity ship except early to mid-day in port!

I only meant less crowded than the other ship (by comparison).

7 minutes ago, idiebabe said:

Yes,  a door opening but not the entire Divider.   

Thanks.