Beth8649

I think the best way to make a choice between PS, NS or any other suites or cabins would be to formulate & prioritize a list of what was most important to me.

Simultaneously, on another sheet of paper I would calculate my guarenteed daily income and multiply that by the number of cruise days. This figure would not limit me to that amount, but would serve to prevent me from impulse booking or overspending. (If I only vacationed every 2 yrs, I could multiply that figure by 2)

Now, I'd go back to my original list of what I needed & wanted and I'd weigh & compare each category.

For instance, I only wanted to cruise if we had a balcony because I knew with Mom, we'd probably not go ashore. We needed a handicapped bathroom because of Mom. We needed a room for 3. Thus, our lowest category was a Signature Suite. Extra in room space would be nice but not essential. Breakfast we plan on room service. Lunch & dinner main dining room. After 9 years without a vacation our needs were simple. Perhaps, on the next vacation, I might have more preferences, like concierge service or Neptune bar or P. Grill or no lines & wait times.

Suite or cabin location would be a major deciding point. Not below dancing, or pools, and I'm not sure about being below a casino either. I would definitely Google my ship & cabin number prior to payment, too.

If one dropped a cell phone, tablet or eye glasses on the balcony, would they possibly end up in the ocean? Is there any protective structure, molding, on the floor ocean side to prevent dropped items from falling into the water?

I cannot find HAL's official prohibited list either. I've found links to other sites (shipdetective) that list HALs prohibited items. My guess is power strips could be confiscated. I've used that Bellini model in my home for ove a year in my kitchen and I really like it. I bought a "powercube" at Amazon. It has a 5ft cord. But, I might trade it out for my Belkin, which is probably more in compliance.

Thanks Viv0828 and RuthC, I just ordered shoe clips for my flip flops that will match my 1 necklace.

Do they enforce no flip flops? I bought a black floor length evening dress and was planning on wearing my new black flip flops. Will that be a problem?

Also, are long tops and leggings permitted for regular dinner nights in the dining room? I'm overweight and find the long tops with leggings make me look the nicest.

Great, helpful info! Super idea to carry a soda pop around! I will really pay attention to the menus. I don't drink any near beer or wine stuff.

I went round-Robbin with the bartender at my daughter's wedding. They only brought champeign to the tables so I went to ask for ginger ale for my glass... I was offered everything alcoholic and all the near and virgin stuff, finally, the hostess came over and said a foreign word and I got 7up.

I'd be afraid of the near stuff. I've totally stayed away from anything remotely alcoholic, except saganaki cheese.

Thank you all, for all the useful tips!!! Your tips will give me an extra layer of protection. Thanks!!!

Thank you for all the info. We will take mom in her wheelchair. and, we'll decide ahead of time who will stay with mom. It's really helpful to know that they might separate 1 of the 3 of us.

I think we might practice with the life jackets in the cabin because I saw a re-run of Quincy, ME (70's-80's) about flights over water & how, if unfamiliar with the to-do's, that you won't be able to do it correctly or in time.

Also, while looking at YouTube videos for tips on how to stow your gear, videos popped up about a cruise ship, Voyager, caught in a bad storm in the Mediterranean Sea. (Whish I didn't watch those videos.) Odds are rare for waves of that magnitude; probably easier to win the lottery. But, I can't erase what I saw. It doesn't scare me, but it makes me want to be fully and correctly prepared.

From those videos I did realize, in rough seas, that your cabin is probably the safest spot and if really tossing and turning, maybe the hallway outside the cabin. I'm sure the speaker system would broadcast instructions.

I'm planning on a happy safe cruise and looking forward to all the great food and festivities like DWTS. ItS mom's favorite show and she wants me to try out. Next videos to watch are basic dance videos so I'm not a total idiot.

Wow! This is great! I think I would have passed out or been swearing if I found the booze hidden in the room. It would have been too much like my old life to handle. I'll check that foot stool ASAP, when we get into our cabin.

And, thanks for suggesting some phone apps that don't require the Internet. I'll go download them today.

With the $50 for $25 soda pop card, where can one get the canned pop on the Westerdam?

Thank you, all, so very much for sharing!!!

Is the casino safe? Or do they come by with pre-filled drinks and offer you one?

I was just thinking how we are all going to need each other: AA with the bars, GA with the casino, and NA with the port stops. It's great to have so many friends everywhere!!!

It wouldn't let me re-edit to add that I was able to download the meeting format and Chapter 5. Does anyone have a favorite chapter for cruises? ( I'll be downloading some for the trip).

I just realized I can't click in for the daily meditations on my phone either. But, that book is small enought to stow in our gear.

Thank you, Dfish &Fyree39! I'll call HAL on Monday and see if they can set it up in advance. If not, it will be #1 on my request list. I'm relieved that we can get it removed and have cold soda pops in the frig. I would hate to wait 10 yrs for a vacation only to share a room with a demon (and, I don't mean my sweet mom or dear friend).

Thanks, also, for the approximate time of the meetings. We're hoping to do daily Mass, too, and it sounds like they won't conflict with each other.

Thanks so much for answering my question! I'm very relieved!

Can you request ahead of time for a non-alcoholic mini-bar or do you need to wait until you are on the ship to request all alcohol be removed from your room?

If you do have to wait until you are in the room to get the alcohol removed, do you request a receipt so that you are not later charged as if you drank it?

Will HAL honor a request to remove the alcohol from the mini bar?

Are there any Bill W. Meetings? Where should one look for that info?

Parker1 and Oceanwench, thank you both so very much! Both responses and the pics were super helpful.

I just added duct tape to my list of items to bring, so I can make a toilet paper cover/shield with a plastic bag. And, I'll make sure to grab some pool towels or ask for extra every day.

The pic of the motor scooter was super helpful. Mom's wheel chair is a narrow model, so it will definitely maneuver well in the quarters.

I ordered 2 hanger type organizers because Mom has so much stuff... Hearing aids, contacts, abundance of pills, wipes, (and dog bags to seal things) along with all the normal things like toothbrushes, toothpaste...

I think we will pack using a combo of packing cubes and space bags. Ita is bringing only a backpack carry-on. Mom & me a hard shell carry-on each. There are only 2 closets in the suite. Does anyone know if it will be 2 hanging closets? Or if it will be 1 closet of shelves & 1hanging closet. It is suite 8068.

New Question: When we go for the fire drill, should we take mom's walker because I don't think she will fit or be comfortable in the wheelchair and I do believe we need to pretend that it is a real emergency. I think we need to put mom's vest on and be all around rehursed. Should we take the walker with to the fire drill?

Thank you both, Crew News & Parker1, for all the helpful info!!! I'm very grateful to both of you for all the help and the great links!!! I looked at all the applicable links and was really assisted by the menus. I think we will have breakfast in our room b/c it will be easier for Mom and then venture out for lunch & dinner. The kind lady who helps me, Ita, loves seafood so I'm sure she is thrilled with the salmon & the shrimp offerings. I was super happy to find that $25 soda pop card that gives you $50 in pops.

I'm super grateful for the reassuring description of the handicapped bathroom experience. (Last night, I ordered Mom rubber sole mesh shoes just to be on the safe side.) Due to your positive experience, I won''t worry about a wet floor. Thank you so very much!!!

Our last vacation was over a decade ago and we are cruising for my Mom's 94th birthday. The 1st night the HAL booking agent order Mom a birthday cake. I think the cruise will be one of our happiest memories ever. ( It's 5 months away but we're almost packed, in that I ordered the clothes we would need to look nice and be comfortable).

Thank you, both, so very much!!!

Thank you, Crew News, for the info on the stopper. I'm very appreciative of the info. Mom is 94 and I'm trying to just have 2 carry-ons between us and we need so many things for mom. One less item is a blessing! Thanks!

I finally found a pic of one of the HAL handicapped bathrooms. There is no shower wall and it looks like the toilet located in the shower area. I'm very worried about us falling on a wet floor after 1 person showers and then another person goes in to use the toilet. Does anyone have personal experience with these bathrooms? Please let me know how you managed. Will they give us a mop? (We booked a signature suite handicapped for a December sailing on the Westerdam)

I haven't been on a cruise in over 25years, can you still order anything you want in the main dining room even if it is not on that night's menu choices?

Do the cabin sinks full plug when you plug them to wash out small items? A guide I read said we needed a universal sink plug.

Are there ice buckets in the room?

What is the current charge for soda pop? Does HAL have soda pop packages? Can 1 in a party of 3 get the package or does the whole party have to get the package? ( None of us drink alcohol)

What is the current laundry charge?

Is there room on the signature suite balcony for a reclining deck chair? If I ask for one, will that request be granted?

What items are on the breakfast & dinner room service menu?

Has anyone ever gifted the Chefs? About how many chefs are on the ship? Can I visit the kitchen to gift the chefs?