Mary229

1 minute ago, kura said:

...on the particular Prinsendam Cruise I referred to in the OP.....there were Cruise members......dining staff who were in fact scared of large dogs......therefor the passenger and her four legged friend were moved from table to table

Having jogged for years experience has taught me any dog can be unpredictable especially in an odd circumstance like aboard a cruise ship. At home I can climb a fence or up a tree but where does one run on a ship.  I don’t blame the crew for being afraid of dogs.  

5 minutes ago, Shmoo here said:

I like this wording.  Works for me.

 

In cases like that, if putting them off the ship isn't do-able, confinement to stateroom until end of cruise works.  With the stipulation that the owner cannot leave the dog alone in the room.

As long as you are not in the room next door. What if the neighbor is allergic, what if they neighbor is scared of dogs and therefor has their own emotional issues to protect another’s. No animals onboard, none.   Sorry to not bend to the modern obsession with animals but I do not want animals in confined spaces.

Did you pay for your cruise on a credit card?   Some credit cards have travel insurance.   Some cover a few medical needs.   Next time buy private insurance 

No. No to dogs or any other service animals.   I think the Queen Mary allows dogs but they are managed in kennels by QMII kennel master. There is a cruise for everyone, after all. 

 Cruise ships aren’t governed by US ADA regulations. 

The TV creaks so I wedged a towel between the tv and the wall. Of course make sure the doors are all closed. I had the fridge cleared and only had my water bottle. The umbrella, of all things, was making a noise against something in the closet, I stashed it under the bed. 

There was a smoothie bar on the Koningsdam where you can supervise 😉

I recently sailed Koningsdam sideways cabin on deck 5.  I was able to figure out and dampen all creaks.  

The customs is pretty quick.  I would allow at least a half hour, me being cautious would allow 45 minutes 

Sign up for expedited disembarkation when you get the card in your room.  Usually customs allows people to start leaving by 7:30.   As long as your guide can give you a little leeway you should be fine.   Boston is such a great city to drive around.  

What are the terms of your private tour?  Do they give you an arrival window.  You should be able to do it especially if you are on one of the smaller ships and have nothing to declare.

when I am in Boston I have noticed that the dock workers union run a tight schedule   

Check the National Park Service website.  They offer interpretive tours  in Skagway we took the free and interesting walking tour and still had lots of time to do other activities 

https://www.nps.gov/klgo/index.htm

HMC is HAL’ private island and the beaches and water are beautiful.  It is a perfect place for a beach day. 

They have some wonderful beach toys like water bikes, kayaks and so much more.  Don’t swim? Do a glass bottom boat tour.  All fun 

You can go to HAL’s website and look up prices.  The best sale is usually Thanksgiving weekend when they offer great prices and prepaid gratuities.   I like HAL for their small ships and unique itineraries.  If you prefer a larger ship and a 7 day journey I think most of the major lines are pretty comparable to each other. 

Just now, CruiserBruce said:

No, they will do their best get you there. They can't guarantee. No one can.

Yes but they will get you to the ship if possible. Fly by yourself and are late, you are on your own.  I use it only when I fly same dat

It will be expensive but you could use HAL’s precruise options or use their Flight ease so you are assured of HAL getting you to the ship on time.  I have one coming up in the heart of holiday season. I will use flight ease 

Check halfacts for photos 

Amsterdam is R class

Halfacts

Here is the official document and it looks like you can send it in fairly early. I don’t know when your cruise is. 

Carnival Corporation Shareholder Benefit

4 minutes ago, sppunk said:

They have two on order - expedition ships - so all is not lost there lol

Sounds great.  Can you provide a link to the information.  Thank you. 

9 hours ago, sammiedawg said:

Why not just move up to Seabourne or one of the premium lines.  

We did one Prinsendam and I swear on my kids lives the food was standard for the fleet.  The service was standard for the fleet.  We were underwhelmed but we left our rose colored glasses at home, 

 

Itineraries.  We only look at a few things: ship size and quality and itinerary. The rest is background noise.  

1 hour ago, ski ww said:

No jogging. If people would stay to their right instead of walking in the center of the deck it would be easier for others to pass on their left.

Off topic:  That depends on where you are from.  I live in a diverse community and all those folks who came from countries that drive on the left also jog/walk on the left.  It takes months to train them😉.  I am sure it is the same on a cruise ship.

No there are not. You can rent one 

I am a jogger and voted no.  I use the sports deck or treadmills.  Risking rotten tomatoes being thrown my way I can’t say I think much of the Koningsdam’s promenade.  and yes I have been overrun by aggressive power walkers on my evening strolls 

6 hours ago, KroozNut said:

 

Ummmm, can you elaborate on exactly what 'you loved about it'?

5:15 is late lunch, 8:00 is too late to eat, solitude.  The undesirable table is never rushed since no one else wants it.  But that may be changing.  It seemed to us that the Koningsdam has a larger percentage of tables for two than the older ships.  I would have to assume that is because of customer demand .

2 hours ago, Fouremco said:

Sorry, but I don't agree that it's not an artificial standard. Reading through the all-too-many dress threads, there are frequent disparaging posts made about passengers who meet HAL's dress code but are nevertheless denigrated. Those posting such remarks can only using artificial standards, as they aren't using HAL's.

It validates my conviction to always have a table for two.   I don’t go into public to be ridiculed or judged. 

10 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

Funny how people do that (I assume to avoid tipping), especially with the hotel service charge now in place which is supposed to be your tipping for the cruise.  Of course, some people do tip extra, when service warrants it, but still.......

 

For some it is convenient. Believe it or not some of us don’t cruise for the dining experience and the lido is just fine for many meals.    I always tip.