TonyC1952

My wife and I have seen both Step 1 shows, on the Koningsdam, with the huge background screens, and on the Eurodam with a more abbreviated screen. We enjoyed both venues, and the dancers were very talented. I look forward to seeing their other shows as well. We've got a big upcoming cruise on the Volendam, and we'll be excited to see the changes post dry dock!

OK, I guess I need to give a little more information. The Mainstage on the Volendam, right now, is also called the BB King Blues Club, on the nights that they don't have traditional entertainment. The Mainstage is still going to be there after the dry dock, but it is being converted to a large LED screen theater, preparing for the arrival of the Step 1 dance company, which should be joining the ship some time after the dry dock. This is information gleaned from Ian, the current CD on the Volendam. Oh, and he'll be continuing on the ship at least through the Grand South America and Antarctica Voyage in January. The shows will be similar to those on the Koningsdam and New Statendam- and the Step 1 Dancers we've seen have been very good and entertaining.

Just got off the Volendam, and they DID have a BB King Blues Club, in the space normally called the Mainstage. That is going away during the dry dock starting at the end of this week. Just an FYI.

Got off the Volendam on October 1st, and Ian, the CD said they'd be remodeling the mainstage (also called the BB King Blues Club) to put in the large screens and Step 1 dancers are coming as well. The Piano Bar will be altered to allow for more guests to enjoy the show. Oh yeah, and the bathrooms, at least on the Dolphin deck, have been remodeled at some time in the recent past, with wonderful floor to ceiling showers. She was in fine shape, not certain they needed to make any updates.

By all means, if you want an active pool, book a Christmas cruise on the Koningsdam. Loud music, and 'marco polo" for endless hours, over and over and over. We couldn't stay anywhere near that pool, the kids chased us away. No more Pinnacle Class ships, and no more Christmas cruises for us. There are plenty of other cruise lines that have active pools... use them.

We recently cruised on the final segments of the Grand World Voyage; the contrast between that cruise and all the other HAL cruises we've done was significant to us. The additional lectures, the watercolor classes, the arts and crafts classes, the different stations in the Lido all were very special. But the SERVICE was incredible. All HAL staff are friendly, but the attention to detail, staff introducing themselves and remembering names- that made an outstanding difference in our experience. One gets "spoiled" on a Grand Voyage, and now I'm wondering how our recent experience will compare when we get on the Eurodam in a few weeks! We enjoyed the Grand World so much that we booked the Grand South America and Antarctica for next year while we were on the World Voyage! B2B trips are special- but not quite like a Grand Voyage. Whatever you choose to do, savor the journey!

On most HAL ships, the Bridge sits under the front half of the fitness center, where the treadmills usually sit. Shouldn't be much trouble with noise in the nearby cabins.

I just read the "Where and Whens" from a recent Alaska cruise, and the show times were 700PM and 900PM. If you have 8 people that want to dine together, one of the headwaiters or maître'd are usually helpful and can book that table for the entire cruise- we've had that done for us on several cruises, without a problem.

I, for one, despise Billboard on board. Whenever I pass by, it always seems to be two twenty something tenors or sopranos BANGING OUT loud renditions of very tired music. I do not find that entertaining. On the other hand, the piano bar entertainment is more intimate and a pleasant experience. Even Jamm can be entertaining, and he has a huge catalog of music he plays. Sorry to hear that Billboard on board is being introduced across the fleet. Sure, they sell more drinks, and I guess that's the bottom line.

So you "cut the line", instead of waiting your turn, and you're recommending someone else to do the same?

So, there it is. You just have to ask for them. Rumor debunked.

Much ado over a RUMOR posted by the OP.

Just checked the Flight Ease fine print, and now you can buy a "restricted" fare or a "flexible" fare using Flight Ease; you either pay the lower fare, up front, no refunds, or pay more and get the more flexible fare. This was not an option when I booked my flights, but I still got a fantastic fare!

What I found with Flight Ease was a fare that was hundreds of dollars lower than any commercially available flights at that time. We were looking at $3200 on Orbitz for the same flights that cost us $1300 on Flight Ease. We'll see how it all works out in a few months!

I was under the impression that the fare could go up or down, and that you would be liable for whatever the price is at the time you pay in full. I do not believe that you've "locked in" the price when you first book the flights. Read the fine print when you book your flights- I'm not certain that the advice above is correct.