CNSJ

Because we had my one and only casino deal (they must have figured out I wasn't a player), we booked the land portion through Princess Tours/Lodged which included all the transfers, trains, and hotels. It also included the Wilderness Tour, and had options for other tours. The only thing that wasn't included was transfer from Anchorage to Whittier at the end. Arranged that through local transfer bus. A great trip.

Although I can't say it's the reason for sure, but I think they use school buses because they are much lighter than traditional tour buses. We were plenty comfortable for the trip. Take the Denali Wilderness tour! Go for an early departure, we were able to watch sunrise in park which was wonderful.

I guess Shackleton didn't read this book before he set off in Endurance.

As much as I like pizza (although I am not a pizza expert), I try not to eat so much on ship. Prefer other options. Now hamburgers from Dive In.....are great. I am a hamburger expert, so I can weigh in here. BYW: Hamburgers on a recent Celebrity sailing were horrible! Never again.

I am quite sure that HAL has a plan that avoids the entire Middle East for WC 2024 and those that speculate 2024 will look like the end of the current 2025 WC are probably spot on. No way HAL will sail a ship through the Red Sea in the next four months, nor will any other cruise line. Enjoy Cape Town, and perhaps the Cape Verde Islands on the way home. True the US Navy and our allies can and will protect "shipping" through the Red Sea. But they may only be able to stop 99% of things fired at ships, and the things fired each way often go off target. Loss of life on a commercial ship that takes a missile hit will be few (crew size 20-35) compared to a passenger ship with 4,000+ passengers/crew. Pirates are of minimal concern. They are in boats and can be fended off with water cannons and small arms. Risk to people is minimal. Missiles and drones are harder to stop.

The Vista class ships (Noordam, Westerdam, Oosterdam and Zioderdam serve pizza from Lido as FlaMariner has stated. On Nueiw Amsterdam and Eurodam (Signature Class) , NY Pizza is at Sea View Pool. Pinnacle class has NY Pizza and Deli on Deck 10 overlooking the inside pool. The Pizza on Signature and Pinnacle class seems better to me.

Getting the disembark instructions on any cruise is depressing!

I was not sure if the whales, orcas, seals, and penguins were told to line up on port or starboard side. Speaking of coffee, it would be nice if HAL put Nespresso machines in ALL the staterooms. Having one in the one time I sailed in a Neptune was nice.

Perhaps the most comprehensive Blog and Photo report I have seen. I am about to book the same trip for a future season. For this Buenos Aires to Santiago direct Antartica cruise, has being in a port or starboard cabin made any difference? Both are available now, so I need to pick a side of the ship. As this is more of a North south run than east west (like a Transpacific or Transatlantic), I wasn't sure if side mattered? Norberts Niece or others, please feel free to give me any tips and rationale.

Looks like a Lego rendering.

I use the "last pair" system. Keep the last pair as my back up as its closest to current prescription. Another option is to get on one those super cheap online glasses (like two pairs for $99) - They are for an emergency, so fashion, super thin, and progressives etc.....are no longer an issue.

It's the one Cruise Port you can drive to.

HAL - If you are monitoring this forum, please stop this practice of raising a price to then give a "free upgrade." Savvy CC followers know better, but it's really deceptive IMHO.

HAL's site still shows the itinerary with Panama Canal, sometimes it takes a few days after a change to update. The 21 and 35 day offerings from Boston seem to be with HAL trend toward longer trips and from more ports. That said, removing the best part of these voyages is sad to see. I am not sure if HAL is starting to make moves to eliminate these "partial transits" early on. Cutting PC trips for cruise ships may be needed to allow for more commercial traffic to use canal. Be glad HAL did this 10 months out....you have time to cancel or rebook something. They have been cancelling PC partials with little notice. Hope OP finds a good replacement or just enjoys the trip.

Which means milkshakes are still included!

Using the apparent HAL Approach, they could offer free upgrade from INTERIOR to NEPTUNE Suite, just price the interior the same as the regular Neptune! Isn't that like having a sale price that is never the actual price and illegal in the US?

Issue with adding HIA after is that it won't turn my Obstructed Oceanview into a Verandah......

Yes, Prices held.

Yes, Prices held.

Looking to book the 22 day South America/Antarctica voyage (late Jan 2025 on Oosterdam) HAL is advertising a free upgrade from Obstructed Oceanview to Verandah, then you choose Have it All.....a great deal right? When I just try to book the Verandah (not selecting the lower cabin class first) - I am prompted with the following options and prices: But when I select the Ocean view and use the "Free Upgrade" I get the following: Am I missing something here??? It seems the "upgrade" is just an orange border.....

Simply amazing pictures!

Wow! A great trip indeed. I wonder how this 134 day trip compares cost wise to the World Cruise?

It's really not "GLUTEN FREE BREAD" it is a totally different "thing." It's a bunch of stuff thrown together at an attempt to look like bread with a similar taste/texture. My heart goes out to those who cannot tolerate gluten. I don't know how I could make it through the day without bread. I hope you find solace in Alcohol, which depending on variety is not gluten free, but just Rum or Vodka etc. I think the olive in the glass is safe too.

Are they the same size bottles?

Thanks for a most detailed photo set and blog. I am looking a this trip for Jan 2025.