lobsternight

Always grateful for the Daily and everyone's contributions This one was a bit of a surprise for me. I have been looking into excursions for an upcoming HAL cruise to Hawaii, though it is still over a year out. Last time we were in Hilo we did the volcano helicopter tour, and enjoyed it so much, I though I would secure a slot early. When I tried to book it through the HAL website I could not. I had my TA check into it. For some reason I cannot cut and paste the response here, but to sum it up: HAL partners in Hawaii are no longer catering to the cruise line and concentrating on land based and hotel guests instead. Thought it was kind of strange. Not a big deal as we will use our own company like we did last time, just wanted to use up excursion credits.

Or just buy what you need. I like a diet coke once a day, and perhaps a water, does not justify a $36 package

Yes pushing it. If its a weekend arrival then not so bad. I wouldn't play around, get off as early as possible and hop a cab. Skytrain is an option but chances are you would be half way to the airport by the time you boarded the first skytrain

Good Morning Everyone (still morning here) Thanks for the Daily reports So @Seasick Sailor story about the broken wrist reminded me of pur last cruise. My eldest son came rolling into the cabin at 5am. Im like really dude? Turns out he was on outside deck on his way back when some tipsy middle age lady fell down the wet stairs and broke her ankle. He helped her to sit and get under some shelter. Then it took him forever to find medical assistance, going down to medical centre and what not. I said to him why did you not use one of the numerous phones on the wall and dial 0. Guess he is not of that generation, in fact I'm not sure he even knows what an operator is. Sharp as a marble thst one. Anyway being a witness and all that, it was 5am by the time things were finished with the ship reports and such Enjoy the day.

Definitely not the road to Hana if someone gets car sick. Even though I don't, I felt like I could @princeton123211really summed it up well. on our next cruise through the islands spending time in town is exactly what we are going to do. Last cruise was an overnight, so we did rent a car and did some beaches. Too much of a pain for one day Thirty years ago I proposed to my DW under the banyan tree there. After we went to Cheeseburgers in Paradise. Burgers were OK, but think I paid $30 for them 30 years ago, so check your prices. Lahaina is a nice little port to spend the day and shop around. Don't forget to get some Hawaiian Shave Ice, though I prefer the place in Kona, as there are lots of lizards to clean up your drippings

Good Morning and thanks for the reports @Cruising-along sounds like a fun day, love watching the fish being tossed around at Pikes Place. Do find that chewing gum wall around the corner kind of gross. Hopefully its been removed since covid. Overcast and drizzling day in Vancouver. Been painting the hall, think I missed it with the colour. Oh well at $90 a gallon it is what it is, trim next. Was looking at the gift selection to get flowers for the DW on our upcoming Alaska. Its our 30th. Saw they had a decent deal with renewal of vows. Asked my TA to look into it, but she went ahead and booked it. Oh well, guess we are doing it. DW was horrified at first, but has since decided it would be nice. We had to have a very quick Justice of the Peace wedding all those years ago. We got engaged, then within a few weeks my dear FIL was diagnosed with terminal cancer. I never regretted the quick wedding, it was more important for him to be there, and I cherish the quiet little dinner afterwards with 7 of us. Have a wonderful day everyone. Back to painting for a while then its PVR football games after that

Did Vancouver to Hawaii once and there were times where it was not nice. Went top deck forward and felt a bit green. The ugliest ever was at night going from Lahaina to Oahu, almost fell out of bed, and that was mid ship, deck 5. Still though, doing it again April 2024, San Diego, Hawaii, Vancouver

Good article and falls exactly into what we are doing. We have been on many cruises, all 7 nights with the exception of one 15 night Hawaii. I started looking into longer cruises and saw the 28 day Alaskan. In the end I decided on a 22 night Mex Hawaii in 2024. Being new to HAL I have booked a 7 night Alaska for this April to try out the line. I'm sure we will enjoy it and will look into longer voyages in the future, even if there are no lobster nights.

I saw thst one too. Only comment is that will be a lot of open water and beam seas, both directions, and will assume outside of Vancouver Island. Something to consider

Going to follow along

Took my late mother on a Rt Vancouver on Celebrity in 2017 that stopped in Sitka instead of ISP, there are a few X cruises that do this. It was wonderful. Understand they have a new terminal in Sitka now. We did not do excursions but preferred to walk around. I would recommend this cruise, more than enough time in ports. Sitka was charming.

Chicken Pot Pie, now I want some, been years. When I was in my early 20s I was dating a young lady, we would frequent a family style restaurant that offered Chicken Pot Pie, and it was delicious. My girlfriend would spend forever reading over that menu and always order the Chicken Pit Pie. One day we went in, I was definitely hangry. I said to her you are going to order the Chicken Pot Pie anyway so just order. She insisted that no she was going to order something else. After half an hour of reading over the menu, she burst into tears, and said she wanted the chicken pot pie.

As locals we have done many many cruises out of Canada Place in Vancouver. Can't say I have noticed a lot of differences in boarding times, what is probably relivent is how many ships are departing that day. If its 3, then its going to be slower. You can look it up on the port website. Two cruises ago we were one of the first ones there, thought we would beat the crowd. Went well until we were at the ramp to the boat there was a medical emergency of a departing guest and he had to hold for a long time for ambulance crews to remove the passenger. Poor soul. Though I assume it created a backlog after us. You take your chances.

Hi Jacquie, Please add 7 day Alaska N.Amsterdam 30th April 2023, our 1st HAL cruise and our 30th Anniversary on the 30th Also 22 day Konings Solar Eclipse Mex Riviera and Hawaii cruise 5th April 2024 Enjoy your cruise

Any lobster is better than no lobster at all

Have a great cruise, will be following as I just booked on Koningsdam

I'd make sure that a casino charge to your account won't be treated as a cash advance to your credit card. Or does it really matter? I'm cheap so it would for me.

Generally in MDR or specialty restaurants i wear a suit and tie, but I do it for me. I have booked a cruise in April for my DW, a surprise for our 30th. I plan on sneaking my old Tux with us for that night.

Exactly as @Fang said. Our boys loved the teen program, in fact one son is still in contact with a few kids he met years ago. Our boys continue to sail with us. In fact I sent my eldest son on a few cruises with my late mother and he turned us all onto celebrity. He came back and said Dadyou just have to try out this cruise line. We were doing a trans pacific one time and there was a single mom with a teen boy who was not happy. My wife talked to them and convinced the boy to try the teen program.. instantly changed the cruise for both of them, he was suddenly very happy. Too bad he missed out on the first 10 days..

Thanks Rich, looking forward to your posts. Smooth sailing

Thank you for the fleet report and daily Wishing everyone a Merry Christmas and happy holidays. DW about to prepare the bird and get it in the oven. Finally warmed up and raining here, now its just a mess. Special shout out to all of those working over the holidays and away from family. From service members, to first responders, health care staff, and everyone else being there for us. Not to mention all the cruise staff that keep up a smile and make our day special Stay safe everyone

Thanks for the Daily and report. Just wrapped up work for the year, yay I guess. Finally coming out of our freeze in Vancouver, sleet now, so guess its going to be messy for a while. Safe travels to all and best wishes

Thank you for the report and all today's contributions Snowed all night in Vancouver,more on the way. Was up at 6 digging out to get eldestson to work. Power was out again for 6 hours, crews worked on snow clearing through the night, but despite huge efforts was a lost battle. Got nearly 18 inches, people in the dark walking on roadways, not the best. @luvteaching we keep our RV near Maryville, so appreciate knowing how much you got. Probably not going to visit now over the holidays So its official, paid deposit on the kolingsdam (spelling?) today for 5th April 2024. Going San Diego to Cabo, then day at sea to see Solar Eclipse, and hit PV before crossing to Hawaii and back to Vancouver. 22 days, so excited Best wishes to all

Yes @smitty34877 forgot to say my thoughts are with you two as well. I'm a proud member of the zipper club 7 years now. Wishing a quick recovery

Thank you for the fleet report and all those reports. Happy Hanukkah to all, prayers and best wishes to those in need. Well its snow Armageddon in Vancouver right now, approaching 5 inches. Just heard our main highway has been shut down. Filled the propane tanks yesterday, not leaving the house. Just finished all my wrapping, hoping the DW makes some more cookies. Been off the Daily for the last week, we are all dealing with a family end of life, its a waiting game now. Been a rough last 6 months with our impending 4th loss. On a positive note just booked a new HAL cruise for April 2024. Its a long way off but so excited. Don't know about these trans pacific crossings, decided to retire mid pacific last time and that didn't work out lol. Actually loved returning to work, this time around its a blast because it just doesn't matter. Low stress Have a wonderful day everyone, sitting in bed, sipping tea, watching the KC game life is good