islandwoman

Does anyone know when/if the November 2026 Grand Africa voyage: Lisbon to Port Louis, Mauritius will be in posted?

Does HAL offer scuba excursions in any of the Tales of the South Pacific ports? 

Does HAL offer scuba excursions in Rangiroa? 

5 hours ago, D Lee said:

Front desk will punch hole in key card for you. I had card punch on last my cruise. My son kept for getting his key, but I always had mine.

I am currently at a resort in the Caribbean.  I had the office punch a hole in my key card so that I could attach it to my bathing suit.  It never worked after that. 

Just put it in your pocket. Mine worked perfectly well from there, or could be pulled out quickly. With so many people carrying phones, all clothing should have pockets.  I haven't bought any pants or skirts without pockets since I taught school when I needed them for pens, pencils, and chalk.

On 6/7/2024 at 7:07 AM, fruitmachine said:

https://www.azamara.com/static-assets/content/videos/Exclusive_Loyalty_Webinar_QA_with_Azamaras_New_CEO.mp4

How do we sign up to be notified of upcoming webinars?

1 hour ago, john1970 said:

I got the email this morning

 

LOYALTY SPECIAL ACCESS: New 2026 Summer Europe Itineraries

 

It mentions three solar eclipse cruises but doesn't actually tell you when they are or link to them.

 

Am I missing something?

You  received a different email from the one with information about the solar eclipses.  My August 30 email lists these:  Onward August 2 Med; Quest August 7; Journey August 8. 

20 minutes ago, lb0103 said:

Can I use OBC for gratuities?

Yes.

1 hour ago, Steerpike58 said:

What was the basis for this complementary meal? Just curious!

It came with my booking.

When we were in Reykjavik in August, there was a free shuttle that ran from the port to downtown every 30 minutes or sooner.  There was a long line for the first shuttle in the morning, but after that, the wait was reasonable.

We had a complimentary meal in the Canaletto on the Koningsdam. The gratuity was included. 

On 8/30/2024 at 12:23 PM, JandMinToronto said:

I attended the prior Azamara webinar, and preregistered interest in the 2026 Solar Eclipse cruises.  Overnight I got the "Mark your calendar" email too.  And there are no working links in that email for me too.

Webinar?  What webinar? How do I get invited to these webinars?

I probably received the "Mark Your Calendar" email because I called Azamara a few weeks ago (when Holland America posted their 2026 eclipse cruises) and asked whether Azamara would be sailing any eclipse cruises in 2026.  At that time, I was told only that I would have to wait until September to find out.  But apparently my information was added to the list of the webinar attendees. 🙂

Follow this thread

After receiving the email, I contacted my TA and asked him to book one of these solar eclipse cruises for DH and me. 

Now I'm anxiously awaiting more information so that I can begin doing research on the ports and possibly a B2B in the same cabin. 

We did an eclipse cruise on the Koningsdam and we're hooked.

Having just returned from a cruise that included 4 shore excursions booked through Get Your Guide, here is my experience:  Two of the tours went off without a hitch and were excellent, just as expected. One of them, to Blarney Castle was much better and less expensive than the ship's tour to the same location.  Those on the ship's tour didn't have enough time allowed to kiss the Blarney Stone. Two of the excursions were changed by the providers, unacceptably, just a bit more than two days ahead of time.  I went online and cancelled those two just short of the cancellation deadline.  My credit card had already been charged, but Get Your Guide refunded the entire payment quickly.   

2 hours ago, gold1953 said:

sure .. you get 5 points for booking a short cruise as noted in this group.. but who want to sail a 4 nighter next month???

Those of us who live within easy driving distance of the embarkation/debarkation port and who know how to hurricane proof their homes for their absence.  Also, who know from experience that cruise ships will not sail into a hurricane.

57 minutes ago, ewespinme said:

I need 3 points to be elite on our TA next year too. Really hoping that they do another 3 point activity soon. 

I see that you live in Florida.  You could just drive to one of these short cruises and make Elite the fun way. 

57 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

Yes. But it's a better option than not cruising.

But an expensive way to earn points. 

9 minutes ago, WrittenOnYourHeart said:

If you cruise solo (NOT in a designated solo cabin) you can get double points.

Don't you also have to pay double, or nearly? 

I would love to go!  But not for a few PUP, just because I'd love to go.  But of course, I already have plans, as I'm sure almost everyone does 🥲

4 hours ago, Steerpike58 said:

 Do you guys just guess based on weight? Is there some trick? Shake it? So much to learn, so little time 🙂

I have to take off the top to drink.  So I can see the water level at that time, each time.

The new ones have chug caps that are clear to see through, but they are a bit heavier than the one I have.

31 minutes ago, Steerpike58 said:

I choose to use one plastic bottle over and over, rather than use those aluminum re-usables, because the plastic ones are lighter. But - if they are truly making a real effort re: plastic, I will bring a re-usable aluminum bottle. 

You might prefer a metal reusable bottle, as I do.  The ones with wide mouths hold ice and some will keep your water cold for a long time.  They are also easier to keep clean than plastic bottles. Mine is made from food grade stainless-steel.  I find that it is the water that's heavy, rather than the bottle.

Are the cabin walls on the Zaandam metal, so that I can use magnets to post papers? 

I had formed the habit of posting information with magnets on cruise ship cabin walls and then I sailed on the Zuiderdam and discovered that my magnets would not stick to the cabin walls, except to the inside of the door.  The door was only weakly magnetic.  It required a very strong magnet to post even one piece of paper.  

I will be sailing on the Zaandam next year and hope to be able to organize my days by posting information and notices on the cabin walls.  Using pins, tape, or other forms of postings would be unacceptable as they would damage the walls.

51 minutes ago, Steerpike58 said:

So - you ARE allowed to have six liters of water 'per stateroom'.  What does this mean in practice? I can't imagine they keep track of how many bottles you've brought on board! 

 

 

I got off the Zuiderdam two days ago.  I traveled with 2 reusable Yeti water bottles, on and off the ship in multiple ports over an 18 day cruise. On boarding day they were filled with water from my hotel. Usually they had ice provided by my room steward and ship's water in them.  No one gave them a second glance, ever. 

Maybe they just don't want passengers bringing onboard gallons of water in plastic bottles that then will have to be disposed of.  Just a guess.

4 hours ago, Cruise till you drop said:

I’m assuming from the talk and trend that PUP’s will cease to exist and then this thread will end.  Sorry for the doomsday declaration but that’s how I see it

Thank you for saying that.  Every month lately, someone makes a similar remark and then abracadabra!  another PUP opportunity is offered.