djhsolara

Grand Turk was really crowded with Carnival passengers from the Vista - it was a zoo.

We’ve been to GT both on HAL and Carnival. We usually hang out in the pool at Margaritaville. The atmosphere there is SO different when Carnival is there with many more people drinking in general and drinking in the pool and using the pool bar. As well, we’ve found the music to be much louder when Carnival is there. We’ve been there many times with HAL and I know a few times that we were there with just HAL I know the swim-up pool bar wasn’t even open.

Not that either of these is wrong or that I’m complaining about either, it is just interesting to see how they cater to the different demographics on both lines.

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I was told that the atrium had a rotating New York skyline, and since I came from NY I looked for it in the atrium when I sailed right after the dry dock. I didn’t see it. Maybe I missed it , but unless people are talking about the chandelier, I didn’t see it.

It is the chandelier that people are talking about. NY skyline up and down.

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Thanks for doing that InTheWASide! I hope pic 160 with the red cushions is an old one. And if it's not an old one, I hope I don't get that room. lol

I thought the same thing. The black/gray with red cushions was the old decor.

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I saw scrolling FB today and saw this post from Nigella Lawson in Australia. Pretty cool with the HAL ship.

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Now that looks good! (y)

It was very good. It was nice because there were a few things that were supposed to be on it that we don’t care for, so they let us remove them and gave us more of other things.

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Oxtail Soup at SdM on Koningsdam. This is quite a delicious soup, but you won’t find this at the pop-up.

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Fruits de Mer at SdM on Koningsdam.

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I’ve posted this in other SdM topics.

In our opinion, it is much better on Koningsdam with its dedicated space than the pop-up offered on other ships. It is a cozy, relaxing, wonderful experience on Koningsdam. It’s just a different menu (although good) in the PG on other ships.

Also...the entire menu is not offered in the pop-up version, so if there is something that you were looking forward to based on your experience on Koningsdam, you may be disappointed to find it not offered at the pop-up (I know I was).

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Have you seen the cobblestones in San Juan, or the narrow sidewalks or the 12" tall curbs and that big hill to get to the fort, I have also pushed from the ship to down town in St Thomas, Thanks for telling me what I can't do that just makes me do it, and I getting in a tall taxi is impossible without the use of your legs

You asked a question and people have replied as you have requested. Just because you don’t like the answers doesn’t mean that you need to get nasty (and yes, I read this post as nasty).

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I’m sure it is possible, but navigating through the city and then over the bridge may be challenging. It seems like quite a bridge to get over there.

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That's not really logical, though, because that puts them at risk of getting a low score from the people who are ticked off by the inappropriate attire.

That’s what we said. His response was that they believe people would remember more that they were turned away rather than others around them out of attire. Sounded like a loaded line to us.

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It is funny that once we spoke with a maitre d’ about the lack of attire on formal nights (this was before the change to Gala Night attire). He told us that when they turn people away they risk getting a lower survey score...so they would rather have people in there out of dress code than ticking them off and risking getting a bad score.

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Well...if nothing sooner, we’re cruising at the end of February. I’ll post afterward...but I was hoping to see before. [emoji2]

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I have searched but the NA is doing lots of charters, just came out of dry-dock, and just started in the Caribbean, so info (let alone photos) is hard to come by. On a seven-day Western Caribbean in February, we will be at HMC on Day two. Will it still be formal night, or will they wait til the next day which is an "at sea" day? Embarrassed to ask but we are coordinating a big family vacation and it would sure help to know what to do about specialty dining!

When in February are you cruising? We’re doing NA in Western Caribbean in Feb 24.

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I’ve asked this on a few forums. These photos are apparently more guarded than the Crown Jewels.

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Yes...this.

??

I’m truly sorry that I ever posted on this topic.

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I understand your position. Would you ignore a gay person who says hello to you, just to prove a point? We're talking about basic courtesy and decency here.

I would never ignore anyone who says hello to me. I would offer them the same courtesy back.

I’m just saying that I’m not scouting around to search out all the gays on the ship to be sure that I didn’t miss saying hello to them.

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I'll remember to not say hello to either of you.

Ok...and I’m perfectly fine with that because I wouldn’t want someone greeting me unless they truly wanted to greet me. I mean, seriously, do all the straight people always say hello to every other straight person.

We’re all people...it really doesn’t matter if you’re gay, straight, trans, bi, black, blue, white, yellow, purple or anything else...if I want to say hello to you, I will...and if I don’t, I won’t. I don’t single people out because of what/who you appear to be because honestly, unless I personally know you, I don’t know what/who you are.

I say hello to someone because I want to share a smile or greeting with that person. Maybe we caught an eye, maybe you needed a little help with a door, maybe I just thought I wanted to say hello to you. It’s my choice based on whatever, but I’m not going to say hello to you just because I think you’re gay. That’s just not who I am.

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Wait....why just because I am gay...do I have to say hello to others who may(or may not) be gay. Do black people have to say hello to all black people they see on cruises? I suspect that my many Asian friends do not feel any anxiety when they are not greeted by other Asians when passing on the street. It seems that gay guys still have this thing about being noticed...just saying

Exactly. Thank you!!

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The distilled water was $2.95 for a gallon on the Koningsdam in December. I had pre-ordered it online and it was delivered shortly after we boarded. Other times I have just called and ordered it after I got on board. I think it was in-room dining I had to call. But you can ask your cabin steward - he will know.

 

I always take my own extension cord. I wouldn't want to take a chance that the ship won't have one for me. Better be prepared.

When we first started cruising we tried on two separate cruises to use one from the ship. The first time was fine. The second time, they had to bring a cord three times until they got it right. That’s when we decided to bring our own. We just keep it in the CPAP all the time.

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Both my partner and I use CPAP and have never had issues. We bring our own extension cord, plug both machines into it under the bed and plug it in either bedside or at the desk (depending on configuration). We always unplug it from the electrical in the morning (and stuff the cord out of the way under the bed) but we never disconnect our hoses. We use the ship’s tap water, but we use tap water at home too.

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I know. What’s up with this?? [emoji2][emoji2]

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The only "odd" thing (IMHO) was that the second drink had to be exactly the same as the first drink meaning if your travel partner doesn't like the same thing you do you would either pass on this or each get two drinks.

 

You are correct. It must be 2 of the same drink or you could get a “double” of the one drink.

We used to get two drinks each, but now we just decide what we want and for both of us just get two of the same.

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I used to change my username and email for everything based on my current car. Seeing that I switch out cars about every two years, that got to be cumbersome.

The last one that I did that stuck was about 6 cars ago and was a Solara. The djh are my initials.

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In our opinion, it is much better on Koningsdam with its dedicated space than the pop-up offered on other ships. It is a cozy, relaxing, wonderful experience on Koningsdam. It’s just a different menu (although good) in the PG on other ships.

Also...the entire menu is not offered in the pop-up version, so if there is something that you were looking forward to based on your experience on Koningsdam, you may be disappointed to find it not offered at the pop-up (I know I was).

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