grsnovi

We sailed on Eurodam a few weeks ago and the photo pricing that we took advantage of last summer (2018) was nowhere in sight. In fact, the current pricing is ludicrously expensive - we purchased one digital photo but would have happily paid what was offered last year. I guess another cut in value of what is being offered?

On the Eurodam last week, we got milk one night and dark the next. They alternated all week. We were in the cheap seats (plain verandah VB category).

12 hours ago, clo said:

I thought meat/fish/poultry is gluten-free.

It absolutely is AS LONG AS nothing else is done to it while cooking. For some, even cooking it in a pan that has previously had some flour in it is enough to cause problems. Then there is the whole bit with sauces and glazes. Even soy sauce generally has gluten it it.

We're also long-time HAL cruisers thinking about a move and like the OP, my DW is also gluten and dairy intolerant.

14 hours ago, steve4031 said:

My big craving is Lox and cream cheese on a bagel.  And pizza slices

You won't have any trouble finding those items... 🙂

There are usually 2 shows (one early and a repeat later) but it will depend. We tend to eat early and go to the earlier performances. Seems the early shows this time out were around 7:30 and the later were 10 or 10:30 but I'd have to look at a program to confirm (they're in piles on the dining room table). Since we had a party of 10 this time out, we had a table for 10 at 5:30 in the MDR several nights and I seem to recall that our Tamarind reservation was for about the same time. 

I find that it is a lot easier to pack on the last day of the cruise than it is before the cruise... 

DW keeps very detailed spreadsheets and continually tells me that I should do the same.

54 minutes ago, Krazy Kruizers said:

Looks like you had a beautiful day.

It's been beautiful both times we sailed Glacier Bay. Tracy Arm was also a blue sky day for us but Hubbard (our first time up) was fogged in and we never got very close. Last week was gorgeous at each port (although it was a little damp in the morning in Sitka). This was our first trip with the kids and grandkids and the extended family had an excellent time with grandma and grandpa.

16 minutes ago, canadianbear said:

Make sure to eat at the Dutch Cafe! 

...and the Tamarind!!

Yes - there is a lot of negativity here. Much of it lamenting the glorious days of yore. We have been sailing HAL for 10+ years and have begun thinking that it may be time to start looking around however HAL offers a competitive "product" and in general their cruise is what YOU make of it. As an earlier post comments: if you go expecting it to be bad, you'll find everything possible to complain about. We just sailed Alaska for the 4th time with HAL and had a really great cruise. Were there points to quibble over? Sure, what we paid for photographs last year on Koningsdam was awesome - what they wanted this year on Eurodam was ridiculous (and we didn't - although we usually do). DW would like a better selection of GF desserts and better assurances that Lido items are in fact gluten-free however GF dining in the MDR and Tamarind is easy.

...and the glacier face taken several minutes earlier from Eurodam.

The Westerdam approaching Margerie Glacier as seen from the Eurodam leaving Margerie Glacier last Tuesday.

Just now, Cajuntraveler said:

Which side of the ship would you recommend for a balcony or SS cabin for the best viewing at Glacier Bay?

When you are in front of the glaciers (usually stop at 2) the captain will allow the ship to spin so that either side will face the glacier face.

Just off Eurodam. Tamarind was a highlight (again). My only regret was only eating there once. Don't get me wrong: the MDR is perfectly fine but doesn't compare quality-wise or in ambiance.

I'll be curious to see how that app improved over the browser version. DW and I have downloaded (kids too I expect) and we'll board tomorrow. I'll comment when we return.

20 minutes ago, SilvertoGold said:

How did you like the Westerdam?

We were on the Westy the last time we were in Alaska and since we'd sailed the Oosterdam previously we were very familiar with the ship layout. We've been on the Eurodam previously as well - looking forward to Tamarind this trip.

20 minutes ago, Jhawktraveler said:

A very light smoke haze on a couple of days

Thanks JHawk! We won't be going that far north...

28 minutes ago, peanuts5454 said:

We had no issues with smoke. Skies were clear and weather was absolutely beautiful.

Thanks Peanuts!

1 hour ago, Loreto said:

the air quality was very good.

Thanks Karen

Thanks Ruth!

Anyone who has recently been on an Alaska cruise in the last couple of weeks care to comment on air quality vis-a-vis the fires burning north of the 49th parallel?

40 minutes ago, Qcruise said:

does HAL do a similar thing

Yes - but nobody will tell you. Show up at the MDR during (what will likely be abbreviated lunch hours) and enjoy your lunch. We did (on Koningsdam) in Amsterdam last summer. You'll also likely run into the whole: "...what about the boarding time printed on my..." which (to date) hasn't been enforced. 

9 minutes ago, taxmantoo said:

and only you were there

...but if you are coordinating making travel arrangements for a group (or say purchasing multiple cabins for an extended family vacation) and you aren't personally aware of all of your children's spouses and adopted children's legal history...

I don't expect to be reminded I'm just saying that it would have been nice (months ago) had somebody mentioned this to me.

It isn't an issue for my family but it seems that it could be an easy thing (even a courteous thing) for a travel professional to mention.

End of engagement - tired of the lack of understanding.

32 minutes ago, 1of4 said:

stop blaming other countries for their laws.

Don't be so sensitive - I'm not blaming anyone for anything, I'm merely suggesting that the travel industry (HAL, cruise lines and travel agents) could be more proactive in flagging what could potentially be a vacation ruining event. I've traveled extensively without incident and without ever having worried about being admitted to another country - and I never have been and I don't know all of the rules in all of the countries where I've gone. I agree that times are very different for travelers than they were 50 years ago and that border security is important. Making vacationing tourists aware of situations that could potentially ruin a vacation seems to me to be in the interest of the travel industry. A blanket "you need to be aware of the myriad array of esoteric travel restrictions" isn't really enough - even in the internet age.

1 hour ago, broberts said:

What would you consider "a more explicitly set of warnings

HAL could easily add a short paragraph in their KNOW BEFORE YOU GO on cruises originating in the USA with ports of call in Canada that said something like: "Canadian rules of entry include screening for old DUI's which are considered grounds for denial of entry." It could also be added to the information a travel agent could advise clients of. I'm not saying that I disagree with the restriction or that a DUI isn't a serious offense but I suspect that I'm not the only one who wasn't aware this would be an issue.

13 hours ago, broberts said:

That some people do not bother to check on the entry requirements of a country they intend to visit is unfortunate.

As a young person, a friend and I drove from Pennsylvania to Montreal in the early 1970's. There was no questioning of DUI's when we crossed into Canada. Over the last 50 years I have traveled to various Canadian cities via: automobile, plane and ship and the notion of possibly being refused entry never even entered my mind. That said - I don't have any hidden DUI's - what I do have is a sense that there could be a better means of flagging THE POSSIBILITY that entering Canada COULD be an issue SPECIFICALLY in the case of a DUI which many would never consider to be a reason to prevent vacation travel. I don't understand the apparent indignation being expressed by various responders to this thread to a more explicit set of warnings. I'm 65 years old and was completely caught off guard by the possibility that members of my party of 10 could face issues next week while on a family cruise.

Looking forward to reading about your experience. Cyn and I have been pondering a river cruise for a while. We have (very) local options here on the Columbia but for the price American Cruise Line charges I think I'd rather fly to Amsterdam and cruise east. Have a great cruise!