3rdGenCunarder

"the management model to kill things" What a good way to explain it. The first time I was on K'dam, Lincoln Center had its own space. Because it was so open to a walkway, they had to post signs and a "shh!" person outside to keep the nearby noise down. The times were convenient, and the place was always packed, both early and later performances. The next year, LC had moved into BBKing space. Because HAL gave BBK the best evening time slots, LC got stuck with late afternoon, when people are returning from excursions and not thinking about entertainment. And 6:00 is ridiculous. People who eat early are in the dining room, and people who eat later are getting ready for dinner. I went as often as I could, but it was not convenient. I think I watched a lot of movies on that cruise.

I wish I could "like" this post a dozen times! If they're going to have unusual, longer itineraries, they need to develop experiences to go along with that. I was fortunate to do one of the hands-on cooking classes with a guest chef. She had a varied resume, but one of her "past lives" had been running her own restaurant in the Caribbean. Perfect experience for a Caribbean cruise! Of course, this requires some time and THOUGHT at the corporate level, so who knows what will happen.

Perhaps the problem with LC is that it didn't generate any profit. Rolling Stone and BB King have bars, don't they? There's no beverage service at LC on the ships where it's squeezed into Explorer Lounge. Even when LC had its own space on K'dam, bar waiters came around before the performance, but once it started, there was no service. This was appropriate, as a waiter moving through the rows would have been distracting, but it reduced HAL's chance to make some money. Ah, the Hell Cats. I was not sorry to see them screech their way out the door.

Somewhere in "the fine print," it probably says that knowing the requirements of the countries you will be visiting is the passenger's responsibility. When lots of places had vaccination requirements, cruises required all passengers to be vaccinated, even those who didn't plan to get off in the ports in question. OP, have you checked HAL's website to look at their protocol page? That should tell you if your cruise requires vaccinations or tests. It\\Vax/test info may not appear on the cruise description or your itinerary.

Yes! If they're going for longer cruises, they need to think about both entertainment and enrichment. Good port lectures that aren't just advertisements for HAL's "preferred" (kickback?) shops. These longer cruises could lengthen the lives of the two small ships.

NO!!!! No no no no no! I will miss Lincoln Center so much! I never found their performances "funerary." They had a wide variety of programs, and not all of it was classical. Their movie theme set was fabulous. The musicians were well trained and on the cruises, I took, I could see the joy they had in playing together. Cut the lobster, keep Lincoln Center!!!!!!

And there are three elevator banks on the "R class" ships, unlike the old "S class," with only two.

The only place I've had that "indoor" feeling on one of the small ships is the Pinnacle. It always feels closed in and dark to me, in contrast with the Pinnacle on a Vista or larger, with the long row of windows.

My cruise does not require vaccinations or tests, so Verifly won't be of any use to me.

What does Verifly do that it will make things faster?

Thanks. I guess their computers just spew out these emails whether they're needed or not.

Related question. Can I do the health questionnaire on the Navigator app or must I use the HAL website?

NJ uses Docket. I recently got the new booster, and by the time I got home, Walgreens had loaded the info to my Docket account. I will have my card with me, just in case rules change while I'm traveling.

I received an email today recommending Verifly for my 1/15 cruise. But my cruise doesn't require testing or vaccination, so there would be nothing on the app to show. Mary, thanks for the comment about the line being no faster. The email did say there would be a separate Verifly line, but it doesn't sound worth the bother.

I agree. Jacqui, you have been brave to take such a long trip solo. You got through your first solo Christmas, which to me is a big hurdle. So remember than you can be brave and get through this. I'm sure Jose is cheering you on, saying "you can do this." I wish I could do more than send love and virtual hugs.

Well, HAL is making me crazy. I just got an email encouraging me to use VeriFLY, so I can upload my vaccine and test info. BUT I'm on a 10-day to the Caribbean and HAL's protocol page says no testing or vaccine required. The email says there's a special line for VeriFLY at check-in. Is this true? (Port Everglades) That would be the only reason to bother with the app as far as I can see. It looks more annoying than ArriveCAN!!!

All the more reason for a superior to take staff aside, away from prying eyes, for a dressing down.

Sorry, the OBC is the same no matter how many shares over 100 you have. I've never seen a form. I just fax or email a cover note and copy of the proof of ownership.

I'm glad it can be done online. I remember the noro questionnaire at the pier. I'd be juggling purse, carryon, passport and boarding pass that I just showed to get in the terminal, and THEN this little piece of paper with no pen to fill it out (which meant digging in my purse for one). Do they ask you the questions again at the pier? In Brooklyn (Cunard) in September, they required a health form online and then the check-in agents asked the same questions again.

I didn't say I don't have dessert. The salad is nutritional penance in advance.

I haven't been on Zaandam, but I've been on Veendam, Amsterdam, and Maasdam. For me the big minus is that the thermal suite has a hot tub instead of the thalassotherapy pool. On the plus side, the aft pool is still there on Zaandam (unlike the mess they put at the back of Veendam). The small size makes it easy to get around quickly. Unlike the Pinnacle ships, the promenade has deck chairs. And I think Zaandam doesn't have lanais, so none of the deck chairs would be reserved.

Thanks! That's my token healthy eating. Of course, on ships with a taco station, I used to go off the rails a bit with some chips and guac...

Not a correction, but an addition. Research White Star luggage handling and see if they will ship and store the bag. Or luggage Forward or similar companies.

I don't like standing on a line either, but for free super bowl tickets, I might go as long as 30 min! I've seen the grab and go salad options on the menus Kazu has been posting. Do the servers at the salad bar still make a salad to order?

I haven't been on HAL since the "before time," but I recall that they asked if your entire group was there and ready to go. You can't send one person down early, grab tickets, and then go back to your cabin to get whatever stuff you're taking ashore. Does someone have a more recent experience with this?