tjcox9

9 hours ago, CalmSea said:

That was one thing I learned from reading the postings on this board regarding excursions and OBC. I would pay for my excursions before the cruise. Once on broad, I  would go to the Square and asked  to change the excursion charges to whatever OBC I had. Whatever I had paid beforehand now became refundable OBC's. In my experience, if an excursion was cancelled for whatever reasons, I got back refundable OBC's, even though it had been changed and was now paid for by non-refundable OBC's. I wonder whether that is Seabourn's usual practice, but it may be the better way of using up OBC's.

We were told how easy this would be to do by many online and our PCC as well. Well, not so easy since noone in the Square customer service area seemed to have any idea what we were talking about. Multiple trips later, we were able to get it resolved and expected it to be returned to credit card on file if we did not spend it. Try as we might, we could not spend it all, and over two months later we got a physical check in the mail.

I know others have had  an easier time doing this and hope we will in the future as well!

Just a thought...........If you have a need for some nice binoculars, you can always buy one of the Swarvoski ones that are in the shop. 

16 hours ago, MissP22 said:

Stick with Princess long enough and they'll find more ways to cut costs and disappoint you. 

Same with all cruise lines, it seems!

On most HAL ships, there are signs which say NO Jogging posted on the promenade deck. Just off the Oosterdam, but did not see them there, which was a surprise however, I saw no joggers.

Seems to me that on the Pinnacle class ships jogging there would be even more of an issue as some of the space is quite narrow.

35 minutes ago, zelker said:

I've never been told we couldn't bring flowers onboard in the South Pacific.  We were allowed to bring flowers onboard in Fiji (2019), Maui (March 2020), and Raiatea (March this year).

It was pre-pandemic and as I recall, it was Tahiti, but not sure. With the time that has passed, I don't recall who posted that or which voyage and I was surprised as I had not seen anyone else mention that in the past. As we all know, things do change from time to time and are occasionally inconsistent as well. 😉

3 hours ago, sansterre said:

I will post some photos of Funchal later today.

It rained on and off until about 2.  As we sailed away from Madera, the weather was beautiful and I took a photo of the island from the ship.

We took the shuttle into town and walked from there to a church where there was 

a Monday morning service going on.  We wanted to take the Cable Car to Monte but 

with the clouds covering the mountain and threat of more rain, decided to visit the Mercado Labradors  instead.  

The flowers in the Flower Market were irresistible.  I selected 4 lovely stems and was given two more for 7 Euros, planning to put them in the Liter water bottle now nearly empty in our cabin.  However, when we got on the ship we were told no flowers were permitted to come aboard.  My DH and I insisted these were not roots, bulbs or seeds.

and that we always bring cut flowers on the ship to brighten our cabin.  It was to no avail.  They kept my flowers! 

I'm thinking of making a new post as I wonder if it is a new rule or just our ship.

I have checked with the front desk and they said no plant material is permitted on any ship.  They said it is a new policy for all ships!  No response to the question:  why?

I'd read of this occurring in the South Pacific islands. This is the first I've seen from Madeira though. Too bad, but some unwanted pests could always make their way on in flowers or other plants, I suppose.

29 minutes ago, nancygp said:

Currently on the quest..the restaurant was open for breakfast and today is a port day!!

 

great dinner in the restaurant last evening and the vast majority of guest dined there..:very good and attentive service from lovely crew members

 

enjoyed embarkation lunch and todays breakfast at the colonnade outside

 

very pleased so far with our first Quest sailing and any minor stuff has been pleasantly  taken care of

 

hapoy sails,

 

Nancy 

 

 

Do you know how many passengers onboard? THX

1 hour ago, StLouisCruisers said:

I was on Island Princess in May and June.  The hair dryers in the balcony and  oceanviews (moved because of Covid quarantining) were wall mounted at the desk area.  Test your hair dryer before you wash your hair because the oceanview we were in had a non-working hair dryer and that is not the time to find that out!  We called Guest Services and they sent down a hand held dryer but it took several hours, so that was a bummer.

 

Thanks for that info. Sounds like a good reason to bring a small (working) one from home.

2 hours ago, skybluewaters said:

The new dispensers for sugar and for artificial sweeteners are a total joke.  The sugar dispenser gets clogged up and is unreliable.  The small dispenser which has the artificial sweetener is even worse: you would have to shake it for five minutes (really) to get enough out to equal one packet.  I asked the barista in Seabourn Square which artificial sweetener was in the container and he didn't know.  I guess it doesn't really matter because you're not going to get any out of the shaker anyway.

 

A hundred bucks to a donut that these dispensers will be replaced soon.

 

They were there pre-pandemic as well. Our last cruise pre was Dec/Jan 2019/20 and that's what they had then. I don't use any sugar or sweetener, but DH does and we'll be taking packets next cruise. 

We've been away from Princess for some time, but recently booked a cruise for next year on the Island. Kind of insignificant, but what is the hair dryer situation on the Island? I'm used to the other lines we use have hand held plug in dryers, not wall mounted. Just curious as I understand the Island does not have USB plugs. THX!

13 minutes ago, doone said:

I have not received a survey from HAL, did you just return from a cruise perhaps and they are looking for your opinion?

No HAL cruise since February, but do have an upcoming one soon. Just all seems weird.

Yesterday, I received a survey supposedly from HAL. However, the sender was a person's name so I immediately deleted it as a scam. This morning I get up to another that appears to be from HAL with a note of apology about some people not being able to open the previous one sent. I am still not really comfortable with this. Did anyone else  experience this and if so, did you respond?

On the much maligned August Dover to Montreal cruise, we did have nice lunches several  sea days in the dining room. There seemed to be more people there than we have seen on previous cruises. We do enjoy this peaceful environment and perhaps when/if staffing returns to normal levels, it also will return to normal. 

51 minutes ago, Level six said:

Not in our balcony room last cruise. 

Wow, can't believe those didn't get added at some point. Haven't been on a ship (any line) in some time that didn't have at least a minimum number of them! Thanks.............

39 minutes ago, Rick&Jeannie said:

For those interested in the electrical outlet layout...we were surprised to see standard US style 110volt outlets in the cabin as well as located up and down passageways.  Behind the bed(s) you can find a European style 220 volt outlet. I used one of the 220 v adapters to supply my CPAP as well as keep the lamp plugged in. 

What about USB plugs, any available? THX in advance.

2 hours ago, Gail & Marty sailing away said:

It was today about 40 people. 

In February, we had a small group in attendance at a medal ceremony on the Rotterdam. I believe all the medals were delivered to the cabins with the exception the higher day ones, don't recall the specifics. Only a few people were in attendance,, maybe 25-30 higher day people and President's Club members. That was prime Covid time though.

They now want it emailed. The address is:

World_Cruise_Reservations@HollandAmerica.com

At least that is the one that has worked for me.

51 minutes ago, jsiegel said:

Can someone currently onboard the Quest let me know if they have stevia available or if we should bring our own packets.

 

Thanks,  Jackie

Not on currently, recently disembarked. All they have in some container with unnamed sweetener in it and it's impossible to use. Certainly would take  your own sweetener,  whatever kind you use!!

2 hours ago, phillipahain said:

 

 

 

Yikes on 65 days they had better not its rudiculous 

Hey, we were in Antarctica so they really couldn't just get off iin port and restock!  And we did survive probably on Courvoisier as I recall. 😁

5 hours ago, phillipahain said:

Can anyone tell me if you can have   Courvoisier or Remy Martin or Hennessy  provided in room 

 

There's no Brandy at all on the list on Web and I can't touch any of the other Spirits 

They generally have Hennessy VSOP, however, on one ship pre-pandemic, they did run out.

Self service, only deliveries are for those items ordered off menu or specials and drinks, of course.

2 hours ago, alidor said:

Tjcox - are you sailing from Dover?  We are also and, right now, are sitting in Philadelphia Airport waiting for our flight to London.  We live in Sun City, in BLuffton.  Where do you live in SC?

Yes, from Dover, flying out tomorrow. We live in Greenville, but occasionally get down to the Low Country. 

6 minutes ago, Fletcher said:

We are also sailing next month.  We've never caught the virus because we've been careful, rarely socialise, never use public transport and live in a remote rural area.  Where we live it has become difficult to find somewhere offering an antigen test -  no local pharmacy does it because they say there is no longer any demand.  We have found one, about 40-miles away, at a local airport - but I am very hopeful Seabourn will drop this requirement.  It makes total sense to me - after you test negative you have to visit an airport, sit on a plane, go on a bus, board a cruise ship, mingle with other passengers, eat with strangers, go on excursions etc.  A bit counter-intuitive if you ask me.  

After just testing this morning for a cruise that begins Friday, it seems silly to me as we will be in three airports, two planes, transport from airport to hotel and to port, hotel, and where ever else we go prior to going to the port. Oh well, it was easy enough for us, but I know it is not for many others. 

2 hours ago, SLSD said:

In our neighborhood, it is called Bubba's--but yes, Babe's is the same owner.  

I Iived near Roanoke when Babe's came into being way back when. Never had it or TK's cuz I just don't eat fried chicken, but certainly remember its' many fans and they seem to have considerable expansion since their upstart days!

40 minutes ago, SLSD said:

Just as an example of how we are all different.  I absolutely love fried chicken but never order it on a cruise--no matter how delectable.  Why?  We live about 1/2 mile from the best fried chicken in Texas--and Texas is a fried chicken state.  We love it, but confine our ordering  for  when our sons and their families come to visit. 

 

Is Babe's still the chicken place??