Koshlong

I don't know about price changes, but if you really don't like your room assignment, I'd call Carnival myself and ask about an upsell. If you used a TA, he/she probably has to make the call.

We really enjoyed the "lolos" in St. Martin. They're so busy that the food doesn't have a chance to sit around.

This is really going to be fun. We do a reasonable bit of small boating here in the summer and K will enjoy the Whaler. Maybe we can get some people from our roll call to join us.

Again, thanks

Thanks! Do you have any suggestions about a good place to get a pickup lunch?

Incidentally, I have NO idea where the heading "Jail" came from in my first message.:o

Jail

Hi! We'll be visiting Hamilton on the Veendam next spring and we'd like to rent a boat for a few hours. I've read about several places nearer the Dockyard,but am wondering if they'd be the best bets for us.

If so, what's the best way to get there?

If not, where would you suggest?

Thanks, Marnie.

A few years ago I was on board for our Canadian Thanksgiving and I felt honour bound to order Turkey etc., but other entrees looked more interesting. I asked if they could do an appetizer-sized plate of the traditional stuff and I was served "the works" on the smaller plate.

I'm beginning to feel like a kid in a candy store! The choices are close to mind-boggling. I really appreciate all the help and information. I'm also just learning to use an IPad keyboard. It's kind of fun!

Thanks!

Okay, I have to ask....what is a cowboy steak? Maybe it's a Canada-US terminology thing, or maybe I'm just not up on my steaks? Actually I prefer roast beef & Yorkshire pudding, but my husband would't agree!

Sadly, the porterhouse has been removed and replaced by the cowboy steak.

Oh my! You've given me so much to consider. I knew I'd get good answers here, but your information is amazing. Thank you so much.

I must admit that the "Castles on the Rhine" idea is my head too. Now I've got more companies to investigate as well.

I'm sure you'll soon hear from me with more specific questions.

Thanks again.

Although we've cruised a fair bit, mostly on HAL, we've just started to think about river cruising. We'd probably try a European one to start with.

I've browsed the websites of Viking, Uniworld, AMA, and Avalon, ordered and read a guidebook on river cruising...and I really don't know what to do next.

I'd love some ideas on how to decide on a line, a ship, and an itinerary. I think the itinerary is going to be the easiest part.

Can you please share with me some of the "getting started" information you/ve picked up?

Thanks in advance

Smoking is no longer allowed on Lower Promenade Deck.

You should have no problem sitting outside your lanai cabin.

Thanks, RuthC, that's all I wanted to know.

I've followed the smoking discussions but really haven't taken part until now, when I have a question I haven't seen.

We've booked a Lanai cabin to Bermuda. What is the situation about smoking outside these cabins?

Hi, Jacqui

We've got two trips booked (big smile):

March 6 Zuiderdam Southern Caribbean/Panama Canal partial transit

and

June 6 Veendam Bermuda.

I'm looking forward to seeing them creep closer and closer.

Thanks for doing this!

I suspect that one reason for the price of Bermuda cruises is that the casino stays closed while in port. Then, too, there aren't that many cruises that go there, so there's limited competition to keep prices down.

You can order from the Dining Room on HAL, regardless of the cabin category...........wonder why not on RCI?

If you live where it gets cold you might be interested in the "thrummed mittens". They're woolen knit mittens with sheep's fleece knit into the stitches. Unfortunately, I learned how to knit them and now people won't let me stop!

We did an overnight visit to Fuerte Amador on our Veendam SA relocation cruise a couple of years ago..............we did a waterfall climb and a visit to an Embera village.

You can rent a golf cart from Nathan and tour the island on your own. It feels very safe!

I don't think it includes the casino.

What is a Ruby Murray?

Cockney rhyming slang for "curry", I believe.:)

Definitely a longer one! When you live as far from cruise ports as we do it's the only way to make it worthwhile.

That's it exactly, Seafoam. I'm used to HAL and I'm surprised at how hard it is to step out of the "envelope".

Pam, thanks for the info. That's just the sort of information I'm looking for.

I wish the Coral Princess itinerary included Princess Cays. I'm really a sucker for private islands.

Thanks, BananaAnna, for finding the link and thanks, Pia, for writing the review. I've now got good information to work with.

Thanks for all your help. I did a full transit on Veendam a few years ago and really enjoyed the open bow and the other forward facing areas. I also like HMC and Curacao. I've always liked the HAL product, but sort of feel that I should have something to compare it to.

I think I'll have to be doing more research.

And I really wish spellcheck would giving me error messages whenever I type in the name of a Dam ship!