kluv2cruz

22 hours ago, 3rdGenCunarder said:

But now with internet bookings up to the last minute, HAL isn't motivated to put standbys on early.

This is the answer, I think! Why give it away? There’s a chance someone may want to go on the cruise, say 6 days from sailing, and pay regular retail.

I had this last night on Crown Princess and it looked very similar to OP. Like cat irk. But, it was yummy!

On 1/31/2024 at 2:53 PM, richwmn said:

Archie's last work night on Volendam was last night. Here he is

Aw, we had him 3 different Koningsdam sailings, a year apart and really enjoyed conversations and his drinks. Thanks. Where is off to?

I’d be concerned the ground is uneven which would be freaky. But a good tour leader can choose a smooth, less pedestrian crowded route. It’s actually hard to stand that long surprisingly and that’s my memory both times I’ve done a Segway tour is that my feet and legs were exhausted! They’ll give you a quick instruction before you take off. It’s pretty easy, but, not everyone “gets” it. The last time I did this was in Seattle and we did a few hills which were a bit challenging for some (lean forward to go, back to stop)… as we’re going down the hill, this person thought leaning forwards would slow them down…. No! Opposite! Stop! Yikes! Cars! Pedestrians! 

Is this the Archie at Ocean Bar?

32 minutes ago, crystalspin said:

Almost forgot to come back to your question! Here is the outlay:

 

FANTASTIC! Thanks.

Here’s my complicated story! I followed helpful instructions in this thread and submitted 2 separate emails to reservations_submit@hollandamerica.com with proof of my AARP in 1st email and educator proof in the 2nd email.

I received confirmation email #1 within a few days, subject line “teacher status” saying I’d been awarded $100 OBC for each of my bookings for “teacher appreciation benefit”.

I received confirmation email #2 quite quickly after, subject line “member status”, and a different reference line, BUT, same wording as email #1, $100 OBC for each of my bookings for “teacher appreciation benefit”.

I don’t think there’s any way I can see my OBC but my TA was able to tell me I have $100 OBC more than I had before, for each of my bookings.

So, I’m thinking they applied the teacher appreciation benefit twice, and the 2nd time it didn’t do anything. Some of my cruises are long enough they should have received $200 AARP, which further supports my theory they tried to apply the teacher OBC twice and the AARP not at all.

I’ve re-emailed that same address and explained my theory but now haven’t heard back in a week. What phone # have folks used? 
 

Thanks for sharing all this wisdom & experience!
 

Is the AARP OBC always $200 or doesn’t it vary by length of cruise?

@OttawaJohn I’ve done this princess Hawaii cruise and it feels like a lot of sea days (which I like, and are decadent), but not enough Hawaii time. Consider a Celebrity one way cruise where you fly one way. We’ve usually done the fly to HNL, stay a few nights then board the ship and sail to multiple Hawaiian ports, then to Vancouver (RCL has done this too). Or, HAL does a there and back like this Crown that you did, only out of Vancouver and is 10 days at sea and 6 Hawaii days. Just feels like a bit more Hawaiian time. Thanks for the review! 

2 minutes ago, dmet0225 said:

I can’t read what the certification is all about.

It says participation in the parched pig brewery tour.

33 minutes ago, KmomChicago said:

Called an Aviation and it looked like a blue sky colored martini.

I had this drink on Princess and didn’t like it either. It’s gin, maraschino liqueur, bitter truth violet liqueur, lemon juice. 
 

it’s the violet that made it funky tasting for me. And sweet.

1 hour ago, TravelE said:

Is this too big?  https://www.amazon.com/Princess-Cruise-Medallion-Holder-Accessory/dp/B0C5R9ZTZS?th=1

 

 That’s what I use, tucked into my waist band. A little challenging if I wear a dress! But, with more and more needing my phone with me, so carrying a small purse, I can put little silicone medallion holder in my purse.

3 hours ago, MeganGC1983 said:

Margarita and a pornstar martini 

That caught my eye too!

29 minutes ago, richwmn said:

If you use a travel agent they will have to provide that information, and it will be the total - not broken down by type. If you booked directly with HAL or a PCC it will show on your payments page (to the best of my memory), also as a total.

 

That’s what I was remembering. Thanks very much.

1 hour ago, richwmn said:

HAL doesn't allow OBC to be used until you are aboard the ship. It's not available for booking excursions, etc, before the cruise.

 

Ah! That explains things. Do you know how I can see that I did actually receive OBC (hence the name “ON BOARD credit” hahaha)?

40 minutes ago, sid_9169 said:

"Brad" working his magic... Mines the third one from the left.

 

 

THIS reminds me of the bartender sections of “The Rosie Project” book. Fantastic and amazing!

Where do you go to see the OBC showing up? I have multiple bookings and got confirmation that it has been applied but what I assume is the AARP confirmation said “teacher appreciation benefits offer $100” (which I also applied for - received 2 emails confirming the same wording but 2 different reference #’s.) 

How many days from receiving an email confirming it’s been awarded until you can use the OBC for say an excursion? (This is what I tried to do to confirm the AARP & teacher OBC but it didn’t show up.)

Thanks!

4 hours ago, Greenpea2 said:

Excellent idea. I love pretty much any veggie nice and roasted--I make it the way you said minus lime juice. Mmmm.

Well grated lemon rind is ideal… was trying to use what was on hand 🍋🍹

6 hours ago, ninjacat123 said:

Like lime zest?

Yes

Re sad broccoli… if I can make a yummy suggestion… toss in small amount (1-2T) oil, coarse salt, maybe a bit of rind from one of your squozed limes, and roast in hot oven (375-450ish) on a cookie sheet stirring a few times for 10++ minutes to almost charred. Yum - you’ll eat the whole amount of broccoli. So good.

1 hour ago, Crew News said:

Note that each diner receives EVERYTHING on the menu.  Giant sampler plate.  An enjoyable experience but very filling.

Any idea of cost?

I see Oosterdam for Dec 2025 but no other HAL sailings. When are other ships/itineraries released?

20 hours ago, POA1 said:

My thoughts on the Club Orange thing, part three-ish:

 

On nights that are not dressy nor Culinary Council nights, Club Orange gets an extra entrée. The standard Club Orange dinner menu has, in addition to the extra entrée, a seared tuna & shaved asparagus salad and Beecher's Mac & Cheese.

 

The tuna looked good, but we did not have the opportunity to try it. We did, however, add the mac & cheese as a shared course on the last night of our cruise.

 

 

It has an excellent reputation. This reputation is well-deserved. The dish has a creamy sharpness that sets it apart from your run of the mill cheesy pasta.

 

You can find Beecher's Mac and Cheese in the Lido as well. You might want to give it a try if you come across it. (Hint, hint.)

Tuna is FANTASTIC. Beechers Mac & cheese is a different yummyness in CO. We tried it in MDR and it wasn’t creamy and yummy and perfect hot temperature. Not worth having there. Completely worth having in CO. And, the breakfast bread pudding in CO on Koningsdam was… holy wow, amazing. 
 

Thanks for a fun trip blog!

23 minutes ago, NCTribeFan said:

 

I had 6112 and 6127 next door on Rotterdam.  Sideways in the little connecting hall.

 

Nice cabins except the tv is 90 degrees from the bed, making it difficult to watch for any length of time.  And, yep, appears I booked 6112 for Hawaii.  I'm thinking I should change to a "regular" inside cabin.  It's not that I spend much time in the cabin, especially if the weather's decent out.  But I was in the cabin quite a bit for the TA/Scandinavia/Scotland sailing and the location of the tv was annoying.

 

Any recommendations for interior cabins would be great!  I want a quite location, midship.  Yeah, I'm kind of picky! 😁

I asked on here awhile ago about bigger than regular i/s cabins and folks replied to consider 1001-1012 which are single OV, or i/s 5108, 5125, 6112, 6127 (that’s one you mentioned), 7104, 7097. Not 8th floor as noisy. No personal experience with these.

On 12/10/2023 at 6:25 AM, Haljo1935 said:

There is a bread pudding on the CO breakfast menu - yummy!

It is DECADENT - if made & served right… one time was super amazing. Another time was so so. Very rich.

21 hours ago, DeeniEncinitas said:

Absolutely SeaView Bar!!! 

Do they use real glasses or are they plastic?