debcruising

Ruth, thanks for the hints. On the NA I was on last week, I split the cost of the 2 for $20 T-shirts with a guy who was asking everyone if they just wanted one T. So I can do this at the K-Dam too for the Thermal Spa. Happy Cruising!!

Hi all, I'll be sailing solo on the K'dam 12/20-12/27. Does anyone know if they sell Solo Thermal Spa passes? And if so, what the price is for a single? Thanks in advance and happy sailing!

I agree with BlizzardBoy, I'm just off the NA on 11/25 and the public restrooms are spotless. It seemed every time I used one, there was an attendant either leaving or just entering. And they have real cloth towels, automatic faucets and a friendly reminder posted to "open the door with a towel." You will have no issues. The attendants always have gloves on too. Happy travels.

Just got off the NA on 11/25 and the Daily "When and Where" did list Mah Jongg and Bridge sessions that were held.

I had to go to the Naughty room once while sailing on the Nieuw Amsterdam -- As I waited in line, I noticed I was the only one not called-in for NOT trying to smuggle liquor. My sister-in-law convinced me that they would let us have our iron. Wrong! And I tried to tell her we were in the Neptune Suites, we wouldn't need an iron, but I gave in. Live and learn. We did get the iron back at the end of the cruise along with a big red face of embarrassment when I went to retrieve it.

NC, thank you so much for posting your recent K'dam cruise experience! I sail on her 12/20 as a solo and it was nice to get a feel of what to expect. Thanks for the great photos of the ship, it will help me get my bearings. Glad too that the Trivia is in full swing. They are little meet-and-greets every day that I enjoy! Happy travels! Also, loved the photo of the Celebrity Eclipse as I sail on her TA Miami to Dublin in April to celebrate my Retirement

Thanks for the info! It's a nice day here in South Florida, after days and days of rain!! Happy Sailing everyone!

Guys, in reading this thread, with so much valuable information, I see why CC is the place check out all things CRUISING! My Tampa 02/04/18 cruise on HAL Rotterdam is just a drive from the Florida's East Coast for me. But I am parking my car at the pre-cruise hotel, so I hope they know to check first if the ship arrives back on time in order to pick me up That is something I need verify with them! THANKS EVERYONE. Happy Travels!

Antarctica is still on our bucket list. It's strange but our bucket list seems to be getting longer not shorter. Oh well some day.

Allan

I can sympathize with you. I've just purchased a bigger bucket!!

Krazy Kruizers, I was on the Eurodam for Thanksgiving last year and they served the processed Turkey. On the 3 Thanksgiving Cruises, I did not see the Pecan Pie, but I will look for it on the NA next week!! Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Thanks everyone for the confirmation, sad at it is. Looks like I will need to pace myself as my beach lounger calls to me! On the upside, the cruise calls on Amber Cove the next day! Happy Travels, fellow cruisers!

In the Turks & Caicos, where HAL docks, do they have Bicycle Carriages available that pedal people down the long pier? (I've just seen photos and do remember them in Amber Cove, DR.)

That little beach right by the dock is my favorite spot on the entire cruise. Just seeing the ship from the shore is almost heaven. It's just I still have limited walking due to a total knee replacement. Thanks in advance for the replies and Happy Travels!

Last Nov on the K the Team Trivia varied between 3:30 and 5:00. I think that's far too popular an activity for HAL to dare eliminate it! :) Pub Trivia or the BBC Trivia From Earth was at 6:45 each day.

Thanks! I appreciate the response. Glad you agree with me that Team Trivia (I forgot the name, thanks for reminding) is a "keeper."

Can anyone just off the NA or K’dam let me knowif they still offer Group Trivia for this Caribbean season? Maybe Trivia has been moved from the Crow’s Nestor even eliminated. (NO!)

IMHO, Trivia is one of the best group activitiesHAL offers. It’s like a “Meet and Greet” every day. It still makes me laugh that on one cruise, I had to “audition” to join a group by answering some questions– (Luckily, I passed and yes, we did win a few times!)

If Trivia is still offered, what times were they usually scheduled? Also, what about the Pub Trivia? Is that still on the schedule? Thanks in advance for all your responses! My upcoming cruises are NA 11/18 and K’dam 12/20. Happy Travels!

We had a standard veranda cabin on the NA last week. My wife has a very lightweight (35 pound) collapsible scooter, TravelScoot. She had no issues when she used it on the ship or getting on/off

Thanks for info MVPinBoynton! My scooter does come apart but is a bit bigger and heavier and I just keep it at work.

As for the cruise, I just rather take it with me, as I ALWAYS seem to be a casualty of Murphy's Law! I see your name says "Boynton". I live near the Boynton Beach mall!

I agree 100% - that is the reason that we are 100% loyal HAL cruisers and will remain so, as long as HAL continues to have a Roman Catholic priest on every one of its cruises. To insure that HAL continues this practice, I urge all who value it to (1) tell HAL how important the Cruise Ship Priest Program is to you via e-mails, letters and your cruise survey responses, and (2) make financial contributions to Apostleship of the Sea - USA (http://www.aos-usa.org/), which provides all of the cruise ship priests to HAL and handles all recruitment, vetting, scheduling and logistical support.

Avian777, thank you for your post! The reason I sail HAL is because attending Mass helps me to be who I am. Thanks for the link to the organization. As I do give tithes during the cruise, having the website allows me to not only thank them for coordinating it all, but a chance to donate again as well. Happy Travels!

I agree with most posters, bring your own music. It solves both the preferred choice of music and the volume!

Once on a Ruby Princess cruise with my 95 year old aunt, we were spending our days at one of the tables by the pool, playing cards and scrabble. She loves to people watch!! But one day, when they were playing both a movie and music, it drowned out our own thoughts.

Thanks so much for your comprehensive cruise review! - I sail the NA 11/18 and your photos are wonderful. Now I can plan my route through the buffet. The menus make my mouth water!!

Thanks too for one of the great tips about putting a key card into a slot by the door to keep the electricity on. I am so doing that! I really appreciated your review and photos. The descriptive writings and photo editing demonstrate to all of us that you really enjoy what you do! Happy travels!

Thanks! We're definitely concerned about how it's going to work. Fortunately he's ambulatory and the scooter disassembles, so hopefully the worst case scenario is that we get even better and taking it apart and putting it back together. We'll be like a pit crew by the end of the week. :')

Thanks for the good wishes. I keep my scooter at work, and have had other people put it together for me. My nephew will be with me and he will get the "Scooter Assembly 101 Class" from one of my co-workers! And I'll learn it as well as I have a Solo Christmas Cruise on the K'dam 12/20.

Thanks Pearlieq

- I will bring the checkered flag! I can't believe our cruise is 5 days away! So much to do and so little time! It may be a big ship, but I know we will see each other around!

Thanks for posting. I am glad that the deputies will be all right. Although the ship was delayed, I am glad to know the Coast Guard inspected the damage. They were looking out for the ship and all who sail in her.

Can't believe were almost half way through November! Feb 24th will be here before we blink! Who else is going on the Flower Power 2018 Cruise!? It will be my first "themed" cruise and all those 60's bands and songs will bring back many memories.

Can anyone who was on the cruise last year - let me know if the bands will do meet and greets!

Thanks - and keep rocking!

Three months isn't long enough. By six months you will be much happier about your decision to have knee replacement surgery. Truly, it only gets better.

Ruth, thank you so much for your reply and all the hints for easier negotiation on the ship!! Scooter model is a Bobcat x3 - midsize model I'd call it. I will be sure and pace myself so that I can attend Muster. I'm thinking of getting a back-up horn on it so I don't run anyone over.

Take care and I always read your posts as they are so informative!

Krazy Kruizer, thanks, I just told my roommate the scooter it's going to be "our third wheel" Better safe than sorry.

Honestly, if I had Googled all that a knee replacement entailed, I probably would not have done it! My response to the surgeon would have been, "You're kidding, you are going to do what!?"

How nice to see the K'dam and the W'dam sitting all pretty under the bright, Florida sun! Thanks for posting!!