Petronillus

By your logic, the OP was selfish for not being willing to share the space in front of her. Remember, per party had claimed their placed three hours earlier and had been waiting since. The usurper did not ask if OP minded, and responded to OP's objection with, in effect, "It must suck to be you." That's the kind of altercation that leads to barroom brawls. You and I will never agree on this, I fear, but yes, I do think calling Security would have been appropriate.

The OP has a valid complaint, which ought not be belittled. According to you, the remedy for rudeness is self-help, which in a civilized society should be a last resort. When the crew on site failed to intervene, the OP should have been able to have the crew call for Security.

OP's icon identifies her home as Washington State. Are there other states named Washington outside the USA?

Ship happens.

Who's making a mountain out of a molehill? @electro asked a question about limits, if any, on the free laundry perq. I responded with something I've wondered about. Shame on me for wondering? If you two live in a world without jerks, and you never have to look out for mischief-makers, then I envy you.

I don't want to put limits on the human capacity for jerkiness. But I'm thinking of the "Peel me a grape" mentality. Three bags a day, with 2-3 items per bag? At what point does HAL have to say, "Let's be reasonable about this"?

Interesting question. I've often wondered how HAL handles the jerk who abuses the perq out of gratuitous malevolence.

It's a lucky day when you hit 4 stars and land on Free Laundry!

This whole post is enlightening but the last point made in the first paragraph grabbed my attention. I have sometimes thanked young adults and parents who bring their young children for lowering the average age, for the benefit of all. Is that snarky? I hope not, but if it is I'll retire it to the home for off-the-mark jokes. When an executive was being transferred from the New York office to the LA office, the senior-most executive remarked, in the toast he offered at the farewell reception, that the move was going to have a positive effect on the average IQ of the executive teams at both offices.

A few cruises back the CD hosted a movie in the World Stage covering the operating infrastructure of the ship. One section focused on the ship's water purification system -- how water is produced and delivered on board the ship. The upshot is the water coming out of the tap is the cleanest and purest we'll encounter anywhere. Since then I've stopped ordering distilled water for my cpap machine while cruising, but still use it at home.

On one of our recent cruises, the CD presented a movie covering the operating infrastructure of the ship. One section had to do with the water purification process, production, and delivery. I was so impressed that since then, unlike when at home, I no longer bother with distilled water for my cpap machine while onboard. It's odd, though, that up until this thread it's never occurred to me to fill my water bottle from our cabin's own water supply.

On at least two of our cruises, when I asked for water at the bar (w/ HIA) I was invariably given Perrier bottles, which were just fine. IIRC, they had an eccentric size (at least, not to US standards). 10 ounces? 300 grams? Again my recollection is fuzzy but I may have been requesting carbonated water. What I clearly remember is thinking that Perrier was a nice touch.

Excellent observation, which, in answer to the OP's query, makes me think I'd prefer westbound. Makes me think of what we experienced flying non-stop between Chicago and Hong Kong on our Asia Collector cruise. Outbound we left Chicago mid-afternoon on Thursday and landed in Hong Kong at 8:30 pm Friday. Returning we left Hong Kong at 12:30 pm and go home at 1 o'clock. Longest half hour of my life.

I second that emotion. @NCTribeFan weighed in with his/her opinion and I'm happy that @FlaMariner piped up with the opposite view. On our Asia Collector cruise last February on Westerdam, we were treated to the incomparable Krista Meadows performing solo. DW & I were fans (but not fanatics). She had both the vocal and piano skills to make soloing work. Second highest high point of the cruise. (The highest was getting to see Mount Fuji on a clear day in all its glory.)

In addition: When the Lincoln Center association was first established, each ship was equipped -- at no doubt great expense -- with Steinway grand pianos. Now that classical music is being re-introduce, albeit not under the Lincoln Center brad, I assume that those Steinways are again being put to good use. On our last cruise (Westerdam) it was tucked away, lock and under wraps, in the slightly elevated stage side of the Explorers Lounge. This is just another grouse that HAL cut off the Lincoln Center Stage performances without having the foresight to plug the classical music hole that was left. Not the best/smartest management decision.

Actually, if the silly one were striving for correct grammar, he/she would have said, "POA1 likes to drink only with friends." How very subtle. Query: Would the confusion be allayed with use of the Oxford comma? or compounded? "We enjoy traveling, dining, and drinking with friends." Years ago, the widow of an automotive titan bequeathed a very large sum of money to the City of Detroit that she directed be used for "a fountain in the park at the foot of Woodward Avenue." When the fountain was built the residuary heirs objected on the grounds that the fountain, while built in the park, was not built at the foot of Woodward. An English professor from the University of Michigan testified as an expert that the absence of a comma preceding the modifier "at the foot of Woodward" meant that it referred to the park and not to the fountain. The city won. The heirs lost.

This thread is giving me a better appreciation for inside cabins. I may have to give it another try. I didn't understand about "J" and "K" categories. I'm grateful to y'all.

On our 28-day Westerdam Asia Collector last February we were treated to the entertainment mastery of Krista Meadows playing and singing solo in the Billboard Onboard lounge. If I could I would schedule a cruise just to coincide with her schedule.

We have always welcomed another couple, previously unknown to us, to join us while Lido-ing (?) and when pressed for space have frequently asked another couple for permission to join them. We've yet to have a bad experience. Sometimes conversation is hindered by a language barrier but most often we have a great time. It's easy to strike up a conversation, even for an introvert. For example, where is home for you? how did you reach [the port of embarkation]? have you cruised before? on HAL? By that time the ball is rolling.

What is your objective? Up to now I thought you were considering two either/or options. Do you take an inside cabin for 14 days or, for roughly the same price, a verandah cabin for 7 days? Now it appears that you're just looking for some dedicated place to hang out outside your inside cabin. The Retreat is secluded and comes with butler-like service but, like the verandah, is exposed to the elements. The Lido is exposed yet sheltered from the elements; it spares you the frustration of contending with the poolside chair hogs. Have you looked into an Ocean View cabin?

The weather in and along Alaska is mercurial. Friends sailed in August and had to dress in cold-weather gear and fight snow/sleet combinations on deck. DW & I went in May and it was gloriously dry and warm for the whole 7 days. BUT whale sightings were few and far between.

Do three weeks out of service and an $8 million budget represent more than a usual interim drydock? I'd appreciate hearing from some of the veterans/experts.

I think the best tip you've gotten was from @Stpatsirish: Book the 14-day inside cabin and go for a cabana (if any is still available at this point). You mention that both you choices are approximately equal in price; if cost is a significant factor, you'll likely be busting your budget on the cabana. DW & I tried an inside cabin only once. I just found perpetual nighttime was not to my liking. Let me pass along a useful tip I got from CC. In addition to the usual nightlights, get yourself an illuminated alarm clock that simulates dawn by progressively glowing for the hour before the alarm is set. Invariably, however, the cabin stewards disconnected it so that I had to reset it every single evening. (File that last comment away under "First World Problems.")

I'm guessing that OP just didn't want to pile on. IIRC from the lengthy thread that @FlorenceItaly was kind enough to link to, the upshot is that in the fullness of time (which may be as long as 6 weeks, per HAL Ts&Cs and/or policies/procedures/protocols), a $600 credit will appear on your statement for the credit card on file for that cruise. Ship happens.

To @flyboyswife; Thanks for starting this thread. I have enjoyed the conversation. By leaving out the details, you've given leave for folks to share all kinds of reminiscences. Notably, nobody has mentioned any misfortunes. I'm sure there have been some, but sometimes people don't like to dredge up bad memories. Kudos to you for making the most of three-generation togetherness! On the other hand, if you do still have unanswered questions, maybe a few more details would be useful. Is it a 7-day cruise or longer? Is it, as has been assumed, on the NS? What's the itinerary? How many ports of call, how many sea days? What are your cabin arrangements for your three separate groupings? Are the two 17yos g/g, b/b, b/g? I myself have just two suggestions to add: * Try the sting ray excursion on HMC. It's relatively inexpensive. The handlers are personable and top-notch. The sting rays are glorious -- not just tame, but personalities like dogs, amazingly smooth to the touch, and larger/heavier than I expected. I bet not many hs seniors come back from Xmas vacation with that story to tell. * You're sinking a ton of money into this adventure. If the budget allows, I suggest springing for the nonalcoholic beverage package for the teenagers. I join the others who have asked you to report back afterwards, when you're still basking in the pleasant afterglow. Best wishes!