Shmoo here

6 minutes ago, Ipeeinthepools said:

The dueling piano players were the best entertainment onboard.

Apparently, not always.  Sometimes the personalities clashed making for not a good show.

1 hour ago, ontheweb said:

Yes, I am sure most if not all of us, look for the number of hours since we read last as the starting point to begin checking out which threads might be of interest. That was lost in the experimental layout of the forum.

I just click on the "go to first unread post" on any given thread.

22 minutes ago, PhillyTravelBug said:

If I read correctly, it's like old school tipping with the envelopes handed to cast members?

You will receive a coupon sheet and envelopes in your room.  The sheet has the person/job/amount of gratuity in separate tear apart sections.  You put the coupon in the matching envelope and hand them out.

Or not.

The actual handing of envelopes give you a way to say thanks/goodbye in person, but if you don't give them the envelopes the proper people will still receive the indicated gratuities.

2 hours ago, Honolulu Blue said:

My question is how often does this happen on cruises?  I've done 27 cruises so far, including this one.  Was I overdue?  Or did I just get unlucky?

Don't know how often it happens, but it happens.  Our only experience was accompanied by the ship's horn alert at 3 am one night.  Announcement was "get dressed and wait in room for further info". I'll just add we were out at sea on a South Pacific cruise.

We waited about 1/2 hour before being told we could return to bed.  Also told us it was a fire incident in the engine room.

47 minutes ago, ldubs said:

 

I'm surprised. I thought one of the things that are commonly allowed are baked goods.  I have to wonder why the ship would care.   Recently I brought a bag of scones thru US customs.  They could have cared less.   

I have no idea.  Maybe the shoreside personnel were feeling nasty that day.  Generally I'd think, since the donuts were commercially sold, they'd be OK.  That said, they weren't "sealed"  So who knows?

12 minutes ago, Aquahound said:

and the test failed.  

Well, we hope it failed.  Hopefully the powers that be have made that decision.

2 hours ago, leaveitallbehind said:

Very nice.  Thanks to the mods for listening and returning to the old format - at least IMO.

🤸‍♀️ Yay!!!!

Only answer I can give is that I know that when we stopped in San Francisco on a west coast cruise to Alaska, someone was not allowed to bring onboard the dozen fresh donuts (in their pretty pink box) they had purchased.  They were told they could eat them or throw them away.

9 hours ago, Davechipp74 said:

Why would you eat at those places when traveling?  

Because, after 20+ days cruising, I just wanted a McDonalds burger.

For the most part, I'm in favor of the single piano format.  We did 2 cruises that had the dual piano format - one the 2 players worked well together, the other they both seemed to be trying to be the only player and didn't mesh well together.

I think, if you want a cohesive act, they should put 2 players together that have worked with each other for some time.  

Don't like it, AT ALL.  I was unable to be online for the last week.  When I click on what appears to be a new thread, I'm taken to the most recent post on this new format. l'd like to read it from the beginning.....

20 minutes ago, Jaylie said:

How do we request to be seated at a table for 2 each night.

Have the request placed on your reservation.  Be aware, there no actual 2 person tables.  If you get one, it will be a 4 top with only 2 places set.

Also, it's just a request, and DCL cannot guarantee all (or any) such requests will be honored.

18 hours ago, oldmancurtis said:

Hi we have never cruised disney. so how much are the tips and do they have a drink pacge like royal

No hard liquor packages, but there are wine packages.  And a couple of beer specials.

Gratuities: (automatically added to your onboard account) $14.50 per guest per day total. The $14.50 breaks out to Room Host ($4.75), Dining Room Server ($4.75), Assistant Server ($3.75) and Head Server ($1.25).

2 hours ago, islandwoman said:

Does anyone have a clue about whether Holland America will be sailing a Grand Africa Voyage out of Ft. Lauderdale in the fall of 2025?

This thread talking about Africa cruise rumors is recent:

22 minutes ago, CarolynFH said:

Let me tack onto this thread - what about sparkling water, like Perrier? Is that available in the bars and restaurants? Is there a charge in either place?

The bottled water they have onboard is Dasani in aluminum bottles.  And has a cost.  I'm fairly certain that sparkling water also has a charge, but I don't know the brand.

21 minutes ago, OttawaJohn said:

Thanks all.  The drinks thing is bizarre but maybe it's to keep the bar service focused on alcohol?

 

Can you get water for free from the bars?

Sorry, don't know that answer.  I also want to point out you can bring your own soft drinks onboard (no limit, except what you can carry, as it must be brought onboard with your carry on bags, not checked).  

2 hours ago, OttawaJohn said:

Hi everyone

 

We've only sailed with Disney once and it was years ago and we can't figure a few things out. 

 

We are sailing on the Fantasy in August.

 

1-WiFi.  Is there free WiFi on the ship?  If not, where/how do you buy an internet package if you want?  I can't seem to find anything on the reservation where I can add it.

 

2-Sodas.  Finding this odd and wondering if I am misreading it.  It says that soft drinks are available at the refill stations for free but if you get one at a bar, you get charged?  Is that right?  How does that make sense?  If it's true, is there a drink package you can get that lets you get it shipwide free?

 

Thanks in advance!

As noted, you purchase the WiFi once at the port/onboard.

Yes, there are drink stations on the pool deck and in the buffet.  Those are "free".  You fill your cup (provided at the drink station) whenever you like.  Sodas are also "free" when ordered in the dining rooms.  If you order a soda from a lounge/bar, from a poolside server, or room service there is a charge.  There are no soda packages like on other cruise lines.  Drink stations have sodas, coffee, tea, hot chocolate and water.

7 minutes ago, ontheweb said:

And then someone suggested also looking at other cruise lines. I agreed and said I also just got an e-mail ad from Gate 1 that included what we were looking for.

 

DW suggested March, and I was looking at March next year, but then she wanted March this year. And today I booked for us a Gate 1 river cruise March this year!

 

Since I looked and there is basically nothing in the river cruise section, does anyone know the dress code for river cruises, specifically from Gate 1?

I would expect that information could be found on their own website. 

But, I don't understand the "there is basically nothing in the river cruise section"  comment.  If you go to the River Cruising forum and search for Gate 1, you'll  get several hits.  Maybe one of those will have the information you are looking for.

We found on our river cruises (on another line) that there wasn't really a dress code.  Generally Smart Casual would fit.  I also had a semi-dressy skirt/blouse for fancier dinners onboard.

16 hours ago, oakridger said:

Has it ever happened in the history of Holland America Line?  Maybe

Happened to us.  We were upgraded from an oceanview to an verandah about a month before our cruise once.

2 hours ago, teacher1977 said:

Has anyone booked Concierge 1 Bedroom suites #8032, 8034, 8532, or 8534 on the Disney Wonder?  I am looking for Concierge rooms that would hold 2 adults and 2 elementary aged children.  From what I can see the Concierge 1 Bedroom Suites have a pulldown bed in addition to the sofa and a regular bed.  My preference would be to have the pull down bed in the same room as the sofa (living room) so the children would be in the living room and the adults could have the bedroom.  It appears that many of the rooms have the pulldown bed in the bedroom.  If anyone has information and pictures of the actual floor plans and is willing to share that would be wonderful.  Thanks!

If you do a search for Disney Wonder Room Reviews you'll find a good site for such information.

Also, the DCL website has pictures of the various staterooms.  That could be helpful.

22 minutes ago, choochella said:

We have a cruise coming up soon in which our passports will expire 4 months beyond this cruise. After reading the cruise contract from our TA, it states that passports should be valid for 6 months beyond the date of the start of the cruise. This is a closed loop cruise, therefore starting and ending in the U.S.  

 

My question, how strict are either Caribbean countries or the cruise lines with enforcing this rule? 

If a specific country requires a 6 month left on passport for entering, then it's quite likely you may not be allowed to board.  It's not the cruise line that's requiring the 6 months, it's a country specific requirement.

You need to check the specific countries that you will be visiting for their restrictions.

You say "it states that passports should be valid for 6 months beyond the date of the start of the cruise."  The operative word is "should".  It could just be the TA's policy to make such a statement.

12 minutes ago, helby said:

This was included in an email received today from my TA

 

 

IMPORTANT MESSAGE FROM HOLLAND AMERICA LINE

Beginning on February 01, 2024, the daily Crew Appreciation fee will be $17 for Inside, Oceanview and Verandah staterooms and $19 for suites. The existing 18% service charge on optional purchases such as dining and drinks will remain unchanged.

Boy, I'm glad we reserved our HIA cruise with the gratuities included.

1 minute ago, Tim Cruise said:

I assume there must be a shuttle company? I know I could Uber but maybe a more affordable option? 

 

Can I rent a car then drop off car at the ship terminal?

Most cruise lines have a shuttle option.  Have you checked with yours?

The car rental places are in town, not at the port.  You'd drop off car there and take their shuttle to the port.

8 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

sometimes google doesn't work - but good luck

Actually I said Google, but I meant Chrome. 😕

9 minutes ago, The-Inside-Cabin said:

Chrome is your browser - try this 

 

Go to settings

 

Then reset settings

 

Then press Reset Settings

 

 

Then restart your computer

 

If that doesn't work - download Microsoft edge and try that browser

 

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/edge/download?form=MA13FJ

 

 

 

 

 

I appreciate the help you're offering.  Up to this point I've not had to actually change anything that you've suggested.  I'll talk to my husband about this latest suggestion when he returns.  

BTW, I also have Edge on my computer, but I'm really comfortable with Google so that's what I use.