SilvertoGold

Have done this one many times, 16 to 18 days R/T Vancouver and found the 5 days back were very relaxing, a time to decompress after 5 or 6 days straight in Hawaii. The two Hawaii cruises we did this year were a bit different because those days back did not have quite as much going on, few fewer classes, etc, but still lots to do if you that way inclined. Food on these cruises did not include a lot of repeats (as Alaska does, week after week!) Agree with Crystalspin, you should be fine. I would suggest you make reservations for any specialty restaurants early on because a lot of pax use those final days to "dine out" and reservations can sometimes be hard to come by. Enjoy your cruise!

Hmm. You haven't seen my HAL photos! Even when we board at home port, 45 minutes door to gangplank, I look like hell. I don't care, as long as they can identify me :) Thanks for the totally legitimate explanation!!

I can't figure out why bother adding a photo to the app. HAL can take an embarkation photo as usual.

Absolutely if you want USD

I can get in now and see my booked flight, but how do you see the flight schedules to determine if the pricing has changed?

In Canadian dollars, too. HAL exchange is $1.30 , my bank $1,36. On a longer cruise this adds up.

Do you remember the pricing?

This is appalling! Your attitude is that of a saint. Lucky for FE, not so great for you!

I am assuming you must be well past final payment and that makes a big difference. I don't think you can change with Flexible or Restricted without major penalties at this time. What does your TA say? I hope more savvy cruisers help you out with good info!

Tamarind had the Rijstaffel, not the MDR, on the Koningsdam. Your info is very welcome. Concerning the Indian menu: you can order any degree of spice you wish.

I would have to pay $1.365 right now, at the bank for USD. Did not mean to compare the rates, just that HAL has had a very low rate lately.

Koningdam had this in October and it was a VERY popular evening.

I am pleased that the Rotterdam has crossword puzzles readily available. On the Koningsdam you had to go to the Front Desk for them. In April, May, October there were usually long lines and they refused to set out some copies, so a long wait to get them most days. When asked why, they said "Covid restrictions" but there were the Future Cruise Consultant's paper brochures, Hotel Manager's paper feedback forms in piles all withing 10 feet of the Front Desk. I never figured out what was so different about the crosswords!

HAL is charging CND $1.30 for the exchange right now, up from $1.24 A good deal for Canadians to prepay some items like gratuities, specialty dining, etc.

Exactly. If not the correct date of disembarkation on your room card, then talk to the Front Desk and make sure they realize.

I prune some of the flowers out and make sure the water is kept topped up. 13 days is very good!

Love it! Really beautiful. I have found the tall arrangements in the large vases don't last nearly as well as the smaller, flatter arrangements, as pictured.

Trays in hallways: agree, an annoying thing. Our experience is that when you call, they don't arrive very quickly most times to pick them up.. If you leave the cabin, they can't get in to pick up your tray without the room steward letting them in. So, sometimes the tray sits in your cabin for quite while. And the room stewards don't think it is their job to take the trays, although some will do it on turn-down.

I have used the Princess website to browse flights and it is really good and easy to use, but have found that HAL Flightease can be a bit more expensive.

No problem at all. Have a great time!

Perfect!

If OP does cruise HAL, I would recommend the the Pinnacle class ships and an FA family cabin. Very roomy and the half bathroom is a really nice extra addition. The ton of storage space might come in handy, too,

Not at this time. Hope it does eventually :)

This year we noticed over several cruises that the waiters and room stewards were not seeming to expect or hint at extra tips as they were pre-pandemic. Maybe they are satisfied with the tipping program now? I wonder if the Black Friday-like promos that include tips in your booking is considered a good thing for them.

Ah , but did she know there used to be chocolates in the Explorer's Lounge in the evenings?