hmh

Hi, WE were on the Noordam last week, for the NZ/AU cruise and they have no self-service laundry. However, they had an offer of using the provided laundry bag, stuffed as full as you could get it, for only $20 US. .Even got my husband's wash slacks in to it. We tried it and it was fine, tho, I don't think they separate the colors, wash the whole bag at once. Came back on the same evening. We would do it again, but the whites were a bit dingy. Cheers. HMH:)

A poster above said that an EU device, for charging, is similar to an AU device. The charging device I have to use for AU/NZ, which is labeled as such, has slanted prongs, not straight ones. That would make some difference when using it. Do make sure you have the correct thing. Cheers. hmh:)

Interested in your comments on the White Bay Ferry. We will debark from a cruise there on Feb. 28. When I read about the ferry, it sounded a good idea, as we will stay 3 nights in Sydney. However, when I read the description of how to get from there to Circular Key, via the ferry, it did not sound so easy. And in inclement weather, it would be worse.

On another Forum, people have suggested pre-booking a shuttle, or standing in the taxi line. Prebooking sounds "iffy" since who knows how long before we get off. Would like to hear comments from anyone who has done so, or has waited to get a taxi to the CBD. Any comments are welcome, especially if you have actually berthed at WBT and "know the ropes!" Cheers. hmh:):)

Great picture of the Purell product. You can probably get the holders in various color holders to match your travel outfits; and they occasionally put them out in various scents. The small ones are refillable, which makes them handy to have in every purse or coat pocket. Enough Said!!!HMH:)

In regard to the Hand Sanitizer that come in a "thingie" to hook it on to your jacket, etc, I was thinking of the Purell Brand, but I have also seen similar at Bath & Body Works, if that's in Au/NZ. I think you can also find them In the "Travel Stuff" bins at grocery/pharmacy stores. The "WET ONES

sheets come in a pack of about 15 and there are also the small, handy wipes that are in about 2x2 packets in boxes of 50s or so.

This topic has been very interesting and I'm sure there are lots more "I Should Have" ideas floating (no pun intended) around this forum . Cheers!:D hmh

I don't think I saw them mentioned but small and medium clear plastic

baggies can come in handy. Esp. if you need to put ice cubes on a sprain, a cut, or a bite.

Hand Sanitizer in a bottle that is sold with a plastic carrying case, that can be attached to purse/belt/whatever, that keeps it right at hand, when you are out on excursions.

In some countries, I have carried toilet seat covers, where that amenity is not available or not a usual thing. TP in a small roll is also nice to have, in some areas, and "Kleenex" tissues are always a good choice, esp. where laundries are not available on the ship. Cheers! hmh:):)

Thanks for the information. It is certainly more than I've found elsewhere. The info that I'd found earlier was from 2013-14, so I was not sure whether it was accurate in 2016 for 2017. How are shuttles pre-booked? I've discovered several on the Net for Sydney. Is it the same with taxis? On all of our other Holland AMerica cruises, there were always tons of taxis at the dock, but some posts I've read, make it sound like taxis are limited. Walking to the public bus sound like quite a distance, also. Thanks for any more information. hmh

We are planning a cruise that will end in Sydney, AU at the White Bay Terminal. The only information I can find about this terminal, is that it is not close to any public transportation, there are few, if any, shuttle busses available, and there is al lack of taxis available. Is this accurate information? Most of the info that I was able to find on the Internet was several years old and sounded like this White Bay Terminal was not really completed. Can anyone enlighten me, Please. Thank you. hmh:confused:

It has been a year or so, since our last cruise on HAL, but I seem to remember that on Sundays, there was always a notice in the Daily List, of a non-denominational service to be held in one of the larger rooms/theater. Should think that there would be enough people wanting such a service, that there would be some congregant to offer to oblige. We always went to the Vigil Mass on Saturday nights, and appreciated having one. In fact, on one cruise in 2010, it was over Easter, and I ended up playing the "organ" from the stage, as the service was held in the showroom. Closest I ever got to the "Big Time!' Cheers. HMH

We recently stayed at the Hotel Galerias. Older hotel, but a good buffet breakfast. It is in the center of the city, only a few blocks from the Plaza Armas, and Constitution Square. One day, we took the Turistik bus, and rode it all around the route--it is $40pp USD. You can get off if you wish and reboard 30 mins. later. We enjoyed the opportunity to see more areas of Santiago. We had been transferred from Valpariso port by GuidesChile, and were quite satisfied. Cheers. hmh:)

The classes offered in the Digital Workshop are usually listed in the day's program and its location is listed, too:). On the last two cruises, the Digital Workshop was located on the 5th floor, close to the upper restaurant, and between it and the Library, Computers, etc. It always has had a large sign on the door, and was fairly easy to find. Might ask someone in the Library, etc. area, if you cannot find it. It also could be in a different location on other ships

I have attended several of the classes on various HAL cruises, and while they are informative, they are not designed to be the first line of instruction for those who are totally unfamiliar with computer use. I've been a computer uses since PCs became practical for the home, and I did pick up some info which I did not know, when I took one of the classes two years ago. There is not enough time to train someone in the use of a PC if they don't know much about it, in these short sessions.

I have also used digital cameras for quite a few years, and just bought a new one prior to the last cruise. Taking one of the digital class provided me with information that helped me take better pics on the cruise. I also visited the Tech guy during a question time, and clarified another angle for my digital.

The seminars are free, and sponsored by Microsoft. They should not be confused with a course you might sign-up for, at a local photo shop or a community college. JMO. Cheers. hmh;)

Just got off a 17-da on the Zaandam and there were no slippers--nor have there been on 9 previous HAL cruises. But then, have not been a Suite passenger. Have not seen them in the shop either. Dollar Store slippers, flip flops, or even a pair of your own, that are ready to be tossed, can be solutions. Having the robes, tho, is much appreciated. Cheers. hmh:)

We just returned from a 17-day cruise on the Zaandam and our ice bucket was filled morning and evening, which in some ways was a waste of ice, since we did not always use it. There is really no "perfect solution" to the "ice issue"--maybe an insulated ice bucket, so the ice lasts longer. JMO. Cheers--hmh:)

Thanks, Traveler Thom, for your information. It was exactly what I wanted to know. It must have been your review that I read earlier this Spring. the shower sounds similar to one we had on a Barge Cruise in Eastern Burgundy. We are not yet ready to commit to the Footsteps trip. We have friends doing the Budapest to Buchrest voyage in late August and will see what their reactions are. Everyone has a different perspective. :) Ciao! hmh

I posted above the other day--even tho this thread is a year old, the information in it is great and would be really helpful to anyone thinking of this trip. I noticed that "Old Pete" has posted most recently in March this year but don't know on which thread, so he may still be reading this board occasionally. There was a post in late May by someone who had taken the trip and his pictures were great.

I am hoping that others, who have taken this trip will chime in on how they liked their trip on the Lomovoso. I was told by a Viking agent that it will undergo renovation in 2012--don't know if that is before or after the cruise season, however. :) Ciao!!hmh

I am doing a systematic review of most of the CC posts about Viking Cruises, with special attention to the "FOTC" as we are considering it for 2012.

I hope you will see this post and perhaps answer a few questions.

I got through the first 200 pictures--will finish another time. About the room--was this the least expensive room? My husband is 6'2" and I'm wondering if he will fit in the beds. I did a barge cruise with a friend a few years ago and if he'd gone, he'd never have fit in the cabins. I am also interested in the shower--on the barge, you pulled a curtain around the toilet/sink area and the water ran through a wooden grate. I think I remember it that way and it seems to me that is how I've envisioned the shower activity on the Viking.

Your pictures are great and I'll do the other 600 another time or two times. Ciao. hmh:)

I have had a Tacfone for at least 8 years and have never had one problem. Made calls, as someone mentioned above, from St. Thomas, Puerto Rico, and most Hawaiian islands. They make calls from anywhere in the US. I have a friend who is on an expensive phone plan, and there are areas that her phone does not cover.

Tracfone replaced my origional one with a newer, smaller model--it does not take pictures or text--but is adequate for what I need. Currently, I have 1544 units--each year I add the Year card, get bonus minutes, and have trouble using them up. I do not believe that they can be used for calls FROM foreign countries, but can be programed, through the company, for calls TO foreign countries. Mine will do that, as it has been upgraded, but I usually e-mail relatives in Ireland/England and do not call.

Yes, you "get what you pay for"--my cost was origionally $15, but sometimes they are on sale for as low as $9.99. There are no contracts and they work as long as you have an active phone card. I have been told that they use other carrier's microtowers, or whatever. Someone said that in our area, it is ATT, but that is only rumor. Ciao!!hmh:)

It is also possible to take a taxi up in to the town, which is quite a charming little place, with the usual central square and a beautiful church. The shops at the pier are all quite modern, but the buildings in the town are are old and it is more like PV was when we first went there in 1980.

The pier area is very nice and so is the beach--so it is just a matter of choosing what you want to do. Have been there twice on PC cruises and enjoyed it both times. :) hmh