sunset sails

We are booked on the 12 day South Africa Intensive in Feb 2023 and have been looking at walking tours in Maputo that are not ship excursions.  They seem to meet and begin at the Cathedral in the city. Does anyone know where Azamara docks in Maputo and how far that would be from the city center?  Is it walkable or would we need to take some type of transportation to get there. Thanks for any input!

Thanks so much for all the input! We're convinced! A balcony it is!

I think that there is a cutoff date prior to sailing that you can purchase the drink package with the discount. Anyone know how far out that is from sailing - 3 days? Thanks!

We are considering a 2019 Norway cruise. We typically book a balcony cabin but aren't sure we will need one for this cruise. Would love to have input prior to booking. Thanks!

We are traveling in April on the HA Noordam. I realize this question has been addressed in the past for some ports, but want to get current information. Several of our ports do not appear to be within walking distance of the nearby towns. For instance, Port Chalmers is several miles from Dunedin. I would love to get information regarding shuttles and/or taxis available at the following ports and the approximate cost. Thanks in advance!

Port Chalmers

Picton

Wellington

Napier

Does Holland still tender into Paihia for Waitangi?

We are considering a cruise from Sydney to Taz to NZ and return to Sydney. The cruise would begin late March 2018 so we would be at Milford Sound around April 1. Will we freeze? What will the weather in the rest of NZ be like? We have sailed to Antarctica so we understand cold but we're just trying to figure out if we should go at a different time of year. Thanks!

We are trying to make a decision between these two Celebrity Excursions. Which will give the best views of both islands from the water? We don't really care about the snorkeling as we will doing that at other stops so we're more interested in the sail and then the beach experience on Nevis. Any advice? Thanks in advance!

That's how we read the travel docs too, gnld. The checked bags, up to 2, have a weight limit of 50 lbs. In addition, the carry on bag has a weight limit of 17 lbs. And then a personal bag (purse/computer bag) no limit.

Also, can anyone tell me if Silverseas provides bathrobes in the cabins? I haven't seen anything about that on the website. One less thing to pack!

Petlover and gnld, see you onboard!

Thanks all! I probably wasn't clear with my question. We are all set with boots for the trip. I just wasn't sure what the landings would be like for the Falklands and S. Georgia and whether we would need to wear our boots for those stops or would need something else. Sounds like we are good. Gnld, see you there!

Thanks! Any need for boots or will athletic shoes do there?

We sail in January and are clear on the packing list for the Antarctica portion of the cruise. What is appropriate attire for the Falklands and S. Georgia excursions. Thanks in advance for your advice.

Thanks 57 varieties. We are planning to have our TA book for us. They are booking it through Silverseas. Just wondered if anyone had used another vendor or have gone through Silverseas. We'll actually be paying Silverseas for the transfer.

Thanks for the responses to my question! Glnd, I got the same info from Silverseas regarding the time the charter returns. We are going to fly out of BA on the 21st as we are spending time in BA prior to the cruise and really need to get home afterwards. After the advice given in response to this thread, we are going to book private transfers rather than the bus transfers between airports. For those that have used private transfers, did you book through Silversea or did you use another vendor? Thanks for any input!

Petlover and glnd, we are also on the Jan 3, 2016 Silver Explorer and are also considering our return flights out of BA. Do you know what time the charter leaves Ushuaia? What is the arrival time back into BA? We appreciate any info you can provide!

We are sailing in a week and are considering booking another cruise while onboard. We would really be interested in hearing from someone who has booked onboard during the All-Inclusive promo. Specifically, did you get additional OBC for booking onboard on top of the $300 OBC that is part of the All-Inclusive? We are trying to determine if there is any benefit to booking onboard while the All-Inclusive promo is going on. We will transfer to our TA upon returning so we assume we will have to pay full deposits upon returning. Thanks!

Wrap around promenade for sure!!!! We like to do our daily walk there and the lack of one on Celebrity ships is one of the only things that makes us stray to other cruise lines. Please, wrap around promenade!!!!

So sorry! What a huge disappointment!!! What caused the cancellation?

Thanks so much for your informative review of your Antarctic cruise! We are considering booking this ship or the Silver Explorer for the same cruise and your review was helpful. One question that we have been unable to get an answer to is regarding the cocktails, beer and wine offered. It looks like those are complimentary at lunch and dinner and maybe after dinner but it is unclear. We also aren't sure what types might be offered. One of our friends is also interested whether lattes and cappuccinos are available and included. Any help you can give would be appreciated! Thanks!

Thanks so much for your input!!! Can't wait to board the Nieuw Amsterdam in a little over a week! First time on HAL and we are really looking forward to it!

Thanks so much for your extensive research, POA1! I am sure this question has been asked but I can't seem to find the answer. If we purchase the Signature Drink Package on the second day of the cruise, will the charges for any drinks we purchase on the first day be backed off of our bill after we purchase the package? Thanks so much!

Perfect! Thanks so much!

Thanks POA1! I was most interested in whether my sweet husband could pick up my coffee in the morning so your response is much appreciated. We would also love the flexibility of doing that with cocktails. Anyone have experience picking up a drink for someone else when you have their card?

We are booked on our first HAL cruise in November and are sailing on the Nieuw Amsterdam. We are considering purchasing the Signature Drink Package as we have enjoyed a similar package on Celebrity several times. On Celebrity, my husband typically takes my card with him in the morning to get each of us a specialty coffee. He does the same thing in the afternoon to get both of us a pre-dinner cocktail to drink in our room. Will he be able to do this on Holland? In other words, if he has my card and his, will he be able to get each of us a drink at the same time or will I need to be with him to get my drink.

Also, can someone who has used the drink package on the Nieuw Amsterdam tell me if the "5 minute" rule or the "finish your drink" rule is adhered to on that ship.

Thanks!

Oh, guess I got the terminology wrong Mary Ellen. Yes, we chose open seating.

We are sailing for the first time with Holland America on the Nieuw Amsterdam later this year and have chosen As You Wish Dining. In the past, we have sailed NCL with Freestyle Dining and Celebrity. On Celebrity, we had the late seating on one cruise and found that to be a little too late while the early seating was way too early. Ok, I sound like Goldilocks here :) On our cruises since that time, we have chosen select dining where we went to dinner when we wanted. That worked out well since we made a reservation for a time we liked and since we were traveling with friends, we all knew what time to meet.

On this cruise, we are traveling alone for the first time and want a table for 2. My questions are:

1) Has anyone had experience on the Nieuw Amsterdam with As You Wish Dining and how was it?

2) Will we have trouble getting a table for two in the As You Wish area of the MDR and should we make reservations?

3) What time is the late seating for traditional dining.

Thanks in advance for your help!!!