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ole goat

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    What happened to Poker in the Casino's on HAL ships

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    9 minutes ago, Hlitner said:

    I cannot help but think that HAL has made a decision to go after the slot crowd (some of the best odds favoring the casino) since they can be set to give a very generous return to the company.  Slots take relatively little space and require very little staffing.  The automated poker tables do take up a lot of space and likely generate a return far lower than allocating that same space to slots or Poker Machines.  Slots are also likely seen as a better fit for the HAL cruiser since it is a popular option for seniors (and their parents) and requires zero gambling skill.  One pit boss once told me, "anyone can play a slot."

     

    Hank

     

    Circle Iceland with The Inside Cabin - 24 days on the NIeuw Statendam

    in Holland America Line

    Posted

    Hi all,   I'm looking at a 30 day BtB on the Nieuw Statendam this October.  

    Does the Casino have a Texas Holdum Poker table?

     

    I love to play poker on sea days.  Last fall I was on the Rotterdam, and they did not have a poker table.  I was very disappointed.  Thirty days on a ship without a poker game with others would be greatly missed and may even find me on a different ship

    • Like 1

    Gate 1 Monarch Princess May 8th Budapest to Vilsholfen

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    Thanks for the review, Jack and Mary. We are on a Gate 1 Danube cruise in late October 2018.

     

    May I ask how gratuities were handled for the tour guides? I assume that they have a tour director on board with you, but maybe use local guides and drivers at each destination. Do people tip the local guides and drivers separately? In local currency?

     

    Thanks for your help! Sandra

     

    You assume correctly. The local guides are not part of Gate One and are contracted locally. Therefore, you tip depending on length, breadth, and skill. I may be wrong, as things may differ from one country to another, but in Austria, I asked the local guide and she said she gives the driver his cut.

     

    Local currency for all countries except Hungary is Euro. Hungarian also prefer the Euro to their own currency. No problem. Get Euro's.

    Gate 1 Monarch Princess May 8th Budapest to Vilsholfen

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    I posted my review a couple weeks ago. Here it is on this thread.

     









    First experience with Gate 1 and first river cruise so cannot compare with other river cruise lines - therefore, will compare with ocean cruises. In a nutshell, excellent experience - hope to go again. We met the Monarch Princess in Budapest where we flew in a day early on our own from Italy. The ship was nicely appointed as described in the 1st review. It was a well refurbished older ship that Gate 1 purchased from Avalon, Talking to other passengers, I understand that Gate 1 has been in the land tour business for over twenty years and had just started with their 1st ship three years ago, Now they are expanding with new ships built for them. They currently have three - Monarch Princess being the oldest, but in my opinion, just great ,

     

    We dropped off our baggage several hours before boarding was allowed with no problem, and Gary, the Cruise Director, was fantastic when it came to service. He was able to up-grade us from category E to D (water line high windows to french balcony) for a very reasonable amount due to a cancellation. The stateroom had plenty of storage area, similar to an ocean ship, and was slightly more compact. Shower had good pressure and was the full European 3'x3'. Slight inconvenience is drying sink washed clothes as only towel racks could be used - unless you gambled that the French Balcony safely bars outside would keep your clothes from falling off into the river.

     

    Food was as good or better that an ocean ship, without the large menu to choose from. Wine and beer was included with the evening meal, however available any time for additional cost. My wife and I normally have a cocktail before dinner and found that prices were 10-15% lower that ocean ships. Quality of wine was good and usually local.

     

    We especially enjoyed the Bavarian meal on the 6th night.

     

    Shipboard entertainment included a full time disk jockey for dancing every night after the evening entertainment. With the small number compared to an ocean ship, acquaintances and friends were quickly established (also open seating at meals encouraged this) and the dance floor was filled every night. Local entertainers were provided at the start and end of the 7 day Danube cruise, and the assistant to Gary, the cruise director acted as entertainer on other nights with a sampling of what you find on an ocean cruise - "Battle of the Sexes", "Trivial Pursuit". "Bingo with a Twist", etc.

     

    Probably the most enjoyable part of the cruise were the stops. They usually included a short 1 1/2 hr to 2 1/2 hr walking tour with local tour guides that gave you a brief orientation and history of the place you were visiting, and then turned you loose to go on your own. This especially suited my wife and I as we seldom will sign up for a tour offered by an ocean ship and much prefer to "do our own thing".

     

    There are optional tours you can take for additional cost - similar to an ocean cruise. The only one we took was the "Classical Viennese Concert" in Vienna. It was "OK" typical tourist fare in a beautiful old concert hall packed with river cruisers from all of the cruise lines docked that day. It consisted of six stringed instruments, flute, clarinet, piano, soloist violinist, male and female soprano and baritone, and two dancers. While definitely not a true opera, it was entertaining, but in my opinion, over-priced. We had a much better experience the following Sunday at High Mass in the older small cathedral in Linz, Austria. There was a featured Viennese Opera Soloist and organist, both were fantastic. No cost other than you usual offering. This is why we "do our own thing".

     

    Another favorite stop was the small village of Durnstein. I hiked to the old castle ruins, however, it was a very tough climb and rather dangerous with a very steep and uneven trail. Don't try it unless you are sure-footed and physically fit. Just a walk on the charming cobblestone streets of little village is great on its own. Stop by the local church and its small museum - its an inexpensive treat for only 2 1/2 Euros.

     

    I can't say enough good things about the Cruise Director, Gary. He was always available, extremely good natured, very informed about the local attractions, entertaining, and helpful. He certainly turned a very good overall experience into an excellent experience.

     

    Overall, the crew was excellent in all respects. The wine flowed freely at the evening meals and the entire trip was delightful. My wife and I have never been on a cruise we did not like, but this first river cruise was geat. We just hope we have the health and finances to try another.

     

    Jack & Mary (Ole Goat)

    Gate 1 Monarch Princess May 8th Budapest to Vilsholfen

    in River Cruising

    Posted

    Hi Jack and Mary,

    Sorry my last post was so short, we were actually out of the country for Spring Break. I love the length of the cruised in your signature! Nice list. Our longest was 14 days but have moved away from the ocean cruises and to more land vacations because of the changes over the last few years.

     

    When do you arrive in Budapest?

     

    Hi Robin,

     

    Looks like we are the only CC's

     

    Flying in May 7th. Should be checked in to our abode about 6:30 PM. Plan to see if we can get a dinner ship cruise in the evening if not too late, then the following day, see a few the sights not listed at a lesurely pace and then check into the Monarch Princess. There is a web site with local tour guides and flexible private schedules. If you are interested, join us for a 4 hour tour on the (late) morning of the 8th. Price is too steep for only two but split into four, might be an option. Check it out on ToursByLocals.com and let me know if anything strikes you as feasible.

     

    My wife, Mary, is having a foot problem so would not be up to a long foot tour. We would be more inclined to On-Off Public Transportation with leisurely short walking or a 4 hour auto tour. Lots of options.

     

    Let me know, Jack and Mary (Ol' Goats - Denver)

     

    PS: We are catching a Transatlantic this Monday - RC Vision of the Seas - Galveston to Barcelona so can only be reached by email or this thread.

     

    jayveef at aol.com

    Veteran Themed Cruise - February 2015

    in Military Cruisers

    Posted

    Brisbane to Brisbane 14 days ... not a vets tour but I am Navy and setting up with local historians shore trips... in Rabal, Guadelcanal, Luganville ship will sail the "slot" past Tulagi, Kennedy island, Savo, Iron bottom Sound.... to name a few

     

    Look up roll call for Sea Princess... also Princess main posts

     

    turn-2 and pack your ditty bag.... all welcome whatever service

     

    Thank you for your service. My dad is buried in the American Cemetery near Manila. I plan to visit while on the Celebrity Millennium on Feb 3rd of 2017. Any idea on how to get there from the Cruise Port and how long it will take?

     

    He was KIA on PT-335 near Bongao Island, Tawi Tawi, near Mindanao.

    Anyone Recently Used Ramses Tours?

    in Africa & Middle East

    Posted

    Can anybody tell me what the vehicles are like driven by Ramses Tours. There will be 8 of us. I believe it is approx. 100 miles each way from Port Said to the Pyramids so I am hoping the transport will be comfortable.

     

    We used them in 2010. Vehicle was late model air conditioned minivan for only the two of us.

    Anyone Recently Used Ramses Tours?

    in Africa & Middle East

    Posted

    Wondering if anyone has recently used Ramses Tours for an overnight tour while in Egypt? Will be using them in a few months and was wondering if someone could give a review of how their recent tour was with them. I have read many posts from people who are booked with them for upcoming excursions, but not from anyone who has actually used them recently. Did you visit everything as planned? Any info will be most appreciated.

     

    We used them in 2010 for a Pyramid, Mephis one day tour. They did a good job and van was modern and air conditioned. They were a real stickler about getting back to the cruise ship prior to two hours before sailing and did not want to stop for "dinner at a local resturant" that we had ordered as part of our tour. They did make a point of making two "unscheduled" stops at so called specialty "museums" and were told later that it was so they could get gas coupons. This was a waste of time in my opinion. The other problem, was the guide could not enter the tourist sites and waited at the van rather than guide us. Overall, they are a safe and adequate tour guide so I would have no problem using them again.

     

    In fact, we plan to use them this coming May for a three night Nile cruise from Aswan to Luxor, debarking in Alexandria and ending back on the ship in Safaga after snorkling at Guftin Island. They will provide all the transfers and air to Aswan, but will not be acting as "tour guides."

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