RuthC

The HAL website hasn't worked in ages. This is not new. Sometimes it works worse than others, but it never works right. This is even more true on weekends. The usual recommendations, as ger_77 alluded to, usually start with clear your cache, then progress to using a different browser, then to trying incognito mode. Sometimes doing one or more of those things will work. Sometimes it won't. Another option is to call HAL and do your business over the phone. Or, you can use a TA or PCC in the first place, and let them deal with whatever you want done.

Yes. I've never been inclined to tip higher, so don't know the best method.

Then there are those who don't complain they can't do something, who still do not need a cell phone. Are computers obsolete?

All the luggage being sent to the airport via Luggage Direct is sent at the same time, in the same truck, early in the disembarkation process. The owners of that luggage have to be available in case the Customs authorities want to open and examine what's in the luggage, so they have to disembark the ship early in order for the whole process to proceed in a timely fashion.

I spent a few weeks in 8145, which is similar, but not totally, and had little in the way of noise problems. Many (?), most (?) mornings I would hear something, but could never tell if it was from above, or if it was my next door neighbors on their veranda. It wasn't too loud and didn't last long. I would book that cabin again if I ever wanted to book another Pinnacle ship (which I would rather not).

Welcome home. It's been quite a ride for you. Less so for all of us following along, and who care how you are doing. Now, rest and relax. And get thee to your own doctor as soon as reasonable. Best wishes.

You can use more than one FCD to 'top off' a deposit that requires more than one. That saves adding extra money to the deposit when HAL already has your funds. Then, when you next cruise, you can replace the spent FCD with new ones. That will extend the 'use by' expiration dates vs. the ones used.

I ate at Rudi's only once, but found the food fabulous, and the service out of this world. I couldn't be less interested in another Asian restaurant on the ships. Fortunately, I have always found Pinnacle to be excellent, so will continue to be happy there until I'm not.

Thanks for the update, Roy. Sleep well, and have a good/safe drive home.

Some of us simply don't have the need for one. In my case it would be 'transitioning' from my land line to a smart phone, and give up the convenience of my answering machine in the process. All to spend more per month for the service. No thanks.

It is supposed to be a requirement that the scooter be kept in the cabin, or the crew/staff store it, and it should always be enforced. However, that doesn't necessarily require an accessible cabin.

I have heard stories such as you describe happening on the HAL ship in years past. You will note in the HAL report that the couple was 'asked' to change their cruise date, and offered an incentive to do so. Twice, as a matter of fact, with an increase in the incentive the second time. They were likely not the only ones offered the opportunity to change dates, and walk away with a monetary bonus. Someone took HAL up on the offer, undoubtedly, and everyone was happy (except the accountants, probably). There was nothing in your report to indicate anyone was forced to give up their cruise, nor 'bumped' from the cruise. Now, there are some fare classes that can be 'bumped', but those are interline rates, and not available to the general public. If I were you, on a HAL cruise, I wouldn't be worried one bit. I wouldn't know how Royal Caribbean does business, so won't speak to that.

That scooter never should have been left in the hall by the passenger. If any HAL staff had seen it (and I am having trouble believing no one did), then it should have been reported to someone with authority to have the scooter removed and the passenger spoked with. I couldn't agree more with your last statement about a potential emergency, but just the inconvenience to other passengers is shameful enough.

Glad to read that you are on your way, Roy. Hope the rest of the trip is not so, shall we say 'exciting'. Dull and boring until you can relax on the train sounds just about right. Remember that other than making that train, there is NOTHING that HAS to be done. Your body's needs come first. Take care. (oh, and maybe some ice cream. make the cardiologists happy and get the low fat stuff.)

I've been renting a scooter from the HAL approved companies for years. Until my last cruise, I have also booked cabins that are not accessible; I have just chosen cabins that will fit inside. The scooters do fit through a normal door. It's once you get inside that the problems start. Is there storage space? Not in most cabins. Is there room to turn around? Again, not in most cabins. I have found inside cabins on every class of ship, except the Pinnacle class), that will accept a scooter with plenty of room. A regular Neptune Suite on a Pinnacle class ship will accept a scooter with plenty of room for storage and to turn around; I've done it. To answer the OP's question, if the scooter will not comfortably fit in the cabin, then, when you go go the cabin, you can call the Front Desk, and they will send someone to pick it up, store and charge it overnight. Then, call again in the morning, when you are ready to leave, and it will be brought to you. Even better, if this is not for a solo, and one person in the party is mobile, then that person can drive the scooter to the Front Desk, and pick it up when needed again. The scooter will be stored and charged, but this will eliminate the wait until a staff person can attend to it.

Don't be so sure. I have read several posts who are reporting their final payment is due and they can't get the HAL site to accept a payment. I highly recommend you not wait until the last minute if you plan to make a final payment directly to HAL via the website.

Once in a while in the main dining room. When it is served there, there's a decent chance it will also be on the Lido menu.

Happy you are on your way home. I know the drive to Sanford isn't too far from where the hospital is, but you are weak, so I hope the 2-day drive makes it a bit easier for you. Get a good sleep. And maybe some ice cream. 😉

Yea!

Those people should be made to wait to reboard for as long as the first passenger to arrive had to wait for them.

You must be feeling somewhat better (at least), as you are posting. Certainly hope I am right about that. Since they are going to increase your fluids, you may be able to get ice cream soon. Something to look forward to! How's the food? And your appetite?

If you have any mobility, and if you are on a ship that does not have the power button, then ask your cabin steward for a rubber door stopper. They all have them to keep the doors open when they are cleaning. Keep the stopper in your scooter basket. I have done that for years. When I get to the cabin, I grab the stopper, get up and open the door, then get back on my scooter and drive in. The power buttons will make it so much easier! It's taken long enough to get them, as they have been around for years.

I'm so sorry to read this, Roy. I'll try to find your post on the Daily. If you do any more updates, please consider posting them on this thread, as not everyone reads the Daily.

For those other days, when the specialty cakes aren't served, I highly recommend the Warm Flourless Chocolate Cake. Once upon a time, HAL served something called a Chocolate Purse. If you ever see that on the menu---grab it! Believe it or not, the No Sugar Added desserts are quite good. Panna Cotta is tasty and smooth. Check out the desserts in the Lido at lunchtime. Usually there is something very good offered.

My Whale Watching and Wildlife Quest excursion was too long ago for me to comment on that. However, I have taken a lot of water excursions run by the same company, including up to 2019, and all of their boats have had an open deck, some outside space on at least one other deck, and a good deal of inside space.