RuthC

Not likely. I have sailed solo for years, usually paying double due to the supplement. But the port charges and taxes are per individual sailing, and have never been doubled.

Can you make a 10:40 flight? Not if what happened to me in Boston last August happens to you. Disembarkation on my cruise didn't begin until some time after 8:30. Yes, it's a short ride to Logan, and on Saturday traffic is a lot easier, but delayed disembarkation can throw a monkey-wrench into plans.

IIRC, there were four on the 2022 version of the same cruise, and this year's cruise is one day longer. I would expect 4 'dressy' nights.

As Bruce said, there's no discount on pre-purchasing specialty restaurants. However, if purchased in advance you have a better selection of day/time than you do if you wait until on board.

You can send a (very) full bag of laundry for either $20 or $30 per bag, depending on location of the cruise, or a couple of other factors. I have seen both prices quoted lately. Or, you can purchase an unlimited laundry package for either $7 or $9 per day times every day of the cruise. Again, I have seen both prices quoted lately. You can stuff a lot in a bag, so can go several days before sending one out on the per bag rate. On the other hand, if you will be sailing in a hot/humid climate, it's nice to come in, shower, and leave just the clothes from that day to go at evening turn down service on the unlimited plan.

For those of us who prefer shade, then this would be a nice area, especially if you want to try a stern cabin anyway. It should be fairly well sheltered from the sun.

Add some knee socks, and it could pass for Bermuda dressed up. But just those hairy legs??? Ah, no.

Because I have ordered off the children's menu many times when on a long cruise. That has always, always, always been my experience when ordering the same evening.

She can order from the children's menu, but there will be a significant delay in receiving the order. I suggest that she take a look at the menu the night before and decide if there's anything on it she wants. If not, select from the children's menu and pre-order. There is definitely chicken tenders and mac & cheese on there (or was last time I ordered off it).

There are a few entrées in the Main Dining Room that have an up charge, but there is no additional charge for a second entrée that doesn't have an upcharge. IIRC, there was a trial on one ship for a short period where there was a charge for a second entrée, but that was short-lived. With the exception of the few entrées that have an up charge, the MDR is 'all you can eat'. There is a up charge for a second entrée in the Pinnacle restaurant, and there is a $7 charge for a second appetizer in that restaurant. If I wanted to order off the Indian menu, I would make my decision the night before and ask my table steward if I should place the order then, or wait until the next night. It may take extra time to prepare, or be made available, so it's usually better to do this in advance. I know of no reason you can't order off both menus the same night. Of course you can switch back and forth on different nights.

The inside and outside cabins on the Zaandam always had some bottles of water, and a variety of cans of soda on the desk. I presume they still do. If you order a fridge, then you can stock it from what is already there. Or, you can request cans of exactly what you want. I expect you can ask your steward to have the fridge stocked with bottles of whatever alcohol drinks you want in there, too.

Looking closely at the deckplans, and the HALFacts pictures of 1841, compared to 2619, I see one difference that matters: in 2619, the bathroom juts out into the short crew passageway next door. In 1841 the bathroom is incorporated into the cabin itself. The deckplan has 1877 without the extra space for the bathroom. I will bet that 1841 and 1877 are identical, with both very different from 2619.

The two links posted above show a generic picture of a large inside on an R-class ship. It's a generous size cabin, about 186 sq. ft. However, the sideways placement of cabin J-1877 indicates to me that the cabin is somewhat different than the generic large inside. I don't know this cabin, but know it could be similar to J-2619, which I am very familiar with. If it is similar to 2619, then the cabin is large, arranged differently than other J-category cabins, and quite desirable. Take a look, too, at the fact that it is over a crew area. I have no idea what goes on one deck down, so don't know if there is any noise source.

Along with two or three others, I am especially enjoying your reports from the World Cruise. I love how you profess your pleasure with the on board life, as well as the joy you have in the ports. It makes it sound like so much fun. Thanks for your posts.

Thanks. That's what I saw when I checked Roy's link, so thought 1Angelcat might have been referring to a different post. When I followed her link I got to the same place, so got confused why it was repeated. Some of the blogs have different links to different posts, and I thought this might be like that.

Since the one Roy linked to a few posts earlier? I'm not seeing it. Can you post a link, please?

'As You Wish' is the umbrella term to cover all the various places to have dinner: fixed seating, open seating, Lido, specialty restaurants, and room service. Open seating is just one component of AYW, wherein you can approach the entrance podium whenever you want to (during dining hours), and ask to be seated. The term 'As You Wish' is customarily used on CC inappropriately to refer to open seating.

There are no reserved deck chairs on the Zaandam, as there are on her sister the Volendam (and were on the Rotterdam and Maasdam), as there are no lanai cabins on the Zaandam.

Thank you, Roy, for the post and the link to Kathi's blog. I didn't know about the blog, nor how sick she is. I'm so sorry to learn of this. I'll add you to my daily prayers, Kathi, and wish the best for you.

I think that it is very possible an excursion for 2023 Alaska hasn't been contracted for yet. Negotiations may have been started, but the final papers may not have been signed. Nothing will appear on the website until everything is signed.

In addition to the other suggestions, you should know that all inside cabins have a shower, too. The insides on Main Deck are large enough to accept and store a scooter comfortably, if that's a consideration.

I can't remember which price has the gratuity included, and which one adds it when you purchase, but there are two prices, and when the transaction is completed, they do come out the same.

Where has the opportunity to have fun gone! Dinner times are getting more and more ridiculous with these early times. I remember when dinner was at 6:00 and 8:15, shows were at 8:00 and 10:00, most bars were open until at least midnight, and the last one closed at 2:00 AM. Seems HAL just wants all the passengers to eat, grab a nightcap, and get to bed early.

If she likes filet mignon, she can get that without the wasabi in Tamarind. However, there isn't too much else for a 'picky' eater, including much in the way of side dishes, unless she also likes rice, for example.

Unless you are going to have a lot of drinks over the course of the cruise, it may be financially advantageous to just pay by the drink. Just do a reasonable estimate of what you will drink, figure the price, and compare before you lay your money down.