RuthC

I would jump on that ship, to take that cruise, in a New York minute!

I was on that ship and deck, closer to the aft elevators than the mid-ship ones, but on the 'jut-in' part of the ship. I was under the dining (carpeted) portion of the Lido and never heard a thing from above.

They certainly offer a bus to SeaTac, if that would work for you. There may be a bus to one (or more) downtown hotels, but I am not certain. You should ask about transportation at the Shore Excursion office, as they are the ones who sell the transportation.

So pleased to read your first-hand report of your progress! Very happy for you that you feel able to do another cruise---or two! My step-son's mother was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin's lymphoma 24 years ago, and has been living a full life---with just a few breaks to beat it back down again---ever since. I wish you the same good fortune.

Thank you that answers the question asked.

Which means it is NOT the coffee served in the Lido or dining room. Do you know what coffee is used there?

As long as everyone uses the same ID and password, no one knows who is pressing the keys.

I spent 24 nights in cabin 8145, which is under the dining/carpeted portion of the Lido. Never heard a thing from there (or anywhere else, for that matter).

Those are small enough---and so nice--- to take home! I wouldn't want to leave mine, either. I would double check with the florist that they are purchased with the flowers (perhaps when I order the arrangement in the first place), then be sure to pack it carefully. The florist may have a box, and perhaps some bubble wrap. Failing that, fluffy sweaters, or sweatshirts, make good packing wrap.

On the World Cruise, we had to line up for tender tickets. That was/is a cruise where just about everyone has tender priority. I understand that on this year's World Cruise there are two areas to go to collect tender tickets---one for those with priority, and a different place for those without. People are lined up as early as 6:00 AM some days!

I've known it is mine to take home, but how? It's usually big, frequently glass, and so cumbersome to pack. I have my own, very nice vases, at home waiting. (not to mention a few crappy ones I need to give away) I just leave it, rinsed, and hope the florist can recycle it by using it for the next arrangement made for a passenger.

If I never hear either of those two songs again in my life, it will be too soon.

I hope so, too! I have heard so many good things about you, and your time on HAL, and think I would enjoy your piano bar.

Complimentary (brewed) coffee and (hot) tea are available in the Lido 24/7. Also, hot chocolate packets are available in the Lido, along with the hot water. There is a charge for the coffees in the Explorations Café. Iced tea is available in the Lido at lunchtime, and can be requested in the dining room.

If true, this is the best news I have read on this forum in some time! I hope all the ships return to the true Piano Bar format, and that includes those that currently have Mix on board. Get rid of the set playlists, dictated by Seattle, and let the musicians include the passengers in deciding what is done on any given night. Piano Bars on HAL used to be fun!

Yes. If on a Pinnacle class ship, it means you won't be eating in the separate Club Orange dining room. On other ships, since you will eat in the main dining room anyway, you can choose fixed or open seating. If you choose fixed, you can choose early or main, and what size table you prefer.

I agree that 5:00 PM for dinner is ridiculous. I have barely started digesting lunch at that hour. Late sitting is at 7:30 these days. With dinner starting so early, and the shows/entertainment shutting down at early hours, too, it's as if HAL is trying to get everyone to go to bed early. Even morning activities are routinely starting earlier than they used to.

No, sorry, I don't remember the times the shows start. Open seating dining opens at 5:00 PM, and runs until something like 9:00 or 9:30.

I did that excursion out of there once. We spent quite a bit of time in a boat visiting many islands near Homer itself, then headed up to Seldovia for a while, before heading back. It was a very pretty day, and a lovely day to go boating.

That's a shame. Homer was on the itinerary on my first Alaska cruise, and I have been back several times since. It's been one of my favorite Alaska ports since that first cruise there. Perhaps some other year? The museum in town is definitely worth a visit, and there is loads of fun to be had out on the Spit.

The two fixed dining times are now much earlier than you remember. The early dining is at 5:00 PM, with main starting at 7:30, Far earlier than the former late time of 8:15. Showtimes, are earlier, too, with it a bit tighter getting to the late show timely. Solo diners can ask for a fixed table of any size; my personal preference is table for 6, but a table for 8 (or even 10) is possible. If you choose open seating, you can arrive and ask to join a table that is in the process of being filled with others who want to share a table. You will not join people who are already part-way through their meal.

Annie Francis is on HAL ships a lot, from what I can discern, but she seems only to be on the south Pacific itineraries. It's a shame, as her shows are so good. I would love to see her again some time.

The Ocean Bar was always THE bar to go to for pre-dinner drinks on all the S- and R-class ships. That's where I would still head to.

Whew! That was close. Congratulations.

That was my guess, too.