rcs931

Well now I've learned something for my next cruise, thanks. I was looking for it with the other activities, like when brunch was offered.

I followed several live postings from the Antarctica cruises recently, really got me excited for this cruise and considering that one for our next, given how much we are enjoying this one. Wine by the glass up to $15 is included in elite, but the choices are not great. We've tried all of them and I'd say it's the weakest part of the experience when compared to our orher recent cruises on Princess and Viking. Limited number of choices and frankly not good. There is one red by the glass at $16 that is ok, you just pay the 1.18 difference. It's Oberon, which only goes for $27 a bottle on land if that gives you a reference point.

Found out from another post that you can order from dive-in on the navigator app. This worked great today, with two caveats. You can't order milkshakes, and you can only order the exact menu items, no modifications. Milkshakes take a long time, and I realized that the person at dive-in has to take your card over to the bar, swipe it to place the order, then return to pick it up and bring it back to dive in window for your pickup. Super inefficient, especially if they are busy because they took several more orders before going over to the bar, and had to go twice. I felt terrible when i saw the effort involved. Tomorrow I'm going to try ordering direct at bar.

Tips for the breakfast buffet, because I love reading this type of info. Crepes are available at th first station on the starboard side, with the waffles. Eggs Benedict at the second station on port, but get it with bacon. They keep the ham warm in a water bath and it gets the muffin soggy. Best of all, they have chia pudding with a variety of add ins at the ice cream station.

Not bad, but noticed some signs of aging. I'm glad she's getting extra attention this trip. I'm aware ocean vs. metal is a constant struggle. Yes, Joao is still teaching but leaves after this crossing for a break.

Funny, we picked starboard based on a post that said north facing too shaded and cold to use. I guess it's weather dependent. One unexpected benefit, it forced me to go to the bow yesterday to watch sail away from Ponta Delgada (land on port side) and so I got to see a couple of pods of jumping dolphins off the front.

AARP credit: thanks to this group I was made aware of the possible credit for being an AARP member, but after we made full payment. I went ahead and did the registration, just in case, but didn't call in to argue for the credit to be added. A pleasant surprise was waiting when we boarded, the $200 credit was added to our account. Thanks to that and a gift certificate won by my husband on our first night, I was able to get a massage and pedicure. I would highly recommend the massage.

Activities. First, we don't need a lot of entertaining. That said, oosterdam has about the perfect amount for us. The library is really good, stumbled on it first day and am now on my fourth book. Of course I have my kindle but real books are better. I've been doing pickleball lessons in the morning, started from never having held a paddle. Instructor is very patient. Also the gym is great and the have free stretch and Tai chi daily. I go up in the late afternoon, ride the elliptical, then stretch. Been having some knee issues and the instructor noticed and showed me a modified stretch. He also saw me elsewhere on the ship and asked how my knee was. Otherwise, we spend time at the pool every afternoon. Despite multiple notices, chair hogs are alive and well and we usually have to "lurk" for a chair. No sign of the attendant removing belongings as the notices warned, yet. New breed of chair hog puts belongings on lounger and the sits at adjacent table playing cards all afternoon. There are other locations with chairs besides the main pool, though most of them dont have drinks service. I would love the sea view area if it weren't for all the cigarette smoke. Another tip, we have a south facing balcony which is in full sun most of the day. Temp ok, mid 60s F and of course steady breeze, but I fell asleep out there and got sunburned on the second day, so if you need shade think about north facing side.

Activities. First, we don't need a lot of entertaining. That said, oosterdam has about the perfect amount for us. The library is really good, stumbled on it first day and am now on my fourth book. Of course I have my kindle but real books are better. I've been doing pickleball lessons in the morning, started from never having held a paddle. Instructor is very patient. Also the gym is great and the have free stretch and Tai chi daily. I go up in the late afternoon, ride the elliptical, then stretch. Been having some knee issues and the instructor noticed and showed me a modified stretch. He also saw me elsewhere on the ship and asked how my knee was. Otherwise, we spend time at the pool every afternoon. Despite multiple notices, chair hogs are alive and well and we usually have to "lurk" for a chair. No sign of the attendant removing belongings as the notices warned, yet. New breed of chair hog puts belongings on lounger and the sits at adjacent table playing cards all afternoon. There are other locations with chairs besides the main pool, though most of them dont have drinks service. I would love the sea view area if it weren't for all the cigarette smoke. Another tip, we have a south facing balcony which is in full sun most of the day. Temp ok, mid 60s F and of course steady breeze, but I fell asleep out there and got sunburned on the second day, so if you need shade think about north facing side.

Next food. It's varied from very good to inedible. Food is subjective, but dry fish is never good. Best dining room meal was the pork chop with parsnip puree, a surprise entry. Worst was the duck, rubbery and chewy skin. Service always with a smile, though. Pinnacle meal of fillet with lobster dumplings was great, but waiter failed to bring us the little plate of chocolates he brought the tables on either side of us. I know, a nit, but still. We were going to ask for them, but he wasn't nearby for a while. I think those guys are overworked. Bar service has been uneven, two of the same drinks ordered from the same place don't taste the same. We've learned Ocean bartenders are fantastic, though. Overall wine by the glass selection is limited and unsatisfactory. Holland could do better without spending more. Pro tip, don't order wine on deck 9. It all comes in warm plastic glasses and the red wine is stored out at deck temperature. Note Pinnacle lunches are not listed in the daily program, so we missed all of them. Our fault, not well enough informed. Brunch was offered one day in the MDR starting at 10. We got in line at 10:05, were seated at 10:20, and at 10:55 I had to leave after just having received my first course due to a scheduled pedicure. My husband stayed, said the drinks cart never came by and the whole thing took another hour. The dining room was never full, I think they were understaffed (a theme). I heard they aren't going to offer brunch again on this two week cruise, probably a good decision. More positives, Lido salad bar is fantastic, I get the asian with tuna almost every day. The aisian station at lunch is also very good, I wish they had it for dinner as well but they close it down to use that area for Canaletto. Bread is very tasty bakery style, nice and chewy. They make paninis to order. Buffalo fries at dive-in are good, and milkshakes are included in our drinks package. The ice cream station in the Lido closes for a while in the afternoon, but milkshakes are available until 6. Just saying....

Thought I'd give some impressions at just past the midpoint of our first TA. This is our 7th cruise, 2nd with Holland. Cruise is April 5-19, FLL to Barcelona. There's already a great almost live thread going so I won't try to duplicate that. First, the ship. They are currently freshening the decor, replaying carpet and painting things. There's a team in the lido every night painting nicks in the chairs. But you can tell she's got some age. Rusted out door frames, corroded supports, etc. Also some of the decor items, statues, etc are dark and ornate, not "current" cruise ship style. I'm aware that's a matter of taste, just mentioning it. The new carpet is updated so hopefully when everything is complete it will be lighter and brighter. Our balcony cabin is the smallest we've ever had, and the bathroom is tiny. That said, the overall size of the ship is good, doesn't take too long to get around.

This is very useful information. If we wanted to stay in southern Spain and take the train to various cities (Valencia, Cordoba, Granada, Rondo, Seville), would you suggest we stay in one central location and take daily trains (or buses) or relocate to each one? Or take day tours? We want to see as much of the countryside as possible without a car.

We are on the Mars this December, Bali to Sydney. As of today, both of these ports are still included in our itinerary. We'd be pretty bummed if they got dropped.