tuolumne couple

oh Jesus, you do know that this covers coffee and a lot of of other non-alcoholics drinks, right? Just upgrade to Elite , seems like that is what you need anyway.

There are plenty of $11 drink options , and if you want something more expensive than what the Signature Beverage Package allows, you can always upgrade to the Elite Beverage Package, or just pay the difference.

Agreed! They had me at Volendam and 45 nights.

Nice, the vase options are so cool, And the flowers are $20 and the vases are separate, if you wish, starting at $17.49, if you just want the vase it looks like, here is the link... https://www.hollandamerica.com/sf/extras?extrasType=flowers&date=1706407831164

That is what I was wondering. Would love to see the famous receipt as well. I do know that if you get a booking re-fared, or make changes you lose amenities. At least that was the warning on my booking: The devil is in the details. "Included Crew Appreciation (previously called complimentary shipboard gratuities) The amenities included above are assigned to this booking. Any changes to price, cabin, category, sailing date, promo, etc., may result in a change of amenities."

try this - fax your proof of stock with your booking number. you can block out what you need to , but they always need a current proof of stock statement. with dates and amount of shares that you hold. good luck World Cruise Reservations Holland America Line Phone: 800-522-3399 Fax#: 206-501-2620

I was kind of hoping it was sea water....

a penguin walks into a bar.. and asks the bartender "have you seen my brother?" the bartender says "what does he look like?"

Hmm, fresh squeezed OJ was covered on our recent HIA cruise . You can always refer to the beverage package on your app or TV, and while there may be changes at any given time, it is spelled out very well what you can or cannot get with the various beverage packages. I guess you would have known when they asked for your keycard to charge you for the drink. If you have the drink package or not, they always take a key card, so that it would not be a surprise. Unless you were wanting them to freshly squeeze it in front of you, it will always come in a bottle. Plus, $6 seems steep. Are you sure it wasnt $3 pp?

exactly. If you aren't at a table in the MDR, a specialty restaurant or ordering room service, I suppose that they can assume you are in the Lido. I would assume that Crew Appreciation follows this tracking.

I have never had a problem with the HAL website. No issues ever.

Nothing compares to a Pinnacle Grill steak. It is a steakhouse, so that is their specialty. They also have a great steak on the lunch menu. Main dining room steak is also fine, if you order steak for dinner.

depending upon the ship you are sailing, you can always go to the movie theater and snag a bag of popcorn if you are really jonesing for a bag. or buy bags of pre-popped popcorn. that is readily available on land

This was on the Rotterdam? To me, this does not look like Holland America Line carpet, or an area I have ever seen on HAL.. just saying. Kind of sad to me that it looks like a different cruise line carpet. I miss the old Rotterdam. so if the carpet is like this on the newest Rotterdam, that just makes me sad.

Just ask for the beverage managers phone number, most premium bottles are for sale at premium prices.

yes, the ice cream station has wafer cones and waffle cones yes, the taco bar has all you might need to make a plate of nacho's for yourself

Hi there, So great to hear from you. I wish we could join you in October! We are going back to the South Pacific next year. We will be looking for you and Howie around each corner I am sure..

I am feeling nostalgic this evening. I am missing the ocean and my cruising buddies. I am listening to music that reminds me that every single moment on the ocean is a gift and understanding that, in the end, all you have are photographs and memories. Thank you every fellow passenger that crossed our paths and made the conversation that much more interesting, the meal that more entertaining, the sunrise or sunset that more special, the hello from below, above or across balconies that much more engaging! Preserve your memories. Until next time.... Time it was And what a time it was, it was A time of innocence A time of confidences Long ago it must be I have a photograph Preserve your memories They're all that's left you

Ironically enough, I cruise to forget about phone calls and questions. But if I do need to ask one, I usually stay on hold until I get a live person, as others have said. Or you can ask your questions here on this board. A million people are here to help you. Good luck and happy cruising.

Sometimes if you want recognition, you have to promote yourself. It is not a very comfortable thing to ask of anyone, and I can only imagine how awkward it must feel to ask it. I always assure whomever is asking that I will fill out the survey. Kind words are seldom heard in this day and age. Praise is so seldom given. I recall being asked to be sure complete the survey and to mention their performance on the survey. I never felt they were begging for a good review, just a fair one. I try to kill them with kindness, and enjoy all that they do for me. I am not the one being judged for my performance, they are, and I try to remember that.

This may seem silly but i usually bring postcards from home to not only share with my table mates our contact information but to send thank you and appreciation notes to the appropriate departments. If i am not sure whom to thank, the front desk always is eager to give me the correct name. I always receive a note in kind. I like to write also, and I always send postcards from the ship. The mail service is really great. I dont mind so much that they do not provide cards, but you can always ask for a paper and pen at the front desk. I think a kind note goes a long way for them. I know the captain and crew appreciate it, as well as my comments and pics at the end of the voyage.

I think what Gail and Marty are gearing at is that the first night of the cruise (yes, in your case Saturday night) most people are tired from traveling and it is what is known as turn around day. Often you get new crew and the first night in the main dining room can be a little crazy. Sometimes you dont even meet your table mates until the second night, so the first night is a good night to take advantage of a specialty restaurant with your family to settle in to your adventure. But it is your vacation. Do what feels right and just have fun. The Eurodam has Tamarind. Yum. Pinnacle is great, but we often go to Pinnacle lunch, which is lighter and quite amazing. And you cant go wrong by going to Canaletto. If you don't want to think much, or plan much, the MDR is quite wonderful. We opt for the 2nd fixed seating. Open seating can be hectic, so don't forget that your parents know the ropes. Whatever you decide to do, have a blast. It sounds like an amazing family vacation.

Well, having recently done two 14 day cruises on the Volendam this winter/spring in the Caribbean.. you're right ..B2B's can be the same cruises sometimes. The food, entertainment, all repeats, but there is new stuff too: passengers, second visits to ports for new excursions, the weather conditions, the sea conditions, the same smiling staff that really gets to know you, you're so relaxed nothing ruffles your feathers. You get a second chance to try new food/show/talks/things that you missed on the first segment. It took the pressure off fitting it all in the first go around. Longer cruises are a bit more varied, but the B2B can be just as varied for us as they will bring on new comedians and entertainers and crew. Not everyone will experience it the same way, which is also fun to witness. I am just happy to be on board, and the fact that we can stay in our same room and at our same table for dinner and not have to worry about anything for the duration is relaxing enough for us. Where ever you go, no matter how long or short, may all you days be relaxing days at sea.

I also ask for recipes while on board, while in the dining room, and get the recipe before I am done with dinner. I have even had them emailed to me. Thanks Destiny0315 for the recipe! I am sorry about the passing of your wife. What a great memory of her. On a side note, my go to recipe website is: epicurious. https://www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/zucchini-basil-soup-242831