BobNY

Can one drive directly to where the porters are stationed to drop off DW and luggage? Then drive to the Midport parking?

If not, what is the procedure for getting all the luggage from garage to terminal?

Can one drive directly to where the porters are stationed to drop off DW and luggage? Then drive to the Midport parking?

If not, what is the procedure for getting all the luggage from garage to terminal?

It's less than $9 at Total Wines. Even with corkage, it is about the same price as the 16oz. carafe onboard.

These types of awards are, by definition, industry-specific comparisons. Apparently what Ashford has done not only passes for innovation in the cruise line industry, it places him at the forefront. That alone speaks volumes about the state of the industry.

What is WBCT?

 

 

http://www.sydney.com/destinations/sydney/transport/white-bay-cruise-terminal

snow cancellations happen closing airports and delaying or cancelling flights.

And you don't even have to be where it is snowing. If your inbound equipment or crew is coming from MSP or ORD there may be no other option for the carrier but to cancel your flight or delay it significantly even if weather is fine at both departure and arrival airports.

Thank you. I did not see that list. I wondered which Sam's Clubs were being closed.

Sam's Club:

#4903: 941 Grinnell St., Fall River, MA, 1/28/2016

#6648: 1110 Fall River Ave., Seekonk, MA, 1/28/2016

#6665: 495 Summit Drive, Waterford, MI, 1/28/2016

#6681: 25 Pace Blvd., Warwick, RI, 1/28/2016

It is very possible that some of your tablemates would find your more casual attire to be an issue, judging from many of the comments on this topic. Some will not care but others will feel that they put a little more effort into dressing up and wish that others did the same.

That's their problem, not Steve's.

I still see nothing Gala about Gala Night, just some folks (sellers and buyers, alike) holding on to an anachronistic concept that is well past its prime. Based on the limited menu choices and the apparent unavailability of "always available" items, it seems to be a cut below other nights in the MDR.

Am I missing something or does the "Gala" night menu seem to have about half the choices of other night's MDR menu. And there is no mention of the "signatures" like onion soup, Caesar salad, strip steak, salmon . . .

Are they still available on request?

We understand about the food. We just got off the Amsterdam and my dh said the best meal he had onboard was the Nathan's hot dog from the Dive-in!

 

He calls it the "hot dog" cruise!

 

BTW - We had Nathan's hot dogs for Christmas dinner. We were in a port on Christmas day and the dining room was closed.

 

When I did my survey I offered to send HAL's "Chef" copies of my cookbooks!

The MDR was closed for dinner on Christmas Day!!!

Did they give a reason?

What port were you in?

I won't be ringing the US from the UK just to speak to the very shoddy guys at Ocean Images.

Ocean Images (UK) Ltd.

7 Home Farm Business Centre, Lockerley,

Romsey, Hampshire

SO51 0JT

United Kingdom

+44 (0)179 434 1818

While it's easy to dismiss something this trivial, in business mistakes like that on a website that represents the company would result in some harsh action. The website is, after all, a reflection of the excellence of the company.

Excellence has given way to savoring the journey.:(

The rules for dressing on a HAL ship are fully set forth in the conditions of carriage and similar. I obey them to the letter.

Please show me anywhere in the conditions of carriage or similar (whatever that means) where anything regarding dress is referred to as a rule.

I call it a policy change. You said it wasn't. Dumbing down in my mind is making something less then it was before. Comfortable? Next stop, shorts and crocs.

You may call it a policy change, but the HAL FAQ does not. What part of " Guests without a jacket and tie were allowed in the fine dining restaurants before the new wording so this is not a policy change" is difficult to comprehend.

That definition of dumbing down is yours. Less of something is not dumb, it is simply less. If one goes on a diet and, as a result, weighs less, have they been dumbed down?

And enough of the slippery slope argument, already!!!

Call it what you like, jackets are not required so they should not be asking cruisers to wear them. Hal is the one that dumbed down their policy.

So, what would you like to call it?

BTW, what makes a change from one particular type of dress to another "dumbing down?" Why is it dumb to allow pax to wear comfortable clothes on vacation? Sounds smart to me, especially with HAL's attempt to expand its target market before its current base of core customers dies off.

I'm curious what time you went for dinner. I generally show up between 6 and 6:30 and I don't think I've waited more than 10 minutes. I could see there being quite a wait if a person would go from 7 or 7:30. It also likely depends on the itinerary. I wonder why they were turning away men with no jackets. Their "suggestions" for the dress code have changed.

There have been numerous other threads with HAL reviews commenting on the line's lack of consistency. This code enforcement seems to be another of those inconsistencies.

From HALs own FAQ regarding dress code:

Q: Are a jacket and tie required for men?

A: Jacket and tie is the preferred attire in all fine dining restaurants on Gala Nights, though it is not required. Guests without a jacket and tie were allowed in the fine dining restaurants before the new wording so this is not a policy change.

We have done both, albeit with girls, and would strongly recommend 2 cabins. A lot, however, will depend on the maturity of your boys and the amount of trust you place in them.

I would put their comfort on the Neptune couch near the bottom of my priorities. It has been my experience that teenagers can sleep anywhere. To my mind, the majn issue is one of privacy, convenience and comfort. Will they be up in the morning later than you? How about staying out at night? One bathroom? We found it impossible with girls, maybe you can swing it, but . . .

How much will they socialize and where will they be doing it? Bottom line is that you know your boys better than anyone as to what their likes and dislikes are, petty annoyances, habits and activities. There are lots of opportunities for family time other than having 4 people in the same cabin.

Not exactly, and certainly not the spaghetti and meatballs from the "inexpensive ingredients" as posted.

Yes, exactly.

http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/mario-batali/tiny-meatballs-polpettine-recipe.html

What you are quoted as saying implies there are no meatballs on the Canaletto menu. "An astute reader will notice that there's not a meatball to be found."

Has nothing to do with "inexpensive ingredients," has to do with what you assumed an astute reader would not find. One will find meatballs.

[quote=POA1;48381805

http://www.rogerjett-photography.com/here/wp-content/uploads/2013/04/Canaletto.pdf

An astute reader will notice that there's not a meatball to be found. ;)

Restaurant speak: Veal and Sage Polpettine with glazed cippolini onions in a rustic tomato sauce

Human speech: meatballs

 

If you look at the HAL website for a 360° view of the Canaletto you will see how it is set up.

 

At this page (http://www.hollandamerica.com/main/DeckPlans.action?ship=na_2&deck=l&deep=0) click on the Canaletto name or its location on the deck plan to get the 360° view, then drag around on the image to get the "inside" view.

In the 360 view there do not appear to be any 2-tops. Do they rearrange tables based on the reservations, or do they just separate the 4-tops putting you in your neighbor's lap?

You might not have to make a choice. In Feb., "X" has the following:

1. Miami, Florida -- 4:00 PM

2. At Sea -- --

3. San Juan, Puerto Rico 3:30 PM 11:00 PM

4. St. Thomas, Virgin Islands, Us 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

5. Philipsburg (St. Maarten), Netherlands Antilles 8:00 AM 5:00 PM

6. At Sea -- --

7. At Sea -- --

8. Miami, Florida 7:00 AM --

There are still people that try to push it by trying to get into the MDR in shorts. I saw it while standing in line on my cruise. Somehow they are surprised when they can't wear them.

If one reads the Celebrity press release, it could be inferred that shorts and tees are okay on non-evening chic nights.

" . . .nor will shorts and t-shirts be permitted in the dining room on evening chic nights."

My recollection faced with the same situation was that HAL strictly enforces the definition of port as a fortified wine. As such, it is covered by "Guests are not allowed to bring beer, boxed wine, or other liquors and spirits onboard."

I am more confused than ever now about the Explore 4.

I was checking prices online at an unnamed site with a gnome for guidance. Looking specifically at Alaskan cruise on Westerdam for 20 Aug, for Category SS:

Explore 4 Sale - Cabin Price $4,398

Hot Deal - Cabin Price $4,198

The HAL site shows only the $4,398

If I am interpreting this correctly, for that $200 difference we get 15 drinks per day/per pax, and dinner in PG. The $300 OBC and dinner at Canaletto are for the suite booking and would be included in both.

Am I missing something or is this how it works for this particular sailing?