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I refer to both of those sites often! Many thanks to Roger and all the folks who post on Halfacts.com ~Nancy

Yes. It was a strange progression of events.....injuries! Maybe next year. ~Nancy

Well boo! I was for the 49ers of course. 😪 Congratulations to the Eagles though. I didn't watch but it sounds like the Eagles sure walked all over the niners. ~Nancy

Welcome to Cruise Critic @Pengel from St. Pete! You should post this on the NCL forum. This "Other Crise Lines" forum is for those ships that don't belong to the larger cruise lines that have specific forums set up. https://boards.cruisecritic.com/forum/64-norwegian-cruise-line/ ~Nancy

@UDChE89Thanks very much for sharing your impressions about the trip! That's too bad that they don't offer a 30-unit package for alcohol packages. They still list it for the non-alcoholic drinks package though. Did you report the shower temperature problem to the office? Did they respond quickly to fix it? It's nice to know that guests can eat at the Havly Cafe if the main dining room meal doesn't appeal to them. I also wasn't aware of the fixed dining times, but that's fine with me. ~Nancy

Thank you for this firsthand USA information. I hope my TA gets it straightened out soon! ~Nancy

I don't know John but this sounds promising! Between the A&K and his experience, there should be many excellent excursion options. I just really hope that excursions aren't included in the fares!!! ~The other Nancy

@Flyinby I called Havila at 01:10 a while ago and after holding for about 5-6 minutes a very nice and helpful man answered. Yes, they work with some travel agents but the TA needs to set up the agreement with Havila. He recommended they do so by email due to the time difference for their working hours. I told him my TA hadn't gotten a response to her email. He asked for the email address and found it immediately. He said he'll put it on priority and will respond himself today! He said they have been swamped with requests for information and bookings. Good for Havila but they will need to hire more customer service agents if they are getting more known and popular! Thanks again and have a wonderful trip to Norway! ~Nancy

Oh gosh, thank you for the detailed information. Since I'm a night owl anyway I'm going to give them a call shortly (1am Pacific Time is 10am Norway time) and ask. My TA had sent them two emails but hadn't gotten a response for 7 days so far! They are probably busy rebooking all the people on the cancelled Polaris dates, but I would think they could answer an email. Anyway, I'll find out soon. I'll come back and let you know what I find out regarding the Travel Agents. ~Nancy

That Derby Day video made me smile! Thanks for the Friday Fun!! ~Nancy

I know Vueve Cliquot was $18 per glass on Rotterdam in November and now it's $28!! The other drinks don't look like they went up horribly. Not nearly as expensive as NCL.

My TA here in California told me she is having difficulties connecting with Havila to book my trip. I'm her first client to request Havila but she has booked trips with Hurtigruten as have I with a different TA. Has anyone used a TA for Havila? If not possible, I guess I'll just do it myself online. Thank you....Tussen tak, ~Nancy

Mahalo @bennybear!! Oh dear, how could I forget Hawaii?? I guess because it's in its own time zone. One factoid that somehow amuses me is that Hawaii is in the same time zone as Tahiti! I wish I were in either place right now!! 🌺🏝️ ~Nancy

Boy, horse racing on the deck sure is a throwback activity! The people make it fun. I remember doing the horse racing on my first cruise on Royal Viking Line in 1982! There was also the skeet shooting and golf ball driving from the aft. I'm glad they stopped that but the horse racing will leave no trace on the ocean floor! I'll put $2 on Pete's horse to win!! 😉

Thanks @ksmaxey. The Rotterdam and some of the other ships started the signing for drinks/Dive In last November 2022 as well as the new policy to pay only the drink price above $11 overage and 18% gratuity on the overage. I have expressed my dislike for the ridiculous receipt signing policy to HAL and here on CC but nothing has changed!! What a waste of everyone's time to keep track of thousands of tiny pieces of paper! Anyway, thanks for reporting the drink price increases and have a great cruise. ~Nancy

@Copper10-8 has already started the Daily thread for today - Thursday! He's very gung-ho this morning!! ~Nancy

Glad you're feeling better Roy @rafinmd! Since @Copper10-8 is a fellow west coaster it was only about 1am when he posted. He's representing us California, Oregon, Washington and western Canada readers! I'm actually still up and going to bed shortly. I'll come back after sleeping to read what has transpired on the Daily after this. ~Nancy

On Rotterdam in November 2022, it was the same. Just pay the overage plus gratuity. It's a good policy! ~Nancy

I've always been able to get doubles on the beverage package. Two beers Two diet cokes Two shots of tequila in my margarita Double pour of wine ~Nancy

Welcome to Cruise Critic @kjcrmartin!! Cruisedeckplans.com has pictures of Rotterdam cabin #4133 Cruise Deck Plan Database and Pictures (cruisedeckplans.com) ~Nancy

Thank you @grayjay. I'll access the handy Google Translate function and look at the German site. ~Nancy

I salute you for this great surprise! One request though. The locals in San Francisco will love you even more if you call our city.....San Francisco!! "Frisco" and "San Fran" are like fingernails scratching on the chalkboard to our ears. 😬 Really. Just reading your post gave me a physical shiver and not in a good way. Have a wonderful trip and Congratulations on your 30th anniversary. She's a lucky woman with a very thoughtful husband. 😊 ~Nancy

@mvogelhave you tried to schedule the previous or next voyage on the Capella (or Castor) instead? Others have reported on either the Hurtigruten Cruise Critic forum or the Facebook page that they have switched to the other Havila ship at the same cost as their Polaris booking. Good Luck and please let us know if you can switch! ~Nancy Oops....I was typing at the same time as @Flyinby! We're here in the same time zone.

I want to go back to Raiatea for a land trip sometime! ~Nancy

I spoke with someone last week who went on the Hurtigruten Bergen/Kirkenes/Bergen route and did actually step off the ship in all 34 ports!!! And, yes, even the ones that docked for 10 minutes at 3am. I'm not quite that inspired but do plan on getting off during my waking hours in most ports. @directionfinder thanks for sharing your recent experience. Good to hear that the food and meal service scheme works well. ~Nancy