Debz62

2 hours ago, BirdTravels said:

 

You chose when you want to use your dining package at time of dining. If you are going to eat at a fixed price restaurant (e.g., Teppanyaki) and pay out of pocket, book those first. Then the a la carte restaurants. 

 

 

First time cruising with NCL. This may be a stupid question, but I have to ask. We recently booked and the package allows for two nights of specialty dining. If we book a specialty restaurant that does not have fixed prices, like Teppanyaki, we would use one of our specialty allowances and pay any upcharge on the menu correct? It that's the case, we'd not want to use our last allowance at a fixed price specialty restaurant, but save it for another specialty restaurant that's ala carte right? Pay out of pocket for Teppanyaki?

Thank you for the information.

It will be our first time cruising with NCL and first fall in Canada/New England ever. We're cruising toward the end of September. My questions are, is a balcony room important, will we see anything that justifies the cost of a balcony cabin? Which airport in New York is closest to the cruise port? I'm not sure if we should fly into LaGuardia or JFK. Thank you for helping with these questions. 

Going to Victoria on Westerdam. Does HAL have a shuttle service to city and back to port? If so, do you need to purchase tickets in advance.

Alternately, are cabs readily available. Do they take USD?

 

Also anyone remember what time bags have to be outside cabin that night. We depart Victoria at 11.59 pm. Disembarking in Seattle next day.

We were on Westerdam May 9th-16th. We didn't use a shuttle in Victoria so I don't have any information on that.

We received a letter stating bags should be in the hallway no later than 12am. Along with the letter we also received the luggage tags that needed to be put on our luggage. The tags give the time and color you're assigned to disembark the following morning.

I hope the food is better for you and the weather is amazing! Enjoy your cruise.

And I bet that chicken cobbler pot pie was written up like fresh grain fed organic spring chicken in white wine sauce with spring vegetables in filo pastry or some such layered topping with a garnish of something or other exotic that you may or may not have heard referred to in that manner.

LOL...you must have been reading the same menu!

We just came off the Westerdam on May 16th. It was our first time with HAL. On CC someone posted the daily menus from their sailing to Alaska on the Westerdam just one year ago. The menu from their cruise was very different from what we were offered. I remember this because there were a couple of things we were looking forward to having while on this cruise. Crab legs and beef wellington weren't offered when we cruised, but were just last year on the Westerdam to Alaska. Perhaps they are cutting back each year and the quality isn't what it used to be. I did have to chuckle when the waiter in the MDR recommended the "chicken cobbler" one night. I ordered it and it turned out to be a chicken pot pie without the bottom crust! I should have chose something else, anything else on the menu. He said it was the best dish that evening. What a disappointment.

Hi Mimi, no I did not request it....I didn't get to answer a number of posters. Not sure why it got locked, I know I was being put down for my review of the food but I have seen others complaining as well. Guess someone didn't like I had to say. :rolleyes:

LOL...boy now I'm curious to read what you wrote!

thank you for your comments and support.

 

I was happy that we had the best weather to visit Alaska in May. It was so comfortable to walk around with a light windbreaker on in the warm sun.

BB King's passing while we were on the ship made seeing the BB King Blues Band even more meaningful to us.

I never tried the hamburgers and hot dogs, their was always a line at the window.

 

To those that have had a better experience than we did, well, that's how it should always be on a cruise ship. I am happy for you. It should not be hit or miss when going on a cruise vacation. It's a floating resort, they should have it down to perfection. A few flaws ok, but there were just to many for my liking on this ship. As they say... FUBAR!

 

Happy Sailings, Mimi

Mimi, my husband and I were the same sailing as you were. Our experience was similar to yours, but I wanted to wait until this weekend when I had time to post my review.

This is our first time to Alaska and our first balcony. We haven't been on many cruises yet, but have been told Alaska is one that most people say you need a balcony for. I'm pretty sure we're going to enjoy it more than the inside stateroom we usually book. However, we love to travel and if we were going to another destination besides Alaska, I'd book an inside stateroom. By booking an inside stateroom we'd be able to afford a second cruise with the money saved by not having a balcony.

Yes, thank you for sharing this information.

what is a chocolate purse?

I have no idea, but hoping someone will tell us. Better yet...did anyone get a picture?

I've been in the exact same situation and I never gave it a second thought on renewing it. The passport office asked why I was there so early so I explained why. I'd rather be safe than sorry.

I agree. It'd be a nightmare if it prevented you from taking your cruise.

As someone who recently had to rewrite a hand washing policy for a health care facility I can tell you that the CDC guidelines themselves, even though they encourage regular hand washing with soap and water, acknowledge that the evidence for the efficacy of this is "very low" ( their words not mine). They recommend this because it is still considered to be important. It is especially important when the hands are visibly contaminated and during gastrointestinal outbreaks.However, effective washing is rarely performed even by health care workers, so I think the reliability of hand washing alone with the lay public is pretty poor. Also if the person touches the taps before washing they spread contamination to the next person by this means.

 

There is stronger evidence for alcohol based rubs ( not antibacterial ) of greater than 60% alcohol.

 

The World Health Organization Guidelines recommend alcohol based rubs always, with hand washing when the hands are soiled. When used properly ( so that it takes almost a minute for your hands to dry after application) they are quite effective. If you use too little , so that your hands dry too quickly, they are less effective.

 

If I wanted to minimize my own risk of infection I would do both for sure.

After washing my hands I always leave the water running while I dry my hands and get a dry clean paper towel to use to turn off the water. I use the same dry paper towel to open the bathroom door as I exit. It makes no sense after washing your hands thoroughly to use clean hands to touch contaminated faucet handles and doors. Perhaps I'm going a little overboard, but it's better than the alternative. Same with doors, elevator buttons, and stair railings...never use my hands, always an elbow, forearm, or shoulder. Coughing into the crook of your elbow is better than into ones hand...terrible way of spreading germs.

My niece finally got their room assignment! They booked a Vh gty and got a VE just forward of the lifeboats but on deck 8. Not a bad location but a long ways from our aft room! At least we can stop checking now!

So glad to hear she finally got her cabin assignment! Now if the next few days would fly by.....:)

Lots of people heading out on the 9th. so many, that there will be two threads. apologies for my tardiness in wishing you all a Bon Voyage. Guess the jet lag hit me :) for those going on the Westerdam, I promise we left her in good shape!

 

Whether you are heading to Bermuda, Canada or Alaska we wish you smooth seas and following winds:

 

 

 

 

 

Bon Voyage to Veendam - 7 day Bermuda:

cayman09

CCRUZER

Homala & DH

innlady1

 

 

 

 

Bon Voyage to Westerdam - 7 day Alaska:

cruisevers - enjoy your first HAL cruise and your anniversary and birthday celebrations with your niece and hubby![/

 

 

Bon Voyage Everyone!!

Have a great cruise and a WONDERFUL time!!

Thank you...It's going to be an amazing cruise!!

We sailed in an aft cabin last year and booked one this year too - I wouldn't sail Alaska any other way. One funny thing that happened was on the second day - it was evening and suddenly the ship shuddered and we heard a loud rumbling/screeching noise. My friend and I thought we had hit something! We called the front desk to find out what had happened, and the lady didn't have any idea what we were talking about. WHAT??? Did nobody else hear/feel this???

 

Well, this happened a few more times throughout the cruise, and each time we happened to be out on the balcony....and there were whales! We finally figured out (and confirmed with crew members later) that when whales are sighted ahead, the ship slows down significantly, which causes the rumbling/shuddering/screeching.

 

So if you hear/feel this, don't panic - run out to the balcony and look for whales! :)

Great information to have. I will certainly pay attention!

What spectacular weather! Today has been sunny and warm - it's 52 now in Juneau. I can't believe how fortunate we've been with the weather. I'd have enjoyed the cruise regardless, but this is icing on the cake. My sister and I are heading out for a whale watch, and I hope to have some show off worthy photos this evening. In the meantime, here's Juneau.

I'm watching the weather too. It looks like you should have good weather for the entire cruise. I'm hoping the good weather continues through the Westerdam's next visit to Alaska May 9th - 16th! :D

I have a sneaking feeling that on one-week Alaska cruises this year, there may just be one formal night. I plan to suggest to DH that he just take his navy blue blazer to wear with grey slacks, and I am taking one basic pair of black pants that I can wear any night with a few different tops. I know my DSIL will dress down, and her hubby will just take his blazer, so we'll play along!:)

 

I guess I should check my express docs!:eek:

Taking one pair of black slacks and a couple of nice tops sounds like a plan. Perhaps we will go to the formal nights.

Crew News and Lisa thanks for the information!

I totally understand why some people just don't want to dress up. I think that is a totally personal calll for each individual. What I don't understand is why so many people think that the rules should be different for them. If you don't want to dress according to the guidelines that are laid out and available to everyone BEFORE spending a dime on a HAL cruise and there are so many options for you even if you choose to book anyway (Lido, order room service) why complain or say you won't travel with HAL again if you decide (after ALL that knowledge) because they don't bend the rules for you?? I read these threads and iit still floors me at the number of people that complain about this! If you don't want to dress up, eat somewhere else, cruise with someone else.....but don't try to change the system. It's only one or two nights (depending on the cruise length). It's not like someone is trying to kick people out of the MDR every night of the cruise. I see so many people on here say, "on formal nights, we choose to eat in the Lido". That's reasonable. If you want what is on the menu in the MDR, order room service and have a lovely meal in your room. But why, on your vacation, would you buck the system and set yourself up to get upset, after spending all that money, just to see if you can?? I just don't understand. I spend hours trying to plan my vacation time to be relaxing (excepting the occasional uncontrolable glitch that I am determined to let roll off my back). Why go in expecting a battle??? Sorry, I'll get off my soapbox now......

 

Tanya

Tanya, if we've decided to skip the formal nights, how do we go about ordering room service from the MDR menu? Do they allow you to do that? I don't want to miss what's being served in the MDR as I don't particularly care for the Lido. Do I need to call and order room service at a certain time when ordering from the MDR menu? We're skipping the formal nights because it's an Alaskan cruise and I'm finding cold weather clothing is taking up far too much space in my suitcase :) Also, we can dress up and go out anytime at home.

Thanks for the information.

After accepting the fact that packing cold weather clothing takes up more space than I anticipated, I've decided to skip both formal nights on our Alaskan cruise. My question is, is it possible to order room service from the MDR formal night menu? If so, who do I go about doing it? Is there a certain time I need to call? Or, do they serve the same MDR food at the Lido on formal nights?

Thanks for the information.

There were lots of passengers wearing jeans, sweaters, and sweatshirts on our Alaska cruises. Alaska is very informal even in the Main Dining Rooms (except on Formal Nights).

 

As stated above layers works. I start with UndeArmour Basic 1.0 and with jeans as an outer layer, I stay warm. I also purchased two USB hand warmers from Amazon to keep my fingers warm while on those long whale-watching boat rides.

I've read several comments about people wearing nice jeans with a blouse or sweater in the MDR on all but formal nights. I don't honestly see why I'd need to take heels and dress pants. That would certainly leave more room in the suitcase for shopping! My fear is we'd be seated with people who'd be offended...LOL.

Here is a link to my photo blog of our day in Glacier Bay last summer.

 

My Souvenir Memories Blog (Glacier Bay)

 

We got lucky and had a great day weather-wise. Instead of getting off the ship in a port and taking a tour, our day in Glacier Bay almost felt like the "tour" came to us on the ship!

 

There is a lot of debate on this board, but this was one day I was so glad to have our balcony (a big splurge for us!)

Amazing pictures! Thank you so much for sharing! I hope our weather is as good as yours was. We're boarding the Westerdam on May 9th for our first trip to Alaska and our first balcony. Now I know why our TA suggested we book on the port side. :)

Debz62, I really don't think 4 hours is enough to take in Butchart's and the Inner Harbour. However, if you got a taxi at Ogden Point, and asked the driver to take you to the Empress by the "scenic route", through Beacon Hill Park, you'll see lots of flowers there, also in the gardens of the Empress Hotel, and around the museum. The drive to Butchart's alone would be 30 or 40 minutes each way. If you are here in May, things will still be in bloom. Here's my garden - still lots to come out!

 

 

 

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What a lovely picture. Thank you Ann for the information. Is Beacon Hill Park or the Empress anywhere near the wharf?

So to answer the question..... our cabin is 7072 (a Neptune suite). And while we have had hot water for 6 days now they cannot get it quite right..... there is no cold water now:D we just got used to brushing our teeth using warm water. Oh well can't have it all, I guess.

You have to be one of the most understanding people I've ever heard from. Even so, I do hope they compensated you for the trouble.