rkacruiser

Not me either at sea or at home! But, please don't expect to see me on deck as the sun makes her daily appearance, either.

Great tooting from Volendam! Other than Rotterdam V, she is my "Dutch Darling".

The question of tipping only one's "main DR Steward" or the "main Cabin Steward" when often they work in teams is an excellent one. I have decided offering a nice gratuity in an envelope addressed to both of the Stewards is sufficient. My expectation is that the money will be shared.

The question of tipping only one's "main DR Steward" or the "main Cabin Steward" when often they work in teams is an excellent one. I have decided offering a nice gratuity in an envelope addressed to both of the Stewards is sufficient. My expectation is that the money will be shared.

The question of tipping only one's "main DR Steward" or the "main Cabin Steward" when often they work in teams is an excellent one. I have decided offering a nice gratuity in an envelope addressed to both of the Stewards is sufficient. My expectation is that the money will be shared.

XBGuy, Replying to your post: In my experience, it is the top management of the "property"--be it ship, restaurant, or hotel-- that helps determine a guest's satisfaction. The Executive Chef, the Maitre d' and Head Waiters, the Head Housekeeper, and I would include the active, daily visibility in the guest areas of a ship's Captain and Hotel Director greatly influence the crew/staff that serve the guests. From what I have learned during several Behind the Scenes Tours, Executive Chefs have the ability to "tweak" the standardized recipes out of the ship's Home Office. I conclude that some are better "tweakers" than others.

Your comments mirror my reasons for using a travel agent that is not a cruise company employee.

Yes, the I am having some difficulties as well. The web cams freezing, or the audio is off, and CC seems to be loading rather slowly more often than not.

Their interior is lovely. But, in a rather modern way. The art being placed on the Nieuw Statendam that Captain Albert is showing us reminds me of the decor I experienced on Celebrity Eclipse.

Hanukkah is nicely celebrated aboard HAL ships as well as Christmas.

I appreciate seeing the photos of this remodeled terminal. Seeing a walkway from the main terminal into what appears to be another building makes me wonder if Celebrity/Port Everglades is going to continue handling the disembarking guests luggage the way they used to. Guests had to walk to a separate building to get luggage. That turned into a zoo. My disembarkation from Celebrity Eclipse was the worst I ever experienced in any port.

Just too dark to determine the precise location of my stateroom on Royal Princess, but I am sure it is in a good location. Surely hope that we don't sail so late on December 29th!

Will we be able to get a report from the United States Coast Guard about this tragedy?

It's always fun to sight another cruise ship near mine. Unless the ship has a distinctive profile, which few do these days, I wonder: who might that be?

Fettucuini Alfredo is the most memorable dish on which I have dined on Princess. I have a complimentary specialty restaurant dinner that will be assigned and I have booked the Crown Grill. I do want to try Sabatini's as well. Very good reviews of Alfredo's as well. Did you try Alfredo's? Too short of a cruise to try all of the dining options!