rkacruiser

When I sailed on the Zaandam, the port change from Valparaiso to San Antonio was made because of labor problems at Valparaiso. Dock worker issues with slowdowns, etc, The problems must have been resolved.

Leave earlier; sail slower; save fuel.

An unusual sailing time!

Not accurate. Princess has itineraries that includes College Fjord, but, they usually are Northbound itineraries. I suggest that you try to select an itinerary that includes visits to both Glacier Bay and Hubbard Glacier. Princess does this on most, if not all, of their Southbound itineraries. HAL may also do this for 2023 since they will be sailing from the same port that Princess does. Both Princess and HAL offer a very good onboard Alaska program with Princess having a slight edge. Princess ships are considerably larger than HAL's and they don't have any venue like the Crow's Nest that each HAL ship has. HAL's ships do have more open exterior deck space for guests than does Princess's ships. A pleasant decision for you!

Maybe not relevant on October 28, 2022, but it is my expectation when I embark a HAL ship. And, then, I must ask this question. Why is it not relevant in October, 2022? There is a competition "out there" for guests, Is there not? Fulling a proposed "Signature of Excellence"--as Holland America Line once did on a consistent cruise to cruise experience--would make HAL a stand out among their competitors.

La Boheme was the production when I sailed on Meraviglia and it was excellent with the male and female lead having the operatic voices required for such a production. Agree. How many different kinds of risottos can a Chef create? And, a Ravioli with a Pesto Sauce? Delicious, but never consumed a green pasta dish. Music Walk on HAL is an improvement. But, for more variety and for main theater entertainment, MSC is better. The concept made their debut when the Nieuw Amsterdam entered service and was and is a stellar musical group. Agree. Somehow, the "suits" in Seattle need to find a way to retrofit the Vista and Signature Class ships to include this venue. It would be a revenue producer as well as non-revenue items being enjoyed by HAL guests.

I booked the shore excursion to Job's Tomb and, when I saw it, my thought was "so what"? I did enjoy seeing the desert landscape, but, I would not rate it as "fascinating". After the tour, I did all of what you did except for bartering in the souk. I "window shopped" and did consider buying some Frankincense, but decided not to do so. The tour people were friendly; the citizens whom I encountered were not hostile, but, there was no "warm and fuzzy--glad you are here" feelings either. Oman, at least for me, was a "one and done" country to visit. Glad that I had the opportunity to visit; a return visit is not desired.

This does not appear to me to be a venue for elegant dining. Carnival's steakhouses have more room between the tables than your photo shows. The specialty restaurants on Princess and HAL have more room between the tables as well.

I agree with Stem to Stern. Park at the Port. More convenient and better protection for your car.

Thank you. I appreciate your kind words. There are other CC members who have much more cruise experience than I do.

A suggestion: your public library probably has tour books/guides for many different States and cities. Books concerning Miami and Florida are likely among those.

i think is a very good suggestion for the OP. The BBB may be able to give the OP some idea whether the company has gone out of business or what.

OP, I suggest you consider requesting a golf cart for your transfer in advance of your departure date. If you do this, the golf cart will likely be waiting for you when you leave your plane.

Presti is an excellent person. A very pleasant gentleman as well as a very competent person in the job that he has. Yes. I support your thinking. I expect the "Signature of Excellence" slogan, as well as previous ones that "indicate" a cruise that is "something above and beyond the ordinary" to be fulfilled.

Entertainment variety on MSC was better than HAL even with Music Walk. (When was the last time that you heard an abbreviated version of an opera, with male and female leads whose voices were opera quality, during a cruise?) Pizza was better on MSC. A New York Deli and Pizza on a HAL ship might be an equal. As a YC guest, if one wishes to be one, the price differential between a Neptune Suite and my YC Suite--and the benefits that I received as a YC guest--made my choice of Yacht Club a beneficial decision.

Absolutely agree. This could be done as well in whatever "library corner" that is available on the ship.

Maybe because a HAL experience was my first (one's first love, you know), but, each continuing HAL experience (with an occasional blip in the experience) has continued my preference for HAL. Why? There is a feeling of "I am home" when I step foot on the deck of the ship. There is the memory of the Hostess on Rotterdam V soon after I embarked at Seward in 1996, my first cruise since I became a caregiver for my parents--which was a much needed vacation. She didn't know me. But, she said: "Welcome Home!" Then, on some cruises, hanging from the decks above the gangway when one returns from a shore excursion, there is a large "Welcome Home" banner. The crew! Even during my first two cruises in 1970 and 1971 (which was the time when the crew's nationality began to change), my interactions with the crew have always been a reason why I enjoy returning to HAL. Who will I recognize? Almost always surprised that a crew member recognizes me and, then, I am embarrassed because I didn't immediately recognize her/him. The Crow's Nest: there is no lounge on any ship afloat on which I have sailed that compares with that venue. The ships of Royal Viking Line had such a Lounge on their ships which I enjoyed. Two of the most recently available amenities available that encourage me to return to HAL is the Hydrothermal Pool/Thermal Suite on the Vista Class ships and continued on the Signature Class ships and improved on the Pinnacle Class ships. The other is Sel de Mer Restaurant on the Pinnacle Class ships and the pop-ups on the others. Quality cuisine and service! Bitterballen at HH; why is it not offered daily? Dutch Pea Soup when the scenic opportunities offer such, i.e. Antarctica and Alaska. Bread Pudding at lunch and the Raisin Rolls at breakfast. The special rolls, i.e. Panama Rolls, available during visits to those areas. There are so many reasons why I have been a HAL guest.

I am sincerely sorry to learn that your DH has passed. I was unaware of this. Continuing what both of you enjoyed doing is the correct path to take. I had a cruise booked for three months after my Mother, who loved cruising, passed. To go or not? That was the question that I pondered for awhile. I sailed. And, she sailed with me in spirit as well. Doing so was therapeutic for me. She has sailed with me in spirit ever since just as your DH will. My best wishes for a pleasant and safe journey.

Very good advice! There have been numerous recounts on a variety of CC message boards about those who have contracted Covid during a cruise. One couple last Winter was on a multiple back to back cruises. One of them became positive, put in quarantine, and when the ship returned to Port Everglades they were transferred to a hotel and in quarantine until the ship returned from its next cruise. Testing negative, they rejoined the ship and continued their series of cruises without issue. Because of this, and they are now on a long cruise, they avoid groups of any size and do not socialize with other guests as usual. For me, that would not be a mind-set/situation that I would enjoy.

Your itinerary looks fascinating! Darien Jungle is a port stop that I have not seen on an itinerary before. Thanks for your posting and "taking us along". Best wishes for a safe and pleasant voyage!

I hope you ordered some P.E.I. Mussels.

No. The garages are large and there is plenty of room. I don't know. Perhaps another CC member will be able to provide you with an answer.

"Should be" does not seem to be in the minds of some of our fellow guests. Disappointing when a bunch of adults have to be admonished during Muster ALL QUIET ON DECK! by the Captain. Embarrassing when he has to do it more than once.

OP, I think HAL or Princess might offer a type of cruise that interests you. There is a difference between Princess and HAL as to their onboard activities available. Princess has more to offer than HAL usually.

Interesting. But, whatever the brand, nothing can beat the fresh taste of a draft beer of the same brand.