catlet

On 4/21/2024 at 4:11 PM, leerathje said:

Thank you, @catlet , that's Jim and I with our Canadian flag!

We are on this sailing and are actually scheduled to sail at 3 pm although I see that Port Everglades says 5pm

1 hour ago, Analog187 said:

Day 10 - Kristiansand

We got off the ship with a rough idea as to what we wanted to do but nothing really planned out.  This is a cool little town.  As soon as you get out of the port area there's just flowers everywhere.  It's really nice.  If you head to the right there's a bunch of old wooden boats that are part of a museum there.  We didn't bother to go into the museum or even check if was open as we just liked checking out the boats.  From there we went to McDonalds!  It's a McDonald's in an old bank so its supposed to be one of the fanciest McDonalds in the world but they are working on the fancy part so we didn't get to go inside.  We then checked out the cathedral and walked through the old town.  Like several of the towns we've visited on this trip, there's a section of town with really old wooden houses.  Once again, it was great to walk through this area which was a pretty good size.

 

We then took the bus to Lillesand which is about a half hour away.  Unlike the towns that have a historic area, this whole town on the water is a historic area.  Tons of old wooden houses, almost all of them painted white with awesome flowers everywhere.  The smell is awesome.  A number of the houses are from the 1700s and 1800s.  It's clearly a well to do area as most people seemed to have a Mercedes or an Audi.  I think we were the only tourists in the area but wow, it was a great place.  Can't recommend it enough.  

 

We took the bus back and then we walked by the fortress and headed back to the ship.  At this point we walked over 6 miles for the day so we were wiped out.  Nothing at the MDR really excited us so we opted for the buffet again.  It was better than other nights and not nearly as crowded.  I had the steak which is supposed to be the same as in the MDR.  It had a nice flavor so I was surprised.  

 

We then went to the Crows Nest to have some drinks and watch the view until it was time to go to the show.  Here's another example of rudeness on this cruise.  This older couple behind us had this really wacky argument about the busiest shipping channels in the world.  The guy was wrong the woman went off on him, yelling at him, cursing at him, etc.  This went on for over 20 minutes.  It was was really crazy and inappropriate.  

 

On the way to the show we stopped by the Dutch Cafe for a beer.  They ran out of the beer I wanted and had no idea if they had any more.  We then went next door to get luggage tags and they ran out of all the luggage tags except the earliest ones.  I really feel like things are not being run right on this ship.  I've never heard of anything like this in 30 years of cruising.  We want to get off the ship late so I don't know what we are going to do.  Guess we'll figure that out later.

 

The show tonight was the Pianist with the Hair again.  He was even better than his first show.  This is one of the best shows I've ever seen on a cruise.  He's incredibly talented and he should be very famous.  Can't say enough about how amazing he is.  The rudeness continued of course.  The couple next to us was on their phones the entire time.  They were pretty old too as the guy had a hearing aid.  As if that wasn't bad enough, he took a phone call and had a loud conversation with someone.  We gave it 30 seconds to make sure it wasn't some quick thing but nope, he was planning on having an entire conversation during the show.  Since he has a hearing aid, his phone is super loud so despite him being 6 feet away, I heard the person on the other line like she was yelling in my ear.  We yelled at him to get out of here with that and he never came back.  Again, 30 years of cruising and I've never encountered this.  Not sure if HAL just attracts a certain type or what but this is pretty incredible.  

 

Anyway, we went to the casino and we did very well.  Well my wife was the one that really did great.  Probably brought us back to even or maybe even a little ahead.  

 

So really fun day.  One more full day left.  

 

 

You can get off the ship whenever you want as long as its not before the assigned tag time. The luggage is unloaded and is piled together by the colored tags, so no problem being later, you just cannot exit earlier than assigned time.

We are booked on a 21 day Norway cruise leaving Amsterdam that is also available as a 7 day and a 14 day itinerary. Will we be required to get off the ship in Amsterdam on our return after the first 7 days? 

We just got off the Repositioning Ft Lauderdale to Montreal last week. First load sent in the morning,  received that night. Next two loads sent in morning, received next day in the evening.

3 minutes ago, rodndonna said:

 

So do they not store it.?. We've only bought bottles once on another line years ago, and they would take it away at the end of the meal and we would then just ask for it the next day (or whenever).

 

Are you saying after dinner (assuming the bottle is not empty) we can chose to have it stored or, just take it with us to drink elsewhere on the ship. I guess I am not sure how they know whether the bottle I am strolling into the Lido  or bar with had the corkage fee already paid. Maybe it is just honour system?

Yes, we stored any bottles opened in the main diningroom. We had opened a new bottle in Canaletto and they asked if we wanted to take the remaining wine so took the bottle back to our cabin. The next day we carried the open bottle up to the Lido and as mentioned as soon as we sat at a table a waiter arrived with wine glasses. Not sure how they know, but we were not questioned. 

5 hours ago, kazu said:

 

How long ago was that please?  While we could do it in the past - it was my understanding that now the wine package can only be enjoyed in your cabin or the restaurants ?   Or so I was advised on board.

We just got off the Zaandam last week and enjoyed one bottle from our package in the Crows Nest. The bartender even provided a ice bucket. We also took our partial bottle from the Canaletto to the Lido the next day at lunch and a waiter arrived right away with wine glasses.

11 hours ago, we135b said:

I contracted COVID on an Alaskan cruise on the ms Koningsdam in June of 2022. At the time the Canadian government required a 10 day isolation period which I completed in a Holland America designated4 HAL COVID letter.pdf hotel in Vancouver BC, incurring a $4000 USD bill. In a letter to me, Holland America promised to reimburse the cost as well as paying $100 a day for food. But here I am nine months later and nothing despite dozens of emails and phone calls requesting status. All communications were met with "be patient" or "its in work". At this point, I've lost hope and am deciding if I should sue in small claims court. I'm trying to determine if Holland America made the commitment as a term of the sale of the cruise, Has anyone else had a similar this experience?

We caught Covid at the end of our August NS cruise and had to stay in Boston another 8 days, as we are from Canada. Filed with HAL mid September and just received our reimbursement check two weeks ago. Our travel agent contacted HAL in December and was informed it had been approved. We still had to wait almost 3 months to actually receive the money. Hang in there. 

We found this Viking duck on our Iceland/Greenland cruise. The person who hide them went to a lot if trouble finding suitable souvenir ducks worth keeping. 

7 minutes ago, AFNavigator said:

Here's HAL's HIA exclusions list:

"Package excludes purchases made in Signature Shops, Mini Bar and In-Room Dining, or beverages on Half Moon Cay".  Other than those locations, the package applies at all the other venues you listed.

 

The package does include specialty coffees, juices and soft drinks, except (i believe) for soft drinks from the Coca Cola Freestyle machines on the Pinnacle class ships.  It also includes waters but only 16 oz or less.  So the small Perrier bottles are included but not the large bottles.

 

Drink gratuities are included in the package price so any drink priced $11 or less has no additional charges to you.  Also, drinks with spirits in them (margaritas, for example) are priced at the spirits price only--no added charge for whatever specialty drink it is going in.

 

Be aware that a drink exceeding the $11 limit (a $12 glass of wine, for example) is charged at the full price plus 18% gratuity, not just the price difference above $11.

 

I can't speak to your chai tea and smoothie question---anyone else know?

 

Yes, Chai tea was available and covered at Exploration Cafe. Smoothies were also covered and listed on the pool bar menus. The Sip and Savor wine at $5 was not covered and milkshakes on Nieuw Statendam not covered as they are made at Gelato bar. Also the ' advertised martini tasting' at the Panorama Bar wasn't covered but the bartender made us several different martinis over the cruise and all were covered; chocolate martini, coffee martini, Appletini, Lemon drop. Just ask, the waiters will find you something that is covered by your package.

On 10/17/2022 at 2:49 PM, Jey01 said:

I’m looking at booking a cruise for the winter but have never been on HAL before. IF masks are required, what are the parameters? Indoors only? At the pool? At the indoor pool? Im okay wearing it in an elevator or in an indoor crowd. Outside not so much. Seems common sense, but common sense doesn’t prevail these days!

Indoor only, unless you are actively eating or drinking. You can remove them at the pools , when out on the promenade deck or sports decks. Also were required on tenders, although your outside because you are seated close together. Always carried with us and didn't feel wearing them was an issue.

12 hours ago, richwmn said:

I thought I would show y'all the view I had last night and this morning.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Enlarged picture, just past Lee's Ave apartments, Peace Tower on Parliament Hill and across canal Chateau Laurier.

2 hours ago, richwmn said:

Good morning,

I woke up and misread the time and posted the Fleet Report and Daily. When I realized what time it actually was, I went back to sleep and slept later than I have in a very long time.

It is currently raining in Ottawa after two lovely days. Later today I will change location to visit another couple here in Ottawa, then board the train tomorrow for Quebec City. I'm looking forward to the cruise and seeing many old friends again.

Hope everyone has a great day!

 

The rain actually makes the Fall Foliage colors more vibrant 

On the Halifax boardwalk there is a Smoke's Poutinerie about a 10 minute walk from the Pier if you really want to try it.

Cucumber martini, Oasis of the Seas.

Canadians like to talk about weather, family, travel and avoid discussion of Health care and politics. Sports like curling, hockey vs football, soccer. Crown Royal not bourbon. Caesars not Bloody Mary's. Temperature when it's too cold to swim, wear shorts, need a sweater. 

On 10/8/2021 at 2:13 AM, Sue from Canada said:

If I can remember Canadian waters are closed to cruise ships until February 28, 2022.

Announced in July, Canada will reopen to cruises Nov. 1,2021. Too late for this year but preparing to welcome Cruises for 2022.

5 minutes ago, Bogie Man said:

How difficult is getting your wine glass refilled in the MDR when you have the signature beverage package? 

No problems. The waiters have the 'SB package' wines, so we never waited. On Celebrity we had to wait on the Sommelier. 

37 minutes ago, DaveOKC said:

A friend of mine just got a free Signature beverage package and was asking if his favorite - Crown Royal is included in the "free" drinks.

Yes, it was included. 

18 minutes ago, USN59-79 said:

We have cruised both: 5-star on HAL and Elite on Princess.  My biggest concern is the stateroom on Princess.  Unless you opt for the largest, most expensive balcony or a suite, you will be lucky to get even one chair in your room, and certainly not a love seat or coffee table.  We like to order breakfast in the room and HAL has a better hot breakfast.  But could you imaging having to eat your breakfast either sitting on the floor or sitting on the bed?

And the bathrooms. Princess has the small showers all the comedians like to make fun of. 

54 minutes ago, Vict0riann said:

So sad with today's news that four ships have been sold.  We just got the email cancellation of our Rotterdam cruise next year from HAL.😢

We also had our Rotterdam cruise cancelled. Notice all four sold ships are on the move thru the Suez Canal. 

Sorry Rich, have to celebrate Canada, so a Lobster Roll, poutine and a Beavertail with a Mission Hill Chardonnay. Virtual fireworks tonight! 

Happy Canada Day! 

We just received our email as well for a May 29th sailing that HAL cancelled. We had only advised our travel agent April 27th we wanted to take the FCC. 

On 1/20/2020 at 1:57 PM, BashfulBeki said:

This will be our first cruise with HAL, sailing on Nieuw Amsterdam in the Mediterranean. My husband is allergic or intolerant of wheat, dairy, tree nuts. I see that accommodations can be made in the MDR with a menu the previous night and that the buffet has a gluten-free section but we have one night included at the Pinnacle Grille and we will want to try the Tamarind.  How does one manage the specialty restaurants? And can anyone will food allergies tell me how successful (or not) they have been?  Even ordering a salad for him can be a struggle - no croutons, no walnuts, no shaved Parmesan!

Be sure to ask about desserts too. My husband has tree nut allergies so preordered all his meals However the desserts are not on those menus and twice he received a dessert with nut garnishes!! 

6 hours ago, FlaMariner said:

So here is the start of a list of what you can drink FREE (or with no up-charge, however you choose to call it):

 

Water

Iced Tea

Coffee 

Lemonade

Hot Tea (a bunch of choices)

Hot Chocolate

Milk

Chocolate Milk

Orange Juice

Pineapple Juice

Grape Juice

Prune Juice

Also, alcohol is free at the "meet the officers" reception first gala night & the mariner welcome aboard reception & probably other events we are not privy to as lowly 3 Stars.

2 bottles of wine w/no corkage brought on at embarkation

 

We've never gone thirsty and we've never paid for any drink except for wine...and wine...and wine.....and then more wine.

 

What did I forget?  Grapefruit juice?

 

 

Yes, grapefruit juice. Juices only available at breakfast but we would take a glass back to our room. We also took the cartons of milk available at breakfast for cereal and kept them in our fridge.