MaisonRose

Two places : here in Frederick RAGIN REEF and Jimmy’s in Dundalk which is off 95 N just after the Harbor Tunnel.

Here in Maryland a can of lump crabmeat is nearing $40. One can makes four small real Maryland crab cakes…so you can see where this is heading.

I asked this about Enchantment sailing on April 30. The answer was no to Marseille: the explanation was that CoVid started this policy, understandably. It’s sad, though, that they haven’t changed back. It would have saved me much time, money & grief.

Oh yes but I think it is me. There isn’t much on the app. I am checked in and I’m waiting to the 30th to do my health questionaire but I can’t pull up drinks packages or internet choices. Navigating the app is quite limited and the website doesn’t give m much choice either. have I missed the boat? i waited this long to make these commitments because my DH had recent surgery and I wasn’t sure we’d make it. Anyway is there a tutorial for the Royal app?

Merci bien…S

I want to post a question Anyone familiar with gluten free dining? Is there more than one soup selection at lunch? Also about the beverages: is sweet n low available and what brand of tea bags, please? Thanks, Susan

Tea bag brands. Sweet n Low? Gluten Free eating? Thanks.

April Fools! (Sorta)

Who are Princess Solutions? What is Aon? I travelled Apr 16 on Emerald. My husband & I disembarked May 1 for purposes of quarantine, having missed two days on ship + May 1/9 British Isles. Nothing shows on my Princess account and I can’t find any forms to fill out on the Princess website. We have other travel insurance but must clear up the Princess situation before filing. Thanks for any further discussion. Susan

GO to you tube and search Rotterdam reviews. You will get tons of answers. If I recall correctly, Explorations Cafe is in the library in the front of Rotterdam and the Dutch Cafe is on a lower deck mid-ships. I’m sailing from NYC on the TA to Rotterdam, April 7.

This subject is number 1 for me today. I was checking out the options (now that I used the app on my iPhone.) I was surprised to see BEVERAGE CARDS listed and especially denominations but not what you can get for your I.e. $100. In the past (2019 last HAL sailing) I got beverage cards that were for sodas and coffee and maybe more. But the use of the card gave more than the amount paid. Comments? The hitch on the Drinks package is that both passengers in the cabin must take the plan. For medical reasons I can’t drink alcohol, so that’s out. It seems that there is a Quench Package, almost $20 a day which would be perfect for me but again my DH would have to sign up also. in our cabin DH wine with dinner, maybe a beer at lunch. Me: frequent club soda and maybe a cafe coffee a day. Any suggestions other than pay as you go which is our current choice? Also it seems that specialty drinks at the Dutch Cafe are not included in any drinks package. Is this correct? THANKS IN ADVANCE TO ANYONE OFFERING AN OPINION. SUSAN. Rotterdam VII April 6.

AIX. The modern buildings on the far side of La Rotunde has a huge APPLE STORE and near that the tourist office (Office du Tourisme). These shops include H&M...the parking garage under is ROTUNDE if you have a need.. The fountain is a circle, if your back is to the Apple Store the Cours Mirabeau Is across the fountain from you. The French department store AU PRINTEMPS is on the left side of the Cours. The famous cafe AUX DEUX GARÇONS is further down on the same side. OK. hope this isn’t TMI. SUSAN

About Cassis: easy train ride from Marseille St Charles station but Cassis station is a long walk from town. Big hills, very little parking. Otherwise charming.

https://www.tripadvisor.com/ShowUserReviews-g187253-d6879322-r288226959-Les_Terrasses_du_Port-Marseille_Bouches_du_Rhone_Provence_Alpes_Cote_d_Azur.html It is called Les Terrassés du Port. Reviews on Tripadvisor.

Hi, I’m not going to comment on “getting there” since I don’t know where your ship will dock and the location that is between Marseille & MRS airport is really awkward, so good luck with that. The region has fabulous public transport but to use it one has to navigate the problematic websites such as sncf.com (trains). I’m a senior citizen that’s been a half year resident spending 22 years in the Luberon, a valley with charming medieval hill villages but without a car or driver sort of inaccessible. For amusement read Peter Mayle: A YEAR IN PROVENCE. But here’s some ideas for areas around Marseille. My first choice would be Aix en Provence, a gorgeous, leafy, walkable university town. There are cheap little jitneys that can whisk you around the Old Town (vielle ville). There is a main area on the edge which is the Place de la Rotunde (huge fountain) where starts the renowned Cours Mirabeau (5 stars). For preparation: foodies might read MFK FISHER’s TWO TOWNS IN PROVENCE, a mémoire covering post war Aix. A train runs from Marseille St Charles but really a little mini bus tour just to Aix might be worth the research. Sat AM market notable. Another adventure could be to ARLES where there are ancient Roman ruins and tiny little village streets haunted by the ghost of Van Gogh. Skip Arles if there is a bullfighting weekend. And lastly (easily accessed) is Avignon, a larger but walkable city on the east bank of the wide and sleepy Rhône. City center: aim for the Palais des Papes. Historic. I’ll leave you to figure out Marseille, head for the port & walk around & possibly take the tourist train: going up to the cathedral above the city will afford spectacular views. Marseille is very international, full of seafood restaurants and curious, down to earth citizens. It won’t strike you as a huge tourist destination but as a real, bustling southern French city... of course you can take a boat excursion to Chateau d’If of literary fame (The Count of Monte Cristo). For shoppers there’s a huge new Shopping Center that has some nice restaurants with terraces overlooking the sea as well as several good museums. It’s a reasonable taxi ride from the ship. I’m posting this & coming back with the link to this area.

Guest services will punch the card. Note to females: my favorite carry Place is in my bra but for some reason it desensitizes the keycard (requiring a walk to guest services. My advice: don’t do it.) 🤪🤪🤪

It takes time though. I just submitted my forms and my booking was made 90 days out: so it can be time sensitive. i booked directly because my TA couldn’t confirm a cabin I wanted but HAL did give me the cabin.

Additionally: there is an Orange Party on the ship and if you are in the Netherlands on April 29-30 wearing ORANGE is almost mandatory: it’s like our 4th of July. Bring something orange on your cruise, even if it’s just a scarf in any case. Also the heritage thing: I wear orange on St Patrick’s Day because my ancestors are from Northern Ireland. (Only à history teacher gets this!) Susan

Susan & Ivars ROTTERDAM April 6 13 days NYC/Rotterdam 150 Anniversary Crossing. keeping fingers crossed for YOU, JACQUI.

My experience with Lincoln Center stage is that it is ALWAYS hard to find a seat. I suspect this is about $ (what isn’t) so with prices shooting up almost everywhere, Lincoln Center/Juilliard priced itself out of the market. Im curious to hear how many loved the pre dinner concerts. Those students were fantastic, IMHO.

Maybe less pool time toward Barcelona: it depends.

Totally agree: the Brittania DR was like dining in the 1950s (Dec, 2022). Being on QM2 in Brittania class was definately second (third) class treat treatment. But I LOVED two things: afternoon tea and the kettle and tea service items in the cabin. Oh was I a happy cruiser, that’s for sure.

Very interesting. My last TA was Nov. ‘19 and I’m sailing eastbound on the Rotterdam on April 6 (NYC-Rotterdam). I’m confident that the things I love about HAL will be essentially there: but I’m picky so I’ll be back to report. Already I’m informed that the CookingShows are gone (America’s Test Kitchen was a mistake, IMHO because the show became impersonal and lost its camaraderie. When HAL had ship personnel doing the program with Food Trivia in the afternoons, it had quite a following.) Being a grumpy old lady, I don’t cotton to things that turn slick, branded and impersonal. It looks like cruise lines subcontract out events. Theres good stuff, too, of course. I do enjoy the new tech additions to cruise ships but the truth is that although wi fi connectivity is irresistible, it was nice to really « be away » on a cruise ship. Remember when we got off in a port to hang out at a « hot spot » to get news from home? I called a friend for her birthday last night and she answered on a Régent ship in Mexico! We were both shocked. Cheers, Susan SUSAN

I’m totally impressed with the knowledge shared in response to my inquiry, and grateful to everyone giving time to sharing their experience & expertise. i booked today with a cabin in VH and await further communications from HAL (cross fingers). At the least I will add Quench and wi fi if no big offers are not forthcoming. SO glad to be back to HAL after several years of poor timing & TA schedules. I really love this cruise line! Thanks to everyone. Susan

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