jljcruise

1. My experience is that the libraries on board are well-used. 2. I can and do (rarely) read ebooks. The experience of reading is lessened by using just one more e-thing. I read a lot less if forced to read that way. 3. I love the shipboard libraries and would hate to see the space wasted as one more under-used lounge.

I've seen daily Mass posted on all of our cruises. I was told that the ships usually do have priests aboard due to the many Catholics on the crews.

On our last cruise I noticed the cabin phone had a very, very small digital read-out showing the ship's time, IIRC. I was hunting for something else on the phone and noticed it. Not sure it's on all phones. I always bring a travel alarm, but make sure it's set to ship's time -- nothing else counts on board. 😁

Got my check-in time today for an Oct 20 sailing. I was notified by email. Lynn

I haven't been to Japan, so can't answer those particular questions, but Room Service meals on all HAL ships are offered 24/7 and mostly complimentary. There are a few items on the room service menu with extra charges and they are clearly noted. The only other $ is if you choose to tip the waiter (always a nice thing to do!). Also the Lido pool has a retractable roof, which they close in cool/rainy weather so you can swim even then. No charge on the ship for regular coffee, tea, some juices, milk, lemonade, iced tea. Enjoy your cruise!

We're on the Oosterdam later this month for 26 days. The Navigator app list is still incomplete, but so far shows that on Main Stage in the evening we'll have (two nights each IIRC) Lincoln Center musicians, Cantare, a classical pianist, a comedian, and One Step Dance group. Like Vmax1700 says, they're listed separately on the right side of the Daily.

It's a no-brainer to me with Covid on the upswing again. The card takes up no room in the back of my passport and on my phone. If I never need it, fine. I don't want to regret not bringing it if a country we visit suddenly changes their mind and requires it. Simply, be prepared or be willing to possibly skip a port.

Thanks for your comments. I'll be following to see how things are going. We'll be on the Oosterdam in October (Piraeus to FLL). If you get a chance, could you ask if she's going into drydock or if she's doing a charter in early October? There seems to be uncertainty on this. I'm hoping for a bit of a freshening up drydock -- I realize it's not long enough for the full drydock experience. Have a great cruise!

No self-service on HAL, "just" an excellent and quick laundry service. However, if your wife does want to occasionally do a hand wash of anything, I would recommend putting some detergent sheets in a good zip-lock bag. I use a small strip of a sheet to do a hand wash. Touch them only with dry hands as they dissolve quickly. TIP: Packing -- they're flat, pack easily, and take up basically no space. Most stores have them, I think, in the detergent area (I know Kroger stores carry them among others.) They come in a flat cardboard package. Much better than pods for travel.

In April, my SIL and her hubby requested 2 bananas be delivered each evening so they could eat them in the early morning before taking pills. The request was honored.

Hi Mary, Our cost was about $79pp IIRC. The bus ride is about 3 hours, depending on the time through customs at the border. We find the bus transfer is the easiest way to go. We've done it twice, last in April of this year

I've done the shuttle from SEA to Vancouver twice, the last time was in late April of this year. There has always been a HAL rep right at baggage claim to check us off and direct us. I don't know that it's changed, but that's been my experience. I think we got there about 8 or so. Don't remember the time we had to be there by.

I love how you're taking this cruise and running with it! Your son's attitude and enjoyment will be a reflection of your own attitude and enjoyment. At 5, he will undoubtedly find the BEST part of the trip is being the total focus of mom and dad every day. And kudos for switching off devices ... too many parents "play" with their kids with 98% of their attention on the devices, not the child. Have a great vacation! (And ignore the curmudgeons.)

I'd stay downtown since you have a full day to tour, unless you want to do something in the outer area like drive to Mt. Rainer. In town you'd have lots more to see and do.... Seattle Center attractions (for kids, there's the Pacific Science Center which has lots of hands-on), the city waterfront has a lot of attractions including an Aquarium, and if you have a car (or want to try a bus) there's the excellent Woodland Park Zoo not too far away. BTW, I don't think the airport area is too awfully sketchy except maybe at night, but I'd say the same of downtown. True of most big cities I've been in.

The HAL NA gym is great. Very good equipment selection (and great views forward over the bow while you work out!). Also, if they're into pickleball all HAL ships have courts available. I haven't used the Princess gym, so no comment on that.

Laundering includes pressing. You choose, too, if items are folded or on hangars when returned. Laundry is usually back by the next morning or even the same evening, in our experience. Their laundry service is amazing.

On our cruise in April, the Entertainment director said that plans were to restart classical music "sometime this summer", but probably on Main Stage. I don't know if that's still their plan. We did enjoy the new group in the Ocean Bar for quieter music. Not classical music, but very enjoyable.

Old locks. I have been through them twice on the Nieuw Amsterdam, which is Eurodam's sister ship and same size.

The spa uses Elemis products, which are high-end, and that is also what is used in the cabins for shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. One of the ingredients of Elemis is eucalyptus. Therefore, that scent can be all over the ship. If this is truly an allergy issue, you might want to mention this to her. Google the Elemis company for information on their ingredients.

Why doesn't HAL do some cruises out of San Diego down to connect with South American cruises? We would so very much enjoy not having to fly to and cruise out of Florida just to sail south (we are from the west coast). Are any existing ships going to add a Grand Dutch Cafe?

I wonder if people are really reading these articles from both the Points Guy and Cruise Hive or just reacting to the title! Here are my paraphrasing of what those two have said in the last few days: ---Both say that Lincoln Center is going away, but it's the LOCATION, not the classical music! The understanding I got from both articles was that the Lincoln Center musicians will become a traveling ensemble by the summer of 2023 and be playing on the Main Stage. They don't mention what is happening to the old Lincoln Center stage area (I'm personally hoping for a Grand Dutch Cafe!) ---The Vista class ships plus the Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam are supposed to get a live band at the Ocean Bar, rollout beginning Feb 23 according to Cruise Hive. ---Rolling Stone will replace BB King's on the Vista class ships with R&B, rock, and pop, 6 nights/week. ---BB Kings will stay on the Signature and Pinnacle class ships. ---Billboard will be on all ships except the Volendam and Zandam. ---Step One and BBC Earth will continue.

We cruised August 2021 on the NA and are still awaiting the promised tiles, too.