Zuiderdam-Anyone just back from Alaska

[jeniferlyn]

I just spoke to HAL and they told me that the formal nights were the first sea day and the evening that we sail in Glacier Bay. They also told me that the second formal night was the Master Chef Dinner.

 

Has anyone who has recently returned from Alaska know if this is the schedule? I am trying to make Pinnacle Grill reservations and I just want to double check.

 

Thanks for the help...we are sailig on June 12th...can't wait!!

[ranger-cruiser]

I just spoke to HAL and they told me that the formal nights were the first sea day and the evening that we sail in Glacier Bay. They also told me that the second formal night was the Master Chef Dinner.

 

Just got back. Yes, formal nights are first sea day and evening of Glacier Bay. Not sure about Master Chef dinner though. the seas were so rough coming out of glacier bay, not many people made it to dinner.

[jeniferlyn]

Thank you! I hope you had wonderful trip!

[SwissMyst]

Just got back. Yes, formal nights are first sea day and evening of Glacier Bay. Not sure about Master Chef dinner though. the seas were so rough coming out of glacier bay, not many people made it to dinner.

 

Uh, oh. :(

[DutchByAssociation]

the seas were so rough coming out of glacier bay, not many people made it to dinner.

 

That's not something you hear every day

[TLHB70]

Uh oh. We will be boarding very soon.

[Appygirl]

Just got back. Yes, formal nights are first sea day and evening of Glacier Bay. Not sure about Master Chef dinner though. the seas were so rough coming out of glacier bay, not many people made it to dinner.

 

I made it to the formal dinner on the Glacier Bay night. That was the only night that I rented my dinner.

[PaulaW]

Yes, formal nights are the first day at sea and the night of Glacier Bay. Master Chef's dinner was on the last night.

 

Not sure why we had such rough seas coming out of Glacier Bay, but if I remember correctly, it did not get really rough until later in the evening. I believe during the first dinner seating, it may have been smoother. I had the later dinner and it was pretty rocky. The second show in the showroom was also sparsely attended.

[PennyAgain]

There are some very interesting weather fronts hitting Alaska. Also depending on which way the ship went after Glacier Bay, the situation can vary. Some captains make a mad dash to get out where the casino can open. Thus it can get very rough.

[larsenbiz]

Thanks for the info re: formal nights. I'm headed out in a couple of days and was wondering about the Master Chef's Dinner. What night? I figured the last night. HAL booked our vow renewal for the last night, which I think is kind of weird.

[ranger-cruiser]

HAL booked our vow renewal for the last night, which I think is kind of weird.

We did the vow renewal also. They moved the date twice while on the cruise and finally confirmed it for the last night. Also thought it was kind of weird, but at least it was a day that did not conflict with any of our plans.

We were the only couple having the vow renewal so it the whole ceremony was just for us. Captain Turner spent a lot of time with us and the whole experience was great. The keepsake book is also very nice. Well worth the money.

[larsenbiz]

We did the vow renewal also. They moved the date twice while on the cruise and finally confirmed it for the last night. Also thought it was kind of weird, but at least it was a day that did not conflict with any of our plans.

We were the only couple having the vow renewal so it the whole ceremony was just for us. Captain Turner spent a lot of time with us and the whole experience was great. The keepsake book is also very nice. Well worth the money.

Ranger-Cruiser,

I'd love to hear more about the vow renewal. What time was it scheduled for? I think ours is at 7:00. Was there music? Was there champagne? Was there cake? Anything else you'd like to add. We've got 10 people joining us and are really looking forward to it.

[LindaKE]

Is the Master Chef's Dinner the only option that night, or do other venues offer regular dining?

[oh2gocruisin]

There are some very interesting weather fronts hitting Alaska.

 

Uh oh, please define "interesting"? All I see on radar maps is rain. We leave in a few days.

 

Kathy

[ranger-cruiser]

weather chanel radar showed rain everyday of our cruise and it only rained once last week. Just make sure to pack your hooded water proof jacket just in case. It was my top layer everyday of the cruise. You could even buy one for $20 in any of the ports.

[SwissMyst]

...... Some captains make a mad dash to get out where the casino can open. Thus it can get very rough.

 

This is terrible policy. I am sorry to learn this. :mad:

[ranger-cruiser]

Ranger-Cruiser,

I'd love to hear more about the vow renewal.

Ours was scheduled for 7:00 also, and then at around 4:00 we got a phone call in the cabin asking if we could move it to 6:00. We agreed. When we arrived at the room (piano bar, i think) we were greeted by the event planner, photographer, and 2 servers (No music). The planner and photographer introduced themselves, the planner then pinned a corsage on wife and I. We sat down and the servers brought us some hors d'oeuvres. Then captain arrived, introduced himself and asked us to follow him to the center of the room. Read the vows, kiss, smile for the camera… The servers then brought out a delicious chocolate cake that could feed 20 people. We cut the cake for the camera and then we all sat down while the servers brought us all a slice and champagne. The captain sat with us for a while and asked us how we met, and then offered the toast. Captain then excused himself and the photographer said that she would run up to develop the pictures so we could see then within an hour. The event planner stayed with us and asked if we would like our cake and keepsake book delivered at dinner that night (7:45). As promised, she personally delivered the book to us during dinner and the a new cake was delivered to our cabin that night, only it was not the delicious chocolate cake, it was a small lemon/vanilla cake that was not worth the calories J After dinner we went to the photo gallery and saw the pictures that were taken and we purchased a couple extra for $10 each (1 picture is already included with package). The event planner also took pictures with our camera during the ceremony since we did not have any family with us to take pictures, but sounds like you have a big group so you should have plenty help in that area.

Congratulations. Enjoy it. Well worth the money.

[jeniferlyn]

Yes, formal nights are the first day at sea and the night of Glacier Bay. Master Chef's dinner was on the last night.

 

 

Did you attend the Master's Chef dinner? If so, could you please list what was on the menu? Thanks......

[larsenbiz]

Thanks Ranger-Cruiser. I'm hoping they don't change the time on us, unless they make it a bit later. We make Pinnacle Grill reservations for the 12 of us at 5:30. I'm just finishing up my packing now.

[PaulaW]

Did you attend the Master's Chef dinner? If so, could you please list what was on the menu? Thanks......

 

The Master Chef's dinner is basically the same on all HAL ships. There are fewer options for each course than other nights. There is an amuse bouche-- which varies, a salad course, soup (choice of lobster bisque or oxtail en croute), appetizer [baked brie in phyllo or salmon (I think?)], and then a fairly decent selection of entrees: duck, pasta, beef tenderloin, fish, a vegetarian selection. And Baked Alaska for dessert. I'm sorry I don't remember more of the specifics.

 

Some people find the Master Chef's dinner a bit hokey since they give you chef's hats to wear and the waiters perform. Also because dinner takes longer and there are limited choices, some people choose to skip that night as well.

 

It can be fun if you choose to go, but if not, most of the same selections are offered in the Lido. Or you can make reservations for Canaletto or Pinnacle Grill.

 

Hope that helps!

[sandypaper]

Just got back. Yes, formal nights are first sea day and evening of Glacier Bay. Not sure about Master Chef dinner though. the seas were so rough coming out of glacier bay, not many people made it to dinner.

 

 

Last year on our Alaska cruise the wind was so strong coming out of Glacier Bay that the ship was rocking and a lot of people were seasick. I was one of them and believe me that is not a nice feeling. I did have some ginger pills which helped quite a bit. My first cruise and first experience with seasickness.

[3teri]

Ours was scheduled for 7:00 also, and then at around 4:00 we got a phone call in the cabin asking if we could move it to 6:00. We agreed. When we arrived at the room (piano bar, i think) we were greeted by the event planner, photographer, and 2 servers (No music).Congratulations. Enjoy it. Well worth the money.

 

I have been trying to decide about doing our vow renewal (25th anniversary). After reading your comments, I think I will call and book. You make it sound very nice.

 

Are they usually done on the last night? How far in advance did they tell you which day?

 

Thanks for the info.

[ranger-cruiser]

Are they usually done on the last night? How far in advance did they tell you which day?

 

Thank you. That was the only area that I would say they need improvement. When I set it up over the phone the agent told me that it is usually the 2nd night of the cruise. My wife was excited about that because her hair and nails would still be fresh from the salon. When we got on board they told us it was not going to be the 2nd night and that they would contact us with the date and time. It wasn't until the 3rd day of the cruise when they confirmed the date and time for the last day. Then on the last day, they called the cabin and asked if we could bump it 1 hour earlier. We are generally easy going, so was not a big deal for us. But could be for others.